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31 Most Famous Travel Photographers to Follow in 2024

Want to know the best travel photographers to follow on Instagram? Get inspired by these 31 incredible travel photography accounts!

Famous Photographers | Learn | By Jeff Collier

You’re about to discover 31 of the best travel photographers on Instagram in 2024.

I’ll introduce you to award-winning travel photographers who fly around the world in search of the most incredible photos.

I’ll also answer some frequently asked questions related to travel photographers in general.

You’ll find a ton of inspiration for your own travel photography in this guide.

You should also check out our related guides:

• Most famous photographers in the world
• Most famous celebrity photographers
• Most famous street photographers
• Most famous fashion photographers
• Most famous underwater photographers

Table of Contents

Who Are The Most Famous Travel Photographers in 2024?

Chris burkard.

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by ChrisBurkard (@chrisburkard)

Burkard is a self-taught photographer who has truly mastered the art of taking breathtaking landscapes and action-filled portraits.

• What is the Best Camera for Travel Photography?

Lauren Bath

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Lauren Bath | Australia (@laurenepbath)

Her Instagram feed showcases her unique perspective in highly saturated landscapes and atmospheric wildlife photography .

She also gives you behind-the-scenes photography insights into how she goes about capturing her travel photos.

Joshua Cripps

@joshuacrippsphotography

Joshua Cripps is a well-known American photographer , international speaker, and tour leader. His epic landscapes are somehow able to capture the feeling of being there yourself.

Melissa Hie

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by ❤️ Mel’s Food & Travel log (@girleatworld)

This concept allows her to share tiny moments from around the world in fun and unique ways.

• Read more: What hashtags get the most attention on Instagram?

Lucy Rose Laucht

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Lucy Rose Laucht (@lucylaucht)

As a Leica ambassador, her passion and dedication to her craft shows up in every image, from beach scene to cityscape.

Even now, when most people take photographs with their phones, there’s still a lot to learn from film photography where every shot is precious.

• Best travel camera for blogging

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Sam Horine (@samhorine)

His Instagram account features life around him, with images from the city and the natural wonders his day job brings him to document.

Chase Guttman

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Chase Guttman (@chaseguttman)

He uses a drone to shoot amazing landscape photography in a different light, and he finds beauty in the repeating patterns you can see from above.

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• What is the best lens for travel photography?

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Gab Scanu | Travel • Photography (@gabscanu)

His duo-toned landscape shots are framed with a manmade element that helps the viewer focus on the natural beauty of the outdoors and be reminded of man’s interaction with it.

Glenn Lee Robinson

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Adventure Enthusiasts (@adventurenthusiasts)

From snowy mountains in Yosemite to a bird’s eye view of Lake Tahoe, his photos highlight the sheer beauty of California’s national parks and forests.

Senai Senna

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Senna Relax (@sennarelax)

In the meantime, I like to look at his tagged locations for travel inspiration and where I want to go next.

Lisa Michele Burns

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Lisa Michele Burns (@the_wanderinglens)

The pastel colors of sunset and the misty aura of waterfalls and ocean spray fill her feed with calming energy.

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Gary Arndt (@everythingeverywhere)

While he doesn’t post new images often, his reputation as a three-time Travel Photographer of the Year means that every post or reel is a must-see.

• Who are the 33 most famous architecture photographers?

Manuel Dietrich

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Manuel Dietrich | Germany 🇩🇪 | Travel | Hiking (@manueldietrichphotography)

Dietrich’s Instagram grid showcases his teal-orange-green style in a way that’s deeply inspiring. Instead of applying a filter to any photograph, he makes sure his subject fits into his style.

Laurence and Jessica Norah

View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Laurence Norah (@lozula)

As full-time photography bloggers, they share their expertise in planning trips and documenting them.

Their Instagram feed is an approachable portfolio of experiences that almost anyone can learn from and emulate on their next big trip.

Colby Brown

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Colby Brown (@colbybrownphotography)

One feature of Brown’s photograph descriptions is the camera settings or equipment he uses. For most shots, he lets you know which lens and body he used, which is helpful when you’re ready for an upgrade.

Richard Bernabe

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Richard Bernabe (@bernabephoto)

His adventure photos from around the world move people to think about conserving the natural environment that he is so good at capturing.

• Read more: How do I start adventure photography?

Alex Strohl

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Alex Strohl (@alexstrohl)

His Instagram feed is more like a collection of mini blog posts behind the scenes of taking and producing images that you can share with the world.

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Sam (@sam.vox)

Don’t miss out on Vox’s reels which provide a behind-the-scenes look at the day’s work. Some photos are taken with a small point-and-shoot which proves that the best camera is the one that you have with you.

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Art Wolfe (@artwolfe)

His extensive archive of Instagram images showcases why he’s known as a master of color, composition and perspective.

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Bob Krist (@bobkristphoto)

Because of his experience, his Instagram travel photographs have a range of styles and subjects that I – and many others – look to for inspiration.

Timothy Allen

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Timothy Allen (@timothy_allen)

Paul Nicklen

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Paul Nicklen (@paulnicklen)

Nicklen’s skill in composing his photos is something I study before going on a trip and again before I edit my shots. His use of framing and composition takes his photos from snapshots to masterpieces.

Michael Yamashita

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Michael Yamashita (@yamashitaphoto)

His books, workshops, and lectures help him share his passion for historic explorers and the landscapes that they would have seen in ancient times.

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Yosigo (@yosigo_yosigo)

Whether it’s a trip to the beach or an abandoned parking garage, he has the ability to portray the modern world in a fresh light.

Navaneeth Unnikrishnan

View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Navaneeth Unnikrishnan (@navaneeth_unnikrishnan)

Ami Vitale is a renowned photographer who has travelled to over 100 countries and published a book showing pandas being released into the wild.

Lola Akinmade Åkerström

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by PhotoShelter (@photoshelter)

Jord Hammond

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by JORD | TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY (@jordhammond)

Eric Rubens

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Eric Rubens 🌅 Travel & Photography (@ericrubens)

Though the colors in his landscapes must be highly edited, his skill in knowing what to highlight and when to stop makes his dreamy seascapes something special.

• Read more: Who are the most famous landscape photographers?

Elia Locardi

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Elia Locardi (@elialocardi)

From a once-in-a-lifetime photo of the Northern Lights to a series of shots documenting the city’s skyline, he knows how to draw you into his world.

Matjaž Krivic

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Matjaz Krivic Photography (@krivicmatjaz)

The emotion of the trip is evident in every shot, which he shares on his Instagram feed.

FAQs about Travel Photographers

What is considered as a travel photographer?

Anyone who uses a camera to document the world and showcase what makes a location unique. Instagram travel photographers may have a defined vision or may take inspiration from an area’s landscape, food, people and history.

Is it hard to be a travel photographer?

It takes dedication, and it can be hard at times. My favorite photographers are skilled with both a camera and a computer, and they work almost as hard at marketing themselves and teaching others as they do in capturing the perfect picture.

Are travel photographers in demand?

Yes! The travel industry is not slowing down, which means that the demand for new photographs and videos of exciting locations around the world is still high.

Does travel photography pay well?

Instagram travel photographers may be paid by brand sponsorships and marketing agencies for the trips they take. They can make money selling prints of their work directly online or through galleries . Many even guide trips and have online classes teaching others how to recreate their style.

Check out these 8 essential tools to help you succeed as a professional photographer.

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Jeff Collier is an experienced film photographer who enjoys experimenting with modern digital photography equipment, software and apps. He’s also an ex-world champion triathlete and avid cyclist, clocking hundreds of km each week in the beautiful Tweed Valley of northern NSW, Australia.

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30 Most Influential Travel Photographers to Follow in 2024

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Who doesn’t love traveling, visiting new places, and going on adventures? And who wouldn’t want to capture these memories and look back at them later?

If you want photography inspiration during your journeys, this article is just for you! We have collected 30 of the most influential travel photographers from across Instagram.

Believe us… they are worth following! Their work and unique style might give you some ideas next time you travel.

What Is Travel Photography?

Simply put, travel photography captures adventures and locations you visit during your journeys.

This photography niche involves so many different genres. A travel photographer must also know landscape, architecture, street, and environmental photography.

Travel and adventure photography often involves storytelling . And it focuses on capturing special moments and atmospheres.

There are many different approaches to travel photography. You can focus on people, take self-portraits , emphasize landscapes, or dive into aerial photography . Mixing these approaches can result in a unique style and, over time, get you professional recognition as a travel photographer.

30 Most Influential Travel Photographers to Follow

Let’s take a look at the work of these amazing travel photographers!

1. Frauke Hameister

This German photographer captures stunning landscapes and adventures. This is mostly when he’s surrounded by mountains and cliffs. Frauke does an excellent job at visualizing stories through her images.

Her style revolves around cold colors and a foggy atmosphere . She mostly includes herself in her photos, giving her work an extra personal touch.

            Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an                         Ein Beitrag geteilt von Frauki – made in Germany 🌊 (@frauki)

2. Robert King

From wildlife to landscapes and night photos , Robert King is exceptional in several areas of photography. But first and foremost, he travels around the world and captures the unique views in front of him.

His passion for traveling shines through his photographs. His compositions are top-notch, often created with an extra touch of drone perspective .

            Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an                         Ein Beitrag geteilt von Robert King 📸 (@king_roberto)

3. Pedro Quintela

Pedro is a true visual artist. His photos look as if they were paintings. He takes advantage of gorgeously colorful skies and landscapes all around the world. His way of using a central composition proves that this technique is definitely not as cliché as some think.

            Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an                         Ein Beitrag geteilt von Pedro Quintela | Visual Artist (@pedro_quintela_images)

4. Adam Desjardins

Snowy mountains, exotic islands, and vibrant cities. Nothing stops Adam when he arrives with his camera.

He uses a unique perspective to capture his traveling adventures. Adam mostly uses a wide-angle lens to include all his surroundings. He also likes to shoot from a bird’s-eye view , often including himself in his travel photography.

            Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an                         Ein Beitrag geteilt von Adam Desjardins (@_adamdesjardins)

5. Chris Henry

Chris is an American photographer who visits places like Norway, Iceland, Alaska, and Italy. He loves to shoot wildlife, getting unbelievably close to his models.

He uses a certain photography style for every country he visits, making each photo series unique and distinguishable. He also owns his own streetwear brand, where the designs are based on his photography.

            Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an                         Ein Beitrag geteilt von Chris Henry (@chrishenry)

6. Morten Munthe

Morten is a photographer from Norway, mainly taking photos of his own country’s treasures. He has a consistent style of dark, contrasty, and moody photographs.

He likes to include people in his photos, turning landscapes into lifestyle portraits . Not only that, but he also captures wildlife when he gets the chance.

            Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an                         Ein Beitrag geteilt von Morten Munthe (@morten_munthe)

7. Luke Stackpoole

This English photographer perfectly combines landscape and travel photography. Wherever he travels, he tries to take a photo of the hidden gems of the place.

Tiny houses, forest trails, and local animals are all common subjects of Luke’s photography. He prefers northern locations like Iceland, Scotland, or Greenland.

            Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an                         Ein Beitrag geteilt von Luke Stackpoole (@withluke)

8. Marcel Siebert

Marcel does an excellent job at depicting what’s best in each season. He likes to include as much detail in his photos as possible. He often uses props that symbolize the current season (such as pumpkins during autumn).

His images are like a fairytale. His subjects are often magical forests, breathtaking castles, and traditional villages.

            Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an                         Ein Beitrag geteilt von Marcel – From Germany 📷 (@_marcelsiebert)

9. Disa Wold

If someone is enjoying life to the fullest, it’s Disa. Wherever she goes, she embraces the opportunities that the place gives. From tenting to petting a reindeer or chilling in a hot tub, she knows how to bring the best out of each moment.

And she captures these moments authentically and joyfully. Disa also has a portrait photography account. So check it out if you are interested in her work.

            Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an                         Ein Beitrag geteilt von Disa Wold (@disa)

10. Monika Jeske

If you are looking for magic, you should definitely check out Monika’s photography. She uses spectacular skies to emphasize the beauty of locations such as Sicily or Jordan.

Apart from these, she also takes everyday places, like Prague’s old town. And she gives an extra touch to them with her editing style.

            Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an                         Ein Beitrag geteilt von Monika Jeske / Outdoor (@beautyland_photography)

11. Rach Stewart

Rach is a photographer from New Zealand, mainly taking photos of mountain landscapes. Her images are incredibly refined and thoughtfully composed.

She plays with colors like a true artist. The smooth transition between shades of the blue hour and cotton candy clouds in her pictures is remarkable.

            Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an                         Ein Beitrag geteilt von Rach Stewart ↟ New Zealand (@rachstewartnz)

12. Stijn Dijkstra

Stijn loves creating dramatic images. He often uses silhouettes , sunsets , and flares to reach the desired atmosphere. He often uses a bird’s-eye view to include as much scenery as possible.

Capturing himself in his scenes is also a common part of his work. Check out this account if you want adventure photography at the most varied locations!

            Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an                         Ein Beitrag geteilt von Stijn | 📸 Travel & Photography (@furstset)

13. Nazariy Kryvosheyev

Nazariy uses his photography to capture the moment while hiking and traveling through gorgeous places. You can often see a patch of sky, a ray of sunlight, or a passing cloud giving his images an extra touch. He knows how to play with shadows and contrast to create his own style.

            Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an                         Ein Beitrag geteilt von Travel Feeling🏕 (@nazarudi)

14. Roam The Planet

Unlike the other accounts in our list, @roamtheplanet is not an individual artist. It’s a photography community built on a passion for adventure.

It features images from a variety of travel photographers. You can use this account for inspiration. But you can also get featured using the #roamtheplanet hashtag under your travel photographs.

            Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an                         Ein Beitrag geteilt von ROAM THE PLANET (@roamtheplanet)

15. Thrainn Kolbeinsson

Thrainn is an Icelandic photographer traveling through his country. The sheer beauty of Iceland shines through his photos, from glaciers to highlands and waterfalls .

He captures details, such as close-ups of Icelandic horses, frozen grass, and landscapes. He often takes drone photos, showing the location from a unique perspective.

            Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an                         Ein Beitrag geteilt von Thrainn Kolbeinsson (@thrainnko)

16. Gábor Nagy

Gábor is a Hungarian photographer with a passion for traveling and adventures. His work is special because he often manages a minimalistic style of landscapes , with only two or three elements in the picture.

This makes his photographs simple yet breathtaking. One of his favorite locations is Iceland, and he is good friends with Thrainn.

            Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an                         Ein Beitrag geteilt von Gábor Nagy | Hungary 💪 (@gabornagy_photography)

17. Peter McKinnon

Peter is one of Instagram’s most-followed travel photographers. This is no accident. He takes a unique approach to travel, combining lifestyle self-portraits with adventure photos.

He visits a wide variety of locations. You can find photos of huge cities, northern landscapes, or even Californian beaches in his account.

            Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an                         Ein Beitrag geteilt von Peter McKinnon (@petermckinnon)

18. Michael Kagerer

His photos radiate calmness, partly thanks to his editing technique and partly because of his location choice. He prefers to visit places with minimal human habitation, explore the wild, and interact with animals.

Wherever he goes, he highlights the main characteristics of the area. This includes moody forests, frozen mountains, or bare hills.

            Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an                         Ein Beitrag geteilt von Michael Kagerer | Photography (@michaelkagerer)

19. Giulio Groebert

Giulio is a German photographer. He loves traveling through Europe and sharing his journey through his photography. He uses a harmonic set of colors in his pictures. This creates a warm atmosphere that defines his style.

Giulio proves that there are hidden gems everywhere. Looking at his pictures, the viewer gets an irresistible motivation to go out and discover new places.

            Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an                         Ein Beitrag geteilt von Giulio | Travel & Outdoor (@giuliogroebert)

20. Tom Juenemann

Tom is a German travel and outdoor photographer , often taking bird’s-eye view photos. He loves visiting castles and traditional villages, creating fairytale-like images .

He aims to inspire his followers to travel. He also cooperates with tourist offices and brands, like Vans, Sony, and Adobe, to help them get a bigger audience.

            Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an                         Ein Beitrag geteilt von Tom | Travel & Outdoor (@tom_juenemann)

21. Stuart Price

Stuart is a photographer who is experienced in many different areas. Apart from travel photos, he also does lifestyle, product , and portrait photography.

He has pictures from England, Portugal, and Greece, to mention a few. And he is extremely skilled at using various compositional techniques. He is also the writer of our Intuitive Composition eBook!

            Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an                         Ein Beitrag geteilt von Stuart Price (@stuartprice)

22. Mandy Rosenfeld

If you are looking for mountain landscape photography inspiration, check out this account. From the Dolomites to Iceland, Mandy has a talent for capturing the cold yet beautiful winter atmosphere through her photos. She loves rocky surroundings, fog, and sunsets peeking through the clouds.

            Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an                         Ein Beitrag geteilt von MANDY ROSENFELD (@rosenfeld.mandy)

23. Fabian Huebner

Speaking of cold and foggy photos, Fabian is one of the area’s leading travel photographers. He embraces the mystical atmosphere of cloudy days while using the occasional sunset. If you check out his account, be prepared that his dark and moody images will give you the chills.

            Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an                         Ein Beitrag geteilt von F A B I A N • H U E B N E R (@fabian.huebner)

24. Manuel Dietrich

Manuel is passionate about capturing his adventures from California to Germany to Norway. He loves having mountains and lakes in front of his camera.

His composition technique is dynamic. He often creates a foreground by letting plants and stones into his frame. A preset is also available so that his followers can reproduce the unique color tones he’s using.

            Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an                         Ein Beitrag geteilt von Manuel Dietrich | Germany (@manueldietrichphotography)

25. Marvin Kuhr

Marvin is yet another travel photographer who prefers to take a minimalistic approach. He doesn’t overcrowd his frame. He visibly composes each subject of his while consciously using compositional rules. He mainly travels in Europe. But he has also visited locations such as La Réunion and Canada.

            Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an                         Ein Beitrag geteilt von Marvin Kuhr (@kuhrmarvin)

26. Emmett Sparling

Other photographers on our list mostly take photos of mountain sceneries. But Emmett regularly visits exotic places and seashores. He has a vibrant and colorful photography style.

He often plays with different lighting conditions. And he ventures into underwater photography , taking portraits and wildlife photos.

            Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an                         Ein Beitrag geteilt von TRAVEL 🌎 EMMETT SPARLING (@emmett_sparling)

27. Brayden Hall

Brayden’s seasonal photo series is outstanding. He visualizes exactly what’s most appealing in each season. The colorful leaves of autumn or the sea adventures of summer are often the subjects of his photos. How he utilizes light can serve as an example for other photographers.

            Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an                         Ein Beitrag geteilt von BRAYDEN | travel + adventure 🗺 (@braybraywoowoo)

28. André Alexander

This German travel photographer takes pictures of landscapes as much as castles, villages, and cities. He prefers to do photoshoots at sunset or sunrise, which adds to the dreamy atmosphere of his shots. Looking at André’s photos really makes you want to travel through Europe and visit some of the places he captures.

            Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an                         Ein Beitrag geteilt von André Alexander | Germany (@formgestalter)

29. Dave Williams

Dave is an internationally recognized travel and wildlife photographer. He has been featured by sites and magazines such as Forbes or National Geographic.

He uses gorgeous lighting and landscapes, often choosing wild animals as his models. If you want to see some gorgeous Aurora Borealis photos, check out his account!

            Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an                         Ein Beitrag geteilt von Dave Williams (@idavewilliams)

30. Lennart Pagel

Lennart takes pictures of cities and villages just as much as nature. He loves using a bird’s-eye view when capturing his adventures all around the world. Whether it is landmarks or natural creations, he can capture the essence of each location.

            Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an                         Ein Beitrag geteilt von Lennart Pagel | 📍Germany (@lennart)

Conclusion: Most Influential Travel Photographers

Looking at other photographers’ work can give you inspiration and new ideas you can implement in your photos.

That’s why it is a good idea from time to time to go through some outstanding artists’ profiles and see if you like anything about their style. When it comes to travel photography, these artists can even motivate you to go on a trip yourself!

Do you agree with our list? Please drop us a comment with your favorite travel photographer under this post!

We are always on the lookout for exciting new travel photographers. If you are a travel photographer and feel you should be considered on our list, email us at [email protected] with your bio, website, and Instagram link!

Inspiration 20 Travel Photographers You Should Know

“My life is shaped by the urgent need to wander and observe, and my camera is my passport.” – Steve McCurry

Intrepid and visionary, photographers have long ventured forth to document their journeys and capture the essence of the places they explore. In celebration of our 2023 Travel Photography Award , (open for entries until the end of August) we’ve curated a list of 20 photographers, past and present, whose inspiring images embody the unique allure of travel.

1. Steve McCurry

Steve McCurry , the esteemed judge of our current Travel Award , is a globally-renowned figure in the world of photography. His remarkable oeuvre encompasses some of the most iconic images of our time and showcases the awe-inspiring beauty and cultural diversity of our planet.

Born in Philadelphia in 1950, McCurry studied cinematography at Pennsylvania State University, after which he worked as a staff photographer for the local newspaper Today’s Post . However, driven by his passion for travel and photography, he embarked on a journey to India, a country that would become synonymous with his name due to the stunning images he captured throughout his career. It was this inaugural trip that sparked the epiphanic realization, “if you wait, people will forget your camera and the soul will drift up into view”, setting the foundation for a remarkable career and some truly captivating images encompassing every corner of the globe.

2. Inge Morath

One of the most influential photographers in the history of the medium, Inge Morath travelled extensively throughout her career, forming close relationships with the places she visited through her absolute immersion in the local culture. The remarkable images she captured, display her wonderful artistry and serve as fascinating mementos of their time, whilst demonstrating the profound potential of color photography long before it gained widespread acceptance.

3. Michael Yamashita

Few photographers convey the sheer joy of travel like Michael Yamashita . Over the past three decades, he has embarked on a journey around the world, capturing breathtaking images of its landscapes and people.

Though, throughout his career, Yamashita has photographed on six different continents, it is his work in Asia that has become particularly renowned. With an Asian Studies major from Wesleyan University and Japanese heritage, Yamashita has become an expert in the region and has photographed extensively in China, Japan, Southeast Asia, and India, capturing images that articulately convey the cultural diversity and stunning beauty of this fascinating continent.

4. Denis Dailleux

Though he has photographed various locations, Denis Dailleux is inseparably linked to Egypt , a country with which he has had a long and complex love affair, that has engendered some truly stunning imagery. His images convey a deep understanding of the Egyptian people and their culture, capturing their humanity and resilience.

He first visited the country in 1992, to join his Egyptian lover whom he had met in Paris a year earlier, and immediately fell in love with the country, captivated by its beguiling beauty and the warmth and generosity of its people.

He spent the next three decades visiting the country (before eventually, living there for several years), capturing its unique essence with love, tenderness, profound respect, and a masterful eye for form, light, and color.

5. Martine Franck

One of the finest practitioners of her time, and, like her husband Henri Cartier-Bresson, a major proponent of the humanist style, Martine Franck spent much of her life traversing the globe, capturing utterly compelling depictions of everyday life with remarkable grace and artistry. Her subjects and locations were as diverse as Tibetan temples, and industrial Northern English towns, whilst she also photographed her homeland extensively, notably in 1976, when she and four female compatriots, were commissioned by La Fondation Nationale de la Photographie to document their countrymen and women on vacation, during which she captured her now iconic photograph ‘Swimming Pool Designed by Alain Capeilleres, La Brusc’.

6. Alex Webb

“Most of my projects seem to start as exploratory journeys with no visible end in sight.” — Alex Webb

Renowned photojournalist, and judge of our 2020 Street Photography Award (alongside his wife and fellow photographer Rebecca Norris-Webb) Alex Webb is a master of capturing the decisive moment, rendering images filled with energy and movement that communicate brilliantly the atmosphere of the scene.⁠ ⁠ While he has photographed extensively in his homeland, Webb is best known for his vibrant and dynamic work in Latin America and the Caribbean. His images capture the region’s unique atmosphere, rich colors, and intricate details, offering a captivating glimpse into this part of the world.⁠

7. Maggie Steber

One of the finest photographers of her generation, Maggie Steber has dedicated her life to documenting some of the most important stories of our time, a mission that has taken her to some 70 countries, and encompassed everything from the African slave trade to natural disasters. Forthright and rooted in compassion, her images, which have graced the pages of many of the world’s most important publications including, National Geographic, The New York Times Magazine, and The Guardian, cut to the heart of the human condition, leaving a lasting impact on viewers worldwide.

