Whether it be a glittering city skyline or a majestic mountain region, the world is full of awe-inspiring panoramas. Here’s a few of the most breathtaking for your bucket list. You’re welcome.
With amazing views only a Google away, it’s easy to take a cascading waterfall or a mountain peak for granted. Yet seeing an iconic landscape up, close and personal is more than just a pretty picture. There’s nothing like the rush of standing on the edge of the Grand Canyon or the humbling feeling when you look at man’s greatest feats such as the Great Wall of China. Cue our round-up of the most breathtaking views on earth and where to see them at their most spectacular. Just make sure you put down the camera for a sec to take it all in.
1. Temples of Bagan, Myanmar
As one of Myanmar’s main attractions, Bagan is one town from the ancient world that’ll truly blow your socks off. Dotted with thousands of stupas and temples, you’ll enjoy the best views of this stunning place first thing in the morning before all the tour buses arrive and when the sun peeps up from behind the stupas and morning mist.
2. Victoria Peak, Hong Kong
Located west of Hong Kong, Victoria Peak offers an amazing night view of the larger-than-life Hong Kong skyline. At an altitude of 1818 feet, it’s the highest mountain on the island. Make a day of it at The Peak: a complex of restaurants, shops, and bars perched right at the top. Hop on a cable car, spend an afternoon taking in the panorama while enjoying dinner, and head down by foot, taking in the glittering city from all angles.
3. Great Wall of China
Built thousands of years ago, wriggling haphazardly over the hills for 12000 miles, the Great Wall is China’s greatest engineering must-see. Climb the section at Simatai which is less crowded and absolutely stunning to boot. What’s more, the structure can even be spotted from space – now that’s a view that would take your breath away.
4. The Matterhorn Mountain, Zermatt, The Alps
Straddling the main border between Italy and Switzerland, the Matterhorn is one of the most magnificent, one-of-a-kind mountains. 4478m tall, it towers over one of Switzerland’s glitziest resorts, Zermatt, jutting out over the rest of the uncrowded landscape. Jump on a Gornergrat-Bahn train climbing all the way to Gornergrat, a vantage point with stunning, unspoiled views of the Matterhorn and Switzerland’s highest peak, the Dufourspitze.
5. Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
One of Africa’s biggest magnets for tourists, Victoria Falls is one of the Earth’s greatest spectacles. Stretching a mile long, the curtain of water can be viewed in all its glory on a helicopter ride; or if you’re feeling a little more plucky, head to Devil’s Pools and peak precariously over the edge before getting a serious adrenaline rush by rafting or bungee jumping into the Zambezi.
6. Grand Canyon, Arizona
It doesn’t matter how many photos you’ve seen, nothing prepares you for seeing the Grand Canyon with your own two eyes. About two billion years old, the bottom of the canyon is some of the oldest exposed rock on the planet. Iconic and immense, you’ll not be able to stop staring at its vastness and the intense play on light and shade at sunrise and sunset. One of the best ways to gawk at one of the seven wonders of the world is to go on the Desert View Drive through the park, which features six developed canyon viewpoints and four picnic areas to enjoy al fresco dining with a difference.
7. Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco
Built in 1937, the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco’s signature landmark. Spanning 2737m long, the art-deco suspension bridge offers the most amazing views of San Francisco. Find the best views, with the San Fran in its backdrop, head to Fort Point or Battery Spencer. Warning: there’s a bit of a hike to both but we think it’s worth it.
8. Seljalandsfoss Waterfall, Iceland
About 30km west of Skogar, Seljalandsfoss Waterfall can be accessed from the farm at Seljaland along the Ring Road, Iceland’s main highway. With a whopping 60m drop, it’s one of the most famous waterfalls in Iceland. Follow the footpath into the cave behind to get an uninterrupted view of the amazing surrounding landscape or see more of the south coast of Iceland’s waterfalls, glaciers, and beaches on a day tour.
9. Amalfi Coast, Italy
With endless breathtaking coastline, the Amalfi Coast in Southern Italy shouldn’t be underrated. In the height of summer, brightly-colored wildflowers bloom everywhere making for picture postcard-perfect scenery. With quaint villages clinging precariously to steep seas cliffs, the narrow and twisting Amalfi Coastal Drive between Sorento and Amalfi is one of the most white-knuckle thrilling yet stunningly beautiful ways to see this part of the world in all its glory.
