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Top 20 Best European Cities for Photography (Beautiful Photos)

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There’s something about Europe that just makes you want to take pictures. Maybe it’s the centuries-old architecture, or the charming villages with their cobblestone streets. Or maybe it’s the beautiful countryside, with its rolling hills and snow-capped mountains. Whatever it is, European cities are a photographer’s dream come true. There are so many amazing places to photograph in Europe that it was tough to choose just 20. But we did it, and here they are: the top 20 best European cities for photography.

#20 European Cities for Photography: Amalfi, Italy

#19 Vilnius, Lithuania

#18 Venice, Italy

#17 Dubrovnik, Croatia

#16 Riga, Latvia

#15 Prague, Czech Republic

#14 Porto, Portugal

#13 Oia, Greece

#12 Nuremberg, Germany

#11 Kraków, Poland

#10 Innsbruck, Austria

#9 Helsinki, Finland

#8 Florence, Italy

#7 Copenhagen, Denmark

#6 Colmar, France

#5 Budapest, Hungary

#4 Bruges, Belgium

#3 Paris, France

#2 London, England

#1 Amsterdam, Netherlands

You can’t go wrong with 20 of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Whichever locations you choose to visit, make sure you pack a lot of camera batteries , lenses, and memory cards before your trip. With the right essentials, you’ll be able to make the most of your trip, absorb the rich history of every city, and go back home feeling like a new person.

Home » Travel » Travel Tips » 21 Most Instagrammable Places in Europe

21 Most Instagrammable Places in Europe

Ancient cathedrals, rows of colorful homes, snow-capped mountain villages… If you’re searching for the most Instagrammable places in Europe to fill your feed, you’ve come to the right place!

The continent’s rich history and dynamic landscapes are the perfect subjects for dazzling photos. Whether you’re into moody street shots or fairytale backdrops, this guide to the best European cities for photography is packed with ideas for your travel vision board .

I may be biased as a Londoner, but I believe the city has the most Instagram worthy places in Europe. From the beautiful blend of old and new to the surprising amount of greenery, there’s something here for architecture and nature lovers alike.

Admire famous historical sights like St. Paul’s Cathedral and Westminister Abbey. Explore colorful Notting Hill for beautiful facades and street photos of Portobello Market. And stroll past flower gardens and reflecting pools in Hyde Park.

Even the museums are stunning inside and out, and most of them are completely free to enter.

Read my 4 day London itinerary to discover the city’s must sees and hidden gems.

A visit to Scotland’s capital city feels like stepping back in time. Between the Gothic architecture, cobblestone streets, and hilltop castle, you’re sure to find hundreds of irresistible Edinburgh photo spots.

Places like Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh Castle, and Calton Hill offer incredible panoramic views over the city. And thanks to Harry Potter, the colorful storefronts of Victoria Street are one of the top Instagram spots in Europe.

If you’re visiting Edinburgh in October , you’ll have the bonus of vibrant red and gold leaves decorating the cityscape.

Check out my 2 day Edinburgh itinerary for more photography ideas and travel tips.

There’s so much more to Barcelona than the famous Sagrada Familia.

Antoni Gaudi left his whimsical mark everywhere, with ornate details and colorful tiles strewn across the city. These lovely embellishments make Barcelona one of the best european cities for street photography.

Take in birds-eye views at Park Güell and Bunkers del Carmel, especially at sunset. Lose yourself in the back alleys of the Gothic Quarter. And don’t miss the rainbow mosaics of Palau de la Música Catalana.

Situated near Spain’s southern coast, Seville is a must see for street and portrait photographers. Here, you’ll find classic scenes of Spanish culture, including Flamenco dancing, tapas cooking, and Easter processionals.

Architecture fans will love the elaborate Moorish details of Plaza de España Royal Alcázar of Seville. And there are plenty of photo spots along the Guadalquivir river perfect for sunrise or sunset.

Use this 24 hours in Seville guide to plan your whirlwind visit!

The entire historic center of Porto is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. So, it’s a no-brainer to include it on this list of the most Instagrammable places in Europe.

The famous azulejo tiles cover buildings in blue-hued mosaics, turning the city into an outdoor art gallery.

At Livraria Lello, library lovers can rejoice over the rich red staircase and mahogany shelves. And for a taste of local cafes and shops, don’t miss the cozy streets of Ribeira.

Use my 2 day Porto itinerary to plan your perfect visit!

Between its famous landmarks and impossibly charming streets, Paris is one of the most photographed places in Europe. Everyone knows about the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame, but there’s so much more to see in the City of Light.

For panoramic views over Paris, head to the Notre Dame tower, Sacre Coeur dome, and Arc de Triomphe. Be amazed at the towering stained glass windows of Sainte-Chapelle. And don’t forget about the classic Parisian cafes and parks that characterize the city.

Check out my guide to the best places to take pictures in Paris to help you capture this iconic place. During my 4 days in Paris , I took over 700 photos, so be sure to have an extra memory card on hand!

Half-timbered buildings and riverfront reflections make Strasbourg a true storybook town. Much of the city is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its rich and well-preserved history.

The city’s famous Cathédrale Notre-Dame rises above the old town, and brightly-painted buildings line the cobblestone streets of Petite-France. Lovers of lavish interiors should visit the Palais Rohan, whose elegant halls are reminiscent of Versailles.

And if you’re visiting Strasbourg in late spring, stop by the Parc de l’Orangerie for cherry blossom season.

Most people know of Nuremberg because of the famous tribunals. But the city itself is a lovely mix of Bavarian architecture and riverscapes that look great on the Gram.

Multi-colored half-timbered buildings line the old town streets (Weißgerbergasse is particularly pretty). Picturesque stone and wood bridges like the Maxbrücke and Karlsbücke span the peaceful Pegnitz river.

And the regal Imperial Castle of Nuremberg rises above all, offering a both beautiful backdrop and vantage point.

Nuremberg is also an essential stop on any German Christmas market itinerary . The sprawl of traditional wooden stalls with candy-cane striped roofs next to the towering Gothic church is gorgeous.

The lakeside village of Hallstatt is almost too beautiful to be real. And with fairy tale views like this, it’s no surprise that Hallstatt is one of the most popular Europe Instagram spots.

Though the village is quite small, its mountain backdrop and lake reflections are enough to warrant a trip here. Aside from the famous panoramic view, the area’s traditional streets and shops are picture perfect, especially with a fresh snowfall.

Use my Hallstatt day trip itinerary to plan your visit!

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Austria’s capital city is opulent, sophisticated, and a must see for anyone who enjoys music in addition to photography. With dozens of palaces, manicured parks, and upscale coffee houses, there are plenty of opportunities to capture the refined character of Vienna.

Explore the gardens and Baroque interiors of Schönbrunn, Hofburg, and Belvedere Palaces. Visit the domed and steepled masterpieces of Karlskirche and St. Stephen’s Caathedral. And seek out a few of  Hundertwasser’s whimsical facades , like the KunstHausWien.

See the best of the city with my 2 days in Vienna itinerary !

Tucked away in northwest Belgium, Bruges is a lovely medieval town. Crisscrossed by canals and arched bridges, you’ll find more cyclists than cars traveling through its cobblestone streets.

The city’s colorful market square is one of the top Instagram worthy places in Europe. For a bit of Dutch charm, you can walk along the river to reach hilltop windmills. Also, be sure to climb the old belfry tower for panoramic views over Bruges.

For a detailed walking tour of the city, see my guide on spending one day in Bruges .

Brussels might seem like an odd choice among the most Instagrammable places in Europe. But there’s more to this capital city than banks and waffles.

The Grand Place’s stunning Town Hall and gilded manors are reason enough to visit Brussels, especially during the bi-annual Flower Carpet festival . Radiating out from here are dozens of crooked alleys packed with old cafes and bars. And for a dose of modern architecture, head further afield to the futuristic Atomium and sleek EU government buildings.

Check out my one day in Brussels itinerary to make the most of your visit.

Aside from Paris, Venice is probably the most romanticized city in the world. After all, who doesn’t dream of photographing the gondoliers and renowned bridges?

Go on a canal ride for a waterside view of the old facades. Seek out rainbow colors and cafes in nearby Burano. And take advantage of the gorgeous sunsets from as many bridges as possible.

Use my 2 day Venice itinerary to plan your trip!

Judging from social media, the Greek islands have become the most Instagrammable spots in Europe. But if you can handle the crowds, Oia offers the best views in Santorini.

Get your obligatory shot of the 3 Blue domes before stepping down to the unique Atlantis Books. Enjoy the bright purple bougainvilleas that pop against the white facades. And take the long walk up the inner coast for a breathtaking overlook point of the village and ocean.

They don’t call Prague the “City of 100 Spires” for nothing. The Gothic and Baroque towers, turrets, and steeples that pierce the skyline make for excellent photos.

Wander through the old town for multi-colored buildings and the famous Astronomical Clock. Head to the Charles Bridge for spectacular river views. And check out a few places for panoramic views in Prague, like Petrin Hill and Hall Tower.

Budapest is beautiful at any time, but it takes on a magical atmosphere at night. Be sure to bring your tripod when you visit Hungary’s capital city.

The impressive Parliament building and Buda castle distinguish the left and right banks of the Danube River. For panoramic views over Budapest, head to fairytale-esque Fisherman’s Bastion.

Before you leave, snap a few photos of the ancient thermal baths (and take a dip yourself).

When considering where to take pictures in Europe, Poland probably wouldn’t come to mind. However, the oceanfront town of Gdańsk should be on your Europe bucket list.

The Long Market’s gingerbread-like houses seem plucked from a movie set. In fact, the whole Main Town is reminiscent of  The Little Mermaid , especially the old galleon ship moored in the canal. If you’re a facade hunter, you’ll love wandering the alleys of Gdańsk.

Bridges, bikes, and houseboats, oh my! If this list of most Instagrammable places in Europe were in ranking order, Amsterdam would be at the top.

From the lovely cafes of De Pijp to the leaning houses of the Damrak, your shutter finger will get tired after a day of photographing this city.

For the best canal views, walk along the bridges of The 9 Streets. And be sure to bring a tripod for capturing the illuminated house reflections and famous Skinny Bridge.

Check out my 2 days in Amsterdam itinerary for a self guided walking tour of the city.

There’s something about oceanfront cities with colorful buildings that I find irresistible. And Cophenhagen is no exception.

Explore the iconic Nyhavn for vibrant canal houses, traditional boats, and historic restaurants. Wander the opulent halls of Amalienborg, Christiansborg, and Rosenborg palaces. And when night falls, head to the Tivoli Gardens for a dose of illuminated magic.

Spread across 14 islands in the Baltic Sea, Stockholm is a joy to explore in any season. From bridges to modern art to beautiful parks, the city offers tons of photo opportunities.

The city’s painted subway stations are surprisingly popular Europe Instagram spots, particularly the rainbow mural of Stadion station. Gamla Stan’s crooked alleys and colorful buildings feel like something from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory .

And no trip is complete without sunset views from the Skinnarviksberget overlook.

Check out my guides on the best Stockholm photo spots and spending one day in Stockholm for more tips.

Seyðisfjörður

With landscapes like these, it’s no wonder Iceland has seen an uptick in tourism. For the best combination of natural beauty and village charm, head east to Seydisfjordur.

The village has a vibrant arts scene, as evidenced by the Insta-famous rainbow road leading to the photogenic Bláa Kirkjan (blue church).

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can set off on the hiking trails for stunning fjord views, waterfalls, and quiet landscapes. And if you’re lucky enough, you could capture the entire village in a perfect water reflection.

How to Find the Most Instagrammable Locations in Europe

My favorite trick for finding specific Instagrammable places in Europe is by following city locals on the app. And you can typically find them by searching a city name under the People tab.

Many local Instagrammers will put their home city in their name/bio, so they’ll turn up in the search results. These locals know the city better than any tourist, and their profiles are usually full of lesser known Instagram spots.

You can also follow me on Instagram ! I often showcase off the beaten path locations in Europe, and share local London spots as well.

Is something missing off this list of the most Instagrammable places in Europe? Let me know in the comments section!

4 thoughts on “21 Most Instagrammable Places in Europe”

What an amazing list! So many of my faves are on here, like Edinburgh, but love some of the cities on here that I haven’t been to like Seville, Halistatt, Gdansk, Seville, and so many more! Thanks for all the travel.inspiration.

Happy to help, Kelly! I am in love with Europe’s beautiful cities 🙂

So many beautiful cities I haven’t been to yet! I’m hoping to tick Amsterdam and Copenhagen off the list this year 🙂 And maybe Edinburgh too!

That’s an exciting list of cities, Rasha! Edinburgh is absolutely magical, and not just because of Harry Potter 🙂 I hope you can visit soon.

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Photo Guide to 15 of the Most Photogenic Places in Europe – France, Italy, Germany, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Hungary Edition

Known for its rich history and stunning sights, Europe is a well loved destination. Many flock to Europe to witness the captivating monuments that are still standing tall as a testament to their powerful, glorious past whilst gawking at the breathtaking sight of their man-made and natural wonders.

You know how they always say, “you haven’t been there unless you’ve taken a picture”. Simply put, no picture no talk.

This time, we got the chance to take the Sony α7 III and Sony α7 RII on a spin around Europe, and here are some of our favourite photogenic places throughout the trip. We’ve included the directions to most of the exact spots too!

Photos in this article were taken by Akif ( @akifkeith) , Jerome ( @jeromememe ) and Daniel ( @danjbangs ).

P.S. Want to practise your photography skills? Join the TTI Content Experts on a TTI Experiences trip to exotic destinations! 

1. Neuschwanstein Castle, Bavaria, Germany

Directly translated to “New Swan Stone Castle”, this majestic architecture nestled in the Bavarian Alps is definitely one for the gram. Neuschwanstein Castle is undoubtedly one of the world’s most impressive and well-known castles. It is rumoured to be the real life inspiration for the Disney classic, Cinderella and also the Sleeping Beauty’s castle in Disneyland. This beautiful white castle is visited by 6,000 visitors a day so do try to reach the area very early or after 3PM.

Getting to Neuschwanstein Castle: Take a train to Fussen station, followed by bus 73 in the direction Steingaden/Garmisch-Partenkircher or 78 towards Schwangau.

Photo Spot:

Marienbrücke 

A short 15 minutes from the castle, Marienbücke (a.k.a Queen Mary’s Bridge) is an excellent viewing point to snap a photo of the castle. Be prepared for a hike up to the bridge but the view makes it absolutely worth it.

While travelling, it’s always nice to pack light so you can move around easily and go on impromptu hikes. Thankfully the Sony mirrorless cameras are lighter and less bulky compared to traditional DSLRs, while still packing a punch.

2. Marienplatz, Munich, Germany

Located in the city centre of Munich, this large square is named after Mariensäule, a.k.a The Column of St. Mary, a Marian Column erected in 1638 to celebrate the end of the Swedish Occupation. Marienplatz is surrounded be several famous buildings such as the  Neues Rathaus  (the new town hall) and the Church of St Peter (a gothic church that has been destroyed by fires several times in history).

Pro-tip: Come at 11am, 12pm or 5pm, to see the Glockenspiel Clock on Neues Rathaus play.

Getting there:  The nearest bus stop is Marienplatz (Rindermarkt), which can be reached by buses 52 and 62, followed by a 3 minute walk. Alternatively, the nearest tram stop is Marienplatz (Theatinerstraße), which can be reached by trams 19, N19 and SEV U3.

Neues Rathaus dominates Marienplatz, making it the centrepiece of many photos, and is best captured from the sides. Consider coming during golden hour to add an extra pop of colour to your photos.

3. Chain Bridge, Budapest, Hungary

The  Széchenyi Chain Bridge is the first permanent bridge that spans across River Danube, connecting Buda and Pest, the western and eastern sides of Budapest.

The ends of the bridge are decorated with lionhead-shaped capstones, which are rumoured to have no tongues. This set tongues of many wagging, but in actual fact, the lion statues do have tongues, they are just not visible from street level.

Getting to Chain Bridge: Take   Streetcar/tram 19 to Clark Ádám tér (Buda side) or Streetcar/tram 2 stops at Széchenyi István tér (Pest side)

Try looking for multiple perspectives. For an elevated view, walk towards the Budapest Castle Hill Funicular but instead of taking the funicular up the hill, walk up the path next to it. There are 2 bridges along the funicular route where you can get the shot from, but are only accessible by foot.While iconic bridge looks great in the day, it looks even better at night with the light trails of vehicles passing by.

With the increased light sensitivities of Sony’s full frame mirrorless cameras, it’s easier to get the perfect light trail shot. It handles noise at higher ISOs better, which means you have more flexibility to adjust the shutter speed and aperture to suit your situation.

4. Eiffel Tower, Paris, France

The Eiffel Tower is the most visited paid attraction in the world, with more than 7 million people visiting it each year. The Eiffel Tower was almost torn down in 1909 as it was initially intended as a temporary exhibit but was saved by city officials upon recognising its value as a radiotelegraph station. This location has also seen numerous historic high-profile events over the years and has become a permanent piece in the Paris city skyline.

Pro-tip:  Catch the Eiffel Tower at night as it looks even more stunning with the dazzling light display every hour (for 5 mins) after sunset.

Price: Free. €25/pax to ride the escalator to the top of Eiffel Tower. Operating Hours: Lights up at sunset till 1AM (2AM on summer nights) Getting there: Nearest metro stations – Trocadéro, Champs de Mars, Ecole Militaire, and Bir-Hakim

Photo Spots:

The Trocadéro is made of several gardens, on the northern bank of the Seine, and directly opposite the Eiffel Tower.

Arc De Triomphe

You can shoot an aerial shot of the area, including the Eiffel Tower from the Arc De Triomphe viewing platform.

Opening Hours: 10AM – 11PM (April – September), 10AM – 10.30PM (October – March) Price: €8 (~S$12.51)

5. Mont Saint-Michel, Normandy, France

Mont Saint Michel  is a small island off the coast of the Normandy. The island is best known for the Abbey of St Michel, an architectural gem that sits at the peak of the island. The Abbey and its surrounds were only accessible when the tides allowed in the past but developments have made 24 hour access possible.

Price: €10 (~S$15.76) Operating Hours: 9:30AM – 6PM (Sep to April); 9AM – 7PM (May to Aug). Getting there: There’s no direct train service between Paris and Mont Saint-Michel. The easiest way is getting to Pontorson by train and then by bus. Take the TGV from Gare Montparnasse to Rennes, followed by a 90-minute bus “Keolis Armor” ride. Alternatively, book a day trip tour  with transportation included.

Halfway down the footpath from the shuttle bus stop to the foot of the island. Horse carriages shuttle tourists up and down, so wait for the perfect moment for an extra dynamism in your photos.

6. Colmar, Alsace, France

A beautiful, almost fairy tale-like town near the border with Germany, this old town is lined with Medieval and Renaissance buildings. The most picturesque area of the town is definitely “little Venice”, good for both a meal by river Lauch and a photo spot.

Getting there:  Take the TGV from Paris Gare du Nord to Colmar station. (~2 hours 20 min)

Every spot in the town centre can be a photo spot. We suggest taking note of the lines of the buildings for a more balanced and symmetrical shot.

Compared to traditional DSLRs, mirrorless cameras also has a silent shutter feature, which allows you to capture special moments with a human touch without being too intrusive.

7. Seegrotte, Vienna, Austria

The Seegrotte is an underground cave system that functioned as a Nazi Germany aircraft factory during the World War II. The mine became a tourist attraction in the 1930 and visitors can take a boat ride across the lake that sits 60 meters below ground.

Pro-tip: Bring a jacket as it is 9 degrees inside the cave. You can also choose to rent a blanket at the entrance of the cave for €0.50 (~S$0.79).

You’re required to follow a guided tour around and the entire tour takes approximately 45 minutes.

Price:  €11, ~S$17.19, (Adults), €8, ~S$12.50 (Children from 4 to 13 years old), €30, ~S$46.87 (2 adults and 2 children) Opening Hours: 1 April – 31 October – 9AM – 5PM, Daily 1 November – 31 March: 9AM – 3PM (Weekdays), 9AM – 3:30PM (Weekends and Official Holidays) Tours run in 20 minute intervals. Getting there: Take a train (Südbahn) to Mödling station, followed by bus 364 or 365 to bus stop “Seegrotte”.

Photo Spot: 

The entire cave system has many photo-worthy spots, especially the narrow tunnel walkway that you walk through when you first enter the area.

8. Austrian National Library, Vienna, Austria

Carved wooden shelves and beautifully painted ceilings make the Austrian National Library a must see when you’re in Austria. Be transported back to the Baroque period in this library and be prepared to be blown away by this stunner!

Price:  €3 (~S$4.70) Opening Hours:  10AM – 6PM (closed on Mondays for the months of October – May) Getting there: Take  metro  line U3 to Stephansplatz, followed by a 14 minute walk. Alternatively, take tram 1A or 2A to the Habsburgergasse, followed by a 12 minute walk.

The ceremonial room with the Karl VI. statue is a great spot to capture the beauty of this place.

9. Canals of Venice, Italy

Ahh, the city of Venice. Despite the throngs of tourists that outnumber the locals, Venice never loses its charm. Built on more than 100 small islands, there are no roads in the city, with canals and about 400 bridges connecting them together. There are many photogenic spots in the city, and it’s easy to find our own secluded area if you want to venture away from the crowds.

Rialto Bridge

Rialto Bridge is the oldest and most famous bridge in Venice. It has inspired many artists which is why you would often see this bridge in paintings and pictures. Walk along the sides of the Grand Canal to capture a picture of this architecture marvel.

Getting there:  Take ferries A, 1, 2, 5.2 and N to Rialto Terminal stop.

