Categories: Destinations

20 Surreal Landscapes Around the World

Photo by Ada Be / CC BY 2.0

In a past article we showcased surreal landscapes in the United States, and today we’re extending that to showcase amazing and surreal destinations in other parts of the world. If you’re looking for dream destinations for landscape photography this list should provide plenty of possibilities.

Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

Salar de Uyuni, located in Bolivia, is the world’s largest salt flat. It covers a staggering 4,000 square miles near the crest of the Andes Mountains, at almost 12,000 feet above sea level.

Photo by Dimitry B. / CC BY 2.0

Laguna Salada de Torrevieja, Spain

Located in southeastern Spain (near Torrevieja) is Laguna Salada de Torrevieja. It is a salt lake that turns pink at times during the year due to a certain type of algae. If you want unique lake photos, this is a great place to visit.

Photo by Moisés Pastor / CC BY-SA 3.0

Marble Caves, Chile

The Marble Caves are located on Lake General Carrera in Patagonia, Chile. They are accessible by boat from the town of Puerto Tranquillo. The caves and caverns have been formed in monoliths of marble and with the reflections of the turquoise water it is a sight unlike any other.

Photo by Javier Vieras / CC BY 2.0

Pamukkale, Turkey

Located in southwestern Turkey, Pamukkale is home to beautiful hot springs and thermal pools. This was the site of the ancient Roman city of Hierapolis.

Photo by miquitos / CC BY-SA 2.0

Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland

Located at the foot of basalt cliffs some 40,000 black basalt columns formed by volcanic activity stick out of the sea to form Giant’s Causeway. The shapes, mostly hexagonal, make Giant’s Causeway truly unique.

Photo by 一元 马 / CC BY 2.0

Danxia Landform, China

Located in Danxia National Park in China is the colorful Danxia Landform. It showcases red sandstone that has been eroded to create a beautiful scene.

Landscape Legend Lightroom Presets: Save time and get amazing results with our presets! Landscape Legend is the most comprehensive collection of Lightroom presets specifically created for landscape and nature photos. On Sale Now!

Photo by Kashif Pathan / CC BY-SA 2.0

Shilin Stone Forest, China

The limestone formations in Shilin give the area the look of a forest made of stone. The area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a favorite of photographers.

Photo by CEphoto, Uwe Aranas

Avenue of the Baobabs, Madagascar

Home to some of the most unique-looking tress in the world, Avenue of the Baobabs is a 260 meter stretch that includes about 20-30 baobab trees that are up to 800 years old. It is located in the Menabe region of Western Madagascar.

Photo by Gavin Evans / CC BY-SA 3.0

Door to Hell, Turkmenistan

In 1971 this area was thought to be the site of a substantial oil field. The ground, actually home to natural gas instead of oil, collapsed and formed a wide crater about the size of a football field. It was set on fire to prevent the spreading of methane and has burned ever since. It is now a popular tourist attraction.

Photo by Tormod Sandtorv / CC BY-SA 2.0

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, China

Located in the Hunan Province of China, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is home to very distinct pillar-like formations that have been created by erosion.

Photo by Chensiyuan / CC BY-SA 3.0

Cappadocia, Turkey

Cappadocia is home to hundreds of natural pillars. The people of Cappadocia carved homes into the soft volcanic stone formations and today it is a popular tourist destination due to its uniqueness.

Photo by Benh / CC BY-SA 3.0

Plitvice Lakes, Croatia

One of the most beautiful lakes in the world, Plitvice Lakes is home to Plitvice Lakes National Park. The cascading lakes and many waterfalls create a truly surreal scene that provides plenty of opportunities for stunning photographs.

Photo by jidanchaomian / CC BY-SA 2.0

Isle of Skye, Scotland

The Isle of Skye is a 50-mile-long island that is home to stunning scenery. A road bridge connects the island to the mainland, and the most popular areas with visitors are Portree, Dunvegan and Trotternish.

Photo by Magdalena Kiczuk / CC BY 2.0

Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada

Banff National Park (Canada’s oldest national park) is home to glaciers, forests, and the beautiful blue waters of Moraine Lake.

Photo by Ada Be / CC BY 2.0

Uluru, Australia

Uluru, also known as Ayer’s Rock, is a stunning sandstone rock formation of over 1,000 feet in height in central Australia. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is sacred to the Aboriginal people of the area. It appears to change colors, especially with a red glow at sunrise and sunset.

HDR Hero Lightroom Presets: Get amazing HDR effects instantly with any photo! On Sale Now!

Photo by Corey Leopold / CC BY 2.0

Bungle Bungles, Australia

Located in Purnululu National Park in Western Australia, the Bungle Bungle Range is a landform of beehive shaped towers. They were created by sedimentary deposits and weathering.

Photo by Michael Theis / CC BY-ND 2.0

Koekohe Beach, New Zealand

Koekohe Beach is home to the famous Moeraki Boulders. The boulders are very large and spherical, making the area popular with tourists and photographers.

Photo by Skeeze / CC0

Mount Roraima, South America

Mount Roraima is a tabletop mountain surrounded on all sides by steep 1,300 foot cliffs. The mountain serves as the border between Venezuela, Brazil, and Guyana.

Photo by M M / CC BY-SA 2.0

Lake Pukaki, New Zealand

Located in the Mackenzie Basin on New Zealand’s South Island, Lake Pukaki has a distinct and amazing blue color, which is created by the ground rock particles of glaciers.

Photo by Jack Hynes / Public Domain

Raja Ampat Islands, Indonesia

Raja Ampat is an archipelago of more than 1,500 small islands that creates a magnificent scene. It also contains the richest marine biodiversity on earth.

Photo by Elias Levy / CC BY 2.0

Photo license links: CC0, CC BY 2.0, CC BY-SA 2.0, CC BY-SA 3.0, CC BY-ND 2.0

Loaded Landscapes

The content on this page is a collaboration from our staff of editors and contributions/suggestions from our community of users.

Recent Posts

How To Protect Camera In Bad Weather: 16 Pro Tips

The weather can be unpredictable, even in the most temperate of climates. Rainy days can…

2 years ago

How Do You Reduce Haze in Landscape Photography?

Haze can be a photographer's ally, but it is a trouble to endure most of…

2 years ago

How to Photograph Intimate Landscapes Like A Pro

As a landscape photographer, you often find yourself drawn to the expansive views and deep…

2 years ago

How To Do Landscape Photography Using Smartphone

When you're traveling, it's always a good idea to travel light. The fewer things you're…

2 years ago

Photographing Volcanoes: Best Tips And Tricks for Beginners

Volcano photography is an enriching hobby. Even though a lot of work goes into the…

2 years ago

The Best Photography Locations in Senja Island

You may not have heard of Norway’s second largest island, Senja Island. This underrated must-visit…

2 years ago