When it comes to the best views in the world, sometimes you need to see it to believe it. In the case of a jaw-droppingly beautiful vista, even high-def won’t cut it. But for now, while the world hits the pause button, we’re taking our travel dreams to the closest screen.
Jump to: Views accessible by automobile | Road views tips | World's best aerial views | Views from the air tips | Amazing flat views | Desert photography tips | Remote locations | Tips for remote views | Underwater views | Tips for underwater photography |
To provide inspiration and as a distraction from your current coworkers (nosy pre-teens, perhaps, or that friendly pup who wonders why you’re home all day if not to walk her), we offer the 20 best views around the world.
Someday soon, when the world starts traveling again, you’ll have a wanderlust bucket list all ready to go.
Read on for the world’s 20 most beautiful views
Beautiful views that are accessible by automobiles
If you haven’t the time or fitness level for a long hike to a gorgeous, remote view, don’t fret. There are plenty of vistas throughout our pretty world that are accessible by car. (Many of these are also easily attained by bicycle, as well.)
1. Big Sur, California
Make like a movie star, put the top down, and whiz up the Pacific Coast Highway to Bixby Bridge for the best view of Big Sur.
Join the many who have taken some of their favorite photographs from this iconic span of concrete. If you’re wearing sturdy shoes, drive to Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park and take the 500-yard trail to McWay Falls overlook.
2. Avenue of the Baobabs, Madagascar
Drive down this unpretentious dirt road on the west coast of Madagascar to see rare, 800-year-old baobab trees. Some 20 to 25 of these impressive trees, with their massive, 150-foot-round trunks, make for one of the most unique views in the world.
The dirt road extends from Morondava and Belon’i Tsiribihina and is the most accessible place to see baobab trees in Africa.
Practical tips for these road-worthy views
- Obvious as it sounds, it bears repeating that you’ll want to get your car checked out and serviced before you embark on any epic road trips. You’ll never get to the world’s best views if you’re stuck on the side of the road. Invest in a AAA membership to help out in unavoidable mishaps on the road.
- Don’t wait to get gas. If you see a gas station and you’re hovering over a quarter tank, be sure to stop to fill up. Some of the world’s best views are at the end of long, remote roads and you can’t be guaranteed a service station.
- Prepare an emergency kit for the car with a battery charger, first-aid supplies, flares, jumper cables (watch a video before you leave home so you’ll know how to use them), an extra battery for your key fob and cash.
- Get on the road early for beautiful sunset views, then park somewhere gorgeous for an unforgettable sunset before turning in for the night. Resist the urge to drive all night to the next best spot. It’ll be there tomorrow. The likelihood for automobile crashes increases significantly after dark.
- Go off the beaten path. If the road looks driveable, take the left turns, the winding dirt road, the sign for “freshly baked apple pie.” You never know who you’ll meet and what enticing views you’ll find.
World’s Best Aerial Views
It almost goes without saying that some of the world’s best views are from on high. When you have a bird’s-eye view of the landscape, there’s little that goes unnoticed. Whether it’s in a hot-air balloon, paraglider or small aircraft, these three incredible aerial views around the world are unbeatable.
3. Cappadocia, Turkey
Soar above the otherworldly landscape of Cappadocia by hot-air balloon for one of the world’s prettiest views. Look down at the fields of fairy chimneys, rock caves, modern villages and peculiar rock formations that extend for miles.
Hundreds of balloons take off at sunrise, aiming to capture the dramatic light play on the volcanic tuff and rocks below. In fact, the sight of all those colorful balloons alongside yours is just as pretty as the landscape itself.
4. Maasai Mara, Africa
Set off at dawn by hot-air balloon for a heavenly view of the vast Maasai Mara. Wildebeests, elephants, cheetahs, hippos, hyenas, giraffes, lions and more will run, walk, graze, eat and feed below you, unfettered by your presence. This is truly one of the world’s most epic views, a glimpse into Mother Nature at her finest.
5. Milford Sound, New Zealand
Gaze upon glacier after glacier on a flightseeing tour of Milford Sound in New Zealand, considered one of the prettiest views in the southern hemisphere, if not the world.
Your view from above will encompass the gigantic glaciers of Mt. Aspiring and Fiordland National Park, from Volta Glacier to the Olivine Ice Plateau, as well as startlingly blue Milford Sound itself.
6. Bagan, Myanmar
Again with the hot-air balloons … it really is one of the best and most peaceful ways to get a bird’s-eye view of the landscape. Go up, up and up in Bagan, Myanmar, to appreciate the grand scale of the ancient capital - 26 miles of temples, 4,000 of them, in fact.
Rising from the dusty plain at dawn, in the mist of the morning sun, you’ll feel transported to another time, when Buddhist monks of old worshipped at these very temples between the ninth and 13th centuries.
Practical tips for the best aerial views
- You know you’ll want to be snapping hundreds of photos of the view from your hot-air balloon, but it’s unlikely that you’ll be allowed to bring aboard large camera equipment. Look into smartphone attachments that won’t be difficult to take along.