Grand Canal

The 3,800 meter long Grand Canal which Rialto Bridge spans over, is the most important water way in Venice. This canal is surrounded by colourful buildings, as well as countless of gondolas passing by every minute, making it camera-ready at any moment!

Rialto Bridge makes a good vantage point to capture the sight. However, the bridge is almost always crowded so it will require a bit of squeezing to get to a spot you desire. Do arrive early if you want a photo during sunset because it gets extremely crowded. Alternatively, visit this spot before or just after sunrise if crowds are not your thing.

A small outlying island famous for glass making, Murano is a lot quieter and laid-back as compared to Venice city.

Getting there: Take ferries 3, 4.1, 4.2 and 7 to Murano Navagero.

For the perfect ‘natural’ shots like the one we took in Murano, make use of the continuous shutter function. The  Sony α7 III  captures photos at 10fps, allowing us to capture natural movements easily like walking across the bridge.

10. Colosseum, Rome, Italy

The Colosseum is the largest amphitheatre built during the Roman era, measuring 156m wide and 50m high. To put that into perspective, it is roughly the height of a 12 storey building, and can fit a modern day football pitch in it.

Pro-tip:  Arrive early (best before 8.30AM) or get your tickets from the ticketing counter at Palatine Hill as the queue will be shorter there.

Price: €12 (~S18.91), ticket includes entry to Colosseum and Palatine Hill/Roman Forum Opening Hours: 9AM – one hour before sunset Getting there: Take the metro to Colosseo station and the Colosseum is right at the exit.

There is a flight of stairs to the right of the metro exit. Head up if you want to photograph the colosseum from higher ground.

11. Trevi Fountain, Rome, Italy

Standing at 85 feet tall and almost 65 feet wide, Trevi Fountain is an attraction not to be missed when you are in Rome. The famed fountain is quite a sight as well as a gorgeous backdrop that has appeared in movies such as Roman Holiday and The Lizzie Mcguire Movie .

Getting there: The nearest bus stops are S. Claudio, L.go Chigi and Corso/minghetti. Trevi Fountain is about 3 – 5 minute walk away from these bus stops. Buses 62, 63, 83, 85, 160, 492, N4, N5, N12 stops at these 3 bus stops.

Trevi Fountain is best shot from the front, rather than the sides. However, the area is pretty crowded, which means you have to get pretty close to the front to avoid having other tourists in your shot. We suggest using a full frame and wide angle lens to capture the entire fountain without the crowds.

12. Dancing House, Prague, Czech Republic

The Nationale Nederlanden building, nicknamed the “ dancing house ” or sometimes known as “Fred and Ginger” is a renowned piece of Czech modern architecture. This uniquely shaped building houses office premises, a restaurant, a gallery, as well as a conference centre. You can get a great panoramic view of Prague at the sightseeing terrace that sits atop the building.

Price: Free Opening Hours: 10AM – 10PM Getting there: Take a tram to Jiraskovo namesti station or a metro to Karlovo namesti station, followed by a short 1 – 2 minute walk.

To get a picture of the dancing house, you would have to find the traffic light on the intersection of  Jiráskův most and Masarykovo  nábř.

13. Matthias Church, Budapest, Hungary

This 700 year-old church is one of the oldest buildings in the Buda area and serves not only as a church but a museum too. Matthias Church served as a venue for coronations and weddings but not much of the original building remains, due to expansions and reconstructions. As the church is located atop Castle Hill, it offers a spectacular panoramic view of the city. The Gothic styled church has much to offer and you can spend up to hours marvelling at the exterior, even if you decide not to enter the church.

Price: HUF 1,500 (~€4.72; ~S$7.44) to enter the church Opening Hours: 9AM – 5PM (Mon – Fri),  9AM – 1PM (Sat), 1PM – 5PM (Sun) Opening hours may be affected by liturgies Getting there: Take bus 16A or 16 to Szentháromság tér. You can also take the numerous paths up Castle Hill that leads to the Church and enjoy the views along the way.

A good spot to photograph the majestic white church is from Szentháromság ter, which is the walkway right in front of the church.

Fisherman’s Bastion

Situated right next to Matthias Church, the Fisherman’s Bastion used to serve as a lookout tower. Fisherman’s Bastion is probably one of, if not the best viewing spots of the city’s skyline, and you can see various landmarks such as the Hungarian Parliament and Danube River. Not only does this location provide breathtaking views, the curves and the edges of this spot is also extremely photogenic.

14. Metelkova, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Metelkova is a former military barrack filled with trippy and bizzare art pieces. The arts center is home to numerous clubs and bars that hosts performances, exhibitions, festivals, drawing many people to this nightlife haven.

Price: Free, but you might have to pay for entry for certain events Opening Hours:  You’re free to explore the area at anytime of the day but the nightclubs only open after nightfall. Getting there: Take buses 2, 9, 12, 25, 27 to Friškovec stop and it is about 1 minute (130m) walk from there.

The vibrant walls of the arts district provide photo opportunities at every corner and you’ll definitely be able to find art pieces that catches your eye!

15. Lake Bled, Bled, Slovenia

Lake Bled is a glacial lake located in a small resort town at the foot of the Julian Alps, Bled . The calm waters of the lake perfectly reflects the image of the Pilgrimage Church of the Assumption of Mary  that sits in the middle of the lake.

Getting there: Take a train from Ljubljana to Lesce-Bled station, followed by a bus or taxi from the train station. Alternatively, you can take the bus all the way from the main station in Ljubljana to Bled.

Note: The bus from the Lesce-Bled train station to Bled is the same bus which comes from Ljubljana. So if you don’t intend to visit Bled, take the bus straight from Ljubljana instead for €7 (~S$11.04) one way.

Walk along the lake and there will be various spots to capture the beautiful reflection of the church.

For a higher vantage point, we found 2 hiking trails, Ojstrica and Osojnica that offers a panoramic view of the lake, perfect for timelapse shots.

We used to be pretty concerned about doing timelapses at the beginning of the day as mirrorless cameras are known to have a shorter battery life. But this got addressed in the  Sony α7 III , which has one of the most lasting battery amongst the Sony cameras. It packs 2.2x more juice (or about 710 shots on the LCD) compared to its predecessor, which means one battery is generally enough for a full day of travel photography.

Capturing the most Photogenic spots in Europe – Perfect Companion

We have been using Sony’s APS-C mirrorless cameras for awhile now, and it was only recently when we converted to Sony’s full frame mirrorless cameras like the Sony α7 III and Sony α7 RII . Needless to say, it made a big difference to our photos.

While slightly heavier than the APS-C cameras (Sony α6500, 453g w/o lens), it’s still very light and portable (Sony α7 III, 650g w/o lens) compared to traditional DSLRs. The image quality upgrade from APS-C to full frame also made our life a lot easier. We get less noisy photos at low light conditions, and there’s a wider angle of view which allows us to capture more from the same spot.

Travel photography is pretty transient, and often a moment lost is gone forever as it is unlikely that we visit a place again (at least compared to photography back at home). It helps that Sony’s full frame mirrorless cameras have one of the fastest auto focus speeds in the market. The  α7 III  even has Eye AF, allowing you to capture and track moving portraits with ease.

We also liked how the new battery in the α7 III gives us more confidence in photographing without worry, addressing a concern in previous iterations.

For those who wants to take your photography to the next level while still maintaining a fuss-free experience while travelling, the Sony full frame mirrorless cameras like the  α7 III  are a pretty good investment.

It also takes really good videos up to 4k resolution, making it one of the best all round cameras for travel photography and videography.

Follow us on  Facebook , Instagram , and YouTube  for more travel updates!

  A post shared by The Travel Intern (@thetravelintern) on May 8, 2018 at 2:09am PDT

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The Most Beautiful Travel Photography Destinations of 2020: Europe

Table of contents, the best travel photography destinations in europe for solo travelers, the most romantic travel photography destinations in europe for couples, the best travel photography destinations in europe for families.

Are you still dreaming about your European vacations that you have promised your loved one, kids, friends, or yourself? If yes, this is the right time you should stop dreaming and plan your trip to succumb to some of the gorgeous travel photography destinations.

Traveling Europe is undeniably a lifetime adventure. Amazing places are worth exploring. Whether you walk amidst the historical spots of London and Rome or hike on the urban scenery of Amsterdam , Europe will leave you spell-bound. 

The European destinations have dozen of jaw-dropping views. No matter it is urban or rural scenery, every destination has its own charm. That means regardless of what travel destination you choose or with whom you plan your trip, you’re bound to stand in utter awe at the stunning views that surround you.

And when it comes to lock in the beauty of these enchanting places, there is no better choice than booking a local photographer. Our skilled photographers excel at capturing wonderful pictures of your travel adventures. And believe us, our Localgraphers are available  in almost all European destinations. 

So get ready to enjoy tons of stunning sights, landscapes, and medieval architectures during your Europe trip. If you do not know where to take start from, we have you covered here. Whether you are traveling with your significant one or have planned to paint the town red with your friends, we have rounded up the destinations that are ideal for your vacations.

Check out the given list of the most beautiful European travel photography destinations of 2019 to escape into the world of the timeless beauty of Europe.

Independence, freedom, and escape are what come to mind when you think about solo traveling . This world is too big to wait for someone to travel with.  Why not explore the world by all yourself? Head to these spectacular travel photography destinations and tell the world how adventurous you are. 

Barcelona, Spain

Consider it a rising smart city or a rich heritage of culture; Barcelona is everything.  The city is popular for hosting some world-class international tournaments, conferences , and expositions in Europe. The city’s fair climate, developed infrastructure, and quality accommodation make it one of the best destinations to choose for solo-traveling. 

You might not know that Barcelona is the most visited city in Spain and if you are traveling alone, the city has tons of unique and interesting places to visit and take some insta-worthy pictures . Gaudi site, for example, is one of the greatest architects in Barcelona. Casa Battla is another great travel photography spot you must visit. The place is not crowded, and it is absolutely amazing to capture some interesting poses.

You cannot leave Barcelona without seeing a multi-colored Magic Fountain. The dancing fountain is the center of attention of many people. Thousands of tourists gather at the dancing fountain to see the mesmerizing dancing moves of the fountain. There is no denying the entire mountain and its beautiful mystical view that water creates, make a great backdrop to click some extraordinary pictures.

Berlin, Germany

You might have heard a lot about Berlin as a tumble and little rough destination to visit, but trust us, it is the opposite. The German city is all one of the exciting and accessible destinations when you are all ready to jump onto the deep end.  

You may get tempted to take a bunch of crazy friends with you; the magic begins when you are alone. That means you are the captain of your ship, and no group-decision stress will drag you down, or you do not have to miss out on the spontaneous opportunities.  Berlin embraces individuality, and that is what makes it worth exploring through a solo trip . From experimenting with some out-of-the-world clicks to finding new and exciting individuals to connect with, when you are in Berlin, everything becomes a breeze.

It might sound surprising that Berlin is an active Tinder spot in Europe. That means if you are not even looking for finding love, this exciting travel destination can make that happen for you. Not only this, the German city is generally safe that makes it a winning option for solo travelers, especially for women. 

Charlottenburg Palace similarly is an artistic architecture of the 18 th century you must not miss out on your solo traveling trip. The palace was a summer residence of the Prussian rulers and has a beautiful garden behind, making it a perfect spot for your solo travel photography .   All you need is to take your Localgrapher with you to capture all your adventurous moments in the perfect way.

Milan, Italy

Many traveling enthusiasts believe that Milan is not the right choice to include in the list of your solo traveling trip.  If you have met a person like this, know that he/she does not understand the true beauty of Milan. 

The Italian city is not only attractive but also extremely charming with its welcoming vibes. The city offers a perfect balance of urban grit, history, and old-world romance. The reason why we have chosen Milan as one of the best travel photography destinations is the scenic countrysides that surround it.  Plus, from food to architecture, Milan has a unique character to offer when it is about touristy. The diverse architecture, modern status, and illustrious history contribute to make it a dreamy place to wander around and click pictures. 

Unlike other Italian cities, a unique architectural period dominates Milan, exemplifying the splendors of Renaissance. So if you are fond of visiting historical places, Milan is meant for you. Navigli is one of the most charming spots you will love to pay a visit to see the conventional worker of houses. The Porta Venezia in the neighborhood is another spot to include in your travel diaries when visiting Milan. Let your Localgrapher take charge and click some candid poses in front of floral motifs, elegant townhouses, and curvaceous ironwork.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam is full of olive-green canals, and handsome gabled architectures. They are perhaps the most important reason why you must travel to this European city. They are the flavors of this city that appeal to not only its inhabitants but also the people who have visited Amsterdam many times before. The canals especially make an imaginative and creative bunch that simply brings this city alight.

The canals are not just good for taking pretty pictures, but also for enjoying the activities and buzz around them. Canal cruise, for example, is the best way to experience the glitz and glamour of the city. You can choose a canal cruise, a traditional boat, and opt for a canal bike which is definitely a way more active option to make the most of your solo-trip. Moreover, there is an option to hire a mini boat for the whole day. 

Amsterdam is not just only about canals. The seven bridges that cross the tranquil canals, at Reguliersgracht are quintessentially Amsterdam. The location offers the perfect scene for your travel photography . Plus, the Dutch-inspired landscapes and buildings set up an excellent picture-perfect environment to capture some insta-worthy shots.

Porto, Portugal

When you plan vacations in Portugal, it is usually either a week at the tranquil beaches of stunning Algarve or a day off in Lisbon . But Porto , in the north of the Rio Douro, has become one of the popular travel photography destinations ever. The place is surrounded by some gorgeous beaches and plenty of night clubs, bars, and shopping spots.  

The eclectic destination also conjures up several golf clubs and other interesting sports centers. That means if you are looking for a weekend break, Porto is your go-to option. The painted houses and post-card pretty historic centers represent a perfect architectural blend of modern and medieval features.  

No matter if you take only simple and candid poses on the streets of Porto, they will come out in the cutest solo traveling pictures. Remember that only a trained vacation photographer like Localgrapher can help you make the perfect memories.

Copenhagen, Denmark

The epitome of beauty and rich modernity, Copenhagen is full of buzz and vibrancy that match the taste of Europe. If this Danish city is in your travel destinations list, know that you have a great taste and connoisseur.  

Simply put, Copenhagen has a plethora of stunning waterways, magnificent castles, and fine eateries. The cool city is full of interesting places that are ideal for solo travel photography . 

Visit Rundetaarn , a tower with white walls, Fredericksburg Castle ,  a massive masterpiece, or Glyptoteket Museum , an amazing museum to get an idea of why this city mesmerizes its visitors. Or why people consider it one of the best travel photography destinations in Europe .

Stockholm, Sweden

All ready to explore the hottest spots in Stockholm ? The dreamy city has something for everyone with its perfect modern design and history. Getting around in Stockholm independently is a breeze. You will find Swedes extremely generous and polite when it comes to welcoming tourists. 

Plus, it is one of the safest destinations in the world.  So enthrall yourself by discovering the famed landmarks such as Djursgarden and Gamla Stan Old Town . Djursgarden is not less than a green island in the city, offering a relaxing and calming stroll through nature trails and parks. The picturesque views around you are perfect for narrating the stories of your adventures through pictures.

Paris, France

Traveling to Paris means you have the chance to visit some of the most famous landmarks. For an instant, “ Eiffel Tower ” is the place everyone wants to capture in his/her pictures for its unparalleled magnificence. The place becomes even more magical when you plan romantic travel photography with your significant one. As a symbol of love, the Eiffel Tower will surely add countless memories to your love story. 

Take your significant one to Montmartre in Paris. The picturesque spot is set on the spectacular northern hills of Paris. Whether you unwind yourself or wander through the natural trails on the hills, make sure you hire your Localgrapher to capture the fleeting moments.

The rugged architectures and beautiful locations make Rome an iconic landmark where you can take plenty of vacation pictures. 

In other words, the Italian city is no short of romantic places. From Charming piazzas, historical landmarks, to quaint streets, Rome offers an excellent opportunity to take your loved one on a long, romantic walk and take plenty of memorable pictures in front of the magical sunset.

Venice, Italy

Looking for planning a romantic break from the tiring, monotonous routine? Head to Venice .

As one of the sought-after travel photography destinations, Venice is ideal for celebrating your love bond. The city of love is home to a hundred bridges and canals and has its own aura of love. Excite your loved one with some intimate evening walks at Callis, or canal walks to make your special relationship even more special.  Savor some traditional delicacies and click some romantic anniversary photo poses to always remember these moments.

Santorini, Greece

Like Venice, Santorini is always on the top of the list when couples plan their honeymoon . Akrotiri , Fira, Oia are some of the common traveling destinations of the couples in Santorini. Gaze over the towering hills or watch hovering sun above its horizon while walking hand in hand in the town.

In short, the whitewashed buildings, warm atmosphere, and tranquil beaches are what make Santorini a perfect honeymoon spot and one of the ideal travel photography destinations .

Positano, Italy

The dream place of couples, romantic and picturesque Positano makes an idyllic place to make memories. The mesmerizing sight of peachy-pink terra-cotta homes cascading down the crystal blue coast of Mediterranean waters makes a captivating view that every couple wants to capture in the pictures.

Ask your Localgrapher and try some silhouette poses with your significant one at this unique travel photography destination .

Split, Croatia

Split is another good option when it comes to enlisting some iconic and romantic places to visit as a couple. Waterfronts, untapped beaches, theaters and old suburbs, the city include everything a romantic movie set has. Choose this travel photography destination and capture both your loving moments and scenic views in Split.

Edinburgh, Scotland

Edinburgh is one of the perfect European cities to go on a romantic short break. From tranquil walks to fine dining, the city can ignite the sparkle of your love and strengthen your bond. What about gifting your significant one a photo shoot gift card and make your Edinburgh trip memorable?

Lake Como, Italy

Do not miss out Lake Como when visiting Italy. A one-of-its-kind romantic place is a dream destination for all couples. The fascinating villas, inspiring architectures, and stunning views at lake’s sunset make it the most suitable place for your secret proposal and some beautiful couple pictures.

London, United Kingdom

London , the UK’s capital is the go-to option for making long and exciting family vacations . You can get around with your children at some fantastic places such as museums, parks, and monuments. Not only this, the beautiful old city offers an array of exciting activities to make the most of your family time. You can visit places like the Museum of Science , National Gallery or London Eye to enjoy with your loved ones and make some family memories.

Prague, Czech Republic

Take a full-day tour of Vltava river cruise or go on the sight-seeing on Hop-on- Hop-off Prague bus tour. Prague will make your family vacations a fun-filled memory. With its beautiful evening activities and scenic landscapes, Prague can be the right travel destination for your family.

Special tip : Visiting with kids? Read our Ultimate List of 79 Things to Do with Your Kids in Prague

Munich, Germany

Munich is an exciting destination to explore whether you are old or young. Its beer gardens especially are the center of attraction for kids and adults. Plus, Englischer Garten is one of the best places to let your children run free while your Localgrapher captures their playful moments.

Brussels, Belgium

If you have underestimated Brussels for your family travel trip, think about waffles, chocolates, outdoor adventures, and long journeys. All these activities make Brussels one of the most attractive European cities to explore on your family trips. Whether you visit the city for winter sailing or summer biking, it makes an incredible travel photography destination .

Madrid, Spain

Madrid is the center of modern marvels and some historic icons. The city offers plenty of activities for you; especially if you are traveling with your kids . Walking tours, for instance, can be a delightful experience for your kids to discover the beauty of this Spanish city. Try boating in Lake Retiro with your family and let your Localgrapher seize the moments.

Europe is a wonderland when you talk about magical places, fun trips, romantic gateways, and perfect family trips. No matter what your traveling plan is, European cities can offer you a long-lasting traveling experience.  The continent is loaded with spectacular travel photography destinations to capture your most special moments.

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The Best Travel Photography of 2023

By Hannah Towey

There's nothing quite like the power of a photograph to truly capture the heart of a place—and awaken the travel bug inside us all. But with social media inundated with images of far-flung destinations, the search for high-quality travel photography can often be a tougher pursuit. So, in place of scrolling, why not let an expert panel of judges filter out the best of the best for you?

This week, the international Travel Photographer of the Year (TPOTY) awards announced their 2023 winners, selected from more than 20,000 images taken by amateur and professional photographers from over 150 countries. The judging of the competition takes place over three rounds; all 16 judges are leading photographers or experts in the field and are not made aware of the identity or nationality of any entrants.

Ranging from ethereal landscapes of the Italian countryside to striking portraits in Pakistan and Russia , the winning shots—including the celebrated work of Travel Photographer of the Year AndreJa Ravnak—reflect a “subtle elegance," says TPOTY founder Chris Coe.

"This comes through in both of AndreJa’s winning portfolios; one takes us into simple landscapes, with delicate colors and a textural beauty, the other into the hop fields, out of season and undressed ready for the next planting," Coe says. “Neither are obvious subjects, neither photographed at an optimal time of year, and yet they are both engaging and rather beautiful.”

Ravnak's winning submissions consists of eight shots photographed in the farmlands of Italy , the Czech Republic , and Slovenia .

“From my personal experience, I know it's not easy to judge photography. Images are not measurable, so being a judge is a complex task and responsibility,” says Ravnak, a professional architect from Slovenia. "Congratulations to all the winners; together, we are enthusiastically documenting this wonderful world, and perhaps this is a small contribution, a reminder to preserve its wonder for future generations.”

Below, see the 2023 winners of the Travel Photographer of the Year (TPOTY) awards, featuring Japan's Lake Shirakawa , volcanic eruptions in Iceland , Shamanic rituals in Siberia , wildebeest migration in Kenya —and more.

