Most Beautiful Places in the World: 22 Stunning Destinations You Need to See

The Most Beautiful Places in Europe

Let’s start close to home with Europe. Our continent already has some of the most beautiful places in the world to offer. And there’s so much variety — from Greece’s sun-drenched beaches to the dramatic fjords of Norway, and from the rugged coasts of Portugal to the untouched landscapes of Romania.

Lisbon's Viewpoints

• Best time to visit: year-round
• Where to stay? The Felix 10 – a family-friendly boutique hotel with a lovely rooftop terrace.

We could easily put all of Lisbon on the list of the most beautiful places in the world. The charming historic neighborhoods, the cool street art, and the mix of big city and Atlantic coast are just incredible. But we wanted to get a little more specific, which is why Lisbon’s stunning viewpoints made our list.

Lisbon is built on 7 hills in total. So there’s a great vantage point around every corner with views over the pretty rooftops. The viewpoints are called Miradouros, and we honestly can’t decide which one is the undisputed winner.

Our tip: For a Miradouro at sunset, we recommend Miradouro da Graça. It’s super popular with locals too. From up there, you look straight out over the Castelo de São Jorge.

La Escalera on Fuerteventura

• Best time to visit: year-round
• Where to stay? El Hotelito del Cotillo – about 15 minutes away by car. A charming traditional hotel with great value for money.

For us, La Escalera beach on Fuerteventura is definitely one of the most beautiful places in the world. Golden sand, crystal-clear water, and an impressive rocky coastline — everything raw and somehow breathtaking. Do we need to say more?

The best part is that you won’t run into many other tourists here. You can only reach it via a dirt road, which means you’ll practically have it all to yourself — a true off-the-beaten-path find on Fuerteventura.

Our tip: Drive slowly to the beach. The dirt road is seriously rough, and your rental car insurance won’t cover damage on roads like this.

Tuscany

• Best time to visit: April through June and September through October
• Where to stay? Agriturismo Amina – quintessentially Tuscan on a winery, with a pool and lovely rooms.

Tuscany is one of Italy’s most idyllic regions and easily one of the most scenic places in the world. You can pack so much in here: beach days, city breaks, hiking, and incredible food.

The best way to explore Tuscany is on a road trip. You wind through the hilly landscape on roads lined with cypress trees, hopping from one pretty little town to the next — and you could honestly stop to take photos every five minutes.

Our tip: Combine your Tuscany trip with a stop on the island of Elba. It’s one of the most beautiful islands in the Mediterranean, with stunning beaches, a colorful underwater world, and crystal-clear water.

Montmartre in Paris

• Best time to visit: April through June and September through October
• Where to stay? Aparthotel Adagio – a stylish hotel in Montmartre with great value for money.

Paris obviously can’t be missing from our list of the most beautiful destinations in the world. Paris has it all: the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, world-class art, cute cafés, and gorgeous old buildings. But what really won us over is the Montmartre neighborhood.

Montmartre is a stunning artists’ quarter perched on a hill. You can wander its alleyways for hours, soaking in the art, music, great food, beautiful architecture, and the lively atmosphere. The neighborhood is also home to iconic sights like Sacré-Cœur, the Moulin Rouge, and the Montmartre Cemetery.

Our tip: Go to Restaurant Le Potager — it’s our local favorite for seriously good food in Montmartre. They serve delicious, classic French dishes. Book online in advance — it fills up fast.

Dolomites

• Best time to visit: year-round
• Where to stay? Linder Cycling Hotel – for us the best hotel in the Dolomites, with a fantastic location, delicious breakfast, and a wellness area.

The Dolomites are simply mind-blowing. The mountain range is technically part of the Alps, yet it feels like a completely different world. The stark, pale rock faces rise from the green mountainsides in the most extraordinary shapes — you really do have to see it with your own eyes.

There are incredible highlights to discover in the Dolomites, and you can hike, climb, swim in mountain lakes, work your way through the menu at a mountain hut, and soak in the mountain panorama to your heart’s content.

Our tip: If you want to do the loop trail around the famous Tre Cime di Lavaredo, plan to spend a night at one of the mountain huts up there. That way you’ll catch both sunrise and sunset at altitude — and they’re simply magical.

Moselle Valley

• Best time to visit: May through October
• Where to stay? Goldene Traube – a wonderfully cozy hotel run by a young family, located in Traben-Trarbach.