- Although these incredible views around the world probably don’t need any enhancement, consider some photo programs for your phone and have fun with them, from Photo fx to QuadCamera.
- If you’re soaring above Cappadocia, book a sunrise flight for the best views of the caves and volcanic landscape. These are sought-after ballooning opportunities, so book well in advance.
- To witness views of the Great Migration through the Maasai Mara, book your tour between July and September.
- For the most beautiful Bagan views, time your hot-air balloon flight for dawn as the sun rises behind the golden spires of the pagodas. Be flexible as these flights are weather-dependent. It’s a good idea to lower your expectations, assume there will be a need for cancellation or rescheduling and spend a few days here to allow for more chances.
Not all views are up high...
Often, without even realizing it, the best views are the ones right in front of us. No need to climb to the highest peak or soar to the top of a skyscraper. Consider the world’s deserts, salt flats and valleys - these, too, count among the best views available to travelers around the world.
7. The Northern Lights
Get a front-row seat to nature’s most incredible light show - the Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis - for one of the most unforgettable views you’ll ever experience. There are a number of northern destinations for viewing the cosmic spectacle, with the viewing getting better the farther north you go.
Aim for the clear, dark nights of fall, winter and early spring. Two of the top places to view the Northern Lights are Fairbanks, Alaska, and Tromso, Norway. Both are within the auroral ring, a ring-shaped area around the North Pole, and boast incredible viewing opportunities between August and May, weather-dependent.
8. The Sahara
There are countless incredible views throughout the Sahara Desert, from the undulating sand dunes of Erg Chebbi in Morocco to the salt lake in Tunisia to the black desert in western Egypt.
Whether you approach by 4x4 vehicle or on camelback, you’re in for an otherworldly treat. Make it a point to time your explorations for sunrise or sunset for the best Sahara views.
9. Salar de Atacama, San Pedro de Atacama, Chile
With its 3,000-square-kilometer salt lake, resident flamingos and countless other Andean birds, the Salar de Atacama (Atacama Salt Flat) is one of the most impressive views in Chile.
It’s unlikely to be like anything you’ve seen before, what with its huge salt reserves that crackle at dusk, when the temperatures drop, and all those long-legged birds.
See if you can spot the differences between Andean, Chilean and James flamingos. Stay into the night if you can - the starry night views are some of the best in South America.
10. Pamukkale, Turkey
Visit Turkey’s “Cotton Castle” for its beautiful white travertine terraces formed by the calcium bicarbonate deposits from the region’s hot springs.
Ranking among the most unique views in the world, this Turkish UNESCO World Heritage Site was once part of the ancient city of Hierapolis. Pamukkale is a breathtaking sight, the striking blue pools, set in natural layers, complemented by the starkly white travertine. You’ll feel like a Greek god or goddess at the spa.
11. Wahiba Sands, Oman
Sometimes the best views in the world are surprisingly barren … consider the Wahiba Sands in eastern Oman, where gold, yellow and coppery-orange sand dunes stretch for miles. The linear quality of the dunes and their impressive height (up to 330 feet) make for incredible photos.
Get the best sand dune views by 4x4 (with an experienced driver) - called “dune bashing” - by camelback or on foot. Stay beyond sunset and experience your own Arabian nights amongst the windswept dunes.
12. Salar de Uyuni
Bolivia boasts one of the world’s most extreme views at Salar de Uyuni. This, the world’s largest salt flat, is renowned for its polygonal patterns and mesmerizing mirror-like effect just before dusk.
A sea of water just a few centimeters deep sits atop the salt crust, so when the sun makes its way toward the horizon, the ever-changing colors and reflections make for one of the most fantastic natural views you’ll ever see.
Practical tips for desert photography
- Prepare for the extreme climate if you’re capturing views of the desert or salt flats. Plan to bring a hat, plenty of water, sunglasses, sunscreen, a GPS, a scarf and long-sleeve shirt and sturdy hiking boots.
- Bring along the essentials for this unique type of landscape photography, including a wide range of lenses, a tripod, filters, extra batteries and SD cards and a cable release.
- For camera lenses, carry a minimum of a 16-35mm, 28-70mm and 80-299mm.
- Pack in a garbage bag - lay it on the ground and place your equipment on it. This way, you’ll avoid any desert needles or sand from getting into nooks and crannies and causing trouble.
- Pay attention to the weather. Some of the best desert photography comes the day after a big storm when the winds have died down and you’ll get incredible views of resculpted sand dunes and fresh patterns.
Remote Locations
Get off the beaten path for the world’s most impressive views, from high atop Machu Picchu to the terraced paddy fields of the Bac Son Valley in Vietnam.
When you push the envelope and are willing to travel more widely and deeper into the authentic landscape of your destination, you’ll be richly rewarded with the best views on Earth.
13. Tsingy de Bemaraha, Madagascar
If you have a thirst for adventure, you’ll find some of the Earth’s most incredible views in remote locations where few have ventured before you.
