The 51 most beautiful places in the world

Northern Spain’s Picos de Europa is one of the most compact mountain ranges in the world, reaching a whopping 2,650 metres in height just 20 kilometres from the coast. A marvel of geography, sure, but it also makes for scenes of extraordinary beauty. The Picos’ mountains rise steeply out of the sea, meaning views contain not just plunging gorges and perilous peaks but gleaming strips of beach and the stormy Cantabrian Sea. Within the national park are countless more scenes of beauty: the strikingly lonely Naranjo de Bulnes, age-old mountain villages Sotres and Cain, the shimmering glacial Lakes of Covadonga and the namesake in-cliff shrine and pilgrimage site that teeters over a waterfall.

Time Out tip: The Ruta de Cares is one of the most famous hiking routes in Spain, but don’t let its popularity put you off. The 23-kilometre there-and-back trail follows a canyon past peaks and waterfalls, its pathways cut into the cliff face.

The Padar Island viewpoint in Komodo National Park offers one of the most unique sights in the world – three giant bays of white, black, and pink sand in one frame. Crested by rocky hills, it’s a scene straight out of Jurassic Park. This is just one of the many spectacular sights in this UNESCO World Heritage Site, which has lovely pink beaches to sink your toes into, sandbars surrounded by gin-clear waters, and the iconic Komodo dragons themselves. Snorkelling or diving here is a must. I could practically hear a symphony as I floated over technicolour corals teeming with vibrant reef fish at the tail-end of the famous Cauldron dive. Pinnacle dives like Castle Rock and Crystal Rock reward with endless schools of giant trevallies, tunas, barracudas and even mantas and dolphins.

Time Out tip: Join a boat tour, or better yet, go for a liveaboard. It’s by far the best way to explore all the islands in the marine park. And nothing beats a sunset seen from the water.

Midtown Manhattan is a looming concrete jungle, and while that harbours its own kind of beauty, The Library at the stunning Morgan Library and Museum in Murray Hill is a whimsical breath of fresh air. Thousands of books are encased on their shelves, which are stacked across three levels from the polished floor to the wonderfully intricate Renaissance-inspired ceiling, and it’s quite a sight. The space has a Cathedral-like aura, with lots of dark wood and plenty of ornate antiquity-figure paintings about the place, but here, the deity is books.

Time Out tip: This place is open until 8pm on Fridays – head in for the last hour.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Portugal’s Douro Valley is the world’s oldest wine region, spanning more than 600,000 acres. Its slopes have been carved into hundreds of horizontal steps, each planted with ancient grape vines, which gives the valley its unique patchwork of stripes, curves and textures. Looking out over the rolling hills as they disappear into the gleaming river below is like looking at a piece of art: the more you look, the more detail you see. The valley in northern Portugal has been a Port-producing region for the past 2,000 years, and continues to make some of the highest-quality wine you can find on the planet.

Time Out Tip: Try your feet at stomping some grapes at one of the local wineries. Foot treading in concrete vats or ‘lagares’ has been a port-making tradition passed down by the generations, and while the majority of winemakers now opt for a mechanical alternative, there are still one or two – like Quinta da Pacheca – keeping the tradition alive.

The majestic Santa Lucia mountains meet the Pacific Ocean along California’s central coast to create the rugged and breathtaking natural beauty of Big Sur. Drive California’s winding Highway 1 along the coast and spend time here, meandering through towering trees, along creeks, up mountain ridges, and onto windswept bluffs overlooking the ocean. The fresh air smells of salty ocean, earthy bay laurel and redwoods, and the sight of the waves and the sunlight dancing through the fog is hypnotic.

Time Out tip: Keep an eye out for spouts from migrating gray whales and sea otters bobbing out on the water.

Clambering gradually higher on a hike around Ullswater, the UK’s second-largest lake which ribbons through a valley in the glorious Lake District, it was hard to believe I wasn’t looking at a desktop screensaver. This region is renowned for its beauty, which has inspired generations of literature and poetry, but seeing it with my own eyes after a relatively efficient train journey from London was overwhelmingly refreshing. I visited on a hot weekend in late August, and was pleasantly surprised that the trails around the north and south side of the lake remained relatively quiet; a testament to the amount of glorious open space you get in this part of the world.