When it comes to Germany, we have our own little favorite spot. The Moselle Valley can, in our opinion, absolutely hold its own against every other destination on this list of the most beautiful places in the world.

The Moselle winds through a lush green valley past steep vineyards, small winemaking villages, and ancient castles. You can explore cities like Koblenz or Trier, wander through charming little towns like Traben-Trarbach, and sample the delicious Moselle wines.

Our tip: Also stop by the village of Beilstein. This quaint little town has pretty much everything that makes the Moselle so romantic: old half-timbered houses, a castle, and a spot right on the river.

Copenhagen

• Best time to visit: April through September
• Where to stay? citizenM – our personal favorite in Copenhagen. Small, modern, and centrally located.

We saved one more European spot for our list of the world’s most beautiful places. Copenhagen simply cannot be left out.

Copenhagen is the perfect blend of royal charm, cutting-edge design, and a laid-back atmosphere. You can get around easily on foot or by bike, and there are plenty of highlights to check out — starting with Nyhavn and its colorful little houses reflecting in the water.

Our tip: Take a guided bike tour or grab a rental bike and explore the city on your own. It’s super convenient, and the moment you’re in the saddle, you’ll feel just like a local.

The Most Beautiful Places in the Americas

Now let’s make a quick jump across the Atlantic and look at the most beautiful places the Americas have to offer. And these are nothing but standouts. See for yourself!

New York

• Best time to visit: March through June, August through October, and December
• Where to stay? citizenM – a cool hotel in Midtown Manhattan. Perfect for first-time visitors.

New York, New York. The city that never sleeps. Honestly? That’s a good thing — because there’s something new to discover around every corner, day or night.

New York is home to three of the world’s most famous sights: the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, and Times Square. On top of that, there’s the Brooklyn Bridge, the 9/11 Museum, Wall Street, and so much more.

Our tip: What really got us were the observation decks. From up there you get the best views over the massive skyline with all its skyscrapers. Top of the Rock and The Edge were our personal favorites.

Icefields Parkway in Canada

• Best time to visit: June through September
• Where to stay? Glacier View Lodge – beautiful rooms with stunning views and very comfortable beds.

After the ultimate metropolis, we head straight into pure nature. In Canada, that’s simply unavoidable. For us, the most beautiful spot is the scenic drive along the Icefields Parkway between Jasper and Banff National Parks in the province of Alberta. It’s so unbelievably impressive that you feel like you’ve stepped inside an outdoor magazine.

Around every bend you get a new vista of glaciers, deep blue lakes, and the peaks of the Rocky Mountains. You’ll find yourself pulling over every few minutes to take photos. But don’t worry — that’s completely normal!

Our tip: Don’t just race through. Take two days and make sure to stop at Peyto Lake, the Athabasca Glacier, and both Sunwapta Falls and Athabasca Falls.

Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico

• Best time to visit: November through April
• Where to stay? Zamas Hotel – right on the water and decorated in a traditional style.

Go ahead and pack your swimsuit. Our next pick is a beach paradise with powdery white sand and crystal-clear turquoise water.

Beyond that, the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico has so much more going for it. You can explore ancient Mayan ruins, jump into cenotes, party in Cancún, or visit colonial cities like Mérida. Truly a dream!

Our tip: The Yucatán is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Mexico. Make sure to add Playa Paraíso, Playa Holbox, and Playa Norte to your list.

Ipanema Beach in Rio de Janeiro

• Best time to visit: June through September
• Where to stay? Hotel Fasano – this luxury hotel with a rooftop pool and stylish rooms is the perfect place to treat yourself.

We just can’t seem to get enough of beautiful beaches. Ipanema Beach in Rio de Janeiro absolutely had to make our list. With the twin peaks of Dois Irmãos in the background, we actually find Ipanema even more beautiful than its famous neighbor, Copacabana.

The beach is wide and usually packed with young, international crowds. People are playing beach volleyball, sunbathing, and diving into the waves. You really can’t squeeze more out of a beach day than this.

Our tip: Stay until sunset. It’s absolutely stunning at Ipanema Beach.

La Bombonera in Buenos Aires

• Best time to visit: March through May and October through December
• Where to stay? Anselmo Buenos Aires – stylish, one-of-a-kind rooms close to the stadium.