Near Pienza, Tuscany, Italy

Overall Winner—The Travel Photographer of the Year 2023 (AndreJa Ravnak, Slovenia) : “Early in the spring, the first rains allow wheat to grow in the rolling fields. Due to the cold nights, the landscape is often shrouded in beautiful mists on clear mornings during this period. This agricultural landscape is sparsely populated, with land being used to its fullest potential. Farms are located on the top of individual hills.”

South Moravia, near Kyov, Czech Republic

Overall Winner—The Travel Photographer of the Year 2023 (AndreJa Ravnak, Slovenia) : “In early spring, the soil is still too cold for growth. An interesting pattern occured while a new orchard was planted on the slope of the hill, making the scene very abstract.”

Overall Winner—The Travel Photographer of the Year 2023 (AndreJa Ravnak, Slovenia) : “In search of suitable land for cultivating fertile soil for agricultural purposes, humans have sometimes covered entire hilly landscapes with fields. Hills without natural vegetation are very exposed to erosion, which creates unusual waves on the slopes. This agricultural landscape looks like a soft, undulating carpet, completely otherworldly, as if it had been created by AI. In addition to erosion, the problem with these intensively cultivated areas is also the increasing exhaustion of fertile soil.”

Laura Walsh

Alex Erdekian

Charlie Hobbs

Savinjska valley, near Zalec, Slovenia

Overall Winner—The Travel Photographer of the Year 2023 (AndreJa Ravnak, Slovenia) : “A tractor driver maneuveres a high trailer with a crew of workers on top, manually tying strings to steel cables for hop growing. In the spring, the fields must be prepared for a new season and new strings must be strung. The process is done by hand, but there is not enough interest in this type of work in Slovenia, so hop growers hire workers from abroad every year. Seasonal workers from Romania are regular visitors to the Savinja Valley.”

Overall Winner—The Travel Photographer of the Year 2023 (AndreJa Ravnak, Slovenia) : “When the hop strings are hung on the top steel cables, an unusual curtain of threads is created in the fields. The threads dance in the wind and sparkle in the sunlight. They look like some kind of unusual art installation.”

Overall Winner—The Travel Photographer of the Year 2023 (AndreJa Ravnak, Slovenia) : “The freely hanging strings need to be stretched and anchored in the ground. This is done by hand and is more often done by women. Here, Aurora, a woman from from Romania, is in a good mood, as the work team has a radio with them and they are playing Romanian music in the field.”

Savinjska valley, near Braslovce, Slovenia

Overall Winner—The Travel Photographer of the Year 2023 (AndreJa Ravnak, Slovenia) : “Once all the strings are manually stretched, the workers ensure that the small hop seedlings start climbing vertically. Once this is done, they leave the Savinja Valley for a few months and return in late summer, when the hops are ripe for harvesting.”

Chinle, Arizona, USA

Winner, Young Travel Photographer of the Year 2023 ( Caden Shepard Choi, USA, age 14) : “The sheep are herded back to their pen at the entrance of the canyon. They walk through a dust cloud formed by the steady kick of their hooves. The sheep are initially reluctant to enter the mouth of the canyon, but when returning home, they show no resistance. After a long day steering sheep, the two herding dogs now playfully trail behind.”

Exton, Pennsylvania, USA

Winner, Young Travel Photographer of the Year Age 15-18 (Lilly Zhang, USA, age 17) : “The mist suspended on Marsh Creek lake's surface, signature to its early fall mornings, the quiet morning light illuminating the fall leaves, and the fishermen amidst the mist. Captivated by the quiet beauty of the scenery, I took this photo.”

Litli-Hrutur volcano, Iceland

Winner, Young Travel Photographer of the Year Age 14 and Younger (Zayan Durrani, USA, age 14) : “My father and I took a trip to Iceland to visit an ongoing volcanic eruption. I took this image on the first day through the window of a small plane. I love how the setting sun cast shadows through the hills onto the volcano.”

The Icelandic highlands

Winner, Landscape and Environment Portfolio (Armand Sarlangue, France) : “A lush mountain range covered of moss in the Highlands, with a river snaking between the reliefs from the above glaciers. It will carry precious sediments along the lands before joining a bigger river system, up to the coasts of Iceland where it will connect with the great ocean.”

Lake Shirakawa, Japan

Winner, Best Single Image in a Landscape and Environment Portfolio (Kazuaki Koseki, Japan) : “For a period from the end of winter to early summer, Lake Shirakawa is filled with water from melting snow and a ‘submerged forest’ appears. The water in the lake changes colour between light blue and light green, and mist, combined with the reflections which look like a submeged forest create a fantastic landscape. In April, the season of sprouting had arrived in the submerged forest. In the soft light before sunrise, the submerged forest quietly welcomed the morning. I chose a bluish time before sunrise to erase the reality and emphasize the fantastic sight, and set the shutter speed to 30 seconds to flatten the water surface.”

La Ventana, Baja California, Mexico

Winner, Nature, Wildlife, and Conservation portfolio (Martin Broen, USA) : “A split shot of a Mobula ray fever cruising below the divers’ boat as part of their annual migration in the waters of Baja California.”

Anilao, Philippines

Winner, Best Single Image in a Wildlife and Conservation Portfolio (Martin Broen, USA) : “A yellow Gobby watches the ocean from the entrance of his crystal palace, a glass bottle at the bottom of the sea of the worst ocean polluter on the planet.”

Lake Baikal, Siberia, Russia

Winner, People and Cultures Portfolio (Athanasios Maloukos, Greece) : “The Buryatian shaman Vitalli performs a ritual to connect with the spirits on frozen Lake Baikal, with the sacred Ogoi (Dragon) cape in the background. Siberia is considered the heartland of Shamanism, with Lake Baikal its most sacred place.”

Lagos, Nigeria

Winner, Best Single Image in a People and Cultures Portfolio (Jack Lawson, UK) : “Four members of The Special Eagles, Nigeria's national amputee football team, stand looking out into the ocean at a day on the beach.”

Kalash Valley, Chitral, Pakistan

Winner, Best Single Image in a Visual Stories Portfolio (F.Dilek Yurdakul, Turkey) : “In Pakistan, an Islamic Republic, there is no coeducation in public schools. Boys and girls receive Islamic education in separate classrooms and schools. The Kalash live within the borders of Pakistan and neighboring Afghanistan, yet their schools are still co-educational. Gender diversity and unity are viewed as nothing to fear. Children are educated equally and together.”

La Puna, Argentina

Winner, A Quieter Life category (Ignacio Palacios, Australia/Spain) : “Walking on a white sand dune in La Puna, Argentina.”

Reutte, Austria

Winner, Above, Eye Level, Below category (Josien van Geffen, Netherlands) : “Under the Highline 179 suspension bridge, you get a completely different view when you look up. The bridge and the people on it now appear like a scene from an old video game.”

Petra, Jordan

Winner, Leisure and Adventure category (Andrea Peruzzi, Italy ): “As the last rays of the sun illuminate the iconic Treasury of Petra, a Bedouin enjoys jumping between the overhanging rocks. At sunset, it’s as if the once-lost city has two profoundly different souls, divided between day and night. When tourists leave this iconic destination, the Bedouins reawaken the ancient soul of Petra by repopulating the site, to eat around the bonfires and stay connected to the traditions handed down by their ancestors.”

Maasai Mara, Kenya

Winner, People's Choice Vote (Rohan Neel Shah, Kenya, age 16) : “A young wildebeest lost in the Great Wildebeest Migration madness. He stands there confused whilst other wildebeest rush to cross the river.”

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• Jun 23, 2020
• 24 min read

70 Most Beautiful Places in Italy - Ultimate Travel Photography Guide

Italy is a place of wonders. Having visited many places in Italy and being of Italian descent, Italy holds a special place in my heart. Italy is simply one of the most beautiful countries in the entire world, filled with culture and history, it is the perfect place for any type of traveler.

I'm a travel photographer and I am always on the look for amazing spots to capture for my portfolio. Italy is one of those places that offers so many different types of opportunities from impressive landscapes to unique cityscapes, coastal villages to medieval cities, Italy has something for every photographer.

I've compiled this very massive and comprehensive list of all the most beautiful locations I've found (so far!) in Italy. These places are perfect for your travel photography and Instagram adventures. Visiting all the places in this list would require at least a 2-3 months time worth of visit in Italy.

Here are the most beautiful places for photography in all of Italy (in no particular order) :

Burano is a place where you'll be able to capture some of the most eye-catching photography in all of Italy. It is a small island located next to Venice and is a perfect day trip. It is famous for the bright multicolored houses that sit next to the canal which make for some awesome pictures.

2. Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre is a cluster of five colorful seaside villages on the Italian riviera coastline. One of my favorite places in all of Italy. I remember staying in an old fisherman house in the middle of Monterosso al Mare . It was such an out of world experience as the villages are perfectly preserved.

Cinque Terre is a very photographed destination as many tourists flock here every year. However, you can't skip this place as there is a reason people flock here. Many photographers have taken some of their best shots here because of the photogenic look of Cinque Terre.

Cinque Terre is made up of five villages called: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso al Mare . You can take a train between the villages our simply hike which I recommend as you will have some beautiful views of the landscapes offered by Cinque Terre.

3. Portofino

Another beautiful seaside village is Portofino. It is located on the Riviera Levante and quite close to Milan . This place is home to some beautifully colored houses and some amazing streets perfect for street photographers. There are so many small boutiques and upscale shops as well as charming restaurants to keep you occupied in between your photography. This place is well worth a visit as an idyllic location in Italy.

4. San Marino

What can one say about San Marino? Just look at this picture. Any photographer would love to be able to photograph this triumph of medieval architecture.

San Marino is not actually in Italy technically as it is a micro-state and the third smallest country in all of Europe. However, just like the Vatican, San Marino is considered an Italian destination. It has all of the signature cobblestone streets and architecture of the best of what Italy has to offer. What makes it really stand out though is the beautiful castle that sits on the hill above San Marino.

If you're in Florence , do consider taking the day trip to San Marino as its well worth the visit and may be some of the best pictures you take in all of Italy.

5. San Quirico d'Orcia

Tuscany is one of the most popular and dreamy destinations in Italy. Some of the best views in Tuscany can be found in San Quirico d'Orcia. San Quirico is a walled village from 11th century Italy. It is a very charming village in the heart of Tuscany . The village itself offers magnificent shots of history but the valley that surrounds the walls is equally as picturesque. This is a must stop in the Tuscany region of Italy.

Verona is a beautiful city in Italy and known for its very romantic atmosphere. It is the home of the Shakespearean tragedy of Romeo and Juliet. One of the most beautiful aspects of Verona is the beautifully preserved Gothic architecture and the red bricks that make up many of the city's houses.

There are so many unique places in Verona to get amazing street photography shots. It is also home to great food and culture and is sure to keep you busy on your travel photography vacation. I would make sure to add this city on my list especially for street photographers.

Bagnone is a beautiful location in Italy and severely underrated. It a unique location of stone buildings cobbled up unto a hill in the Tuscan Appennines . What makes this place stand out is the Magra River that flow through the village as well as the castle and watch tower that stand a top the scenery giving this place a truly fairy tale like vibe. If you want a place all to yourself from away from the tourists of Italy, then this place is a photographers paradise for you.

8. Pragser Wildsee

Let life enchant you in this wild location called Pragser Wildsee. Very few people know that Italy is home to some of the most beautiful hiking locations in the world. Pragser Wildsee is in the Italian Dolomites and one of the most picturesque locations there.

Filled with pines trees, beautiful mountains and cute wooden boats, you can't not take a good picture here. This is one of those places that can land you your best shot ever so careful planning is necessary for you to get the picture of your dreams when you get here.

Okay so you probably already know about this place. One of the staples of Italy, Milan is known for its vibrant spirit with some of the best restaurants in the world, its world renown fashion influence, and the iconic attractions that bring in millions of visitors every year. For a first timer, Milan is a must visit in Italy. There are so many wonderful works of architecture here and as a street photographer (or any photographer) missing Milan would be a crime. Let the city charm you with its amazing picturesque locations.

10. Bellagio

No, I'm not talking about the Bellagio in Vegas. Bellagio is one of Italy's lesser know tourist destinations. It does get its fair share but much less than other popular places in Italy. As a photographer, there are many fantastic places in this fabulous village where you'll be able to snag some insta-worthy shots.

Bellagio is nestled on Lake Como in Italy and is one of the most beautiful villages on the lake shores. During the warm summer months, take it easy in Bellagio, spend the day enjoying the sun and take some fantastic shots when the sun is just right from many of the wonderful angles this place offers.

11. Villnöß

Look at that little village there. Yup, that's Villnöß, one of the most beautiful places in Italy. It's a small commune in a beautiful green valley surrounded by crazy peaks as the one pictured above. Spending one night here is a must for any photographers in Italy as there are so many cool locations around where you can get yourself some award winning photos. If you're up to it, you might even want to try climbing one of the peaks for some crazy shots.

12. Sanctuary of Madonna della Corona

Nope, that's not a Photoshop, that's the epic Sanctuary of Madonna della Corona, a church that sits against a mountain high in the sky. A truly unique place in Italy. It's pretty obvious from looking at the above picture that this is a must go place for photographers visiting Italy.

13. Latemar

The Latemar is one of the mountains that can be found in the Italian Dolomites . Now climbing the mountain will give you some impressive views and fond memories, but as a photographer, the best pictures will be the ones of the mountain itself.

There are many awesome spots where this peak can be photographed from (some of which are in this article) and you will definitely want to spend some time visiting some of them as they will offer unique views and perspectives of one of the most beautiful mountains in Italy. Try visiting the Lago di Carezza for a must see photo spot of the Latemar as well as Karersee which offers a unique reflection of the mountain.

14. Anghiari

Another beautiful and very unfrequented travel destination in Italy perfect for photographers is Anghiari. It is easily one of the most scenic walled towns in all of Tuscany . Lined with artisan shops, the narrow streets of Anghiari bring this historic place to life. Travel back in time through this location and capture some of the amazing details and architecture this place has to offer.

Make sure to grab the unique cityscape this city has such as in the picture above for some very Instagram friendly content. When you're done, get yourself a glass of wine and relax in one of the most awesome places in all of Italy.

15. Lake Sorapis

Another icon of the Italian Dolomites is the Lake Sorapis. One of the best areas to shoot pictures in Italy, this place will require a grueling 2 hour hike to get to the lake, but the reward will be this majestic clean lake surrounded by immense mountains. If you want some sunrise or sunset pictures, consider staying in the Rifugio up at the top of the trail overnight. This place can be very popular in the summer season so consider coming here during the off season in fall or spring.

16. Seiser Alm

The Seiser Alm is an area spanning around 56 km squared. It is the largest high-altitude alpine meadow in Europe. It is one of those places that feels like they might be the fabled garden of Eden. It has many small ponds and over 800 species of wildflowers and the meadow is riddled with small cabins like the one pictured above.

This place is just a paradise for photographers as the meadow is surrounded by an epic mountain in the distance that makes all the pictures you take here look surreal. If you want a really good picture, I recommend walking up or staying in the ADLER Lodge ALPE for the best view of the place.

17. Cortina d'Ampezzo

This is the the most popular ski resort in all of Italy. Also one of the most beautiful towns in all of Italy. The town has some beautiful architecture and is surrounded by some of the most unique mountains in the region. Staying here is sure to land you some wicked shots as the landscape is quite impressive.

18. St. Magdalena

As pictured above, St. Magdalena is a picturesque medieval church hidden high up in the mountains of Italy. It is literally next to Villnöß which makes it a worthwhile stop during your Italian adventure. This church is very popular on Instagram for a reason as it lies beautifully against the epic background of the Italian Dolomites . As a photographer, you won't be able to stop taking pictures of this magnificent place.

19. Tre Cime di Lavaredo

Tre Cime di Lavaredo is an amazing and impressive rock formation in the Italian Dolomites. It sits at an elevation of 2,999m. It is a very accessible area as you can get here with a car. Some of the best photos ever period have been shot here. The mountains are known for their three distinctive peaks. As a photographer here, you will be enchanted by the countless possibilities this place offers. If you want, try staying in one of the lodges close by to capture a sunrise or sunset picture.

20. Karersee

As discussed above in #13 , the Latemar is one of the most impressive mountains in the Dolomites . If you want to get the best picture possible, you have to make sure to hit Karersee. This lake gives an enchanting perspective of the Latemar with its surrounding pine trees and perfect crystal reflections of the mountain. This place is quite popular among tourists for a reason, but try heading here during a sunrise or sunset and you'll be among the few to be witness to one of the best spectacles on Earth.

21. Lake Misurina

An icon of the Italian Dolomites , Lake Misurina is unique and vivacious in its majestic beauty. This place is a very small tourist center located in the Dolomites at approximately 1750m in height. From the Lake there are many excursions one can take to the nearby peaks called Cadini di Misurina and Tre Cime di Lavaredo .

It's a great base for photographers in the region as the climate is perfect and the surroundings are just waiting to be photographed with plenty of possibilities for exploration. I would recommend staying here to catch the beautiful sunset and sunrise that is beautifully reflected on the Lake.

22. Varenna

I'm telling you, Varenna is an undiscovered paradise. It is one of the most underrated places on Lake Como . It is such a vibrant little village with great food and culture, but for a photographer, what distinguishes Varenna is it's beautiful assortment of red and yellow colored houses that sit on the shore of Lake Como . If you want to experience beauty with very little tourists, Varenna is the perfect spot to go.

23. Lake Garda

Lake Garda is a beautiful lake and the largest one in all of Italy. There are many beautiful little villages on the shores of the lake and everyone of them is worth a visit. As a photographer, you will have so many opportunities for amazing pictures here, especially long exposures of the villages sitting above the water.

I would recommend staying in Limone sul Garda or Sirmione as a home base, two of the most beautiful villages on Lake Garda. On top of that, you'll have many opportunities for outdoor activities on the lake to keep your vacation in Italy to a maximum of enjoyment.

24. Îlot de Loreto

This place is a perfect opportunity for a great picture. It is very similar to the island in Bled for those in the know. Loreto Island is located in Montisola on Lake Iseo . One of the important things to know before heading here is that this island is privately owned, meaning a tour of the island is highly improbable. That said, there are so many amazing spots around the lake that offer unique viewpoints of the island to get some amazing and unique shots.

The island is very unknown to most people meaning that you'll be one of the few photographers with some awesome shots of this place. If you're heading anywhere close to Montisola , I would highly recommend stopping by here for some great shots.

25. San Gimignano

This is an icon of beautiful Tuscany villages. It sits on a hilltop and is surrounded by 13th century walls making it an incredibly historical and unique destination in Italy. San Gimignano is also home to some very cool medieval "skyscrapers" which were originally built by the rich who displayed their wealth through the size of their towers. I highly recommend spending a day here to soak in the rich history this place has to offer and get some amazing shots in the process.

26. Isola Bella

Isola Bella is a wonderfully unique place in Italy. Located on the Lake Maggiore it offers a very picturesque island to explore. It has many types of Mediterranean plants as well as some incredibly luxurious medieval architecture. If you have a drone like the photographer above, then you can get some amazing shots of the island with the mountains in the background. Getting pictures of this place from land is harder but there's plenty of opportunities on the island itself or in the mountains close-by with a telephoto lens.

27. Santa Margherita Ligure

Santa Margherita Ligure is a classic vacation spot. It's a place with some real beauty and charm. As a photographer coming to this place will be a dream come true as the beautiful village is surely going to land you an unforgettable picture. It has many beautiful streets and amazing landscape views of the Ligurian coast . It's really close to Portofino and Milan as well which makes it a destination worth going off the beaten path for.

28. Camogli

Another beautiful spot which has less tourists than other popular places in Italy is Camogli. It is very close to Portofino and Cinque Terre which makes it a less popular destination. However, it is equally as beautiful with its amazingly colored buildings and nice nearby landscapes.

Unlike other similar destinations Camogli isn't filled with designer stores and yachts filling the bay. It is very reminiscent of what Italy used to be which is why it is a popular destination for locals. As a photographer you'll have plenty of opportunities for incredible pictures here.

29. Florence

Florence, Italy. One of the most popular destinations on the planet. You know about it already but for that one person who doesn't, let me explain. Florence is home to some of the best art in the world, best food in the world, and most amazing architecture in the world. It has iconic sights from the Renaissance era and a vibrancy like no other city.

As a photographer, you'll have unique opportunities in Florence for some great photography such as the one above. There is just so much great stuff in this city that Florence would require an article all of itself. For first-timers, Florence is a must go destination in Italy.

30. Montepulciano

Montepulciano is a hilltop town in the region of Tuscany . It is a place best know for wine with a wine bar at every corner. However, for photographers Montepulciano offers some of the best views of the Tuscan valleys in Italy as pictured above. It is an absolute must stop for wine lovers and photographers.

31. Bassano del Grappa

Bassano del Grappa holds a special place in my heart. My grandfather was born and raised in this small beautiful northern Italian village. He helped rebuild the bridge that is pictured here which dates back to 1209 but was destroyed during the second world war.

It is known as the home of Grappa, an Italian spirit popular among Italians (like myself). It is relatively very unknown and you will be among the few tourists in the village if you come here. However, do come as it offers exceptional beauty especially for street photographers. It is close to Venice and worth a detour.

32. Lake Orta

Lake Orta is a splendid 15 km long lake in the southern Alps of Italy. It is close to Lake Maggiore . It is a less visited lake of Italy but much worth the detour, especially for photographers. It is a very picturesque place in Italy surrounded by woods and mountains but the best part of the lake is the island in the middle which gives away some amazing views for photographers to capture.

Many Italians try to keep this place a secret as it has a tranquil beauty much different to the surrounding lakes that are bustling with tourists. I highly recommend spending at least a day on these majestic waters.

