Are you a photographer or just like taking photos? Here are some of the top recommended global destinations to capture some of the best pictures of your life.
One of the most rewarding parts of travelling is photography, where you get to capture the essence of different places, whether through colors or emotions. The Earth is an incredible planet that offers plenty of beautiful destinations, and these locations need to be captured as a lifetime memory. Whether it is a natural landscape, intriguing architecture, or just street shots of the people on the go, travel photography can be diverse and enjoyable with engaging storytelling. If you are also looking forward to spending a photographic holiday, here are some recommendations to make your days more photogenic.
- Lake Louise – Canada
First in the list, we have Lake Louise in Canada, which is considered to be one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. This high altitude water body consists of turquoise-blue waters in summer, when it is surrounded by green foliage, and during winter, it takes a drastic change with golden trees and a frozen lake. Its dynamic beauty in different seasons creates paintings like beautiful scenes that deserve to be captured. The mountains standing beside add the perfect contrast, and you can play with the shadows too. Make sure to carry a graduated filter for more playful lights and shadows.
- Taj Mahal – India
Although Delhi in India is perhaps one of the most crowded and polluted cities, millions of travelers visit this city just to witness one of the seven wonders of the world, which is the Taj Mahal. This glorious architecture was built in the era of the Mughals, and it is one of the best examples of the intersection of art and architecture. This Islamic tomb is gradually decaying with pollution, but it is still one of the most beautiful foundations in the country that can offer you some of the best photographs in your travel album.
- Mount Fuji – Japan
Mount Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan, and it is not just beautiful but spiritual as well. It is a volcano too, and Japanese people do not want to anger their mountain spirit. The mountain and the peak have a nearly-perfect and graceful form, which makes it perfect for photography in every season. A majority of people like to take photographs from the Fuji Five Lakes Region, located north of the mountain. It can offer the most magnificent view in the early mornings, and during spring, you can also find pink cherry blossoms.
- Namib-Naukluft National Park – Namibia
Namib-Naukluft National Park is a heavenly place in nature that offers some of the most iconic shots for its rugged desert beauty, contrast of sand colors, and dead black trees that stand like art installations. This place is filled with sandy dunes, mountains, canyons, and desert wildlife, and can offer plenty of good elements or subjects to capture. Those who are looking for greener shots can visit the national park in the wet season, particularly April and May. Those who are looking for vibrant colors, wildlife, and clearer skies should visit the desert in the dry season, which lasts from May to October.
- Salar de Uyuni Salt Flats – Bolivia
The salt flats of Bolivia have gained international attention as this landscape acts like a natural mirror. The white salt flats stay covered in foot-deep water during the rain, and the flats turn into a mirror that reflects the sky above. With no high regions around, it feels like the sky has blended with land or vice versa, and you will feel like standing on limitless sky with no horizons. This dizzying illusion creates the perfect situation for some mind-bending picture in the world’s largest natural mirror.
- Bagan – Myanmar
Myanmar is one of the most culturally rich places in South Asia, where you can find an ancient city that is more than 800 years old. The sacred temples of Bagan and its iconic location make it perfect for photography, especially in the golden hour and early mornings. The Shwesandaw Stupa and Shwegugyi Temple are so big that they can be seen from afar. But one of the best spots for photography would be the North Guni temple, which is lesser known, and offers a magnificent view among the greenery.
- Reine – Norway
There is something mysterious about Norway that makes it attractive for photo sessions. Reine is one of the most popular and tranquil places in the world, which brings a lot of foreign visitors to this small fishing village. It is situated right beside a huge rugged mountain that feels like a giant protecting the village. The creative essence of the village lies in its unusual yet beautiful landscape, and if you are lucky enough, you might just witness the northern lights, which offer a great opportunity for night photography. You can also take some great astral photographs here since there is almost zero pollution.
- Ha Long Bay – Vietnam
Vietnam has been bombed extensively by the Americans, but the country still managed to keep its natural beauty intact. The Ha Long Bay in the country is quite famous since it includes floating villages, limestone pillars and caves, islets, arches, hidden beaches, and the list goes on. This place is like an all-in-one package where every photographer can find something new to capture at every corner. It is suggested to visit during April to July, the hottest months, when the water remains emerald green.
- Camps Bay – South Africa
Camps Bay is one of the largest beaches in Cape Town, South Africa. This beach can be a stunning location for photography where the mighty sea roars against the white sandy beaches. The Twelve Apostles Mountain Range is right beside it, and white clouds can often be noticed condensing over the top of the mountains. This place offers the sea, the beach, the mountains, and raging clouds all together, creating a surreal natural ambiance to photograph. You can also find plenty of hiking trails that lead to a sweet spot. Start early in the morning to catch the sun illuminating its cool blue waters by the time you shoot.
