The 25 Most Beautiful College Campuses Around the World (2024)

There's a lot of learning to be done not only in the classrooms of college campuses, but also outside. Universities and academic institutions from across the world play host to some of the most notable architectural masterpieces and astonishing landscapes.

There are very few places where traditional Palladian architecture lives next to modernist theaters or lush woodlands surround Gothic-style halls as seamlessly as college campuses. Each academic building and green space plays an integral role in educating its students and visitors on the history of the college and its region. More importantly, the hallowed grounds help to shape each student into who they are as individuals. While there are many factors that go into selecting the right college, the campus's ability to inspire creativity and provide refuge should be taken into consideration.

We've searched throughout the world to discover the most beautiful college campuses with sprawling grounds that are just as highly regarded as their programs. From the base of Devil's Peak in South Africa to the rolling hills of Georgia, each of these beautiful college campuses pays homage to its origins while making way for an even brighter future.

The University of Bologna stands as the oldest university still in operation and the first degree-awarding institution, with its founding dating back to 1088. Housed within its historic Palladian and medieval structures is a collection of 15 museums covering a diverse range of fields, from anthropology and geology to astronomy and botany.

Sitting between scenic gorges and overlooking Cayuga Lake, Cornell University's campus spans a vast 745 acres in Ithaca, New York. The campus showcases a rich tapestry of architectural styles, from collegiate gothic to neoclassical, Victorian, and modern designs. Ten of Cornell's buildings have earned a spot on the National Register of Historic Places, including the ornate Victorian Gothic Andrew Dickson White House and the Greek Revival-style Bailey Hall.

Not many students can brag about having a castle on campus, but those at Royal Roads University in British Columbia certainly can. The centerpiece of the 642-acre campus is the Victorian-style Hatley Castle, which now serves as the administrative center of the university and is also designated as a National Historic Site. The grounds further impress with extensive hiking and walking trails that offer spectacular views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The campus also features various gardens, including a serene Japanese sanctuary and a fragrant rose garden.

Medieval Spanish architecture and grand courtyards make Spain’s oldest academic institution a cultural treasure not only for students but also for city residents. Founded in 1218 by King Alfonso IX, the University of Salamanca officially opened to the public in 1254, offering studies in grammar, arts, and physics. Local folklore even whispers of the university's past association with sorcery, with a certain cave in Salamanca rumored to have been a site for black magic.

The oldest academic institution in South Africa reached full university status in 1918 and has remained one of the country's leading institutions ever since. Nestled in the nation's renowned wine-growing region and encircled by picturesque mountains, the campus is home to a small yet impactful botanical garden with a dedicated conservation focus on indigenous species at risk of extinction.

As the oldest and largest educational institution in Finland, the University of Helsinki offers a wide range of majors, with a particularly strong emphasis on the scientific and environmental fields. While the pastel-colored and 19th-century buildings are stunning on their own, the impressive 10-acre botanical garden truly steals the show. The greenhouse is home to over 800 different plant species, and the grounds feature nearly 2,800 varieties from around the world.

Romance and beauty sing through the halls and courtyards of St Andrews—just ask Prince William and Princess Kate who met while going to school there. Established in 1413, Scotland's first university is a showcase of late Scottish Gothic architecture, with St Salvator’s Chapel as a prime example. Among the campus' recent additions is the Wardlaw Museum, home to over 115,000 artifacts that celebrate the university's rich historical, artistic, and scientific collections.

Established in 1850, the University of Sydney holds the title as the oldest university in Australia and Oceania. Its main campus, which spreads across Camperdown and Darlington, features some of the finest sandstone buildings in the world such as the iconic MacLaurin Hall designed by Walter Liberty Vernon. The university is not only home to the extensive Nicholson Collection of art but also features the vibrant Graffiti Tunnel, a relic of historic student protests against the Vietnam War.