Venice is a dream. This is a place where most photographers will have a field day. I remember spending days walking around and exploring the beautiful city of Venice. There are so many little treasures all around the city. It is a placed that has been photographed so many times and is very popular but with reason, you will have no trouble finding your shot in this amazing city. I would probably rank this as one of the most beautiful destinations in the world. It is a must go for any first time travelers to Italy.

One of the less visited destinations in Italy is Padua. It is very close to Venice and a worthwhile destination for any travel photographer. Here you will find a myriad of fantastic spots for street photography. Padua is home to one of the largest squares in Italy filled with amazing food and culture. Once a favored city for artists, the renaissance imprint has remained one of Padua's signature attractions. Visiting Padua is a must for any photographer looking for unique pictures of Italy.

A city known for its culture, art, and fantastic food surrounded by medieval walls, Lucca is one of the most beautiful cities in Tuscany . It is quite close to Pisa and a must visit for photographers in the region. The architecture makes one feel like they are traveling through time back in medieval Tuscany . For street photographers, Lucca is a treat as there are so many unique views and sights the city offers which will guarantee you some unique photographs of Italy.

36. Val d'Orcia

Val d'Orcia is a very famous region in the southern part of Tuscany. It is where many famous films have been shot, and for a reason, this is one of the most beautiful valleys in the entire world. It is a UNESCO world heritage site and home to some beautiful cultivated hills and eye-catching landscapes. When visiting the region of Tuscany , Val d'Orcia is a must stop for any travel photographer.

37. Fosdinovo

Offering a splendid view of the Val di Magra , Fosdinovo us one of the most beautiful villages in the Lunigiana region. It is located near both the ocean and the mountains and has some of the most unique cuisine in Italy. It is an often overlooked destination which means that you will be able to capture it's unique essence as a photographer traveling to this century old village. If you are an architecture fanatic, you should absolutely consider Fosdinovo as it has some of the most beautifully preserved buildings, churches, and castles in Italy.

38. Monteriggioni

If you're a flytographer, you have to visit this beautiful little gem in the Tuscany region of Italy. It is surrounded by a medieval wall and is situated between Volterra and Sienne . It is so small but a few hours here is more than worth it as the streets are absolutely picturesque and rather empty of tourists. It is a great place to stop for ice cream and pictures on your trip around Tuscany.

A small commune in Italy of only 9.5 square kilometres, Treiso is a must-go destination in the Piedmont region. It is another beautiful small Italian village that is often overlooked by travelers to Italy. It is home to some of the best wine and food in Italy and some of the best landscapes a photographer can find. If you want some unique pictures of Italy, take this small detour as it will be more than worth it!

40. Madonna di Campiglio

Madonna di Campiglio is one of Italy's top ski resorts. Set beneath the high peaks of the Brenta Dolomites , it is a much lesser known destination of Italy, filled with beauty, and eye-catching photo opportunities. Even if you don't ski, this place has so many things to do, especially in the off-season where trails open up to hikers.

On top of the breathtaking views, Campiglio offers visitors some delicious food and laid back bars which are sure to keep you busy in between photography sessions. If you are visiting the Italian Dolomites , make sure to stop in this pretty part of the world.

41. Positano

Positano is a gorgeous cliff-side village on the Amalfi coast . It is easily one of the most picturesque places in Italy with crystal clear waters, quaint streetscapes, surrounded by mountains, and colorful pastel houses; this place is like a photographers dream.

On the far end of the Italian peninsula sits Scilla, a beautiful fishing village filled with delightful sights and smells of Italian life. The village is located between the sea and the mountains making this place a truly picturesque location for any adventurous photographers. There are two sides to Scilla which are separated by a rocky promontory topped with a castle. If that doesn't sound like a must go spot than I don't know what does.

43. Sorrento

Another amazing spot on the Amalfi coast is Sorrento. Sorrento is a beautiful cliffside town in Italy perfectly wedged between sea and mountain landscapes. As a photographer, you will have plenty of amazing opportunities for some unique photographs in Sorrento. This is also such an underrated spot and a worthwhile visit for travelers to Italy.

Assisi is a place that has been frequented by pilgrims since the 13th century to venerate St. Francis who was born and buried here. Assisi finds its character in the terrain shaped by the hills of Umbria and the forests of Monte Subasio.

This is one of the best kept secrets in Italy and a true gem of medieval history. On top of that, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site (and with reason!). There are so many beautiful sights to see from outside the village walls and inside the rich paved roads of the elegant Italian village.

The village is crowned by a ruined castle which provides amazing vistas of the surrounding region. As a photographer, you owe it to yourself to visit this majestic gem of Italian culture.

45. Perugia

Perugia is an underrated Italian destination. It is a vibrant city home to the University of Perugia which is one of the oldest universities in Italy. This city has an amazing local cafe and bar scene which perfectly takes advantage of the cities ancient architecture.

If you are into going off the beaten track and finding amazing streetscapes filled with unique and vibrant culture than Perugia is for you. If you are a street photographer, you almost cannot pass up on this amazing chance at capturing Italian city life.

46. Pompeii

Everyone knows about Pompeii. It is known as a place of great tragedy and history in Italy. It is one of the most visited architectural sites in Italy and is a UNESCO World Heritage site .

As a photographer, there are so many opportunities for truly unique photographs as Pompeii's historic city has withstood the test of time. It is a literal living museum. If you are into history and street photography Pompeii is definitely worth the detour.

I bet you've never heard of this little piece of paradise before. It is one of the largest and most developed islands in the bay of Naples and home to many luxuries that make for amazing, relaxing vacations such as spas, quality restaurants, beaches, and pools.

It's a must stop destination for travel photographers with the very cool castle built on an island view it offers. It is often overlooked by other tourists because it is close to Capri , but make no mistake, this island is arguably much more beautiful than its neighbor and a lot less expensive too.

48. Campobasso

Campobasso is a village very rarely visited in Italy and quite under the radar. However, if you do visit this beautiful tiny village, you will find beautiful stretches of quaint streets, shops, and architecture that make this a worthwhile stop on your Italian adventure. It is also situated in the mountains which make the backdrops even more jaw-dropping.

49. City of Alberobello

Alberobello, the villages of trullis. In the region of Puglia is the only place where you will find these cute little houses that are a defining trait of the region.

Although very popular, Alberobello is the city with the largest concentration of trulli in Italy. On top of that, this place is a UNESCO World Heritage site which means that you can't go wrong as a photographer looking for some really cool pictures.

I recommend visiting in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid large crowds of tourists day tripping to the area.

50. Polignano a Mare

Home to the red bull diving competition, Polignano a Mare is a very popular and very beach in the village of Polignano. However, it is very much worth passing by as a photographer if you are in this part of Italy. Visiting this beautiful spot in the early morning sunrise will be perfect as you will have the beach to yourself. Additionally, the village is a cliff side town with some very unique and beautiful ivory colored architecture.

51. Spiaggia dell'Arco Magno

This is a great day trip for photographers as this little spot in Italy offers some amazing photo opportunities. It is located in San Nicola Arcella and there is also a beautiful little secluded beach nearby that will allow you to spend the day swimming in perfectly turquoise waters in between your award winning shots.

52. Praiano

There it is, Praiano in all its glory. Very rarely do photographers visit this beautiful little village on the seaside cliffs of the Amalfi coast . Yet, it is one of the most beautiful and photogenic spots in all of Italy.

There are tons of splendid beaches where you can enjoy unique views of the Amalfi coast sunset and amazing foreground and background elements to bring out the best in your shots.

On top of that, you have some amazing trails to get even better views of the coast which I fully encourage such as the Sentiero degli Dei trail which will surely satisfy your crave of beautiful nature.

Make sure to stay for the delicious catch of the day in the many small restaurants that are contained within the village.

Perched atop a hill, Ostuni is a perfect location for photographers visiting Italy. It has all the elements you need to capture some amazing scenes. With a medieval vibe and buildings built on top of one another, Ostuni is a confusing maze of beautifully intricate streets that will have you zigzagging and exploring this wonderful piece of Italian history.

From the top, you can catch some views of the Adriatic Sea just 8km away. It would almost be a sin not to visit this eye-catching place.

54. Locorotondo

This is Locorotondo hidden away in the waters of the Mediterranean on a seaside vista. Here you will find stunning white washed trulli close knit together among pretty and narrow winding lanes. It is one of the most beautiful places in Italy and a street photographers dream.

It is not a very touristy town, but simply a place to admire the beautiful architecture of a forgotten time. Definitely come here if you're looking for a place away from the crowds.

Matera is known as "The Stone City" or "The City of Caves" (just look at that picture, amazing!). It is the third oldest continually inhabited settlement in the world which means that it literally feels like a city out of biblical times.

There are so many incredible viewpoints in this city which are ripe for some amazing photography opportunities.

56. Spoleto

In the region of Umbria sits this hidden gem (I promise it's a hidden gem!). It has some unique architecture and history as well as tons of cool places where you can shoot without the presence of hundreds of other people doing the same thing.

Hit this spot for some awesome cuisine from truly local villagers. If you want the Italian experience than this is a great place to get lost.

57. Beach of Two Sisters

I don't know how more people don't know about this little beach in Italy. It should be iconic. It gets its name from the two white rocks that jump out of the water as seen above. It is accessible by boat or through a steep pathway. It is pristine and uncrowded which makes it a perfect spot to sit back and soak in the sun.

Get a ferry here at 9AM or 10AM and return at 12:30PM or 3PM. Otherwise, hike the Passo del Lupo trail located north of Sirolo.

Keep in mind that this beach is a bit rocky so make sure to bring your best pair of flip-flops.

I know right, I'm at #58 on the list and I still haven't mentioned Rome. Honestly, do I even know what I'm talking about at this point? Of course I do...

Rome is unquestionably the image of Italy. It has the Vatican, the Coliseum, amazing pizza, and so much more. If you haven't been here before I urge you to stop here. It might not make your most unique shots but trust me when I say that they might be the most engaging shots. Everybody loves pictures of Rome. Take a long exposure during sunrise of the Coliseum and BAM, you've got yourself an amazing looking shot of Rome without any people in it and thousands of your followers on Instagram asking you how you did it.

Whether you shoot landscapes, streetscapes, architecture, fashion, urban, whatever, Rome is for you.

59. Villa Rufolo

The above image is a view from the Villa Rufolo. It was built by a wealthy merchant family in the 13th century. It was once known as the largest and most expensive villa on the Amalfi coast . It is a place where royalty has visited frequently for exquisite banquets.

For a small fee, you can stroll through the house and take in the charming views of the Amalfi Coast as well as visit the beautiful gardens around the house. Definitely worth a detour when visiting the area for some cool shots.

60. Orvieto

Home to some of the most beautiful buildings in Italy, this is an uncrowded oasis built on a hill in the Umbria region.

There is a calm stillness to the town that will charm any newcomer with its cafes and restaurants. The surrounding area is beautiful as well and any photographer here will find something quaint and unique. After all, this is a picturesque medieval town built on a hill. It also has what some call one of the seven wonders of Italy, it's duomo is impeccably ornate and is unlike any other cathedral you will find in Italy.

61. Pitigliano

Carved on a tufa ridge, Pitigliano is located in the Upper Maremma of Tuscany . The town has an unmistakable skyline. It is a remnant of the Bronze Age. There is an old Jewish quarter under the city which can be visited as well which is super cool for history buffs and photographers. It also played an important role in helping jews escape from racial laws in Italy during the WWII.

Definitely a must stop for its beauty alone and a must stay for its rich storied past.

Vieste is another pretty seaside town in Italy. It sits on a white cliff facing the Adriatic sea . It is an absolutely picturesque place filled with pretty white-washed houses.

There are also two amazing beaches on each side of town which are perfect for a relaxing afternoon before the golden hour.

Make sure to also check out the Pizzomunno Rock which sticks out 25m high from the sea on Castello Beach . Perfect for some dramatic shots of the sunset or sunrise.

63. Cala Dogana

Cala Dogana is the most populated concentration of people on the island of Levanzo in the Egadi Islands of the Mediterranean Sea . This part of the island is the perfect destination for photographers. It has beautiful weather and great sunsets by the sea with lined white cubic houses. It also has some great spots to visit on the island such as the Neolithic cave paintings in the "Grotta del Genovese" as well as the Paleolithic graffitos.

Just a day trip from Palermo , Cefalù is a picturesque Italian town that offers some of Sicily 's finest beaches as well as some of its greatest architecture.

I actually watched Cinema Paradiso recently which is a great Italian movie set in old Sicily . Turns out this is where the movie was shot and with no surprise, it has some of the most beautifully preserved squares, streets, and churches of medieval Italy. It would be a great disservice not to visit this wonder of a town.

65. Syracuse

One of the travel icons of Italy, Syracuse has it all, culture, tradition, and picturesque sights.

Here's a write up from UNESCO themselves : " The site of Syracuse and the Rocky Necropolis of Pantalica on the Mediterranean coast of south-eastern Sicily consists of two separate elements, the historic town of ancient Syracuse and the Necropolis of Pantalica. Together these two components form a unique cultural record that bears a remarkable testimony to Mediterranean cultures from the time of the ancient Greek. ". Couldn't of said it better myself.

The atmosphere in Syracuse is incredible as you walk through ancient Greece with a view of the pristine blue ocean by piazzas filled with delicious Italian cuisine. Your camera will not be able to take a bad picture here, trust me.

Placed at over 750 meters above sea level , Erice is a superb medieval village. The winding road that leads there offers very beautiful views. The medieval architectural ensemble is very well preserved, which explains the presence of many tourists. Despite everything, Erice remains a very quiet place. The village actually only has around 500 inhabitants. Very far from the rest of the population and taking advantage of the incomparable views, Erice with its cobbled streets and historic buildings is a visit not to be missed.

67. Scopello

Scopello is a tiny village on the Sicilian coastline. It is very well preserved and quite frequently visited by locals. It is known for the amazing landscape above but very little people actually bother to come here meaning that you will likely be one of the few to get shots of this amazing little place.

You will see the entirety of Scopello quite quickly so take time to sit back, relax and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of a beautiful Italian village.

68. Sardinia

This is the place to be in the summer in Italy. Sardinia is a beautiful island with gorgeous beaches, beautiful villages, and some fantastic clear waters perfect for surfers and swimmers.

There are tons of amazing spots for some great shots on the island including rugged coasts, some stunning lighthouses, Roman ruins, and tons of sea life. This place is a must for any travel photographer in Italy.

69. Maddalena Archipelago

This archipelago consists of 7 islands including: La Maddalena, Caprera, Budelli, Santa Maria, Spargi, Santo Stefano and Razzoli as well as 55 islets.

All these islands offer unique and amazing views of the Italian seas including turquoise lagoons, deserted seascapes, and amazing beaches. An amazing opportunity for any travel photographer.

There are also tons of activities here including scuba diving, hiking, boat tours, and more. Plus, for some reason, this place is still an undiscovered gem of Italy which makes it truly a special place to visit.

Bosa is a beautiful little town on the island of Sardinia . It is located in the province of Oristano . It is filled with beautiful colored buildings and is a very unpopular tourist destination making it an attractive idea for photographers looking for great shots of color vibrant Italian streets without an influx of tourists.

I hope you enjoyed this very long in depth article looking at some of the most beautiful photography spots in all of Italy. I spent a lot of time writing this article for you and would love your feedback in the comments below. Please share it with your friends looking to take a trip to Italy as there are so many undiscovered places in Italy just waiting to be photographed.

If you love photography including landscapes and cityscapes, do visit my gallery here where I feature some of my best shots.

Also please feel free to follow me on Instagram @pgtravelpics for more awesome content like this.

Have fun in Italy!

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The Best European Photo Spots to Enjoy This Summer

It’s the moment American travelers have been waiting for: The European Union (EU) is slowly opening its doors to U.S. travelers! That means summers spent frolicking along the Amalfi Coast or gallivanting through Greece are no longer distant memories—they’re summer-getaway possibilities (with certain stipulations , of course).

The entire travel world is celebrating this news, but few are as eager and excited to get back out there as travel photographers . That’s why, to celebrate this milestone, we sat down to chat European photo spots with seasoned travel blogger and photographer Amanda Williams , the creative behind A Dangerous Business travel blog.

Cue the wanderlust: we have the best European photo spots

With visits to more than 30 European countries, Williams knows a thing or two about European travel. “You can hop on a train or short flight and be somewhere completely different in just hours,” Williams says when asked why Europe is an ideal destination for photographers. “There’s so much variety in a relatively small area. Plus, all the history! If you’re a sucker for architecture like me, you definitely won’t be disappointed in Europe.”

Williams has witnessed and photographed some of the most captivating European photo spots, including catching the northern lights in Norway. Her favorite memory stemmed from a trip to Scotland. “On the Isle of Lewis and Harris, we visited an ancient stone circle a la “Outlander,” visited a tiny little distillery, hiked to a lighthouse, and met some highland cattle on a beautiful beach. It was just such a good day, both experience-wise and photography-wise.”

While the Isle of Lewis and Harris may have her heart, Williams has many European favorites. She was willing to share with the caveat that she has yet to see all that Europe has to offer. Therefore, whether you’re dreaming of a future European getaway or you’re ready to book that summer trip, here are Williams’ top European photo spots. (And, for tracking border openings, check the EU’s official timeline , or this handy international travel-ban map from Airheart).

Faroe Islands for dramatic nature

“This little island grouping in the North Atlantic is basically a photographer’s dream,” says Williams, who explored the Faroe Islands via road trip . “It has dramatic landscapes, moody weather, and woolly sheep.” Even better? It’s relatively off the tourist track.

Scottish Highlands for wild landscapes

If the highland cattle didn’t allure you, Scotland’s rugged landscapes definitely will—especially the further north you go. “Scotland is one of my favorite places in the entire world. I always come home from any trip with a very full memory card. The Highlands are rugged and beautiful, and the isles have some incredible beaches,” Williams says.

Venice, Italy, for the captivating canals

Find history and gorgeous photo spots in this European destination. “Venice has gotten a bit of negative media attention in recent years because of issues of overtourism, but the fact remains that Venice is still such a unique and beautiful place,” Williams says. “If you want to really get a feel for Italy’s Floating City, you need to stay overnight. Mornings and evenings are quieter and quite magical.”

Plus, those quieter moments are often during peak golden-hour times—a win-win for photographers. (See Williams’ Venice travel guide here .)

Budapest, Hungary, for one-of-a-kind architecture

“As far as big cities in Europe go, I really love Budapest,” Williams says. “It has some gorgeous architecture and interesting history, and I always enjoy taking my camera out there.” (See here for some of our best architecture photography tips .)

Northern Norway for northern lights and Nordic charm

After a year cooped up inside, travel photographers are craving awe and wonder—and Norway offers all of that, and then some, starting with aurora-borealis views . “If it’s northern lights, quaint towns, and epic landscapes you’re after, then northern Norway is a great spot to put on your list,” Williams says.

She notes: Tromsø and Alta are ideal for catching aurora-borealis shows. Other Norwegian getaways like Senja, the Vesterålen Islands, and the Lofoten Islands, are must-sees if time allows.

Portugal for everything in one

With varied landscapes, unique cities, and architectural wonders galore, it’s hard for travel photographers to top Portugal . “Lisbon and Porto are both so fun to photograph thanks to old neighborhoods and lots of beautiful azulejo tiles. Sintra is worth a visit if you want to see some pretty palaces,” Williams says.

Iceland for wonder and awe

Iceland was among the first destinations to welcome U.S. travelers after the pandemic, and travel photographers can’t wait to get back to capture the volcanic island’s beauty—starting with its active volcano . Williams shares this sentiment: “The country is just so fascinating, and with its glaciers, volcanoes, hot springs, black beaches, and all-around dramatic landscapes, it’s not difficult to find something photo-worthy here.” (Find photo inspiration in Williams’ Iceland-travel itinerary .)

Istanbul, Turkey, for the colors and charisma

Yes, Williams acknowledges that Istanbul straddles Europe and Asia. However, we’re happy to include it in her must-photograph Europe list because we agree: the city’s beauty is truly unmatched. “I really love the city and think it’s such a fun place to photograph,” Williams says. “Whether it’s the beautiful mosques, spices at the bazaar, or golden sunsets over the Bosphorus [strait], you’ll see things here that you won’t find in the rest of Europe.”

Additionally, Williams did have some honorable mentions. Like any travel blogger, the “what’s your favorite country” question is simply too hard to answer. Other European photography recommendations include Slovenia’s Lake Bled, London, the Greek Island, and Colmar, France, come holiday time.

Photography gear for European travel

When it comes to photography gear, Williams suggests making the most of what’s available. “I’m a firm believer that the best camera is the one you have, and the one you don’t mind carrying around with you.” Williams now uses the Sony A7III for travel photography, but is not above using a phone if necessary—especially given the latest smartphone-camera technology. You can view Williams’ full travel gear-lineup here , and don’t forget to follow along on her adventures over on Instagram at @ dangerousbiz .

Stephanie Vermillion

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25 Spectacular Travel Photography Destinations (With Photos)

As someone who is passionate about travel and photography, there is literally nothing in this world that makes me happier than when I’m taking photos in an incredible place.

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When I’m out and about with my camera in a dream location, and everywhere I look there are photo opportunities galore, the light is perfect, my heart is racing with the thrill… well it really doesn’t get any better than that!

So when I’m researching my next trip, I’m always looking for incredible places to travel for photography.

Where has the most stunning architecture, the most unique culture, the most colourful characters?

Where has abundant wildlife or incredible landscapes? Where is safe enough to wander with a camera; where has the friendliest people who’ll let me take their portrait?