8. Frédéric Lagrange

Frédéric Lagrange is a French-born photographer whose breathtaking imagery showcases the dramatic beauty and cultural diversity of our world. Over the last decade and a half, he has traveled extensively, visiting approximately 100 countries across almost every continent, focusing particularly on secluded shores and remote areas, such as the wild and rugged Wakhan Corridor in northeastern Afghanistan. His stunning images, which have been published in The New York Times Magazine, Vanity Fair, Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue, and The New Yorker (among others) evoke a sense of intrepidity and solidify his position as one of today’s most talented travel photographers.

9. Sebastião Salgado

One of the medium’s most masterful living practitioners, Brazilian photojournalist Sebastião Salgado is renowned for his powerful monochromatic images that tell the human stories behind some of the most important issues of our age.

During the course of his near-five decade-long career, he has traversed the globe, capturing extraordinary images, though it is perhaps his depictions of his homeland for which he is best known. In 1986, he travelled to the notorious Serra Pelada gold mine, to photograph some of the 50,000 workers who worked in terrible conditions. His most recent project, the landmark, Amazonia a series of stunning images of the landscapes and people of the world’s largest rainforest captured during a series of trips over the course of six years, is one of his most impressive, communicating the dramatic beauty, incredible biodiversity, and rich cultural heterogeneity of what the photographer calls “paradise on earth”, and thus highlighting the importance of its conservation at what is a crucial tipping point in the fight against climate change.

10. Pia Riverola

One of the best-known travel photographs of recent years, Pia Riverola , is renowned for her dreamy, pastel-hued renderings, which flawlessly capture the very essence of their subject matter.

Whether it’s vibrant flower markets in Mexico City, neon-lit and rain-drenched streets in Tokyo , or the lush landscapes of South American jungles, Riverola ‘s photographs exude a nostalgic and dream-like quality, displaying her masterful understanding of light and inducing a powerful sense of wanderlust.

11. Bruno Barbey

One of the finest photographers of our time, Moroccan-born, French photographer Bruno Barbey, has spent the last five decades travelling the world capturing powerful images that display his unique artistic voice and intrepidity. Over the years he has photographed in Brazil, China, India, his homeland France, and Morrocco, his birthplace, returning on numerous occasions to capture stunning, color-rich images that convey the unique essence of the country.

12. Jimmy Nelson

Judge of our recent Portrait Award , Jimmy Nelson, has dedicated the last ten years to documenting indigenous cultures around the world, which face increasing threats to their traditions and ways of life.

Nelson ‘s adventurous spirit was ignited during his childhood through his father’s work as an exploratory geologist. His first major project involved an epic journey on foot across Tibet in 1987, while seven years later, he documented the newly-opened People’s Republic of China in his acclaimed project “Literary Portraits of China,” which was exhibited in Tiananmen Square before touring globally.

However, it was his subsequent travels around the world to photograph remote cultures using a traditional 50-year-old plate camera, that laid the foundation for the project for which he is best known. “Before They Pass Away”, comprises stunning portraits of 35 different indigenous communities across the globe, capturing their unique traditions and practices in the face of globalization and industrialization.

13. Jim Richardson

Though born in the US, Richardson is immensely proud of his Celtic roots and has spent much of his career focusing on Ireland and Scotland. The latter has been a particularly prominent subject, his fascination with the wild landscapes of the Scottish highlands and the remote islands off its western coastline, engendering a wealth of captivating landscape images that articulate its unique, rugged beauty.

14. Matthieu Paley

French-born Matthieu Paley is one of the finest contemporary travel photographers, whose practice focuses on remote areas, and those communities that call them home.

Working on assignments for National Geographic and other leading publications, he has captured profoundly fascinating photo essays on hunter-gatherers in Tanzania, Greenland’s Inuit and Afghanistan’s Kyrgyz nomads (which he did over the course of a decade), leading to a number of notable awards, including a 2017 World Press Photo award for his portrayal of a Uighur woman in western China.

15. Brooke Holm

The 2nd Prize Winner of our 2018 Color Award for her breathtaking depiction of an Icelandic landscape, Australian-American artist Brooke Holm is one of the most exciting emerging proponents of travel photography. Inspired by satellite imagery and therefore, captured almost invariably from above, her depictions of some of the world’s most beautiful natural scenery are akin to paintings. Rich in color, texture and form, they offer a divergence from conventional viewpoints, showing the natural world at scale, in an attempt to subvert traditional anthropocentric narratives and advocate for coexistence with our environment and its inhabitants.

16. Galen Rowell

Equal parts adventurer and photographer, Galen Rowell spent the majority of his extraordinary life traversing some of the world’s most lofty areas, and capturing stunning landscape images that convey the beauty of the subject.

Throughout his career, Rowell undertook assignments for prestigious publications like LIFE and National Geographic, fearlessly venturing into remote and unforgiving locations, capturing them with unmatched artistry that still resonates today. His work not only showcased the natural wonders of these landscapes but also left a profound impact on the field of photography, inspiring generations of landscape photographers and ensuring his legacy lives on through his work.

17. Ami Vitale

Considered one of the most important conservation photographers of her generation, Ami Vitale has spent her career travelling the globe, traversing more than 100 countries and capturing stunning images that illuminates the often-overlooked heroes and communities whose efforts to protect wildlife and the natural world are truly inspiring. A Nikon Ambassador and regular contributor to National Geographic, Vitale has received numerous awards and commendations over the years, among them a Lucie Humanitarian Award and numerous World Press Photo prizes, which stand as a testament to her dedication and talent in her field. 

18. Jody MacDonald

Few can rival Jody MacDonald when it comes to intrepidity. The award-winning adventurer and photographer has visited over 100 countries and spent a decade travelling the globe on a 60-foot catamaran, on an expedition to uncover the most remote and untamed corners of the planet. Working on assignment for National Geographic and other leading publications, or commercial projects for the likes of Patagonia and Red Bull, MacDonald has photographed some of the harshest and most difficult-to-reach corners of the earth – from the Sahara to the Himalayas – capturing stunning images that communicate the wild beauty of our world.

19. Evelyn Hofer

Few, if any photographers in history captured the essence of cites in the manner of Evelyn Hofer , the enigmatic German-born photographer who, throughout her impressive career, travelled the world photographing its landscapes and people with rarely-matched grace and artistry.

Whether it was Dublin, Paris, Florence, or the cities of her adopted homeland, the United States, Hofer’s photographs capture the essence of the subject. Underpinned by a masterful understanding of form, light, and color, today they stand as timeless testaments to her artistic vision and her ability to reveal the profound beauty that exists within the tapestry of our world.

20. René Burri

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Top 25 Best Travel Photographers Share Their Favorite Locations Around the World

Finding the perfect location is a big part of travel photography. Before thinking about shooting techniques and composition, you must do extensive research and planning. For me, it takes a couple of weeks, prior to the trip, to pinpoint all the locations I want to visit and photograph.

This time, I decided to hack the process, and instead of doing the heavy lifting myself, I asked top travel photographers to share their favorite photo locations around the world.

I asked every photographer one specific question:

If you had to choose what would be your favorite photography location?

So here are their answers!

01. Richard Bernabe

Richard Bernabe is an Internationally renowned landscape, wildlife, and travel photographer and author. Contributing Editor, Popular Photography Magazine www.RichardBernabe.com

Deadvlei is tucked away among the largest sand dunes in the world in Namibia’s Namib-Naukluft National Park . This large clay pan is littered with ancient camel thorn trees which allow for an infinite number of compelling compositions and surreal natural landscapes.

At the risk of sounding like hyperbole, since many locations are referred to as such, but in this case the claim really is true: Deadvlei is a true photographer’s paradise .

02. Joshua Cripps

Josh Cripps is a wilderness photographer, international traveler, and adventure enthusiast living in California’s breathtaking Sierra Nevada mountains . During beautiful sunsets, you will often hear him yelling like a lunatic. www.JoshuaCripps.com

As you might expect, any area named after the most famous landscape photographer of all time will be breathtakingly beautiful. And the Ansel Adams Wilderness in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains is no exception. This vast wilderness boasts crystal-clear lakes, numerous small glaciers, and stunning 13,000-foot peaks.

There are no roads into the wilderness and access to the area is limited to a number of foot and stock trails. Two of North America’s most famous hiking trails , the John Muir Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail , also run through the Ansel Adams Wilderness .

The remote nature of this wilderness gives it an almost primitive feel as if it’s a landscape utterly separate from our modern lives. Because of the endless opportunities for stillness and serenity it provides, along with its photogenic grandeur, the Ansel Adams Wilderness is at the top of my list for photography destinations .

03. Ken Kaminesky

Ken Kaminesky is a commercial travel photographer and visual storyteller. His work has been featured in numerous commercial publications, including the New York Times and on the cover of National Geographic .

Ken communicates his passion for travel, and for the landscapes & people he meets along the way, through his popular blog , and through yearly workshops in places as far-flung as Jordan , Italy and Iceland . His favorite place in the world is always his next destination . He believes that everywhere has a story that will inspire people, and he’d love to capture it in an image. He doesn’t usually talk about himself in the third-person. blog.kenkaminesky.com

Choosing Italy as a favorite place to photograph is almost cheating since it presents photographers with so many wonderful opportunities. I can’t say that I have one particular place in Italy that is so much more of a favorite than another since the whole country is epic beyond belief. I’m not done exploring Italy, either .

On my list now is Sicily , the Dolomites , Amalfi , Capri , and I’d really love to do a month or two long road trip in the south of Italy. Italy is not just awesome for the photography opportunities but also for the food, wine, culture, history, architecture and did I mention the wine ? Viva Italia.

04. Elia Locardi

Elia Locardi is an internationally recognized professional travel and destination photographer, writer, public speaker and educator who spends his life seeking out and capturing some of the most beautiful and inspirational locations in the world. www.blamethemonkey.com

There are beautiful sunsets and then there are Santorini sunsets and over the years, the town of Oia has become world famous for them . In fact, thousands of travellers flock to this little Greek Island each season just for the chance to witness this golden spectacle of light. Is it worth it? Most definitely!

05. Karen Hutton

Photography is why I breathe, baby. That’s lifelong, undying love and passion. It’s all about: Connection. Inspiration. Story. Humor. And Beauty . Who couldn’t do with more beauty in the world? I love photographers because they wear their heart on their sleeve and it lives in their work. Their breathtaking world view. Their intensely personal story… the one that we just HAVE to tell or our hearts will simply burst from the withholding of it. www.KarenHutton.com

My favorite photo location has to be New Zealand .  I feel like I could spend a lifetime exploring all that it has to offer. Every frame is just stunning, no matter what or where; each new vista is just gorgeous beyond reckoning. The place has a thousand moods . It’s mysterious, brilliant, epic in scale.. and the varietal shades of blue are unlike anywhere on the planet.

It fills you up from the inside out with deep inspiration and beauty on a scale that takes your breath away—repeatedly! Although I’ve been there, it pretty much has a lifetime membership on my bucket list.

06. Nicole S. Young

Nicole is a food, landscape, and travel photographer living in Portland, Oregon . She can be spotted photographing waterfalls with her husband, Brian , or out in the rain walking with their dog, Kodak . Nicole writes books and creates educational content for her website, contributes articles about photography and post-processing to Photofocus.com , and also sells eBooks and other content for photographers in her  online store . www.Nicolesy.com

My favorite place I have traveled to so far would have to be Vietnam . The people are kind and friendly, the food is amazing, and there is just so much color! I photographed this image while on a ride through the Vietnam country-side as a passenger on a local’s motorbike. He took me to some of the back-roads locations where I was able to see parts of Vietnam that are a little bit off the beaten path. It was an incredible experience, and I can’t wait to return.

07. Colby Brown

Colby Brown is a photographer, photo educator, and author based out of Denver, CO . He specializes in landscape, travel, and humanitarian photography, as his portfolio spans the four corners of the globe. www.ColbyBrownPhotography.com

For years, Myanmar has been shrouded in mystery as its oppressive military regime kept a close hand in keeping the country relatively locked down. This all changed just over two years ago when the country instated a form of democracy, and since then, their borders have opened, allowing a flood of photographers and travelers into the country .

One of the most beautiful places to photograph is Bagan , known for its thousands of Buddhist stupas and pagodas that line the valley floor.

If you have the opportunity, check out Myanmar now, before too many people visit and it begins to lose what once made it so special.

08. Christopher O’Donnell

Christopher O’Donnell is a coastal landscape photographer and educator based in Boston . Through his work, he likes to show a vantage point that is rarely seen in reality; a show of beauty, emotion, and serenity . There are countless mesmerizing scenes among us that are often hidden from society – his goal is to expose them to the world so that you may share the wonders he has seen.

After college, Christopher returned to the coast of New England to pursue his love of landscape photography and has made it his career. Maine is a particular favorite of his as it’s one of the few states that is relatively untouched by human interference, which in his mind, makes it the perfect landscape. Christopher’s work changes like the seasons of New England, which always presents him with surreal opportunities to create something unique. www.christopherodonnellphotography.com

Favorite location: Five Islands in Georgetown, Maine . “Maine: the rocky coastline, mountains, the ocean and the lakes all in one state. My favorite part about Maine is the coast, where you can live in a small town and still not capture every unique and breathtaking spot since there is so much variation to the coastline here . I also like the absence of big crowds – even during the height of tourist season in Bar Harbor, I still find it easy to slip away for a landscape photo in solitude.

What inspires me the most is the landscape. It’s ever changing – season to season, the different natural lights, new perspectives….I can shoot the same location twenty different times and come out with a unique photo that I never got before.”

09. Vincent Favre

French Landscape and Wildlife photographer .

Nature and the great outdoors, I learned to love it small while I was hiking in the mountains with my father.  The camera in hand, it is now as I wander through the mountains, coastlines, landscapes, in quest of magical moments .

I like to bring back evidence of the beauty that nature offers us.

So I hope to touch the skeptics and convince them to make the effort to respect our beautiful environment www.CristalDegivre.com

The Alps are beautiful mountains . If I had to show one, it would be the Matterhorn . It is the perfect mountain for me— slender, elegant, and a legend of mountaineering .

To photograph this mountain, and under his most famous profile, Riffelsee lake offers a perfect view, with a striking reflection of the Valais summit, reaching more than 4000m high

10. Brendan van Son

Brendan is a travel photographer from Alberta, Canada though he rarely spends much time in one place at a time these days, let alone home.   Over the past 5 years, Brendan has travelled to around 80 different countries photographing them all .  Well Brendan doesn’t focus on one brand of photography more than an other.  Instead, he’s always aiming to create a nice variety to his images of nature, cities, and people in which best describes the destination of the day. www.BrendansAdventures.com

I had a blast shooting photography in China. It is just such a varied country.  One day, you may find yourself in the rainforest and the next in the desert.  

I took this image in a section of the Gobi Desert near Dunhuang in China’s under-visited Gansu Province .  I was staked out at the spot waiting for the light for about an hour waiting for some nice light.  

Finally, just after the sun dropped behind the dunes, I got some brilliant light on the sky and soft light baking the temple.   I only got one photo exposed before the light disappeared and went back to dull .  I’m glad I managed to capture this moment, because it was an awesome one.

11. Ugo Cei

Ugo Cei is a fine-art travel and landscape photographer from Italy . He believes this is really an amazing planet that we live on and every place and every culture possesses the beauty that deserves to be shown, so he tries to catch every available opportunity to travel and to create new images of foreign cities, their inhabitants and of natural landscapes.

He is also passionate about sharing his knowledge, so you can find him contributing articles and tutorials on several websites, starting with his own blog. In 2013, he founded Mediterranean Photo Tours , a company that offers photography tours and workshops in the most beautiful locations of the Mediterranean.

His work has been published in magazines and exhibited in art galleries worldwide. He is also the host of the popular travel photography podcast, The Traveling Image Makers . www.ucphoto.me

It would be hard to pinpoint a specific location, as the world is so big, varied, and beautiful. One country that is dear to my heart, however, would be Morocco , where I have been more than once and by which I was never disappointed.

Morocco is gifted with some incredible natural beauty, from its immense coastline to lush and verdant hills in the north, to the impervious Atlas mountains and the desert expanses of the south.

Its cities offer a compelling mix of ancient and modern. The impression many first-time visitors get of a Moroccan city is that of a dirty, chaotic milieu. Narrow lanes are flanked by high walls with scarcely a tiny window. The unsuspecting guest may well discover a hidden gem of a patio, not unlike a courtyard of the Alhambra , when entering one of the myriad dwellings through the unassuming and small doors.

Morocco offers a unique ethnic diversity, which weaves together a rich tapestry of Arab, indigenous Berber, Sub-Saharan African, and European cultures . As such, street portraiture is an enjoyable endeavor for the well-rounded travel photographer.

In short, Morocco has something to offer to every kind of travel photographer , so I will probably never get tired of visiting there.

12. Patricia Davidson

Patricia Davidson is a Pacific Northwest outdoor photographer specializing in landscape, commercial/editorial assignments and travel photography. Currently, she lives on the beautiful Southern Oregon Coast.

With a background in the visual arts and web development, she sets out to produce images that express her artistic vision and passion for photography and her love of nature and the outdoors. www.PatriciaDavidsonPhotography.com

My favorite location along the Oregon Coast to photograph is Bandon . I visit as often as I can because it’s close to home. The enormous sea stacks , changing tides , and seasons create many compositional opportunities. The breathtaking views are why visitors come from around the world to stay along the Southern Oregon Coast.

13. Michael Russell

I am a Landscape and Nature photographer based in British Columbia, Canada .  I have always enjoyed hiking and being out in nature, so photographing what I found there came naturally.  

Since graduating from University I have traveled throughout the southwest of British Columbia and Pacific Northwest of Washington State exploring and making photographs.

The coast of British Columbia (and Washington State) is a wonderful place for a photographer to travel . Within a few hours, one can see ocean views, rainforests, alpine meadows, and desert environments. www.mrussellphotography.com

Choosing a favorite photography location in British Columbia is not easy!  There is such a wide variety of landscapes and I love photographing all of them. One of my favorite places to photograph is in British Columbia’s Fraser Valley .  The photograph here was made in Silver Lake Provincial Park near Hope, BC.  

The Silver Lake area has waterfalls, rushing rivers, mountains, and the lake itself all within a short distance.  Silver Lake often has a  calm surface in the evenings which is perfect for reflections of the surrounding mountain peaks.

14. Alan Majchrowicz

I am a professional photographer specializing in Landscape and Nature Photography for nearly 25 years. My photography takes me to some of the most scenic National Parks and Wilderness areas in the Northwest as well as the rest of the United States and Canada .

Living in the town of Bellingham Washington , my passion is being out in the natural world, whether it is backpacking skiing or just hiking a local trail. I’ve been exploring natural environments with my cameras since I was a teenager. Nothing gets me more inspired than being in the wilderness and photographing the beauty of nature! www.AlanMajchrowicz.com

Picking my favorite location to photograph is a very difficult task! Above all other subjects I am drawn to photographing rugged glacier clad mountains in pristine wilderness settings, so I would have to say British Columbia Canada is at the top of my list. The province contains seemingly endless ranges all with their own distinct personality.

This image of Mount Robson in the Canadian Rockies was one of the first locations I was drawn to in the Rockies. Although it is a heavily visited area Mount Robson displays all the classic characteristics of spectacular mountain scenery, large glaciers , high jagged peaks , turquoise lakes , flower meadows , and rushing rivers .

15. Manuel Becker

Manuel Becker is a professional city- and landscape photographer and the founder of Locationscout , a platform for discovering & sharing amazing places for photographers. He is living in Germany near Cologne in the beautiful Rhineland . He loves traveling and discovering all these beautiful places around the world. www.locationscout.net

Chicago, in my opinion, is one of the most beautiful cities in the world for photography . There are so many great places to discover and the city offers anything a cityscape photographer could dream of like an amazing skyline, a really beautiful waterfront, and the famous overground trains, well known from movies like Batman.

For me, the most inspiring place to go to capture the mood of the city was Adams/Wabash station with the view towards the Trump Tower in the center of the city. I am a huge fan of contrasts in my photos, so this spot is perfect for me during the  blue hour when the warm colors of the buildings and the cold blue tones of the background create an amazing scene I could enjoy for hours.

16. Sarah Hasan Alsayegh

Kuwaiti born and based landscape & cityscape photographer who loves to travel and capture the beauty of mother nature. www.salsayegh.com

If any landscape photographer wants to capture the pure beauty of nature and where Fire meets Ice, then Iceland is the place for all Landscape enthusiasts.

Early in the morning you can get a magical sunrise at the famous Jökulsárlón Glacier then during the day catch nice shots of Huge waterfalls and end your day with a beautiful sunset in Kirkjufell mountain and perhaps if Aurora forecasts are promising during winter you might end up with Northern Lights “Aurora Borealis”

17. QT Luong

QT Luong is a full-time photographer from California, known for being the first to photograph all 59 US National Parks – in large format . Ken Burns featured him in “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea.”  His photographs, published in dozens of countries around the world, have been the subject of two large-format books, several magazine profiles, solo galleries, and museum exhibits. www.terragalleria.com

If I was to pick a favorite US National Park, it would have to be Yosemite . Its deservedly famous views of cliffs and waterfalls are among the most spectacular in the world, but the Yosemite Valley represents only a small fraction of the beauty the park has to offer.

There are 95% other areas in the high country, as well as the smaller sights, the more intimate details of nature. What makes it special to me is that it was the place that drew me to California, the first National Park I had heard of and visited, and the time I have spent there on repeated visits. Yosemite offers a lifetime of climbing and hiking .

Outstanding locations are plenty in Yosemite National Park , but if I’d have to name a favorite, this would be El Capitan Meadows . El Capitan Meadows is located next to the Park Loop Road in the Valley, just at the base of El Capitan .

18. Miroslav Petrasko

Slovak photographer based in the capital city Bratislava . Focusing mostly on landscape and architecture photos, with the most favorite photo subject being bridges from all around Europe. www.hdrshooter.com

Slovakia has many great photo opportunities, from beautiful mountains and landscapes to very old cities with a huge number of castles. But if you are ever in the capital city, Bratislava , there is one spot you should not miss. And that is the top of the SNP bridge (also known as the New bridge). You get a stunning view of the whole city, and once the night comes, it looks like a wonderland.

19. Jim Nix

Traveler, photographer, wanderlust sufferer . Writer, poet, blogger. I take photos, share photos, and write about things that interest me. My photographic preferences are landscapes and cityscapes, and I especially love street scenes in Europe. My photographic style is expressive and colorful – that’s just how I see the world. My camera is my accomplice and my co-conspirator . It compels me to get out the door and to go see something.

My hope is to motivate people to travel and take photographs and to inspire creativity in others by sharing what I create, how I create it, and even what I use to create it. I hope to inspire people to go explore someplace new. I hope to inspire people to get up and give it all a try.

So go see something new. Try something different. Travel. Take a photo. Create something. There’s a kind of magic that happens when you create. Have fun out there. We have a beautiful world on our hands, and it’s so worth going to see it. www.NomadicPursuits.com

This is Leadenhall Market in London – an incredible sight in one of my favorite cities.

20. Russ Bishop

Russ has been a professional fine art landscape photographer since 1987 . He began his photographic odyssey at age fourteen and has been expressing his love for the natural world one frame at a time ever since. With an emphasis on landscape, nature, travel, and lifestyle, Russ creates dynamic imagery with a sense of detail and drama from his base in Ventura, California . www.RussBishop.com

Canyon de Chelly in Arizona is one of the least visited of the National Parks , yet it’s sweeping vistas and Native American ruins make this one of the finest destinations in the southwest. The modern Navajo still farm the canyon bottom in the shadow of the dramatic cliff dwellings left behind by their ancestors.

And from any of the viewpoints along the rim the Four Corners region seems to go on forever as the evening sky prepares to put on a show of its own.

21. Gary Crabbe

I am a professional landscape and outdoor travel photographer, author, instructor, and photo editor based out of California’s San Francisco Bay Area .  