Time Out tip: Hike Place Fell! You’ll have ticked off one of the Wainwrights while soaking in lovely views of both Patterdale and Glenridding, and you can head to The Traveller’s Rest, a sweet little pub with an astoundingly beautiful beer garden views, to recuperate afterwards.

There are hundreds, maybe thousands, of ‘Old Towns’ in Europe, but if you ask me, Bologna’s protected historic core wipes the floor with all of them. It is inarguably beautiful, characterised by miles and miles of medieval porticoes and a perenially sunny cityscape of marmalade-and-terracotta buildings. Better yet, it is utterly charming. There’s a measurable lack of tourist tat; instead, there are bookshops and ancient pharmacies, historic delis framed by hanging legs of ham and traditional trattorias serving up the iconic dishes the Emilia-Romagna region is known for. For the most concentrated slice of local life and Bologna’s unique architectural beauty, take a walk through the lively Quadrilatero street market. 

Time Out tip: Bologna’s beauty is all in the detail. At the Piazza Santo Stefano, look up: you’ll see a row of heads emerging from hollows along the upper façade of Palazzo Salina Amorini Bolognini, gazing down at the passers-by. One of them even has devil horns.

This granite promontory, which juts right out from the northern tip of Sardinia, is one of the most moon-like places on Earth. Head up to Antina Vedetta and you’ll have sweeping views of the grey, boulder-shaped cliff faces which appear to have bubbled out from the grass (but have actually been moulded and smoothed by millennia of wind), before trodding down to Spiaggia Cala Francese, a beautiful patch of sand dwarfed by the huge, rugged rocks and lapped by the pellucid Mediterranean sea.

Time Out tip: Look at your watch! People have reported that the electromagnetism in the area will confuse the hands of the clock.

Straddling the borders of Zambia and Zimbabwe, Victoria Falls is known to be the world’s largest waterfall. Immense curtains of water stretch along the edge of Victoria Falls National Park – home to giraffe, zebra, baboons, and other wildlife – and spill over cliff faces into the whirling pools of the Zambezi River. The first time I visited, standing at the edge of a dense jungle atop a flat rock table and gazing down into the abyss, I was swallowed by spirals of mist, rising from the bellowing falls and raining back down on me. It’s easy to see how Victoria Falls earned its name in the Kololo language: Mosi-oa-Tunya, meaning ‘The Smoke That Thunders’.

The fertile Punakha Valley lies in the heart of western Bhutan. In spring, while neighbouring mountainous areas are still in the chill of winter, Punakha’s terraced slopes sprout the lime-green shoots of two stalwarts of Bhutanese cuisine: chilli peppers and red rice. As early morning mists cleared over the flooded paddies, I hiked up to the Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, a four-floor Buddhist shrine with a waterfall of wisteria draped over the entranceway. Head inside for elaborate frescoed walls depicting wrathful Buddhist gods.

Time Out tip: Visit the fifteenth-century Chimi Lhakhang temple, which is dedicated to the Divine Madman. He spread spirituality using his ‘magic thunderbolt of wisdom’ and the temple brims with phallic symbols.

An unmissable stop on every Valletta city break itinerary, St John’s Co-Cathedral is one of the most elaborate examples of high Baroque architecture you can find. Ornate archways, gilded in 24-carat gold, lead to nine different chapels. The details are magnificent: Mattia Preti murals, marble headstones, hand-carved reliefs – and, of course, Caravaggio’s only signed painting, ‘The Beheading of St John the Baptist’. Don’t forget to look down – the floor is made up of nearly 400 tombstones, each corresponding to European noblemen, bearing their crest, epitaph and coat-of-arms.

Time Out tip: It’s easy to get swept along with walking tours, but it’s best to take your time and study the details. Get an audio guide (they come with the entrance fee), take a seat and let yourself be awed. 

It's hard not to be charmed by Qeqertarsuaq (the Greenlandic name Disko Island), off the west coast of Greenland. A couple of hours by ferry from Ilulissat, the teeny island has just one main settlement, a black sand beach, husky dogs tethered to rocks and a collection of colourful houses facing the icebergs that drift across the sea. Hike with a guide to discover the fields where locals pick wild angelica, or climb to the top of the hill to spot humpback, minke and fin whales passing in Disko Bay. 

