One of my favourite things about travelling around Europe is noticing how ordinary people live — the everyday architecture, not just the landmarks. Europe is so dense and regionally diverse that things can change completely within a few hours: provinces, regions, autonomous areas, all with their own character.
What’s something you love about the everyday architecture where you’re from?
A few things I’ve noticed over the years:
In north-east Italy, houses are often painted in very bold colours. You’ll turn a corner and see a bright yellow house next to a deep purple one. I rarely see that kind of fearless mix elsewhere. People also seem to put a lot of care into their homes — decorating, cleaning, personalising them. It feels like the house is seen as an extension of identity.
I love the huge terraces in Greek cities. Flats often have these generous outdoor spaces that become part of daily life because of the mild climate. They’re actually lived in and looked after. In the UK, balconies usually feel like tiny afterthoughts used for storage.
Dutch architecture is amazing too, both in cities and the countryside. Some of the cottages I’ve seen just outside Amsterdam were so distinctive and cosy-looking — quintessentially “rural” despite the country being densely urbanised and completely flat.
And in northern Spain (Asturias especially), I noticed many houses have these beautiful wooden outdoor storage structures attached to them.
What are some examples from your country?