To date, some of  my client and publication credits include the National Geographic Society, New York Times, Forbes Magazine, TIME, Victoria’s Secret, The North Face, Sunset, L.L. Bean, Subaru, and The Nature Conservancy . I have seven books on California to my credit, including my latest, the award-winning, Photographing California; vol.1 – North . www.EnlightPhoto.com

One of my favorite places in California is the coastal regions of Humboldt and Del Norte Counties, home to the giant Coastal Redwood forests . Here there are numerous groves of protected old-growth redwood trees, which stand like solitary giants who’ve come together in some kind of ritualistic gathering.

The Humboldt Redwoods State Park south of Eureka are a great place to explore, and which can be reached by driving about four hours north of the Bay Area on Highway 101 . Not too far south of the Oregon border is a group of parks in Del Norte County collectively called the Redwood National and State Parks , which are home to nearly half of the state’s remaining old-growth redwood forests. In springtime, these forests are highlighted by the seasonal pink blossoms of the rhododendrons.

Regardless of the time of year, the redwoods are a very special place, like a natural cathedral. When shrouded in fog, they become even more magical, mystical, and impressive, as if locked into a small quiet world separate from every other place on the planet.

22. Brandon Elijah Scott

Travel Writer and Photographer at www.EyeAndPen.com. Where travel meets inspiration. www.EyeAndPen.com

Iceland is one of those rare magical lands that no matter the season, or the time of day , energy seems to pulse and a supernatural vibrance appears to radiate from the land. I found that when visiting in October that Iceland’s hours of daily light begin to shrink, leaving you with a most transformative brilliance – it simply transforms the colors and the mood of the landscape, like I’ve never seen before.

23. Juergen Roth

Juergen is a Boston based fine art photographer with a passion for outdoor and nature photography. When not chasing the light over beautiful rural New England landscapes, he often can be found exploring and photographing the architectural highlights of Boston.

Juergen is fascinated by the magical moments that only last a few minutes when twilight and city lights merge as one and provide photographers with the opportunity for capturing the most beautiful Boston skyline photography and cityscape photo art. www.RothGalleries.com

There are many Boston skyline photography locations that are worth mentioning: The top of the Museum of Science parking garage is unbeatable for its convenience and pristine evening views of Boston landmarks such as the John Hancock Tower and Prudential Center with the historic Longfellow Bridge as a pleasing foreground feature.

Memorial Drive has plenty of opportunities to explore and provides exceptional city views of Boston’s famous landmarks along the Charles River in the morning and at night. East Boston makes for a great Boston panorama photography location while Fan Pier located in the buzzing Seaport District provides also stunning views of downtown and the financial district dawn or dusk.

The unfamiliar view in Charlestown near Bunker Hill Community College is very unique and provides an interesting take on Boston landmarks such as the Custom House of Boston, the Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Memorial Bridge and One International Place. Therefore it must be recognized as one of my most favorite photo spots for Boston skyline photography.

24. Mark Esguerra

Travel Photographer and Blogger with a (sometimes questionable) fascination with Japan, cake and my own mustache. Yes. My own mustache. www.themarkeworld.com

Japan is a country that I’ve come to consider a home away from home . The people are friendly, the culture is fascinating, and as a travel photographer, Japan provides a full and never ending range of subject matter from incredible cityscapes and modern architecture, to the natural wonders of Mother Earth as well as a perfect blending of the two.

For the nature lover, Japan is one of those countries that exhibits what each season is truly about .

Hot, fun and humid Summer festivals to rich and vibrant Fall colors to a perfectly white Winter wonderland to what is by far my favorite season there, the cherry blossoms of Spring. And for the traveler that loves the modern marvels of incredible architecture and the never ending sea of skyscrapers and lights, there probably isn’t another city around that provides so much easy access to get high above the skyline in order to view some of the most wonderful cityscapes on that side of the world.

If you find yourself in Japan, make sure to bring plenty of memory cards for your camera and an open heart because you could find yourself totally in love with the country.

25. Eric Girouard

Nature, fine art & travel photographer, graphic / web design geek, trainer and all-around outdoorsy type. www.heliomedia.com

Pacific Rim National Park is one of Canada’s greatest national parks. It combines lush rain forest, giant trees, pounding Pacific surf, wildlife (eagles in particular), great hiking trails and a beautiful sense of isolation and communion with nature if you get there outside of high peak tourist season.

This sunrise image, for example, was shot in early March 1993 as I spent days by myself in the park without seeing more than a single person or a couple at a time.

26. Viktor Elizarov

Viktor is a travel, landscape photographer and educator from Montreal, Canada . For years Viktor has worked as a designer in a range of areas from graphic design and web design to multimedia design and broadcast design. But in the last decade, he made a transition to photography. He runs the popular travel photography blog, Photo Traces, where he shares his experiences as a travel photographer and also teaches the different aspects of travel photography. www.PhotoTraces.com

My favorite travel photography location by far is the coastal drive from Los Angeles to San Francisco . And this is one of the most beautiful spots you’ll find during the drive along California State Route 1 . It’s located where Little Sur River empties into the Pacific Ocean, only a few miles from Carmel and Monterey.

If you have an amazing photo location to share please leave the comment below.

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by Viktor Elizarov

15 thoughts on “top 25 best travel photographers share their favorite locations around the world”.

I am surprised New Zealand didn’t make it on the list:) Beautiful photographs. I knew some of these photographers, and I will check out the rest! Thanks for sharing

and no Australia, South America or Africa. I guess we have to fix this shortcoming in the next roundup post 🙂

ha…I agree 🙂

The fifth photographer from the top, Karen Hutton, shared a photo of her favorite place, New Zealand.

beautiful. I want to visit them all. I look forward to my hike with camera to Mt Robson this August after seeing that photo above!

Dave, do not wait till August. Go shoot something today 🙂

alaska is one of the most beautiful places i have ever been/photographed. i loved it!

i should visit it one day

The journey start from England -> Belgium -> Holland -> Germany -> Denmark -> Sweden -> Yusgolavia -> Greece -> Hungary -> Austria -> France -> England. Immersed myself in nature, history, culture, food and friendship, I had them all! Can’t wait for my next destinations…..

Canyon de Chelly is not a national park; it is a national monument. Canyon de Chelly is entirely owned by the Navajo Tribal Trust of the Navajo Nation. The Navajos are not descended from the Ancestral Puebloans who built the cliff dwellings in Canyon de Chelly; more likely the Hopi are descended from the people who lived in the long abandoned cliff dwellings, but moved on about a thousand years ago quite possibly because of an extended drought. The Hopi who now live below and atop mesas about 70 miles west of Canyon de Chelly. The Navajo did not migrate to the Canyon de Chelly area until several hundred years after the cliffside dwellings were abandoned. The Navajo are Athabaskan and actually speak the same language as some Alaskan Native Americans. I lived with the Hopi and Navajo for several years and hiked into Canyon de Chelly several times with my Hopi photography students and many other times on my own to photograph the canyon. It is an incredible experience I would recommend without hesitation. I will be conducting a photo workshop there in 2016.

I never had a chance to swing by Canyon de Chelly. Maybe next year. I am planning driving trip from Denver to San Francisco for 2016.

Hank, Finally, I had a chance to visit Canyon de Chelly last May, loved it. It is probably one of my favorite locations in the Southwest. As you mentioned it belongs to Navajo Nation but at the same time managed by National Park Services with no entrance fees. Very unusual setup.

Wonderful. I’m planning on going to Italian Lake District in a month

I am pleasantly surprised to see Bratislava/ Slovakia on this list! 🙂 Bratislava looks incredibly beautiful on the above picture! However as Slovak born person, I have to say that there are way more beautiful places for landscape photographers in our small country. Especially High Tatra mountains – my favorite 🙂

Nika, Bratislava is a native city of Miroslav and he is an great photographer who takes amazing photos of cityscapes. I believe Bratislava is perfect subject for his art.

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The Complete Guide to Travel Photography

By Megan Spurrell

As travelers, our cameras can feel like a fifth limb—an essential tool with which to move through the world and absorb new experiences. They make it possible to document the people we meet. They provide tangible memories of the remarkable beauty we travel so far to see. Ultimately, they help us communicate what words cannot.

In the digital era, the tie between travel and photography feels more innate than ever. Photography has become more accessible and affordable to dabble in (who even needs a real camera with phones these days? ). On the flip side, it can feel as if documenting and sharing our travel experiences has become half of the seeing itself. In her essay on pushing herself to take a photo-free trip , Allie Jones asks a question we can all relate to: “If you visit a trendy upstate New York museum and don’t take any photos, were you ever really there?”

As the routine of snapping and sharing becomes as habitual as rinse and repeat, others urge us to become more thoughtful with our travel photography. Just because we can photograph and share everything, in a matter of seconds, doesn’t mean we need to. In his feature, Tyler Moss explores the #nogeotag movement , and looks at just how our photo sharing can drastically alter a destination—and decide who gets to experience it. For professional photographers Gray Malin and Alex Strohl , the “how” of nailing their iconic travel photographs has relied more on patience, and analog techniques like driving massive props cross-country, or waiting for the perfect shot in sub-zero temps, than on any new developments.

And, just in case you were starting to let your Instagram feed convince you that you’ve seen it all, we’ve pulled in photo studies from photographers whose work we can’t help but ogle. Jessica Sarkodie shares a refreshing look at the unspoiled beaches of her native Ghana. Cedric Angeles flew to Mongolia for a peek inside the lives of the country’s famous eagle hunters (and yes, there are photos of the eagles in their hunting caps ahead). For Sandy Noto , photographing harvest season in the Dolomites while off-duty yielded gorgeous slices of life.

Of course, if you’re ready to step up your own game, we’ve also got the gear you need—from underwater cameras to camera bags that don’t look like camera bags. And, we’ve rounded up our favorite photographers to follow right now, because as much as we want to cut the social media umbilical cord, there is so much to admire there. You just need to know where to look.

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25 Spectacular Travel Photography Destinations (With Photos)

As someone who is passionate about travel and photography, there is literally nothing in this world that makes me happier than when I’m taking photos in an incredible place.

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When I’m out and about with my camera in a dream location, and everywhere I look there are photo opportunities galore, the light is perfect, my heart is racing with the thrill… well it really doesn’t get any better than that!

So when I’m researching my next trip, I’m always looking for incredible places to travel for photography.

Where has the most stunning architecture, the most unique culture, the most colourful characters?

Where has abundant wildlife or incredible landscapes? Where is safe enough to wander with a camera; where has the friendliest people who’ll let me take their portrait?

Now, having travelled to over 70 countries and photographed in many of the world’s most celebrated travel photography destinations, I thought I’d make a list of the very best ones. Click the links within each section to take you to some of the images I shot there.

Of course, there are still plenty more I haven’t had the chance to visit yet. So just in case I’d missed a few gems off my travel photography bucket list, I reached out to some fellow travel experts and asked them to report back on what they think is the top place to travel for photographers.

This is by no means an exhaustive list, and I’m sure there are loads of wonderfully photogenic places I’ve missed. But there are certainly some stunning travel photography destinations in here, and I hope that within this list, you’ll find plenty of inspiration for your next travel photography trip!

1/ The icy landscapes of Antarctica

There’s a reason why Antarctica is right at the top of most travel photographers’ bucket lists. With its gorgeous icy landscapes, mirror-calm bays, majestic glaciers, icebergs the size of houses, and clear wintry light, it’s landscape photography heaven. In fact it’s virtually impossible to take a bad photo here!

And that’s before you even consider the wildlife – with six species of seals and eight types of penguins , not to mention whales and seabirds, Antarctica has everything to offer the passionate wildlife photographer too.

Read more: 60+ Awesome Antarctica Photography Tips

It’s not easy to get there, and it isn’t cheap either, so a trip to Antarctica is probably a once-in-a-lifetime, bucket list pick for most travel photographers. Only problem is: once you’ve been there, you just want to go back!

Click here to search Antarctica tours

2/ Eye-catching street photography in Cuba

If street photography is more your thing, then look no further than Cuba. Neglected by the Castro regime and battered by the US embargo that prevented any modernisation, Cuba has been effectively locked in a time warp for decades. But while this has been terrible for the country and its people in many ways, there’s no denying that it has made Cuba a dream destination for travel photographers.

Wander the Cuban city streets in Havana and Trinidad and you’ll be spoilt for photography choice, with colourful historic buildings at every turn. Get lost down alleyways and side roads, delighting in the crumbling paintwork, the ornate wrought-iron decorations, and the brightly-painted shutters that cheerily hide the dilapidation within. Smile at the friendly Cuban people, who welcome visitors and don’t seem to mind having their photos taken.

And then of course there are the famous Cuban cars , which roll the streets like living antiques. If you’re anything like me you can easily while away many hours photographing them from every angle, even missing dinner! Which is no great loss, because the food in Cuba is pretty terrible – but it’s a small price to pay for all the stunning photos you’ll bring home.

Read more: Ethical Travel Photography: How To Capture With A Conscience

3/ Myanmar: the world’s friendliest people

Myanmar was on my travel photography bucket list for the longest time. And when I finally went there, I was not disappointed. Everywhere you go there are endless delights, from the golden glinting Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, to the ancient temples at Bagan , to the impossibly photogenic leg-rowing fishermen of Inle Lake , to the bustling markets .

But the thing I loved best about travel photography in Myanmar was the people. Not only do they look fabulous, from the colourful street vendors to the red-robed Buddhist monks , but they were among the most friendly people I’ve ever met. Because Myanmar was closed to tourism for so long, its people are still just really happy to have visitors, and it shows in their generous and warm welcome. I don’t think a single person said no to me taking their photo!

Sadly the political situation in Myanmar has deteriorated since I was there and some areas are not safe to visit. So you may need to think carefully about if and when to go, but if you do get the chance, I don’t think you’ll regret it!

Click here to search for Myanmar tours

4/ The colours of Guatemala

There aren’t all that many countries left in the world where the culture and way of life still seems very little changed by the unstoppable rush of modernity – but Guatemala is one of them.

Guatemala is bursting with colourful towns , dramatic landscapes, and ancient cultural treasures . Lush rainforests, towering volcanoes exploding into the sky , and shimmering turquoise lakes provide stunning backdrops for your shots.

Step back in time with captivating Mayan ruins like Tikal, where towering temples pierce the jungle canopy. Capture the energy of vibrant markets overflowing with handcrafted textiles and fresh produce. Antigua, a UNESCO World Heritage Site , offers charming cobblestone streets, pastel-painted colonial buildings, and majestic volcanoes as a backdrop.

Beyond the scenery, Guatemala’s heart lies in its people. Photograph the smiles of indigenous communities dressed in traditional clothing (though you’ll need to be respectful and ask permission first, as many local people don’t like having their picture taken).

While you may be worried about safety in Guatemala , as long as you take sensible precautions, you should be fine. I spent 3 months exploring this amazing country with my camera, and came back with some of the best photos of my life .

Click here to search for Guatemala tours

5/ Glaciers and Northern Lights in Iceland

For landscape photographers, there are few better places to travel than Iceland. Whether you go in summer or winter, or any time in between, there are endless opportunities for gorgeous photos of snow-capped mountains, thundering waterfalls , crashing waves, black sand beaches, calving glaciers and icy lagoons.

Drive the ring road along the south coast and a journey of two hours will end up taking four as you stop endlessly for photos. Don’t miss the chance to walk inside a glacier ice cave, hike on a glacier , photograph fearsome sneaker waves , or admire the adorable Icelandic horses .

And then of course there are the legendary Northern Lights . Take a Northern Lights tour from Reykjavik and if you’re lucky with the timing and the weather, you can turn your already epic Iceland photos into something you’ll be showing off for the rest of your life.

Start planning your Iceland adventures here

6/ The souks and medinas of Morocco

Like many of the countries on this list, Morocco doesn’t have just one thing to offer the enthusiastic travel photographer. You’ll have heard of the famous blue city of Chefchaouen , for example, which is certainly photogenic (if a little overrun with Instagrammers). Or the dramatic beauty of the Atlas mountains, or the rolling dunes and clear starry skies of the Sahara Desert .

But for travel photography , the part I loved best were the twisty alleyways and colourful stalls of the medinas in Fes and Marrakech. These atmospheric mazes of streets and shops are easy to get lost in, but that’s part of the joy: no matter where you wander you’ll stumble across fascinating people and things to point your camera at.

You’ll need to be sensitive, as many of the shoppers and traders don’t like having their photos taken, but if you’re subtle and respectful, you’ll come home with striking and unique images. Don’t miss the striking Chouara Tannery inside Fes medina for a fascinating look at a tradition going back 1000 years.

Search for Morocco tours here

7/ Primates in Uganda

Uganda might not be a country that springs immediately to mind when you think of travel photography. It doesn’t have any of the instantly-recognisable, obviously-Instagrammable locations that might usually propel it onto lists like this one.

But the fact that Uganda is less Insta-famous makes it a perfect place to travel for photography. There are no crowds of influencers here, just dozens of wonderful things to see . Head to Kibale and Bwindi National Parks in the west of the country to spend time with chimpanzees and the legendary mountain gorillas , or visit Queen Elizabeth National Park for vibrant green landscapes and ancient volcanic crater lakes.

Read more: Using The Canon R5 For Wildlife Photography: A Full Review

And everywhere you go as you travel round Uganda , you’ll find friendly and welcoming people who are not yet so fed up of tourists papping them that they resent it – instead if you ask nicely, most people will be happy to let you take their picture.

Plan your Uganda photography adventure here

8/ The historic ruins of Turkey

Turkey has been described as ‘the world’s largest outdoor museum’, a title well-earned thanks to the country’s fantastic architectural and historic heritage.

Turkey sits on the border between Europe and Asia, and over the centuries has been invaded by everyone from the Greeks and Romans to the Persians and Mongols. All of whom left their mark on the country in different and fascinating ways – now a gift to you and me with our cameras.

There are dozens upon dozens of ancient ruins in Turkey , from the legendary city of Troy to the rock temples of Midas City and the extraordinary landscape of Hierapolis-Pamukkale – all of which are great places for photography.

Or you could head to the glorious city of Istanbul to photograph its stunning mosques and minarets as the sun goes down over the Bosphorus, and of course you cannot miss the world-famous ‘fairy chimneys’ of Cappadoccia.

So if you’re looking for a place to travel for photography that features ancient history and architecture, all set in dramatic landscapes under a glorious Mediterranean sun , Turkey is the destination for you!

Click here to search for Turkey adventures

9/ Italy for… well… everything!

Oh God, where do I start with Italy?! There’s so much choice for travel photographers, from the bewildering array of Roman ruins, to the sumptuous palaces and churches of cities like Florence and Verona, to the iconic canals and bridges of Venice, to the undulating landscapes of Tuscany, to the colourful painted towns of the Amalfi Coast and Cinque Terre, you could spend a year exploring Italy with your camera and still not have seen enough!

Italy does have a reputation for being crowded – which is hardly surprising for country that is so accessible and has so much to offer – so if you want to avoid the crowds and take travel photos that are a bit less obvious, why not head to one of the slightly less touristy, but no less beautiful, parts of the country ?

One top pick would be Trento , in the north. A charming city nestled in the foothills of the Dolomites, Trento offers both colourful Italian city views and gorgeous mountain scenery. Or head to Naples for history and architecture but with an edgy side.

Or if pretty towns and villages are more your bag, avoid celebrity-famous Tuscany and go to Umbria instead, where places like Orvieto , Assisi and Todi offer plenty of opportunities to capture the real heart of Italy, away from the worst of the tourist madness.

Looking for an Italy tour? Click here!

10/ Colourful portraiture in Japan

Japan is one of the best countries for photography because it has it all: gorgeous landscapes from mountains to islands, traditional culture from temples to food, and a population that loves taking photos and are more than willing to pose for you anytime, anywhere.

It’s not difficult to find a great portrait to capture, whether you are interested in cosplay, robots, monks, and people dressed in kimono and yukata all over the country. The Japanese are more than happy to have you photograph them fishing, mending nets, hiking, doing sports like sumo or kendo, or even cooking in restaurants. This is pretty unusual when traveling around the world, so the one caution is not to get used to this openness if you travel to other countries.

Closed off to the world for many centuries, the Japanese have retained much of their traditional culture. From welcoming in the New Year to celebrating many festivals all year long with parades, fireworks, and music and dance, there are ample opportunities to capture a glimpse into Japan’s history.

The photo above was taken at  Kusatsu Onsen , a hot springs town, deep in the mountains where the water is so hot that women have been cooling it for centuries. If you are looking for a country to really allow your photographic skills to shine, book a trip to Japan!

By Corinne Vail of Reflections Enroute

Search for your dream Japan trip here

11/ The pristine Lofoten Islands, Norway

Dramatic. Pristine. Breathtaking. These words only begin to describe the beauty of the Lofoten Islands in Norway . This remote archipelago of islands is off the western coast of Norway just within the Arctic Circle, and is widely lauded as one of the best places for photography in the world. It’s a photographer’s dream destination year-round, but especially in winter.

During the day, drive between the islands capturing the iconic cabins, snow-covered beaches, arctic surfers, and dramatic rock formations jutting out of the fjords. And at night, this is an ideal location to photograph the magic of the Aurora Borealis. 

Hamnøy is a must on any photographer’s Lofoten Islands itinerary. Bright red cabins line the waterfront with breathtaking mountains along the horizon. The bridge is a great vantage point, especially during golden hour and after dark for nighttime photography. 

Other great photography spots include the view from Mt. Ryten, Rambergstranda Beach, Reine, and the fishing village of Nusfjord. You could easily spend several days exploring the islands and capturing the unique beauty of this place. 

If the Lofoten Islands are a bit too remote for you, don’t worry! Norway is one of the most photogenic places in the world. For the Northern Lights, consider alternatives such as Tromsø or Bodø. Or, closer to Oslo, get a taste of the fjords in either Bergen or Flåm. Or for something completely different, why not try visiting the Ice Music Festival !

By Susan Gleissner from This Big Wild World

Start planning your Norway adventure here

12/ Off the beaten track in Georgia

The Republic of Georgia is a dream destination for travel photographers of all stripes. From surreal mountain landscapes to picture-perfect street scenes, this tiny nation in the South Caucasus has it all.

Georgia has a dozen climatic zones and no shortage of  unique places to visit , from alpine villages to semi-desert landscapes, cave monasteries to verdant tea fields and the subtropical Black Sea coast.

The cities are an eclectic mix of medieval, Silk Road and Soviet styles. In Tbilisi, you’ll find everything from florid Art Nouveau mansions to Persian-style bathhouses and Brutalist commie buildings, all within a few city blocks. One of the best places for street photography is the local  bazari  – every town and city has its own vibrant marketplace where regional produce, spices and homemade cheese is sold.

One of Georgia’s greatest assets is its cultural and religious diversity, especially in the Greater Caucasus mountains. Svaneti, Racha, Khevsureti and remote Tusheti all offer awe-inspiring landscapes and traditional architecture, most famously the UNESCO-listed Svan tower houses around western Georgia’s Mestia and Ushguli.

Try to time your visit with one of Georgia’s cultural festivals. The Rtveli wine harvest in late autumn sees families around the country head out to their vineyards to pick and crush grapes. It’s an atmospheric, joyous time of year and a great chance to observe and photograph one of the nation’s most beloved traditions.

Georgia is renowned for its warm hospitality (tradition dictates that every guest is a gift from God), and you’ll find that most people are very curious towards tourists and eager to strike up a conversation once you pull out your camera. Be mindful when taking photos of people’s homes or when photographing rural and remote areas as some communities are more conservative.

By Emily from Wander-Lush

Don’t miss Georgia! Book your tour here

13/ History and countryside in Provence, France

There are few other places in France, or indeed Europe, that offer the diversity of landscapes that you’ll find in Provence. You could spend weeks snapping the quintessential hilltop villages, grand chateaux, sprawling vineyards, rustic olive groves, and plane tree-lined boulevards.

And that’s just the countryside. Provence is also where you’ll find the Calanques National Park, with its dramatic fjords and idyllic beaches; the Verdon Gorge, touted as being the deepest canyon in Europe; Mt Sainte-Victoire, the subject of over 60 of local artist Cézanne’s paintings; and the Colorado Provençal, so named for its ochre-toned resemblance of the US state.

Seasonally, the region shows off further, with floral displays to rival those found anywhere else in the world. Most famously, the  lavender fields of Provence  transform the plains of Valensole, Sault, and the Luberon into a fragrant wonderland. Visit in late June – mid July to catch them at their best, and aim for golden hour to catch the most beautiful hues. Less famous, but equally as enchanting, is the poppy season which transforms empty fields around the region into a splendour of red during the month of May. 

