Some places stay with you for the rest of your life: a turquoise lake below a glacier, a temple at sunrise, a beach you have only seen in photos. This guide collects the most beautiful places in the world we have featured over the years, grouped by the kind of trip they inspire, so you can build your own travel bucket list.
How to build a bucket list you will actually complete
- Mix near and far. Put a few places you can reach this year next to the once-in-a-lifetime trips.
- Check the season. Many natural wonders are only at their best for a few weeks a year.
- Go before the crowds. Visit famous sights early in the morning or in shoulder season.
- Save for one big trip at a time and plan it at least six months ahead.
- Keep the list alive. Add new places as you discover them and tick them off as you go.
Natural wonders
- Blue lakes worth travelling for: Lake Bled, the Blue Lagoon, the Great Blue Hole and Peyto Lake
- Waterfalls to see once in your lifetime: Iguazu, Niagara and Ban Gioc-Detian Falls
- The most colourful places on Earth: Caño Cristales, Lake Retba and the Holland tulip fields
- Natural hot springs worth travelling for: Costa Rica, Budapest, Jordan and Tuscany
- Mountain regions for your bucket list: the Swiss Alps, the Himalayas, Mount Fuji and Aoraki
- Places to visit before they vanish: Venice, the Great Barrier Reef, Patagonia and the Maldives
Landmarks, castles and cities
- Fairy-tale castles: Neuschwanstein, Peles and Mont Saint Michel
- The most beautiful bridges on Earth: Tower Bridge, the Bridge of Sighs and Ponte Vecchio
- The most amazing temples in the world
- Historical places to visit: the Taj Mahal, the Colosseum and the Great Pyramid
- The most beautiful urban parks: Butchart Gardens, Central Park and Park Güell
- Cities that look spectacular at night: Toronto, Milan, Sydney, London and Lisbon
- Breathtaking festivals around the world: Rio Carnival, the Venice Carnival and La Tomatina
Islands and beaches
- Island destinations for a romantic holiday: Bora Bora, Fiji, the Galápagos and Palawan
- Bora Bora, the famous tropical island
- Sunny spots with year-round sunshine: Lanzarote, Malaga, Goa and Cancun
- The most attractive beach hotels
Unique stays and experiences
- Ice hotels around the world: Sweden, Finland, Quebec and Norway
- Restaurants with stunning views: Positano, Krabi, Queenstown and Chamonix
- Activities for your travel bucket list: the Northern Lights, the Grand Canyon and the Great Wall
- Why whale watching belongs on your list
- Weird places for adventurous travellers: the Chocolate Hills, Goblin Valley and Socotra
By region
Asia
- Alluring places to see in Asia: Pangong Tso, Cappadocia and Kathmandu
- Amazing destinations in Asia: Mount Fuji, Ha Long Bay and Spiti Valley
- Asian destinations for your bucket list
- Adventurous trekking trails in Asia: Bhutan, Rinjani, Kinabalu and Annapurna
The Americas and Oceania
- Best places to visit in Canada: Lake Louise, Banff and Niagara Falls
- Must-visit attractions in Mexico: Chichen Itza, Cabo San Lucas and San Miguel de Allende
- Scenic places in Tasmania: Wineglass Bay, Bruny Island and the Bay of Fires
- Top attractions in New Zealand
Africa
- Beautiful places to visit in Africa: Madagascar, Zanzibar and Lake Malawi
Photo journeys to inspire your next trip
- 50 most amazing places to visit before you die
- Astonishing photos from places around the world
- Alluring places to see before you die: Antelope Canyon, Moraine Lake and Pamukkale
- The most beautiful places to visit in the world
- Unique places around the world
Frequently asked questions
What should be on a travel bucket list?
A good bucket list mixes natural wonders, great cities, unique experiences and a few places close to home. Choose places that genuinely excite you rather than copying someone else’s list.
How far ahead should I plan a bucket list trip?
For long-haul or once-in-a-lifetime trips, start planning six to twelve months ahead to get the best flights, the right season and availability at popular places.
Dreaming of Europe? See our guide to places to visit in Europe, and read our travel tips before you book.
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Ideas, guides and real budgets for home, garden and travel, published on World inside pictures since 2013.
