The 11 Best City Homes Around the World

We’ve travelled around the world and back again to find the best global city destinations for you to escape. There’s a home that’s won the property equivalent of an Oscar, an apartment that could double as an art gallery, and even a ‘floating island’. As with all Plum Guide homes, there’s that something extra special about each and every one - just like the unique locations on the list. So special, you might not even want to fully explore your chosen destination - we’re not judging...

Let's take a look at our list of the 11 best city homes around the world.

Talk about taking your holiday home to new heights - this gem of a home not only has its own private pool, cinema room, and hot tub, but it also has its own elevator. Decor wise, it has the soul of an old Hollywood home with a hint of quintessential English design and is an ideal haven to relax in luxury. If you feel like leaving the secluded bliss of the private garden or huge pool, venture out into Savyon to visit one of the urban parks, or archeological sites, like Tel Aphek National Park.

Antique lovers will swoon at this elegant apartment in the Saint-Thomas-d'Aquin district. The owner’s impeccable taste is eluded to in the property name - Maillol & Rodin were two of France’s most esteemed sculptors. Rodin admired his younger peer’s ‘workmanship and thought’. You’ll no doubt feel the same admiration for this home, as thoughtful design and pieces of craftsmanship are its life force. Keep the art vibes going with trips to the nearby Musée d’Orsay and Musée Rodin.

You’ll die and go to apartment heaven at Cloud 9. Think stylish greenhouse vibes, with plenty of light and plants filling the Midtown apartment. You won’t quite have your head in the clouds at the property, it’s not a skyscraper - if you really want to touch the sky, the Empire State Building, and the Chrysler are just down the road. Even though it’s quite stark and vast, a sense of homeliness runs through the property, thanks to its authentic, lived-in feel. After a full-on day pacing the New York streets, it’ll be a welcome, green-tinged sanctuary.

This isn’t just any old house, this is a RIBA house. This modern home in Hackney was nominated for an award by the Royal Institute of British Architects - in other words basically the Oscars but for houses (we approve)...so no wonder it's on our list of the best city homes in the world. It has a simplistic design but still feels homely thanks to the artful use of the space. Whether you plan on spending your days roaming Victoria Park or heading to Broadway Market for snacks and drinks, the Debut provides the perfect base whether it’s your first, second, or seventeenth time exploring the area.

Let’s Jump In is a playful sea lover’s paradise with an interior that feels like that of a luxe boat. The only downside? You can’t actually jump in the water from a height as the name would suggest (we wouldn’t recommend it obviously). You can however pretty much just step out onto your own private beach, with the sublevel of the home boasting the ultimate of indoor/outdoor vibes - the floor is actually beach sand. Grab one of three kayaks and head out for a shoreline tour of Malibu, or alternatively pull up a chair and watch the waves crash in. Once you’ve had enough, head up a level and do it all over again on the other balconies - there’s three in total so you’ll be spoilt for choice.

Warm, golden light floods this elegant but homely house, aptly named Grand Soleil, or ‘Grand Sun’. It definitely had us feeling relaxed and optimistic, thanks to the luxurious and eclectic decor and huge rooftop terrace, which provides stunning views of Paris. One of the bedrooms backs on to the balcony area, so you can doze off looking at the twinkling Parisian lights in the streets, and above in the sky.

Narcissists and lovers of beautiful objects, this is the perfect home for you. MoMa? How about the HoM-a (sorry). If you’ve always wanted to feel like or pretend to be a living work of art, then surely a home that feels like an art gallery is your ideal kind of digs for your next adventure. There’s lots of natural light at Noho Art Gallery (photoshoot anyone?) thanks to its rather large windows. This does of course mean there’s not much privacy, but you’re up for being an art installation right? The home is right by Bleeker Street, perfect for some retail therapy.

For the ultimate peaceful getaway, get off dry land and drop your anchor at this unusual houseboat, which doubles as a floating artist’s studio and home. The floating terrace is the ideal chill or entertaining spot. There’s a disco ball should you want to have a little day party while it reflects in the sun. When you fancy an exploration of the area, head out on one of the property’s complimentary canoes or bikes. Friedrichshain has a creative, gritty appeal and is full of lots of artistic spaces Berlin has become renowned for.

If, like us, you’ve daydreamed of a.) starring in, or b.) living somewhere that resembles a Wes Anderson movie, then we imagine you’ll need to pinch yourself when you see this home. Or should we say mini palace? The Pavilion would make Rome’s emperors proud and its grandeur is enough to rival the Pantheon. Symmetry, stunning design, and a lot of mirrors make this pad extra special - we particularly love the entirely mirrored dining room. Best of all? It has its own secluded private garden, full of statues and fountains. There’s also a pool, perfect for the hot summer months, securing it's place on our list of the world's best city homes.

You know those scenes in films or captured in historical photographs of the 60s and 70s, where a big shot Hollywood director throws an unbelievable pool party at a cool-retro house and you wish you could time travel? Well, we’re pretty sure they all happened at this house. Chic and sleek, it’s one for the design heads. Located on a quiet road in the Hollywood Hills, you’ll be living the ultimate LA experience at The Elevado. Take a break from sunning yourself poolside or entertaining with a trip to nearby Griffith Observatory to recreate scenes from La La Land, or head to the Hollywood Bowl Overlook on Mulholland Drive for more impeccable views of the city.

Warm, wood-panelled grandiose meets classic Copenhagen simplicity at this regal home-away-from-home. The mysterious and playful name isn’t just for fun, it really is a royal affair, with the home of the Danish royal family just down the road, in Amalienborg. It’s an ideal bolthole to explore the city thanks to its central location, but with a huge fireplace fit for a king and a majestic marble shower to enjoy, you’ll be pardoned for staying put.