When it comes to deciding what your next travel destination should be, you may be a bit lost, what with so many amazing options. This is understandable, as there are so many beautiful places around the world. Many of the most popular and iconic landmarks—such as Rome’s Colosseum, Paris’ Eiffel Tower, Barcelona's Sagrada Familia and Agra’s Taj Mahal—happen to be man-made. But, for those of us who admire nature’s beauty and love being active in the great outdoors, there are a plethora of natural attractions worth visiting, too. In fact, the places on this list should be on your personal bucket list because they’re downright magical. Some of them you may have heard about or seen in pictures. Others are less known, but equally beautiful.
The following places will ignite your curiosity and have you wondering exactly how Mother Nature created them. They’ll also inspire you to share their beauty with others—through writing, photography, music or visual artwork. Most importantly, they’ll leave you in awe and with a sense of appreciation for the power of Mother Nature. If you do visit any of these 35 magical places, be sure to take photos, stay safe, have fun and invite us to come along with you!
35 Antelope Canyon (Arizona, USA)
Antelope Canyon is one of the most popular attractions in the Southwest and it's easy to see why that's the case! The canyon's unbelievably smooth sandstone gets its unique shape from wind and water erosion occurring over millions of years. Technically, the canyon is composed of two separate canyons, known as the upper and lower canyon.
The upper canyon is more frequently visited and is known for its gorgeous 120-foot-high walls.
The best time to visit is between April and October, when the light beams shine down into the upper part of the canyon creating the perfect scene for photos. If you'd like a guided tour, be sure to purchase tickets in advance because they sell out quickly!
34 Marble Cave (Patagonia, Chile)
One of the most beautiful caves in the world is the 6000-year-old Marble Cave in Chile. Doesn't it look unreal? The cave was shaped by the waters of Lake General Carrera, on which it sits. While its shape is interesting, it's the stunning blue swirls seen on the cave which capture our attention.
These patterns are actually a reflection of the waters, so they are constantly changing.
The marble walls of the cave are composed of calcium carbonate, ranging in color from white to blue. Although the cave is only accessible by boat and is quite the distance from the capital of Chile, it is totally worth the journey!
33 Skaftafell Crystal Cave (Öræfi, Iceland)
This looks like it’s a computer-generated image, but it’s actually an ice cave generated by the magnificent Mother Nature. The Crystal Cave (AKA Vatnajökull or Skaftafell ice cave) was created when its glacier met the Icelandic coastline.
Many ice caves are formed this way in Iceland; but this is one of the most popular because of its large size, beauty and easy access.
The cave is a brilliant blue shade, which makes for a magical experience (and great pictures). The ice cave season is short and dependent on the weather, so some research is required before booking your trip and a tour guide is recommended.
32 Salar de Uyuni (Southwest Bolivia)
How cool is this? It looks like a giant mirror under the sky! At 10,582 square kilometers, Salar de Uyuni is the world's largest salt flat. It was created by the evaporation of several prehistoric lakes, which left behind salt and minerals as a solid layer.
The reflective effect is the result of a thin film of water gathering on the salt deposits after a rainfall.
Standing on the salt flats when there is a small amount of water creates the illusion of walking amongst the clouds. This is why the flats have been nicknamed "heaven on earth." Where else can you get such a perfect photo opportunity?
31 Pamukkale Thermal Pools (Pamukkale, Turkey)
In ancient times, hot springs were regarded as magical because of their healing powers. Now, it is known that the healing powers are due to minerals. This hot spring in Turkey may have healing powers and it’s also beautiful! The waters are filled with calcium carbonate, which many have claimed can heal chronic disorders and circulatory issues.
Pamukkle translates to “cotton castle” and this makes sense, as it resembles cotton.
The 17 cascading hot springs were created as a result of precipitation of calcium carbonate from the heated water. The best time to visit is April to mid-June, before the waters become unbearably hot. If you visit these thermal pools, you’ll also be treated to a great view of the city.
30 Erta Ale (Afar Region, Ethiopia)
We typically wouldn't expect to see a lake of fire here on earth. But, Mother Nature makes it possible to do so in Ethiopia. Erta Ale is a 613-meter basaltic shield volcano, which is home to two lava lakes (both on its summit craters).
