February 23, 2024 | Sammy Tran

30 of the Most Beautiful Places in the World


The Most Beautiful Places in the World

The world is full of beautiful places, but not all are known. Here are 30 of the world’s most stunning hidden gems to add to your bucket list.

Beautiful Places Split Gallery

Emerald Lake, Canada

Located in the Rocky Mountains, Emerald Lake boasts vibrant glacial waters surrounded by forested banks and President Range mountains.

Emerald Lake in British Columbia, CanadaRachel Claire, Pexels

Umbria, Italy

Umbria is known as the “green heart of Italy” with its ancient hilltop towns and rural landscapes. It is also known for growing some of Italy’s best produce.

Umbria - Italy Summer 2020Erik Törner, Flickr

Baja California Sur, Mexico

Baja California Sur boasts wide sandy beaches, shallow azure inlets, impressive pink cliffs, and spectacular mountain ranges and deserts.

It is often considered one of the most beautiful places in the world.

Baja California Sur, Mexico - 2020Aracely Quintero Rodríguez, Flickr

Lake District, England, UK

Lake District has a stunning scene of glacial lakes, rugged peaks, rolling green countryside, and charming market towns.

It’s considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and continues to be a popular holiday destination in England.

Buttermere Lake District Cumbria UK - 2010Les Haines, Flickr

Caño Cristales, Colombia

Caño Cristales is a stunning colorful river in Colombia that is known as one of the most naturally beautiful places in the world.

It boasts vivid reds, yellows, greens, blues, and blacks that are produced by algae and river plants.

Caño Cristales, Colombia - 2012Mario Carvajal, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Girona, Spain

Girona is one of the most historic cities in Spain.

With its medieval walls, narrow winding streets, beautiful old buildings, and ancient Jewish Quarter, it’s a dream destination for history and architecture lovers.

General view of Girona (Spain) - 2009Patronat de Turisme Costa Brava Pirineu de Girona, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Muğla, Turkey

Boasting a picturesque coastline dotted with upscale resort towns, sandy beaches, and clear blue waters including the famous Blue Lagoon, Muğla continues to make the list for most beautiful places in the world.

Aerial View of Oludeniz in Mugla Province, TurkeyCemgazi Yoldaş, Pexels

Lefkada, Greece

Lefkada is an island gem and a a treasure trove of sandy beaches, turquoise waters, impressive cliffs and seaside villages.

Syvota, Lefkada, Greece - 2022dadofekl, Flickr

Marseille, France

Marseille is France’s oldest city, dating back to roughly 600 BC.

It boasts a vibrant old port area, spectacular historic sites, diverse architecture, and unforgettable views of the coast.

Marseille ( France ) port - 2013Eden G, Flickr

Le Morne Brabant, Mauritius

This peninsula is home to the majestic mountain of the same name, which towers 556 meters above sea level.

From the summit you’ll find 360 views of the surrounding ocean, including the mysterious ‘underwater waterfall’.

Mauritius - Le Morne Brabant Peninsula - UNESCO World Heritage List - 2006Sofitel So Mauritius, Flickr

Lapland, Finland

Lapland’s breathtaking snowy landscapes, beautiful lakes and magical natural phenomena like the Northern Lights and Midnight Sun make it a popular winter wonderland for travelers seeking a stunning, snowy holiday.

Landscape from Lapland, Finland - 2007HibaHaba, Flickr

Istria County, Croatia

Istria County is a beautiful heart-shaped peninsula with rolling hills and a colorful coastline lined with old stone buildings.

Wander through the hilltop towns and take in the historic charm.

Tiny Street In Plomin, Istria County, Croatia - 2018Michal Klajban, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Laguna Colorada, Bolivia

Laguna Colorada is a beautiful shallow salt lake that stretches across 6,000 hectares. The water boasts a deep crimson color and the shoreline is often lined with bright flamingos.

Laguna Colorada, Bolivia - 2006Eduardo Figueiredo, Flickr

Tyrol, Austria

Tyrol is filled with lush green meadows, mountain lakes, snowy peaks and cute wooden chalets, making it one of Austria’s most beautiful hidden gems.