Now, having travelled to over 70 countries and photographed in many of the world’s most celebrated travel photography destinations, I thought I’d make a list of the very best ones. Click the links within each section to take you to some of the images I shot there.

Of course, there are still plenty more I haven’t had the chance to visit yet. So just in case I’d missed a few gems off my travel photography bucket list, I reached out to some fellow travel experts and asked them to report back on what they think is the top place to travel for photographers.

This is by no means an exhaustive list, and I’m sure there are loads of wonderfully photogenic places I’ve missed. But there are certainly some stunning travel photography destinations in here, and I hope that within this list, you’ll find plenty of inspiration for your next travel photography trip!

1/ The icy landscapes of Antarctica

There’s a reason why Antarctica is right at the top of most travel photographers’ bucket lists. With its gorgeous icy landscapes, mirror-calm bays, majestic glaciers, icebergs the size of houses, and clear wintry light, it’s landscape photography heaven. In fact it’s virtually impossible to take a bad photo here!

And that’s before you even consider the wildlife – with six species of seals and eight types of penguins , not to mention whales and seabirds, Antarctica has everything to offer the passionate wildlife photographer too.

Read more: 60+ Awesome Antarctica Photography Tips

It’s not easy to get there, and it isn’t cheap either, so a trip to Antarctica is probably a once-in-a-lifetime, bucket list pick for most travel photographers. Only problem is: once you’ve been there, you just want to go back!

Click here to search Antarctica tours

2/ Eye-catching street photography in Cuba

If street photography is more your thing, then look no further than Cuba. Neglected by the Castro regime and battered by the US embargo that prevented any modernisation, Cuba has been effectively locked in a time warp for decades. But while this has been terrible for the country and its people in many ways, there’s no denying that it has made Cuba a dream destination for travel photographers.

Wander the Cuban city streets in Havana and Trinidad and you’ll be spoilt for photography choice, with colourful historic buildings at every turn. Get lost down alleyways and side roads, delighting in the crumbling paintwork, the ornate wrought-iron decorations, and the brightly-painted shutters that cheerily hide the dilapidation within. Smile at the friendly Cuban people, who welcome visitors and don’t seem to mind having their photos taken.

And then of course there are the famous Cuban cars , which roll the streets like living antiques. If you’re anything like me you can easily while away many hours photographing them from every angle, even missing dinner! Which is no great loss, because the food in Cuba is pretty terrible – but it’s a small price to pay for all the stunning photos you’ll bring home.

Read more: Ethical Travel Photography: How To Capture With A Conscience

3/ Myanmar: the world’s friendliest people

Myanmar was on my travel photography bucket list for the longest time. And when I finally went there, I was not disappointed. Everywhere you go there are endless delights, from the golden glinting Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, to the ancient temples at Bagan , to the impossibly photogenic leg-rowing fishermen of Inle Lake , to the bustling markets .

But the thing I loved best about travel photography in Myanmar was the people. Not only do they look fabulous, from the colourful street vendors to the red-robed Buddhist monks , but they were among the most friendly people I’ve ever met. Because Myanmar was closed to tourism for so long, its people are still just really happy to have visitors, and it shows in their generous and warm welcome. I don’t think a single person said no to me taking their photo!

Sadly the political situation in Myanmar has deteriorated since I was there and some areas are not safe to visit. So you may need to think carefully about if and when to go, but if you do get the chance, I don’t think you’ll regret it!

Click here to search for Myanmar tours

4/ The colours of Guatemala

There aren’t all that many countries left in the world where the culture and way of life still seems very little changed by the unstoppable rush of modernity – but Guatemala is one of them.

Guatemala is bursting with colourful towns , dramatic landscapes, and ancient cultural treasures . Lush rainforests, towering volcanoes exploding into the sky , and shimmering turquoise lakes provide stunning backdrops for your shots.

Step back in time with captivating Mayan ruins like Tikal, where towering temples pierce the jungle canopy. Capture the energy of vibrant markets overflowing with handcrafted textiles and fresh produce. Antigua, a UNESCO World Heritage Site , offers charming cobblestone streets, pastel-painted colonial buildings, and majestic volcanoes as a backdrop.

Beyond the scenery, Guatemala’s heart lies in its people. Photograph the smiles of indigenous communities dressed in traditional clothing (though you’ll need to be respectful and ask permission first, as many local people don’t like having their picture taken).

While you may be worried about safety in Guatemala , as long as you take sensible precautions, you should be fine. I spent 3 months exploring this amazing country with my camera, and came back with some of the best photos of my life .

Click here to search for Guatemala tours

5/ Glaciers and Northern Lights in Iceland

For landscape photographers, there are few better places to travel than Iceland. Whether you go in summer or winter, or any time in between, there are endless opportunities for gorgeous photos of snow-capped mountains, thundering waterfalls , crashing waves, black sand beaches, calving glaciers and icy lagoons.

Drive the ring road along the south coast and a journey of two hours will end up taking four as you stop endlessly for photos. Don’t miss the chance to walk inside a glacier ice cave, hike on a glacier , photograph fearsome sneaker waves , or admire the adorable Icelandic horses .

And then of course there are the legendary Northern Lights . Take a Northern Lights tour from Reykjavik and if you’re lucky with the timing and the weather, you can turn your already epic Iceland photos into something you’ll be showing off for the rest of your life.

Start planning your Iceland adventures here

6/ The souks and medinas of Morocco

Like many of the countries on this list, Morocco doesn’t have just one thing to offer the enthusiastic travel photographer. You’ll have heard of the famous blue city of Chefchaouen , for example, which is certainly photogenic (if a little overrun with Instagrammers). Or the dramatic beauty of the Atlas mountains, or the rolling dunes and clear starry skies of the Sahara Desert .

But for travel photography , the part I loved best were the twisty alleyways and colourful stalls of the medinas in Fes and Marrakech. These atmospheric mazes of streets and shops are easy to get lost in, but that’s part of the joy: no matter where you wander you’ll stumble across fascinating people and things to point your camera at.

You’ll need to be sensitive, as many of the shoppers and traders don’t like having their photos taken, but if you’re subtle and respectful, you’ll come home with striking and unique images. Don’t miss the striking Chouara Tannery inside Fes medina for a fascinating look at a tradition going back 1000 years.

Search for Morocco tours here

7/ Primates in Uganda

Uganda might not be a country that springs immediately to mind when you think of travel photography. It doesn’t have any of the instantly-recognisable, obviously-Instagrammable locations that might usually propel it onto lists like this one.

But the fact that Uganda is less Insta-famous makes it a perfect place to travel for photography. There are no crowds of influencers here, just dozens of wonderful things to see . Head to Kibale and Bwindi National Parks in the west of the country to spend time with chimpanzees and the legendary mountain gorillas , or visit Queen Elizabeth National Park for vibrant green landscapes and ancient volcanic crater lakes.

Read more: Using The Canon R5 For Wildlife Photography: A Full Review

And everywhere you go as you travel round Uganda , you’ll find friendly and welcoming people who are not yet so fed up of tourists papping them that they resent it – instead if you ask nicely, most people will be happy to let you take their picture.

Plan your Uganda photography adventure here

8/ The historic ruins of Turkey

Turkey has been described as ‘the world’s largest outdoor museum’, a title well-earned thanks to the country’s fantastic architectural and historic heritage.

Turkey sits on the border between Europe and Asia, and over the centuries has been invaded by everyone from the Greeks and Romans to the Persians and Mongols. All of whom left their mark on the country in different and fascinating ways – now a gift to you and me with our cameras.

There are dozens upon dozens of ancient ruins in Turkey , from the legendary city of Troy to the rock temples of Midas City and the extraordinary landscape of Hierapolis-Pamukkale – all of which are great places for photography.

Or you could head to the glorious city of Istanbul to photograph its stunning mosques and minarets as the sun goes down over the Bosphorus, and of course you cannot miss the world-famous ‘fairy chimneys’ of Cappadoccia.

So if you’re looking for a place to travel for photography that features ancient history and architecture, all set in dramatic landscapes under a glorious Mediterranean sun , Turkey is the destination for you!

Click here to search for Turkey adventures

9/ Italy for… well… everything!

Oh God, where do I start with Italy?! There’s so much choice for travel photographers, from the bewildering array of Roman ruins, to the sumptuous palaces and churches of cities like Florence and Verona, to the iconic canals and bridges of Venice, to the undulating landscapes of Tuscany, to the colourful painted towns of the Amalfi Coast and Cinque Terre, you could spend a year exploring Italy with your camera and still not have seen enough!

Italy does have a reputation for being crowded – which is hardly surprising for country that is so accessible and has so much to offer – so if you want to avoid the crowds and take travel photos that are a bit less obvious, why not head to one of the slightly less touristy, but no less beautiful, parts of the country ?

One top pick would be Trento , in the north. A charming city nestled in the foothills of the Dolomites, Trento offers both colourful Italian city views and gorgeous mountain scenery. Or head to Naples for history and architecture but with an edgy side.

Or if pretty towns and villages are more your bag, avoid celebrity-famous Tuscany and go to Umbria instead, where places like Orvieto , Assisi and Todi offer plenty of opportunities to capture the real heart of Italy, away from the worst of the tourist madness.

Looking for an Italy tour? Click here!

10/ Colourful portraiture in Japan

Japan is one of the best countries for photography because it has it all: gorgeous landscapes from mountains to islands, traditional culture from temples to food, and a population that loves taking photos and are more than willing to pose for you anytime, anywhere.

It’s not difficult to find a great portrait to capture, whether you are interested in cosplay, robots, monks, and people dressed in kimono and yukata all over the country. The Japanese are more than happy to have you photograph them fishing, mending nets, hiking, doing sports like sumo or kendo, or even cooking in restaurants. This is pretty unusual when traveling around the world, so the one caution is not to get used to this openness if you travel to other countries.

Closed off to the world for many centuries, the Japanese have retained much of their traditional culture. From welcoming in the New Year to celebrating many festivals all year long with parades, fireworks, and music and dance, there are ample opportunities to capture a glimpse into Japan’s history.

The photo above was taken at  Kusatsu Onsen , a hot springs town, deep in the mountains where the water is so hot that women have been cooling it for centuries. If you are looking for a country to really allow your photographic skills to shine, book a trip to Japan!

By Corinne Vail of Reflections Enroute

Search for your dream Japan trip here

11/ The pristine Lofoten Islands, Norway

Dramatic. Pristine. Breathtaking. These words only begin to describe the beauty of the Lofoten Islands in Norway . This remote archipelago of islands is off the western coast of Norway just within the Arctic Circle, and is widely lauded as one of the best places for photography in the world. It’s a photographer’s dream destination year-round, but especially in winter.

During the day, drive between the islands capturing the iconic cabins, snow-covered beaches, arctic surfers, and dramatic rock formations jutting out of the fjords. And at night, this is an ideal location to photograph the magic of the Aurora Borealis. 

Hamnøy is a must on any photographer’s Lofoten Islands itinerary. Bright red cabins line the waterfront with breathtaking mountains along the horizon. The bridge is a great vantage point, especially during golden hour and after dark for nighttime photography. 

Other great photography spots include the view from Mt. Ryten, Rambergstranda Beach, Reine, and the fishing village of Nusfjord. You could easily spend several days exploring the islands and capturing the unique beauty of this place. 

If the Lofoten Islands are a bit too remote for you, don’t worry! Norway is one of the most photogenic places in the world. For the Northern Lights, consider alternatives such as Tromsø or Bodø. Or, closer to Oslo, get a taste of the fjords in either Bergen or Flåm. Or for something completely different, why not try visiting the Ice Music Festival !

By Susan Gleissner from This Big Wild World

Start planning your Norway adventure here

12/ Off the beaten track in Georgia

The Republic of Georgia is a dream destination for travel photographers of all stripes. From surreal mountain landscapes to picture-perfect street scenes, this tiny nation in the South Caucasus has it all.

Georgia has a dozen climatic zones and no shortage of  unique places to visit , from alpine villages to semi-desert landscapes, cave monasteries to verdant tea fields and the subtropical Black Sea coast.

The cities are an eclectic mix of medieval, Silk Road and Soviet styles. In Tbilisi, you’ll find everything from florid Art Nouveau mansions to Persian-style bathhouses and Brutalist commie buildings, all within a few city blocks. One of the best places for street photography is the local  bazari  – every town and city has its own vibrant marketplace where regional produce, spices and homemade cheese is sold.

One of Georgia’s greatest assets is its cultural and religious diversity, especially in the Greater Caucasus mountains. Svaneti, Racha, Khevsureti and remote Tusheti all offer awe-inspiring landscapes and traditional architecture, most famously the UNESCO-listed Svan tower houses around western Georgia’s Mestia and Ushguli.

Try to time your visit with one of Georgia’s cultural festivals. The Rtveli wine harvest in late autumn sees families around the country head out to their vineyards to pick and crush grapes. It’s an atmospheric, joyous time of year and a great chance to observe and photograph one of the nation’s most beloved traditions.

Georgia is renowned for its warm hospitality (tradition dictates that every guest is a gift from God), and you’ll find that most people are very curious towards tourists and eager to strike up a conversation once you pull out your camera. Be mindful when taking photos of people’s homes or when photographing rural and remote areas as some communities are more conservative.

By Emily from Wander-Lush

Don’t miss Georgia! Book your tour here

13/ History and countryside in Provence, France

There are few other places in France, or indeed Europe, that offer the diversity of landscapes that you’ll find in Provence. You could spend weeks snapping the quintessential hilltop villages, grand chateaux, sprawling vineyards, rustic olive groves, and plane tree-lined boulevards.

And that’s just the countryside. Provence is also where you’ll find the Calanques National Park, with its dramatic fjords and idyllic beaches; the Verdon Gorge, touted as being the deepest canyon in Europe; Mt Sainte-Victoire, the subject of over 60 of local artist Cézanne’s paintings; and the Colorado Provençal, so named for its ochre-toned resemblance of the US state.

Seasonally, the region shows off further, with floral displays to rival those found anywhere else in the world. Most famously, the  lavender fields of Provence  transform the plains of Valensole, Sault, and the Luberon into a fragrant wonderland. Visit in late June – mid July to catch them at their best, and aim for golden hour to catch the most beautiful hues. Less famous, but equally as enchanting, is the poppy season which transforms empty fields around the region into a splendour of red during the month of May. 

By Nadine Maffre from Le Long Weekend

Search for France tours here

14/ The variety and diversity of Chile

From mountains, to deserts, sandy beaches, and everything in between, Chile is one of the most diverse countries for travel photography.

In the North, the San Pedro de Atacama desert (considered the driest desert in the world) provides stunning rocky desert terrain for landscape photography. Near the centre of the country, the capital city of Santiago sits right below the towering, snow-capped Andes Mountain range, making for a surreal view on a clear day. Santiago is considered one of the safest cities in South America and is rich with history and inspiring architecture.

Towards the Pacific, the bohemian, sea-side town of Valparaíso has attracted artists for decades to its colourful streets and gorgeous coastline. Here you can be sure to lose yourself among the city’s famed muralled walls and imaginative street art.

As you venture way to the county’s south, you will reach the famous Patagonia region. World-renowned for its rugged and rough terrain, unique wildlife (who could forget the guanacos!), and incredible glaciers, Patagonia is an unmissable destination for photography in Chile. The Torres Del Paine National Park is home to awe-inspiring mountain views and excellent hiking trails. Nature lovers can camp under the stars, or those that prefer a little more comfort can stay in one of Torres del Paine’s range of hotels .

By Emma Schneck from All Over the Place

Tempted? Search for Chile photography adventures here

15/ Stunning architecture in Uzbekistan

Around every corner and down every alley in Uzbekistan awaits stunning architecture in contrasting styles that will keep you on your toes and challenge your photography skills.

The capital, Tashkent, has numerous communist-style buildings with hard concrete edges. However, the best clicks are underground in Tashkent’s famous subway. Each station is an architectural masterpiece that you have to see to believe. Since 2018 it has been legal to take photos in the subway.

As you head into the heart of Uzbekistan, the communist architecture fades, and a world teeming with breathtaking Islamic architecture appears. Bukhara’s central square features massive madrasas with blue domes and intricate, colorful tile work. In Samarkand, the mausoleum complex of Shah-i-Zinda and the Registan is dazzlingly beautiful.

Budget time to wander the side streets and enjoy the simple residential architecture for a completely different travel photography experience. The light is always the harshest at mid-day, so it is best to get up with the sunrise, take a mid-day break and revisit places as the sun sets. The changing light from morning to dusk will bring an entirely new feel to each image.  

Make sure you pack a wide-angle, a 35mm or 50mm, and a tripod. Uzbekistan is not ultra-conservative, but you should dress modestly and respect dress codes for entering certain areas such as the mausoleum.

By Susanna Kelly-Shankar from Curiosity Saves Travel

Don’t miss Uzbekistan. Start planning now!

16/ The dramatic Canadian Rockies

In the Canadian Rockies you’re spoiled for travel photography choice; pick from the gorgeous mountain drama of Lake Louise, or drive a bit further north to Jasper National Park, the largest of them all.

Lake Louise is located in Banff National Park and is one of the prettiest – and most photographed – natural attractions in Canada . Head here for the iconic views and dramatic landscapes that give Canada its well-deserved reputation as one of the best places to travel for photographers.

Or, if you prefer something slightly more original, try Jasper National Park , which is home to a variety of wild animals, from small mammals like beavers, weasels and porcupines to larger animals like moose, caribou and bears. It’s actually surprisingly easy to capture them on a snowy day, or when road tripping on the Icefield Parkway.

Jasper is also a stargazer’s paradise. So if you are into astrophotography, add Jasper to your bucket list. 

Accessing hiking and skiing trails in the Canadian Rockies is safe, at all times of the year, just prepare well, make sure you adhere to road closures and weather warnings, and keep a sensible distance from any wildlife you may encounter.

By Mayuri from Canada Crossroads

Click here to check out some great Canada tours

17/ The Emerald Isle: Ireland

Whether you have a few days or a few weeks to spend in Ireland, you will still feel you don’t have enough time to capture everything you’d like to. From breathtaking vistas and incredible geological formations, the coast alone will keep you busy.

Visit the famous Cliffs of Moher and the Giant’s Causeway, but also make sure to stop off at to lesser-known places. You will be rewarded with colourful villages, dramatic cliffs, lighthouses, and old forts.

The inland rural areas shouldn’t be disregarded either. Ireland has the brightest green country you’ll ever find, and that green is scattered with castles and quiet pastures everywhere. Even the morning fog is a feature worth waking up early for.

If you prefer urban photography, head to Dublin. From the different Gothic styles of St Patrick’s Cathedral and Christ Church Cathedral to the colourful Temple Bar area, it’s a wonderful city to travel for photographers.

Add to that the collection of Georgian doors, 24 bridges, and many historical buildings, and you should have your hands full for a while. Around Dublin , more castles and old Irish estates are open for visitors. Take your camera and explore those sunken gardens, old structures, and unique details.

By Anda Bartos from Travel for a While

Click here to find Ireland tours from leading companies

18/ China’s wild landscapes

With landscapes as diverse as the Gobi Desert, Himalayan Mountains, karst pillars, mighty rivers and lush jungle,  China  is a fantastic place to travel for photographers. 

This vast, and often untamed land, has endless possibilities when it comes to landscape photography. In addition to the obvious places like the Great Wall of China, the karst mountains on the Li River and the ancient Silk Road, China offers plenty of true “hidden gems”.  

If you really want to discover some of the magic of the Middle Kingdom, then head to Tibet. From yaks grazing beside emerald lakes beneath the highest peaks on earth to windswept plateaus where prayer flags flutter on the wind, Tibet is one of the best places in the world for photography.

Other places such as the Rainbow Mountains at Zhangye, Crescent Moon Lake and the Singing Sand Dunes at Dunhuang, beautiful Hangzhou and West Lake and the rainforests of Hainan Island all provide inspiration for photographers. 

No trip to China would be complete without discovering some of the country’s 5,000-year history and culture. To get the most of your photography trip to China consider staying at least three weeks and including Beijing, Xi’an, Chengdu and Hangzhou on your itinerary.  

As with travelling anywhere, avoid photography of officials, police, soldiers and related buildings. The Chinese authorities can be overly sensitive sometimes, so if in doubt, always ask (officials are friendly and approachable). 

By Steve Rohan from The Trip Goes On

Get inspiration for your China photography trip here

19/ Namibia ‘s remote desert environments

If you’re a travel photographer who loves landscapes, you should definitely consider wild Namibia, in southern Africa. Its dramatic scenery has been forged over millennia by volcanic eruptions, desertification and erosion, resulting in stunning craters, mountains and vast canyons. 

However, most come for the Namib Desert, believed to be the oldest desert in the world.  There is a lot to see in the  Namib Desert , but the two best spots for desert photography are Sossusvlei and Sandwich Harbour.

Sossusvlei is an area of dried-up marshland deep in the heart of the Namib sand sea.  It is surrounded by huge curvy red dunes, and the floor is cracked white clay. In Deadvlei, the remains of blackened dead trees twist as if stuck in a macabre dance. In the early morning, you can catch the first rays lighting up the dunes and in the midday sun, the contrasting colours are vibrant and striking. 

Sandwich Harbour is where the desert meets the sea, towering golden dunes facing into the ferocious South Atlantic. You’ll need a 4×4 and knowledge of the tide to get there, as the route is along the narrow beach between the dunes and the sea – but the scenery is worth the nail-gripping ride!

And the good news is, the photography opportunities don’t end with the desert: the infamous Skeleton Coast of Namibia is dotted with shipwrecks, there are deserted diamond mining towns and there’s a huge amount of wildlife, including lions, elephants, leopards and giraffes. There are also tribes that maintain their traditional way of living, including the fascinating Himba people. 

