Travel

20 Most Beautiful Places On Earth Put These Places On Your Bucket List!

Machu Picchu, Whitehaven Beach, Banff National Park, or the Lofoten Islands? I can hardly choose, but this is my top 20 for the most beautiful places on earth. Will you join me on a world trip?

From the pearly white sands of Whitehaven Beach, the imposing mountains of the Lofoten Islands to the magical Northern Lights in Iceland, travel to the most beautiful places on earth. It is almost impossible to make a list with only 20 destinations because our planet is so beautiful! I’ll give it a try and share my favorite destinations within and outside Europe with you. These places and countries, far from home and close by, deserve a place on your travel bucket list!

Table of Content

20 Most Beautiful Places on Earth

Lofoten Islands
Banff National Park
Whitehaven Beach
Raja Ampat
Machu Picchu
Iceland
Cook Islands
Patagonia
Grand Canyon
Amalfi coast
Japan
Sossusvlei
Salar de Uyuni
Antarctica
Taj Mahal
Iguazu Falls
Galapagos
Seychelles
Great Blue Hole
Fiordland

1. Lofoten Islands, Norway

Imposing fjords, snow-dotted mountain peaks, steep cliffs bordering white sandy beaches, hidden bays, and picturesque villages. The Lofoten archipelago is not only one of the most beautiful places in Europe, but in the whole world. Travel to this unique, rugged archipelago above the Arctic Circle and discover its 80 fascinating little islands.

What can you do in Lofoten?

Take on the rough waves on a surfboard! The Lofoten Islands are one of the most northerly beautiful places on Earth where you can surf.
Go skiing or snowboarding with a sea view.
Spot the Northern Lights! Due to its extremely northerly location, the Lofoten archipelago is one of the best places to admire this magical color spectacle.

2. Banff National Park, Canada

Very high on my bucket list you will find the Banff National Park. Why? I can’t wait to see with my own eyes the clear, bright blue water with the reflection of the surrounding snow-capped peaks of Lake Moraine. You must visit this special photogenic – and also oldest – national park in Canada.

What else is there to see in Banff National Park?

Get in the car for a road trip on the Icefields Parkway that connects Banff National Park with Jasper National Park. The ultimate Canada road trip!
Visit the thermal waters in the caves of the Cave and Basin National Historic Site.
Explore Banff National Park by bike and follow the Banff Legacy Trail right through the park.

3. Whitehaven Beach, Australia

Secretly my personal favorite and if you ask me the most beautiful beach in the world: Whitehaven Beach in Australia. From Hill Inlet, you look out over the elegant waves that flow through the water in all kinds of shades of blue and the pearly white beach. Walk your feet through the soft, snow-white sand and dive into the crystal clear water. So clear that you can count every grain of sand!

My tips for your visit to Whitehaven Beach

Combine a trip to Whitehaven Beach with a multi-day sailing tour of the Whitsunday Islands. Three magical days on the water in one of the most beautiful parts of Australia!
Book an airplane tour and view this insanely beautiful beach from above!
Camp at Whitehaven Beach and enjoy one of the most beautiful places on earth even longer.

4. Raja Ampat, Indonesia

For avid divers, Raja Ampat is perhaps the most beautiful place on earth. This archipelago in Indonesia is the proud holder of a special world record. Nowhere else will you find a greater diversity of fish species and coral than in this paradisiacal archipelago in the Indo-Pacific Ocean.

What to do in Raja Ampat?

Isn’t diving your thing? Snorkeling is of course also possible!
Take a boat trip between the different islands of the archipelago.
Watch the sunset from a boat or the beach, magical!

5. Machu Picchu in Peru

Machu Picchu in Peru should of course not be missing from this list of the most beautiful places on earth. The ruins of the former Inca city are on the World Heritage List of Unesco and are called one of the seven new wonders of the world. Yes, you really have to go here!

My tips for your visit to Machu Picchu

Walk to Machu Picchu via the Inca Trail. This 45-kilometer hiking route takes you through the Andes Mountains to the lost Inca city.
Is a 45 kilometer walk a bit too far for you? Take the train from Cusco!
To limit the number of tourists who visit Machu Picchu per day – and thus protect the historic site – you need an entrance ticket. Book this well in advance, because Machu Picchu is popular!

6. Spot the Northern Lights in Iceland

Let’s go back to Europe and talk about a real dream destination not too far from the Netherlands: Iceland! Float in the warm waters of the Blue Lagoon, admire the splashing waters of the Gullfoss waterfall, and spend a few days in the charming capital Reykjavik. But what are you really traveling to Iceland for? The Northern Lights! This unique and particularly colorful natural phenomenon makes Iceland one of the most beautiful countries in the world.

