The 72 Most Beautiful Places In the World

It’s almost stereotypical to put Niagara Falls on a list of the most beautiful places in the world, but it is magnificently stunning. This natural wonder is made up of three separate waterfalls with a maximum drop of almost 200 feet. You can visit this site on the United States side too, but everyone knows the Canadian side is prettier.

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The Zapotec metropolis of Monte Albán, located in Oaxaca, Mexico, is a fascinating archaeological site that houses the ruins of ancient pyramids. As a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, Monte Albán served as a ceremonial center around 500 BC. Perched atop a mountaintop, it offers breathtaking views of the Oaxaca Valley.

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Experience the breathtaking beauty of the Himalayan mountain at this UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, India. As you explore this enchanting valley, you’ll encounter blooming flowers, rare wildlife, cascading waterfalls, and flowing streams. This journey to one of the most beautiful places in the world promises an unforgettable experience for nature lovers.

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Find beautiful examples of the wax palm—Colombia’s national tree—in full glory down in the Cocora Valley, just outside of the city of Salento. These trees are home to the vibrant yellow-eared parrot and grow up to 197 feet tall. As the trees tower over you, traipse through the valley for other scenic nature views, but be aware that this is not a short hike, so bring your walking shoes.

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Yes, the entirety of the capital of Sweden is on our list of the most beautiful places in the world, not only because it’s home to multiple UNESCO World Heritage Sites, but because it has that storybook charm you can rarely find anywhere else. Stockholm is a picturesque destination with both old and modern architecture, a rich history, cobblestone streets, and the calming presence of water in an urban setting. There’s so much to do and so many places to shop, we can only warn you that you probably won’t want to ever leave.

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Located in the foothills of Mt. Fuji, these cascading falls are some of the most beautiful in Japan. The 20-meter-high wall of multiple falls is fed by the volcano’s spring water and surrounded by lush greenery, especially in the summer when the snowfall from the top of the mountain melts. The waterfall base is accessible by a walking trail that you can get to via car or bus, and the site is truly magical.

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This small fjord village is straight from a fairytale with its sparkling waters, steep mountains, historic buildings, and—oh, yeah—500 goats. In fact, there are more goats in Undredal than there are people, and that’s because this village is known for its goat cheese production, which only adds to the charm. While the area itself is beautiful, the tradition of cheese-making and the culture around it in Undredal is what makes it such a tourist destination.

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As soon as you lay your eyes on Sete Cidades Lake, you won’t believe what you’re seeing is actually real—it’s just that beautiful. This crater lake is made up of two lagoons, one with a bluish tint and the other with a greenish tint, which only adds to the majesty. This body of water is surrounded by green pastures and lush gardens, and if you don’t mind renting a car, you can take a trek to other surrounding areas to see more of Portugal’s beauty, like Coal Aqueduct ruins and more beaches.

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Related: The Definitive Design Lover’s Guide to Lisbon

Carved by glaciers over 100,000 years ago, Fiordland might look slightly familiar to you if you’re a fan of Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings movie trilogy. This park served as the backdrop to a few scenes in the movies, like the real-life Waiau River representing the fictional River Anduin in the first flick. Even if you’re not a LOTR fan, there’s no denying that the natural landscape is breathtaking, from the ancient rainforests to the shimmering lakes and more.

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This northwestern region of Spain has it all: rugged mountains, historic religious sites, and an unbelievable coastline. Thanks to the amount of rainfall it receives, Asturias is always lush and green, making it an ideal tourist spot for nature lovers. However, any history buffs will fall in love with this fishing region as well, thanks to the many old cultural sites you can visit while there.

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Angel Falls, the world’s tallest uninterrupted waterfall, is undeniably one of the most beautiful places in the world. This magnificent natural wonder might look familiar, as it inspired the waterfall in the movie Up. Located in the Canaima National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Angel Falls cascades over the edge of the Auyán-tepui mountain, offering a breathtaking spectacle that’s a true marvel of nature.

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No, this isn’t the surface of Mars—this is Chile. The Atacama Desert covers thousands of miles of extremely dry land, making it the driest nonpolar desert in the world. While you might expect the land to be completely barren, this desert actually has a rich variety of flora, though the fauna is not so diverse.

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These vast, sloping highlands are home to Malaysia’s largest tea plantations, but they hold so much more. Besides the stunning green fields and hills, you can find orchards, rivers, farmlands, and even resorts in this popular tourist destination.

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This national park serves as the backdrop to plenty of Welsh mythology and folklore, as well as ruined castles and archaeological treasures throughout the 823 square miles of land. Snowdonia National Park is where the mountains meet the sea and is home to breathtaking coastlines, enchanting forests, and important wildlife, making it a no-brainer on our list of the most beautiful places in the world.

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Located in northern Iran, Badab Soort Springs is a stunning natural site featuring impressive travertine terrace formations. The step-like surfaces, formed over thousands of years, result from the flow of water from two mineral hot springs. As the water cools, it deposits carbonate minerals on the mountainside, creating this breathtaking spectacle.

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Just north of Beirut, Lebanon, the Jeita Grotto is a set of two interconnected limestone caves in the Nahr al-Kalb river valley. View breathtaking stalactites and stalagmites as you tour the grotto by boat in the lower portion or by foot in the upper.

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This protected area is named after nine Tibetan villages located within the Jiuzhai Valley National Park. Throughout the gorgeous landscape, visitors can find cascading waterfalls, ancient forests, towering mountains, and the Zharu Monastery, a place of worship in the area. Every aspect of this park is striking, making it one of the most beautiful places in the world to us.

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This site holds the ruins of an ancient city located in Selçuk, Turkey, serving as a window back in time to the 10th century B.C. You can find signs of the Classical Greek era to the Roman Empire to the spread of Christianity within the ruins’ walls. The Temple of Artemis within the city is known as one of the seven wonders of the world, though little of it remains now. It’s a beautiful place that caters to both the adventurous and the studious.

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Though this may look like some sort of alien landscape, this photo actually shows what happens at the triple junction of three tectonic plates. The Danakil Depression in Ethiopia is known as the hottest place on the planet and has the lava lakes, volcanoes, and acidic springs to prove it. Each natural feature in this area is so visually striking that even with the soaring temperatures, it still attracts tour groups, ideally from September to May. It’s possible to access the depression at other times of the year but not recommended simply because it is just that hot.

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One look at Lake Bled and you might think you’re in a Disney fairytale—but we promise this is real life. This Slovenian lake sits within the Julian Alps, giving the already-picturesque body of water an even more beautiful backdrop of snow-capped mountains. The surrounding town of Bled is as charming as the lake with many historical sites for one to see.

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