In honor of Basti — a huge soccer fan — we also added a soccer stadium to our list of the most beautiful places in the world. And not just any stadium, but Argentina’s most famous one.

La Bombonera is home to the most well-known club in Buenos Aires — Boca Juniors. Getting tickets to a game isn’t exactly easy, but if you manage to score one, you’re in for a great match with an electric atmosphere. Alternatively, a stadium tour is totally worth it too.

Our tip: Ask at your accommodation for the best way to get tickets.

Peruvian Highlands

• Best time to visit: May and September through October
• Where to stay? Cooper Hotel Boutique – a cool boutique hotel with fantastic décor in Cusco.

Next up, we’re heading to the highlands — the Peruvian highlands, to be precise. Because a few seriously incredible highlights are hiding up there. Ever heard of Machu Picchu? Yep, you’ll find it right here, along with a lush green mountain landscape and other must-sees like the Rainbow Mountain.

In the highlands of Peru, you can hike, swim in deep blue lakes, and soak in the peace and warm hospitality. All of that makes it one of the most beautiful travel destinations in the world for us.

Our tip: Make sure to acclimatize properly before taking on strenuous hikes in the highlands. This applies to the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu as well. Spend a few days in the city of Cusco beforehand — which is also really worth seeing — and let your body adjust to the thinner air.

The Most Beautiful Places in Asia

We obviously can’t forget Asia when talking about the most beautiful places in the world. Southeast Asia in particular has won us and our team over completely. But we also have two picks in Sri Lanka and Japan for you. Let’s go!

Lantern Festival in Chiang Mai

• Best time to visit: November
• Where to stay? Villa Thai Orchid – one of the best hotels in the old city of Chiang Mai.

In Asia, we’re not starting with one of the world’s most beautiful places, but with an experience. That counts too, right? The Lantern Festival in Chiang Mai in Thailand is simply breathtaking. Picture thousands of floating lanterns rising into the sky like stars while gentle songs fill the air.

The festival usually takes place on one night in November and is called Yi Peng by locals. The entire city is bathed in warm light, the air smells of flowers and incense, and the atmosphere is completely peaceful. You absolutely cannot miss this!

Volcanoes on Java

• Best time to visit: May through October
• Where to stay? Adem Ayem – a small guesthouse for Mount Bromo and Robiu Bed & Breakfast – a guesthouse for the Ijen volcano with very welcoming hosts.

The Indonesian island of Java is packed with volcanoes. Many are still active and continue to shape the island. Standing on a crater rim at dawn or watching the sun rise behind a volcano is a seriously incredible experience.

The most famous volcano on Java is Mount Bromo. The sunrise hike up to it is amazing. We also really recommend the Ijen volcano. At night you can see blue fire there, and during the day you can marvel at the turquoise crater lake.

Our tip: Dress extremely warmly when heading up one of the volcanoes for sunrise or at night. Even if it’s over 86°F in the valley below — without the sun, it’s bitterly cold up in the mountains.

Train Ride in Sri Lanka

• Best time to visit: December through March
• Where to stay? SWP Eco Lodge – a stylish hotel in Kandy and Lavendra Paradise – a charming guesthouse with breathtaking views in Ella.

This train ride from Kandy to Ella was so photogenic that we could barely put our cameras down. One of the most beautiful places in the world — no question.

The train winds through lush green hill country, past endless tea plantations, small waterfalls, misty mountains, and sleepy villages. The whole time, fresh mountain air streams through the open window or the open door.

Our tip: Book a seat in third class well in advance. Third class is far more authentic than the other two classes, and you can open the windows all the way or lean out of the open doors for the perfect shot.

Ha Giang Loop in Vietnam

• Best time to visit: March through April and September through November
• Where to stay? Lila Inn – the perfect starting point for the Ha Giang Loop. You can also book Easy Rider tours and rent motorcycles here.

The Ha Giang Loop is located in the far north of Vietnam, where you’ll find lush green mountains terraced with rice paddies. It’s a loop route that takes you to stunning overlooks, indigenous villages, and fascinating sights.

The Ha Giang Loop is primarily a motorcycle route. But don’t worry — you don’t need any motorcycle experience. You can also do it with an experienced Easy Rider who takes you on the back of their bike and brings you to the best spots along the way.

Our tip: Book your loop tour at your first accommodation in Ha Giang. That way you have a good chance of traveling with only a few other tourists. With the bigger operators, you’re usually in groups of 10–30 people and don’t nearly get as much out of one of the most scenic places in the world.

