Many photographers love to photograph landscapes, as they allow them to capture light, textures, colour, and the raw beauty of nature and our world in a single frame. For passionate photographers, nothing beats finding locations that offer such opportunities.
In this guide, we've compiled a list of the world's best spots for landscape photography. Whether you prefer majestic mountains, luscious lakes, or dazzling deserts.
Here's a summary of each, but read on to find out more about them.
| Location | Country | Continent | Location Type | Best Time of Day | Best Time of Year | Best Type of Weather | Recommended Photography Gear |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antelope Canyon | USA | North America | Slot canyon | Midday for light beams | Spring or summer | Clear with light beams | Wide-angle lens, tripod, polarizing filter |
| Italian Dolomites | Italy | Europe | Mountain range | Sunrise or sunset | Autumn | Clear skies for mountain views | Wide-angle lens, telephoto lens, tripod |
| Kamchatka | Russia | Asia | Volcanic region | Early morning or sunset | Late summer or early autumn | Clear or partly cloudy for dramatic light | Wide-angle lens, drone, weatherproof gear |
| Lofoten Islands | Norway | Europe | Archipelago | Sunrise or midnight sun | Winter for Northern Lights or summer for midnight sun | Clear skies for landscapes, partly cloudy for drama | Wide-angle lens, tripod, ND filters |
| Milford Sound | New Zealand | Oceania | Fjord | Sunrise or sunset | Year-round, but spring or summer is ideal | Clear or partly cloudy for reflections | Wide-angle lens, tripod, polarizing filter |
| Mount Taranaki | New Zealand | Oceania | Volcanic mountain | Sunrise or sunset | Summer or autumn | Clear skies or light cloud cover for reflections | Wide-angle lens, tripod, polarizing filter |
| Nitmiluk National Park | Australia | Oceania | Gorge and river | Late afternoon | Dry season (May to October) | Clear or partly cloudy | Wide-angle lens, tripod, ND filters |
| Ojos del Mar | Argentina | South America | Water holes | Midday for reflections | Summer (dry season) | Clear and calm | Wide-angle lens, tripod, neutral density filter |
| Old Man of Storr | Scotland | Europe | Rock formation | Early morning | Spring or autumn | Mist or partly cloudy for dramatic mood | Wide-angle lens, tripod, polarizing filter |
| Quilotoa Loop | Ecuador | South America | Volcanic lake | Early morning | Dry season (June to September) | Clear or partly cloudy for reflections | Wide-angle lens, tripod, polarizing filter |
| Salar de Uyuni | Bolivia | South America | Salt flats | Sunrise or sunset | Rainy season (December to April) | Clear skies for reflections or cloudy for textures | Wide-angle lens, tripod, ND filter |
| Simien Mountains | Ethiopia | Africa | Mountain range | Anytime, but early morning for mist | Spring or autumn | Misty or partly cloudy for drama | Telephoto lens, wide-angle lens, tripod |
| That Wānaka Tree | New Zealand | Oceania | Lone tree on lake | Sunrise or sunset | Autumn | Clear or slightly cloudy for best light | Wide-angle lens, telephoto lens, tripod |
| Torres del Paine | Chile | South America | Mountain range and national park | Sunrise or sunset | Autumn or spring | Clear or slightly cloudy for light contrasts | Wide-angle lens, tripod, polarizing filter |
| Valley of the Moon | Chile | South America | Desert landscape | Sunrise or sunset | Year-round, but summer for vibrant colors | Clear skies for vibrant colors | Wide-angle lens, tripod, ND filters |
Italian Dolomites, Italy (Europe)
The Italian Dolomites, located in the northeast of Italy, are a photographer's dream and one of the best photography spots in Europe. This imposing mountain range features jagged peaks, scenic valleys, and diverse photography opportunities at any time of the year.
Photographers are spoilt for choice, from the lush meadows of Val di Funes to the blue waters of Lago di Braies.
If there's one place in the Italian Dolomites that photographers should consider visiting, it's Tre Cime di Lavaredo. This is a trio of towering peaks that offer incredible opportunities for photos with depth and mood. Alpe di Siusi and Lago di Antorno are other popular photography spots in the area.
Country: Italy
Continent: Europe
Location Type: Mountain range
Recommended Photography Gear:
Wide-angle lens, telephoto lens, tripod
We recommend going to the Dolomites in autumn when the area's full of colour.
Best Time of Day
Sunrise or sunset
Best Time of the Year
Autumn
Best Type of Weather
Clear skies for mountain views
Old Man of Storr, Scotland (Europe)
On the Isle of Skye, Scotland, the Old Man of Storr is a great place for landscape photography. This giant rock juts out of the green slopes, creating a great contrast.
The lighting is great in the early morning, with mist from the valleys and soft golden light dancing on the rock formation. You can also visit the nearby Fairy Pools, which include waterfalls and crystal-clear streams.
Country: Scotland
Continent: Europe
Location Type: Rock formation
Recommended Photography Gear:
Wide-angle lens, tripod, polarizing filter
Thanks to Scotland's famously changeable weather, you can get a variety of shots. Hiking to the top of the track also offers panoramic shots.