By Nadine Maffre from Le Long Weekend

Search for France tours here

14/ The variety and diversity of Chile

From mountains, to deserts, sandy beaches, and everything in between, Chile is one of the most diverse countries for travel photography.

In the North, the San Pedro de Atacama desert (considered the driest desert in the world) provides stunning rocky desert terrain for landscape photography. Near the centre of the country, the capital city of Santiago sits right below the towering, snow-capped Andes Mountain range, making for a surreal view on a clear day. Santiago is considered one of the safest cities in South America and is rich with history and inspiring architecture.

Towards the Pacific, the bohemian, sea-side town of Valparaíso has attracted artists for decades to its colourful streets and gorgeous coastline. Here you can be sure to lose yourself among the city’s famed muralled walls and imaginative street art.

As you venture way to the county’s south, you will reach the famous Patagonia region. World-renowned for its rugged and rough terrain, unique wildlife (who could forget the guanacos!), and incredible glaciers, Patagonia is an unmissable destination for photography in Chile. The Torres Del Paine National Park is home to awe-inspiring mountain views and excellent hiking trails. Nature lovers can camp under the stars, or those that prefer a little more comfort can stay in one of Torres del Paine’s range of hotels .

By Emma Schneck from All Over the Place

Tempted? Search for Chile photography adventures here

15/ Stunning architecture in Uzbekistan

Around every corner and down every alley in Uzbekistan awaits stunning architecture in contrasting styles that will keep you on your toes and challenge your photography skills.

The capital, Tashkent, has numerous communist-style buildings with hard concrete edges. However, the best clicks are underground in Tashkent’s famous subway. Each station is an architectural masterpiece that you have to see to believe. Since 2018 it has been legal to take photos in the subway.

As you head into the heart of Uzbekistan, the communist architecture fades, and a world teeming with breathtaking Islamic architecture appears. Bukhara’s central square features massive madrasas with blue domes and intricate, colorful tile work. In Samarkand, the mausoleum complex of Shah-i-Zinda and the Registan is dazzlingly beautiful.

Budget time to wander the side streets and enjoy the simple residential architecture for a completely different travel photography experience. The light is always the harshest at mid-day, so it is best to get up with the sunrise, take a mid-day break and revisit places as the sun sets. The changing light from morning to dusk will bring an entirely new feel to each image.  

Make sure you pack a wide-angle, a 35mm or 50mm, and a tripod. Uzbekistan is not ultra-conservative, but you should dress modestly and respect dress codes for entering certain areas such as the mausoleum.

By Susanna Kelly-Shankar from Curiosity Saves Travel

Don’t miss Uzbekistan. Start planning now!

16/ The dramatic Canadian Rockies

In the Canadian Rockies you’re spoiled for travel photography choice; pick from the gorgeous mountain drama of Lake Louise, or drive a bit further north to Jasper National Park, the largest of them all.

Lake Louise is located in Banff National Park and is one of the prettiest – and most photographed – natural attractions in Canada . Head here for the iconic views and dramatic landscapes that give Canada its well-deserved reputation as one of the best places to travel for photographers.

Or, if you prefer something slightly more original, try Jasper National Park , which is home to a variety of wild animals, from small mammals like beavers, weasels and porcupines to larger animals like moose, caribou and bears. It’s actually surprisingly easy to capture them on a snowy day, or when road tripping on the Icefield Parkway.

Jasper is also a stargazer’s paradise. So if you are into astrophotography, add Jasper to your bucket list. 

Accessing hiking and skiing trails in the Canadian Rockies is safe, at all times of the year, just prepare well, make sure you adhere to road closures and weather warnings, and keep a sensible distance from any wildlife you may encounter.

By Mayuri from Canada Crossroads

Click here to check out some great Canada tours

17/ The Emerald Isle: Ireland

Whether you have a few days or a few weeks to spend in Ireland, you will still feel you don’t have enough time to capture everything you’d like to. From breathtaking vistas and incredible geological formations, the coast alone will keep you busy.

Visit the famous Cliffs of Moher and the Giant’s Causeway, but also make sure to stop off at to lesser-known places. You will be rewarded with colourful villages, dramatic cliffs, lighthouses, and old forts.

The inland rural areas shouldn’t be disregarded either. Ireland has the brightest green country you’ll ever find, and that green is scattered with castles and quiet pastures everywhere. Even the morning fog is a feature worth waking up early for.

If you prefer urban photography, head to Dublin. From the different Gothic styles of St Patrick’s Cathedral and Christ Church Cathedral to the colourful Temple Bar area, it’s a wonderful city to travel for photographers.

Add to that the collection of Georgian doors, 24 bridges, and many historical buildings, and you should have your hands full for a while. Around Dublin , more castles and old Irish estates are open for visitors. Take your camera and explore those sunken gardens, old structures, and unique details.

By Anda Bartos from Travel for a While

Click here to find Ireland tours from leading companies

18/ China’s wild landscapes

With landscapes as diverse as the Gobi Desert, Himalayan Mountains, karst pillars, mighty rivers and lush jungle,  China  is a fantastic place to travel for photographers. 

This vast, and often untamed land, has endless possibilities when it comes to landscape photography. In addition to the obvious places like the Great Wall of China, the karst mountains on the Li River and the ancient Silk Road, China offers plenty of true “hidden gems”.  

If you really want to discover some of the magic of the Middle Kingdom, then head to Tibet. From yaks grazing beside emerald lakes beneath the highest peaks on earth to windswept plateaus where prayer flags flutter on the wind, Tibet is one of the best places in the world for photography.

Other places such as the Rainbow Mountains at Zhangye, Crescent Moon Lake and the Singing Sand Dunes at Dunhuang, beautiful Hangzhou and West Lake and the rainforests of Hainan Island all provide inspiration for photographers. 

No trip to China would be complete without discovering some of the country’s 5,000-year history and culture. To get the most of your photography trip to China consider staying at least three weeks and including Beijing, Xi’an, Chengdu and Hangzhou on your itinerary.  

As with travelling anywhere, avoid photography of officials, police, soldiers and related buildings. The Chinese authorities can be overly sensitive sometimes, so if in doubt, always ask (officials are friendly and approachable). 

By Steve Rohan from The Trip Goes On

Get inspiration for your China photography trip here

19/ Namibia ‘s remote desert environments

If you’re a travel photographer who loves landscapes, you should definitely consider wild Namibia, in southern Africa. Its dramatic scenery has been forged over millennia by volcanic eruptions, desertification and erosion, resulting in stunning craters, mountains and vast canyons. 

However, most come for the Namib Desert, believed to be the oldest desert in the world.  There is a lot to see in the  Namib Desert , but the two best spots for desert photography are Sossusvlei and Sandwich Harbour.

Sossusvlei is an area of dried-up marshland deep in the heart of the Namib sand sea.  It is surrounded by huge curvy red dunes, and the floor is cracked white clay. In Deadvlei, the remains of blackened dead trees twist as if stuck in a macabre dance. In the early morning, you can catch the first rays lighting up the dunes and in the midday sun, the contrasting colours are vibrant and striking. 

Sandwich Harbour is where the desert meets the sea, towering golden dunes facing into the ferocious South Atlantic. You’ll need a 4×4 and knowledge of the tide to get there, as the route is along the narrow beach between the dunes and the sea – but the scenery is worth the nail-gripping ride!

And the good news is, the photography opportunities don’t end with the desert: the infamous Skeleton Coast of Namibia is dotted with shipwrecks, there are deserted diamond mining towns and there’s a huge amount of wildlife, including lions, elephants, leopards and giraffes. There are also tribes that maintain their traditional way of living, including the fascinating Himba people. 

By Martha from May Cause Wanderlust

Search for the best Namibia trips here

20/ Architecture and nature in Vietnam

Vietnam is an incredible destination for travel photography – from cities to ancient temples and stunning natural beauty, this Southeast Asian country has something for everyone.

For wonderful cityscapes, head to Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi, where modern skyscrapers and colonial buildings are the perfect juxtaposition against the bustling markets and thousands of scooters zooming through the city streets.

If you’re looking for a smaller city with interesting street photography, the small city of Hoi An is worth a stop, with its famous yellow-walled Old Quarter, the nightly releasing of floating lanterns down its river, and the fascinating intersection of Chinese and French architecture.

Are you seeking more natural beauty? Consider Ha Long Bay, where dramatic limestone casts tower over the turquoise Gulf of Tonkin, or Sa Pa, a town to Vietnam’s northwest that’s comprised of impossibly green rice terraces as far as the eye can see.

If you’re looking for something slightly less touristy than Ha Long, check out Ninh Binh, which offers similar landscapes, with limestone monoliths topped with lush greenery – but this time, the mountains are land-bound and carved out with mysterious caves.

By Jessica Schmit from Uprooted Traveler

Check out inspirational Vietnam tour ideas here

21/ The wonder of Iran

Often portrayed negatively by the media, Iran is a welcoming country rich with culture, history, and the most breathtaking mosques. It is also incredibly safe to travel to and to wander around with your camera.

Start your Iran photography trip in Shiraz, home to the mesmerizing Nasir-ol-Molk Mosque. Get there early in the morning, right when it opens, to secure the best photo spot (it can get very crowded and competitive!). Then, as you watch the sun rise, the colors of the mosque’s stained glass windows begin reflecting on the carpet, creating a rainbow light show.

Another incredible place for architectural photography in Iran is the city of Isfahan, home to the magnificent Naqsh-e Jahan Square. This square is filled with history, and is framed by two incredibly gorgeous mosques: Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque and Shah Mosque. The intricate mosaic tiles inside these mosques are simply unbelievable, and you can easily spend hours photographing them from different angles. 

To get the best architecture shots in Iran, shoot at sunrise or very early in the morning for the best lighting and the least amount of tourists. Keep in mind that the architecture in Iran is also very majestic, so having adequate gear, such as some solid wide-angle lenses for the Sony a7III , would really help capture the scale of the mosques. Be sure to also bring some wide-aperture lenses as some of the mosques are pretty dimly lit.

By Jiayi from The Diary of a Nomad

22/ Ancient and modern life in Jordan

There are quite a few places in Jordan that are perfect for travel photography, irrespective of the type of photography you like.

Areas like the world-famous Petra and the Dana Biosphere are fantastic for landscape photography. Meanwhile Wadi Rum should be included in your  Jordan itinerary  as it’s one of those rare places where you can see the Milky Way clearly, making it unmissable for night photography in Jordan.

If you like murals, food photography, portraits and street photography, head to Amman. Most of the locals are accommodating and let you click pictures if you ask politely. While there aren’t specific street photography tours conducted in Amman, the Downtown area is where you’ll find more of the historical and cultural aspects of the capital.

good places for photography

You can take pictures at places like the Dead Sea; however, make sure you don’t let a single drop of water touch the camera as it is super salty!

The best time to visit Jordan is in spring and autumn when it isn’t too hot or too cold as it does tend to get quite cold in winter. 

By Lavinia Dsouza from Continent Hop

Start your Jordan adventure by clicking here

23/ The grandeur of the USA’s National Parks

The USA’s famous National Parks are full of opportunities to photograph wildlife, natural wonders, and beautiful landscapes. Two of the most popular – and with good reason – are Yellowstone and Yosemite, both of which are fantastic destinations for travel photography.

There are endless  things to do in Yellowstone , but if you’re a photographer, probably the only thing you’re going to want to do is take pictures! But you’ll need to get up early – the morning light makes for beautiful images and if wildlife photography is your thing, you’ll also find that the animals tend to be most active early in the day. Lamar Valley is a popular place to see wildlife.

For iconic landscape photography spots, head to Grand Prismatic Overlook, Old Faithful, Artist Point, and Mammoth Hot Springs. 

If you’re heading to Yosemite National Park, the best time to go is in the spring. The waterfalls have a large volume because of snowmelt and the dogwoods are in bloom.

Head to the Tunnel View lookout around sunset for one of Yosemite’s most celebrated views, or try Glacier Point, Three Brothers, Half Dome, and Yosemite Falls for more good places for photography.

By Candice from CS Ginger 

Search for USA National Parks tours here

24/ India’s Royal Palaces

Home to colourful streets, beautiful monuments, and incredible natural scenery, India is a diverse country with plenty under its belt. Whether you like photographing architecture, wildlife, or portraits of Indians , there is something to interest any visiting photographer here.

If you are planning to travel to India for the first time, then make sure to spend some days exploring the princely state of Rajasthan. Steeped in royal history, this region of India boasts numerous palaces, forts, and temples. You can fly into the Instagram-famous  pink city of Jaipur  and travel to Jodhpur and Udaipur before making your way to the Thar Desert in Jaisalmer. The Ranthambore National Park in Sawai Madhopur is also a must for tiger safaris during the winter season.

Read more: Taking The Sleeper Train In India: What’s It Really Like?

Just keep in mind that some religious places like temples and cenotaphs may not allow photography. It is best to ask a caretaker if unsure or wait for the prayers to finish. Another thing to note is that tripods are generally not allowed in most touristy places in India.

Alternatively, for greener landscapes, check out Kerala in the south. The hill station of Munnar is widely famous for its acres of tea plantations and is one of the best places to photograph in India.

You can spend a couple of days there and then head back down to experience the houseboats sailing on the backwaters of Kerala. If possible, opt to stay in one for a night or two and click away as you catch panoramas of palm trees and water lilies while onboard. It is particularly magical at sunrise and sunset.

By Charu Goyal from Travel with CG

Check out some fantastic India tour ideas here

25/ The faraway beauty of Alaska

A  road trip to Alaska  should be a bucket list place to travel for photographers. The last frontier State is huge, and its wild beauty so unique and mind-blowing, that it offers plenty to see and discover.

Alaska is a real playground for travel photographers, with history, breathtaking icy landscapes, abundant wildlife, stunning hiking trails, and some of the most scenic roads in the United States, even in the world! If you are into wildlife photography , Alaska also offers plenty of opportunities, with whales, bears, and hundreds of species of birds.  

Head to Seward, where you can take a boat tour and photograph icebergs and wildlife such as seals and whales. Or try Denali National Park, a world-class setting for wildlife photography enthusiasts.

But the most spectacular treat that Alaska offers to any travel photographer is the opportunity to capture the Northern Lights . Fairbanks is one of the best places to see the Aurora Borealis in the world, because of its location and lack of light pollution. If you haven’t photographed the lights before, a Fairbanks northern lights tour is a great way to maximise your chances of seeing them, as the local guide will be able to plan the best time and location for epic Aurora images.

By Paula from Paula Pins the Planet

Get inspiration for Alaska landscape photo tours here

My favourite travel tools and brands

To help you organise your trip, here’s a short list of some of the brands and tools I use over and over again when I’m planning my travels. You can see more on my Travel Resources page.

• Booking.com : A huge range of hotels to choose from, often with free cancellation. If you book hotels regularly you can earn discounts. I’m on Genius Level 3 which gets me 20% off!
• Expedia : Another great place to find hotels and Expedia also sell flights , car hire, and loads more all in one place.
• Skyscanner : The only place I ever go to search for flights and compare prices.
• Flight Centre : Booking a more complicated route? Let Flight Centre organise it for you (and deal with the drama when something goes wrong).
• Priority Pass: I love having access to 1,400+ airport lounges when I fly, allowing me to enjoy my time at the airport. With my link you get 30% off a standard membership or 20% off standard plus.
• Airalo: Say goodbye to ridiculous mobile roaming charges. Did you know you can now buy an e-SIM , install it in your phone before you leave home, and then use data abroad at local prices? Game changer.
• TourRadar: If you prefer group travel and organised tours, TourRadar has a huge range of fantastic tours from respected operators. They’re very helpful and have 4.5 stars on TrustPilot.
• Viator: Part of the TripAdvisor brand, Viator is another great place to search for group adventures and day trips.
• GetYourGuide: A great place to find local tours and day trips in your destination.
• Wex Photo Video: The UK’s best camera gear store. Quote my name – Bella Falk – to get £20 off your first purchase.
• Ellis Brigham: Looking for good quality backpacks, travel clothes and other gear? Ellis Brigham is where I buy almost all of mine.
• Rentalcars.com: Part of the Booking.com family and the world’s largest online car rental service, with 24/7 customer service.
• World Nomads Travel Insurance: I never ever travel without travel insurance and nor should you!

Read about more travel photography destinations

• 25 Best Travel Photography Blogs
• 25 Brilliant Tips For Travel Photography
• 23 Best Places to Visit in Thailand
• Things to do in Pembrokeshire: Coast, Castles and More
• 13 Top Tips For Photographing Markets
• Travel photography on the road – my photo editing workflow tips

Liked this post about travel for photographers?

Social shares help support my hard work! You can share via the buttons at the bottom, or pin this handy Pinterest Pin. Thank you!

Bella is a multi-award-winning travel writer, wildlife photographer and science and history documentary director from London. Among many awards and nominations she won Blogger of the Year at the British Guild of Travel Writers’ Awards 2023 and Best Photography at the Travel Media Awards 2020. Her work has been published by National Geographic, Wanderlust, and BBC Travel among others. Her films have been shown around the world including on the BBC, Discovery and PBS.

Further Reading...

Entebbe Zoo: Visiting The Uganda Wildlife Sanctuary

Ethical Travel Photography: How To Capture With A Conscience

A Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise In Uganda: Is It Worth It?

A day trip to port de sóller on the palma soller train, mallorca, scotland's isle of may: puffins, beautiful landscapes and more.

Some of the links on this site are affiliate links. This means that if you click through and make a purchase, I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Passport & Pixels is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

New: 7 Best cameras for travel

Updated March 2024

Travel can expose you to once-in-a-lifetime sights and experiences, and a good camera can be the perfect way to preserve those memories. We've looked at a range of models that offer great image quality, good autofocus and excellent video, so that you can capture whatever you encounter on your travels. We've also tried to select relatively small cameras so they don't interfere with your trip.

Our selections include relatively compact cameras with fixed lenses, perfect for just documenting what you saw on your trip; they also include Micro Four Thirds and APS-C models that allow smaller camera/lens combinations, if you're looking to travel light. Full-frame cameras open up the potential for even better image quality but the lenses can get pretty big, so it's worth checking how big the total package is, before committing to a large-sensor model.

Our recommendations

Best pocketable travel camera: ricoh gr iii, the classic choice: fujifilm x100vi, truly compact mirrorless: om system om-5, all-round compact capability: sony a6700, the great travel kit: fujifilm x-s20 with 18-55mm f2.8-4.0 ois, the stylish travel companion: nikon zf, portable full-frame: sony a7cr.

24MP APS-C sensor | 28mm equiv. F2.8 lens | Wi-Fi + Bluetooth

What we like:

• Excellent image quality
• Good controls and ergonomics
• Truly pocketable

What we don't:

• Short battery life
• No built-in flash
• Sluggish AF in low light

The Ricoh GR III is the latest in a series of classic compact cameras with a large APS-C sensor and a 28mm equivalent lens. It's not the most flexible camera but it's one of the most pocketable and has built up a dedicated following of photographers who find it a joy to shoot with.

Our only concern, in terms of using the GR III for travel are that some users have found dust can get into the lens. So it's worth trying to find some sort of protective bag to keep it in.

There's also the GR IIIx , a variant with a longer, 40mm equivalent lens on it. This may be a little tight for documenting your travels, but it's historically a popular focal length.

Read our Ricoh GR III review

See the Ricoh GR III studio scene

40MP BSI CMOS APS-C X-Trans sensor | 35mm equiv F2 lens | Hybrid viewfinder

• Excellent build quality
• Subject-detection autofocus
• Now with in-body image stabilization
• Lens not especially fast to focus
• Hard to find in stock

Like the Fujifilm X100V before it, the Fujifilm X100VI is a classically styled fixed lens camera with a 35mm equivalent F2 lens. But being in active production following its 2024 launch, the X100VI is somewhat easier to buy than its constantly out-of-stock forebear.

Updated with in-body image stabilization rated at up to 6EV of correction and a 40MP BSI CMOS APS-C X-Trans sensor, the X100VI is a significant upgrade over its predecessor despite looking virtually identical. And those improvements in part explain the X100VI's $200 increase in list price to $1,600.

Like its older brother, the X100VI isn't the smallest or most inconspicuous camera, but its fixed focal length means you develop an 'eye' for the photos it'll take, essentially making it a better quality, more engaging alternative to snapping away with your phone.

The addition of subject-detection autofocus has given the X100VI the ability to recognize animals, birds, automobiles, motorcycles and bikes, airplanes, and trains though human (face/eye) detection is a separate mode. However, the lens the X100VI shares with the X100V is not the fastest to autofocus, prioritizing sharpness over speed.

The X100VI brings a level of polish you would expect from a sixth iteration of a camera. Fujifilm has done a great job keeping the X100-series up to date without messing with the formula that's made it so popular. No surprise, this is the best X100 yet.

Unfortunately, despite ramped-up production, demand for the X100VI seems to have outstripped supply with the camera already on backorder at virtually all dealers. With any luck, however, its release will depress the over-inflated sale price of previous generation X100V cameras, which are still quite capable if you can find them for prices befitting used gear.

Read our Fujifilm X100VI review

20MP Four Thirds CMOS sensor | 4K/30p video | In-body stabilization rated to 6.5EV (7.5 with some lenses)

• Attractive JPEG output
• Selection of clever photo features
• Excellent image stabilization
• IP53 rating supports claims of weather sealing
• AF tracking is disappointing
• Image quality is behind larger sensor cameras

The OM System OM-5 is a compact interchangeable lens camera with a 20MP Four Thirds sensor in a compact body with plenty of external control.

That relatively small sensor means it can remain fairly small, even with a lens attached, and the Micro Four Thirds lens system provides extensive options in that regard, from compact zooms to small prime lenses.

Read our OM System OM-5 review

See the OM System OM-5 studio scene

26MP BSI CMOS sensor | 4K/60p video capture | Fully articulating screen

• Front and rear command dials
• Excellent AF in stills and video
• 4K/120p capture (with crop)
• No AF joystick
• JPEG sharpening can be aggressive

The Sony a6700 is built around a 26MP APS-C-sized sensor. Its excellent autofocus performance means it excels at both stills and video capture. There's a good choice of relatively compact lenses available, too. We'd suggest avoiding the really small 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 though: it's not the lens to get the most out of this camera.

Fast, dependable autofocus with a selection of subject recognition modes means the a6700 will help maximize your chances of capturing the unexpected moments on a trip.

Read our full Sony a6700 review

See the Sony a6700 studio scene

26MP X-Trans APS-C sensor | Up to 6.2K/30P 10-bit video | In-body image stablization

• Excellent still and video quality
• Long battery life
• Comfortable, simple ergonomics
• AF tracking still lags behind peers
• Small electronic viewfinder
• Micro HDMI instead of full-size

Fujifilm's X-S20 is also worth considering. Like the a6700, it's built around a 26MP BSI CMOS sensor and is strong at both stills and video. Its autofocus isn't as simple and powerful as the Sony's, but its JPEG color modes produce really attractive results, and there's a wide choice of lenses including compact prime and the well-priced, supremely useful 18-55mm F2.8-4.0 OIS, which is a great travel option.

Read our Fujifilm X-S20 initial review

See the Fujifilm X-S20 studio scene

24MP full-frame BSI CMOS sensor | Full-width 4K/30 video, cropped 4K/60 | Stabilization rated to 8EV

• Distinctive design with direct controls
• Effective subject recognition
• Strong stills and video features
• Weight and minimal grip can become uncomfortable
• Slow MicroSD second slot
• Few custom buttons

The Nikon Zf is a classically styled full-frame camera built around a 24MP full-frame sensor that's used by many of its peers. The angular 80s-style body isn't the most comfortable to hold in your hand for extended periods, but the lack of stick-out grip makes it smaller than many of its rivals, making it a tempting travel companion.

At least in its all-black form, there's a chance of it being mistaken for a film camera, which may help avoid the wrong kind of attention, when you're out and about in an unfamiliar setting.

Read our initial review of the Nikon Zf

61MP BSI CMOS sensor | 4K/60p video with 10-bit color | Dedicated ‘AI’ processor for AF system

• Big camera features in a small body
• Outstanding AF performance
• Auto Framing video mode
• Small, low-res viewfinder
• No joystick control
• No fully mechanical shutter

The Sony a7CR is a relatively compact full-frame camera with an image-stabilized 61MP CMOS sensor. You sacrifice the convenience of an AF joystick and get a pretty small and basic viewfinder to keep the camera's size down, but there's little else that delivers this much image quality in such a compact package.