- Milford Sound – New Zealand
New Zealand is one of the most favorite places for photographers and filmmakers for its beautiful natural landscapes that almost feel unworldly. Hollywood and other film industries have utilized these locations multiple times, and now, it is time for you to witness them. Milford Sound lends plenty of creative possibilities for photographers with clear blue skies and the glory of nature reflected on its waters and waterfalls cascading from the surrounding steep mountains. It is recommended to shoot at the high tide in December when you can have the best view.
- Serengeti National Park – Tanzania
Tanzania is best known for its wildlife and natural green landscapes that attract thousands of wildlife photographers every year. If you are into wildlife photography, this could be the best place for it, as the animals stay in their natural habitat. You can find a diversified range of wild animals here that includes lions, giraffes, cheetahs, leopards, and rhinos, as well. You can find animals in their rawest forms, full of wilderness and emotions. For the best lighting effects, go for an early morning safari when the animals stay active after waking up.
- Chefchaouen – Morocco
Morocco and Egypt can also offer you plenty of photogenic destinations, such as Chefchaouen. It is a blue city situated in the Rif Mountains, which is best known for its marvelous traditional Moroccan architecture, which is mainly covered in white and blue. This place is best for photowalks on the twisty streets, where you can find some photogenic angles with each step you take. The bright blue hue looks amazing in the daytime, and you can utilize it for backdrops and silhouettes.
- Twelve Apostles – Australia
There are a handful of Aussie destinations where you can capture memorable pictures, and the Twelve Apostles is the best example of that. Unfortunately, only eight of the Twelve Apostles remain now, but it can still offer you a surreal experience. Apostles are referred to as tall limestone pillars carved by nature, which appear like natural art installations. If you join the Great Ocean Walk, you will be passing through many scenic locations surrounding the Twelve Apostles, and it can offer some of the best shots. There is also a Shipwreck Coast, which is highly popular for photography. The best time to visit here would be from January to March.
- Neuschwanstein Castle – Germany
This castle in Germany literally feels like a fort from the fairy tales. Neuschwanstein is a 19th-century Romanesque Revival Castle sitting on top of a hill overlooking the Alpine foothills. It is one of the most popular German castles that attracts a lot of photographers and travelers every year. The most iconic photos of the grandiose castle have been taken from Queen Mary’s Bridge, but surrounding paths and villages also offer beautiful panoramic views with the scenic nature in the background. The crowd is milder, and the skies are still clear in September or October, but the castle also looks magical, covered in some snow in winter.
- Rice Terraces (Yuanyuang) – China
There are a lot of wonderful places in China, and the rice terraces at Yuanyuan are one of them. This is a Hani minority settlement, and it looks absolutely magical from an aerial view. This is where you can witness the symbiosis between nature and humans and how the farmers help to keep the harmony in nature without destroying it completely. The rice terraces are most magical toward the end of harvest season, from mid-September to mid-November, and before planting season, which is April. Visit Duoyishu for sunrise photography and Bada for sunset photography. Lauhuzui is the most colorful area of the terraces, but with the colors of the sky reflecting on the water-filled terraces, capturing its magic at any time of day is possible.
- Grand Prismatic Spring – USA
If you are familiar with the Yellowstone National Park in America, you have to visit the Grand Prismatic Spring, which is the third-largest thermal feature in the world. It looks absolutely mesmerizing with the burnt orange land surrounding it, its red, orange, yellow, and green rings created by bacteria in its microbial mats, and its aquamarine center. It is an incredible place to shoot. Because the bacteria react to the sun, the best time to go is in the summer at noon. Bring filters that will help minimize glare from the water’s surface and a wide-angle lens if shooting up close. For a full view of the spring, consider shooting from an elevated location or the park’s viewing platform. Be careful not to get any blisters!
- Machu Picchu – Peru
Machu Picchu in Peru is one of the seven wonders of the world, revered for its location, architecture, and ingenuity. Built in the 15th century and later abandoned, this mysterious settlement perched high in the Andes Mountains offers panoramic views, a myriad of impressive vantage points, and varied weather conditions to keep your shots interesting. Try to shoot either early or late in the day for the best light. The sheer height of the location makes it more cinematic.
- Sa Pa – Vietnam
Established by the French in 1922, the tranquil valley of Sa Pa in northern Vietnam offers some splendid panoramic views perfect for landscape photography. Capture the hills against clear blue skies in summer, from March to May and August to December, from the Sapa Radio Tower, which is said to offer a magnificent 360-degree view of the area. Note that the golden yellow rice fields are best captured before harvest season, which happens around September.
- Palau –Palau
Palau is probably one of the best places for underwater photography because of its rich marine biodiversity. In addition to this, it also boasts limestone and volcanic islands, caves, and lush green forests. The weather is drier, and the waters are calm from December to March. If you can manage it, Palau is seriously good for aerial photography of the islands.
