Gabriel Rickles
What makes a university feel like more than just a place to learn? Sometimes, it’s the soft light through old windows or a mountain view for breakfast. These twenty universities offer such spaces that invite curiosity and make the experience feel a little more compelling.
University Of Oxford
Walking through Oxford feels like flipping through chapters of a living history book. Founded in the 12th century, it’s a masterpiece of Gothic spires and ivy-covered stone. Interestingly, it’s also home to the Bodleian Library, one of the oldest in Europe, and each of its 38 colleges also have their own architecture and quirks.
Stanford University
Palm trees, red-tile rooftops, and blue skies; it’s California in postcard form. Yet, Stanford isn’t just about looks. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the same scenic architect behind Central Park, the campus blends nature and symmetry to encourage inspiration. It’s an academic powerhouse with the soul of a sunny retreat.
University Of Cape Town
Perched beneath Table Mountain, UCT looks like it was plucked from a painter’s dream. The campus’s Jameson Hall frames a stunning view, while stone steps give way to tiered gardens and winding paths. Furthermore, the blend of colonial-era buildings with indigenous landscaping gives it a unique South African character.
University Of Sydney
“It’s like Hogwarts, but with eucalyptus trees.” The iconic Quadrangle stands as a centerpiece with intricate sandstone carvings and Gothic revival towers. Each spring, jacaranda trees erupt with purple blooms near the Anderson Stuart Building. They turn all the walkways into watercolor scenes. Curiously, a hidden graffiti tunnel beneath the campus also lets students express creativity freely.
University Of Bologna
Europe’s oldest university isn’t shy about showing its age in the best way. Bologna was established in 1088 and played a major role in shaping the modern university model. Its buildings are scattered throughout the historic city to blend town life with student culture.
University Of Edinburgh
This one is as moody as it is gorgeous. Founded in 1853, the University of Edinburgh weaves through the city’s Old Town and spills into newer Georgian districts. The campus includes McEwan Hall, a Renaissance-style venue with frescoes and a domed ceiling used for ceremonies and concerts.
Peking University
Once the site of an imperial garden, Peking University’s campus includes Weiming Lake and marble bridges that reflect Qing Dynasty elegance. It also sparked China’s May Fourth Movement in 1919, which pushed for reform through student protests. That spirit remains, as the university still encourages open debate and sharing of critical thoughts across its scenic grounds.
University Of Coimbra
You’ll hear student fado music echo through cobblestone courtyards as you climb toward the 18th-century Joanina Library, which is also considered one of the most beautiful in the world. In a clever twist, bats help protect centuries-old books from insects. The university’s ceremonial garb even inspired the costumes in “Harry Potter.”
Trinity College Dublin
Founded in 1592, Trinity’s grounds house the Long Room, a wood-paneled library that feels like a cathedral of books. Among its treasures is the Book of Kells, a 9th-century manuscript of the Gospels that draws tourists year-round. Trinity also balances sleek science buildings with layers of historic stone and lore.
University Of Salamanca
The University of Salamanca is the oldest in Spain, and its golden sandstone shines under the sun. Since 1218, it has shaped scholars, theologians, and thinkers across centuries. Look closely, and you’ll spot a tiny frog carved into the stonework; students say finding it brings good luck on upcoming exams.
Heidelberg University
Heidelberg’s setting could pass for a fairytale. With the Neckar River on one side and a castle ruin on the other, Germany’s oldest university looks more like a postcard than a school. Established in 1386, its Baroque buildings and botanical garden are steeped in history.
University Of British Columbia
UBC stretches across a peninsula near downtown Vancouver, where snow-capped mountains meet the sea. Its Museum of Anthropology is a visual marvel that showcases Indigenous art and culture. Even more striking, the Rose Garden overlooks the Pacific, making it a go-to study spot for students and visitors alike.
Kyoto University
Cherry blossom paths wind through a campus where old and new quietly coexist. Though Kyoto University lacks a single architectural style, its charm lies in the contrast between traditional Japanese gardens and post-war concrete halls. Founded in 1897, it has produced multiple Nobel Prize winners, especially in the sciences.
University Of Hawaiʻi At Manoa
The college experience begins with the scent of plumeria and the sound of rain falling through palm trees. Located on the island of Oʻahu, the University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa is a tropical haven. The campus features unique structures like the East-West Center, which blends Asian and Pacific architectural styles.
University Of Otago
Gothic Revival meets the wild coastline in New Zealand’s oldest university. Established in 1869, Otago’s clock tower building is one of the country’s most photographed, and for good reason. Meanwhile, students bike past gardens and even spot sea lions along the harbor.
Flagler College
Housed in what was once a luxury hotel built by Henry Flagler in 1888, this Florida campus stuns with its Spanish Renaissance style. Think stained-glass windows by Tiffany and ceilings hand-painted with gold leaf. The school maintains small class sizes and encourages community involvement across historic St. Augustine—America’s oldest continuously inhabited city.
University Of Chicago
Founded in 1890, the University of Chicago blends Gothic architecture with advanced research. It’s where the atom was first split and where the Core Curriculum continues to shape every student’s education. Cobblestone paths wind past Botany Pond and lead to libraries known for their vaulted ceilings and quiet intensity.
University Of Navarra
Set in the rolling green hills of Pamplona, the University of Navarra fuses natural beauty with modernist design. Though founded in 1952, it quickly earned global recognition. Its sleek architecture features large glass panels that reflect the surrounding forests.
Tsinghua University
Tsinghua University is a striking blend of East and West. Once the grounds of a Qing Dynasty royal garden, the campus now centers around a redbrick hall with Chinese accents. The campus’s lotus pond, known for its tranquil beauty, was also famously captured by artists like Xu Beihong and Qi Baishi.
University Of Queensland
Bright bougainvillea spills across sandstone buildings at the University of Queensland in Brisbane. The campus features the Great Court, a vast open space wrapped in archways carved with academic and cultural motifs. Additionally, lakes, subtropical plants, and modern glass labs create a contrast to the old-school charm.