By Martha from May Cause Wanderlust

Search for the best Namibia trips here

20/ Architecture and nature in Vietnam

Vietnam is an incredible destination for travel photography – from cities to ancient temples and stunning natural beauty, this Southeast Asian country has something for everyone.

For wonderful cityscapes, head to Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi, where modern skyscrapers and colonial buildings are the perfect juxtaposition against the bustling markets and thousands of scooters zooming through the city streets.

If you’re looking for a smaller city with interesting street photography, the small city of Hoi An is worth a stop, with its famous yellow-walled Old Quarter, the nightly releasing of floating lanterns down its river, and the fascinating intersection of Chinese and French architecture.

Are you seeking more natural beauty? Consider Ha Long Bay, where dramatic limestone casts tower over the turquoise Gulf of Tonkin, or Sa Pa, a town to Vietnam’s northwest that’s comprised of impossibly green rice terraces as far as the eye can see.

If you’re looking for something slightly less touristy than Ha Long, check out Ninh Binh, which offers similar landscapes, with limestone monoliths topped with lush greenery – but this time, the mountains are land-bound and carved out with mysterious caves.

By Jessica Schmit from Uprooted Traveler

Check out inspirational Vietnam tour ideas here

21/ The wonder of Iran

Often portrayed negatively by the media, Iran is a welcoming country rich with culture, history, and the most breathtaking mosques. It is also incredibly safe to travel to and to wander around with your camera.

Start your Iran photography trip in Shiraz, home to the mesmerizing Nasir-ol-Molk Mosque. Get there early in the morning, right when it opens, to secure the best photo spot (it can get very crowded and competitive!). Then, as you watch the sun rise, the colors of the mosque’s stained glass windows begin reflecting on the carpet, creating a rainbow light show.

Another incredible place for architectural photography in Iran is the city of Isfahan, home to the magnificent Naqsh-e Jahan Square. This square is filled with history, and is framed by two incredibly gorgeous mosques: Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque and Shah Mosque. The intricate mosaic tiles inside these mosques are simply unbelievable, and you can easily spend hours photographing them from different angles. 

To get the best architecture shots in Iran, shoot at sunrise or very early in the morning for the best lighting and the least amount of tourists. Keep in mind that the architecture in Iran is also very majestic, so having adequate gear, such as some solid wide-angle lenses for the Sony a7III , would really help capture the scale of the mosques. Be sure to also bring some wide-aperture lenses as some of the mosques are pretty dimly lit.

By Jiayi from The Diary of a Nomad

22/ Ancient and modern life in Jordan

There are quite a few places in Jordan that are perfect for travel photography, irrespective of the type of photography you like.

Areas like the world-famous Petra and the Dana Biosphere are fantastic for landscape photography. Meanwhile Wadi Rum should be included in your  Jordan itinerary  as it’s one of those rare places where you can see the Milky Way clearly, making it unmissable for night photography in Jordan.

If you like murals, food photography, portraits and street photography, head to Amman. Most of the locals are accommodating and let you click pictures if you ask politely. While there aren’t specific street photography tours conducted in Amman, the Downtown area is where you’ll find more of the historical and cultural aspects of the capital.

good places for photography

You can take pictures at places like the Dead Sea; however, make sure you don’t let a single drop of water touch the camera as it is super salty!

The best time to visit Jordan is in spring and autumn when it isn’t too hot or too cold as it does tend to get quite cold in winter. 

By Lavinia Dsouza from Continent Hop

Start your Jordan adventure by clicking here

23/ The grandeur of the USA’s National Parks

The USA’s famous National Parks are full of opportunities to photograph wildlife, natural wonders, and beautiful landscapes. Two of the most popular – and with good reason – are Yellowstone and Yosemite, both of which are fantastic destinations for travel photography.

There are endless  things to do in Yellowstone , but if you’re a photographer, probably the only thing you’re going to want to do is take pictures! But you’ll need to get up early – the morning light makes for beautiful images and if wildlife photography is your thing, you’ll also find that the animals tend to be most active early in the day. Lamar Valley is a popular place to see wildlife.

For iconic landscape photography spots, head to Grand Prismatic Overlook, Old Faithful, Artist Point, and Mammoth Hot Springs. 

If you’re heading to Yosemite National Park, the best time to go is in the spring. The waterfalls have a large volume because of snowmelt and the dogwoods are in bloom.

Head to the Tunnel View lookout around sunset for one of Yosemite’s most celebrated views, or try Glacier Point, Three Brothers, Half Dome, and Yosemite Falls for more good places for photography.

By Candice from CS Ginger 

Search for USA National Parks tours here

24/ India’s Royal Palaces

Home to colourful streets, beautiful monuments, and incredible natural scenery, India is a diverse country with plenty under its belt. Whether you like photographing architecture, wildlife, or portraits of Indians , there is something to interest any visiting photographer here.

If you are planning to travel to India for the first time, then make sure to spend some days exploring the princely state of Rajasthan. Steeped in royal history, this region of India boasts numerous palaces, forts, and temples. You can fly into the Instagram-famous  pink city of Jaipur  and travel to Jodhpur and Udaipur before making your way to the Thar Desert in Jaisalmer. The Ranthambore National Park in Sawai Madhopur is also a must for tiger safaris during the winter season.

Read more: Taking The Sleeper Train In India: What’s It Really Like?

Just keep in mind that some religious places like temples and cenotaphs may not allow photography. It is best to ask a caretaker if unsure or wait for the prayers to finish. Another thing to note is that tripods are generally not allowed in most touristy places in India.

Alternatively, for greener landscapes, check out Kerala in the south. The hill station of Munnar is widely famous for its acres of tea plantations and is one of the best places to photograph in India.

You can spend a couple of days there and then head back down to experience the houseboats sailing on the backwaters of Kerala. If possible, opt to stay in one for a night or two and click away as you catch panoramas of palm trees and water lilies while onboard. It is particularly magical at sunrise and sunset.

By Charu Goyal from Travel with CG

Check out some fantastic India tour ideas here

25/ The faraway beauty of Alaska

A  road trip to Alaska  should be a bucket list place to travel for photographers. The last frontier State is huge, and its wild beauty so unique and mind-blowing, that it offers plenty to see and discover.

Alaska is a real playground for travel photographers, with history, breathtaking icy landscapes, abundant wildlife, stunning hiking trails, and some of the most scenic roads in the United States, even in the world! If you are into wildlife photography , Alaska also offers plenty of opportunities, with whales, bears, and hundreds of species of birds.  

Head to Seward, where you can take a boat tour and photograph icebergs and wildlife such as seals and whales. Or try Denali National Park, a world-class setting for wildlife photography enthusiasts.

But the most spectacular treat that Alaska offers to any travel photographer is the opportunity to capture the Northern Lights . Fairbanks is one of the best places to see the Aurora Borealis in the world, because of its location and lack of light pollution. If you haven’t photographed the lights before, a Fairbanks northern lights tour is a great way to maximise your chances of seeing them, as the local guide will be able to plan the best time and location for epic Aurora images.

By Paula from Paula Pins the Planet

Get inspiration for Alaska landscape photo tours here

My favourite travel tools and brands

To help you organise your trip, here’s a short list of some of the brands and tools I use over and over again when I’m planning my travels. You can see more on my Travel Resources page.

• Booking.com : A huge range of hotels to choose from, often with free cancellation. If you book hotels regularly you can earn discounts. I’m on Genius Level 3 which gets me 20% off!
• Expedia : Another great place to find hotels and Expedia also sell flights , car hire, and loads more all in one place.
• Skyscanner : The only place I ever go to search for flights and compare prices.
• Flight Centre : Booking a more complicated route? Let Flight Centre organise it for you (and deal with the drama when something goes wrong).
• Priority Pass: I love having access to 1,400+ airport lounges when I fly, allowing me to enjoy my time at the airport. With my link you get 30% off a standard membership or 20% off standard plus.
• Airalo: Say goodbye to ridiculous mobile roaming charges. Did you know you can now buy an e-SIM , install it in your phone before you leave home, and then use data abroad at local prices? Game changer.
• TourRadar: If you prefer group travel and organised tours, TourRadar has a huge range of fantastic tours from respected operators. They’re very helpful and have 4.5 stars on TrustPilot.
• Viator: Part of the TripAdvisor brand, Viator is another great place to search for group adventures and day trips.
• GetYourGuide: A great place to find local tours and day trips in your destination.
• Wex Photo Video: The UK’s best camera gear store. Quote my name – Bella Falk – to get £20 off your first purchase.
• Ellis Brigham: Looking for good quality backpacks, travel clothes and other gear? Ellis Brigham is where I buy almost all of mine.
• Rentalcars.com: Part of the Booking.com family and the world’s largest online car rental service, with 24/7 customer service.
• World Nomads Travel Insurance: I never ever travel without travel insurance and nor should you!

Read about more travel photography destinations

• 25 Best Travel Photography Blogs
• 25 Brilliant Tips For Travel Photography
• 23 Best Places to Visit in Thailand
• Things to do in Pembrokeshire: Coast, Castles and More
• 13 Top Tips For Photographing Markets
• Travel photography on the road – my photo editing workflow tips

Liked this post about travel for photographers?

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Bella is a multi-award-winning travel writer, wildlife photographer and science and history documentary director from London. Among many awards and nominations she won Blogger of the Year at the British Guild of Travel Writers’ Awards 2023 and Best Photography at the Travel Media Awards 2020. Her work has been published by National Geographic, Wanderlust, and BBC Travel among others. Her films have been shown around the world including on the BBC, Discovery and PBS.

Further Reading...

13 Top Tips For Taking Great Travel Photos Of Markets

Best Camera For Blogging – By Travel Bloggers

Hiking In The Beautiful Knuckles Mountain Range, Sri Lanka

A day trip to port de sóller on the palma soller train, mallorca, scotland's isle of may: puffins, beautiful landscapes and more.

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10 Best Places to Travel for Photography

A Post By: Jeremy Flint

There are many incredible locations around the globe, and they’re all capable of entertaining photographers for a lifetime .

So whether you’re looking for cities to explore, history and culture, or majestic landscapes, the world is your oyster. It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner planning a first travel photography trip or you’re a serious photographer in search of top travel destinations; this guide is for you.

Below, I share a selection of my favorite locations for photography. They offer an array of attractions – crystal-clear oceans, breathtaking vistas, hiking adventures, safaris, and so much more – and cater to a variety of interests, budgets, and activity levels. So to discover the 10 best places to travel for photography, read on!

1. The Lake District, England

The Lake District is an incredibly beautiful location and one of the best landscape photography destinations in the world. This amazing national park features lakes, fells, waterfalls, and even some attractive market towns! A few of the most photogenic lakes you will find in the park include Ullswater, Derwent Lake, Wast Water, and Lake Windermere.

The Lake District is a great place for fun camera walks, and it’ll especially appeal to those looking for a more active trip. The variety of walking routes is impressive and offers many spectacular views of the lakes and surrounding fells. And the Lake District looks great year-round, so whether you’re searching for a winter or a summer trip, it’s a great pick.

2. Grand Canyon, USA

Without a doubt, Grand Canyon National Park is one of the most photogenic places on earth, and it’s certainly one of the best locations for landscape photography in the US thanks to its absolutely mind-blowing vistas.

The park features two rims – North and South – each offering incredible overlooks and views of the canyon. The photo opportunities are endless, and you can capture the grand scale and vastness of the rocky landscape at any time of day, including sunrise, midday, and sunset. (Other top US national parks worth visiting include Yellowstone, home to geysers and hot springs, and Yosemite, with its stunning waterfalls and beautiful peaks.)

3. Provence, France

If you’re seeking beautiful scenery, then Provence is the place to be. Nestled in a picturesque corner in the South of France and bordering Italy and the Mediterranean Sea, Provence features row upon row of purple lavender fields (they carpet the landscape as far as the eye can see!).

Provence is one of the top places to travel for photography, and it’s a truly delightful location thanks to its warm sunny climate, great food, and colorful scenery. With plenty to photograph – from iconic lavender fields to attractive hilltop villages – this rural region really is a photographer’s paradise.

4. Tenerife, Canary Islands

Are you a beginner in search of a plethora of natural wonders to photograph? Then consider a trip to Tenerife. With its volcanic scenery, pine forests of Teide National Park, black sand beaches, rugged cliffs, and great walking routes, the opportunities for photography are endless.

Mount Teide reaches over 12,000 feet; in fact, it’s the highest point in Spain. And Teide is Europe’s most popular national park (with three million annual visitors!). One bonus is the low light-pollution levels, which makes Tenerife’s clear and vivid night skies a popular choice for astrophotographers. Tenerife is also a good budget-friendly destination with plenty of reasonably priced restaurants and accommodations.

5. Tanzania, Africa

Seeing African wildlife in its natural habitat is the stuff of dreams, but a trip to Tanzania – one of the best wildlife photography locations in the world – can make it happen.

Serengeti National Park is an amazing location to view wildlife, and a safari is the best way to experience the magnificence of the big five: lions, rhinos, elephants, buffalos, and leopards. You can also photograph stunning acacia trees and the surrounding environment where a host of other animals thrive on the vast open plains, including cheetahs, giraffes, hippos, hyenas, zebras, and wildebeest. Tanzania isn’t the cheapest of destinations, but it’ll allow you to create some truly wonderful images and memories that will last a lifetime.

6. Maldives

Situated in the Indian Ocean, southwest of Sri Lanka and India, this impressive collection of islands is a fantastic travel photography destination. Maldives is one of the most beautiful places in the world and features an abundance of colorful marine life, white sand beaches, and turquoise seas.

This tropical paradise is more expensive to visit but comes highly recommended for its travel photography potential. You can soak in the sights of your chosen island, do some wildlife watching, or head out on a sunset cruise. Other activities include snorkeling and diving, kayaking, and seaplane flights, which offer spectacular underwater , on-the-water, and aerial photographic opportunities .

7. Kefalonia, Greece

Kefalonia, a Greek island located in the Ionian Sea, features gorgeous vistas and cultural wonders, not to mention a wonderful tropical climate that makes for great spring, summer, and fall visits.

Kefalonia boasts some of the best beaches in Europe, including Myrtos and Antisamos Beach, as well as plenty of natural wonders for landscape and travel photography: caves, crystal-clear water, pine forests, steep cliffs, and even wildlife. It’s a relaxing place to visit, and it’s a perfect destination if you prefer to drive around and explore on your own.

The island also offers historic towns, ports, and picturesque villages to visit and/or photograph. If you wish to expand your trip to include an array of Greek islands, check out Santorini, Crete, and Corfu, all of which are great for travel photography.

8. Kyoto, Japan

Why is Kyoto worth a photographic visit? So many reasons . This cultural center offers dozens of attractions for travel photographers, including thousands of traditional temples, pagodas, and shrines, not to mention beautiful parks and gardens. Landscape photographers will love the wooded forests, bamboo groves, and the changing seasons of snow and cherry blossoms, and more street-focused photographers will find plenty to shoot, too.

One of the most beautiful subjects to photograph in Kyoto is the Fushimi Inari Shrine with its thousands of torii gates. The nearby Nara Park is also worthy of a visit thanks to its World Heritage sites and friendly deer. Bottom line: If you’re interested in combining beauty and culture in a single trip, Kyoto is an outstanding destination.

9. Namibia, Africa

With its diverse landscapes and beautiful wildlife, Namibia is an incredible destination for travel photography. Home to Etosha National Park (a wildlife sanctuary) and the Skeleton Coast (where the ocean is backed by sand dunes), Namibia’s photographic opportunities are endless.

A key area for photography is the desolate dunes of Sossusvlei. Located in Namib-Naukluft National Park, these dunes are some of the tallest in the world (Dune 7 soars over 1256 feet!). Dune 7, Dune 45, and Big Daddy are all fun to climb and provide exhilarating views of sand dunes extending out across the landscape.

10. The Himalayas, Nepal

Home to some of the best mountain vistas in the world, the Himalayas are a great destination for photographers, adventurers, hikers, and tourists. Mount Everest is the highest peak on earth and makes for a magnificent mountain landscape photography subject, though you can also use it as a stunning backdrop to complement other Himalayan peaks.

The scenery is sublime, with picture-perfect views of dramatic mountains, glaciers, lakes, and colorful prayer flags. Consider trekking to Everest Base Camp or doing the Annapurna Circuit; both offer a glimpse into this natural paradise with its jaw-dropping mountain scenery and breathtaking valley views.

The best places to travel for photography

Whether you’re into architecture, landscapes, nature, or wildlife, you’re bound to appreciate one (or all!) of the destinations on this list.

So pick a location for your next photography adventure and get trekking! With so many wonderful locations around the world, it can certainly be tough to choose, but I hope this list at least helped you narrow down your options.

Which location for photography do you plan to pick? Do you have any additional destinations to recommend? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Read more from our Tips & Tutorials category

Jeremy Flint is an award-winning photographer and writer, specialising in travel, landscape and location photography and is known for documenting images of beautiful destinations, cultures and communities from around the world. Jeremy has won awards including the National Geographic Traveller Grand Prize and the Association of Photographers Discovery Award, besides being commended in Outdoor Photographer of the Year. He has also been a finalist in the Travel Photographer of the year and British Photography Awards several times. He has been commissioned by commercial and editorial clients worldwide including National Geographic Traveller, Country Life, Discover Britain, USA National Parks and Visit Britain and has travelled extensively to over 65 countries.

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Photography Tours & Trips in Europe

Focus your lens on some of the most incredible sights with a photography tour of Europe. With 18 adventures lasting from 2 days to 37 days, you'll soon be tweaking your camera settings and grabbing snapshots like a true professional. Click here to see all photography vacations .

18 Photography tour packages in Europe with 584 reviews

• Photography
• Walking Adventure
• Coach / Bus
• Sightseeing

European Discovery (Summer, Start Amsterdam, Classic, 12 Days)

• €100 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

• Honeymoon Safari

European Discovery (Start London, 27 To 35, 12 Days) (16 destinations)

• In-depth Cultural
• Christmas & New Year

Istanbul - Ankara - Cappadocia | 7 Days with 1 flight

Highly recommend this tour !! The hotels were clean and their location were good. Our driver was a very careful and sound driver. Our tour guide Nadir taught us a lot, I was very impressed by his knowledge about Turkey and its history. Also communication with eskapas was superb, they were responding to our messages very fast. Overall excelent tour had the time of our lifes.

• River Cruise
• Cultural Photography

Burgundy & Provence with 2 nights in Nice for Photography Enthusiasts

PHOTO TALES OF CROATIA

Burgundy & Provence for Photography Enthusiasts

• Wildlife & Nature Photography
• Ocean Cruise

Polar Bear Country Cruise and Adventure Tour

Spitsbergen Photography: In Search of Polar Bears, Operated by Quark

Svalbard Through the Camera Lens

• Educational

2 Day Trip to Normandy, Saint Malo & Mont Saint-Michel from Paris

Natural Wonders of Svalbard Photography Expedition Micro Cruise - 12 Guests Only

European Discovery (Start Amsterdam, 27 To 35, 12 Days) (11 destinations)

European Discovery (Winter, Start London, Classic, 12 Days)

• Wine tasting

European Adventurer 2025 (Plus, Start London, 37 Days)

Fire Mountain and Wine Enjoyment with Mediterranean Flair

What people love about photography tours in europe.

Had such a great time !! Our tour guide Nadir, was a very caring person, and he was very professional. He had great knowledge about Turkey, thanks to him we learned a lot. Turkey was a very beatiful country, I definitely want to come again. Overall the hotels were clean and comfortable. Highly recommend this tour !

Travel Styles

• Best 3 Weeks Europe Itineraries 2024/2025 (with Reviews)
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• Hiking in Europe in February
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• Hiking in Europe in May
• Hiking in Europe in June
• Hiking in Europe in July
• Hiking in Europe in August
• Hiking in Europe in September
• Hiking in Europe in October
• Hiking in Europe in December

Best lenses for travel photography in 2024: perfect all-in-one superzooms

The best lenses for travel will let you shoot almost anything, and save some space in your bag!

• Best for Canon
• Best for Nikon
• Best for Sony
• Best for Fujifilm
• Best for L-mount
• Best for MTF
• Best Canon DSLR
• Best for Nikon DSLR
• How we test

Best for Canon Best for Nikon Best for Sony Best for Fujifilm Best for L-mount Best for MTF Best Canon DSLR Best for Nikon DSLR How we test

The best lenses for travel photography will enable you to take amazing photos without weighing you down. Travel photography lenses are often versatile zooms that allow you to pack just one lens such as a superzoom but it all comes down to your shooting style and how much you want to carry.

With most of your bases covered, you can focus on snapping gorgeous landscapes, stunning sunsets or captivating portraits and the best part is if you choose to just take one lens with you, you'll never have to faff with changing it. 

When picking a superzoom lens, it’s tempting to go for the biggest zoom range you can get your hands on. However, such lenses tend to be quite large and weighty. They’re generally more convenient and less heavy than a combination of standard and telephoto zoom lenses but, when you want to travel light or go on walkabout, it’s nicer to have something smaller and more lightweight dangling off your camera strap.

Considering the 1.5x crop factor of most APS-C cameras (1.6x for Canon ), a zoom range of around 18-200mm is generally ideal. This gives you similar wide-angle coverage as from a standard zoom, while stretching your telephoto reach to 300mm in full-frame terms (320mm for Canon).

Best lenses for travel photography in 2024

Why you can trust Digital Camera World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out how we test.