- Plitvice Lakes National Park – Croatia
This national park in Croatia is revered for its lakes and natural beauty that can put everyone in awe. The Plitvice Lakes in Croatia, made up of 16 lakes and lagoons interconnected by waterfalls and home to deer, bears, wolves, and other wildlife, is nothing short of magical. With jade-green waters and man-made wooden paths surrounding the lagoons, endless creative possibilities await photographers, but if you’re wondering, iconic photographs of the lakes have been taken from Veliki Slap.
- Seljalandsfoss – Iceland
Everything about Iceland feels quite magical and unreal, and Seljalandsfoss can make you feel the same. From the glaciers at the peak of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano, melted water flows through steep cliffs, forming the stunning Seljalandsfoss Waterfall. Whether from the front or behind the waterfall, photographers are sure to walk away with stunning shots of this Icelandic beauty. The sun hits the water perfectly, showing in June and July in the evening.
- Cinque Terre – Italy
No, Italy is not just about pizza, cheese, and mafia. Forget about the stereotypes and feel the real authenticity and hospitality of Italian people at Cinque Terre. Colorful buildings line the dramatic cliffs of these five fishing villages on the Ligurian coast, providing a picture-perfect location to explore with your camera. There are hiking tracks between each town that offer breathtaking views of the sparkling Mediterranean Sea, vineyards, olive groves, lemon trees, and bougainvillea, and of course, vistas of the pastel towns. Riomaggiore, Manarola, and Vernazza are favorite shooting spots, especially early morning and late evening, when the light illuminates the cliffs and houses. Also consider shooting from the sea at sunset to capture Cinque Terre in its pastel beauty with wide orange skies as your background.
- Rio de Janeiro – Brazil
The capital of Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, is heaven for photographers looking not only for impressive landscapes but also exuberant art and traditional architecture. From sunrise to sunset, catch any of Rio’s beautiful beaches, shanty towns, waterfalls, forests, wildlife, city lights, and people. Hard to miss, of course, is the majestic Christ the Redeemer sculpture standing on Corcovado Mountain, best photographed early in the morning when the sun is overhead, and the crowd isn’t bustling. People here are also quite friendly, and you might get the best street shots here.
- Great Barrier Reef – Australia
The Great Barrier Reef is the biggest active coral reef in the world, which is formed with over 2900 coral reefs and about 900 islands and cays. It helps to capture the bustling underwater life and, of course, bountiful reefs. Bring a good flash to excellently capture the beauty of the reef if shooting deeper than 5 meters. Otherwise, you can get enough light at noon. Here you can get amazing shots from the sky as well as underwater, offering dynamic opportunities to get your money shot. This place is best for Marine wildlife photography.
- Lake Tekapo – New Zealand
A glacial lake, the waters of Lake Tekapo are milky-blue all year round. The colors in this picturesque body of water are most vibrant in summer when the pink and purple lupins that line its banks are in bloom. In the fall, capture the lake surrounded by warm orange trees, and in winter, the blankets of snow that cover the bordering peaks. Additionally, Lake Tekapo is an International Dark Sky Reserve, so don’t pass up a chance to shoot the star-covered night sky.
- Granada – Spain
An Arab-influenced palace complex more than 1000 years old, Granada is quite an interesting place to capture. With the Islamic architecture, art-filled streets, and the Sierra Nevada in the background, something wonderful is sure to catch your eye. Shoot from Alhambra Palace, Mirador de San Nicolas, and Mirador de San Cristobal in the mornings of late April to June when flowers are in bloom, or capture the majestic Alhambra Palace in winter when the Sierra Nevada is covered in snow.
- Plateau de Valensole, Alpes de Haute-Provence – France
This is one of the best examples of French beauty that you cannot find in movies. 680 square kilometers of flat lavender fields bloom in summer (July to August) in the medieval village of Valensole for some of the most gorgeous photos of nature that you can capture. Hit Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque at sunset or dawn to see the fields in their most vibrant colors.
- Lake Hillier – Australia
Have you ever seen a pink lake that feels like it was made from Kool-Aid? Well, Lake Hillier can offer you a surprising experience with its appearance. This beguiling natural attraction is a sight to behold and is located on Middle Island, the largest of the islands that make up the Recherche Archipelago off the southern coast of Western Australia. The way that this lake got its bubblegum pink color is a bit of a mystery, but scientists speculate that it’s the result of a dye produced by bacteria that live in the salt crusts. One of the best ways to take in the spectacle is from the air on a scenic helicopter flight, or you can take a boat cruise to the island.
- Aurora Borealis – Sweden
A prime spot to catch the violet, green, and blue lights of the Aurora Borealis dancing in the sky is in Sweden. Because it isn’t as cold as neighboring locations, working with long exposures is easier in this location. The Aurora Borealis is visible from September to May, but you will need patience as the skies need to be clear enough to see the northern lights.
- Antelope Canyon – USA
This mystifying place is one of the most photographed slot canyons in the world, and for good reason. The famous flowy sandstone formations are a photographer’s dream, made up of spectacular colors, textures, shapes, and light. The natural light beams are unmissable and are most impressive in the Upper Antelope.
