There are many incredible locations around the globe, and they’re all capable of entertaining photographers for a lifetime.
So whether you’re looking for cities to explore, history and culture, or majestic landscapes, the world is your oyster. It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner planning a first travel photography trip or you’re a serious photographer in search of top travel destinations; this guide is for you.
Below, I share a selection of my favorite locations for photography. They offer an array of attractions – crystal-clear oceans, breathtaking vistas, hiking adventures, safaris, and so much more – and cater to a variety of interests, budgets, and activity levels. So to discover the 10 best places to travel for photography, read on!
1. The Lake District, England
The Lake District is an incredibly beautiful location and one of the best landscape photography destinations in the world. This amazing national park features lakes, fells, waterfalls, and even some attractive market towns! A few of the most photogenic lakes you will find in the park include Ullswater, Derwent Lake, Wast Water, and Lake Windermere.
The Lake District is a great place for fun camera walks, and it’ll especially appeal to those looking for a more active trip. The variety of walking routes is impressive and offers many spectacular views of the lakes and surrounding fells. And the Lake District looks great year-round, so whether you’re searching for a winter or a summer trip, it’s a great pick.
2. Grand Canyon, USA
Without a doubt, Grand Canyon National Park is one of the most photogenic places on earth, and it’s certainly one of the best locations for landscape photography in the US thanks to its absolutely mind-blowing vistas.
The park features two rims – North and South – each offering incredible overlooks and views of the canyon. The photo opportunities are endless, and you can capture the grand scale and vastness of the rocky landscape at any time of day, including sunrise, midday, and sunset. (Other top US national parks worth visiting include Yellowstone, home to geysers and hot springs, and Yosemite, with its stunning waterfalls and beautiful peaks.)
3. Provence, France
If you’re seeking beautiful scenery, then Provence is the place to be. Nestled in a picturesque corner in the South of France and bordering Italy and the Mediterranean Sea, Provence features row upon row of purple lavender fields (they carpet the landscape as far as the eye can see!).
Provence is one of the top places to travel for photography, and it’s a truly delightful location thanks to its warm sunny climate, great food, and colorful scenery. With plenty to photograph – from iconic lavender fields to attractive hilltop villages – this rural region really is a photographer’s paradise.
4. Tenerife, Canary Islands
Are you a beginner in search of a plethora of natural wonders to photograph? Then consider a trip to Tenerife. With its volcanic scenery, pine forests of Teide National Park, black sand beaches, rugged cliffs, and great walking routes, the opportunities for photography are endless.
Mount Teide reaches over 12,000 feet; in fact, it’s the highest point in Spain. And Teide is Europe’s most popular national park (with three million annual visitors!). One bonus is the low light-pollution levels, which makes Tenerife’s clear and vivid night skies a popular choice for astrophotographers. Tenerife is also a good budget-friendly destination with plenty of reasonably priced restaurants and accommodations.
5. Tanzania, Africa
Seeing African wildlife in its natural habitat is the stuff of dreams, but a trip to Tanzania – one of the best wildlife photography locations in the world – can make it happen.
Serengeti National Park is an amazing location to view wildlife, and a safari is the best way to experience the magnificence of the big five: lions, rhinos, elephants, buffalos, and leopards. You can also photograph stunning acacia trees and the surrounding environment where a host of other animals thrive on the vast open plains, including cheetahs, giraffes, hippos, hyenas, zebras, and wildebeest. Tanzania isn’t the cheapest of destinations, but it’ll allow you to create some truly wonderful images and memories that will last a lifetime.
6. Maldives
Situated in the Indian Ocean, southwest of Sri Lanka and India, this impressive collection of islands is a fantastic travel photography destination. Maldives is one of the most beautiful places in the world and features an abundance of colorful marine life, white sand beaches, and turquoise seas.
This tropical paradise is more expensive to visit but comes highly recommended for its travel photography potential. You can soak in the sights of your chosen island, do some wildlife watching, or head out on a sunset cruise. Other activities include snorkeling and diving, kayaking, and seaplane flights, which offer spectacular underwater, on-the-water, and aerial photographic opportunities.
7. Kefalonia, Greece
Kefalonia, a Greek island located in the Ionian Sea, features gorgeous vistas and cultural wonders, not to mention a wonderful tropical climate that makes for great spring, summer, and fall visits.
Kefalonia boasts some of the best beaches in Europe, including Myrtos and Antisamos Beach, as well as plenty of natural wonders for landscape and travel photography: caves, crystal-clear water, pine forests, steep cliffs, and even wildlife. It’s a relaxing place to visit, and it’s a perfect destination if you prefer to drive around and explore on your own.
The island also offers historic towns, ports, and picturesque villages to visit and/or photograph. If you wish to expand your trip to include an array of Greek islands, check out Santorini, Crete, and Corfu, all of which are great for travel photography.
8. Kyoto, Japan
Why is Kyoto worth a photographic visit? So many reasons. This cultural center offers dozens of attractions for travel photographers, including thousands of traditional temples, pagodas, and shrines, not to mention beautiful parks and gardens. Landscape photographers will love the wooded forests, bamboo groves, and the changing seasons of snow and cherry blossoms, and more street-focused photographers will find plenty to shoot, too.
One of the most beautiful subjects to photograph in Kyoto is the Fushimi Inari Shrine with its thousands of torii gates. The nearby Nara Park is also worthy of a visit thanks to its World Heritage sites and friendly deer. Bottom line: If you’re interested in combining beauty and culture in a single trip, Kyoto is an outstanding destination.
9. Namibia, Africa
With its diverse landscapes and beautiful wildlife, Namibia is an incredible destination for travel photography. Home to Etosha National Park (a wildlife sanctuary) and the Skeleton Coast (where the ocean is backed by sand dunes), Namibia’s photographic opportunities are endless.
A key area for photography is the desolate dunes of Sossusvlei. Located in Namib-Naukluft National Park, these dunes are some of the tallest in the world (Dune 7 soars over 1256 feet!). Dune 7, Dune 45, and Big Daddy are all fun to climb and provide exhilarating views of sand dunes extending out across the landscape.
10. The Himalayas, Nepal
Home to some of the best mountain vistas in the world, the Himalayas are a great destination for photographers, adventurers, hikers, and tourists. Mount Everest is the highest peak on earth and makes for a magnificent mountain landscape photography subject, though you can also use it as a stunning backdrop to complement other Himalayan peaks.
The scenery is sublime, with picture-perfect views of dramatic mountains, glaciers, lakes, and colorful prayer flags. Consider trekking to Everest Base Camp or doing the Annapurna Circuit; both offer a glimpse into this natural paradise with its jaw-dropping mountain scenery and breathtaking valley views.
The best places to travel for photography
Whether you’re into architecture, landscapes, nature, or wildlife, you’re bound to appreciate one (or all!) of the destinations on this list.
So pick a location for your next photography adventure and get trekking! With so many wonderful locations around the world, it can certainly be tough to choose, but I hope this list at least helped you narrow down your options.
Which location for photography do you plan to pick? Do you have any additional destinations to recommend? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