Lake Thiersee in Tyrol, Austria - 2019Uwe Schwarzbach, Flickr

Barbados

Barbodos is easily one of the best vacation spots in the world as it has some of the clearest waters in the Caribbean, stunning coral reefs, white sandy beaches and colorful towns.

Barbados beach - 2011Berit, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

The Faroe Islands

These magical islands are brimming with windswept mountains, jagged coastlines, emerald green hills, waterfalls, and even charming turf-roofed houses.

Faroe Islands, Streymoy, Haldarsvík - 2022Vincent van Zeijst, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Morbihan, France

Known as the perfect blend of coast and country, Morbihan has picture perfect towns full of history and character, pine covered beached, stunning cliffs and hidden coves.

Île-aux-Moines, Morbihan, France - 2014Jebulon, Wikimedia Commons

Kyoto, Japan

Known as the cultural capital of Japan, Kyoto is an intriguing metropolis full of Buddhist temples, imperial palaces, gardens, and traditional wooden houses.

Ninenzaka, pedestrian paved street, with paper umbrellas on a storefront - Kyoto, Japan - 2019Basile Morin, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Florence, Italy

Florence boasts some the world’s most beautiful cobblestone streets, elegance palaces, medieval chapels, and the romantic Arno River.

The whole city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Florence, Italy - 2006Lex Kravetski, Flickr

Shark Bay, Western Australia

Shark Bay is Australia’s largest bay, with over 1,000km of pristine beach calm blue waters, rare plants, colorful birds, wild animals, and twinkling night skies.

Shell Beach, Shark Bay, WA. - 2013Grant Matthews, Flickr

Algarve, Portugal

Algarve boasts sparkling azure waters, secluded coves, whitewashed fishing villages and an excellent food scene.

Carvoeiro Algarve Portugal - 2015Bengt Nyman, Flickr

Sa Pa, Vietnam

Sa Pa is known for its terraced rice fields, lush green mountains, white water-rivers, and winding roads leading down to the valley floor.

Small village and rice terraces; between Ta Van and SaPa, Vietnam - 1995Lon&Queta, Flickr

Murcia, Spain

Murcia has 250km of sandy beaches, olive groves, vineyards, medieval castles, and the magnificent Sierra Espuña mountain range.

La Azohía. Murcia, Spain - 2016PHoTowalX, Flickr

Dorset, England, UK

Dorset is one of England’s best seaside getaways full of iconic places, medieval castles and romantic wind-swept heaths.

Gold Hill, Shaftesbury, Dorset, UK - 2021Steve Knight, Flickr

Joshua Tree, USA

Two desert ecosystems come together in this national park to form stark landscapes, covered with rugged rock formations and twisted Joshua trees.

It also has stunning sunrises and sunsets, and some of the best stargazing skies.

Joshua Trees in Desert.Kindel Media, Pexels

Scottish Highlands, Scotland, UK

The Scottish Highlands boast a dramatic coastline, craggy peaks, and a blissful countryside. From the scenic Glenfinnan Viaduct to the blue depths of Loch Ness there is plenty of stunning sights to see.

Glencoe, Scottish Highlands - 2016Tony Armstrong-Sly, Flickr

Raja Ampat Islands, Indonesia

Another little slice of heaven, these jungle-covered islands boast white beaches, blue lagoons, colorful coral reefs, and plenty of wildlife.

Panorama of Raja Ampat Papua Barat Daya - 2023Ariandi Lie, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Crete, Greece

Crete is the largest of the Greek islands and it is packed with romantic beaches, dramatic gorges charming old towns, and striking mountain views.

Aerial view of the old town of Chania on Crete, Greece - 2020dronepicr, Flickr

Milford Sound, New Zealand

Known as one of the most scenic corners of the world, Milford Sound boasts towering mountain peaks, plunging cliffs, rainforests, waterfalls, and an array of wildlife.

Milford Sound NZ - 2015Bernard Spragg. NZ, Flickr

Thingvellir National Park, Iceland

Thingvellir National Park is a constantly changing geological landscape full of waterfalls, lakes and ridges. It’s easy to see why Iceland is considered one of the most beautiful places on Earth.

Thingvellir National Park, Iceland - 2006Ville Miettinen, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons


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