Most Beautiful Places to Visit Around the World
This list was designed to inspire visits to all corners of the world, where nature’s majesty is richly woven with human endeavor.
Whether you are thinking of a quick trip here in the U.S. or somewhere international, I think you'll enjoy these. You get to choose from spectacular mountain ranges, sparkling emerald lakes, thundering waterfalls, and parks that attract people from all over the world. Some of these are my personal hidden gems that I've finally decided to share. These weren’t just destinations. They were reminders of how wide and breathtaking the world can be.
Best Places to Visit Around the World:
Soca River Glow in Slovenia
“The water looked painted, as if the earth had chosen turquoise as its signature color.” I stood on a suspension bridge above the Soca River, the current rushing fast but silent, the valley hushed except for birds and the faint ring of cowbells. The Julian Alps framed everything with jagged calm, their snowmelt feeding the river that glowed beneath me. I felt small, but also steadied like the landscape had its own heartbeat and I was allowed to borrow it for a while.
What I Loved Most: Sitting on the smooth stones by the riverbank, dipping my hands in the icy water, and feeling time slow down with the flow.
My highlights? A stop at a rustic mountain hut near Bovec. I ordered grilled trout, caught fresh that morning, its skin crisp and smoky while the flesh stayed delicate and sweet. A side of roasted potatoes carried the scent of rosemary, and the alpine air sharpened every flavor.
Plan your Soca River day trip:
- Drive Time from Ljubljana: ~2.5 hours northwest
- Vibe: Untamed, serene, breathtakingly clear
- Highlights: Suspension bridges, kayaking or rafting, Bovec village, waterfalls like Boka
- Best Time to Visit: Late spring through early autumn for clear waters and mountain trails
- Cost: Free to explore; guided rafting/kayak tours from €40–60; meals €10–20
- Hours: Nature open always; tour companies usually 9am–6pm
Mauna Lani, Hawaii: Quiet Beaches and Pink Sunsets
Walking through Mauna Lani felt like stepping into a living postcard: wide lawns meeting the sea, fishponds where mullet darted beneath the surface, and the faint scent of plumeria on the wind. I thought, “This is where time unravels gently, not all at once.” The resort blended into the coastline as if it had always been part of the island’s rhythm.
We loved it so much here that we ended up renting a condo and moving to the Big Island full time for 6 years. I spent many evenings walking around the fishponds and catching a colorful Hawaiian sunset on the beach afterwards.
The preservation of these ponds are a way of sharing and honoring Hawaiian history and the deep connection the people have to the land.
p>Plan your Mauna Lani vacation:- Drive Time from Kona Airport: ~30 minutes north
- Vibe: Refined, tranquil, steeped in Hawaiian tradition
- Highlights: Historic fishponds, petroglyph trails, snorkeling in sheltered coves, sunset walks
- Best Time to Visit: Winter for whale-watching, spring and fall for calmer crowds
- Cost: Free to explore historic sites; resort dining $20–50 per plate; activities vary
- Hours: Trails and beaches open daily; dining reservations recommended 5–9pm
Great Barrier Reef & Ocean Wonder (Australia)
The Great Barrier Reef felt like entering another world, an underwater city alive with color and movement. The water was warm and impossibly clear, carrying the scent of salt and adventure. I floated above coral gardens as schools of fish shimmered beneath me, and thought, “This is the closest I’ve been to touching a dream.”
What I Loved Most: The moment a sea turtle drifted past, unhurried and graceful, as if the ocean itself had slowed to let me watch.
My highlights? Snorkeling off a small cay surrounded by turquoise shallows, spotting clownfish weaving through anemones, and relaxing on the deck of a boat as the horizon stretched in every direction.
Plan your Great Barrier Reef visit:
- Departure from Cairns: Day trips and liveaboards available; travel time varies by reef location
- Vibe: Vibrant, awe-inspiring, otherworldly
- Highlights: Snorkeling, scuba diving, glass-bottom boat tours, Whitsunday Islands
- Best Time to Visit: June–October for dry season and best visibility
- Cost: Day tours typically start around AUD $150; multi-day trips higher
- Hours: Tours depart morning to late afternoon; overnight trips available
Garden of the Gods & Red Rock Drama
Garden of the Gods felt like walking through a sculpture garden carved by the earth itself, towering sandstone spires and jagged fins glowing deep orange under the Colorado sun. The air was dry and bright with the scent of juniper and sage. I stood beneath Balanced Rock, craning my neck toward its improbable perch, and thought, “Nature has a way of showing off here.”
What I Loved Most: The way the red rock formations contrasted so sharply with the snow-dusted peaks of Pikes Peak in the distance.
My highlights? Wandering the Perkins Central Garden Trail at sunrise, when the light made the rocks seem to burn from within, and watching climbers scale the vertical faces with slow, deliberate grace.
