This London Building Is Officially the World's Second Most Beautiful — Only the Taj Mahal Ranks Higher

The brutalist landmark in east London has been named the second most beautiful building in the world, beaten only by India's Taj Mahal.

If you hadn't already heard, London is pretty gorgeous. A recent study crowned the Big Smoke as home to the UK's finest view, and now one of the capital's architectural masterpieces has been ranked among the most beautiful places on Earth.

The accolade goes to the Barbican Estate, which placed second on Time Out's list of the world's 26 most beautiful buildings to see in 2026. The Barbican is a brand-new entry in this year's guide, sitting just behind the mighty Taj Mahal.

Built between 1965 and 1976, this brutalist icon may not be the first place that springs to mind when you think of stunning architecture — but the striking uniformity of its terraces, paired with the rippling serenity of the lake and ponds below, make for a genuine feast for the eyes, whatever your personal taste.

The Barbican, granted Grade II-listed status in 2001, beat other jaw-dropping edifices including Iceland's rocket-shaped Hallgrimskirkja church and Barcelona's Sagrada Familia — still under construction 140 years after work began.

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What's more, London's labyrinthine icon is about to become even more visitor-friendly. A £240 million redesign, starting in 2027 and set for completion by 2030, will introduce a brand-new wayfinding system to help visitors navigate the sprawling complex.

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