Best travel lens for Canon mirrorless cameras

1. Canon RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

If you're an EOS R-series shooter and want something with a longer focal range than the Canon's two 24-105mm options, then you're in luck as there’s also a superzoom option that isn’t overly big and heavy, and doesn’t cost silly money. It comes in the shape of the RF 24-240mm, which squeezes a very useful 10x zoom range into a reasonably lightweight and weather-sealed build. Further attractions include a Nano USM autofocus system which is super-fast for stills and enables smooth and virtually silent focus transitions during movie capture, and a highly effective 5-stop image stabilizer. At the short end of the zoom range, color fringing can be noticeable and barrel distortion is massive, but both of these aberrations are corrected in-camera by default, and when processing raw files. With this lens, Canon is combining optical and digital corrections rather than relying on optical corrections alone.

Read our full Canon RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM review

Best travel lens for Nikon mirrorless cameras

2. Nikon Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR

The list of travel-friendly credentials for this soon-to-be-launched lens is long and impressive. It’s particularly compact and lightweight for a full-frame lens that boasts such an extensive zoom range, yet has a sturdy construction that includes comprehensive weather-seals and a fluorine coating on the front element to repel moisture and grease. Image quality benefits from the inclusion of two aspherical elements, one aspherical ED (Extra-low Dispersion) element and two further ED elements. Nikon ’s high-tech ARNEO coating is also applied to minimize ghosting and flare. Not just for stills, the stepping motor-driven autofocus system enables smooth focus transitions during movie capture, along with minimal focus breathing and focus shift when zooming. Ideal, for full-frame Z-series cameras, the lens is also an interesting travel choice for the Z 50 , where this camera's 1.5x crop factor gives this lens an effective zoom range of 36-300mm. 

Read our full Nikon Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR review

Best travel lens for Sony cameras

3. Sony FE 24-240mm f/3.5-6.3 OSS

Although fully compatible with Sony ’s APS-C format E-mount cameras, on which this lens has an effective focal length of 36-360mm, this lens really comes into its own on full-frame bodies. It’s typically weighty for a full-frame format superzoom but doesn’t feel overly large and has refined handling. The 10x zoom range kicks off at 24mm, enabling a generously wide maximum viewing angle, and there’s good telephoto reach at the long end. Based on a stepping motor, the autofocus system is quick and quiet, while Optical SteadyShot gives a benefit of around 3-stops in beating camera-shake. The optical path includes no less than five aspherical elements, plus one ED (Extra-low Dispersion) element. Image quality is mostly very good for a superzoom lens although corner-sharpness is a little lacklustre at the short end of the zoom range, and overall sharpness drops off at the long end.

Best travel lens for Fujifilm cameras

4. Fujifilm 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 WR LM R OIS

From Fujifilm ’s acclaimed XF stable of lenses for its APS-C format mirrorless X-mount cameras, this one has an impressive string of letters after its name. It’s a WR (Weather-Resistant) lens with no less than 20 areas of sealing in its construction. It features a fast and virtually silent LM (Linear Motor) autofocus system that’s super-fast for stills and smooth for movie capture. Handling is enhanced by the ‘R’ control ring, and it has a particularly effective 5-stop OIS (Optical Image Stabilizer). Quality glass includes four aspherical elements and two ED (Extra-low Dispersion) elements. The 7.5x zoom range is a little limited compared with some other travel lenses on the market but this helps to enable a relatively compact construction. Image quality is very impressive overall, although corner-sharpness is a little mediocre towards both ends of the zoom range.

Best travel lens for L-mount cameras

5. Panasonic Lumix S 28-200mm f/4-7.1 Macro O.I.S.

If you're in search of a versatile travel lens for your Lumix S5, the Lumix S 28-200mm f/4-7.1 O.I.S. fits the bill perfectly. This lens stands out as the most compact and lightweight 7x superzoom lens available for any system, making it an ideal companion for travel without adding bulk or weight to your carry-on. Covering a range of commonly needed focal lengths, it's a must-have addition to any Panasonic photographer's gear collection.

While the focal length falls slightly shorter compared to other brands, limiting its versatility for sports and wildlife photography, the trade-off for its compactness is reasonable and easily accepted.

There are no compromises on image quality to be found here – the 28-200mm lens performs admirably, with only minor inconsistencies at the extreme end of the zoom. While it may not match the sharpness of prime or professional lenses, Panasonic has achieved commendable results for a lens of this category.

The standout feature of this Lumix S 28-200mm lens is its Dual I.S.2 image stabilization, combining optical stabilization with in-body stabilization. This system is among the best available, significantly enhancing stability for both still photography and particularly impressive results in handheld video shooting, even at 200mm.

Read our full Panasonic Lumix S 28-200mm f/4-7.1 Macro O.I.S. review

Best travel lens for Micro Four Thirds

6. Panasonic LUMIX G VARIO 14-140mm f/3.5-5.6 II ASPH Power OIS

Micro Four Thirds format travel zooms from Olympus include the budget-friendly 14-150mm II and the up-market 12-200mm. They’re both very desirable lenses but we prefer this Panasonic option, which splits the two Olympus zooms for selling price, while adding a highly effective 4-stop optical image stabilizer. Thanks to the 2x crop factor of Micro Four Thirds cameras, the effective zoom range is 28-280mm in full-frame terms, thereby nearly matching 18-200mm lenses on APS-C format cameras. It delivers this in a remarkably compact package that weighs a mere 265g. That’s only about half the weight of some APS-C format 18-200mm lenses, making the Panasonic particularly travel-friendly. Even so, it packs a fast autofocus system and quality glass, including three aspherical elements and two ED (Extra-low Dispersion) elements. For a superzoom lens, sharpness is both very good and highly consistent throughout the entire zoom range.

Read our full Panasonic LUMIX G VARIO 14-140mm f/3.5-5.6 II ASPH Power OIS review

Best travel lens for Canon DSLR cameras

7. Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II USM

Canon does make a proper full-frame superzoom travel lens - the EF 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS USM - so why have we picked this 24-105mm instead? Quite simply, this is a better travel lens. At 795g, it's less than half the weight of the 28-300mm, so is much more travel-friendly, and it's also about half the price. That still doesn't make it cheap, but at least you can feel a little less conspicuous.

The new Mk II version of the EF 24-105mm f/4L IS has been redesigned to be tougher and more resistant to shock and vibration, and it features fluorine coatings on the front and rear elements. More importantly, the optics have been revamped, with the aim of improving sharpness across the whole image frame, throughout the zoom range.

Barrel distortion from the preceding 24-105mm lens was notoriously bad at the short end of the zoom range, but the Mk II performs a little better. It’s also a bit sharper, autofocus is a little quicker and bokeh is smoother, thanks to the fitment of ten, rather than eight, diaphragm blades. Overall, however, each of the improvements is quite subtle rather than making a hugely noticeable difference.

Read our full Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II USM review

Best travel lens for Nikon DLSR cameras

8. Nikon AF-S 24-120mm f/4G ED VR

Nikon and Tamron have both manufactured 28-300mm superzoom lenses for many years, offering a travel-friendly option for Nikon full-frame SLRs. There’s not a lot to choose between them for handling, image quality and all-round performance. Both are good rather than great. To make the most of Nikon’s recent full-frame SLRs, it pays to set your sights rather lower in terms of zoom range, and to go for quality instead. The latest edition of Nikon’s 24-120mm VR is our first choice. It’s relatively compact and has excellent handling characteristics. It also gives you more a generous wide-angle perspective at the short end of the zoom range. The flipside, naturally, is that you’ll lose out on powerful telephoto reach, but that's often less useful than you expect anyway.

Read our full Nikon AF-S 24-120mm f/4G ED VR review

How we test travel lenses

We test lenses using both real world sample images and lab tests. Our lab tests are carried out scientifically in controlled conditions using the Imatest testing suite, which consists of custom charts and analysis software that measures resolution in line widths/picture height, a measurement widely used in lens and camera testing. We find the combination of lab and real-word testing works best, as each reveals different qualities and characteristics.

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Matthew Richards is a photographer and journalist who has spent years using and reviewing all manner of photo gear. He is Digital Camera World's principal lens reviewer – and has tested more primes and zooms than most people have had hot dinners! 

His expertise with equipment doesn’t end there, though. He is also an encyclopedia  when it comes to all manner of cameras, camera holsters and bags, flashguns, tripods and heads, printers, papers and inks, and just about anything imaging-related. 

In an earlier life he was a broadcast engineer at the BBC, as well as a former editor of PC Guide.

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The Best Camera Lenses for Travel Photography

Last updated: April 7, 2024 . Written by Laurence Norah - 71 Comments

As a professional travel photographer, I’m often asked about camera gear, and in particular, folks contact me to ask me what the best camera lens for travel photography is. Often people have bought a camera with an interchangeable lens, like a mirrorless or DSLR camera, and are looking to upgrade their kit to meet their needs.

I’ve already written a guide to the best cameras for travel photography , but as that only covers camera and not lenses, I thought it would make sense to follow up with a regularly updated guide to the best camera lenses  – specifically for travel photography purposes. After all, a camera is not much good without a lens!

Of course, this guide does assume you have a camera with interchangeable lenses, so that means a mirrorless camera or a DSLR camera . Within those two groups though there are myriad camera and lens manufacturers. And for the most part, lenses made for one camera system won’t work on another system.

So for this post, I’ve first put together a general overview of what to look for when picking a travel lens, which will give you some pointers in terms of features to consider. That way no matter what brand and kind of system, you’ll know what to look for when shopping for a camera lens.

I’ve then provided specific recommendations for the more popular camera systems out there, including Canon, Nikon, Panasonic, and Sony. Even if your particular manufacturer or camera mount isn’t mentioned, you should be able to get a good idea from this post of what to look for in a travel lens, which specifications matter, and an idea of price.

Speaking of price, as well as a guide to the best lens for travel photography for each camera brand, I’ve also suggested a couple of options for the best budget travel lens for each camera system. I know that lenses are expensive, and not everyone has a huge budget to spend! Let’s get started.

What to think about when picking a lens for travel photography

Picking a lens to travel with is a bit different to picking a lens for other situations. Not only will you be concerned with image quality, but also size and weight.

Whilst it would be wonderful to have a wide range of expensive lenses to take with us on all our trips, the reality of travel is that there is only so much we can take with us, and when you’re out and about all day sightseeing, you probably don’t want to be carrying too much.

So for travel photography, it’s better to try and focus on getting a smaller number of lenses that work well in a wide variety of situations. That way you are likely to actually take them with you and use them.

Of course, there are always going to be compromises – it’s hard to find a lens that does everything well, doesn’t cost too much, and is lightweight! But for travel photography, I think there are some good travel lens options out there.

You have a few options for lens types. My suggestion would be to invest in two lenses – a walkaround lens and a fast prime. An f/1.8 50mm would be the ideal.

Some manufacturers sell a travel kit, like this bundle from Canon , which can be a great value way to get some good lenses.

If you only want to invest in one lens because you don’t see yourself changing lens often, or carrying more than one lens, then you will want a good walkaround lens, and that’s what this guide will be focusing on.

What is a walkaround lens you ask? Well, it’s a lens that “does everything”. It covers a good range of focal lengths, meaning you can get wide angle shots as well as zoom in on further away objects. It’s basically a one size fits all lens for your travel photography needs.

You will often find that if you invest in a camera that it will come with a lens that will suffice as a walkaround lens. These will work fine but tend not to be the top quality lenses.

If you are more serious about photography and your budget allows, I’d recommend that you buy your preferred camera “body only”, and then invest in a nicer walkaround lens, such as the ones I recommend, rather than the standard kit lenses. Don’t be surprised if the lens is more expensive than the camera either – good lenses are expensive, and a worthy investment.

Price considerations – how much to spend on a camera lens for travel photography.

Speaking of money, I’ve done my best to provide a range of lenses across various price points. More expensive lenses tend to be more capable, but can also be heavier, so aren’t always the best solution for travel photography.

For the budget-conscious reading this, I’m also providing my suggested best budget travel lens for each category. I appreciate that not everyone has a big budget for a new lens, so I want to provide some good value options too.

If none of the lenses in this post fit your budget, my advice would be to either stick with the kit lens that comes with your camera, or to check out the second hand lens market on either Amazon on eBay . For more on buying second hand camera equipment, see my guide to buying used camera equipment .

Now, before we dive into individual travel lens recommendations, let’s take a look at some of the key terminology and other considerations you need to be aware of when looking for a lens for travel photography.

Inside a lens, there’s a hole that lets the light through to the camera’s sensor. This hole is referred to as an aperture. An aperture can change in size, with a bigger aperture letting more light in, and a smaller aperture letting less light in.

An aperture can be thought of as the pupil of your eye. When it’s bright outside, it is smaller so less light gets in. When you’re in a darker environment, perhaps at night, it opens really wide to let more light in.

The important number for lens apertures is how big the hole goes, which will dictate how well the lens will perform in low light situations. A wider aperture also allows for greater control over depth of field. See my guide to depth of field for more on that.

When you look at the specifications for a lens, it will always have the widest aperture listed as one of the key specifications. It will be a number, something like 2.8, 4.0 or 5.6. It may also be written as f/2.8, which is the formal way of denoting aperture. The smaller the number, the wider the hole.

Some lenses, and in particular the walkaround lenses we are going to be looking at, will have what is known as a variable maximum aperture. This means that the aperture will actually change as you zoom in and out, or change focal length. This is because as the lens barrel gets longer, the maximum aperture get smaller.

So for example, you might see a lens with an aperture of f3.5-5.6. This means that at the wide angle, the aperture is f/3.5, but when you zoom in, the aperture will drop, down to f/5.6 when you are fully zoomed in.

For travel photography, as with most photography, the wider the aperture the better – more light getting in means better low-light performance, making the lens more versatile for a range of photography situations. This is particularly useful for situations like taking photos of the stars , or shooting the northern lights .

The trade-off is that wider aperture lenses tend to be bigger, heavier, and more expensive. This will be considered in the lens selection.

Focal Length

The focal length of a lens is directly related to how much magnification it provides. It’s a number that’s measured in millimetres (mm), with the general rule being that the higher the number in millimetres, the more magnification you get, and the smaller the number in mm, the less magnification you get.

If you’ve previously used a compact camera (aka point-and-shoot), you’ll be used to this being described in terms of optical zoom – for example, a camera might have 10x optical zoom. That means that the difference in magnification between the most zoomed out setting and the most zoomed in setting is 10x.

In focal length terms, each doubling of the focal length results in a doubling of the magnification. So a 100mm lens will essentially make everything twice as big as a 50mm lens.

Unfortunately, matters get a bit confusing after this, because focal lengths have a different effect on different cameras. This is because camera’s have different sensor sizes, which affects the focal length, in what is known as a crop factor.

To take the example of the Canon DSLR camera systems. There are two main types of cameras available, the APS-C size cameras such as the consumer Rebel line, and the full frame size sensors in more professional cameras like the Canon 6D or 5D line.

Some of Canon’s lenses will work on both of these camera systems, but they will give different focal lengths. On the full frame cameras, the focal length will be as expected. On the APS-C sensor, there is a “crop factor” of 1.6, because the sensor is smaller. So a 100mm lens on an APS-C sized sensor will give the same result in terms of the image as you would be able to achieve with a 160mm lens on a full frame camera.

Thankfully, lens manufacturers all use the same focal length standard, so when buying lenses for your particular system, all you need to know is the crop factor. You can then multiply this by the focal length to get the equivalent focal length.

Don’t worry if this isn’t quite clear, for the lenses I recommend I will list both the focal length and the equivalent focal length where relevant. Equivalent focal length is what you need to really worry about, as it will let you compare lenses more effectively.

For travel photography, you want a lens that goes from fairly wide (16mm – 30mm) on the wide end, through to fairly zoomed in (70mm – 150mm) on the narrow end. This will give you good flexibility, letting you shoot wide scenes such as buildings on city streets, through to zooming in on the details. A good benchmark lens is a 24-70 f/2.8, which is generally known as the walkaround lens of choice for professional photographers.

There are some walkaround lenses which offer much greater focal lengths, well past 200mm, including some of the recommendations in this guide. Just be aware that there are always trade-offs to consider, and whilst these can offer tremendous versatility, it’s often at the expense of weight and image quality, and in particular, image sharpness, at the longer end of zoom range (beyond 200mm usually).

I’m not saying not to invest in these lenses, just to be aware that there’s no such thing as a perfect lens for all situations!

Filter Thread

When you buy a lens, it’s always a good idea to pick up a UV filter  to protect the front. You may also want a polarising filter  (read about polarising filters here ), or a neutral density filter  (see my guide to neutral density filters here ).

You’ll notice that these filters come in different sizes, and the filter thread size on the lens, measured in millimetres, tells you what that size is. It’s basically just a measurement of the diameter of the lens, which is the end you put the filter on. Ok, that was an easy one.

Image Stabilisation

Camera lens manufactures have all kinds of fun terms they use for image stabilisation. These include IS (Canon), OIS (Panasonic), VR (Nikon), OS (Sigma), VC (Tamron) – the list goes on .

Whilst the names and underlying technology vary, the aim is the same – to compensate for any movement introduced by the person holding the lens (that’s you), to help you shoot at lower shutter speeds without getting blurry photos.

As a general rule of thumb, the minimum shutter speed you can hand hold a lens for is the inverse of the focal length. So if you have a 200mm lens, you would not want to shoot at shutter speeds slower than 1/200th of a second. A 50mm lens would be 1/50th of a second.

Image stabilisation technologies exist to help you get shots at lower shutter speeds than that, and they are usually rated in terms of how many extra “stops” they give you to play with. A “stop” is photography dialog for a halving, or doubling, of the light.

So if you went from 1/100th of a second to 1/50th of a second shutter speed and didn’t change anything else, that would be 1 stop.

Modern image stabilisation technologies offer between 3 and 5 stops of stabilisation. To put that in practical terms, if you are shooting with a 200mm lens at 1/200th of a second, 3 stops would let you hand hold down to 1/25th of a second. 5 stops would let you hand hold and still get sharp images as slow as 1/6th of a second!

As you can see, image stabilisation can make a huge difference, and it is definitely worth thinking about when looking for a lens. Of course, as with everything, there are tradeoffs, and an image stabilized lens will often be more expensive and slightly heavier than an equivalent non-stabilized version.

Weight is a pretty key consideration when it comes to picking a travel lens, as the idea is that you’re going to be using the lens for travelling. I don’t know about you, but the less I have to carry the better, especially if I’m going to be on my feet all day. So definitely keep the weight of your purchase in mind.

As well as weight, you’re going to want to factor in the size of the camera lens. Portability can be an important factor for a travel photography lens, particularly if you’re travelling and prefer to pack carry-on only. So consider how big the lens is in physical terms when making a decision.

Mount Compatibility

When you attach a lens to a camera body, obviously it has to fit in place. It’s like a puzzle with two pieces – the lens has to be the right shape to fit into place and lock tightly.

In addition, because the camera needs to communicate with the lens to set things like aperture, focus and zoom, the electronic connections between the lens and the camera body need to line up and be compatible.

The system that is used is known as a lens mount. You basically “mount” the lens onto the camera. Most camera manufacturers have their own lens mount system or systems, so when you buy a lens, you need to make sure it is compatible with the mount type on your camera.

Many manufacturers have multiple lens mounts, depending on the type of camera. For example, Canon cameras can have an EF-S mount, an EF mount, an EF-M mount and an RF mount.

It is very important when buying a lens to ensure that it has a compatible lens mount for your camera. Note that some lenses will work with multiple lens mounts – for example, an EF lens will work on both an EF and an EF-S mount. However, an EF-S lens will only work with an EF-S lens mount, and not with an EF mount.

Usually the mount type is made clear in the name of the lens. For example, the Canon EF 16-35 f/4L IS is an “EF” lens, which you can see in the name of the lens. So this will work with an Canon EF or Canon EF-S camera body.

If you are buying a lens from a third party manufacturer such as Tamron or Sigma, be aware that they usually make multiple versions of each lens, with different mounts. So always make sure you buy the version that will fit your camera.

Well, that sums up some thoughts on the various factors, features and terminology you need to consider when looking to buy a travel lens.

Now, let’s dive into some specific recommendations across various camera systems to give you some idea of what’s available at different price points.

Note that these are primarily walkaround lenses that are suited for travel, rather than for a specific function like macro photography or astrophotography. If you are interested in the latter, see our guide to northern lights photography , which has some specific lens recommendations for night situations.

The Best Micro Four Thirds Lens for Travel Photography

Micro Four Thirds camera are a popular choice for photographers. These mirrorless systems are lightweight and portable, yet offer everything you would expect from a bigger SLR style camera, including full manual controls and great image quality.

There are a number of manufacturers, with the most popular being Panasonic and Olympus. We use and love our Panasonic GX8 which is a staple part of our travel photography gear .

Both of these manufacturers have their own proprietary lens stabilisation system that takes advantages of stabilisation technology in both the camera body and the lens. This means that whilst lenses will work across different micro four thirds cameras, to take full advantage of the stabilisation technology you need to match brands – so a Panasonic lens needs to go on a Panasonic camera body for the best results.

In terms of crop factors micro four thirds cameras have a 2x crop factor, so you need to double focal lengths to get the equivalent focal length.

1. Panasonic Lumix G Leica 8-18mm F2.8-4.0

With a 16-36mm equivalent focal length, this is the lens to get if you love shooting really wide. Personally, my wide angle lens is the lens I use the most, so this is what I’d go for on this camera system, even if it’s not quite as flexible across shooting situations as something with a greater focal range. It doesn’t have image stabilisation, but as the lens is so light that’s less of an issue, and image stabilisation on a wide-angle isn’t as critical.

