All your life searching for beauty embodied in man or woman to sate your aesthetic desires, but little did you know that beauty is nature’s reserve, and nowhere else will you find comparable sights as on this lonely, blue planet.
We’ve compiled a list of the most impressive natural beauties of the Earth, in no particular order.
Take a look, and plan your next trip.
Here are 27 of the Earth’s natural beauties.
Pulpit Rock, Preikestolen. Norway
“The mountains are calling and I must go.”
John Muir
Nothing will leave you in more awe and bewilderment than viewing the Nordic Kjerag landscape atop a 604-meter (1982 ft) platform in Norway.
At the bottom sits Lysefjord, which you can vertiginously take in with no safety railings, if you’re daring enough.
Pulpit Rock captivates with its precarious beauty, inviting the brave to experience nature's grandeur from a dizzying vantage point.
But don’t take that too seriously, there have been some accidents in this most precious of spots, so we don’t really recommend approaching the edge.
Mount Roraima, Guyana, Brazil, Venezuela.
The spot where Brazil, Venezuela and Guyana meet is called Mount Roraima, or Tepuy Roraima, one of the oldest geological formations on Earth, dating back to some two billion years ago in the Precambrian.
The plateau's isolation has given birth to a unique ecosystem, a veritable Garden of Eden in the sky.
Roraima is a breathtaking sandstone plateau surrounded on all sides by 400-meter cliffs, creating an isolated and unique ecosystem full of flora and fauna native to the area.
Roraima has been the subject of numerous documentaries and has served as the inspiration for the likes of Arthur Conan Doyle and Pixar.
Pangong Tso Lake. India, China
“These landscapes of water and reflection are an obsession.”
Claude Monet
Pangong is rare because it is a salt lake atop the Himalayas at a height of about 4,350 m (14,270 ft) that freezes over in winter and straddles Tibet and India.
Pangong Tso Lake is a paradox—a tranquil wonderland embroiled in geopolitical tensions.
Unfortunately, the still, turquoise waters of the lake are the source of a dispute between the two giants that have the privilege to guard it: China and India, but the area is still accessible to tourists.
Jeita Grotto, Nahr Al-Kalb Valley, Lebanon
Home to the biggest stalactites in the world (those icicles hanging from the roofs of caves) in a 9-kilometer cave on the outskirts of Beirut, Jeita cave was re-discovered in 1836 by an American missionary and has since fascinated tourists and the locals alike. Its vivid colors, hues and stalactite formations dazzle the viewer continuously, especially since the cave is only accessible through an underground river.
Limited accessibility through an underground river adds a sense of adventure and exclusivity to the visit.
Now that is cool.
Volcanic eruptions at Stromboli. Italy
“Volcanoes are one way Earth gives birth to itself.”
Robert Gross
Home to a few hundred brave people, Stromboli is a small island north of Sicily in the Tyrrhenian Sea.
The island is special because of its active volcano with three craters constantly spewing lava and ash in a wonderful display of fireworks (at a safe distance, of course).
It's not every day you get to face an active volcano and your own existential questions simultaneously.
A visit to the island provides a rare close-up glimpse of an active volcano in a gorgeous Mediterranean setting, and, like Ingrid Bergman’s character in Rossellini’s neorealist classic Stromboli, a chance to encounter oneself through the might and power of nature and, perhaps, gain some revelation.
Paria Canyon, Arizona. United States
Hiking into the Canyon through the Buckskin Gulch or the spectacular sandstone formations such as The Wave on the slopes of the Coyote Buttes, is the closest thing to a psychedelic trip without doing LSD.
The experience is not just visual but spiritual, demanding respect for the land through regulations such as human waste bags.
The swirling, reddish lines undulating to the horizon against a deep-blue sky will really seem unreal.
Visitors need a permit from the Bureau of Land Management, and must always carry a “human waste bag,” no need to drop rubbish in this sacred place.
Ngorongoro Crater. Tanzania
If you’re considering a safari, you might want to consider the Ngorongoro Crater.