It is a rare sight because of its continuously active nature.
This exists due to the enormous pool of active magma below the ground of the volcano. It is possible to drive within 4.3 miles of the volcano or take a helicopter tour to view it from above. However, you should do so with caution.
29 Vík Black Sand Beach (Vík í Mýrdal, Iceland)
No, this is not a scene from Lord of the Rings (although it very much looks like it). This is real and it's located in Iceland. While you may have believed that beaches can only have white or yellow sand, there are a select few places where sand is black.
Vik Black Sand Beach was created by lava flowing into the ocean and cooling as it touched the waters.
Not only is the sand amazing, but so are the basalt columns at the bottom of the cliff overlooking the beach. These columns were created by slow lava flows and resemble staircases. Isn't Mother Nature amazing?
28 Naica Mine (Chihuahua, Mexico)
Naica Mine, also known as the Cave of Crystals, is truly astonishing. If you've never seen anything like this, you're not alone. The cave was only discovered in 2000 (90 years after a cave with smaller crystals was discovered above it).
According to Forbes, it contains some of the largest crystals in the world—with the largest measuring 39 feet!
The crystals formed due to heat from a magma chamber below it, which led to very slow oxidation of sulfides in the groundwater. Unfortunately, the cave isn't accessible to tourists, as its high temperatures render it dangerous to untrained or ill-equipped individuals.
27 Los Glaciares National Park (Santa Cruz, Argentina)
If you’ve ever wanted to visit a winter wonderland, you’re in luck. Located in the Austral Andes in Argentina, the Los Glaciares National Park is a World Heritage Site renowned for its beauty. The 600,000-hectare park is filled with snow-capped mountains, glacial lakes and glaciers. In fact, glaciers cover about half of the total area of the park, according to UNESCO.
One of the reasons it was named a World Heritage Site is because it’s such a great example of the process of glaciation. If you visit the park, you can participate in a glacier hike or mountain climb.
26 Tsingy Stone Forest (Western Madagascar)
Mother Nature does it again. The Tsingy Stone Forest seems completely out of this world! It’s the largest stone forest in the world, stretching 375,600 acres. What exactly is a stone forest though? It’s an area filled with tall, thin rock formations (which may reach heights of up to 2600 feet!).
According to NASA, the creation of Tsingy began 200 million years ago. Calcite at the bottom of a lagoon formed a limestone bed, which was pushed up by tectonic plate movements. Rain and groundwater carved the limestone into the figures we see today. The trip is totally worth the voyage to Madagascar, as you’ll be able to walk across a suspension bridge and see adorable lemurs.
25 Meteora (Thessaly, Greece)
How serene does this look? We often hear about Athens and Santorini, but this is one place in Greece everyone should visit. Meteora, which translates to “suspended in the air,” is a complex of eroded rock pillars upon which monks built their monasteries hundreds of years ago.
According to CNN, there are only six functioning monasteries remaining, but there once was over 20.
The pillars filling the area are made of sandstone and conglomerate (a mixture of large individual rounded rocks and rock fragments). They were formed approximately 60 million years ago by earthquakes and weathering. You can climb to the top of the pillars and even enter the monasteries if you ever visit the area.
24 Dolomites (Northeastern Italy)
The Dolomites look like a painting, don’t they? But, they’re very real. Located in Italy, the majestic mountains extend from the River Adige to the Piave Valley—approximately 1200 kilometers. Its highest peak, Mount Marmolada, is 3342 meters high! The dolomites were formed over 280 million years ago by the collision of the European and African tectonic plates.
The soaring peaks interject a landscape of rolling green hills dotted with charming villas. If you plan to vacation here, there are countless things to do, including skiing, hiking, mountain biking and climbing. The surrounding areas also allow for rafting. Sounds like an outdoor lover’s dream!
23 Cliffs of Moher (County Clare, Ireland)
The Cliffs of Moher are dramatic and beautiful, so it’s not surprising that they’re one of the most visited attractions in Ireland.