Consider Tsingy de Bemaraha in Madagascar, the world’s largest stone forest - it’s a mere five-day journey from the country’s capital. It’s worth it, however, to commune with the lemurs, parrots and lizards that live amongst these dramatic rock towers, hidden caves and winding ravines.
14. Machu Picchu, Peru
Go beyond the traditional tour and climb the looming, horn-shaped Huayna Picchu for the best view of Machu Picchu.
It’s a difficult, mountainous trek, best tackled by those in good physical condition and who are prepared for a solid hike, but the impressive vista you’ll achieve, over the Lost City of the Incas, the forested mountains and the Urubamba River, is well worth it.
15. Bac Son Valley, Vietnam
For the prettiest views in Vietnam, make your way to the Bac Son Valley, known as the country’s “green paradise” for its far-reaching rice fields, beautiful flowers and high mountain summits. Look for the traditional stilt house the Tay people call home.
For the most dramatic vista of the Bac Son region, climb the 1,200 steps to the peak of Mount Na Lay (it takes about an hour). If you can, hike the limestone mountain at sunset for the most dramatic views, as the changing colors reflect on the river and towns begin to light up below.
16. Longji, China
Can’t get enough paddy fields? Hike among the rice terraces of Longji, China, for the best photography opportunities and incredible views. Treks to more than 2,800 feet give you a heady view of Guilin’s Longji mountains and the renowned “Dragon’s Spine.”
Depending on the time of year you visit, you’ll see mirror-like reflections on watery terraces, lush, green terraces, golden terraces and silvery white terraces, stretched out for miles like the contours of a topographical map. Aim for a sunrise view, as early as 4 AM, for a truly magical moment.
17. Tiger’s Nest, Bhutan
As you gain 2,900 in altitude on your way to Tiger’s Nest (also known as Taktsang) at just over 10,000 feet, you’ll stop time and time again to capture Bhutan’s most amazing views. The famous, cliff-clinging monastery presides over the Paro Valley in the Himalayas and is considered one of the world’s most impressive sights.
Take that iconic Tiger’s Nest photo from the overlook point of the hike, then to reach the monastery itself, continue down a short stone staircase. The roundtrip hike, plus exploration of the monastery, takes about six hours. If you’re not a hiker, it’s possible to attain these dramatic views on horseback.
Practical tips for accessing the world’s most remote views
- Make sure to carry a GPS system in case your phone doesn’t have service.
- Carry plenty of water, snacks and sunscreen (and/or a hat).
- Carry layers of clothing to account for variations in temperature.
- Ask the locals where they go for the best sunset views.
- Take the back roads, whether on foot, bike or car.
- Bring along a first-aid kit.
- Consider a solar panel and/or battery pack to charge headlamp batteries, phones and other small electronic devices.
The World’s Best (Under)water Views
18. Great Barrier Reef
From above and below, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia is a sight to behold. Considering the fact that the massive reef system can be seen from outer space, one can imagine just how gorgeous the view is when you’re hovering above it in a helicopter.
Glide over the 2,900 individual reefs, sandy cays and 900 islands that comprise the underwater ecosystem. If you’re a diver, venture underwater to view the 1,500 fish species and 400 types of mollusk that call the reef home.
No matter how you experience it, from above or below, the Great Barrier Reef is undoubtedly one of the Earth’s best and most memorable views.
19. Blue Hole, Belize
The best way to view the Blue Hole in Belize is to take a scenic flight above it. Even better, float above it in a glass-bottomed helicopter, showcasing this renowned diving hole that is part of the UNESCO-protected Belize Barrier Reef.
The blue abyss sinks more than 400 feet into the ocean and is a magnet for scuba divers the world over who take their own views underwater as they explore underwater limestone caves and passageways.
Practical Tips for Best Underwater Photography
- Stay with about 12 inches of your subject for the best color, contrast and clarity.
- Get low and shoot your subject at an upwards angle, as opposed to shooting down at your subject.
- Use the highest resolution on your camera and the lowest ISO that is possible.
- If using flash, use auto white-balance. If not using flash, use custom white balance or underwater mode.
- To sharpen your contrast as that rainbow-hued tropical fish darts past, use 1/125th shutter speed. (Use 1/30th for still objects, like amazing coral formations and 1/60th for slow-moving objects.)
- Slather your back, backs of legs and other exposed areas with lots of sunscreen when snorkeling and getting the best underwater views. Best to avoid an uncomfortable burn!
Rounding out the list...
20. Perito Moreno Glacier, Argentina
For one of the world’s most impressive glacier views, hop on a boat in Argentina’s Los Glaciares National Park and head to Perito Moreno Glacier, a 19-mile-long sheet of ice that rises more than 200 feet out of the water.
Alternatively, hike within the park to a boardwalk that offers several glacier viewing points. Or, take the ultimate plunge and get the most up-close glacier views by hiking on the ice field itself.
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