Plan your Garden of the Gods visit:
- Drive Time from Colorado Springs: About 10 minutes
- Vibe: Majestic, photogenic, accessible
- Highlights: Balanced Rock, Perkins Central Garden Trail, Siamese Twins formation, rock climbing
- Best Time to Visit: Early morning or late afternoon for cooler temperatures and softer light
- Cost: Free entry
- Hours: Open daily 5 am–9 pm (summer), 5 am–7 pm (winter)
Moraine Lake & Glacier Blue Serenity
Moraine lake in Banff National Park felt like stepping into a postcard, water so vividly turquoise it seemed unreal, framed by the rugged peaks of the Valley of the Ten Peaks. The air was crisp and cool, scented with pine and glacier melt. I stood on the rockpile at sunrise, watching the first light spill across the mountains, and thought, “This is the kind of view that makes you forget to breathe.”
What I Loved Most: How the lake’s color deepened and shifted with the sun, turning from milky blue in the morning to a brilliant jewel tone by afternoon.
My highlights? Paddling a canoe across the glassy surface, hiking the Lakeshore Trail, and lingering on the rocks as clouds drifted between the peaks.
Plan your Moraine Lake visit:
- Drive Time from Lake Louise Village: About 20 minutes (note: seasonal road access and shuttle reservations required)
- Vibe: Pristine, dramatic, unforgettable
- Highlights: Rockpile viewpoint, Lakeshore Trail, canoe rentals
- Best Time to Visit: Late June–early October when the road is open and the lake is thawed
- Cost: Included with Parks Canada entry fee; canoe rentals additional
- Hours: Open during daylight hours; access restricted outside summer season
Blue Ridge Mist & Mountain Melody
The Blue Ridge Mountains felt like a song carried on the wind. It was soft, layered ridges fading into shades of blue. The air was cool and sweet with the scent of rhododendron and pine. I stood at an overlook along the Parkway at dawn, the valleys still wrapped in mist, and thought, “This is the kind of quiet that seeps in and stays.”
What I Loved Most: Watching the sun rise slowly over wave after wave of mountains, each ridge catching light like a new verse in a familiar tune.
My highlights? A winding drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway, stopping for short hikes to tumbling waterfalls, and an afternoon spent in a mountain town café with warm cornbread and a view of rolling hills.
Plan your Blue Ridge Mountains visit:
- Drive Time from Asheville, NC: Minutes to the nearest parkway entrance
- Vibe: Serene, scenic, timeless
- Highlights: Blue Ridge Parkway overlooks, Craggy Gardens, Linville Falls, Mount Mitchell
- Best Time to Visit: October for peak fall foliage; late spring for wildflowers
- Cost: Parkway and overlooks are free; state and national park fees vary
- Hours: Accessible year-round, though some sections close in winter
Misty view of the Blue Ridge Mountain Range
Amalfi Coast Colors & Cliffside Romance (Italy)
The Amalfi Coast felt like a ribbon of dreams draped along the sea. I admired pastel villages clinging to cliffs, lemon groves spilling down toward the water, and the Mediterranean shimmering in the sun. The air was warm and fragrant with citrus and salt. I stood on a terrace in Positano, watching boats drift across the bay, and thought, “This is what it means to savor life slowly.”
What I Loved Most: Those winding coastal drives where every bend revealed another postcard view of turquoise water and candy-colored homes.
My highlights? Sipping espresso in Amalfi’s piazza, wandering Positano’s steep lanes lined with boutiques, and taking a sunset ferry ride where the cliffs glowed gold against the evening sky.
Plan your Amalfi Coast visit:
- Drive Time from Naples: About 1.5–2 hours by car
- Vibe: Romantic, sunlit, cinematic
- Highlights: Positano, Amalfi, Ravello, coastal drives, boat tours
- Best Time to Visit: May–June or September–October for pleasant weather and lighter crowds
- Cost: Free to explore towns; dining and excursions vary
- Hours: Villages open year-round; peak season June–August
Glenorchy: Still Waters & Mountain Silence
“It feels like the edge of the world,” I thought, standing at the wooden jetty with Lake Wakatipu stretching into mist and peaks. Glenorchy, just forty-five minutes from Queenstown, carried a hush that settled into me, the kind of quiet where mountains seemed to breathe and time felt slower.
What I Loved Most: The drive itself, including winding lakeside roads, every bend opening onto views more cinematic than the last. Snow still dusted the tops of the Humboldt Mountains, while the valley below glowed green with pasture.
My highlights? Lunch at The Trading Post. I had a venison pie with buttery pastry that crumbled in flakes, steam rising with the rich scent of rosemary and red wine. Beside it, kumara chips warm and crisp. For dessert, a slice of homemade carrot cake, spiced and sweet, carried me back out into the cool air, satisfied and grounded. From there, I wandered the Glenorchy Lagoon Walkway, where reflections of clouds rippled in the still water, every step accompanied by birdsong.
