Narrowing down the most breathtaking places on Earth to just 24 is no easy feat. Travelling is a privilege - one that opens our eyes to new cultures, flavours, and perspectives. Whether you're planning your next escape or simply dreaming of distant horizons, this curated list is the perfect starting point to spark your wanderlust.

Read more: Overcoming Travel Anxiety: A Guide for Nervous Explorers

Table of Content

1. Sonamarg, India
2. Namtso, Tibet
3. Key Gompa, India
4. Nagaland, India
5. Fjaðrárgljúfur, Iceland
6. Gunung Bromo, Indonesia
7. Altai Tavan Bogd, Mongolia
8. Pig Beach, Bahamas
9. Fairy Pools, Scotland
10. Machu Picchu, Peru
11. Svalbard, Norway
12. Marble Caverns of Carrera Lake, Chile
13. Shaharah Bridge, Yemen
14. Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania
15. South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
16. Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
17. Jemaa el-Fna Square, Morocco
18. Cordillera Huayhuash, Peru
19. Torres del Paine, Chile
20. Nā Pali Coast, Hawaii
21. Tsingy de Bemaraha, Madagascar
22. Paro, Bhutan
23. Milford Sound, New Zealand
24. Tangier, Morocco

The Ultimate Travel Bucket List

The Ultimate Travel Bucket List

Sonamarg, India

Sonamarg is a beautiful hill destination in Jammu and Kashmir. Located roughly 2,800 kilometres above sea level, it is noted for its snow-laden plains surrounded by spectacular glaciers and calm lakes that create subtle spells on visitors.

Sonamarg is surrounded by the massive Himalayan glaciers of Kolhoi and Machoi, which give rise to the famous Three Sisters of Kashmir Valley. Peaks such as Kolhoi Peak, Amarnath Peak, Machoi Peak, and Sirbal Peak tower over this lovely hill town, making Songamarg a renowned destination for adventure sports tourism.

Location: Ganderbal district, Jammu and Kashmir, India

Sonamarg, India

Namtso, Tibet

Namtso Lake, surrounded by the majestic Mount Nyenchen Thangla Ranges, is characterised by its surreal beauty. You stroll along Namtso's vast shore, staring at the snowy rolling mountains in the distance, with birds flying over the brilliant sapphire lake.

A group of Tibetan pilgrims will occasionally pass you by. The mantras chanting and soothing whispers of lake lapping, among other things, heighten your awareness that you are wandering in an earthly heaven.

Location: Tibet Autonomous Region of China

Namtso is located in the Lhasa Prefecture of Tibet

Key Gompa, India

Key Gompa is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery in the Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh, India, set on a scenic hilltop at an elevation of 4,166 metres above sea level. The monastery is the oldest and largest in the Lahaul and Spiti district, which also acts as a religious training centre for lamas. Today, around 300 lamas live at Key Monastery and receive their religious education there.

Location: Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh, Lahaul and Spiti district, India

Key Gompa, India

Nagaland, India

Nagaland is almost entirely mountainous. The Naga Hills rise suddenly from the Brahmaputra valley to roughly 2,000 feet in the north and then ascend to more than 6,000 feet in the southeast. Along the Myanmar border, the mountains join with the Patkai Range, which is part of the Arakan system. The Nagas, a group of Indo-Asian people, are divided into more than 20 tribes and countless subtribes, each with its own geographical distribution.

Despite sharing many cultural similarities, the tribes have remained isolated and lack coherence as a single group. The Aos, Tangkhuls, Semas, and Angamis are the major tribes, followed by the Konyaks.

Location: Northeast India

Nagaland, India

Fjaðrárgljúfur, Iceland

Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon in South Iceland is one of the country’s most breathtaking natural wonders. Carved out by glacial meltwater over thousands of years, the canyon stretches about two kilometres long and reaches depths of up to 100 metres.

With its striking serpentine shape, moss-covered cliffs, and dramatic viewpoints, it remained a hidden gem to most travellers until recent years, gaining international attention thanks to social media and music videos filmed amidst its surreal landscape.

Location: Southeast Iceland

Fjaðrárgljúfur, Iceland

Gunung Bromo, Indonesia

Mount Bromo is located around 4 hours drive from Surabaya, the capital of East Java, and is part of the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park. While Mount Bromo is modest in comparison to other volcanoes in Indonesia, it will not disappoint with its breathtaking views and dramatic scenery. Standing at 2,392 metres, it showcases remarkable and spectacular beauty.