Best Time of Day
Early morning
Best Time of the Year
Spring or Autumn
Best Type of Weather
Mist or partly cloudy for dramatic mood
Lofoten Islands, Norway (Europe)
If you're looking for rugged landscapes, pristine beaches, and dramatic peaks, the Lofoten Islands in Norway are the place to go.
These islands are above the Arctic Circle, which means that if you're there at the right time, you can expect a polar night and midnight sun.
In addition to the landscapes offered by the archipelago, there are also picturesque fishing villages, including Reine, which are also photographic. Other famous fishing villages include Sakrisøy and Hamnøy.
Country: Norway
Continent: Europe
Location Type: Archipelago
Recommended Photography Gear:
Wide-angle lens, tripod, ND filters
From September to April, the Lofoten Islands are also an excellent location for the Northern Lights, which you can photograph above the snow-capped mountains and fjords.
Best Time of Day
Sunrise or midnight sun
Best Time of Year
Winter for Northern Lights or summer for midnight sun
Best Type of Weather
Clear skies for landscapes, partly cloudy for drama
Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia (South America)
Bolivia's Salar de Uyuni is the largest salt flat in the world. You've likely even seen pictures of this place before, as it offers surreal landscape photography opportunities and is one of the best photography spots in South America.
This place becomes even more other-worldly during the rainy season, as the ground seemingly turns into a giant mirror.
When dry, the ground is cracked, creating textures and patterns that draw the viewer into the photo.
Like many of these other great locations, Salar de Uyuni's possibilities change with the seasons.
Country: Bolivia
Continent: South America
Location Type: Salt flats
Recommended Photography Gear:
Wide-angle lens, tripod, ND filter
The salt flats also offer incredible photographic opportunities at night, though capturing these photographs presents unique challenges.
Best Time of Day
Sunrise or sunset
Best Time of Year
Rainy season
(December to April)
Best Type of Weather
Clear skies for reflections or cloudy for textures
Ojos del Mar, Argentina (South America)
Ojos del Mar in Argentina are blue water holes (literally "Eyes of the Sea") and salt-crusted landscapes. They are near the village of Tolar Grande.
The water offers beautiful reflections of the surrounding red mountains when it's still, creating a colourful contrast.
Country: Argentina
Continent: South America
Location Type: Water holes
Recommended Photography Gear:
Wide-angle lens, tripod, neutral density filter
Best Time of Day
Midday for reflections
Best Time of the Year
Summer (dry season)
Best Type of Weather
Clear and calm
Quilotoa Loop, Ecuador (South America)
The Quilotoa Loop in the Ecuadorian Andes is an entire route that landscape photographers will love.
The trek goes through plenty of Andean scenery, with one highlight being the Quilotoa Crater Lake with its emerald-green waters and volcanic mountains.
It's a beautiful place to capture the sky and the peaks reflecting off the lake's still waters, particularly early in the day.
Country: Ecuador
Continent: South America
Location Type: Volcanic lake
Recommended Photography Gear:
Wide-angle lens, tripod, polarizing filter
Along the route, there are also changes to take photos of villages and other volcanic landscapes.
Best Time of Day
Early morning
Best Time of Year
Dry season (June to September)
Best Type of Weather
Clear or partly cloudy for reflections
Torres del Paine, Chile (South America)
The Torres del Paine National Park in Chile features its namesake mountain range with jagged peaks rising above the turquoise lakes and rolling grasslands.
Every corner of this national park is a paradise for photographers, with Los Cuernos and Grey Glacier as particular highlights.
Country: Chile
Continent: South America
Location Type: Mountain range and national park
Recommended Photography Gear:
Wide-angle lens, telephoto lens, tripod
With unpredictable weather, don't expect to get a specific type of photo. Instead, stay on your toes and get excellent photos from what the environment throws at you.
Best Time of Day
Sunrise or sunset
Best Time of Year
Autumn or spring
Best Type of Weather
Clear or slightly cloudy for light contrasts
Valley of the Moon, Chile (South America)
Valley of the Moon, or Valle de la Luna, is another incredible photo destination in Chile. It's 13 kilometres west of San Pedro de Atacama in the Atacama Desert.
It features salt flats and rock formations and is a beautiful place for landscape photography.
The beginning or the end of the day are popular for photos when the landscape is soaked in pink, purple, and gold.
Country: Chile
Continent: South America
Location Type: Desert landscape
Recommended Photography Gear:
Wide-angle lens, tripod, polarizing filter
Wide-angle shots are particularly popular here, with the landscape like an alien world.
Best Time of Day
Sunrise or sunset
Best Time of Year
Year-round, but summer for vibrant colors
Best Type of Weather
Clear skies for vibrant colors
Simien Mountains, Ethiopia (Africa)
If you're looking for the best photography locations in Africa, you can find the Simien Mountains are in northern Ethiopia.
Like other mountain ranges, photographers love them for their ruggedness, deep valleys, and jagged cliffs.
The images of these mountains are pretty dramatic wherever you are. Still, the vantage points along the Ras Dashen trek are particularly popular.