The crater was formed when a huge volcano exploded 2-3 million years ago, collapsing onto itself and leaving behind a 300 square kilometer caldera replete with lions, rhinos, leopards, elephants and buffalos and around 25,000 other animal species, and nearly every species present in East Africa.
It's as if Mother Nature took all of her African animal creations and threw them into one big, breathtaking bowl for us to admire.
With striking sunrises and dramatic vistas, Ngorongoro is truly an African paradise.
Gran Salar de Uyuni. Bolivia
One of the must-see sights when visiting Bolivia is the Gran Salar de Uyuni, the world’s largest salt flat, located 533 kilometers south of La Paz.
The area serves up a host of optical illusions due to its unique topography, making it a prime location for photography.
Although it is technically a lake, it looks and feels more like a desert, causing optical illusions and shining colors all around.
The area has its own salt hotel, of course, and an island with wild cacti.
Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord. Norway
“Nature is the art of God.”
Dante Alighieri
Some of the most spectacular places to visit on this planet are the Norwegian fjords, especially Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord, located in southwestern Norway.
Their remarkable beauty makes them some of the most visited and photographed natural sites in Norway, if not the world.
Their exceptional natural beauty is derived from their narrow and steep-sided crystalline rock walls that rise up to 1,400 m from the Norwegian Sea and extend 500 m below sea level.
Lake Nakuru . Kenya
Another great alternative to a simple safari, Lake Nakuru in Kenya’s rift Valley sits at 1754 m above sea level and attracts thousands of flamingos that feed off of the algae in the lake.
The majesty of Lake Nakuru lies not only in its flamingo population but also its vital role as a watering hole for a plethora of creatures.
And if the swarm of elegant pink shifting on the lake’s surface is not enough for you, look around for the warthogs, baboons, black and white rhinos, giraffes and big cats all gathering around the placid waters to have a thirst-quenching sip and marvel at nature’s creation.
Uluru – Ayers Rock. Australia
“The earth has music for those who listen.”
William Shakespeare
The sacred site of the aboriginal Anangu people of Australia is not off limits to tourists.
The Anangu guard this spiritual sandstone rock and lead tours to inform visitors about the local flora and fauna, bush foods, the Aboriginal dreamtime stories of the area and their culture in general.
You don't just 'visit' Uluru; you experience a timeless realm where history and spirituality intertwine.
The great rock is located in the Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park and is full of springs, waterholes, caves and ancient paintings.
Siwa Oasis. Egypt
From time immemorial the desert has been another magical place that abounds with mystery and beauty and the unlikeliest places for life and culture to thrive.
Luckily, the rare oasis, like the one at Siwa, made life possible.
Siwa’s natural springs created fertile land from which the local Berbers can grow olives and dates.
Think the desert is just barren land? Siwa Oasis is here to shatter your parched perceptions.
Visitors will gain views to spectacular stretches of the Sahara desert.
Just pitch a tent and gaze at the night sky ablaze with stars and don’t forget to cool off with a dip in its hot and cold natural pools.
Seljalandsfoss Waterfall. Iceland.
“Water is the most perfect traveller because when it travels it becomes the path itself!”
Mehmet Murat Ildan
Iceland has one of the most beautiful and wild landscapes in the world, and one of the main attractions in this mythical land is Seljalandsfoss Waterfall.
The experience at Seljalandsfoss goes beyond mere sightseeing; it engulfs you in a sensory baptism that etches itself into memory.
At 63 m, it’s certainly not the highest in the world, but the roar of its cascading water running off the cliff face in the wild Icelandic landscape is an unforgettable experience.
Perito Moreno Glacier, Patagonia. Argentina
Argentina’s Perito Moreno glacier is growing, literally.
The glacier expands and contracts regularly causing spectacular ruptures and explosions of ice and water, the complete opposite of what we normally think of with an explosion.
Contrary to popular belief, Perito Moreno is not melting away but growing, making it a curious anomaly in the world of glaciers.
The 250 km2 (97 sq. mi) ice formation, and 30 km (19 mi) in length, is one of 48 glaciers fed by the Southern Patagonian Ice Field located in the Andes system shared with Chile.
At this size, Perito Moreno is the world’s third largest reserve of fresh water.