Time out tip: Kuannit Art showcases and sells local art made from materials found on the island, like feathers and pressed flowers. It’s great for souvenirs.

Bannau Brycheiniog, aka the Brecon Beacons, is one of Wales’s many (and I mean many) breathtaking landscapes. Stretching across 520 square miles from mid to south Wales, you can walk across its verdant hills with no one in sight. It’s a cathartic, curvaceous wonderland, with mountain peaks Pen y Fan, Corn Du and Craig Gwaun Taf attracting hikers from across the country (and the world). If you prefer an easier trek, Sugar Loaf Hill, in the southeast region of the park, offers equally stunning, 360-degree views at a way more comfortable, accessible altitude.

Time Out tip: If you have a car, a drive to the park's northeast border will lead you to The Hills restaurant, near the town of Brecon. It's well worth the trip to indulge in some of the best burgers with views of – you guessed it – Brecon’s hills.

A 20-minute drive from downtown Denver you’ll find one of the most aesthetically (and acoustically) blessed outdoor concert venues on the planet. Joining 9,000-or-so other concertgoers, I was utterly dumbstruck when I entered Red Rocks Amphitheatre for the first time. Flanked by rocks the colour of deep rust, this high-altitude venue’s beauty is matched by the all-round good vibes and fresh mountain air that this corner of Colorado is known for. Having hosted the likes of The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix and Louis Armstrong, Red Rocks Amphitheater is as spectacular as concert venues get.

Time Out tip: You don't need a concert ticket to see this iconic venue, as the amphitheater is open all day for tours on non-event days (and closes in the early afternoon on event days).

Arriving at Choquequirao, an ancient Inca city perched high above Peru’s Apurímac River, is both visually and physically exhilarating. The Choquequirao Trail is challenging, but it made the moment I reached those sweeping canyon and mountain views more rewarding. Known as Machu Picchu’s sister site – but with markedly less visitors – Choquequirao is a sprawling archaeological site high on the canyon rim with about 80 percent still covered by dense cloud forest. The name means ‘Cradle of Gold’ in Quechua, though the gold is long gone. Walking through the ruins, I was in awe of a civilisation that built with such intricate stonework and chose such a remote and spectacular location.

There aren’t many places where you’ll be startled by a pony or donkey stepping into the road, but that’s the anachronistic beauty of the New Forest in the south of England. This ancient woodland was given its name by William the Conqueror more than 900 years ago. If you choose to visit in the autumn, when the heath is purple with heather, you may find pigs guzzling acorns on the forest floor (they’re sent to protect the delicate stomachs of the 5,000 free-roaming ponies). Perhaps that’s where the famous Pig restaurant and hotel got its name – do pop in for pork scratchings and a pint.

Despite being tucked up in Vietnam’s northernmost corner, the Hà Giang province is well-trodden (to say the least). But once you see it, you’ll get it. The winding mountain passes, terraced rice paddies and 43 different ethnic groups that call this place home, combine to give Hà Giang its otherworldly air. Two stretches of road get particular attention, and rightly so. Tham Ma Pass winds its way through six successive hairpin bends, while the Mi Pa Leng Pass carves a mountain edge, overlooking the Nho Que River 3000 feet below. However, my personal favourite vista in Hà Giang affords a different kind of beauty, the kind to confront you with your own teeny-tiny mortality. In Là Si and its surrounding region you’ll glimpse mountain after mountain, as far as the eye can see, of terraced rice paddies. It’s taken thousands (yes thousands) of years of hard toil to tame these mountains into the rice producing expanse that it is today. 

Time Out tip: A note on timing for visiting Là Si: be mindful of the seasons when planning your trip. If you get it right, you can avoid the crowds (January-March), the rain (June-August) and the cold (November-March). 

Finland is known as the land of a thousand lakes: more than 180,000 to be exact, and many of them can be explored within the country’s largest region. Lakeland is a series of interconnected lakes scattered with thousands of forest-covered islands. Make like a Finn in summer and book a lakeside cottage on the shores of Lake Saimaa or Lake Päijänne for woodland foraging, wild swims and seafood barbecues. When the lakes freeze over in winter, you can look forward to ice-fishing, cold plunges and warming saunas. 