Location: East Java, Indonesia

Gunung Bromo, Indonesia

Altai Tavan Bogd, Mongolia

Altai Tavan Bogd Mountain is located within the Altai Tavan Bogd National Park and is a popular tourist destination for hikers, mountaineers, wildlife enthusiasts, and nature lovers. On top of the mesmerising scenery, there are also ethnic groups and historical landmarks in the surrounding area. You can also find Mongolia's highest point here, which is the snow-capped Khuiten Peak at 4,374 m. Argali wild sheeps, Ibexs, and snow leopards roam freely here.

Location: Mongolia

Altai Tavan Bog, Mongolia

Pig Beach, Bahamas

While these pigs are not indigenous to the uninhabited island of Big Major Cay, it is claimed that they were abandoned by a party of sailors who intended to return and cook them. Another theory is that the pigs swam over from a nearby shipwreck.

Whatever their origins, roughly 20 pigs and piglets are now living the nice life, with frequent visits from the Bahamians. You may simply schedule a day trip to  meet the swimming pigs if you are vacationing in Nassau or Exuma.

Location: Exuma, Bahamas

Pig Beach, Bahamas

Fairy Pools on the Isle of Skye

The Fairy Pools, located at the foot of the Black Cuillins, are stunning crystal clear blue pools on the River Brittle. These well-known pools attract visitors from all over the world, especially those daring enough to swim in the frigid water. For the less daring, these lovely Fairy Pools provide for great photo opportunities. The trek to the pools follows the same path both ways. The total return distance to the first large waterfall is 2.4km, with an average time of 40 minutes to complete the hike.

Location: Glen Brittle, United Kingdom

Fairy Pools on the Isle of Skye

Machu Picchu, Peru

The remains of Machu Picchu, nestled high in the Andes, continue to disclose the mysteries of the Inca Empire. A trip to Machu Picchu is many things, but it is not cheap. Train tickets from Cusco can cost more than $100, and entry costs range from $47 to $62, depending on your options. A round-trip bus ride up and down the 2,000-foot-high slope above which the Inca ruins are perched costs an additional $24. However, if you don't mind a workout, you can stroll up and down for free.

Location: Andes Mountains, Peru

Machu Picchu, Peru

Svalbard, Norway

Svalbard is an archipelago of Norway in the Arctic Ocean. It is located on top of the world and contains unspoiled, raw Arctic wildness. Svalbard includes all of the islands, islets, and skerries located between 74° and 81° north latitude and 10° and 35° east longitude. Spitsbergen is the largest island, while Newtontoppen, at 1,713 metres above sea level, is the highest mountain.

Location: Norwegian archipelago between mainland Norway and the North Pole

Svalbard, Norway

Marble Caverns of Carrera Lake, Chile

The Marble Caves are an unusually beautiful geological formation. These caves were carved from solid marble and surrounded by the deep blue water of the massive General Carrera Lake. The lake is nourished by rivers which flow from many glaciers in the Patagonian Andes. These caves are a one-of-a-kind natural treasure found nowhere else in Patagonia. Kayak into the caves and caverns to get up close and personal with marble in its purest form, polished only by the lapping of the lake over thousands of years.

Location: Patagonia, Chile

Marble Caverns of Carrera Lake, Chile

Shaharah Bridge, Yemen

The Shaharah Bridge, which spans a 300-foot-deep gorge between two mountains, is frequently used by locals of adjacent settlements. The bridge can be found in the 'Amran region of Yemen's Ahnum Mountain Range. It joins two mountains, Jabal al Emir and Jabal al Faish. The bridge measures 65 feet long and 9 feet broad. It is mostly made of limestone, which is abundant in the mountains.

Location: Shaharah, Yemen

Shaharah Bridge, Yemen

Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania

Northern Tanzania is home to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. You can discover the massive volcanic Ngorongoro Crater as well as the "Big 5" game (elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino). During their annual migration, vast herds of wildebeests and zebras traverse its grasslands. The semi-nomadic Maasai tribe's livestock graze among wild animals. The oldest hominin fossils were also discovered here, in the Olduvai Gorge which dated back millions of years.

Location: Crater Highlands area of Tanzania

Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania

South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

The highlight of eastern Zambia is the South Luangwa National Park. Locals refer to it simply as "the South Park." It was formed in 1904 and was converted to one of three game reserves. The spectacular park spans around 9,050 square kilometres and ranges in elevation from 500 to 800 metres above sea level. There's no shortage of dramatic and fascinating geography in this gorgeous game-rich park, which is flanked on the west and north-western edges by the Muchinga Escarpment and on the south by the meandering Luangwa River.