Your holiday in Iceland: tips & tricks

Rent a car and take a road trip around the island. Plan a nice route with the help of my Iceland travel guide.
Iceland expensive? Not too bad! Read here how to go on holiday to Iceland on a small budget.
Plan your vacation at the right time so that you have the best chance of spotting the Northern Lights. Read here what is the best time to travel to Iceland.

7. Cook Islands

Have you ever heard of the Cook Islands? On this archipelago in the Pacific, you imagine yourself in an episode of Expedition Robinson. Picture this: With coconut in your hand, you are lying in a hammock on an expansive, white sand beach. Your eyes wander over the clear turquoise sea and the sun leaves freckles on your skin. You never want to go home!

On vacation to the Cook Islands

Prepare for a long journey. The Cook Islands are located in the Pacific Ocean near New Zealand. That is a lot of hours on the plane.
The long journey is well worth it: time for island hopping between paradisiacal, uninhabited islands!
Have you had enough of lounging on the beach? Paddle through the lagoon of Aitutaki in a canoe.
Cook Islands

8. Patagonia

Anyone who has ever been to this breathtaking region in South America will agree: Patagonia is one of the most beautiful places on earth. Discover the rugged wilderness of this gigantic area that spans parts of Chile and Argentina. Travel past impressive glaciers, waterfalls, and mountains and look for whales and penguins.

What to do in Patagonia?

Walk the ‘W’, a multi-day hike of about 100 kilometers that takes you along the highlights of the Torres del Paine national park.
Travel to the end of the world’ aka Ushuaia, Argentina’s southernmost city.
Not to be missed: the impressive Perito Moreno Glacier!

9. Grand Canyon, United States

New York and Los Angeles are fantastic, but the real beauty of the United States is in its nature. Few beautiful places on Earth are as impressive as the Grand Canyon. In no less than two million years, the Colorado River formed this 450-kilometer long canyon. Now it is one of the most famous symbols of the United States and an unmissable stop on a tour of America.

My tips for the Grand Canyon

Visit the Desert View – from where you have the best view of the Grand Canyon.
Discover the Grand Canyon from the water on a rafting tour!
Not cheap, but totally worth it: a helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon. What a view!

10. Amalfi coast, Italy

Imagine yourself in an Italian fairytale on the Amalfi coast. Colored villages against steep cliffs, terraces with sea views, and a spectacular coastal route where you experience one of the most beautiful road trips in Europe – and in the world. Get behind the wheel and drive along the water from one charming Italian village to another. It is not without reason that the Amalfi coast is on the World Heritage List of Unesco. This is truly one of the most beautiful holiday destinations in the world!

Tips for a road trip on the Amalfi coast

Fly to Naples and from there start your road trip along the coast with a rental car.
Make a stopover in the picturesque Furore, a hidden village on this special coastline.
Go on holiday to the Amalfi coast in the spring or autumn: less crowded than in the summer, just as beautiful!

11. Cherry blossom in Japan

Trees full of pink cherry blossoms transform Japan into a fairytale landscape. Fly to Japan in the spring – March, April, or May – and admire this romantic setting in Yoshino, Kyoto, or Tokyo, among others. The cherry blossom can be seen all over the country, so make it a nice tour!

Top 3 best places to see the cherry blossom

Yoshino: This village is known as the best place to admire this pink phenomenon. Keep in mind that it is very busy here with Japanese and foreign tourists.
Kyoto: Especially the Maruyama Park turns a beautiful pink in the spring.
Tokyo: The metropolis changes briefly into a pink sea of flowers in the spring. A must-see!

12. Sossusvlei, Namibia

The kind of place where it seems as if you have left Earth for a while and have settled on an alien planet, that is the Sossusvlei in Namibia. This clay valley is located in the middle of the Namib desert and is known for its hundreds of meters high orange sand dunes. Put on your hiking boots or get behind the wheel of a 4WD and discover the vast desert landscape.

My tips for the Sossusvlei

The Sossusvlei is only accessible by 4WD. Alternatively, you can enter the valley on foot. Always make sure you have enough drinking water with you, this area is extremely dry and warm!
Climb one of the sand dunes at sunrise and enjoy a beautiful view.
While you’re there, visit the nearby Dodevlei.

13. Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

Our next destination again seems to be out of this world. Billions of white grains of sand together form the Salar de Uyuni, the largest salt flat in the world. When it rains, the thin layer of water on the salt turns the plain into a mirror, creating special images and surreal photos.