Time Out tip: For a dose of human interaction, the region’s biggest city, Tampere, is the sauna capital of the world and home to excellent cafes. Take the lift up Pyynikki Observation Tower for sweeping views over the area, before joining the locals for the cafe’s homemade munkki (doughnuts), which are renowned throughout Finland.

Gateway to the Bükk National Park in north-eastern Hungary, forest domain of wild boar, wolves and the occasional bear, the fairy-tale resort of Lillafüred freezes dramatically in winter and basks in long green summers. Overlooking the bobbing rowboats of Lake Hámori, the century-old Palace Hotel is surrounded by caves, hanging gardens and waterfalls, plentiful attractions to draw hikers, romantics and spelunkers to its spa, restaurant and four-star guestrooms. Public transport runs from nearby Miskolc, two hours by train from Budapest.

Time Out tip: The year-round, narrow-gauge Lillafüred Forest Train chugs between the beech trees of the Bükk, skirting the lake and Palace Hotel.

Ireland is a stunner of a country, but the southwest has a scale unto itself. Take the weathered coast of the Beara Peninsula, the charming fishing harbour of Kinsale, or the flower-basketed village vibes of Leap, all linked together by ever-changing compositions of sun-dappled countryside. But nowhere has my heart more than the Blue Flag beach of Inchydoney, a stretch of brown-sugar sand looking out onto a largely untouched horizon.

Time Out tip: In the summer months, take a nighttime kayak tour out on Lough Hyne, near the cute town of Skibbereen. The lake comes alive with bioluminescence between April and October.

Bolivia is a place of technicolour lakes, seemingly endless jagged mountains and immense salt flats. Hauling into the back of a weatherworn 4x4, I spent four days careening over the Andean plateau and following flocks of low-flying flamingos to the Altiplano’s highlights. Laguna Verde, a perwinkle lagoon backed by a perfectly conical mountain peak. The pink waters of Laguna Colorada, fading purple in the shifting sun. And the Altiplano’s biggest draw: Salar de Uyuni. The cracked white salt flats are lightly flooded in the winter months, forming a perfect mirror of the sky.

On approach, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque looms like a white mirage, minarets gleaming, an otherworldly edifice of beauty that could easily pass for Jasmine’s Palace in Aladdin. Inside, the numbers are heady: the mosque boasts the world's single-largest carpet, the world’s third-largest chandelier and acres of pure white Carrara stone. It’s hard to describe the sense of serene peace within, calm and cool even in the melting midday heat. 

Time Out tip: Arrive at opening or closing time to witness the sky’s violet hue reflecting off the marble at night – surely one of the world’s most extraordinary sights.

Everyone bangs on about the Blue Lagoon, but real Iceland-heads know that the Sky Lagoon is where it’s really at. This sprawling, geothermal spa opened in 2021 and is a modernist miracle, featuring the most scenic sauna we’ve ever had the privilege of sweating in. An epic rock-walled infinity pool, complete with a bar, looks out onto glorious glacier-capped volcanos and the crashing waves of Kársnes Harbour in Kópavogu, just outside of Reykjavík. Perfect scenes for a splash about before braving a cold plunge and a ritual salt scrubbing.

Time Out tip: Opt for the fully-stocked private changing rooms to give your experience a super high-end twist.

Croatia’s largest and oldest national park comprises 16 lakes, lush forests and waterfalls of all shapes and sizes, right in the heart of the country. Whether you’re hiking along wooden walkways through ancient trees or sailing across those impossibly blue waters on a rowboat, it’s hard not to feel like you’ve stepped into another world. Just don’t forget to pack your comfy shoes and sunscreen; you’ll be out all day.

Time Out tip: The park is exceptionally busy in the summer months – visiting in winter means far fewer crowds and the chance to see the landscape at its snowy, Narnia-esque best, complete with frozen waterfalls.

The mountains, valleys, and lochs of Scotland’s Highlands are known worldwide for their atmospheric beauty. Many of the most scenic parts of this wild region can only be reached by foot – I opted for the country’s oldest and first official long-distance trail, the West Highland Way. Over seven days, we hiked 96 miles through wildflower-studded fields and dense forests, stopping overnight in tiny towns, like the quaint lochside village of Kinlochleven. We walked along the banks of Loch Lomond, the largest expanse of fresh water in the UK, climbed the so-called ‘Devil’s Staircase’ trail, and took in views of the UK’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis.

