From sky-blue lakes in Canada to sandstone beaches in Seychelles, beauty abounds in every corner of the Earth. Focusing largely on national parks, mountains, beaches, deserts, and other natural wonders, we’ve compiled the world’s most beautiful places to inspire your next dream destination.
Join us for a journey to some of the most beautiful places in the world, like the red rocks of the Grand Canyon and the abundantly colorful Great Barrier Reef.
Torres del Paine National Park, Chile
There’s no better way to experience Patagonia’s rugged natural beauty than in Torres del Paine National Park. The UNESCO Biosphere Reserve is home to its namesake granite towers (the park’s name is an amalgam of the Spanish word for “towers” and the Tehuelche word for “blue”), as well as sparkling lagoons and otherworldly glaciers.
Bagan, Myanmar
It’s hard to truly grasp the magnitude of Bagan Archaeological Zone, dominated by thousands of temples, pagodas, and stupas. Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site on a bike (or e-bike to cover even more ground). For an eagle’s-eye view, take a H๏τ-air balloon ride at sunrise to see the temples scattered across the lush landscape.
Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, Costa Rica
This magical, misty, and well-preserved cloud forest in northwestern Costa Rica is the ultimate template for sustainable ecotourism. Along with its sister cloud forest, Santa Elena Reserve, Monteverde is a practically untouched paradise home to thousands of plant, animal, and bird species (including the radiant quetzal), visible from jungle paths and nail-biting steel bridges hanging over the canopy.
Anse Source d’Argent, Seychelles
Pinpointing the most beautiful Seychellois beach is like splitting hairs, but Anse Source d’Argent gets extremely high marks for its sugar-white sand framed by dramatic granite boulders and sparkling aquamarine water. The sweet shoreline is relatively secluded from the resort crowds on La Digue Island.
Grand Canyon, Arizona
Offering some of the most spectacular scenery on the planet, the Grand Canyon truly merits the term “breathtaking.” The vast geologic wonderland, one mile deep and up to 18 miles across, displays countless layers of colorful rock and practically hypnotic vistas.
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and Zambia
One of the seven natural wonders of the world, Victoria Falls spans the Zimbabwe and Zambia borders. “The smoke that thunders,” as it is known to locals, and its surroundings, are hubs for white-water rafting, helicopter rides, big-game safaris, and other thrilling adventures.
Whitehaven Beach, Australia
Whitehaven Beach is arguably one of the loveliest shores in the world. Part of Australia’s Whitsunday Coast, the star attraction is remarkable for its amazing combination of pure silica sands and vivid blue-green waters.
Avenue of the Baobabs, Madagascar
On a dirt road near Madagascar’s west coast is a stretch of enormous baobab trees, all that remains of a once-dense forest. The centuries-old giants are especially magnificent cast in the light of a sunrise and sunset.
Uyuni Salt Flat, Bolivia
The world’s largest salt flat covers 4,000 square miles of the Bolivian Altiplano. In the dry season, it’s an endless white sheet of salt tiles made all the more dazzling by clear, sunny skies. From December to April, however, regular rains create a mirror effect that merges lake and sky. No matter when you see it, Salar de Uyuni is one of the most captivating sights on earth.