Country: Ethiopia
Continent: Africa
Location Type: Mountain range
Recommended Photography Gear:
Telephoto lens, wide-angle lens, tripod
This is also a popular choice for nature photography, as there's plenty of unique wildlife along the way, like Gelada baboons.
Best Time of Day
Anytime, but early morning for mist
Best Time of Year
Spring or autumn
Best Type of Weather
Misty or partly cloudy for drama
Antelope Canyon, USA (North America)
Antelope Canyon in Arizona, USA, is one of the most famous slot canyons in the world and one of the best photography spots in the USA.
This place that will inspire photographers with its unique and awe-inspiring beauty.
There are narrow corridors and swirling red sandstone walls, which react wonderfully with the light to create varied and fascinating photographic opportunities.
Country: USA
Continent: North America
Location Type: Slot canyon
Recommended Photography Gear:
Wide-angle lens, tripod, polarizing filter
Many photographers love to capture how the light beams shine through the gaps in the canyon, particularly around midday.
Best Time of Day
Midday for light beams
Best Time of Year
Spring or summer
Best Type of Weather
Clear with light beams
Kamchatka, Russia (Asia)
Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula is a remote region home to over 160 volcanoes, some of which are still active.
There are dramatic peaks, hot springs, geysers, and unique wildlife, including brown bears and Arctic foxes. In particular, the Mutnovsky Ice Cave features incredible ice formations popular with photographers.
Country: Russia
Continent: Asia
Location Type: Volcanic region
Recommended Photography Gear:
Wide-angle lens, drone, weatherproof gear
Tolbachik Volcano also offers some unique photographic opportunities for landscape photographers.
Best Time of Day
Early morning or sunset
Best Time of Year
Late summer or early autumn
Best Type of Weather
Clear or partly cloudy for dramatic light
This is easily one of the finest photography spots in Asia, but there are plenty more.
Nitmiluk National Park, Australia (Oceania)
In Australia's Northern Territory, Nitmiluk National Park is a popular photography destination.
Most famously, it's home to Katherine Gorge, the 13 gorges carved out by the Katherine River.
There's also a good amount of geographic variety here for photographers. You can capture everything from impressive cliffs and waterfalls to calmer river shots.
Country: Australia
Continent: Oceania
Location Type: Gorge and river
Recommended Photography Gear:
Wide-angle lens, tripod, ND filters
Smitt Rock is another location where you should ensure you take your camera along.
Best Time of Day
Late afternoon
Best Time of Year
Dry season (May to October)
Best Type of Weather
Clear or partly cloudy
Mount Taranaki, New Zealand (Oceania)
Mount Taranaki, located in the namesake region of New Zealand, is often compared to Mount Fuji in Japan because of how symmetrical the mountain is.
If you head to the Pouakai Tarns, you can get excellent photos of the mountain reflecting off the still waters.
That said, getting still waters is easier said than done because the location's weather can be somewhat unpredictable. Be patient, and you'll get a good shot.
Country: New Zealand
Continent: Oceania
Location Type: Volcanic mountain
Recommended Photography Gear:
Wide-angle lens, tripod, polarizing filter
Nearby, you can also get great photos from the nearby Egmont National Park.
Best Time of Day
Sunrise or sunset
Best Time of Year
Summer or autumn
Best Type of Weather
Clear skies or light cloud cover for reflections
Milford Sound, New Zealand (Oceania)
Milford Sound is a fjord complete with peaks and waterfalls. Mitre Peak is a popular photography destination, and you can explore the area by boat or kayak.
Despite its remote location, Milford Sound is still one of New Zealand's most visited tourist spots.
Country: New Zealand
Continent: Oceania
Location Type: Fjord
Recommended Photography Gear:
Wide-angle lens, tripod, polarizing filter
While few tourists stay more than a day at Milford Sound, photographers may consider staying nearby at Te Anau or Queenstown.
Best Time of Day
Sunrise or sunset
Best Time of Year
Year-round, but spring or summer is ideal
Best Type of Weather
Clear or partly cloudy for reflections
That Wānaka Tree, New Zealand (Oceania)
This is a lone willow tree on the waters of Lake Wanaka in New Zealand's Otago region.
Photographers regularly photograph it, and its name comes from the hashtag #ThatWanakaTree, which photographers use to identify it on Instagram.
Country: New Zealand
Continent: Oceania
Location Type: Lone tree on lake
Recommended Photography Gear:
Wide-angle lens, tripod, ND filters
It's probably the most photographed tree in New Zealand, but its popularity has also come with downsides, including multiple instances of damage to the tree.
Best Time of Day
Sunrise or sunset
Best Time of Year
Autumn
Best Type of Weather
Clear or slightly cloudy for best light
Get Help with Photography from a Private Tutor
Any of these places is great for getting good photos, but only somebody who knows what they're doing can capture great photos.
If you want to improve your photography, consider working with a private photography tutor before you travel.
Plenty of talented private tutors are on the Superprof website, and many offer free first sessions. You can try a few before choosing the right one for you.
Just search for photography on the Superprof website today!
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