Plan your Glenorchy escape:
- Drive Time from Queenstown: ~45 minutes along a scenic lakeside road
- Vibe: Remote, cinematic, peaceful
- Highlights: Jetty on Lake Wakatipu, Glenorchy Lagoon Walkway, Paradise Valley, nearby hiking tracks (Routeburn Track)
- Best Time to Visit: Summer (Dec–Feb) for long days and hiking; winter for snow-capped views
- Cost: Nature free; meals moderate; guided tours ~$100–$200
- Hours: Lagoon walk accessible year-round; tours vary
Krk Island Sun & Clear Ocean, Croatia
“The sea was so clear I could count the pebbles beneath my toes.” Standing at the edge of a cove near Baška, the Adriatic shimmered in shifting shades of blue and green, and limestone cliffs rose behind me like quiet guardians. The island carried both energy and calm. I saw stone villages with narrow alleys, lavender-scented breezes, and harbors where fishing boats rocked gently against the piers. I felt as though every corner invited me to linger just a little longer.
What I Loved Most: Wandering around the Old Town, its cobbled streets opening onto tiny squares, the rhythm of church bells marking time as the sun dropped lower over the sea.
My highlights? Dinner at a seaside konoba in Vrbnik. I ordered grilled calamari, tender with a smoky char, dressed simply with olive oil and lemon. A side of homemade pasta, šurlice, came with a rich lamb sauce that smelled of rosemary and slow cooking. For dessert, a slice of fig cake carried the sweetness of late summer and the warmth of the island’s soil.
Plan your Krk Island day trip:
- Drive Time from Rijeka: ~45 minutes (via bridge)
- Vibe: Coastal, historic, sun-washed
- Highlights: Baška beach, Krk old town, Vrbnik wine cellars, Punat marina
- Best Time to Visit: Late spring and early autumn for warm seas without peak crowds
- Cost: Beaches free; meals €10–25; wine tastings from €5–10
- Hours: Beaches open daily; restaurants typically 11am–11pm
Grand Canyon Grandeur & Desert Silence
The Grand Canyon felt like standing at the edge of time itself. I gazed at layer upon layer of stone stretching beyond sight, each stratum holding a story older than memory. The desert air was warm and dry, carrying the scent of sunbaked rock. I stood at Mather Point as the morning sun lit the cliffs in copper and gold, and thought, “The scale is so vast, my eyes can’t drink it all in at once.”
I stood at the canyon’s edge, the wind steady against my face, and thought, “This beauty has always been someone’s home.” The Grand Canyon glowed in layered colors, but the land was more than scenery. It was story, struggle, and survival. For the Navajo people, these cliffs and valleys were not just majestic landscapes, but sacred ground threaded with memory and loss. The forced Long Walk of the 1860s echoed here, when families were torn from this homeland and marched hundreds of miles, many never to return.
What I Loved Most: Watching the light shift across the canyon walls, turning them from pale rose to deep crimson in a matter of minutes.
My highlights? A rim walk along the South Kaibab Trail, pausing at Ooh Aah Point, where the view spilled out in every direction. I spent an evening waiting, quietly to watch the stars emerge over the canyon’s darkened expanse.
Plan your Grand Canyon visit:
- Drive Time from Flagstaff: About 1.5 hours to the South Rim
- Vibe: Immense, humbling, timeless
- Highlights: Mather Point, South Kaibab Trail, Desert View Watchtower, sunset at Hopi Point
- Best Time to Visit: Spring and fall for cooler temperatures and fewer crowds
- Cost: $35 per vehicle for a 7-day pass
- Hours: South Rim open year-round; North Rim generally mid-May to mid-October
Maroon Bells Majesty & Alpine Calm
I took the Maroon Bells Shuttle from Aspen Highlands ($16 fare for adults, $10 for kids) to reach one of the most stunning lakes in the world.
I admired the solemn bell-shaped Colorado peaks rising above a still mountain lake. The air was clean, carrying the scent of pine trees. “This is the kind of beauty you don’t just see....you feel it,” I thought.
When I went back for a second time, I got an early morning start. I bought the Day Visit pass for my car ($10) and drove in well before 8 am when the road closes for traffic. I had to spend the day there before the road reopened at 4:30 so I brought a picnic lunch.
The mountain reflection in Maroon Lake was nearly perfect. There were wildflowers on the Scenic Loop Trail in the spring
Next time? I plan to go for an evening visit with the "Midnight to Midnight" parking pass that lets you arrive before 8 pm and depart before Midnight. I can't wait to see the night sky there!
I spent the night at St Moritz Lodge ($325 in the summer).
Plan your Maroon Bells visit:
- Reservations are required to access the Maroon Bells Scenic Area whether you drive or take the shuttle.
- Drive Time from Aspen: About 20 minutes by car. The shuttle runs every 15 minutes between 7:00 AM and 3:00 PM (May 23–Oct 19)
- Highlights: Maroon Lake, Scenic Loop Trail, Crater Lake Trail, sunrise photography
- Best Time to Visit: Late spring through early fall; September for golden aspen leaves
Conclusion
From quiet mountain lakes to cliffside villages, from red-rock canyons to turquoise reefs, the world offers beauty in countless forms. Some places dazzle with grandeur, others with the smallest details, a sunrise’s shifting colors, the scent of a local meal, the sound of water or wind. Each stop on this journey leaves a piece of itself with you, a reminder that beauty isn’t just something to see...it’s something to feel, to breathe, and to carry home.