Location: Eastern Zambia

South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

Located in Tanzania, Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa's tallest mountain standing at 5,895 metres. It is also the world's tallest free-standing mountain, meaning it is not part of a mountain range. Kibo is the mountain's top and the tallest of the three volcanic structures. The area around the mountain is home to a variety of wildlife, including the blue monkey.

Location: Tanzania

Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

Jemaa el-Fna Square, Marrakesh

The Jemaa el-Fna Square is one of Marrakesh's primary cultural areas and has been one of the city's icons since its establishment in the eleventh century. It is a one-of-a-kind collection of popular Moroccan cultural traditions expressed via musical, religious, and creative expressions.

It serves as a gathering place for both locals and visitors from other areas. A number of services are available throughout the day and far into the night, including dental treatment, traditional medicine, fortune-telling, preaching, and henna tattoos.

Location: Marrakesh

Jemaa el-Fna Square, Marrakesh

Cordillera Huayhuash, Peru

The journey across Cordillera Huayhuash may be the best alpine hike in the world. It has become well-known among outdoor enthusiasts for its steep mountain peaks, pure glacier lakes, and contacts with traditional Andean culture. The Peruvian government has invested in infrastructure and security measures in recent years, making the area much safer for visitors. That is why it is ideal for those seeking to experience the Andes at their most serene and magnificent.

Location: Andes, Peru

Cordillera Huayhuash, Peru

Torres del Paine, Chile

The eighth wonder of the world's cinematic scenery will take your breath away. Prepare your backpack and sneakers for a walk into the vast Torres del Paine National Park. The big condors greet you with the fresh air you will begin to breathe as you approach this magical area. Along the journey, look out for foxes, huemuls, and guanacos, or wait for the imposing puma to make an appearance.

Location: Patagonia, Chile

Torres del Paine, Chile

Nā Pali Coast, Hawaii

The Napali Coast, which stretches for 17 miles along Kauai's northern shore, is a holy location marked by outstanding natural beauty. These emerald-coloured cliffs with razor-sharp ridges stand above the Pacific Ocean, presenting stunning beaches and waterfalls that cascade to the verdant valley bottom. 

The difficult terrain looks the same as it did centuries ago, when Hawaiian villages thrived in these deep, narrow valleys, subsisting solely on the food they could grow and the fish they could capture.

Location: Kauaʻi, Hawaii

Nā Pali Coast, Hawaii

Tsingy de Bemaraha, Madagascar

Aside from the otherworldly scenery and challenging walks, one of the park's main draws is the opportunity to witness species that are not found anywhere else on Earth. Tsingy de Bemaraha has up to 85% of Madagascar's indigenous flora and fauna, with the remaining 47 percent being locally native to the region.

Lemurs are a popular attraction for visitors, with 11 different species living inside the park. The western falanouc, the cat-like fossa, the ring-tailed mongoose, and the endangered Antsingy leaf chameleon, which only live within the Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park.

Location: Melaky Region, Madagascar

Tsingy de Bemaraha, Madagascar

Paro, Bhutan

This lovely resort is surrounded with terraced paddy fields and picturesque farmhouses dotted across the valley, and it is home to the country's only international airport. Coniferous forests in the upper reaches look down on the lovely Paro Chhu River, which snakes its way below.

Among the many temples in the vicinity, Paro is best known for the spectacular Takhtsang Lakhang or Tiger's Nest. It also houses the National Museum, where you can find hundreds of old Bhutanese artefacts and art pieces.

Location: Bhutan

Paro, Bhutan

Milford Sound, New Zealand

Milford Sound is New Zealand's most magnificent natural feature. It is located deep within the Fiordland National Park. It must be seen to be believed, with its stunning blend of mountain peaks, ink-dark rivers, and dramatic forest-clad cliffs. Milford Sound was once only accessible by foot or boat, but this distant and untouched region can now easily be reached from Queenstown or Te Anau.

Location: New Zealand's South Island

Milford Sound, New Zealand

Tangier, Morocco

Tangier, which guards the Strait of Gibraltar, has been Europe's gateway to Africa for ages. It is home to a unique blend of civilisations and influences in Morocco. Tangier's population speak a particular dialect of Moroccan Arabic that distinguishes from other Darija counterparts. This distinction is based on pronunciation, pacing, syntax, and a distinct vocabulary greatly inspired by Spanish and Riffian.

Location: Northern Morocco

Tangier, Morocco

Traveling is a never-ending journey. It is the best teacher, and it opens our eyes and minds to things we never knew existed.

"The purpose of life is to live it, to taste it, to experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience." – Eleanor Roosevelt

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