Three Inspired Design Destinations
- Tiffany Figueiredo
- Sep 6, 2025
- 3 min read
Plus Three More You'll Want to Bookmark
by Tiffany Figueiredo
I’ve built a career around beautiful places: finding them, studying them, sending people to them. Over time, I’ve come to realize that what makes a place unforgettable isn’t just its location or level of luxury. It’s the design — the way a space makes you feel.
Here are our top three destinations (plus a few bonus spots), where creativity runs deep and is evident in everything you’ll experience. Because great design doesn’t just look good, it changes how you feel. And these cities feel good.
01. Mexico City
Mexico City is a feast for the senses, and one of the most inspiring places to see design woven into daily life. The bold, colorful homes of Luis Barragán are as much architectural pilgrimages as they are houses. Frida Kahlo’s Casa Azul remains a touchstone for artistry and individuality, while Diego Rivera’s murals (as seen above) bring history to life in vivid form.
But the city doesn’t live in the past. Roma Norte is filled with contemporary galleries and design-forward shops, each pushing the boundaries of new ideas. Even the food scene feels curated, from patterned tiles in cantinas to hand-thrown ceramics cradling your mezcal. Heritage and modernity meet at every turn.
Sleep: Casa Polanco | Las Alcobas | Condesa DF
Eat: Quintonil | Pujol | Rosetta
See: Frida Kahlo Museum | Luis Barragán House and Studio | Roma Norte’s many art galleries
02. Tokyo, Japan
In Tokyo, tradition and futurism live side by side. Centuries-old craft thrives in the smallest tea houses, where every gesture is deliberate. A few blocks away, you might find an avenue like Omotesandō, lined with avant-garde fashion and daring architecture. Tadao Ando’s serene concrete spaces invite quiet reflection, while the neon lights of Shibuya and Ginza pulse with energy.
The magic is in how seamlessly the city blends these extremes. Slip off your shoes to sit in a tatami-lined room, then ride an elevator that feels like a portal to the future. Tokyo is a living design laboratory, constantly evolving but rooted in respect for precision and form.
Sleep: Aman Tokyo | Tokyo EDITION | Hoshinoya Tokyo
Eat: Sézanne | Den | Nariswana
See: Mori Art Museum | Tokyo National Museum | private architecture tour
03. Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town is one of the world’s most compelling design destinations, shaped by African craft and a global outlook. Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa anchors the scene with its striking architecture, while the Silo and Waterfront Districts buzz with galleries like Southern Guild, boutiques like AAFRICAA, and artisan markets like The Watershed.
For a more hands-on experience, visit Woodstock and meet designers in their studios. From textiles and ceramics to furniture and fashion, the work often reflects local tradition reimagined. The result is soulful, diverse, and unmistakably Cape Town.
Sleep: Silo Hotel | Ellerman House | Dorp Hotel
Eat: FYN | Salsify | Rooi
See: Zeitz MOCAA | Iziko South African National Gallery | Bo Kaap
Three Bonus Cities for Design Devotees
04. New York City
From Fifth Avenue’s design museums to the converted lofts of Tribeca, New York remains the U.S. capital of design. Every neighborhood feels like its own creative district, filled with galleries, museums, boutiques, and captivating characters.
05. Milan, Italy
The beating heart of fashion and furniture design, especially during Salone del Mobile. Brera’s design district, Fondazione Prada, and polished showrooms keep the city buzzing year-round. Even aperitivo feels like part of the ritual.
06. Copenhagen, Denmark
A mecca of modern design, from Arne Jacobsen chairs to sleek, sustainable architecture. Visit Hay House, linger in light-filled cafés, and explore the Designmuseum Danmark. Even the bike lanes feel artfully constructed.
Let Fig Travel Co. plan the perfect buzzy break in one of these cities. We know the best hotels, must-see things to see, do, and eat, and we make it all seamless. If we can help, get in touch.
