Yahoo Lifestyle The 50 most beautiful destinations in the world
There are so many awe-inspiring destinations dotted around our world, we couldn't possibly include them all in just one list. But, these breathtaking spots are worth bumping to the top of your travel bucket list: whether you're looking to relax on a stunning secret beach, hike through a World Heritage site or explore an international city, these are the most truly beautiful destinations to work into your travel itinerary.
Zhangye Danxia Geopark, China
Geology lovers and avid Instagrammers alike will be drawn to the otherworldly hues of the Rainbow Mountains. The colours were formed by the layering of sedimentary mineral deposits over millions of years, but it's hard to look at the flowing reds, yellows, and oranges and not feel like you're witnessing magic.
Amalfi Coast, Italy
There are so many beautiful places in Italy it's hard to pick just one—but the Amalfi Coast's idyllic hillside towns, like Positano, bump it to the top of our must-see list. For a history-steeped stay, book Le Sirenuse: just 200 metres from the coast, this legendary 70 year-old hotel has seduced everyone from Robert de Niro to Meryl Streep.
See the Bazaar guide to the best hotels on the Amalfi Coast here.
Banff National Park, Canada
The glacial lakes in Canada's first national park have some of the bluest water you've ever seen. Even if you're not particularly outdoorsy, you can still admire the views from one of the cozy and luxurious lakeside lodges throughout the park, like the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.
Venice, Italy
If traversing the canals with a be-striped gondolier sounds unbearably touristy, stick to the sidewalks and spectacular arched bridges to get your fill of this truly unique, wildly romantic floating city.
See the Bazaar guide to the best hotels in Venice here.
Great Ocean Road, Australia
Head west from Melbourne on this coastal drive to see everything from the famous 12 Apostle rock formations to koalas in Great Otway National Park, as well as the charming seaside town of Lorne.
Machu Picchu
This World Heritage site is easily the most famous spot in Peru, and for good reason. The ancient terraced city’s astounding architecture and sweeping views of the surrounding mountains will leave you breathless (as might the nearly 8,000 foot elevation.)
Pamukkale, Turkey
Put every infinity pool you’ve ever seen to shame with these natural, snow-white hot springs overlooking the nearby city of Denizli. On top of the picturesque soak, Pamukkale is also home to the impressively preserved ruins of the ancient Roman spa-city Hierapolis where you can bathe like an emperor among the submerged centuries-old columns.
Pitons, St Lucia
These two volcanic mountains are one of the most recognisable—not to mention beautiful—features on this Caribbean island. Happily, many of the best hotels in the region are built to ensure you can enjoy the view from your room. Consider Jade Mountain, an architectural wonder, where open-front rooms mean you can gaze at the natural landscape while lying in bed (or, while floating in your private infinity pool).
See the Bazaar guide to the best hotels in St. Lucia here.
Maya Bay, Thailand
The jewel of Thailand's Koh Phi Phi National Park, Maya Bay is known to many as The Beach: it's the secret strip of land made famous in Danny Boyle's cult Nineties film, starring Leonardo diCaprio.
The bay has been inaccessible to visitors for a few years, as part of a project to regenerate the land – but select tour operators are now able to steer you into the bay to take in the spectacular scenery.
See where to go in Thailand, according to the Bazaar team, here.
Japan in Cherry Blossom Season
While Japan is beautiful year-round, the few weeks each spring when cherry trees across the country explode with blossoms is a particularly pretty time to visit.
See the Bazaar guide to the best hotels in Tokyo here.
Marrakesh, Morocco
Located at the foot of the Atlas Mountains, Marrakesh has changed little since the Middle Ages. You could spend days here wandering around maze-like alleyways discovering the city's colorful souks, palaces and gardens.
See the Bazaar luxury guide to Marrakech here.
Chiang Mai, Thailand
The former capital of the ancient Lanna Kingdom, Chiang Mai is a city truly steeped in history. Dive in with a tour of the National Parks (the largest, Doi Inthanon, is famed for its gleaming twin pagodas) or venture into the jungle to immerse yourself in hill tribe culture, before hitting the world-famous street-food markets back in the Old Town.
Bora Bora, French Polynesia
With turquoise lagoons, coral reefs and overwater bungalows, this small island in the South Pacific is basically heaven on Earth.
Oia, Santorini, Greece
All of the Greek islands are undeniably beautiful, but head to the hillside town of Oia for some of the best views of the bright blue Aegean Sea.
