Photo Travel Guide: Picture Perfect - World's Most Beautiful Cities
Looking for a good photo op – or excuse to deck out your Instagram account? Search no further: These cities are some of the most popular tourist destinations around the world. They’re also some of the most photography-friendly metropolises you could ever visit, featuring bustling city-centers, stunning displays of architecture, and countless museums. From Latin America to New Zealand, you’ll find a host of cities that are known for their beautiful terrain, abundant eateries, floating markets, and more. Take a look below to see why you’ll want to add them to your bucket list, and which you’ll be wanting to plan a trip to ASAP.
Marrakech
Marrakech has become a top travel destination in the last couple years. And it’s no wonder why: The city is a veritable festival for the senses, with bright colors, beautiful buildings, fragrant seasonings and delicious food to be found at every corner. The first thing you’ll notice in Marrakech are undoubtedly the stunning buildings. The Riad La Mamounia is an Instagram favorite with its tiled columns and amazing garden. You’ll want to capture every inch of the Yves Saint Laurent Museum as well (the exterior of the building is as amazing as its interior), and be sure to snap a few pics at the Jardin Majorelle located in the museum’s courtyard. At night, the souks light up and the view is better than the stars in the sky. The markets are also a must-stop spot in Marrakech; your friends will be begging you to bring home some goodies.
Havana
Walking through the streets of Havana is like walking through a time portal. The buildings, the markets and even the cars look like they’re from the turn of the century. And everything is bursting with color. Havana is the capital of Cuba and, until recently, US citizens weren’t allowed to enter unless they entered with a special visa. Now, anyone can enjoy the streets of Cuba and feast their eyes on the murals, antique cars and old buildings. Be sure to check out Old Havana when visiting Cuba — built by the Spanish in the 16th century, the neighborhood looks like it’s been frozen in time. Havana is truly an Instagrammer’s dream destination.
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro’s landscape is unlike any other: A booming metropolis mixed with mountainous slopes, and all on the coast of Brazil. Its iconic mountain tops are what a lot of people associate with the city, specifically the famous Pão de Açúcar, or Sugarloaf Mountain. You can take a cable car up to the mountain, and the panoramic views of the city are unlike any other. You’ll even get the chance to see the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue that many associate with Rio de Janeiro. Be sure to hold your hands out when you snap a souvenir photo, just like the statue.
Paris
Ah, the city of love. Once in Paris, you’ll adore everything and will want to document your entire trip. You could have entire albums dedicated to the museums, the cuisine and the beautiful buildings. Of course, the Louvre — inside and outside — is one of the most recognizable museums in the world. Be sure to snap a selfie with the Leonardo da Vinci’s most famous piece, the Mona Lisa, there. Sacre-Coeur offers amazing views of the city, and the building itself is something you’ll want to remember too. And if you don’t snap a pic in front of the Eifel Tower, you’ve also got to ask yourself: Did you even go to Paris?
Santorini
Of all the Greek islands you can visit, Santorini is definitely the most Instagrammable. The city sits on a hill overlooking the blue water, and the entire façade of the mountain is transformed with its white homes with blue domes nestled on the ledges. The Oia Bell Tower is a beautiful example of Greek architecture. The curved roof of the church is amazing, but beyond that, the panoramic views of the city and the sea below are breathtaking. The windmills of Santorini are something you’ll see all over the city. Make sure to visit the Castle of Agios Nikolaos for that classic postcard shot of the windmills and the ocean in the background. You’ll definitely want to cruise around the island on a sailboat as well — the sunset views with Santorini in the background will make you want to come back every year.
Florence
This Italian Renaissance city still has the charm and appearance it had several centuries ago. The cobblestoned streets that weave through every square and museum are something to marvel at. The same goes for the bridges, especially the Ponte Vecchio, one of the most well-known landmarks in Florence. There are a ton of towers and overlooks here. The Piazzale Michelangelo and Giotto’s Bell Tower offer amazing views of the city. The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (AKA the Duomo), which sits in the middle of Florence, is the most recognizable part of the city. If you’re up for it, climb to the top of the tower for an entirely fresh look at the metropolis from up above.
Barcelona
The architecture found in Barcelona is unlike any other you’ll see around the world. A lot of it is associated with the Spanish architect, Antoni Gaudí, who built many the iconic buildings in Barcelona. The Sagrada Familia is arguably the most iconic building — it’s a Catholic church with towers that you can climb. Gaudí also designed the famous Park Güell, a fantastical park that blends nature and color. When the weather permits, definitely head to the beaches, specifically playa de la Barceloneta, for a view of the city from the sand. There are many great markets to visit here to get a taste of the cuisine and snap photos at as well: La Boqueria is filled with local produce, and just about any other Spanish delight you’d want to try.
Queenstown
Queenstown is a nature-lover’s dream. The best views of this popular New Zealand city (i.e. the best Instagram pics) come from natural areas rather than the city center. The best view from above can be seen at Ben Lommond Summit, but be careful, it’s a lofty hike at over six hours to get back. But don’t worry, you’ll find plenty of beautiful landmarks to experience on the ground too. Queenstwon Gardens is a picturesque vista with views of the mountains across the lake. Queenstown Hill is a simple hike that offers various views of the mountains and lake, as well as the cityscape. Be sure to take the Gondola to Bob’s Peak at night to see the city below lit up between the mountain ranges.
Bangkok
Bangkok offers something for everyone. From markets to nightlife and temples to palaces, you can quickly see why it’s becoming one of the most popular destinations in the world. For a taste of ancient life, go to Wat Pho temple where the reclining Buddha is located. Be sure to also check out Wat Arun and the Grand Palace. Baiyoke Tower has an observation deck; it’s also one of the tallest towers in Bangkok. The floating markets are a “must-see” while in Bangkok as well — these markets, which are found on the water, are unlike anything you’ll find anywhere else in the world. Get a unique view of the city by taking a boat tour through the various waterways.
New York City
The Big Apple is filled with iconic buildings, parks and neighborhoods. As far as buildings go, be sure to snap photos of the Flatiron building, the Empire State building, and of course, Lady Liberty. Some of the neighborhoods to check out are the West Village, where famed artists and writers started their career, and DUMBO, the state-of-the-art neighborhood located under the Manhattan Bridge in Brooklyn. There are a ton of parks to be found around the concrete jungle that make for fine photo ops too. Central Park is one of the largest in the five boroughs, and also the most recognizable with museums like the Met and the Guggenheim – no trip is complete without a photo shoot here.