It’s easy to forget how beautiful the world is when you’re knee-deep in everyday life. Rushing through the commute, doing another load of washing, scrolling through the same old headlines—it all blurs into one. But then you see something—maybe a photo, maybe in person—that stops you in your tracks. And suddenly, you remember: this planet is absolutely stunning. Some places just have that effect. They remind you there’s more out there than traffic jams and grey skies. If you ever need a reminder that the Earth is worth caring about, these natural landscapes are a pretty good place to start.
The Cliffs of Moher, Ireland
These cliffs don’t just make for a nice photo—they leave you standing there with the wind in your face, genuinely awestruck. Rising 700 feet above the Atlantic, they stretch for miles along the Irish coast, with waves crashing far below and seabirds circling overhead. Whether it’s misty and moody or bright and clear, there’s something deeply calming about standing at the edge of that much raw coastline. You can’t help but feel a bit small in the best possible way.
Banff National Park, Canada
Banff looks like someone painted a dream and forgot to stop. Think mirror-still lakes in deep shades of blue, towering snow-dusted mountains, and forests that seem to go on forever. Lake Louise and Moraine Lake in particular look almost fake in photos—so bright and perfect they barely seem real. But they are. And if you ever get the chance to stand there and take it all in, it’ll stay with you.
The Scottish Highlands, Scotland
You don’t have to leave the UK to find landscapes that stir something in you. The Highlands are wild, vast, and dramatic in a way that’s hard to explain. Rolling hills that turn golden in the sun, quiet lochs that hold stories, and skies that never quite sit still. It’s not flashy, but it doesn’t need to be. There’s a stillness up there that sticks with you, even after you leave.
The Northern Lights in Norway
Technically, this one’s a sky event rather than a landscape—but it transforms the landscape in a way that’s impossible to ignore. Standing under a sky lit up by green, pink, and violet streaks of light is something most people only dream of. But head to the right bit of northern Norway in winter, and you’ve got a good shot. Just wrap up warm—it’s beautiful, but it’s not exactly mild.
Plitvice Lakes, Croatia
A series of cascading lakes connected by waterfalls and surrounded by deep green forest—Plitvice is the sort of place that makes you stop and stare. The water shifts between emerald and turquoise depending on the light, and wooden walkways let you get right up close without ruining the peace of it all. It’s nature doing what it does best—no fuss, no fanfare, just quietly jaw-dropping.
Torres del Paine, Chile
Down in the south of Patagonia, this national park feels like it belongs to another planet entirely. Towering granite peaks, massive glaciers, teal-blue lakes, and sweeping plains—it’s bold, dramatic, and rugged in a way that doesn’t apologise for itself. You can hike for days and not see another person. If you want space, silence, and a bit of awe, this is where you find it.
Antelope Canyon, USA
Tucked away in the Arizona desert, Antelope Canyon is like walking through a naturally sculpted tunnel of light and colour. The narrow sandstone walls twist and turn in graceful curves, lit from above by shafts of sunlight that turn everything amber and gold. It’s one of those places that feels like nature’s been working on it for thousands of years just so you can walk through it for ten minutes and say, “Wow.”
The Dolomites, Italy
Italy has no shortage of beautiful spots, but the Dolomites offer something special. These jagged, pale peaks stretch high above meadows and forests, with winding roads and little alpine villages tucked into the folds. Come in summer for wildflowers and hiking trails that feel endless. Come in winter for that postcard-perfect snow-covered calm. Either way, the landscape feels like it’s giving you a proper welcome.
Milford Sound, New Zealand
Waterfalls tumbling down cliffs, rainforest-covered slopes, and still dark waters surrounded by towering peaks—Milford Sound is a place that doesn’t really care about showing off, and yet somehow it does. It rains a lot, but the rain just makes the waterfalls even more dramatic. It’s moody, cinematic, and packed with life—from seals and dolphins to birds you won’t find anywhere else.
The Sahara Desert
It’s easy to think of deserts as empty—but the Sahara is anything but boring. Those endless rolling dunes, some reaching hundreds of feet high, create patterns that shift with the light and wind. At sunrise or sunset, the sand glows in shades of orange and red that no photo really does justice. And at night? The sky explodes with stars. It’s vast, quiet, and strangely peaceful.
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, China
If you’ve ever seen photos of those tall, skinny rock pillars rising out of the mist in China and thought they looked like something from a fantasy film—this is the place. It’s wild and otherworldly, with lush greenery clinging to impossible ledges and clouds drifting low through the canyons. There’s even a glass bridge across the valley, if you’re brave enough to walk it.
The Blue Lagoon and surrounding lava fields, Iceland
Yes, the Blue Lagoon is a bit touristy, but that doesn’t take away from how striking the whole area is. Soaking in warm, milky-blue water surrounded by black volcanic rock is something most people don’t forget. The surrounding landscape feels ancient and alien—lava fields, steam vents, and skies that seem to stretch out forever. It’s a place where you can switch off and just be.