You'll need to pick your lenses carefully to keep the camera portable but the a7CR's autofocus means it can respond rapidly to just about anything you encounter on your travels.

Read our Sony a7CR initial review

Why you should trust us

This buying guide is based on cameras used and tested by DPReview's editorial team. We don't select a camera until we've used it enough to be confident in recommending it, usually after our extensive review process. The selections are purely a reflection of which cameras we believe to be best: there are no financial incentives for us to select one model or brand over another.

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The best travel camera in 2024: compact and portable cameras to take anywhere

The best travel cameras are small, lightweight, easy to use and offer a range of features – here are the ones to look at

• The Quick List ↩
• Best compact
• Best full frame
• Best hybrid
• Best for size
• Best budget
• Best waterproof
• Best action cam
• Best for 360º
• Best for vloggers
• How to choose
• How we test

The Quick List ↩ 1. Best compact 2. Best full frame 3. Best hybrid 4. Best for size 5. Best budget 6. Best waterproof 7. Best action cam 8. Best for 360º 9. Best for vloggers How to choose How we test

The best travel cameras have to do one crucial thing: be better than your phone. That means the best travel cameras need to combine compactness with image quality, advanced features with simple operation, and ideally the ability to share your holiday photos and vacation videos fast. 

Even though the best camera phones can produce great images, you just don't get the same quality as you would if shooting with one of the best point-and-shoots or best mirrorless cameras . Smartphones are restricted by smaller sensors offering lower still and video quality, reduced low light performance, and minimal control over depth of field (for those blurry backgrounds). 

We'll look at mirrorless cameras that offer better image quality and more versatility than compact systems but at the cost of increased size and weight. Compact cameras, perfect for keeping on you at all times, won't weigh you down, and are really simple to use – although they have smaller sensors and fixed lenses. And finally, action cameras that are robust cameras made for wild adventuring!

Gareth is the Reviews Editor at Digital Camera World, and the person in charge of approving all the latest camera-related tech. He never misses an opportunity to travel, or an excuse to take photos while traveling, so is best placed to judge what are the best travel cameras for all sorts of different vacations and adventures.

The Quick List

Travel cameras should be small and light, but not lacking in features for amazing photos and video. The Fujifilm X100VI ticks all of those boxes, with a diminutive size, but 40MP images and 6.2K video. And does all this while looking great, with some stunning retro charm.

Read more below ↓

Despite aging a little, the Sony A7 III still offers some features that are competitive with new models like IBIS, auto-tracking, and 4K video. Best of all, the camera is incredibly well-priced, making it the best option for traveling without worrying too much about damaging expensive kit.

The Fujifilm X-S20 is a camera for everyone, with great quality stills, but is set apart by its deceptively powerful video skills. This makes the X-S20 the perfect travel camera for any hybrid creator who is a versatile and lightweight camera, all at a price tag that won't break the bank. 

When picking the best travel camera, we're focusing on portability. If you want to fit a whole photographic kit – that's a camera and several lenses into a bag, then the dinky but mighty Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is one of the best portable cameras around.

If you want a small camera that shoots great stills and video, and cost costs the earth the Panasonic Lumix G100 is the best budget option out there for travel. There is also the slightly newer G100D, which is much the same, but with a USB-C port and upgraded EVF.

If you're planning on a coastal adventure then you need a camera that is fully waterproof and rugged enough to take on the most challenging adventures. This camera offers better stills than your average action cam, so if photos are your main priority  – the Tough TG-7 is for you.

View the full list ⇩

This is a camera that can withstand some serious adventuring, action cameras are made for extreme conditions, and the best of the bunch is the Osmo Action 4. The Osmo 4 offers an incredibly wide field of view, image stabilization, and waterproofing for action-packed vacations.

If you want to remember every little bit of your vacation, then you can't go wrong with a 360º camera to capture not what only is going on in front of you, but all around you. The Insta360 X3 is the best all-encompassing camera you can buy, best of all it is easy to slip into a pocket or bag for travel.

If you are looking for a small yet mighty all-in-one camera with quality video and audio made to go straight on social media or YouTube then the Sony ZV-E10 is the best choice. It does take decent pictures, but if you are looking for something more hybrid, check out the X-S20 above.

The best travel camera in 2024

Why you can trust Digital Camera World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out how we test.

Best compact travel camera

1. Fujifilm X100VI

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

✅ You want a pocketable camera:  the Fujifilm X100VI is a very compact camera, the whole package of camera and lens are so small that you can easily slip this into a jacket or rucksack pocket. ✅ You want a camera that looks good:  The X100VI is easily one of the best-looking cameras you can buy. The stunning retro looks of old-school film cameras are matched with superb build quality.

❌ You want a range of lenses:  the lens is fixed on the X100VI, so you are stuck with the 23mm focal length, although its digital cropping modes give the illusion (but not performance) of more focal lengths ❌ You want a cheap travel camera:  the X100VI has a premium price tag, and there are options that produce a similar image quality, if you don't mind a different style of camera that is.

If you are looking for a camera for traveling, then one of the major things to look out for is something small and lightweight that can easily slip into a bag or a jacket pocket and won't be a drag to carry around for long periods – enter the Fujifilm X100VI .

The X100VI is a fixed-lens camera, which means that it has a single lens that can't be changed. The lens is 23mm, or equivalent to a 35mm length lens on on a full-frame camera, a perfect length for travel photography as it is wide enough to get in landscapes and street scenes, but narrow enough for portraits and family shots. While there are converters available for the X100V to change the length of the lens, I find these have an adverse effect on image quality. The X100VI does have a trick to crop images when taking them to give the illusion of additional focal lengths, although at a reduced size. 

The X100V packs in some lovely 40MP photos, and while not the most ideal camera for video, you can get 6.2K (cropped), 4K, or HD video with slow motion reaching 240 frames per second. There is also human, animal, bird, and vehicle autofocus tracking, so you can snap away with confidence that your shots will be in focus. Finally, image stabilization helps cut out hand jitters in low light or shooting video, for more stable footage.

And for those who want to share travel snaps as you go, you get access to Fujifilm 's awesome film simulations and custom recipes, which takes the work out of editing, and with WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity and the Fujifilm X App, you can quickly share ready to post photos and video to social from your phone.

The X100VI's design will catch a few eyes while traveling. The camera is lovely to hold, made with premium materials, and with a wonderful hybrid optical viewfinder that shows either the real picture or how it looks through the sensor with a flick of a button. However, as a major downside for travel, the X100VI lens is not weather-sealed without an adapter – at an additional cost.

Speaking of cost, this premium camera comes at a premium price, with some similar tech available for less in other models. But for the build quality and features, I think it does a lot to justify its higher price, but if you want the best compact camera, there is nothing better than this.

Read our full Fujifilm X100VI review for more

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Best full frame on a budget

2. Sony A7 III

✅ You want full frame quality:  full frame cameras can produce more focus separation and are better in low light, the A7 III is the most affordable step into full frame. ✅ You want a camera to use outside of traveling:  the A7 III is a pro-level camera that is not just for travel, you can shoot brilliant photos all year round with a multitude of lenses available for different subjects.

❌ You don't want the expense of lenses:  the cost of lenses can add up, especially ones for full-frame cameras, if you want to keep costs low, choose a fixed lens camera or an option with smaller cheaper lenses. ❌ You want a small camera:  the A7 III isn't huge, but it also isn't small. With a lens attached, it is going to take up quite a bit of room in a bag, and won't be sliding in any pocket.

While the Sony A7 III might be the oldest Sony Alpha camera still being sold as new, even being replaced by a newer Sony A7 VI, it more than holds its own today. Any photographer looking for an excellent full-frame hybrid camera for traveling should seriously consider this camera as an option.

Why? Well, I don't think there is a better value full-frame camera out there, which when traveling can take some of the jeopardy out of damaging or losing your incredibly expensive kit.

It might be getting on a little, but the camera still has a very competitive 24.2MP back-illuminated image sensor, which delivers great tonal range and makes high ISO settings possible, which anyone who is shooting a lot in low light on their travels will really appreciate. A 5-axis image stabilization system also delivers less shake when shooting at night, or capturing video. 

And if you are also looking to get some video footage on your travels then the A7III has very capable 4K video, although has been surpassed by a few other models on this list which would be more suitable if video is a priority.

The A7III has a speedy and accurate 696-point AF system, and while not the latest algorithms, the A7 III also has some solid human face and eye tracking, so you can take reliably focused photos of your friends, family, or any interesting denizens you meet out on your travels. 

Whilst the A7III can be thrown a little off-balance with big pro lenses, Sony's lens range is extensive and there are many smaller primes to suit this camera perfectly for those who don't want to carry a lot while traveling. Or superzoom lenses like the Sony FE 24-240mm will empower you to capture everything from near to far.

Read our full Sony A7 III review

Best hybrid travel camera

3. Fujifilm X-S20

✅ You shoot video and photos:  the Fujifilm X-S20 is the best of both worlds, with great-looking photos and awesome video skills too! ✅ You want to balance price and features:  the X-S20 offers a lot for its price, and it is one of the best-value cameras around, you will struggle to find matching video specs at this price point.

❌ You don't really care about video:  there are other options that might suit photographers more than the X-S20 with higher megapixel counts. ❌ You might need weather resistance:  the X-S20 is not weather-sealed, so if you plan to get adventurous, a camera that can handle dust and water might be a better choice.

When I tested the Fujifilm X-S20 I was just so impressed at the amount of features that Fujifilm had managed to squeeze into its petite body – it's not just a great stills camera, it is also one of the best video cameras available, and the cherry on top, it is really well priced! For anyone looking for a hybrid camera to shoot a mix of photos and video, I think this is the best camera for any traveler right now.

Fujifilm chose not to update the X-Trans IV sensor from the X-S10, but this sensor despite its age still holds up very well today when it comes to stills. The X-S20 is also able to use Fujifilm's excellent film simulations and programmable film recipes to create ready-to-use images straight from the camera, which makes any regular social media posting that much easier.  The new X-Processor 5 also brings brand new subject recognition and tracking autofocus, making taking photos on the fly quicker and more reliable.

Despite its compact size, the X-S20 is a deceptively powerful video camera. The new processor combined with the modest resolution sensor means the X-S20 is capable of 6K video using the entire sensor (open-gate). The camera is also capable of numerous codecs and F-Log for getting in-depth with color grading. The subject recognition and tracking also carry through into videos and there are dedicated vlogging video features too.

Some might prefer the classic retro style like the X-T5 or X-T30 II, but with fewer manual dials, the X-S20 is a more user-friendly camera, with a more useful fully articulating screen than any of the X-T range. The camera is small, but handling is great with enough of a comfortable grip for long days, and the camera pairs really well with Fujifilm's small zoom and prime lenses, making traveling light with a kitted-out X-S20 a little easier. While the price is a little higher than the X-S10 that preceded it, I think the price bump is justified as this is one capable camera for traveling.

Read more: Fujifilm X-S20 review

Best travel camera for size

4. Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV

✅ You want a small system:  the whole OM Micro Four Thirds system is tiny, with small cameras and lenses, so you can take a lot more gear to cover more subjects. ✅ You want a good-looking camera:  with a cool vintage style based on Olympus's OM film cameras, the E-M10 IV looks as good as the footage it shoots.

❌ You shoot a lot in low light:  the Micro Four Thirds sensor in the E-M10 IV doesn't handle low light as well as larger sensors, not good for frequent nighttime shooters. ❌ You won't use the retro dials:  if you are looking for just fast auto controls then the dials on the top of the E-M10 IV will be largely redundant for your needs.

When picking the best travel camera, we're focusing on portability, and the dinky but mighty Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is one of the best portable cameras around if you are looking for a whole system including lenses that can easily slip into a bag. The best Olympus lenses include positively tiny optics that can go a long way for travel photography, helping you keep your kit and weight size down. So if you are the type of carry-on-only travel photographer but with big photography ambitions then this is for you.

Not only does it have an incredibly lightweight body, but the camera will look great on your travels too, with a cool retro design that harks back to Olympus's long pedigree in film cameras. The camera has tactile dial-led controls for anyone who wants to get creative with manual photography, although don't let that fool you into thinking the camera is complicated, as there are lots of automatic modes and helpful features built into the camera.

The OM-D E-M10 Mark IV uses the smaller but still powerful Micro Four Thirds sensor. This has some slight disadvantages in terms of low-light capabilities, so if you like to go out a lot at night when you travel, then a larger sensor might be better for you. 

But Micro Four Thirds does have one big advantage, it effectively doubles the focal length of any lens mounted to the camera; so a 50mm will behave like a 100mm, so if you are about to head off on safari, then this could make all the difference to getting up close to wildlife. Its snappy burst shooting, its accurate autofocus, and its impressive 4K video will also all assist you with creating amazing content. It's a terrific all-around camera. 

Read our full Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV review for more

Best travel camera on a budget

5. Panasonic Lumix G100

✅ You want an affordable camera:  the Lumix G100 is a great deal for the features it offers, and an affordable way to get great travel snaps. ✅ You want a range of small lenses:  there are a lot of Micro Four Thirds lenses, so there is something for every occasion, and best of all, they tend to be on the smaller side for easy travel.

❌ You want the very latest tech:  the G100 is a little on the older side and doesn't have Panasonic's latest autofocus, which puts it a little behind the competition. ❌ You want more serious creative video:  intended as a hybrid camera, there are lots of video-focused features, but the camera lacks IBIS and a headphone jack/USB-C found in rivals.

Sometimes, you just want to create quality images and video while you are traveling, but you don't want to pay a small fortune for a camera to do so, or risk carrying around an expensive camera. The Panasonic Lumix G100 is the best camera you can get for traveling that offers all the quality features you will need but at an affordable price.

The G100 is a super-small, super-cute camera with a Micro Four Thirds sensor. It is still easy to capture high-quality video and stills with simple controls, menus, and its approachable button layout. The camera can be paired with numerous dinky Micro Four Thirds lenses too, especially small pancake lenses to keep the overall size down. Micro Four Thirds also has the benefit of doubling the focal length, so 100mm becomes 200mm, so you can pair the G100 camera with telephoto lenses for capturing far away subjects like wildlife without having to carry huge lenses.

A downside though is there is some compromise for the low price, and the G100 is not the most technically advanced camera on this list, and its autofocus uses Panasonic's cruder contrast-detect technology, which is a little slower than other cameras and is notorious for "pulsing" and "hunting" during video. 

Despite this, the G100 is also a perfect camera for vloggers, with an articulating screen and ready to share footage. But while there’s an inherent risk of dumbing things down too much when creating a camera for social media creatives, Panasonic has avoided that pitfall with the Lumix G100, and this is a great camera if you're just as interested in vlogging as you are in travel photography. 

Read our full Panasonic Lumix G100 review

Best waterproof compact travel camera

6. OM System Tough TG-7

✅ You want a rugged adventure camera:  the TG-7 can certainly withstand some serious adventuring with a rugged water/dust/freeze/drop-proof build. ✅ You want a photography-first adventure camera:  the TG-7 puts photography first and foremost, offering a better experience than smaller fiddly action cameras.

❌ You want to strap the camera to things:  while action cameras have numerous accessories to strap to your sports equipment, there is far less for the bigger TG-7. ❌ You only care about video:  if you are just looking for the best rugged video camera for travel, then action cameras have you covered (see below).

Following the acquisition of Olympus's camera division, the OM System TG-7 is essentially an update to the much-loved Olympus Tough TG-6 under a new brand name. Although that camera has long been the top-regarded travel compact for adventurers who are as invested in photos as video. Action cameras might be smaller and just as hardy, but can't compete with the TG-7 for photography experience.

The TG-7 is ready for any travel adventure and is water-proof, dust-proof, crush-proof, drop-proof, and freeze-proof, so whether your hiking, climbing, swimming, or otherwise take you to the hottest deserts to the coldest tundras, the camera should come out the other side unscathed.

The TG-7 might have a relatively conservative 12MP resolution, although this helps dramatically when it comes to low-light images, as each pixel is larger allowing it to capture more light. Why is this important? Well if you are shooting in darker underwater environments, in gloomy forests, or at night, then you will get higher-quality images. 

The Touch also has RAW images, so you can get even more creative control over the final edit of your images. The camera also has a pretty incredible macro mode as well if you find some small details on your travels that you have to capture.

While it might not be up to the same standard as the best action cameras for video (see below for that), the Tough can capture decent 4K video, and will get some perfectly serviceable footage for social and YouTube of your wild adventures!

Read our full OM System Tough TG-7 review

Best action camera for travel

7. DJI Osmo Action 4

✅ You want a camera that can keep up with your travel adventures:  the Osmo 4 is hardy enough for whatever conditions you throw at it, weather-sealed and fantastic stabilized footage. ✅ You want a tiny camera:  action cameras like the Osmo 4 are great as they are so small they are effortless to travel with.

❌ You want to shoot high quality photos:  the 12MP photos from the Osmo 4 can't compete with more dedicated cameras, and the wide angle lens needs lots of corrections. ❌ You need accessories:  the market for DJI accessories isn't as big as the more famous GoPro, so if you need niche or cheaper accessories, that might be the brand to choose.

For most adventurer-creators, the Osmo Action 4 is the perfect balance of quality and price. Stabilized 4K video looks great and the camera can take a lot – not just rough and tumble but temperature extremes and it's waterproof to 16m without a case. Best of all, it has a larger image sensor than any other camera on the list, so it is better in lower light, making it more flexible.

DJI did have an interesting experiment with modular design, now seemingly abandoned, with the Action 2, but they do retain powerful magnetic mounts which can even partially survive the heat of an oven (we tried accidentally – see our full review). 

Like the more famous competition, DJI has high-quality horizon balancing and image stabilization, which has improved on the Action 3. The resolution limit is 4K, but in practice, this is the ideal resolution for action (and the limit of almost all TVs). More useful is the 120fps capability (or 240fps at 1080P).

The fact that Action 4’s isn’t interwoven with subscription software is one we wholeheartedly appreciate, too, but GoPro seem to finally growing out of this.

Read our full DJI Osmo Action 4 review

Best 360º camera for travel

8. Insta360 X3

✅ You want to capture everything:  the Insta360 X3 can capture all that goes on around you, perfect for capturing immersive travel content. ✅ You want to travel light:  the Insta360 X3 is very small and lightweight, and won't trouble your carry-on bag limits.

❌ You want a versatile camera:  the Insta360 X3 is made for one thing, and that is great 360º footage, if you want to capture more, you might need to bring a second camera. ❌ You want artistic images:  the Insta360 X3 has big 72MP images but the small sensor means they aren't as creative as a bigger camera.

The new Insta360 X4 has just launched offering 8K video and an updated design, but I still think the X3 offers great features for a much better value, so it remains in this guide for now!

There are times when handling even an action camera's wide-angle lens becomes a problem, and that's where a 360-degree action camera can step in. With two back-to-back lenses and enough smarts to eliminate a selfie stick from the footage, this almost magic camera can capture an image from a point within reach looking any direction you see fit.

I tried it with the bike attachment – which holds the camera a little way in front of the bike, over the front wheel – and was amazed at the footage which makes it look like I'm cycling toward a perfectly controlled drone. Better still, by syncing with my phone I could draw GPS data and have it overlaid, in the form of a speedometer, by the Insta360 app before sharing.

The only real worry is how naked those glass lenses are when the camera is in use; the joy of re-positioning the camera angle after the fact can be hours of fun. 5.7K is good enough for sharing, but more resolution would help pro work.

Read our full Insta 360 X3 review for more details

Best for travel vloggers

9. Sony ZV-E10

✅ You want ready-to-share footage:  this Sony is made for capturing footage with minimal editing to get up on YouTube and social media straight away. ✅ You want excellent audio:  the ZV-E10 has built-in stereo microphones that capture some of the best audio possible on a camera without external mics.

❌ You are more interested in photos:  the ZV-E10 is not a bad photography camera, but its video focused build means other cameras are better for stills shooters. ❌ You want a viewfinder for framing:  if you love a viewfinder for framing shots, then the Sony A6400 is almost the same camera, but with an EVF. 

The ZV-E10 makes for an excellent traveler's camera and is one of the cheapest vlogging-focused cameras yet. Combined with its slim dimensions, and wide choice of lenses, this makes it a perfect choice for travelers who want to shoot a lot of video. 

The big selling point of the ZV-E10 over other cameras capable of similar video is that the ZV-E10 comes with sophisticated built-in mics and a clip-on windshield for noise reduction, making it much easier to get clean audio on your vlogs even outdoors – which works excellently. Sony has put its years of audio experience into this camera and it shows.

The ZV-E10's 4K UHD video is of excellent quality too, and as we've come to expect from Sony, the autofocus is best in class, whether shooting video or stills. The camera has tracking modes for easy autofocus and digital image stabilization that crops your footage slightly but attempts to iron out any shake, which works well except for in very heavy movement.

And a point worth mentioning is that, while the ZV-E10 may be optimized for vlogging, it's still a capable stills camera with a 24MP sensor, and 11fps burst shooting, so photographers needed worry about restricting themselves with it. 

However, if you are more keen on photography than video, cameras in the Sony a6xxx range (like the Sony a6400 ) offer almost the same specs, but with a viewfinder, but you do lose the built-in stereo mics. Making it a tough choice for a hybrid shooter that might want the best of both worlds. 

Read our full Sony ZV-E10 review

How to choose the right travel camera

These are five key things to look out for when choosing the right travel camera for your needs.

1) Image quality: Ask yourself how you will use any photos or videos you capture. If you only plan to share content online on social media then any of the above cameras will be suitable. If you plan to print your pictures, though, then mirrorless cameras with larger sensors and higher megapixel counts will produce better-quality results.

2) Focal range: What kind of range do you need for your traveling activities? Compact cameras can have impressive zoom ranges, but to achieve their tiny size they often lack quality compared to mirrorless cameras. For mirrorless cameras, what lenses are available? So-called standard zooms are a great option for all types of travel, but they can also be large and heavy. A wide-angle lens might be best for capturing cities and landscapes, or if you are going to see wildlife or a sporting event then a compact telephoto lens might be best.

3) Size and weight: If you're going on vacation then the last thing you want to take is a heavy kit – especially given things like baggage restrictions when traveling. With that in mind, both your camera and lens(es) need to be small and light. If you want something that can fit in your pocket, get a compact camera – but if you don't mind taking a bag, a mirrorless system with one or two lenses could be more versatile. 

4) Simplicity: Don't want to get bogged down with camera settings? Most modern cameras have a range of auto modes – especially compact cameras, which take away the stress. Advanced modes and complicated controls don't usually mix with spur-of-the-moment snaps, so decide what is important to you and pick your camera based on that.

5) Price: The cameras in our list have a range of prices, and we try to include cameras that suit every budget. The price of a camera usually reflects its capabilities, although all the options listed here will take great images and video – so try to strike the right balance between what you need in a camera and what you can afford.

Is it better to use phone or camera for travel?

We covered this a little bit at the start of the article, but the answer is that it is always better to use a camera for stills or video when possible. So the question really becomes, "Do your travel plans make using a camera possible?" Phones are so small and quick to use that they go where cameras are too bulky and slow to shoot. A great compromise is a compact camera – or the Olympus Tough TG-6 , which is a weather-proof camera that goes the places that you wouldn't dare to use your phone! 

Is a DSLR or mirrorless camera better for travel photography?

As a travel camera, mirrorless cameras are usually the better choice for most people. They are much small and lighter than DSLRs, and also usually have a selection of smaller and lighter lenses to match. This makes traveling easier as it takes up less space and weight in increasingly restricted carry-on bags. Mirrorless cameras also are generally newer than DSLRs and most likely have more modern technology, making photography and video easier to capture and of better quality.

What size camera lens is best for travel?

Again, this comes down to what your travel plans entail and what you plan to shoot. The kit lens that comes bundled with many cameras will cover the most commonly used focal ranges, so that's a good place to start (though kit lenses do not deliver the best image quality). We recommend checking out the best lenses for travel photography to see what's right for you.

How we test travel cameras

When we are reviewing cameras, we carefully think about what scenarios each camera could be used for. When considering which cameras would make ideal travel cameras, we judge each camera on how small and lightweight it is for easy packing and transport, as well as carrying for long periods of the day while out exploring. 

