Looking for your next travel destination (once the pandemic gets under control)? Here are 15 of the most beautiful places to travel across the globe that are worth seeing at least once in your lifetime!
Are you also dreaming of the day when you can pack your suitcase(s), head to the airport, and start exploring the world again? Me too!
Hopefully, it won’t be too long until this happens. So let’s have a look at all the gorgeous destinations you should add to your bucket list (if they’re not there already) and start planning your next trips!
I find it absolutely impossible to rank these destinations as they are all stunning places to travel so consider this list is in no particular order.
I’ve created a mix of nature and cities, ocean and mountains, across several continents, so I’m sure you’ll find at least one destination perfect for you! Enjoy!
Top Places to travel at least once in your life
1. Cinque Terre, Italy
I’m pretty sure you’ve already seen this place all over your Instagram feed. There is probably just one other destination in Italy more Insta famous than this one, but we’ll get to that one later. 😉
Cinque Terre is a group of 5 gorgeous coastal villages in the Liguria region of Italy: Vernazza, Monterosso, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. You will be stunned by the beautiful colored buildings, bordering the cliffs and overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.
They are all located close to each other and easily connected by train (or a hiking trail if you’re feeling brave), so planning 3 days to visit should be enough. If you can’t manage to see them all, choose for Vernazza, Monterosso, and Manarola. You won’t regret it.
2. The Great Ocean Road, Australia
This is by far THE most impressive coastal highway you’ll ever drive and one of the top places to travel to at least once in your life!
The Great Ocean Road covers 243km (150 miles) on the Southern Eastern coast of Australia, from the cities Torquay to Allansford, and offers spectacular sights. It’s a long but incredible drive and I’m sure you’ll enjoy every minute of it. Just watch out, in Australia people drive on the left side of the road, similar to the UK.
The most famous landmarks to visit is the 12 Apostles, a collection of limestone rocks of incredible beauty across the shore.
Need some tips on packing for a road trip? Check out these 43 Road Trip Essentials Checklist for packing like a pro.
3. Antelope Canyon, Arizona, US
One of the most famous canyons in the world, and for good reason – it is absolutely stunning! The narrow walls and the way the light plays within its shapes creates such a surreal experience.
It is only accessible by guided tours, so if you’d like to visit, make sure you book it ahead of time (preferably months in advance, as it’s a VERY popular destination). They offer several options and time slots – for example photography tours (more private, usually early mornings), or visitor tours – in bigger groups.
4. Amalfi Coast, Italy
If you’re planning to visit Italy for the first time, make this your first destination! You will be amazed by the beauty of this area.
The Amalfi Coast is Italy’s most famous riviera and most likely has already flooded your Insta feed by now. Cities like Positano, Capri, or Amalfi offer breathtaking views and delicious Italian food. The best way to see all of them is by boat, but the drive along the coast is extremely beautiful as well.
I would definitely recommend finding accommodation in one of these cities, or nearby – there are plenty of hotels and AirBnBs in the region. We booked a gorgeous villa in the village Furore which is located between Positano and Amalfi.
As it a very popular tourist destination, prices can be high (especially in summer) and hotels get booked quickly so make sure to book well in advance.
5. Lake Tahoe, California, US
If you’re planning a trip to California, don’t forget to add Lake Tahoe to your list. Whether you’re thinking of a week-long summer holiday or a maybe weekend in the fall, this place is magical in every season.
The beautiful beaches and clear, turquoise water, are just perfect for paddleboarding and a nice swim in summer (although the water might be a bit cold, it’s usually between 68-72F/20-22C). And there are also plenty of hiking routes with gorgeous views if you’re up for it. Such a great destination all year round!
6. Konigssee Lake, Germany
If you ask me, this is by far THE most beautiful lake in all of Germany. You will find it in the south of the country, close to the Austrian border in the Bavaria region.
The best way to enjoy its beauty is by taking a boat ride. You will be surrounded by the Alps from all sides and get to take in the views as the boat advances slowly through the crystal blue water.
You can stop halfway to visit St. Bartholomew’s Church, located on the Western shore, or continue further until the other side of the lake. I would definitely recommend doing both. You will find another beautiful lake just on the other side of Konigssee.
And if you’d like to see it from above, make sure to take the gondola all the way up on top of the mountains. The views are breathtaking from up there.
7. Attersee Lake, Austria
Let’s cross over to Austria and add Attersee lake to this list. The view and cities around it are gorgeous. It is located in the Salzkammergut region, close to Salsburg. If you want to feel like running on the green hills as Maria in The Sound of Music, then this is (actually) the place!