The Dakhla peninsula is a 35-km-long stretch of sand that juts into the Atlantic in a far-flung corner of the Sahara desert. The peninsula creates a shallow turquoise lagoon on the inside that's become a kitesurfer’s paradise – remote and wild, Dakhla’s empty white beaches attract those who love squeaky soft sand, surreal desert landscapes and an active ocean lifestyle. Its unpolluted waters are an ideal habitat for fresh seafood, oysters being one of their most-famed exports. Visit for year-round sunshine, charming eco-lodges, wind sports and chilled Saharawian vibes.

Time Out tip: Dakhla Airport is tiny. If you’re already within Morocco; fly direct from Agadir and Casablanca. Internationally, you can fly direct from Paris, Madrid and Lanzarote – the latter’s only an hour’s flight away. 

In Montenegro, the Adriatic Sea slaloms through narrow passages in the steep Dinaric Alps to form the Bay of Kotor. Here, squeezed between water and rock is the triangular, medieval Old Town of Kotor, with its gravity-defying fortress zigzagging up the steep cliffs above. Although it’s possible to climb the fortress steps from town, I prefer to wander the winding shepherd’s trail on the fortress’ northern flank. It’s here, amid the ruins of a deserted, roadless village, that you can munch on homemade sheep’s cheese and rye bread at the last inhabited farmhouse, overlooking the bay’s glassy, obsidian water.

Located in Zhangye National Geopark, the Rainbow Mountains are one of China’s many beautiful surprises. Stripes of crimson, gold, and mossy green paint the hillside; a stunning technicolour landmass that was formed over millions of years by shifting tectonic plates and weather, causing red sandstone and various minerals to mix together. The geographical wonder has certainly fallen victim to social media virality – but even so, it’s still well worth seeing in person. 

Time Out tip: There are local busses to and from Zhangye city to the geopark, but if you want to catch the sunset, you’re better off booking a private transfer – the last bus leaves at about 6:30pm.

Driving the forested Garden Route through Western Cape hints at the beauty to come at Storms River, a large river winding between mountains in South Africa’s Tsitsikamma National Park. Arriving at the coast you’re confronted with enormous waves crashing against the rocks, sending spray into the air, where the sun causes rainbow rays to reflect through the droplets. The long suspension bridge crossing the river is a highlight, with spectacular views up the river gorge or out to sea. 

Time Out tip: Once you’ve taken in the sight of the river and the coastal forest, head out on the famous Otter Trail, which will lead you to the park’s magnificent waterfall.

The day I saw the Elephant Rock (or should I say, the day I pulled up right in front of it during a terrifying speedboat ride), I wasn’t expecting to see it. That’s probably partly what made it so magical, at least for me – though I’ve heard people have travelled across the world just to see it and burst into tears as soon as they saw it. The Elephant Rock is just that, an elephant-shaped rock rising from the sea in Iceland’s Westman Islands archipelago. But there’s something hauntingly beautiful about it, complete with an almighty body, eyes and sturdy trunk, as if it’s drinking from the sea that created it.

Time Out tip: Fancy seeing the Elephant Rock up close? Combine your city break in Reykjavik with a trip to the Westman Islands – it’s a three-hour drive and a 40-minute ferry from the city centre, and there’s plenty of lodgings to stay overnight.

I hadn’t heard of Bacalar Lagoon until a friend of mine (who had a family member living in Mexico) told me it was an absolute must on our itinerary, and I’ve never been so grateful for a recommendation. It’s tucked away right next to the Belizean border in Mexico’s resort-filled Quintana Roo state, but feels worlds away from the sunbed-lined beaches of Cancun and Tulum. Instead, this vast expanse of gleaming turquoise water (which is 60km long, and 2km across at its widest) is a peaceful, slow-paced patch of outstanding nature. The water varies in depth, meaning it produces a spectrum of blue (it’s known locally as the ‘lagoon of seven colours’), from pale aquamarine to deep teal. Along the shores of the town of Bacalar, little wooden jetties jut out into the lagoon, where you can lie in the sun, stretched out on a beach towel, listening to the water gently lap at its posts.