Spanning 100,000 acres of rolling land, the University of Otago, established in 1869, is New Zealand's first research institution. Stunning sights abound throughout the campus, from the striking Clocktower Building designed by Maxwell Bury and Edmund Anscombe to the Water of Leith, which gracefully cuts through the grounds.

Attending class might just be a joy with the University of San Diego's picturesque views of the Pacific Ocean and Mission Bay. Offering vistas that stretch from San Diego Harbor to the Coronado Islands and La Jolla, the campus is also adorned with stunning 16th-century Spanish Renaissance-style buildings, painted in crisp white with soft blue accents.

Established in 1209, the University of Cambridge is regarded as one of the most prestigious educational institutions in the world. Beyond its academic excellence, the campus is also known for its botanical gardens and architectural gems found on almost every corner. King's College, in particular, is often named one of the finest examples of late English Gothic architecture and features the world's largest fan vault. The River Cam also runs right through the city university, adding to the campus' picturesque views.

Over its three campuses across Seoul, Kyung Hee University's classical architecture gives another layer of interest to the ever-evolving city. Fragrant cherry blossom trees guide incoming students toward the regal admissions hall with its Corinthian-style columns and a bubbling fountain. The main campus also houses the Natural History Museum and Hye-Jung Museum.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology exhibits a diversity of architectural styles not seen on any other campus in the world. There's a neo-futuristic auditorium from Eero Saarinen, a Frank Gehry-designed modernist complex, and neoclassical buildings designed by William Welles Bosworth—just to name a few.

Works from some of Mexico's most renowned architects and artists can all be found in one place—the National Autonomous University of Mexico. The crown jewel of the largest university in Latin America is the central library designed by Juan O'Gorman which is covered in murals depicting the university's history. In 2007, the National Autonomous University of Mexico was named a UNESCO heritage site as it stands as a symbol of modernity in Mexico.

Swarthmore College's campus boasts an eclectic collection of modern and Collegiate Gothic-style architecture, but there's one breathtaking element that makes the college stand out: a 425-acre arboretum filled with magnolia trees, hiking trails, and an outdoor theater. Just outside Philadelphia, the college's green oasis draws the attention of students, locals, and horticulturists from across the world. From the 200 varieties of roses making up the Dean Bond Rose Garden outside Parish Hall to the towering trees of Crum Woods, you're greeted with a bountiful display around every turn and corner.

The University of Cape Town is not short on impeccable views with the ivy-covered buildings and dramatic mountains of Devil's Peak in the background. At the center of campus, Sarah Baartman Hall stands as a sneak peek of the offerings found on the university's campus.

Nestled in the oldest city in the United States, Flagler College stands an a delightful example of the architectural vernacular associated with St. Augustine, Florida. The liberal arts school is housed in the former Ponce de León Hotel, which was built 1888 as a luxury resort under the direction of businessman Henry Flagler. Much of his original vision remains—including the ballroom, which now serves as a palatial dining hall with Tiffany stained glass windows.

Walking the campus of this quaint liberal arts college in rural Mount Berry, Georgia feels like you're visiting the set of a fairy tale movie. There's no short of natural splendor at Berry College, thanks to the more than 27,000 acres of forests, meadows, and lakes surrounding the campus. English Gothic-style academic buildings and serene reflecting pools add to the fantastical quality.

Established in 1290 by King D. Dinis, the "General Study" was first established in Lisbon as a university for the arts, law, common law, and medicine. It moved to Coimbra in 1308, but it did not settle into its permanent residence at a palace overlooking the Mondego River until 1537. Today, the UNESCO World Heritage site's sun-bleached walls, botanical gardens, and Joanina Library give insight into the country's academic history.

Stanford University embodies the quintessential American campus with its sprawling green lawns, California Mission-style. architecture, and tree-lined walkways. A list of heavy-hitting designers and architects helped mold the campus, including Frederick Law Olmsted who cultivated the prestigious school's flowerbeds and green spaces.