The drive is beautiful around this lake and the other ones in the area. Make sure to visit Unterach am Attersee and drive a little bit further to St. Wolfgang.
8. Grand Canyon, Arizona, US
You’ve seen the pictures, you think you know what to expect. Trust me, YOU DON’T.
Arriving there, walking towards it, seeing the immensity of the canyon opening up and unveiling before your eyes is an experience like nothing you’ve ever felt before! It is simply breathtaking and I guarantee you won’t be able to take your eyes off it.
The best way to truly explore the Grand Canyon is by helicopter! I highly, highly recommend you book a tour! It is pricey, but it’s an experience you will treasure for the rest of your life! We booked the 45-minute tour, which offers the best and most complete views of the canyon, sights we would have never seen otherwise. If you’re interested, check out Maverick tours, we had an amazing time with them!
9. Banff National Park, Canada
If you are a mountain lover, this is the place for you! The Canadian Rockies are one of the most beautiful and spectacular mountains I have ever seen.
To be able to truly enjoy this place be sure to book at least a week here and hit those trails. I would definitely recommend doing a thorough check on the weather for your desired time of visit, as the scenery might surprise you, as it did us. 🙂 We were there in early May (expecting an early spring), only to find snow, Lake Louise FROZEN, and lake Morraine, completely inaccessible due to heavy snow.
Even though during the summer months it might be packed with tourists, I think it would be worth planning a visit then. Especially if you truly want to enjoy a boat ride on the lakes.
10. Jasper National Park, Canda
Very close to Banff, you’ll also find Jasper National Park. If you are looking for amazing adventures, like walking on glaciers, then definitely add this to the list.
This is the largest National Park in the Alberta Rockies and offers amazing sceneries all around: the Columbia Icefield glaciers, crystal clear lakes, and rapid waterfalls. Not to mention incredible mountain views. It really is one of the most beautiful places to travel to in the world.
11. Rome, Italy
Ok, let’s bring in a major city to this list. And no, it’s not Paris. I want to talk to you about Rome.
To me, there is no other city so majestic, so full of culture and history quite like Rome. If you are planning a trip to Europe, it will definitely be worth stopping in Rome for a few days.
You could spend weeks here and still not have seen everything. But even just 3 days are enough to get a feeling of this incredible city.
Make sure to visit the Colosseum, walk in the footsteps of ancient Romans through the Roman Forum, and toss a coin into the famous Trevi Fountain. It is such a surreal experience.
12. Big Sur, California US
Of course, we cannot talk about the most beautiful places to travel in the world without mentioning Big Sur and the Pacific Coast Highway. Breathtaking and picture-perfect views!
Looking for those gorgeous insta shots, then you’ve come to the right place. Just keep in mind that you are not allowed to hike down to the beach as it is a protected area, but even from a distance, it is definitely worth seeing!
13. Amsterdam, The Netherlands
This list wouldn’t be complete (or fair) without me adding Amsterdam to it. It’s not only one of Europe’s most beautiful capitals, but it has also been my home for almost 10 years.
Whether you are visiting for a weekend or a week, there is so much to do and see in Amsterdam. You can get lost admiring the 17th-century villas on the canals, walk on the beautiful 9 Streets, through the famous Red Light District, or admire a Rembrandt or van Gogh in the Museum Plein.
Amsterdam is beautiful in every season, but take my advice and visit in spring or summer. There is nothing like enjoying a glass of wine or a coffee in the sun on the Amsterdam canals!
14. Yosemite National Park, California US
Looking for some fresh mountain air? Then get your hiking books ready and let’s hit the trails!
Gorgeous waterfalls, spectacular views of the mountains, deers walking around next to you – simply nature at its best. This park is one of the top and definitely MUST-see places to travel in the world, especially for nature lovers.
As there is SO much to do and explore, make sure to plan a couple of days for the visit, so you can really enjoy it and not have to rush. This is also a VERY popular destination so consider weekdays rather than weekends. Parking especially can be really tricky so arrive early morning to grab your spot. And I do mean EARLY, like 7-8 AM. We drove around for about 2 hours to find a parking spot as we got there in the afternoon.
15. Prague, Czech Republic
I wanted to add another spectacular European capital to this list and Prague definitely deserves its spot on the list.
It is such a beautiful city, most known for its Old Town Square in the heart of the historic center and the famous Charles Bridge.
We were only there for one day last summer but are definitely planning to come back and spend a few days to truly enjoy this wonderful city!
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