Time Out tip: You can’t fully appreciate the lagoon without heading out on a boat. Go for a stroll through Bacalar’s central Zócalo and you’ll find tour guides dotted around – we booked with Laguna Adventures for a day-long yacht trip and spent the afternoon bobbing around in the sun with beers, crisps and tropical fruit on offer, as well as plenty of stops for swimming.

Visit Stelvio National Park in the Italian Alps in any season and each time will feel like new. In the summer, its lower valleys are coated in green meadowy pastures, pink and yellow flora and friendly mountain cows. It’s the perfect time for hiking, but come prepared with comfy boots (and walking sticks, if you’re a beginner). Come winter, it’s nothing short of a wonderland, especially for skiers who brave the frigid, below-zero temperatures to glide down Stelvio’s contours. No matter when you visit, the massive Forni glacier looms overhead.

Time Out tip: Rifugio Branco stands 2493 metres above sea level on the southeast border of Stelvio, and is a great stopping point to rest and savour local cuisine like pizzoccheri – the region's most popular pasta dish. The picturesque view of the Forni glacier across the park isn’t bad either.

Northeast of Sydney, this World Heritage-listed speck in the Tasman Sea was described by Sir David Attenborough as ‘so extraordinary it is almost unbelievable’. Lord Howe Island is a croissant-shaped island that cradles a turquoise lagoon, framed by mountains, white sand beaches (I got married here on one!), and fringed by the world’s southernmost coral reef. Just 11km long by 2km wide, Lord Howe is recognised for its volcanic provenance, reef, and incredible biodiversity. Across this tiny stretch of land, you’ll find 241 plant species, 207 bird species and 90 types of coral. Visitor numbers are capped to protect this paradise, so nature reigns supreme here.

The world is starting to catch on to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s many marvels, but the serenity of Janjske Otoke (Janj’s Islands) is on an entirely different level. Located 6 miles south of Šipovo (115 miles west of Sarajevo), Janjske Otoke is a network of islands connected by darling wooden bridges, with crystal-clear waters, irrepressible greenery, sweet little cabins and several serene waterfalls. The nearby UNESCO-protected Prašuma Janj and its spectacular biodiversity are the cherry on top.

Time Out tip: Public transport isn’t the most efficient, so rent a car (or bike) and make a day of it with an overnight cabin stay organised through Šipovo’s tourist office.

Morocco is home to some of the world’s most beautiful deserts, and Erg Chebbi is the most evocative stretch of Sahara sand imaginable. Beyond the town of Merzouga, the Erg Chebbi dunes are a spectacular vision of shape-shifting golden sands that rise up to 300 metres tall and span over 28km in the heart of the Sahara. In the fading light, I trekked out across the desert by camel and spent a night under the stars here in the company of the Berber people.

Time Out tip: You could do a day trip, but staying overnight means you can wake early, climb the nearest dune and witness the sunrise. Seeing the day break over the sloping sands of the Erg Chebbi is as extraordinarily scenic as it gets.

Isan, aside from having the best food in Thailand (yes, I said it), is also home to three pretty insane rocks. Him Sam Wan (Three Whale Rock) resembles a pod of whales soaring their way over a coral precipice, if you swap the whales for massive rocks and the coral for a sprawling tropical forest. Aside from being cool in their own geological right (think gargantuan maroon cylinder), a walk onto the crag also affords panoramic views of the surrounding tropical forest, the low lying beaches of the Mekong and, in the distance, Lao’s Pakkading mountains. Park rangers will take you (in the back of a pick up), to see the whales, stopping at other interesting spots along the way in the Phu Singh Forest Park.

Time Out tip: A forty-minute drive to the southeast is Wat Phu Tok, a Buddhist temple atop a giant rock, accessible by a network of rickety wooden staircases. It’s worth a detour, but definitely not one for those with a fear of heights.