We also consider the technical capabilities of each camera, and how suitable they are specifically for travel photography scenarios from beach vacations to safaris, to city breaks. Finally, we consider the price of the cameras to select options that cover a range of budgets and requirements.

We use our real-world experience with each camera and our in-depth camera knowledge to determine a final selection of top cameras that we would recommend as the ideal camera traveling companions.

Want to find out how we test and review DSLR and mirrorless cameras? We trial cameras both in real-world shooting scenarios and in carefully controlled lab conditions. Our lab tests will generally measure resolution, dynamic range, and signal-to-noise ratio, which gives us a benchmark by which to compare cameras. 

Resolution is measured using ISO resolution charts, dynamic range is measured using DxO Analyzer test equipment and DxO Analyzer is also used for noise analysis across the camera's ISO range. Our compact camera evaluations are based on real-world testing alone.

For our real-world testing, our reviewers spend time with each camera, testing it in a variety of shooting situations and providing their qualitative thoughts on how the camera was to use and evaluating the images and video it produced. Here's an example of how we literally take a camera on vacation to evaluate it!

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Gareth is a photographer based in London, working as a freelance photographer and videographer for the past several years, having the privilege to shoot for some household names. With work focusing on fashion, portrait and lifestyle content creation, he has developed a range of skills covering everything from editorial shoots to social media videos. Outside of work, he has a personal passion for travel and nature photography, with a devotion to sustainability and environmental causes.

• James Artaius Editor

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Passing Thru Travel

Top 12 Travel Photography Hotspots for 2024

Posted: March 21, 2024 | Last updated: March 21, 2024

Photography plays a crucial role in sharing and perceiving travel experiences; practicing responsible travel photography has never been more important. It’s about capturing the world’s beauty with respect for the environment, local cultures, and future generations. This guide explores photogenic destinations and embodies the principles of sustainability and respect, offering photographers the chance to capture stunning imagery while adhering to ethical practices.

1. Banff National Park, Canada

Banff National Park, nestled in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, is a sanctuary of majestic peaks, turquoise glacial lakes, and vast wilderness. As Canada’s first national park, Banff offers photographers unparalleled natural beauty, from the serene waters of Lake Louise to the rugged grandeur of Moraine Lake.

The park’s diverse wildlife, including elk, grizzly bears, and wolves, adds a dynamic element to any photo shoot, demanding a respectful distance and a keen eye for candid moments. The Icefields Parkway, stretching between Banff and Jasper, is a journey through some of the world’s most scenic landscapes, offering endless photography opportunities.

Responsible travel photography in Banff means adhering to park regulations, staying on designated paths to protect the delicate ecosystem, and capturing the natural environment without leaving a trace. The park’s commitment to conservation and protecting its natural and cultural heritage makes it a prime example of how tourism and environmental stewardship coexist.

Insider’s Tip: Focus on capturing the natural beauty without disturbing the wildlife. Use a zoom lens to photograph animals from a distance and stay on designated trails to protect the natural habitat.

When to Travel: Summer (June to August) is for hiking and photography, and winter (December to March) is for snowscapes and northern lights.

How to Get There: Fly into Calgary International Airport, then drive about 1.5 hours west to Banff.

2. Kyoto, Japan

Kyoto, the heart of traditional Japan, presents a rich cultural heritage, serene landscapes, and architectural wonders. The city’s ancient temples, such as Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion) and Kiyomizu-dera, stand as monuments to Buddhist devotion and Japanese aesthetics, offering photographers a glimpse into the soul of Kyoto.

The historic geisha district of Gion, with its wooden machiya houses and stone-paved streets, provides a backdrop for capturing the enduring traditions of Japan. During cherry blossom season, the city transforms into a picturesque tableau of delicate pinks and whites, with Maruyama Park and the Philosopher’s Walk prime photography locations.

Photography in Kyoto involves respecting the privacy of geishas and locals, avoiding intrusive behavior, and appreciating the city’s cultural sites with mindfulness and reverence. Engaging with the local community, understanding the significance of the sites, and contributing to preserving Kyoto’s heritage are key aspects of responsible travel photography in this ancient city.

Insider’s Tip: Always ask for permission before taking photos of people, and be mindful of private property signs when exploring Kyoto’s narrow alleys and traditional neighborhoods.

When to Travel: Cherry blossom season in early April or autumn foliage in November for stunning natural backdrops.

How to Get There: Fly into Kansai International Airport and take a train or bus to Kyoto.

3. Petra, Jordan

The ancient city of Petra, carved directly into vibrant red sandstone cliffs, offers an unparalleled opportunity to step back in time. This archaeological feat, once a thriving trading center, now invites you to explore its tombs, temples, and theaters.

Visitors should avoid climbing on fragile structures or entering areas that are closed for restoration. The best photographs of Petra come from those who take the time to understand its history and significance, offering viewers a glimpse into the past that respects the efforts to preserve it for the future.

Insider’s Tip: Visit Petra early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the crowds and capture the best light.

When to Travel: Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) for mild weather.

How to Get There: Fly into Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, then drive or take a bus to Petra.

4. Machu Picchu, Peru

Machu Picchu, the iconic Incan citadel set high in the Andes Mountains, is a masterpiece of engineering and architecture. Its precise stone constructions, built in harmony with the earth and sky, offer a window into the Incan world and its spiritual connection to nature. This UNESCO World Heritage site, surrounded by lush cloud forests and towering peaks, is a photographer’s dream for its breathtaking vistas and a place of deep cultural reverence.

Photographers are encouraged to be mindful of where they step, staying on designated paths to prevent erosion and damage to the ancient stones. The use of tripods is restricted within the site to minimize impact and congestion, and drones are prohibited to preserve the peace and sanctity of the surroundings.

Insider’s Tip: Use the natural light of dawn to capture Machu Picchu in its most magical and least crowded state, and follow the guidance of local authorities regarding the use of tripods and drones.

When to Travel: Dry season from May to October for clearer skies and safer hiking conditions.

How to Get There: Fly to Cusco from Lima, then take a train to Aguas Calientes and a bus up to Machu Picchu.

5. Great Barrier Reef, Australia

The Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest coral reef system, is a kaleidoscope of marine life and vibrant corals stretching over 2,300 kilometers along the Queensland coast. It’s home to thousands of species of fish, mollusks, sharks, turtles, and an array of stunning coral formations. Photographers are drawn to the reef’s underwater beauty, seeking to capture its vivid colors and dynamic ecosystems.

However, the reef faces threats from climate change, pollution, and human activities, making responsible photography more crucial than ever. Photographers should practice minimal impact diving and snorkeling, ensuring they do not touch or step on the coral, which can cause significant damage.

It’s also important to be mindful of marine life by maintaining a respectful distance, avoiding the temptation to chase or harass creatures for the perfect shot. The use of natural light is encouraged to preserve the true colors of the reef and minimize disturbance to its inhabitants.

Insider’s Tip: Use natural light as much as possible to avoid stressing marine life with flash, and never touch or stand on the coral reefs to get a better shot.

When to Travel: June to October for the best underwater visibility and diving conditions.

How to Get There: Fly into Cairns International Airport, with numerous options for reef tours departing from Cairns and Port Douglas.

6. Venice, Italy

Venice is famed for its intricate waterways, historic architecture, and rich artistic heritage. This floating city, built on a lagoon, is made up of winding canals, grand palazzos, and vibrant squares, each telling a story of Venice’s glorious past. However, Venice is also a city grappling with the impacts of climate change, rising sea levels, and the effects of mass tourism, making mindful photography practices essential.

Photographers are drawn to the iconic sights of St. Mark’s Basilica, the Rialto Bridge, and the Grand Canal, yet there’s a deeper narrative to be captured in the quieter, less-visited areas that reveal the authentic Venetian lifestyle.

Use your photography to highlight the city’s beauty and fragility, focusing on themes such as conservation, the impact of climate change, and the importance of sustainable tourism. Avoid contributing to congestion in popular tourist spots by exploring alternative viewpoints and compositions that tell a unique story of Venice.

Insider’s Tip: Seek out less-visited areas of Venice for unique shots that also help disperse the impact of tourism away from the most crowded spots like St. Mark’s Square and the Rialto Bridge.

When to Travel: Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to November) to avoid peak tourist seasons and flooding.

How to Get There: Fly into Venice Marco Polo Airport or Treviso Airport for budget airlines, then take a water taxi or vaporetto to the city.

7. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

The Serengeti National Park is home to the vast migrations of wildebeest and zebras and an impressive array of predators. It’s a place where the cycle of life plays out on an epic scale, offering photographers moments of raw beauty and dramatic interaction. Photography in the Serengeti means keeping a safe distance from animals and using long lenses to capture intimate moments without disturbance.

Photographers should follow the guidance of their guides and park regulations to ensure their presence does not impact the wildlife or their habitat. The Serengeti’s vast landscapes and abundant wildlife require patience and respect from those who wish to capture its essence, ensuring that this natural spectacle continues for generations to come.

Insider’s Tip: Invest in a good telephoto lens to capture close-up shots of wildlife without disturbing them, and always stay in your vehicle during game drives.

When to Travel: June to October is for the wildebeest migration, and December to March is for the calving season and predator interaction.

How to Get There: Fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport, then take a small aircraft to an airstrip in the Serengeti.

Iceland, a country of stark contrasts and natural wonders, offers photographers otherworldly landscapes. From the aurora borealis dancing over snow-capped volcanoes to the serene beauty of its fjords and waterfalls, Iceland is a destination where the elements create art.

Practicing photography in Iceland involves respecting the fragile ecosystems that make its landscapes so unique. Staying on marked paths, refraining from moving rocks or vegetation to get the perfect shot, and being mindful of nesting birds or delicate mosses are all crucial. Iceland’s weather can be unpredictable, and photographers should prepare accordingly, ensuring their quest for the perfect photo does not risk them or the natural environment.

Insider’s Tip: Stick to marked paths when photographing Iceland’s natural attractions to prevent damage to the vegetation and soil, and be mindful of the weather conditions to ensure your safety.

When to Travel: Summer (June to August) is for midnight sun photography, and winter (November to February) is for northern lights.

How to Get There: Fly into Keflavík International Airport and rent a car for the most flexibility in exploring.

9. Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Angkor Wat, the jewel of Cambodia’s ancient Khmer Empire, showcases the country’s rich historical and architectural legacy. This sprawling temple complex, originally constructed in the early 12th century, is the largest religious monument in the world and offers photographers a unique blend of spiritual significance and architectural grandeur.

The intricate bas-reliefs and the grand scale of the temples against the backdrop of lush forests and rising sun create a mesmerizing scene for photography enthusiasts. Photographers are encouraged to tread lightly, staying on established paths to protect the site’s fragile ruins and respecting the sanctity of active religious sites within the complex.

The best photographs of Angkor Wat often come from exploring its less-visited corners at dawn or dusk, when the play of light and shadow brings the ancient stones to life. Responsible travel photography here also means engaging with the local community in a way that supports sustainable tourism, ensuring that the benefits of your visit extend beyond the temple grounds.

Insider’s Tip: Dress modestly when visiting Angkor Wat to show respect for its spiritual importance, and avoid using flash photography inside the temples to preserve the ambiance and the ancient artworks.

When to Travel: Dry season from November to February for cooler temperatures and less humidity.

How to Get There: Fly into Siem Reap International Airport, with Angkor Wat just a short drive away.

10. Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

The Galápagos Islands, Ecuador’s unparalleled showcase of biodiversity, are a haven for wildlife photographers drawn to its unique species and pristine ecosystems. The archipelago’s isolation has given rise to an extraordinary variety of plant and animal life, including the famous Galápagos tortoises, marine iguanas, and blue-footed boobies, many of which show no fear of humans due to the lack of natural predators.

This proximity allows for incredible wildlife photography opportunities but also requires a heightened sense of responsibility. Photographers must follow strict guidelines set by the Galápagos National Park, including maintaining a minimum distance from the animals, staying on marked trails, and not using flash photography.

Capturing the natural behaviors of these unique species without impacting their environment or well-being is the essence of responsible photography in the Galápagos. Visiting with a certified naturalist guide enriches the experience. It ensures that your presence contributes to the conservation efforts that keep the Galápagos a living laboratory of evolution.

Insider’s Tip: Use a zoom lens to photograph the islands’ wildlife, ensuring you don’t disrupt their natural behavior or environment, and always be accompanied by a certified naturalist guide.

When to Travel: December to May for warmer, calmer seas and active marine life; June to November for cooler temperatures and clearer waters.

How to Get There: Fly to Quito or Guayaquil, then take a domestic flight to the Galápagos Islands’ Baltra or San Cristóbal airports.

11. New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

New Orleans offers photographers a vibrant palette of subjects. From the historic French Quarter’s wrought-iron balconies to the spirited parades of Mardi Gras, the city is a feast for the senses. Capturing New Orleans through a lens means diving into its unique cultural celebrations, understanding the significance behind its historic architecture, and portraying the resilience and spirit of its people.

Responsible photography in New Orleans involves engaging with the community respectfully, especially during cultural festivals like Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest. Photographers are encouraged to seek permission before photographing individuals, particularly when people celebrate or participate in personal moments. This respect for personal space and acknowledgment of the subject’s dignity enhances the authenticity of the images captured.

Insider’s Tip: Engage with local musicians and performers before photographing them, showing appreciation for their art and asking for permission to capture their performance.

When to Travel: Late winter to early spring (February to May) to experience Mardi Gras and the Jazz Fest with cooler temperatures.

How to Get There: Fly into Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, with the city center just a short drive away.

Bhutan, a kingdom on the eastern edge of the Himalayas, is known for its monasteries, fortresses (or dzongs), and dramatic landscapes that range from subtropical plains to steep mountains and valleys. Photography in Bhutan offers a window into a culture deeply rooted in Buddhism, showcasing festivals, traditional dress, and a way of life that prioritizes Gross National Happiness over material wealth.

Responsible travel photography in Bhutan means capturing the essence of its culture and people without intruding on their daily lives or spiritual practices. Visitors should always ask for permission before taking photos, especially during religious ceremonies or in dzongs.

Bhutan’s approach to tourism, focused on sustainability and cultural preservation, requires photographers to be mindful of their impact, ensuring that their work respects and honors the subjects and environments they depict.

Insider’s Tip: When visiting monasteries and religious sites, always ask for permission before taking photos, and be discreet to maintain the sanctity of these spaces.

When to Travel: Spring (March to May) is for blooming flowers, and autumn (September to November) is for clear mountain views.

How to Get There: Fly into Paro International Airport, the only international airport in Bhutan, typically via flights from India, Thailand, or Nepal.

The Bottom Line

Responsible travel photography is about more than capturing beautiful images; it’s about doing so in a way that respects our planet and its inhabitants. By following these guidelines and tips, you preserve the integrity and beauty of the destinations you visit.

Remember, the most powerful photographs tell a story of connection, respect, and understanding, bridging cultures and inspiring others to see the world through a lens of compassion and responsibility.

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The post Top 12 Travel Photography Hotspots for 2024 republished on Passing Thru with permission from The Green Voyage .

Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / A_B_C.

For transparency, this content was partly developed with AI assistance and carefully curated by an experienced editor to be informative and ensure accuracy.

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Best Photography Spots for a Moscow Photoshoot

Moscow, the capital of Russia, is a photographer's dream, where the grandeur of historical landmarks meets the vibrancy of contemporary urban life. The city's iconic Red Square, flanked by the colorful domes of St. Basil's Cathedral, offers an irresistible backdrop for architectural and cultural photography. The Kremlin's majestic walls and the monumental GUM department store provide a rich tapestry of visual subjects. Explore the Arbat Street's bohemian charm, the sleek modernity of Moscow City's skyscrapers, or the timeless allure of the Moscow Metro stations adorned with intricate mosaics and chandeliers. Moscow's energetic street life, cultural celebrations, and the juxtaposition of tradition and modernity create endless opportunities for visual storytelling. Whether you're capturing the city's elegance, its dynamic pace, or the rich tapestry of Russian life, Moscow promises an enchanting visual journey for photographers seeking to capture the essence of this iconic metropolis.

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Check your dates, and then you'll be notified by email which photographers are available. Book your date and then your local professional photographer will work with you to go over all the best photography spots, when the best light will be, and how to beat the crowds to capture magical moments without tons of other tourists in the background. Local Lens vacation photographers are handpicked artists for quality, style, & skill. Not only will they take amazing photos, but they will edit them to be beautiful photo souvenirs you’ll treasure for years to come.

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Miami is where the magic of sun, sea, and style mix so seemingly and where photos come out incredible! ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ With its iconic Art Deco architecture along Ocean Drive, pristine sandy beaches, and a rich cultural mosaic, Miami offers a diverse range of photographic opportunities. So, are you ready to pose and snap some photos in this interesting destination?⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Check out the top photo spots in Miami:⁣⁣ ⁣ 📍South Pointe Beach — With its powdery white sand, azure waters, and a backdrop of towering luxury condominiums, it offers a quintessential Miami beach experience.⁣⁣ ⁣ 📍Lummus Park & Beach — The wide promenade, lined with palm trees and iconic lifeguard towers, offers a lively backdrop for capturing the essence of Miami’s sun-soaked lifestyle.⁣⁣ ⁣ 📍Vizcaya — A magnificent Italian Renaissance-style villa turned museum in Miami, is a photographer’s dream, offering a glimpse into the opulence of the Gilded Age.⁣⁣ ⁣ 📍Pier Park at Sunny Isles — The pier, extending gracefully into the Atlantic Ocean, offers a stunning vantage point for capturing breathtaking ocean views and vibrant sunsets.⁣ ⁣ 📸 Captured by Natasha in Miami, USA⁣ ⁣ 🌐 www.locallens.com⁣⁣⁣ ▶️ #locallensphotographers⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣ .⁣⁣⁣⁣ .⁣⁣⁣⁣ .⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣ #coupletravel #coupleshoot #proposalideas #proposalphotography #miamiphotographer #miamifl #miamiphotographt #visitmiami #travelmiami #miamiflorida #floridaphotographer #floridaphotographers #floridaphotography #proposalinspiration #surpriseproposal #proposalphotography #weddingproposal

Imagine popping the question in Machu Picchu? 🤯 Sounds like a unique and beautiful way to start the next chapter of your lives as fiances. ⁣⁣ ⁣ And while it sounds incredible, there are some things you need to keep in mind to make your Machu Picchu proposal a reality. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ 1️⃣ Buy your entrance ticket at least a month in advance. ⁣⁣ 2️⃣ When buying your ticket, pick a morning timeslot.⁣⁣ 3️⃣ Expect to stay longer if you’ve purchased a morning entrance. ⁣⁣ 4️⃣ Bring your passport to get a special Machu Picchu stamp. ⁣⁣ 5️⃣ Don’t forget sunblock, bug spray, and layers of clothing. ⁣⁣ 6️⃣ And remember, small backpacks only!⁣ ⁣ 📸 Captured by Marco in Machu Picchu, Peru⁣ ⁣ 🌐 www.locallens.com⁣ ▶️ #locallensphotographers⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ .⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ .⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ .⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣ #proposalideas #proposalphotography #cuzcoperu #cuscocity #cuscoperu #visitcusco #7thwonderoftheworld #couplephotoshoot #machupicchu #machupicchutravel #machupicchuperu #travelsouthamerica #cuzco #visitperu #travelperu #ig_southamerica #surpriseproposal #proposalinspiration #weddingproposal

Seville is ‘bonita’ and a photographer’s paradise. The city is the perfect mix of history, culture, and architectural gems, making it an excellent destination for a photoshoot.  ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Here are some of our favorite photo spots for a Seville photoshoot:⁣⁣ ⁣ 📍Plaza de España — The most popular spot! This architectural masterpiece wraps around an enormous square with fountains, moats, and tiled walls and offers plenty of photo opportunities. ⁣⁣ ⁣ 📍Barrio Santa Cruz — This captivating and historically rich district was formerly the Jewish quarter of Seville, characterized by its ancient alleyways and meandering streets.⁣⁣ ⁣ 📍Royal Alcazar — Looking for a royal vibe in your photos? Renowned for its diverse gardens and historical influences, the Moorish Royal Palace is one of Spain’s most exquisite structures.⁣⁣ ⁣ 📍Parque Maria Luisa — Maria Luisa Park, situated just behind Plaza de España, is an ideal location for photography with its flourishing flower gardens and scenic tree-shaded pathways.⁣ ⁣ 📸 Captured by Tatsiana in Seville, Spain⁣ ⁣ 🌐 www.locallens.com⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ ▶️ #locallensphotographers⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ .⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ .⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ .⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣ #sevillespain #sevillephotographer #sevillecity #sevilletravel #visitseville #visitspain #familyphotoshoot #familyphotoideas #familyphotography

If you’re a soon-to-be momma, you deserve a babymoon in Europe to spoil yourself before the sleepless nights begin!⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ A babymoon, more than a trip is the perfect time to spend time with your partner, relax and mentally prepare for all that lies ahead. And there is no better place than Europe and its many destinations perfect for future parents. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Here are some of our favorite babymoon destinations in Europe: ⁣⁣ ⁣ 📍Prague ⁣⁣ 📍Lake Como ⁣⁣ 📍Santorini ⁣⁣ 📍Lucerne ⁣⁣ 📍Sintra⁣⁣ 📍Amsterdam⁣⁣ 📍Madrid⁣⁣ 📍Valencia⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Any other destination we should add to the list of babymoons? Let us know in the comments!⁣ ⁣ 📸 Captured by Victor in Prague ⁣ ⁣ 🌐 www.locallens.com⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣ ▶️ #locallensphotographers⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ .⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ .⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ .⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣ #charlesbridge #charlesbridgeprague #pragueoldtown #praguetrip #praguephoto #coupletravel #praguephotography #pragueworld #visitprague #praguestagram #instaprague #praguetoday #czechrepublic #praguecity #praha⁣ #praguephotographer #babymoon⁣ #momtobe #mumtobe #pregnancyannouncement #pregnancyphotography ⁣

Da Nang, a vibrant coastal city in Vietnam, is a fascinating destination that offers an interesting mix of natural beauty and modern urban life. ⁣ ⁣ And for those visiting, the city is also the perfect place to get photos in some of its most beautiful spots, like its stunning sandy beaches and lush landscapes.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Check out some of the best photo spots in Da Nang: ⁣ ⁣⁣ 📍My Khe Beach — This stunning stretch of sandy shores and serene blue waters provides a picturesque backdrop for capturing the essence of a coastal paradise.⁣⁣ ⁣ 📍Marble Mountains (Ngu Hanh Son) — These ancient limestone outcrops are dotted with caves, pagodas, and sacred shrines, providing an array of visual inspiration.⁣⁣ ⁣ 📍Dragon Bridge — This iconic bridge comes to life in the evenings with a thrilling fire-breathing dragon show, creating a dynamic and visually spectacular scene.⁣⁣ ⁣ 📍Linh Ung Pagoda — The pagoda is renowned for its giant Lady Buddha statue, and it’s the perfect spot to capture Vietnam’s cultural richness and natural beauty.⁣ ⁣ 📸 Captured by Trung in Da Nang, Vietnam⁣ ⁣ 🌐 www.locallens.com⁣ ▶️ #locallensphotographers⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣ .⁣⁣⁣⁣ .⁣⁣⁣⁣ .⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣ #coupletravel #visitvietnam #travelvietnam⁣ #couplephotoshoot #danangbeach #danangtravel #danangphotographer #danangphotography #danangtrip #danangvietnam #danangcity #proposalphotography #proposalideas #proposalinspiration #surpriseproposal⁣ #weddingproposal