See the Bazaar guide to the best Greek island hotels here.
Mù Cang Chải, Vietnam
Get off the beaten path in this rural district where the rice paddy-terraced mountains and twisting streams will make you feel like you’re living in a fairy tale.
Tamil Nadu, India
Most travelers head to North India for its Mughal palaces and forts, but the Southern state of Tamil Nadu is where most of the country's major Hindu temples are found, including the brightly-colored Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple seen here and the Meenakshi Temple Complex, which is so large it's considered a mini-city.
Torres del Paine National Park, Chile
If you're looking to get off the grid, head to Chile's Patagonia region for some of the most beautiful mountain views you'll ever see.
Forbidden City, Beijing, China
Located in the centre of Beijing, the Forbidden City was the imperial palace of China's emperors for five centuries and is one of the most beautifully preserved examples of ancient Chinese architecture.
Fiordland National Park, New Zealand
Each year starting in the end of November and peaking in early December, fields of bright purple Russell Lupins bloom across New Zealand's South Island. One of the most beautiful spots to go Lupin-spotting is in Fiordland National Park, home to the equally gorgeous Milford Sound.
Bagan, Myanmar
This ancient city in central Myanmar is made up of thousands (yes, thousands) of Buddhist temples and pagodas. One of the prettiest views is from above—we recommend going for a hot air balloon ride at sunrise.
Havasu Falls, Arizona
Before you can swim in these beautiful blue-green waters located near Grand Canyon National Park, you have to hike ten miles to get there. Trust us, it's totally worth the trek.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi, UAE
With 82 domes and enough room to accommodate 40,000 worshippers, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is not only one of the largest mosques in the world but also one of the most beautiful with a marble courtyard featuring mosaics of flowers native to the Middle East.
Lisbon, Portugal
Situated on a series of hills over the Tagus River, Portugal's scenic capital is brimming with magnificent views, pastel-colored buildings and charming yellow streetcars.
Cairngorms National Park, Scotland
The Scottish Highlands, located along the northernmost reaches of the British Isles have long attracted artists, adventurous types, royalty and more for their solitude, rugged vistas, and historic castles.
See the Bazaar guide to the best hotels in Scotland here.
Fernando de Noronha, Brazil
This remote volcanic archipelago (located about 200 miles off Brazil's coast) is famous for pristine white-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters filled with sea turtles and dolphins.
St. Basil's Cathedral, Moscow, Russia
Legend has is that after St. Basil's Cathedral was completed in the 16th century, Ivan the Terrible had the architect blinded to prevent him from creating anything as stunning ever again.
Cape Town, South Africa
It might take nearly a full day of travel to reach Cape Town, but the city's sweeping vistas from Table Mountain and miles of beaches are totally worth the long haul.
See the Bazaar guide to the best hotels in Cape Town here.
Blue Lagoon, Iceland
Located southwest of Reykjavik, Iceland's famous Blue Lagoon gets its trademark color from the silica-rich waters that feed it. And it isn't just pretty—the geothermal water is great for your skin too.
Paris, France
It's hard not to fall in love with a city like Paris. Every arrondissement is full of postcard-worthy architecture, idyllic city parks seem to outnumber the people...and the food! Even that's beautiful—macarons, anyone?
See the Bazaar guide to the best hotels in Paris here.
Sossusvlei, Namibia
Located in Namibia's coastal desert, the remote Sossusvlei region is home to the world's tallest sand dunes including one that is nearly a quarter-mile high.
Hawa Mahal, Jaipur, India
While Jaipur is known as the "Pink City" for the trademark color of its buildings, Hawa Mahal, which translates to Palace of the Winds, is one of the most beautiful examples of the city's rosy-hued architecture.
El Yunque National Forest, Puerto Rico
Nestled in the Spanish Caribbean island of Puerto Rico, El Yunque is the only tropical rainforest located in North America. Home to an abundance of wildlife and flora, you’ll find the perfect waterfall for your next Instagram post.
Zlatni Rat, Croatia
Located on the Croatian Island of Brač, the Golden Cape is one of Europe’s top beaches. With crystal blue waters and a white pebble beach, the Golden Cape is the perfect place to take in the sun and let the air flow (some parts of the beach are clothing-optional).
Lofoten Islands, Norway
If you’re looking for the perfect mix of winter and spring then you need to check out the Logoten Islands. Technically located in the Arctic, it contains some of the warmest temperatures due to an elevation anomaly. It’s also a great place to watch the Northern Lights in the winter season.