Towards the Antarctic Peninsula’s tip is mountain-rimmed Paradise Bay, where you’ll cruise past icebergs pristine white on top and electric blue beneath. It’s here you really feel the solitude of being one of only a few thousand humans on the entire continent, outnumbered by many millions of penguins. The stark landscape is enlivened by these hopping-shuffling-diving birds and large lumps of loafing seals. Nearby, on one unforgettable evening, I watched a pod of orcas hunt their dinner, a wild moment in this dreamlike place at the end of the world.

The most famous of New Zealand’s fiords, Milford Sound is a marvel of nature within the spectacular Fiordland National Park, on the west coast of the South Island. Enjoy the blissful sound of silence as you cruise the inky waters, where sights include the towering mist-draped mountains, frothing waterfalls tumbling into the cliff faces and fur seals soaking up the sun. The history of this famous site stretches back hundreds of millions of years, and many ice ages later, the beauty of Milford Sound remains as timeless as ever.

Smaller and much calmer than its sister island Koh Rong (or the ‘big island’, as the locals say), Koh Rong Samloem is a tiny slice of pure, unspoilt tranquility. Saracen Bay is the most well-known, resort-y bit of the island, with a long stretch of powder-white sand, while M’Pai Bay is all beach bars and bungalows, home to a friendly, laidback community of expats and locals. I spent a handful of dreamy days sailing from beach to beach on a local fisherman’s boat, lazing on Lazy Beach, watching perfect sunsets on Sunset Beach, and snorkelling with colourful seahorses and clown fish.

Time Out tip: Plan your visit around the annual Water Festival in November to experience local life at its most exuberant. Think stand-up paddleboarding contests, nightly firework displays and families out celebrating long into the night.

Located in the stunning Hill Country of Sri Lanka, the town of Ella feels like it’s a world away from the surf beaches and bustling cities that have made this country such a popular tourist destination over the years. Ella is a relaxing outdoor-lover’s playground, surrounded by lush greenery, tea plantations and rolling hills. Dozens of hiking trails crisscross the region, including ones that traverse the iconic Nine Arches Bridge – a key sight that makes Sri Lanka’s Kandy–Ella train journey one of the most beautiful rail trips in the world. 

Time Out tip: Don’t miss the town’s many bohemian-style cafes. There’s nothing better than returning from a hike and relaxing with a cold drink and a delicious bowl of curry.

A small island off the coast of a big island (off the coast off an even bigger island) Tasmania’s Maria Island National Park is a rare pocket of raw, unbridled beauty. The island known by Aboriginal people as wukaluwikiwayna was once a convict settlement, but today it’s the domain of Australian native wildlife. While hiking, I saw wombats, wallabies, kangaroos, Tasmanian devils and a massive tiger snake in just one hour. Then there’s the honeycomb-coloured cliffs and white-sand beaches with barely a soul in sight. Wondrous wildlife encounters by day, and superior stargazing after dark, Maria Island is the greatest show on earth, day and night.

Just a stone's throw away from Dunn’s River Falls, one of Jamaica’s most well-known natural attractions, the Blue Hole is an unmissable Caribbean gem. While I’ve encountered my fair share of plunge pools throughout my travels, what separates Jamaica's Blue Hole is – as the name suggests – its iconic turquoise colour, which makes the water so inviting that even the most aquaphobic will want to dive in. For the thrillseekers, there are plenty of high ledges and rope swings to launch yourself off into the pool. Or if you’d prefer a more dignified entrance, slip on a pair of beach shoes and tiptoe your way into the warm blue water – no-one’s judging.

Time Out tip: There are some great guided tours to the Blue Hole and Dunn’s River Falls running from Montego Bay and Ocho Rios, like this one from Get Your Guide.

Facing the sparkling ocean on Italy's wild Adriatic coast, Puglia is a masterpiece of scenery that's often overlooked in favour of Italy's more Instafamous destinations. Thanks to the region’s slow pace of life, it’s perfect for cycling. I’ve done so several times, crisscrossing streets that haven't changed in centuries, taking in landscapes carpeted with olive groves and admiring the unique beauty of Puglian architecture. The cone-roofed traditional Trulli houses of Alberobello – a Unesco World Heritage Site – are the most well-known of Puglia's sights, but don't miss Lecce's baroque churches, the clifftop town of Polignano a Mare or quaint, medieval Monopoli.