Moraine Lake, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada.
“The goal of life is living in agreement with nature.”
Zeno
The glacially-fed Moraine Lake deep in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, together with its sister Lake Louise, is one of the most photographed landscapes in Banff National Park.
It's not merely a body of water; it's a natural masterpiece, its color palette curated by the nuances of light and rock.
When the lake is full, usually in mid-June, it reflects a distinct shade of blue due to the refraction of light off of the lake’s rocky floor.
Cascate del Mulino, Tuscany. Italy
The healing effects of Saturnia’s sulphurous water have been praised ever since the Etruscans.
The pools aren't just carved from rock; they're hewn from millennia of belief and tradition.
The peacefulness of the area, the 800 litres per second of sulphurous water at 37 °C gushing into a large natural pool, flowing over a waterfall and down to a series of natural pools carved in the rock, along with the places hallowed antiquity make for a rare retreat into bodily and spiritual wellbeing.
William Bay. Western Australia
Australia is a paradise of natural beauty in all types of climates and terrain, among them William Bay.
If paradise had a zip code, it would redirect you straight to William Bay's breathtaking vistas.
Its turquoise waters bathe white sands and the rounded granite boulders of Elephant Rocks and Green’s Pool create a reef bridge stretching out to sea.
The calm waters are perfect for snorkeling, while the more adventurous have the Great Southern Ocean on the other side.
Angel Falls. Venezuela
“When water falls, it flies.”
Anthony T. Hincks
With a 979-meter drop from top to bottom, the water that runs down Angel Falls in Venezuela turns to mist before it hits the ground.
Tucked away deep in the Canaima National Park in southern Venezuela, it cascades over one of the biggest table-top mountains.
Angel Falls transcends being a mere geographical feature; it is a spiritual landmark for the local Pemon people.
The local Pemon people call it Devil’s Mountain, and the falls are aptly called “Kerepakupai Vená”, meaning “waterfall of the deepest place.”
Lauterbrunnen Valley. Switzerland
The dreamy mountain landscapes of the Sound of Music are real and you can see and experience them in Lauterbrunnen.
It is situated in one of the most impressive valleys in the Alps, between gigantic rock faces and mountain peaks.
Lauterbrunnen isn't just a valley; it's a treasure trove of natural phenomena, with 72 waterfalls serving as its gemstones.
With its 72 thundering waterfalls, secluded valleys, colorful alpine meadows and lonely mountain inns, the Lauterbrunnen Valley is one of the biggest nature conservation areas in Switzerland.
Cliffs of Moher. Ireland
“Be like the cliff against which the waves continually break; but it stands firm and tames the fury of the water around it.”
Marcus Aurelius
The majestic Cliffs of Moher in Southern Ireland provide an incomparable and breezy view of the Atlantic, the Arran Islands, Galway Bay and the Burren.
Rising 213 meters, the cliffs are the Emerald Isle’s biggest natural attraction and much loved by movie directors.
If you think the view is breathtaking, wait until you feel the gust of ocean wind that’s strong enough to steal your soul.
They have been featured in films such as The Princess Bride, Harry Potter, Half-Blood Prince and Leap Year.
Skaftafell National Park. Iceland
The great outdoors take on a different meaning in Iceland, especially in Skaftafell, a national park, crafted over millions of years by volcanic eruptions, rivers and glaciers.
The black basalt rocks and frozen glaciers are not mere geological features; they are masterpieces that even inspired architectural wonders.
The striking landscapes and an overhanging wall of geometric black basalt rocks on the Svartifoss waterfall, which inspired the architecture of Reykjavik’s National Theatre, and the majestic Skaftafellsjökull glacier that seems to have frozen in mid-flow, are just some of the main attractions in the area.
Nature has been generous to the Icelanders so there’s plenty to see and experience.
Lake Titicaca. Bolivia, Peru
“Lake Titicaca is a place of incredible beauty and wonder, where the natural world reveals its secrets and surprises in unexpected ways.”
Roger Calverley
Straddling Peru and Bolivia at an altitude of 3,820 meters above sea level, Lake Titicaca is the second largest lake in South America by volume after Lake Maracaibo.