Miho no Matsubara, Japan
Known as a place of beauty since the 1920’s, Miho no Matsubara is popularly known for its majestic pine trees. What most people fail to realize is that its black sand beaches are just as magnificent.
Isla Holbox, Mexico
Known as the perfect winter escape, Isla Holbox is situated on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. If you want an uncluttered beach and clear waters, head over and experience what many people refer to as their secret vacation spot.
Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona is the largest city in Catalonia and has over a dozen Antoni Gaudí installations scattered throughout. The most famous being Sagrada Familia and Park Güell, this city is perfect for any fan of Catalan modernism.
See the Bazaar luxury Barcelona travel guide here.
Iguazú Falls, Argentina
The Iguazú Falls are the largest waterfall systems in the world. Located on the borders of Argentina and Brazil, legend has it that a powerful deity was rejected by his mortal lover and in a rage sliced the rivers thus creating the waterfalls.
Key West, Florida
Known as the southernmost spot in the United States, Key West is synonymous with heaven. You can do everything here, from beach hopping to checking out monuments like Ernest Hemingway's house.
Giza, Egypt
Home to the Great Sphinx and the Great Pyramid of Giza, this city was Egypt’s capital during the first Pharaoh's reign. It’s also a must-see on everyone's bucket list.
See the Bazaar luxury Egypt travel guide here.
Comino Island, Malta
Accessible by ferry only from mainland Ċirkewwa, Comino is Malta’s least inhabited island. With only three residents reported since 2017, this small island boasts some of the clearest waters known to man. Popular for its blue lagoons, this is one island you have to visit.
Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica
Those who think of Antarctica as being only wide-open white desert spaces are mistaken—the Antarctic Peninsula (where most Antarctica cruises take travelers) is extremely mountainous. Here, you’ll find icebergs, volcanic islands, and six-, seven-, and eight-thousand foot mountains that plunge dramatically into the heart of the sea.
Atacama Desert, Chile
Nestled between the Andes Mountains and the Chilean Coast Range, the Atacama Desert is a land of extremes. Known to be the driest place on earth, it receives barely any precipitation. The landscape is, however, extremely rich, being filled with rocky gorges, salt flats, and sandy dunes.
Caño Cristales, Colombia
When its endemic vegetation is in full bloom, this Colombian river appears to be painted. Yellows, greens, reds and blues mix dramatically to create a living rainbow that flows from the Andes, through the Eastern Llanos grasslands, to the Amazon rainforest.
South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
Located at the southernmost end of the Great Rift Valley, rolling hills and thick jungle make this national park one of the most beautiful places in southern Africa. It’s abundance of wildlife also makes it one of the best places for safari.
See the Bazaar guide to safari here.
Nahanni National Park Reserve, Northwest Territories
Canada is already a pretty wild place, but everything is even bigger and wilder in the Northwest Territories. This remote and scarcely-visited national park is a UNESCO World Heritage site, known for its breathtaking mountain ranges, waterfalls that make Niagara Falls look positively puny, sulfur hot springs, and the intimidatingly-named Cirque of the Unclimbables.
Okavango Delta, Botswana
Imagine a wild place where leopards escape the midday sun by climbing into trees, and elephants wade chest-deep into the water in search of vegetation. An enormous river delta that empties down from the Angola Highlands and into the heart of the Kalahari Desert, the Okavango Delta is a UNESCO World Heritage Site unique for its biodiversity.
Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
One of the most photographic spots on the entire planet, the Solar de Uyuni is also the world’s largest salt flats, over 3,900 square miles in area. After some fresh rain, the flat transforms into the world’s largest mirror, as well—so large, in fact, that it serves as a recalibration point for satellites orbiting the earth.
Vorarlberg, Austria
Who wouldn’t want to twirl through alpine meadows filled with wildflowers amidst snow-capped mountain peaks? When people dream of The Sound of Music’s idyllic Austrian landscapes, the Vorarlberg is what comes to mind—with dramatic mountain scenery, charming villages, and glacial rivers that tumble deep into verdant valleys.
Whitsunday Islands, Queensland, Australia
The Whitsundays attract sun worshippers and sailing enthusiasts from around the world, and for good reason—imagine a tropical paradise where the whitest sand beaches and most vibrant coral reefs extend in every direction.
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