Your visit to Salar de Uyuni: good to know

Don’t forget your sunglasses and sunscreen! The sunlight reflecting on the salt flat is very bright.
You are at an altitude of more than 3000 meters. In other words, it can get very, very cold. Keep this in mind when packing your suitcase or backpack.
Unique: spend the night in one of the salt hotels in Uyuni. These hotels are – as the name says – completely made of salt.

14. Antarctica

Admittedly, most of us will never set foot on Antarctica’s ice. Perhaps that is precisely what makes this mysterious and almost inaccessible continent so beautiful. You don’t bump into tourists at the South Pole, but penguins and you have to endure harsh, cold conditions to reach this special and beautiful place.

How do you visit Antarctica?

Travel to Antarctica by boat from Ushuaia in Argentina, the southernmost city on Earth.
From time to time ships also sail from New Zealand to the South Pole.
Do you prefer to fly? Travel by private plane from South Africa or Chile to the White Continent. Not cheap, but a travel experience you will never forget!

15. Taj Mahal, India

According to many, it is the most beautiful building in the world and definitely deserves a place on this list: the Taj Mahal in India. Dating back to the 17th century, this white marble mausoleum is one of the most famous structures on earth. Every year, millions of tourists visit the Taj Mahal, which is also on Unesco’s World Heritage List.

Practical tips for visiting the Taj Mahal

Please note the Taj Mahal is closed every Friday.
Enter the building through the east entrance where the lines are generally shortest.
Photo and video cameras are allowed, but you are not allowed to take pictures inside the building.

16. Iguazu waterfalls

From a height of tens of meters, the water splashes down on the border of Argentina and Brazil. Here you will find the world-famous Iguazu Falls, an almost three-kilometer-long network of no less than 270 waterfalls. The splashing water can be admired from different angles and is unbelievably impressive from every perspective.

What can you see in the Iguazu National Park?

Visit the famous waterfalls on both the Argentinian and Brazilian sides.
Don’t miss the Devil’s Throat! This is the largest waterfall in the Iguazu Falls.

17. Galapagos Islands

The wild animals that you encounter on the Galapagos Islands cannot be found anywhere else in the world. The remote Pacific archipelago has never been connected to the mainland and has developed a unique ecosystem as a result. Follow in the footsteps of Charles Darwin, who visited this archipelago in 1835 and laid the foundations of his theory of evolution here.

My tips for your trip to the Galapagos Islands

The ecosystem is very special, but also vulnerable. Read my tips for sustainable travel and try not to harm the environment.
Go island hopping and discover the diverse landscapes of the different islands.
Visit the archipelago between December and May, this is the best time to visit the Galapagos Islands.

18. Seychelles

Soft powder beaches, a clear blue sea, an inimitable underwater world, and some of the most luxurious resorts in the world; all your travel dreams come true in Seychelles. This paradisiacal archipelago is not around the corner – in the Indian Ocean to the east of Africa – but is well worth the long flight!

What to do in Seychelles?

Dive or snorkel among colorful coral reefs and ancient shipwrecks in the clear blue waters that surround the islands.
Spot sea turtles on the sandy beaches of Bird Island.
Go crazy and book a few nights in a luxurious water villa!

19. Great Blue Hole, Belize

This underwater cave is so big and so deep that you can see it from space – should you ever get there. The Great Blue Hole is a bucket list destination for any diver. This unique underwater world enchants with its incredible beauty, tropical fish, and exotic coral reef.

My tips for the Great Blue Hole

Diving in the Great Blue Hole is for experienced divers only. If not, find another beautiful spot in Belize’s barrier reef.
Book a helicopter flight! From the air, you can really see how big and beautiful Places On Earth the Great Blue Hole is.

20. Fiordland National Park, New Zealand

New Zealand has been on the list of the most beautiful countries in the world for years. You must have been here once in your life! New Zealand’s largest national park is the most impressive: Fiordland National Park on the South Island. The ten-mile-long Milford Sound fjord is the park’s star and truly breathtakingly beautiful. It is not without reason that this area in New Zealand is on the World Heritage List of Unesco.

What can you do in Fiordland National Park?

This national park is nicknamed ‘Walking Capital of the World’. Don’t forget your hiking boots and make beautiful hikes through the wilderness.
Hop into a kayak and paddle along the sheer cliffs of Milford Sound.

This is my top 20 of the most beautiful places on earth. What do you think, do you agree or disagree? Share your favorite vacation destinations in the world in the comments! Are you ready for a trip to paradise? Then keep an eye on my offers!

Also Read: Top 10 Most Beautiful Natural Holiday Countries