Ueno Park in Tokyo

• Best time to visit: mid-March through April (for cherry blossom season), March through May and September through November
• Where to stay? MIMARU – minimalist yet very cozy rooms just a few streets from the park.

In Japan, honestly, Ueno Park in Tokyo and the Japanese toilets were competing for the spot on our list. Ueno Park ended up winning — but only by a hair.

Still, it absolutely deserves its place. Especially during cherry blossom season, Ueno Park is breathtaking. The park has around a thousand cherry trees and a stunning blossom avenue. You can take the most beautiful photos there, and during the season there are always cool events happening in the park.

Our tip: We thought the cherry trees around Shinobazu Pond were the most beautiful. But get up early — during the day the park gets absolutely packed.

The Most Beautiful Places in Oceania

From Asia, we head a little further south to Oceania. Because there are also two incredibly beautiful destinations there that we’d love to introduce you to.

Milford Sound in New Zealand

• Best time to visit: October through April
• Where to stay? Milford Sound Lodge – if you want to stay right at the fjord. Otherwise, your best bet is to find accommodation in Te Anau or Queenstown.

Ready for a landscape so unbelievably beautiful that you forget how to breathe? Because that’s exactly what Milford Sound will do to you. The fjord is located on the South Island of New Zealand and is an absolute must-see. Just take a look at our photo and judge for yourself.

The sheer cliffs rising out of the sea, the ancient rainforests, and the countless waterfalls make for a perfect backdrop. We could stay here forever, cruising through the fjord by boat and watching the wildlife.

Our tip: Take the boat tour on a rainy day (or shortly after it’s rained). That might sound odd since most people want sunshine, but Milford Sound truly shows its real beauty in the rain. That’s when hundreds of extra waterfalls come cascading down the cliffs, and the misty, dramatic atmosphere is simply unmatched.

Karijini National Park in Western Australia

• Best time to visit: year-round
• Where to stay? Karijini Eco Retreat – the only proper accommodation in the national park. You sleep in comfortable tents with electrical outlets.

Pack your backpack and head out to Karijini National Park. Located in the Outback of Western Australia, it completely blew us away with its red earth, deep gorges, and deep blue lakes.

Out here, nature is still untouched and wild. You’re far from the hustle of big cities like Sydney and Melbourne, and you can enjoy pure nature at your own pace — wading to hidden waterfalls or rappelling down rock faces.

Our tip: Make sure to rent a 4WD vehicle to reach all of the gorges and viewpoints in the park. A regular car won’t get you far on the dirt roads and you risk serious damage to the vehicle.

The Most Beautiful Places in Africa

Last but not least, we have the two most beautiful places in Africa for you. Prepare to be surprised!

Chefchaouen in Morocco

• Best time to visit: March through May and September through November
• Where to stay? Riad Nila – a charming place to stay with a mix of Moroccan and modern boho design.

Chefchaouen is truly one of a kind. The entire historic center is painted blue and white. As you stroll through the alleyways, you feel this deep sense of calm wash over you — especially if you go in the morning before 11 AM. At that hour, there might be just ten other tourists out taking photos of the most beautiful highlights in Chefchaouen.

Speaking of photos: the old quarter is incredibly photogenic. Around every corner you can snap a new shot of the blue walls and doors, the colorful flower pots, and the mosaics.

Our tip: We kind of already gave that one away. Stay overnight in Chefchaouen and walk through the old town in the morning. It’s really quiet then and you can soak in the atmosphere in peace.

Garden Route in South Africa

• Best time to visit: October through March
• Where to stay? Mes Amis – a cozy guesthouse in Wilderness and Eleven – a stylish city hotel in Plettenberg Bay with great value for money

South Africa has so many highlights: Cape Town, the Cape Winelands, South Africa’s West Coast, and game drives. But we chose the Garden Route for our list of the most beautiful places in the world. It’s simply on another level.

You drive along the coast with spectacular views at every turn, go on safaris in game reserves, take a dip in the ocean at beautiful beaches, and stop in charming little towns. Our personal favorites were Wilderness and Plettenberg Bay.

Our tip: Don’t miss the Robberg Nature Reserve in Plettenberg Bay — our absolute favorite spot along the Garden Route. You can hike along impressive cliffs, see a seal colony, and marvel at a massive sand dune.