Canada’s smallest island province, Prince Edward Island, is home to over 90 beaches, but Cavendish beach – known for its wind-sculpted dunes, dramatic sandstone cliffs and gentle surf – is one of the most stunning. I spent five days walking the island in sections along the Island Walk Trail, and the most staggering part was from Cavendish through to North Rustico, where I was rewarded with one of the best lunches of my life at the seafood-forward Blue Mussel Café.

Perito Moreno Glacier, located in Los Glaciares National Park, is one of many examples of incredible natural phenomena in Argentina. I took it in from a boardwalk overlooking milky-green Lake Argentino; this immense stretch of whiteness disappearing into the horizon, hemmed by foreboding mountain peaks. Jagged spires, split by ice fissures revealing a sudden pop of blue, top the glacier’s 70-metre-high vertical wall, while its base is layered with multiple hues, from a light powder blue to deep turquoise. It’s not just the sight of the glacier that’s astounding, but also the sound. Crackling and rumbling noises echo in the valley, particularly intense when ice calved off, sending waves across the lake's surface. 

Nestled in the green hills of northeast Kyoto, the Zen Buddhist temple of Kinkaku-ji glistens in gold leaf. Originally built in 1397, this gilded Buddhist shrine sits among bonsai-style pines, Japanese red maples, and mossy stones. Countless photos have been snapped of the Golden Pavilion and surrounding nature reflected on the mirrored pond, but be warned: it isn’t quite as tranquil as it looks, being one of the most popular sites in Kyoto. Step away from the money shot and explore the wider complex and garden to get away from the crowds. The gentle path beckons you through landscapes beautiful in every season, whether covered in cherry blossoms or thick snow, and is graced by incense, bell chimes, and enchanting temple vistas.

A vast square flanked by three monumental structures, Registan Square is the ancient heart of Samarkand, the quintessential Silk Road city in present-day Uzbekistan. Registan’s three fifteenth- to seventeenth-century madrasahs are a spectacle of arched gateways, glimmering domes, and tall minarets, decorated with geometric patterns in bricks, tiles, and mosaics. They’re as grand as they are intricate, as overwhelming as they are welcoming, and come dusk, they’re lit up in all their glory. 

This elegant coastal city in Georgia, one of the oldest cities in the US, stole my heart the very first time I visited. Its cobbled streets and 22 squares make it one of the most pedestrian-friendly cities in the US – and what a place for a stroll. Walk under the shade of live oak trees draped with Spanish moss and past grand, pastel-hued mansions. From Forsyth Park, with its Parisian-inspired fountain, to the lively Broughton Street, a hub for eating, drinking and shopping, Savannah is truly magnetic. 

Jaipur, otherwise known as the Pink City for its rosy-coloured buildings, is a creative hub at the heart of India’s Rajasthan state. As well as being known for art forms such as block printing and blue pottery, the city is characterised by its royal past – but the real beauty of Jaipur exists outside of the palaces. Walk through the terracotta pink gates of the Old City and you'll see colour everywhere, from spices and fruits to tiny stalls selling quilts and carpets. If you want to get the full experience of life in Jaipur, visit a bazaar for some street shopping. Walk through the stalls, stop for chai and enjoy the chaos.

When I stepped onto this teardrop-shaped island off Iran’s coast, witnessing the sun descending on the horizon and the salt dome come alive in a breathtaking symphony of reds, yellows and oranges – courtesy of over 70 minerals found here – I felt I was witnessing the fullness of life and nature’s artistry. This little-known ‘rainbow island’ is a land of shimmering salt caves and crimson-hued beaches, where a ruby-red mountain casts an other-worldly crimson glow over the shoreline and waves. The red soil here, called gelack, is used in local cuisine as a spice in sauces and curries. Where else in the world can you find soil so beautiful it’s good enough to eat?

Silk lanterns sway outside rows of golden-hued shophouses in this ancient river town. Located on Vietnam’s central coast, life in Hoi An moves like molasses – slow and sweet. When I lived in this dreamy little community, I spent mornings sipping coconut coffee in cafes and afternoons biking through swaying rice paddies past grazing buffalo. Now, I spend a few months a year here, watching lantern-lit boats glode along the Thu Bon river, cycling through Old Town before the evening crowds gather, and lounging on one of Vietnam’s most beautiful beaches.