It is often called the highest commercially navigable lake in the world, but that is not really true.
High-altitude oasis or mischaracterized wonder? Lake Titicaca is more than a tourist brochure tagline; it's a perplexing blend of myth and reality.
However, at that altitude and its spectacular beauty, it’s certainly one worth visiting.
For centuries it has been the home of indigenous people including the Aymara and the Quechua.
Its vast expanse of water is often cloaked in light mist and has inspired numerous local legends.
Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, Palava. Philippines
The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River runs for 8.2 kilometers underground and boasts limestone karst formations, stalactites and stalagmites, though geologists have recently discovered a second floor with small waterfalls inside the cave, a cave dome measuring 300 m (980 ft) above the underground river, rock formations, large bats, a deep water hole in the river, more river channels, another deep cave, as well as marine creatures and more, making it truly amazing.
A subterranean spectacle that's been hiding its true grandeur—until now. How many more secrets are buried beneath?
You can cruise down the river in a canoe but watch out for the Palawan stink badger, a nasty little skunk that lives in the area.
Halong Bay. Vietnam
“I can’t say what made me fall in love with Halong Bay – that a woman’s voice can drug you; that everything is so intense. The colors, the taste, even the rain.”
Graham Greene
Slowly sailing through Halong Bay on a traditional Chinese junk fills you with peace and inner-strength as you drift across emerald water and gaze at the giant karsts, overgrown with green shrubbery, protruding from this mysterious bay.
As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the bay is not only a feast for the eyes but also an asset of international importance.
“Descending dragon bay,” as Halong Bay translates, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular travel destination, in Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam.
Na Pali Coast, Kauai, Hawai. United States
You would think that the green lushness with a blue background visible as you approach the Napali coast is a clear indicator of what to expect, but nothing can prepare you for this sight.
The drama and scale of the Napali coast of Kauai, along the 17-kilometer Kalalau trail, is nothing short of heart stopping, with its mountains and ridges rippling down 1,300 meters before sinking into the Pacific.
Not just a feast for the eyes, but a jolt to the soul; this landscape will leave you speechless and craving more.
Hawaii is already famous for its breathtaking landscapes, but this one is the icing on the cake.
The Arctic
“Even in our day, science suspects beyond the Polar seas, at the very circle of the Arctic Pole, the existence of a sea which never freezes and a continent which is ever green.”
Jules Verne
Set in one of the harshest environmental conditions on the planet, the Arctic touches Canada, Russia, the United States (Alaska), Denmark (Greenland), Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland.
The Arctic is much more than its climate; it's a complex ecosystem where life triumphs against extreme odds
Its ice-covered tundra, frozen seas, freezing temperatures and endless days and nights have not, however, deterred man and beast from making it home.
Both Inuit and Westerners, along with polar bears, seals, the Arctic hare, lemmings, muskox, and caribou, among many others, dwell in this white, winter fairytale land.
Fernando de Noronha. Brazil
As if Brazil itself weren’t paradise enough, the Eden of Fernando De Noronha, an archipelago made up of 21 tropical islands, 350 kilometers from mainland Brazil, is famed for its idyllic sandy beaches, marine life and hiking trails.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is not just scenic; it's a sanctuary for endangered marine life.
The former prison colony is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and marine national park that protects the abundant flora and fauna, such as hawksbill turtles, dolphins, sharks and other endangered species.
Explore responsibly; nature’s beauty is fragile
A whirlwind tour of Earth’s most Instagrammable spots, where Mother Nature herself seems to have applied a filter.
From the vertigo-inducing heights of Pulpit Rock to the frozen tundras of the Arctic, these natural wonders are a testament to Earth’s relentless pursuit of beauty, or perhaps a cosmic joke about how we spend thousands on travel just to stand in awe and forget to take a selfie.
So, pack your bags, update your bucket list, and prepare to be humbled by the grandeur of nature—because let’s face it, your backyard just isn’t cutting it anymore.
And remember, while these places are breathtaking, they’re also fragile, so let’s try not to turn them into the next trending hashtag of environmental degradation, shall we?
Happy globe-trotting!