Bangkok is a cultural treasure with many beautiful temples that are a must-visit if you are looking for an enriching experience. ⁣But the choice is hard, as Bangkok has more than 400 temples. So, which one to pick? ⁣⁣ ⁣ Luckily, we have made a top 5 pick of the best temples or ‘wats’ to visit in Bangkok. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ 1️⃣ Wat Arun Ratchawararam (Temple Of Dawn) — An ancient temple dating back to the Ayutthaya period and considered a Royal Temple of King Rama II with a stupa considered one of the most beautiful and gigantic stupas in that era.⁣⁣ ⁣ 2️⃣ Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram Ratchaworamahawihan (Wat Pho) — Home of the Reclining Buddha, with various interesting ancient Thai cultural murals around the temple.⁣⁣ ⁣ 3️⃣ Wat Saket Ratchaworamahawihan (Phu Khao Thong) — One of the famous highlights of this temple is its spiral staircase, which has 344 steps.⁣⁣ ⁣ 4️⃣ Wat Trai Mit Witthayaram Worawihan — This temple is home to the solid gold Sukhothai-style Buddha called the seated Phra Phuttha Maha Suwana Patimakon, known as the world’s largest golden Buddha statue.⁣⁣ ⁣ 5️⃣ Wat Benchamabophit (The Marble Temple) — As its name states, the temple’s ordination hall was constructed of marble imported from Italy.⁣ ⁣ 📸 Captured by Suriyathepjuti in Bangkok, Thailand⁣ ⁣ 🌐 www.locallens.com⁣⁣⁣ ▶️ #locallensphotographers⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ .⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ .⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ .⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ #bangkokthailand #bangkokcity #bangkoktrip #bangkoktravel #travelphotography #travelandleisure #bangkokspirit #beautiful_bangkok #thailand_allshots #thailandtrip #thailandtravel #adayinthailand #thailandinstagram #amazingthailand #bangkokphotographer

Being a new parent can be both beautiful and unnerving — it is a big responsibility! And if you feel you need some guidance and to set up some goals to help you get your groove back, start by setting some resolutions for this new year. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ 2024 it’s all about taking care of yourself, and being a new parent doesn’t need to limit that. Here are a few ways you can be the best version of yourself while handling this incredible new role: ⁣⁣ ⁣ ❤️ Take a moment to evaluate how you are feeling⁣ ❤️ Take time to reconnect with yourself⁣ ❤️ Take time to reconnect with your partner⁣ ❤️ Enjoy the time you manage to be alone⁣⁣ ❤️ Rekindle friendships⁣ ❤️ Have dates, just you and your baby.⁣⁣ ❤️ Reassess how you are feeling at the end of every month and change your goals accordingly⁣ ⁣⁣ Any other advice you have for new parents? Let us know in the comments!⁣ ⁣ 📸 Captured by Rojeena in Maui, Hawaii⁣ ⁣ 🌐 www.locallens.com⁣ ▶️ #locallensphotographers⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ .⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ .⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ .⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣ #hawaiiphotographer #hawaiiphotographers #hawaiistagram #hawaiiphotography #hawaiibestphotos #hawaiilove #beachphotography #mauiphotography #mauihawaii #mauistyle #travelhawaii #visithawaii #hawaiitrip #hawaiivacation #hawaiibeaches⁣ #mauiphotographer⁣ #babymoon⁣ #mumtobe #momtobe #pregnancyphotography #pregnantstyle

Okay, a new year has begun, and now it’s time to commit to those resolutions. Yes, it can be challenging, but with the right tips, you can make your wishes a reality and make 2024 the year you stick to your resolutions!⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Here’s what you have to do to achieve your new year’s goals: ⁣⁣ ⁣ ☑️ Start small⁣⁣ ☑️ Create goals for different areas of your life⁣⁣ ☑️ Write them down⁣⁣ ☑️ Prioritize your goals⁣⁣ ☑️ Break down bigger goals⁣⁣ ☑️ Include friends and other peeps⁣⁣ ☑️ Keep it interesting⁣⁣ ☑️ Celebrate progress⁣⁣ ☑️ Adjust as necessary⁣⁣ ☑️ Have patience⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Now tell us, what are your 2024 resolutions?⁣ ⁣ 📸 Captured by Julia in New York City⁣ ⁣ 🌐 www.locallens.com⁣ ▶️ #locallensphotographers⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ .⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ .⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ .⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣ #nycphotographer #nycphotographers #nycphotoshoot #nycphotography #newyorkcitylife #newyorklife #newyorkgram #newyork_ig #newyorkcityphotography #newyorktravel #newyorkstyle #newyorktrip #weddingproposal #proposalinspiration #proposalphotography #proposalideas #newyorkstreets #newyorkphotographer #newyorkphotography #newyorkphotos⁣⁣ #surpriseproposal

New adventures are around the corner. And this 2024 will be filled with new memories, destinations, health, and happiness. ⁣ ⁣ Happy New Year from Local Lens! ✨🍾⁣ ⁣ 📸 Captured by Christopher in Singapore ⁣ ⁣ 🌐 www.locallens.com⁣⁣⁣ ▶️ ⁣#locallensphotographers⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ .⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ .⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ .⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣ #singaporeinsiders #singaporetravel #singaporecity #exploresingapore #singaporeig #singaporephotography #singaporediaries #singaporetourism #singaporephotographer #travelasia⁣ #surpriseproposal⁣ #proposalideas #proposalphotoshoot #proposalinspiration

What a year! 2023 has been a year full of blessings, and many captured memories. ⁣ ⁣ Just this year, our local photographers have captured over 4,000 shoots around the world!! From families to engagements, anniversaries, and solo traveling, we love being there and creating memories with you. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Thank you for a fantastic year, and we hope to be with you next year, capturing your next chapter. And like they say, cheers to many more! 🥳✨💫⁣ ⁣ 🌐 www.locallens.com⁣⁣ ▶️ ⁣#locallensphotographers⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ .⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ .⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ .⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ #destinationaphotographer #surpriseproposal⁣ #proposalideas #proposalphotography #proposalinspiration #weddingproposal #familyphotography #familyphotoshoot #familyphotoideas

The 49 best photo spots in Moscow

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1 The Moscow Kremlin

2 Red Square

3 Gorky Central Park of Culture and Leisure

4 st. basil's cathedral, 5 bolshoi theatre.

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16 Grand Kremlin Palace

17 state historical museum, 18 public museum of the moscow metro, 19 cafe pushkin, 20 armoury chamber, 21 vorob'yevy gory, 22 all-russian exhibition center, 23 moscow zoo, 24 alexander garden, 25 sokolniki park.

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26 Muzeon Park of Arts

27 ostankino television tower, 28 patriarch's ponds, 29 neskuchny garden, 30 museum of soviet arcade games, 31 dormition cathedral, 32 the carlton, moscow, 33 monument to minin and pozharsky, 34 annunciation cathedral, 35 russian state library.

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36 Winzavod

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15 Super Cool Places to Camp in Colorado

From supported campgrounds to dispersed spots with stellar stargazing, we found the best places to sleep outside in the Rocky Mountains.

Heading out the door? Read this article on the Outside app available now on iOS devices for members! >","name":"in-content-cta","type":"link"}}'>Download the app .

I’ve been hiking and camping in Colorado for more than 25 years, but last summer, I went on one of the most delicious backcountry overnights I’ve ever done, literally.

The gist? I met up with a group of outdoor experts, including Stephen Starks , aka “The Mountain Chef”, at the Fourth of July Trailhead, near Boulder, Colorado . There, we strapped on packs to haul 4.4 miles up and over the Continental Divide’s Arapaho Pass to Caribou Lake—an alpine oasis at 11,147 feet. Our goal? To test a bunch of gear and cook good food in the field.

I was stoked to tag along for two reasons: first, to hike and camp with other gear junkies who love being outside as much as I do; second, the trip’s head honcho scored a coveted backcountry permit for the Indian Peaks Wilderness, providing immediate access to this stunning (but popular) 74,000-acre chunk of Rocky Mountains in my backyard.

Because Caribou Lake sits in the exposed shadow of the Divide, it experiences rapid, severe weather swings, or in other words, becomes prime gear-testing ground. And unsurprisingly, as we crested the pass, horizontal hail and wind slammed us from the west. We descended to the lake, found our camp spot, slung off our packs, and pitched our tents.

Just as we kicked back for happy hour, a slushy hail storm rolled in. So, we scooped handfuls of ice from the seats of camp chairs and plopped them into cocktails, then Starks whipped out new MSR stoves and cook kits and began frying up Korean BBQ, followed by hot pots piled with vegetables, noodles, and sizzled strips of salty meat.Within 15 minutes, the sky cleared up into a blood-red sunset, and we stood chatting, munching, and slurping to an alpenglow show, before crashing for the night and descending the next day. (For the record: the gear held up and The Mountain Chef’s cuisine was as stellar as the views.) It was bliss.

Camping in Colorado: With Hundreds of Options, These Are Some of the Best

Beyond burly backpacking overnights, Colorado has lots of other cool ways to catch Zzzs outdoors, including at trailheads and in fancy tents. Below, I’ve highlighted some notable and new places for camping in Colorado, broken down by type, from supported campgrounds to dispersed options, and more. Some of these spots are free and first-come, first-served, some require months of planning just to snag a reservation. But pick any one of these (mostly) off-grid gems and you won’t go wrong.

My bottom line? It doesn’t matter whether I’m camping with my kids, buddies, solo, or with other outdoor pros testing pots and pans in a hail storm—as long as I’m sleeping outside, I’m set.

Dispersed Camping

In Colorado, dispersed camping, a.k.a. primitive campsites are usually interspersed along dirt roads in public lands, outside of designated campgrounds. Opt for these options for solitude and the best stargazing around. Just don’t forget your own drinking water or filter, follow Leave No Trace Principles and pack out your trash, and know how to responsibly poop in the woods , please and thanks.

Pawnee Buttes

📍 Location: Pawnee National Grasslands, northeast of Ault in Eastern Colorado

Just 13 miles shy of the Wyoming border in northeastern Colorado, the Pawnee Buttes is part of Pawnee National Grasslands. Dispersed camping is allowed on the Pawnee National Grassland year-round and there are numerous primitive campsites off the network of dirt roads that are a short drive from the Pawnee Buttes Trailhead. Per usual for dispersed camping, there aren’t facilities at any of these sites, but you’ll find a bathroom and shelters at the official trailhead.

💰 The Cost: Free 📆 Book It: First-come, first-served; get details here 🔎 Don’t Miss: The main reason to drive up here is to hike the Pawnee Buttes Trail , a short but inspiring 4.4-mile out and back walk to two enormous sand and rock formations rising up from the plains. Note: It’s completely exposed to the elements, and summer temperatures easily reach 90-100°F, but early morning, spring, and fall are perfect times to visit, and camping near the trailhead gives you immediate sunrise and sunset options when it’s not as hot and bright.

Gross Reservoir / Winiger Ridge

📍 Location: West of Boulder, Front Range, Colorado

This chunk of White River National Forest only a few miles west of Boulder is accessible by high clearance 4WD only and offers a handful of free, dispersed camping spots, mostly along a ridge above Gross Reservoir. There is a vault toilet at Forsythe Canyon Trailhead , but none at the campsites, which are marked with numbered posts. Although this is technically still dispersed camping, you must find an available designated site and can’t just post up anywhere. National Forest System Road 359, which provides access, is open from mid-May through mid-November during a typical year.

💰 The Cost : Free 📆 Book It: First-come, first-served; get details here 🔎 Don’t Miss: The reservoir itself is open for regular and ice fishing, canoeing, and SUP (but no swimming allowed).

Bear River Developed Campsites in Flat Tops Wilderness Area

📍 Location: Near Yampa, in north-central Colorado

There are 30 designated dispersed campsites along the Bear River Corridor, which is the main eastern entrance road to Stillwater Reservoir and the Flat Tops Wilderness (Forest Service Road 900). You’ll find these spots with superb views along the road between several established Forest Service campgrounds, as well as a string of lakes and trailheads. Each site has a picnic table and fire grate and a numbered post.

💰 The Cost : Free 📆 Book It: First-come, first-served; get details here 🔎 Don’t Miss: The Flat Tops Wilderness spans the Routt National Forest and White River National Forest, with elevations ranging from 7,640 to 12,354 feet. It’s the third-largest Wilderness area in Colorado. Check out the 7-mile out and back hike to Keener Lake from Stillwater Reservoir.

Camping at Trailheads

The following trails allow primitive camping either in or near trailhead parking lots, providing optimal early-morning access to stunning hiking trails. Usually it’s explicitly prohibited to camp at most trailheads in Colorado, but here are a couple of interesting exceptions.

Sheep Creek Hot Springs

📍 Location: East of Durango, southwest Colorado

Okay, let’s clear this up right from the start: there are no hot springs, just some warmish algae covered spots on the Piedra River, at the bottom of this short trail into San Juan National Forest (at least, that’s what I found when I hiked and camped here in 2022). That said, it’s still a lovely walk in the woods and you can sleep outside around here. The Sheep Creek Hot Springs Trail descends a few hundred feet to the confluence of Sheep Creek and the Piedra River, then heads upstream along the latter over a flat, mossy, other-worldly forested river bank. There are backcountry campsites down there too, as well as a few car camping spots at the trailhead, all primitive with nothing but a fire ring and some downed logs to sit on.

💰 The Cost: Free 📆 Book It: First-come, first-served; get details here 🔎 Don’t Miss: Trout fishing on the Piedra River. Plus, check out Chimney Rock National Monument and the town of Pagosa Springs nearby, where you will indeed find incredible hot springs, plus some lovely shops and restaurants.

Picture Canyon

📍 Location: Comanche National Grassland, Southeast Colorado

This lonely, remote corner of the state doesn’t get as many visitors as mountainous destinations, making it all the more reason to visit. Archeologists estimate this area has been inhabited for over 12,000 years. Evidence includes projectile points, stone tools, charred bones, and rock shelter sites. There are 13 miles of hiking and horseback riding trails throughout this section of Comanche National Grassland. Dispersed camping is permitted in Picture Canyon, both in the picnic area by the parking lot, and along several dirt roads in the area. Campers may only use existing fire rings and park in designated areas, but there are a number of obvious spots to choose from with flat spots for tents and established fire pits.

💰 The Cost : Free 📆 Book It: First-come, first-served; get details here 🔎 Don’t Miss: The variety of habitat makes this a first-rate birding spot to view Eastern Phoebe, Scaled quail, Bullock’s oriole, eagles, burrowing owls, towhees, wrens, sparrows, grosbeaks, and more. You’ll want to hike to local examples of rock art, although much of it has been vandalized; there’s an interesting crack cave near an old homestead, about a mile’s walk in.

Best National Park/Monument Campgrounds

Many campers plan their entire Colorado trip around visits to the five national parks (this includes Amache National Historical Site , which was designated a national park in February 2024) and nine national monuments distributed throughout the state, most of which maintain and manage some pretty cool campgrounds. Here are a few of my favorites.

Aspenglen Campground

📍 Location: Rocky Mountain National Park , near Estes Park

One of the smaller, more remote-feeling campgrounds inside Rocky Mountain National Park, Aspenglen is located on the east side of the park, about a five-minute drive from the Fall River Entrance. The campground has four tight loops with 51 sites for tents and RVs up to 30 feet, including 10 tent-only sites. Its facilities are wheelchair-accessible, and picnic tables, grills, fire rings, and tent pads are provided by the National Park Service (NPS). Flush toilets, drinking water, dishwashing sinks, food lockers, campfire programs, an amphitheater, and a riding stable are also available. Leashed pets are permitted in the campground, but don’t forget they’re not allowed on any national park trails.

💰 The Cost: $26 per night; campers must also purchase a vehicle day pass (or have an annual NPS pass) 📆 Book It: Reserve here ; note that this campground fills up quickly when spots open up to six months in advance 🔎 Don’t Miss: Check out Horseshoe Park, the best place to see elk and bighorn sheep, as well as the 6-mile out-and-back Deer Mountain Trail , a singletrack day hike with epic views of Longs Peak, both of which are accessible from the campground. The Lawn Lake Trailhead is also a short drive away and is a strenuous 12.5 mile out-and-back hike up to the pristine high-alpine lake (which has a primitive campsite requiring an overnight permit).

Saddlehorn Campground

📍 Location: Colorado National Monument, near Fruita

Most Coloradans drive by Colorado National Monument on their way to Utah, never realizing that some canyons and rock features they seek exist just south of the interstate here. The monument protects 32 square miles of rock ridges and plateaus on the northern end of the Uncompahgre Uplift. Saddlehorn Campground, which is inside the National Monument, near the Visitor Center, is perched 2,000 feet above the Colorado River, with stunning panoramic views over the valley, including the towns of Fruita and Grand Junction.

💰 The Cost: $22 per night, plus park entrance 📆 Book It: Reserve here ; available up to six months in advance 🔎 Don’t Miss: During summer months, the campground hosts ranger-led campfire programs and guided walks. In winter, you can cross-country ski the monument’s trail system. Mountain biking and dogs are prohibited within the monument, but you can take a spin or bring your pup to most of the surrounding BLM land, worry-free. Additionally, campers may have the opportunity to join the Grand Junction astronomy club, which occasionally sets up telescopes at the campground for stargazing sessions.

Piñon Flats Campground

📍 Location: Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve , San Luis Valley, Colorado

Piñon Flats is the official campground inside the national park, located at the base of the 30-square-mile dune field, across the creek. Piñon Flats has 88 campsites, plus a section for big groups. It’s important to note you can’t collect firewood inside the national park, but the camp store, visitors center, and the Oasis store and restaurant (just outside of the park) all sell locally sourced firewood. Piñon Flats campground has two loops of sites in a piñon-juniper woodland, some with privacy. Note that all sites are small, most can only accommodate one tent, and it can be a bit noisy in the mornings and evenings, as generators are allowed from 7A.M.–8P.M. But sunrise access to the dunes makes it worth it.

💰 The Cost: $20 per night (group sites are $65-80 per night for up to 40 people), plus park entrance 📆 Book It : Loop 1 is open year-round; the rest of the campground is open from late spring to early fall. Reservations are recommended and accepted for Loop 2 from mid-May to mid-September. 🔎 Don’t Miss : Most visitors spend a day exploring the dunes, hiking to any of the nearby shifting high points. If Medano Creek, the waterway that runs below the dunes, is flowing above ground (usually in late May and June), plan on some high-mountain “beach” time, splashing in the shallow water.

Unique Full-Service Campgrounds

These special spots sit on the camping spectrum, somewhere between forest service campgrounds and fancy glamping. They come in different sizes, with the biggest ones operating more like mini villages than remote nature experiences, but it’s that character that makes these worth visiting—especially for family reunions with large groups.

Campfire Ranch on the Taylor

📍 Location: Near Crested Butte, central Colorado

Campfire Ranch has several locations, including “on the Taylor,” where they offer tent, car, and van camping. They have onsite rental camping gear from leading outdoor brands and an “Adventure Concierge” that connects guests with local outfitters and activities. It’s located halfway between Crested Butte and Gunnison, about 15 minutes away from either outpost, and is surrounded by hundreds of miles of singletrack trails for day hikes, mountain biking, and trail runs.

💰 The Cost: Ranges from $67 per night for campsites to $130 per night for their “micro cabin” 📆 Book It: Season runs mid-May to early October. Most reservations can be made only 14 days in advance, though for 3+ campsites or for large groups you can reserve up to 6 months before your stay. 🔎 Don’t Miss: The Taylor Canyon is home to the gold-medal fishing waters of the Taylor River and decent whitewater for rafting and kayaking. Venture east to Taylor Park to enjoy one of Colorado’s most stunning high-alpine valleys for more fishing, boating, hiking, and off-roading adventures.

Sun Outdoors Rocky Mountain

📍 Location: Granby, Colorado

This huge collection of accommodations near the Colorado River, just across the road from Granby, is especially nice if you’re traveling with children or older folks. You can all stay comfortably at camping and non-camping accommodations, including RV hookups, tent sites, Airstream trailers, and covered Conestoga wagons. There are on-site amenities like a big pool, hot tubs, restaurant and bar, playgrounds, recreation center, arcade, and more. When I last stayed here with my mother and children, I was able to head out early for a long hike in Indian Peaks Wilderness, knowing that my family had plenty to do on Sun Outdoors’ campus. Pro tip: rent a golf cart to get around for added fun.

💰 The Cost : Summer rates for tent spots start at $67 per night, Airstream and wagons start at $155. Book early, especially for summer weekends. 📆 Book It : Reserve here 🔎 Don’t Miss : Day hike in Rocky Mountain National Park or Indian Peaks Wilderness, both to the east; soak at Hot Sulphur Springs , just to the west; or visit State Forest State Park , an hour to the north.

Dolores River RV Resort

📍 Location: Dolores, Four Corners Region, southwest Colorado

This river-side oasis in southwest Colorado is the perfect stopover between Four Corners and the San Juan Mountains, and it also operates like a micro-village. Most adventurers use this location as a basecamp, as it’s uniquely situated between destinations with awesome, 360-degree outdoor access. Stay in one of 78 tent or RV sites, or in a tepee, yurt, cabin, vintage trailer, or covered Conestoga wagon. All guests can use the community bathhouses, laundry machines, and a large common recreation hall, and enjoy grub from food trucks, as well as scheduled music and social events.

💰 The Cost : Tent and RV sites begin at $29 per night, and glamping options like a covered wagon start at $62 per night 📆 Book It : Reserve here 🔎 Don’t Miss: Check out Petroglyph Point Trail , a 2.5-mile loop, in Mesa Verde National Park . A little closer, just drive up Highway 145 which follows the Dolores River upstream toward the San Juans and Telluride. There are ample spots to pull off and explore, or head into the little town of Dolores and walk the Dolores River Trail.

Yurt and Wall Tent Camping

Yurts and wall tents feature sturdy, semi-permanent structures like wooden frames and tent platforms, providing a comfortable shelter in a rustic, natural setting. Tent material is typically thick, waterproof canvas, and you’re often sleeping on an actual bed, as opposed to the ground.

Rustic Rook Resort

📍 Location: Near Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, in San Luis Valley, Colorado

Just off the approach road to the national park, this new camping compound offers furnished tents, upcycled grain bins (a.k.a. repurposed farm silos) with stargazing loft domes, plus a few vintage RVs. Rustic Rook is a family owned and operated business and has a handful of fully furnished platform tents with wood burning stoves (five have in-tent plumbing, guests at the rest use a community bath house). Rustic Rook serves fresh, pre-adventure breakfast burritos each morning and s’mores around the campfire at night.

💰 The Cost: $160-$330 per night 📆 Book It: Reserve here 🔎 Don’t Miss: In addition to the nearby national park, the San Luis Valley has an eclectic and alluring list of attractions, including a UFO Watchtower, Colorado Gators Reptile Park , and Joyful Journey Hot Springs Spa .

Dunes Desert Camp

📍 Location: Near Mosca and Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, in San Luis Valley, Colorado

This 320-acre private property in San Luis Valley has luxury safari tents with views of the surrounding valley and Sangre de Cristo mountains. The owner, Chris Mahoney, spent 14 years guiding safaris in Africa, so he’s well versed in luxury camping and works with Narrow Ridge Outdoors to arrange guided hiking, biking, climbing, horseback riding, rafting, and 4WD tours. The tents are cozy and carpeted and have private stargazing porches. Plus, there’s a communal fire pit for grilling up tasty meals after a long day of adventuring.

💰 The Cost: Safari tents from $250 per night, campsites from $50 per night 📆 Book It: Reserve here 🔎 Don’t Miss: Plan to hike around Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve early, so the sand isn’t so hot. Plus, you’ll experience the post-dawn light show on the dunes. Other area activities outside of the park include taking the short hike to Zapata Falls, birding at Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge , and visiting the mountain town of Crestone.

Mudita Camel’s Yurt

📍 Location: South of Alamosa, in San Luis Valley, Colorado

I found this gem on Hipcamp—a solid resource for unique campsite reservations. Mudita Camel’s Yurt is a 35-acre, high-desert property in Trujillo Canyon surrounded by public lands and national forest in a striking and remote corner of the San Luis Valley. And, boy, does it deliver as advertised: a homey yurt next to a herd of photogenic camels that the owners take care of. Why camels? This herd is tangentially related to the now extinct Camelops that once roamed this valley, mingling with wooly mammoths and other Ice Age creatures, up until about 13,000 years ago. The yurt sleeps up to four, you can bring your pets, and your hosts may or may not be making soaps and other products from camel milk when you visit. Ask for a farm tour.

💰 The Cost: $137 per night 📆 Book It: Reserve here 🔎 Don’t Miss: Ride the narrow gauge Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad , which follows the high passes between Antonito, Colorado and Chama, New Mexico. There’s also hiking in the Southern San Juan mountains (try Elk Creek Trail , a 3-mile out and back to incredible high-alpine meadows). After your train ride or hike, feast on the enormous platters at Dos Hermanas Mexican-American Steakhouse (on Main Street in Antonito).

