NATURAL PLACES
Massive glaciers, staggering mountains, plains dotted
with wild animals: Our planet sure is incredible. In fact,
when looking at the most beautiful places in the world,
it can feel impossible to decide where to visit next. The
islands of Southeast Asia? The deserts of the Middle
East? How about the countless travel-worthy sites
right here in the United States?
While pinpointing all of Mother Nature’s greatest hits
could take a lifetime, we think these 51 staggering
landscapes and awe-inspiring wonders—from
Antarctica to Zimbabwe—need to move to the very top
of your travel list. Whether you’re looking for beaches,
forests, or national parks, you’re sure to find you new
favorite destination below.
Africa’s highest peak seems more striking than a lot of
other famous mountains, because it’s an ancient
stratovolcano that’s not part of any mountain range.
That means the 19,000-foot summit drops down to
vast, flat plains on all sides, making it a mirage-like blip
on Tanzania’s widespread topography. As an added
bonus, the peak requires no technical mountaineering
skills to summit, so even novice hikers can cross this
item off their bucket list.
Wulingyuan Scenic Area, China
“Scenic’ might be an understatement here: This 100square-mile attraction in China’s Hunan Province
contains thousands of sandstone pillars that are
nature’s version of skyscrapers—some even stretch
taller than the Empire State Building’s midpoint.
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Japan
Every traveler should experience the ethereal glow
and seemingly endless heights of this bamboo grove
on the outskirts of Kyoto. The experience even
extends beyond the visual realm: In 1996, Japan’s
Ministry of the Environment included the sounds
here—wood creaking, leaves rustling—as one of the
top 100 Soundscapes of Japan.
Antarctica
That’s right, we put an entire continent on here.
Although 99 percent of Antarctica is covered with ice,
the landscape still manages to be stunningly
diverse—surreal blue glaciers, active volcanoes, the
rough waterways of the Drake Passage, and 360degree views of untouched snow. And those views
are made even better when an emperor penguin or
humpback whale makes an appearance.
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Na Pali Coast, Hawaii
Kauai has one of the world’s most gorgeous
coastlines, with towering waterfalls and isolated
crescent beaches. Just be prepared to put in a little
effort to soak up its wonders: Na Pali can only be seen
from a helicopter, catamaran, or a rather grueling hike.
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Namib Desert, Namibia
With its otherworldly landscapes and isolated luxury
lodges—not to mention populations of rhinos, giraffes,
and elephants—Namibia is like nowhere else on
Earth. In fact, its red sand dunes and skeletal trees
might make you think you’ve been transported to Mars
instead of Southwest Africa.
If the moon had a shoreline, it would probably look
something like Reynisfjara. Just a 20-minute drive
from Vik in southern Iceland, jet-black sand and
spectacularly shaped basalt columns make this beach
one of the most impressive sites in an already
impressive country.
Capri, Italy
Few parts of the world can claim such a range of
natural beauty as Italy, with craggy peaks and verdant
hills to turquoise waters lined by white-sand beaches.
But the island of Capri easily numbers among the
most gorgeous (and most glamorous) spots in the
country.
Cappadocia, Turkey
Cappadocia, an area in Turkey where entire cities
have been carved into rock, is pretty incredible on its
own. But whenever hot air balloons pepper the sky—
with many floating up right at sunrise—its beauty level
literally skyrockets.
Angel Falls, Venezuela
Venezuela overflows with natural wonders, including
the world’s highest waterfall: the 3,212-foot cascades
of Angel Falls, located in the UNESCO-protected
Canaima National Park. Canaima is by far the
country’s most popular attraction, and the falls stretch
an astounding 19 times higher than Niagara Falls.
Bonus: Pixar animators used the location
as inspiration for Paradise Falls in Up—so you know
it’s good.
Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
Do we really have to explain the allure of the
Galápagos? If you can, make it a priority to visit this
of-another-time stretch of Ecuador, with dinosaur-like
giant tortoises lumbering through the tall grass and
real-life blue-footed boobies. (Pro tip: A cruise is
definitely the preferred way to explore the islands;
Celebrity Cruise’s Xpedition ferries just 100
passengers and holds nightly lectures by naturalists
from Galápagos National Park.)
Cliffs of Moher, Ireland
Few places exemplify the raw, untamed beauty of
Ireland’s west coast like this natural wonder, which
tops 702 feet at the highest point. And while you might
know them better as the Cliffs of Insanity from The
Princess Bride, in reality, the cliffs are located just
south of Galway.
The Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Although the Great Barrier Reef (aka the largest living
thing on Earth) can be seen from space, the best
vantage point belongs to the avid snorkelers and
scuba divers who visit each year. If you must
resurface, do it at the Whitsundays—namely
Whitehaven Beach, often considered to be one of the
world’s most beautiful beaches.
The Grand Canyon, Arizona
Grand Canyon National Park, often called one of the
Seven Natural Wonders of the World, is on most
travelers’ lists for a reason. Plan to hike some of the
park’s most scenic loops—like Horseshoe Bend and
the South Rim Trail—to get views of the rocky
badlands of the Painted Desert, Navajo Nation, and
even a waterfall or two.
Machu Picchu, Peru
While the intricate stone ruins of Machu Picchu are
the work of 15th-century Incans, the site’s natural
setting makes it even more alluring. Perched atop the
flattened peak of a mountain, the ancient Wonder of
the World benefits from the famous backdrop of
Huayna Picchu, lush green surfaces, and a barrier of
Andean peaks that, despite the landmark’s fame,
makes you feel like you've stumbled upon a secret.
Mount Fuji, Japan
It’s hard to pick the single most beautiful place in
Japan, but 12,388-foot Mount Fuji just might take the
prize. Visit Lake Kawaguchiko in the spring for some
of the best views of the mountain and cherry blossom
trees—a postcard-worthy sight if we ever saw one. Or
if you’re an avid hiker, plan a trip for mid-July until the
end of August, when the snow melts enough to allow
access to Fuji’s summit.
The Amazon
Covering roughly 40 percent of South America,
including parts of Brazil, Peru, and Colombia, the
Amazon is the largest rainforest on the planet, and
home to more than 40,000 plant species and 1,300
bird species alone. But be sure to visit the winding
rivers and diverse wildlife while you can—climate
change (along with man-made fires) is increasingly
whittling away the habitat every day.
Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Tanzania’s portion of the Serengeti is the ideal
location for an African adventure. Visit between
January and March to witness the wonder that is the
Great Migration, an iconic phenomenon that sees 1.5
million wildebeest sweep through East Africa on an
annual, 1,200-mile cycle.
Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
Southwest Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni is the largest salt
flat in the world, and is about as surreal as landscapes
come. When dry, the flat is a sheet of blindingly white
salt tiles. During the wet season, the shallow lake
mirrors the sky, creating a dreamy illusion of infinity.
Sequoia National Park, California
This central-Californian park is home to some 8,000
colossal sequoia trees—the gentle giants of the tree
world. “General Sherman,” a tree named for the Civil
War general, is the hero of these treasured acres: It
stands 275 feet tall and 25 feet wide, making it the
largest known single-stem tree on the planet.