Their popularity also grew in part to their feature in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
The cliffs were formed over 320 million years ago by the layering of sediments on the seabed and reach a maximum height of 214 meters. There are even visible bands of Namurian sandstone, siltstone and shale along the cliffs. Even if you’re not a geology buff, you’ll still appreciate the sheer beauty of the towering cliffs and the panoramic views they provide of the Atlantic Ocean.
22 Monks Valley (Cappadocia, Turkey)
We wouldn’t be surprised if you’ve seen this image—or something similar—in the past. Monk’s Valley in Cappadocia is already beautiful, but that beauty is magnified when you add a sunset and colorful hot air balloons to the scene.
The region is unique because of its cone-shaped rock formations called fairy chimneys.
These tall formations were created over millions of years by the setting of volcanic ash and subsequent eruptions. They were even used as living quarters by monks who carved them and created staircases inside. Today, you can visit these abandoned homes and explore the region by air or foot.
21 Arashiyama Bamboo Forest (Kyoto, Japan)
Walking through any forest would be pretty cool, but walking through a bamboo forest is like being in another world. The tall bamboo plants in the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove sway in the wind as the sun shines through the grove and the result is simply magical.
It's no wonder that this is one of the most photographed landmarks in Kyoto.
There’s a road that runs through the grove for about 100 meters, so you can take a stroll and temporarily forget about the fast pace of life. The best time to visit is around sunrise, when there are few people and perfect lighting.
20 Lake Louise (Alberta, Canada)
This may resemble a highly photoshopped postcard, but it’s a real photo of Alberta’s Lake Louise. Located in Banff National Park, the turquoise waters reflect the majestic Rocky Mountains in its surroundings. The result is a picturesque scene only possible through the magic of digital editing or Mother Nature.
A visit to this world-famous location should definitely be on everyone’s bucket list.
Not only are there beautiful photo ops, but there’s so much to do, too! In the winter, you can enjoy sleigh rides and dog sledding. During the summer, hiking and paddling are popular activities. Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is the ideal accommodation for those looking for luxury and the best views.
19 Valle de Cocora (Quindío, Colombia)
At first glance, you may be wondering what you’re looking at. Those are palm trees—very, very tall palm trees. In fact, these palm trees reach a height of up to 60 meters, earning them the title of the world’s tallest. They also hold the title of Colombia’s national tree. The giant wax palms can be found in Valle de Cocora—a stunning valley with a crystal clear river and green hills.
Should you ever visit the valley, you can explore the region on horses. Alternatively, you can hike on a trail through a dense cloud forest and hummingbird sanctuary which eventually leads to the valley.
18 Luminous Lagoon (Trelawney, Jamaica)
Glowing things are often associated with magic (recall the wands, potions and Patronuses from Harry Potter). But, this glowing lagoon in Jamaica isn't magic—it's the work of Mother Nature. You may be wondering how it's possible for a lagoon to glow. Well, it's all thanks to millions of microorganisms called dinoflagellates.
These creatures glow when they undergo a particular enzymatic reaction involving oxygen and luciferin (the same substance found in fireflies).
Visitors interested in viewing the enchanted lagoon can take a nighttime boat tour. If you're not planning to visit Jamaica anytime soon, you can also find glowing waters in Puerto Rico and Hong Kong.
17 Garden of the Gods (Lanai, Hawaii)
Is there a spot in Hawaii that isn’t magical? The island was created by volcanoes and has been shaped by volcanic activity ever since. But, there is one mysterious attraction which cannot be solely attributed to the power of volcanoes.
The Garden of Gods was created by natural erosion over thousands of years. But, scientists can’t figure out how the large, colored boulders managed to be scattered and stacked so artistically. The legend is that the rocks fell from the gods’ gardens in the sky. We think Mother Nature placed them there. But, whatever their origin, they scene they create is beautiful.
16 Benagil Sea Cave (Algarve, Portugal)
If you're an avid Pinterest or any forms of social media user, you've likely seen photos of the stunning Benagil Cave. This limestone cave, located along the Algarve coast, was carved by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
There are several features that make it stand out, including its amber hues, large dome and the round opening on top which allows sunlight to fill it.
The sea cave is accessible by kayak or speedboat. Of course, you can also swim to it from Benagil Beach (if you're up for the challenge). You can visit the cave year-round, but note that it's very busy in July and August.