📍 Location: Naturita, in Western Colorado

This unique, under-visited part of western Colorado, west of Telluride, is on the site of a repurposed abandoned mining community. CampV’s mission is to “combine art, history, architecture, design, outdoor recreation, and unique spaces,” and the result is quite unique as far as outdoor stays go. Crash the night in one of the fully furnished Airstreams, a Lotus Belle or safari tent, a historic restored luxe cabin, or at the primitive riverfront campsites. There are RV hookup sites as well.

💰 The Cost: Tent sites from $30 per night, glamping options from $155, cabins from $185 📆 Book It: Reserve here 🔎 Don’t Miss: CampV offers an on-site “Stargazing and Snuggles” experience in an old, empty water tank, where they’ll set you up with blankets, a fire, and hot drinks, and a chance to enjoy the certified Dark Sky above. You can also hike or bike the 4.1 mile out-and-back Shamrock Trail to the confluence of the San Miguel and Dolores River.

Snow Mountain Ranch Yurts

📍 Location: Near Winter Park and Granby, Colorado

This is one of Colorado’s best family destinations, run by YMCA of the Rockies at Snow Mountain Ranch. It’s a massive 5,000-acre affair with lodges, cabins, campgrounds, and yes, a yurt village. Each yurt sleeps six guests via one queen bed and two bunk beds, and has a tent pad, picnic table, and fire pit outside. Available from June to October, yurt amenities include a public bathhouse with hot showers and flush toilets, and a dish-cleaning area.

💰 The Cost: $140 per night 📆 Book It: Reservations open the first Wednesday of January each year and fill up quickly for summer 🔎 Don’t Miss: There is an enormous menu of on-site activities right on site, both indoor and outdoor; my kids’ favorites are roller skating and the climbing wall. The craft center is also a big hit, not to mention, the campus has playgrounds, tubing hills (in both summer and winter), horseback riding, and a pool. You’re also not far from the west entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. In winter, use the on-site nordic ski trail system, or head to Granby Ranch, a smaller, less crowded ski area minutes away.

Joshua Berman is a teacher, wilderness instructor, writer, and former wildland firefighter, who has been camping and hiking in Colorado for 20 years. He is the author of seven books, including Moon Colorado Camping and Moon Colorado Hiking , and a contributor to The Denver Post travel column, “Around Colorado.”

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9 Best Photo Book Maker Websites

Print your favorite photos and don't let them go to waste.

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Best Overall Photo Book Maker

Shutterfly photo books.

Best Value Custom Photo Book Maker

Walmart photo custom photo books.

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Artifact uprising photo books.

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Mixbook photo books.

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Printique photo books.

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Amazon prints.

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Pinhole press photo books.

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Google photo books.

Best Photo Book Maker for Families

Chatbooks custom photo books & albums.

The product analysts and experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Media & Tech Lab continuously test everything from photo book maker websites to the best wedding photo albums , printers and much more. When making our selections, we reviewed each product for factors like ease of use and intuitiveness of the website and app, if applicable, photo quality, speed of delivery and extra features like templates, cover options and style. These are the best photo book maker websites of 2024, according to our pros.

Shutterfly offers basic photo books at an affordable price. You can choose from a wide selection of themes, like birthday, travel or wedding, or neutral styles , such as modern or rustic. You can also create your own book and choose the book size, cover style and page style, then embellish it with Shutterfly's extensive library of stickers and ribbons to make your book extra special. We appreciate how easily users can edit within their chosen template and the brand's high-quality photo book paper, making Shutterfly a top pick.

You can also opt for one of its 6" x 6" Instant Books , which let you add photos from your phone, tablet or computer in minutes. These mini photo books have only 20 pages, but they're a great place to store goofy candids or Instagram posts you never want to forget. The possibilities are essentially limitless, though the vast array of options could be overwhelming for those getting started.

If you don't want the pressure of deciding on a layout, the brand offers a convenient Make My Book option, in which Shutterfly's professional designers curate your photos and design the book for free. Plus, you'll still have the opportunity to put finishing touches on it before it gets printed. Whether you opt for 50 or 800 photos (the maximum), you'll receive an email notification within 24 hours that your book is complete.

Crunched for time? Design your photo book online and pick up select styles at a Walmart store near you in as little as one hour. Photo books picked up in one hour can have 15 single-sided pages and a linen cover, while same-day pickups (ready in a few hours) can have up to 20 double-sided pages and the option of a hardcover.

On top of the speedy turnaround, Walmart has a great selection of styles : You can choose everything from the photo size and layout to the type of cover, including hardcover glossy or matte, linen, leather and lay-flat glossy or matte. If you need help narrowing down the choices, there's also the option to shop by occasion, whether you're looking for a one-year anniversary or 15th-year anniversary gift .

Despite the fast shipping and variety, our expert tester, Rachel Rothman , former chief technologist and executive technical director at the Good Housekeeping Institute, did note that the quality is not as high as the options offered by other photo book makers on this list — but that may be expected considering the bargain price tag. Regardless, these photo books still make a superb present that can cost under $10 without compromising on sentimentality.

No matter the occasion, you can't go wrong with one of Artifact Uprising's high-quality photo books. There are numerous design options, including preset books to celebrate the birth of a new baby or commemorating a marriage. You can choose from lay-flat albums, books with photo strips and even softcover Instagram Friendly Books for the influencer in your life. The company even has an iPhone app that lets you create a photo book right from your smartphone. However, Rothman found the app to be glitchy at times and noted there's room for improvement with the software. Still, the books come out on top for elegance and simplicity .

One online reviewer wrote, "The fabric cover is beautiful. The photos are amazing quality and look amazing even though the photos were taken on film and therefore are a bit grainy." The overall 4.6-star rating (out of 5) backs up that review. Quality and elevated designs come with a higher price tag, but there are options for $20 or less if you're shopping on a budget.

If you have a special project and a little more money to spend, Artifact Uprising offers Design Services , which allow you to work one-on-one with an expert to bring your special moments to life. Just note that the design fee is rather steep at $119 and requires an additional $100 album deposit.

When Mixbook says it has "custom photo books for every occasion," it really means it. There are 374 different themed templates to choose from, including everything f rom travel and sports to weddings and recipes. But that doesn't mean you have to give up creative control. You can still customize the look to your liking, from fun backgrounds to stickers to text using the Editor tool. Plus, there are plenty of paper varieties, from semigloss to ultra-thick matte.

Rothman appreciated the nice balance between good photo editing and price, but she did experience issues with the lay-flat option, in which the photos bled into the crease. You can also use the iPhone app to organize your photos with a tool that the brand calls "Automagic": Simply choose the images you want and select a theme. The goal of Automagic is to help arrange your camera roll so your photos are in order when it comes time to add them to your photo book.

If you're not sure where to start, our pros love Printique because it's super easy to use. You can select one of the many predesigned layouts or create an entire photo book from scratch. Choose among portrait, landscape and square orientations, as well as hardcover and softcover options. You can even store your memories in a genuine leather or vegan leather book or pick from five different fabric colors. Although you can't choose the color for a hard- or softcover photo book, you can still customize the shape, size and paper type.

Looking for something more advanced? There'sa tool for professional photographers to design and create their own photo books. But if you want to keep things simple, consider starting with one of Printique's 4" x 4" Mini Softcover photo books , which have a maximum of 40 pages and come in three sizes.

Is Amazon Photos already your preferred destination for uploading photos? Then creating a photo book through its interface is an easy solution. Similar to other photo book makers, you can create by occasion and size, or choose its 8" x 8" Premium Photo Book for a versatile option that has a laminated cover and lay-flat binding. There's also an option with standard binding at a lower cost, and all Amazon Prime members get free shipping . (Everyone else is eligible for free shipping with a minimum order of $15.)

In addition to photo books, you can shop large prints, calendars, cards and metal tabletops. There are fewer size and style options than most services when it comes to photo books, but the other photo product choices make up for the lack of available styles. After all, sometimes it's easier and quicker to have fewer options to choose from if you need to pull something together by a certain date, like a last-minute gift for your boyfriend .

RELATED: 37 Best Personalized Gifts You Can Find on Amazon

With Pinhole Press, you can choose from various photo book styles ranging from board pages to softcovers to accordion-style setups. Upload your photos and let the system do the work, or manually place the photos into the layout yourself. Rothman says her kids love the Custom Board Books , which have themes such as " Count With Me ," " Healthy Habits " and " I Can Be Anything ." These photo books aren't just visually stimulating, but they can also educate and entertain kids for years to come .

"I got my daughter the ' My First Photo Book ' as a toddler and made it all about her — like pictures with family, doing things she likes, her favorite toys, at the playground and beach, etc. — and she still is obsessed with it," says Lexie Sachs , executive director of strategy and operations at the Good Housekeeping Institute.

Rothman also notes the custom Photo Puzzle is a fun option for kids, and the Itty Bitty Books are easy to tote around in a work bag for on-hand entertainment. There's less variety in some categories, including Itty Bitty and hardcover books, but with so many additional photo categories other companies lack, there are still plenty of great options for kids.

RELATED: 12 Best Personalized Books for Kids

If you store your snaps in Google Photos, then Google's very own photo book maker might be the most convenient option for you. Even though there are no fancy designs, the process is seamless. Choose from two options: a 7" x 7" softcover photo book or a 9" x 9" hardcover photo book. You can include between 20 and 140 pages, and you have the option to add a spine title if you hit more than 48 pages for a softcover or any number of pages for a hardcover.

Another hallmark of Google Photos is that you can make one photo book and order multiple copies to give to family members and friends who are also pictured in the photos. Since they come at an affordable price point, you could give everyone on your gift list a copy, whether you decide to create a collection of candid photos for your closest friends or a tangible memento of a fun family trip. Though there may not be as many designs and styles to choose from, that can make the customization process less daunting.

RELATED: 50 Trendy and Most Popular Gifts of 2023

Chatbooks Custom Photo Books & Albums

"Set and forget it," Rothman says about the ease of using Chatbooks, which markets itself as "ridiculously easy." You can upload images from Instagram, Flickr, Dropbox, Facebook or your computer and edit them on your desktop or via the app . The service's Custom Photo Books & Albums option is great for families looking to personalize a family vacation , as you can choose colors, layouts, cover styles, collages, captions and more. Peruse its vast collection of more than 300 unique book covers, or shop the premium lay-flat and special occasion photo books.

You can also have fun with the Instagram and Facebook series — a 6" x 6" or 8" x 8" book with 60 pages — that lets you store your favorite social media posts in a tangible place to look back on for years to come.

Unique to Chatbooks is its subscription service, which allows you to receive a softcover, hardcover or mini photo book each month. If you and your family love taking photographs of walks in the park, weekend road trips or vacations, this service is ideal for getting your photos in your hands ASAP. One thing to note about the subscription option is that there are only two sizes available (5" x 7" and the monthly mini).

How we choose the best photo book makers

At the Good Housekeeping Institute , our pros in the Media & Tech Lab have been testing photo book makers for more than a decade . For this article, we referenced a robust test of photo book makers completed in 2009, examined updates to apps and ordered new products to test in 2023.

When choosing the best photo book makers, our Lab experts consider ease of use, performance and appearance . That means our pros take an in-depth look at a wide range of features, such as how easy it is to navigate the interface and add photos and text to the book; upload and delivery time; the number of styles, covers and templates offered; and the photo, paper and binding quality.

What to look for when shopping for the best custom photo book maker

Keep the following features in mind when choosing the right photo book maker website for your needs:

✔️ Size: Whether you're looking for a small photo book for kids or a much larger album to house snapshots from a long family vacation, there are regular, large and miniature photo book sizes available. It's best to think about how many photos you want to include and where you plan to store the album (i.e., will the book be too tall for your bookshelf or just right on top of your coffee table?).

✔️ Shape: Most photo books are rectangular or square in shape, but some companies also offer photo puzzles, calendars and tabletops to choose from too. The shape is really about aesthetic preference and the orientation you prefer for your photos.

✔️ Page count: Are you compiling 20 photos from your daughter's first-birthday party? Or are you putting together an anniversary album of pictures of you and your partner throughout the years? The number of pages determines the number of photos you can include in an album, so you have enough space to include everything.

✔️ Paper quality: This is probably a no-brainer, as the quality of material your photos are printed on is as important as the quality of the photos themselves. Although companies with higher-quality paper, like Artifact Uprising , may have a higher price tag, the extra money goes toward paper that won't lead to photos bleeding into the crease. But there are still services that are affordable and offer good-quality products, like our best value pick, Walmart Photo .

✔️ Binding quality: Some companies, like Google Photos , will add a binding to your photo album. This feature is especially important when considering the durability and longevity of your photo album. Whether it's a softcover, hardcover or lay-flat book, make sure the binding can withstand accidental drops and the wear and tear of passing the family album around at holiday parties.

✔️ Templates: If your photo album will have a certain theme or be centered around a specific occasion — or it's your first time using a photo book maker — choosing a service that has a variety of templates to choose from will let your creativity flow and also help you warm up to the design process.

✔️ Editing capabilities: When looking at beginner-level or more advanced designer tools, consider how robust or simple they are to use. Having lots of control over the interface is fun, but if you're looking for a more straightforward experience, opt for a service that does the majority of the decision-making for you or offers designer help, like Shutterfly .

What is the easiest way to make a custom photo book?

" It really depends upon the service and your preference ," Rothman says. Although some online custom photo book makers also have an app, it can have limited functionality, be buggy or not as easy to use as the desktop equivalent. "Often, an app makes it super simple to upload pictures from your phone (a major plus!) but doesn't allow as much flexibility for product assortment or editing once you've selected." That said, designing a photo book on your smartphone or tablet versus a desktop may come down to how many edits you intend to make .

"If you plan to do a lot of editing, the non-app version on a larger screen would likely be your best choice. If you want to quickly make a book with limited changes, an app on your mobile device may be the way to go," Rothman explains.

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

Elizabeth Berry is the updates editor at the Good Housekeeping Institute , where she ensures product reviews reflect accurate information. Prior to this role, she was an editorial assistant at Woman's Day , where she covered everything from gift guides to recipes.

To update this article, Elizabeth collaborated with former Good Housekeeping Institute Chief Technologist & Executive Technical Director Rachel Rothman to gather testing notes regarding current picks. Rachel, who has tested several of the best photo book makers on this list, has more than 15 years of experience evaluating thousands of products, including toys and cars for Good Housekeeping’s annual Best Toy Awards and Best New Family Cars programs.

Amina Lake Abdelrahman is a product review writer and editor who worked as an editorial assistant at the Good Housekeeping Institute from 2018 to 2020, writing original content based on GH Institute Lab experts' product testing and analysis.

Amina is a product review writer and editor who worked as an editorial assistant in the Good Housekeeping Institute from 2018 to 2020, writing original content based on GH Lab experts' product testing and analysis. Amina graduated from Montclair State University with a B.A. in communication studies and journalism.

Elizabeth Berry (she/her) is the Updates Editor at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she optimizes lifestyle content across verticals. Prior to this role, she was an Editorial Assistant for Woman’s Day where she covered everything from gift guides to recipes. She also has experience fact checking commerce articles and holds a B.A. in English and Italian Studies from Connecticut College.

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The Best Pregnancy Compression Socks To Soothe Swelling

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Your body goes through so many changes during pregnancy, with many women experiencing increased swelling—especially in the feet and legs—as you near your due date. The best pregnancy compression socks can help you get back on your feet comfortably, boosting blood circulation, reducing swelling and helping prevent blood clots, so you can work, travel, chill or exercise pain-free. When shopping for a great pair of pregnancy compression socks, it’s important to factor in fit, material, comfort, pressure level and ease of use, especially during the third trimester when getting any socks and shoes on can be a pain.

We found the best pregnancy compression socks, according to health experts and pregnant people.

Dr. Laura Purdy, M.D., a board-certified family medicine physician, suggests gentle compression, a soft, breathable fabric and keeping it below the knee as far as fit goes. “Since swelling happens typically later in pregnancy, which is also the time it is harder to put on socks, I would recommend looking for a pair that is easy to put on and doesn't cause you more strain.” Nurse practitioner Christina DeJesus says “compression socks should be snug, but not overly tight, as improper fit can restrict blood flow rather than enhance it.” She also recommends socks with graduated compression, featuring “the most compression at the ankle and gradually decreasing upwards to optimize circulation and support blood flow back toward the heart.”

The pregnancy compression socks below all come highly recommended by Purdy and receive rave reviews from expecting moms.

• Best Pregnancy Compression Socks Overall: Kindred Bravely Premium Maternity Compression Socks
• Best Budget Pregnancy Compression Socks: Charmking Compression Socks
• Best Pregnancy Compression Socks For Travel: Comrad Knee-High Compression Socks
• Best Pregnancy Compression Socks For Exercise: Lululemon Micropillow Compression Knee-High Running Socks
• Best Pregnancy Compression Socks On Amazon: Blueenjoy Copper Compression Socks
• Most Comfortable Pregnancy Compression Socks: Pear Cotton Crew Compression Socks
• Best Stylish Pregnancy Compression Socks: Bombas Women's Everyday Compression Socks

Best Pregnancy Compression Socks Overall

Cute, cushioned and made for moms with graduated compression.

Kindred Bravely

Kindred Bravely Premium Maternity Compression Socks

Popular maternity brand Kindred Bravely nails it with these super soft and stylish high-compression socks. They feature a snug fit for more pain relief and “the sole is cushioned for ultimate comfort,” says Purdy, who loves that this brand is “by moms for moms—so in other words, they get it.” The socks are moisture-wicking and odor-reducing, are available in two calf sizes to achieve the best fit, and come in a pack of two so you can rotate on laundry days. At $15 a per pair, the cost less hard to swallow when you’re knee deep in buying baby gear too.

“I wear these at work or during the day on weekends and it really helps prevent what I call sausage feet,” writes one pregnant mom. “They are also very cute. The colors are subtle and I like the sparkle stripes at the top. I wear them as knee high socks with dresses and get lots of compliments.” We do want to point out though that some moms may find the fit and high compression of these socks too tight.

Best Budget Pregnancy Compression Socks

Enough pairs for the whole week at under $3 each, charmking compression socks.

If you hate laundry and want to stock up on compression socks without breaking the bank, Charmking’s value pack of eight is the way to go. With over 50,000 five-star reviews and an impressive 4.5-average star rating, moms-to-be say they work, well, like a charm to reduce foot and ankle swelling for a fraction of the cost of comparable brands. They’re also breathable and moisture-wicking so you can hit the gym, hike or run in these without worry. Purchase a pack of all black, get an assortment of solid colors or opt for some of the more fun and quirky printed options.

One mom calls them a “godsend” and “super comfy” with the “cutest designs.” Another was surprised at how well they work, noting “they weren’t too hard to get on and the top part doesn’t cut into my legs like my prescription socks did.” They gently hug the legs staying up, even after being worn all day, without constant pulling or tugging.

Best Pregnancy Compression Socks For Travel

Stylish socks frequent fliers and flight attendants swear by, comrad knee-high compression socks.

Purdy and plenty of other women, from flight attendants to moms all over the Internet (just visit any online pregnancy forum asking about the best pregnancy compression socks), praise Comrad’s Knee-High Compression Socks, which are frequently sold out due to their popularity. “They’re made from moisture-wicking nylon, which is a breathable fiber,” says Purdy. “So, the fabric is not overly thick and hot, making them ideal for those who are pregnant and trying to stay cool.” Silver antimicrobial keeps feet fresh for long travel days, while terry cushioning at the heel and a super-soft toe increase comfort so you can enjoy your destination without dying to put your feet up.

“The snug fit provides excellent support and comfort, especially during long hours of standing or travel,” writes one reviewer. Perhaps the best part about these pregnancy compression socks is that they don’t look like compression socks; they’re actually stylish.

Best Pregnancy Compression Socks For Exercise

Working out is a joy in these breathable socks, lululemon micropillow compression knee-high running socks.

These cushioned Lululemon socks offer lightweight compression to keep your legs and feet happy, whether you’re hitting the pavement or the gym. They’re made of breathable mesh in high-sweat areas so your feet stay dry, and are treated with “No-Stink Zinc” to hinder the growth of odor-causing bacteria. For those who like to walk or run in evenings, these socks also have reflective run stripes on the back of the calf to make you more visible to drivers.

“They are the perfect length, are thin enough to go under any pants and stay up where they should,” writes one reviewer. Another reviewer with severe varicose veins, who has tried many brands including pricy medical grade ones, calls these socks “the best for the money.” She says the compression is “firm but comfortable” and the wide band “prevents them from cutting in the back of the knee.”

Best Pregnancy Compression Socks On Amazon

Cloud-like comfort and copper compression at incredible value, blueenjoy copper compression socks.

These bestselling copper compression socks have over 40,000 positive reviews on Amazon and come in a value pack of six, making easier to keep a clean pair on hand. They’re moisture-wicking and infused with copper to help prevent smelly odors, germs and bacteria growth, according to the manufacturer. As an added bonus, there are so many colors and styles to choose from. Reviewers especially love how comfortable they are, which is key when you’re uncomfortable everywhere else.

“I am 30 weeks pregnant and these have been like a cloud to my legs,” writes one. “They don't squeeze my calf muscles too much, but just enough and has helped a lot with my feet swelling.” The socks also have unique temperature regulating properties so you can wear them anytime of year, even in the height of summer. “These are thin enough to wear in Arizona in summer without hating them,” says one reviewer. “The toe box is roomy but not baggy, I didn't pull them once to give my toes relief. They didn't fall down or roll.”

Most Comfortable Pregnancy Compression Socks

Supremely soft and perfect for everyday wear.

Pear Compression

Pear Cotton Crew Compression Socks

These buttery-soft Cotton Crew Compression Socks are truly a dream to wear, especially if you’re like me and prefer something more minimalist and well below the knee you can easily pair with shorts or maternity dresses . They come in three different sizes and three neutral hues: black, gray or white to go with anything.

I like that they feature targeted 360 degree ankle and calf compression to alleviate swelling and increase circulation, as well as toe and heel cushioning for maximum comfort. They’re gentle on even the most sensitive skin, thanks to Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex certification, meaning the materials are verified to be free of chemicals and materials known to be toxic or otherwise harmful.

Best Stylish Pregnancy Compression Socks

Quality, cult-fave compression socks in the cutest colors, bombas women's everyday compression socks.

Cute isn’t a word that typically comes to mind when you think of compression socks, but Bombas Everyday Compression Socks are just that. Purdy loves all the fun color choices and the brand in general, as do I. “They are a medium level of compression, so if that is your preference it's perfect since they will not feel too tight but will be supportive,” she says.

They have a graduated compression that’s tighter around the ankle and looser in the calf, so your legs aren’t being squeezed too much. Other thoughtful details include arch support and no annoying toe seams that can get uncomfortable. They’re also just super soft and high-quality socks that wash well and will hold up over time. I don’t own this pair, but my regular Bombas socks still look great (no holes or pilling) after tons of wear and countless runs and washes.

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Our editors and writers have spent countless hours researching, testing and reviewing the best baby gear for parents and their little ones, from maternity leggings to the best gifts for expecting moms .

• We are constantly monitoring the industry (it’s our job, after all), and are deeply familiar with many maternity and fashion brands mentioned here.
• The writer of this article is a professional parenting commerce writer, mom of three kids ages 7 and under and a fashion copywriter with a background in fashion public relations, who stays up-to-date on the latest trends in maternity and fashion.
• We consult with highly knowledgable and respected experts in their field. For this story, we interviewed nurse practitioner Christina DeJesus, COO and Co-founder of Orange County’s premier postnatal retreat Ahma & Co , as well as board-certified family medicine physician and medical director of Swell, Dr. Laura Purdy , M.D., M.B.A.
• We regularly update our lists of recommendations to ensure accuracy and freshness. This article was most recently updated in April 2024.

How We Chose The Best Pregnancy Compression Socks

To choose the best pregnancy compression socks, we sought the expertise of a board-certified family medicine physician and a nurse practitioner. Moreover, we know that moms-to-be prioritize insight from other parents, so we only include products well-reviewed and recommended by fellow expecting moms.

• All of the picks on this list were handpicked and recommended by Dr. Purdy herself, each with plenty of reviews from parents to back them up.
• We personally tried most of the brands on this list and can vouch for their quality.
• We analyzed factors like fit, comfort, breathability, compression strength, practicality (how easy they were to get on and off), style and budget when curating this list.

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