Weight: 11.11 oz / 315 g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here 

2. Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG 12-60mm Power O.I.S. F2.8-4.0

As a walkaround travel lens, it’s hard to argue with this 12-60mm lens from Panasonic, which offers a 24-120mm equivalent focal length and sharp results throughout that focal length, even shooting wide open. The aperture stops down a bit as you zoom in, but this is a lightweight lens that will do pretty much everything you could want, and includes image stabilization (Power O.I.S).

Weight: 11.29 oz / 320g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here

3.  Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 7-14mm f/2.8

My choices for the Olympus micro four thirds system are essentially their versions of the Panasonic lenses above. This is the wide angle, with a focal length equivalent of 12mm – 28mm.

With a fixed f/2.8 aperture this is a very fast lens at all focal lengths, although this does make it a little bit heavier.

It also comes with dust and weather sealing. It doesn’t have lens based image stabilisation, but the majority of Olympus MFT cameras have in-body stabilisation which makes up for this.  

Weight: 1.17lb / 543g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here

4. Olympus M.ZUIKO Digital ED 12-100 F4.0 IS PRO

With a focal length equivalent to 24-200, this is pretty much the perfect walk around length for travel photographers. It is water and dustproof, and features image stabilisation equivalent to an incredible 6.5 stops when used with a compatible Olympus camera.

That added focal length does add some weight and bulk though. If you’d prefer a lighter lens and a faster aperture at the expense of focal length, check out the cheaper  Olympus M.ZUIKO Digital ED 12-40 F2.8  instead.

Weight: 1.23lb / 561g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here

Best Budget Micro Four Thirds Lens

1. panasonic lumix g vario 12-60mm f/3.5-5.6 power o.i.s.

This is essentially a slower version of the Panasonic 12-60mm lens above, at half the price. It’s also significantly lighter than that lens. Impressively for a lens at this price point, it comes with image stabilisation as well as a splash and dust-proof body, making it ideal as a travel lens.

At a similar price point there’s also the slightly heavier  14-140mm f/3.5-5.6 lens from Panasonic, but whilst you gain a lot in focal length, you lose out on that weather resistance, so it’s up to you.

Weight : 7.41oz / 210g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here

2. Olympus M.Zuiko ED 14-150mm f/4-5.6 II

Weight: 10 oz / 284g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here

The Best Mirrorless Lens for Travel Photography for Sony Cameras

For the purposes of this guide, I’m going to be talking about Sony’s E-mount lenses, which work on their mirrorless camera systems including APS-C models like the a6600 as well as full frame mirrorless models like the a7 range.

Note that there are two types of E mount lenses, “FE” lenses, which will work on both full frame and APS-C sized Sony cameras, and non FE lenses which are designed for APS-C sizes sensors only. While you can use a non-FE lens on a full frame camera, it will reduce the image resolution and field of view to be equivalent to an APS-C sized sensor, so I’d advise against that.

There are also “G” series lenses, which are Sony’s more professional lenses – similar to Canon’s “L” series. These offer greater image quality and performance, usually with a higher price tag to match.

Some Sony cameras offer in-body image stabilisation, but ideally you’ll want it in the lens. Sony’s image stabilization technology is known as OSS (optical steady shot).

1. Sony 18-105mm f/4 OSS G

With an equivalent focal length of 27mm – 158mm, and a fixed aperture throughout that focal length, this lens is ideal for travel photography. It’s also a G series lens, which means it is higher quality lens compared to their standard, non G lenses. It’s primarily designed for Sony’s APC-C sensor cameras, so not really recommended for their full frame bodies, but it is very well priced.

Weight: 15.06oz / 427g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here

2. Sony E 18-135 f/3.5-5.6 OSS

With an E mount lens for APS-C camera compatibility, this lens is firmly aimed at travel photographers wanting a great Sony walkaround lens at a price that won’t destroy the bank. With image stabilization and good performance across a good focal length, this lens is a great bargain if you’re looking for an easy upgrade from the kit lens.

3. Sony FE 24-70mm f/4 OSS

Covering the classic focal length of 24-70 on a full-frame camera (36-105mm on an APS-C), this is a relatively fast lens that offers excellent image quality and portability at a relatively affordable price point. There’s also an f/2.8 “G” version of this lens which is approximately twice as expensive and also heavier, but may be worth it if you need that extra stop of light.

Weight: 15.03oz / 426g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here

4. Sony FE 24-240mm f/3.5 – 6.3 OSS

Covering a truly staggering focal range of 24-240mm (36-360mm APS-C), this Sony FE lens is perhaps the ultimate walkaround lens for the Sony system. It may have a variable aperture, but given how well Sony’s cameras perform even at high ISO ratings, you probably won’t notice that too much.

If you want a lens that can shoot everything from far away wildlife to portraits to landscapes, this is a great choice at an excellent price point. Just be aware that it is heavier than the other options due to that extended focal length.

Weight: 1.72 lb / 780g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here and A dorama here

5. Sony FE 16-35 f/4 OSS

If you’re after something wider, then this is the lens to go for, especially for full frame cameras (APS-C owners should instead consider the cheaper 10-18mm f/4 for wide angle work).

With a relatively fast fixed aperture, super-wide capabilities and even image stabilisation, this is the lens for landscape and architecture photographers to look at.

Weight: 1.14lb / 518g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here  

6. Sony 18-200 f/3.5-6.3 OSS

If you’re on Sony’s APS-C sensor system, then you might want to consider this lens instead of the 24-240mm lens above, as it offers a wider 27mm equivalent at the wide end. It’s also a relatively light lens given the focal range, making it a good choice for travel photographers trying to keep the weight down.

Weight: 1.16lb / 524g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here

Best Budget Mirrorless Lens for Sony

1. sony fe 28-70mm f3.5-5.6 oss lens.

Being an FE lens, this will work on both full frame and APS-C sized Sony bodies – on the latter it would offer an equivalent focal length of 38 – 105mm, which is useful for many situations except particularly wide work. A good value lens.

Weight: 10.41 oz / 295 g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here

2. Sony 55-210mm f4.5-6.3 OSS

If you’re looking for a bit more range, perhaps to compliment the kit lens that came with your Sony camera, this is one of the better priced telephoto zoom lenses from Sony that is also incredibly light for the focal range on offer.

Of course, it’s not the sharpest lens in the world, especially at the 200mm end (315mm equivalent), but it does feature image stabilisation and is a bargain to boot.

Weight: 12.16 oz / 345g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here

The Best DSLR Lens for Travel Photography for Nikon Cameras

For the longest time, the two main choices for photographers looking for camera gear were Nikon and Canon. That has certainly changed, but these two manufacturers definitely account for the highest percentage of cameras sold today.

Because they’ve both been around for so long there are literally hundreds of lenses to choose from for each system, both made by the manufacturers themselves, and lenses made by third parties.

Sifting through these choices to find the perfect travel lens is definitely a challenge, but I’ve narrowed down the various options to some of the best options to help you make an informed decision.

1. Nikon 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G VR

An ideal walkaround lens at a good price point for Nikon full-frame users (known as FX in Nikon speak). This lens covers a very wide focal range with a reasonable fast aperture, and offers image stabilisation (Nikon calls it VR, for vibration reduction).

Owners of Nikon’s APS-C sized sensor camera bodies (DX format) should consider either the 18-300mm lens below, or the Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 , which will give a bit more flexibility on the wide end.

Weight: 1.76 lb / 800 g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here

2. Nikon 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G VR II

There’s also an 18-200 version which can be found marginally cheaper, but as it weighs the same I’d go with this one.

Weight: 1.21 lb / 550g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here

3. Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8E VR

Nikon’s 24-70mm f/2.8 lens is one of the most popular lenses for photographers of all types, particularly on full frame bodies. Its fast aperture throughout the focal length makes it great for low light photography and portrait work, and the relatively wide angle makes it a great landscape lens.

It even has image stabilization! It is expensive and heavy (consider the Sigma equivalent too), but if it’s the only lens in your bag you might not mind so much.

Weight: 2.35lb / 1070g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here

4. Nikon DX 16-80mm f/2.4-4E VR

This lens is only for crop sensors, but it offers an excellent range of focal lengths, a fast aperture range and it is known for producing very sharp images. It’s also very light, making it a great option for travel photography, and features image stabilisation at a reasonable price.

Weight : 16.93 oz / 480g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here

Best Budget DSLR Lens for Nikon

1. nikon 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6 vr.

For a DX camera, this is an excellent Nikon lens that covers a wide focal range, has image stabilization, and produces sharp images. It’s very well priced for what you get, is relatively light, and will serve you well as a travel photography walk around lens.

Weight: 1.08lb / 490g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here

2. Nikon 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G VR

FX format users on a tighter budget should definitely consider this lens, which offers reasonably fast performance and a good range of focal lengths in an affordable and lightweight package that also includes image stabilisation.

Weight:  1.02 lb / 465 g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here

The Best DSLR Lens for Travel Photography for Canon Cameras

Like Nikon, the Canon camera system has been around for a long time, and there’s an incredible selection of lenses to choose from, both directly from Canon, and from third party manufacturers like Sigma and Tamron. This huge amount of choice can be overwhelming, but I’m going to do my best to provide a few options to get you started.

Note that Canon has three main lens mount systems – EF, EF-S, and RF. The first two are for their DSLR cameras, the latter is for their new full frame mirrorless camera system. This is a new mount, launched in 2018. I mention it because there is a Canon adaptor meaning all EF and EF-S lenses will work on RF mount cameras.

EF lenses will fit on all Canon’s cameras (RF with an adaptor), whilst the EF-S lenses will only fit EF-S mount cameras (and RF cameras with the adaptor).

EF-S cameras are essentially all the consumer focused models such as the Rebel series. Canon has its own stabilisation system, which it calls IS (image stabilisation).

1. Canon EF 16-35 f/4L IS

This ultrawide Canon lens is incredibly sharp, and an excellent choice for landscape and architecture lovers. It’s our current go-to lens for these purposes in our travel photography bag.

Whilst the f/4 aperture isn’t too wide, this lens features image stabilisation technology that promises up to four stops of stabilisation, which makes this a great choice for low-light work. It’s also not too heavy. APS-C owners should consider the cheaper and significantly lighter 10-18mm IS instead .

Weight: 1.35 lb / 615 g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here

2. Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8L II

This is the walk around lens of choice for many full frame Canon professionals as it offers sharp performance and a fast fixed f/2.8 aperture across the frame. This lens is great for everything from portraits to landscapes, and is one of the most popular lenses amongst Canon shooters.

This lens is quite pricey and fairly heavy though, so do also consider the Sigma equivalent which is significantly cheaper and includes image stabilisation, which is notably absent from this Canon lens.

Weight : 1.77 lb / 805 g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here

3. Canon EF 24-105 f/4 L IS II

If the Canon 24-70 above is a bit pricey, or you’d prefer image stabilization and a slightly longer focal length, then the excellent EF 24-105 f/4 L is a great choice. Despite the longer focal length, it’s actually a slightly lighter option.

This lens will work with both full frame and crop sensor cameras, on the latter it will have an equivalent focal length of 38 –  168mm.

Weight: 1.75 lb / 795g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here

4. Tamron 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di VC

There are lots of third party options for Canon, with Tamron being a popular choice for value oriented buyers. This Tamron covers an excellent focal range in a relatively lightweight, low-cost design.

This 28-300mm is a great walkaround lens choice covering a wide focal range, especially for full frame shooters who don’t want the weight or cost of Canon’s L series lenses.

Weight: 1.19 lb / 540 g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here  

5.  Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 VC

Owners of APS-C Canon cameras should definitely consider this incredible Tamron lens, which offers a mind blowing focal length (29 – 640mm equivalent) on Canon’s crop sensor cameras. It also has image stabilisation and an aperture range which is not too bad considering that incredible zoom. It’s also very well priced, and less heavy than you might expect for the focal length.

If you’d prefer a first party lens walkaround lens for your Canon APS-C camera, another option is the Canon EF-S 18-200 f/3.5-6.3 IS , which is a tiny bit lighter, but loses a lot of that lovely focal length, and is also slightly more expensive.

Weight: 1.56 lb / 710 g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here

Best Budget DSLR Lens for Canon Cameras

1. sigma 18-300 f/3.5-6.3 dc os.

If you’re looking for a lens that covers a very wide focal range, produces sharp images, and won’t break the bank, look no further than this excellent Sigma. This will only work on Canon’s APS-C range such as the Canon Rebel line, or Canon SL2, but it offers excellent performance, image stabilization and an incredible focal range (29mm – 480mm equivalent) in a well priced and lightweight package.

Weight: 1.28 lb / 584 g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here  

2. Tokina 11-20mm f/2.8 PRO DX

Lovers of wide-angle photography should shortlist this Tokina lens for Canon’s EF-S camera mount. With a very wide f/2.8 aperture, and a superwide focal length, this lens is perfect for landscape photography, low-light photography, and even taking pictures of the stars . Well priced too!

Weight: 1.23 lb / 560 g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here

The Best Mirrorless Lens for Travel Photography for Canon Cameras

Canon also makes mirrorless cameras, which come in two mount types, EF-M and RF.

The EF-M mount launched in 2012, and is for Canon’s EOS M range of cameras. These mirrorless cameras feature an APS-C sized sensor, and are primarily aimed at consumers and prosumers.

The RF mount launched in 2018, and is Canon’s newest mount. This features on Canon’s full frame and APS-C mirrorless cameras, including the R5, R6, R7 and R10.

It’s worth noting that Canon produces an RF mount adaptor and an EF-M mount adaptor for both EF and EF-S lenses. This means you can use EF and EF-S lenses on the Canon EF-M mount cameras, as well as Canon RF mount cameras.

So if you have an EF-M or RF mount camera, you might still prefer to buy one of the previously mentioned EF lenses, as these have the widest compatibility, and will work across all Canon’s cameras.

That said, an EF-M lens will be smaller and lighter, whilst the RF lenses take full advantage of the wider size of the mount, meaning these lenses can offer wider apertures. RF and RF-S lenses also have additional control rings on the lens itself, which can make for fast on the fly settings adjustments.

Whilst there aren’t currently as many EF-M, RF or RF-S lenses on the market as there are EF and EF-S lenses, there are still plenty to choose from. Here are some options that should work well for travel photography, across a range of budgets.

1. Tamron 18-200 f/3.5-6.3 Di III VC

Given the focal range, the lens is relatively lightweight, and you get good performance for a reasonable price. Definitely one to consider if you’re looking for a native EF-M mount lens.

Weight:   1.55lb /  459g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here

2. Canon EF-M 15-45mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM

Weight:   4.6oz / 130 g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here

3. Canon RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM

Moving onto the RF lenses for Canon’s full frame mirrorless cameras, and the first in our list is this versatile 24-240mm option. This offers an excellent focal range for travel photography, making this a good choice as a walkaround lens. You get a fairly fast f/4 aperture at the wide end, although this does drop off to f/6.3 as you zoom in.

You also get Canon’s image stabilization and fast, silent autofocus system. It’s also relatively light and compact for a full frame lens with this range, and the price is good for what you get.

Weight:   1.65lb /  750g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here

4. Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM

Naturally Canon also has a range of their premium “L” lenses available for the RF mount. The 24-105 f/4 is an excellent RF mount lens for travel photography, offering a useful focal range as well as a fixed f/4 aperture throughout the whole focal length.

You also get image stabilization, fast and silent autofocusing, in a relatively compact and lightweight lens.

Weight:   1.54lb /  700g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here

5. Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM

If, like me, you love wide angle photography, then you are definitely going to want to check out Canon’s awesome 15-35mm wide angle lens for the RF mount. The RF mount has allowed Canon to go all the way to 15mm with their wide angle zoom, and you get a fast f/2.8 aperture through the focal length as well.

You also get image stabilization and fast and silent autofocusing. It’s not cheap by any stretch of the imagination, but performance is superb.

This lens is the part of what photographers refer to as the “holy trinity” of lenses that professional photographers aim to have in their kitbag. They are all expensive, but image quality and performance can’t be beaten. If you are looking for the rest of the “holy trinity” of RF lenses, Canon also has the Canon RF 24-70mm F2.8 L IS USM and the Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM available for purchase.

Weight:   1.85lb /  840g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here

6. Canon RF-S 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM

In 2022, Canon launched the first of their mirrorless APS-C sensor cameras with an R mount, the EOS R7 and the EOS R10. These cameras actually come with an RF mount, meaning they are compatible with RF lenses and EF & ES-S lenses. For RF and EF lenses, you do get a 1.6x crop factor.

Canon has also launched RF-S lenses. Despite the name, the RF-S mount is the same as the RF mount, the only difference is that these lenses are designed for the new cameras, meaning they are smaller and lighter as they don’t need to produce such a large image.

The lens we recommend you consider as a walk around lens is the RF-S 18-150mm. On a R7 or R10, this has an equivalent focal length of 28.8-240mm, which is ideal for most travel photography situations.

You also get built-in image stabilization, and the maximum aperture of f/3.5 is very good. It’s also remarkably light.

Weight:   10.9oz / 310g Check price on  B&H here and Adorama here

Further Reading

Well, that sums up my guide to the best travel lenses for travel photography! I hope you found it informative and useful in your quest to find the perfect travel lens for you. Before you head off, I want to share with you a few more resources that will help you on your photography journey.

• My guide to picking the best travel camera – after all, a lens isn’t much good without a great camera to pair it with! We also have guides to the best point and shoot cameras , the best mirrorless cameras , the best cameras for hiking and backpacking , the best action cameras , and the best DSLR cameras for travel photography .
• Photos need editing to get the best out of them. See our guide to the best photo editing software for our suggestions. If you’re looking for something to edit your photos on, see our guide to the best laptops for photo editing
• If you’re looking for something for someone else, see our guide to the best gifts for photographers for ideas
• My series of  Photography Tips , which I am always expanding and updating with posts like this one
• My always expanding series of  Photography Location Guides , to help you get the best shot in locations around the world.
• An overview of my  Travel Photography Gear , in case you wondered what a professional photographer has in his bag
• A  Beginners’ Guide to Improving your Travel Photos for those starting out in travel photography. We also have a guide to how to use a DSLR to help you if you are starting out with this type of camera system.
• Our reasons why you need a travel tripod

Looking to Improve Your Photography?

If you found this post helpful, and you want to improve your photography overall, you might want to check out my  online travel photography course .

Since launching the course in 2016, I’ve already helped over 2,000 students learn how to take better photos. The course covers pretty much everything you need to know, from the basics of how a camera works, through to composition, light, and photo editing.

It also covers more advanced topics, including astrophotography, long exposure photography, flash photography, and HDR photography.

You get feedback from me as you progress, access to webinars, interviews and videos, as well as exclusive membership of a Facebook group where you can get feedback on your work and take part in regular challenges.

It’s available for an amazing one-off price for lifetime access, and I think you should check it out. Which you can do by  clicking here .

And that’s it for my guide to picking the best camera lens for travel photography. I’ll be keeping this post updated as new lenses are released for the various systems, so you can always check back for advice if you need it. I’m also happy to answer your specific questions about picking a lens for your camera system – just pop them in the comments below and I’ll do my best to give my thoughts and advice!

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There are 71 comments on this post

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Vladielna says

4th October 2023 at 6:31 am

Hi Laurence,

Hope it’s not weird to get a comment on this post in 2023. I have a sony Alpha 6400 that I got earlier this year and I was wondering about the 55-210 e-mount lens you mentioned. My dad bought it for his 5N back in the day and I was hoping to use it for my camera however I have noticed that the AF is much worse on the 6400 than it is on the 5N where it will take multiple times to try and find the right focal length over the span of 3 seconds and yet still not be in focus I am not sure why that is and I was hoping you could provide some insight into this behaviour.

Thanks, Vladielena

Laurence Norah says

4th October 2023 at 8:10 am

Hi Vladielna

Of course, you are welcome to comment. I do keep our content up to date, so even if a post was originally published a while ago I do my best to keep to relevant 🙂

On to your question. So the 6400 should have a pretty good focus system, but it’s hard to diagnose the issue without knowing the focus mode in use and what scenario you are taking photos of. Some focus situations are more challenging for a camera to work in, such as lower light scenes or scenes where there isn’t much to focus on (like a plain surface). If you could let me know what you are struggling to photograph and focus mode you are using I can do my best to offer some input!

20th August 2022 at 11:50 pm

I’ve been looking to get into photography for a bit. Pretty settled on getting the 6D Mark II. Any recommendations for lens? I do a good bit of hiking, some traveling through the city and museums, some international travel, and a good bit of stuff outside. Any help is appreciated!

22nd August 2022 at 5:59 pm

Sure thing. So a lot will obviously depend on your budget. A good walk around lens with the 6D might be the Canon 24-105 f/4 L, which covers a useful focal range. If you want more range and are on more of a budget, Tamron’s 28-300 is a good option, although it isn’t quite as wide. Personally I prefer a wide angle lens, but it’s a personal preference. You can always shoot more frames and stitch them together of course.

If you wanted to give me an idea of budget, I’m happy to give some more ideas. Just one thing to bear in mind is that there’s always some sort of trade off when it comes to gear, be it maximum aperture, weight, cost or reach. No-one has come up with the perfect lens that does everything yet!

26th August 2022 at 11:28 pm

Hi Laurence! Thanks for the response! I think the 24-105 is purchasable with the body. For budget I’d probably like to stay under 2k for lens as I’m just getting my feet wet. I’ve seen a canon 50mm f/1.8 stm recommended, any thoughts on thus lens ?

27th August 2022 at 12:35 pm

My pleasure! Yes, the 6D Mark II does usually have the option for the 24-105 as a “kit” lens, but it’s definitely more than your standard kit lens and worth adding on in my opinion.

The 50mm f/1.8, or nifty fifty as it’s often referred to, is a fantastic lens, especially for the price. I recommend everyone has one. It’s not necessarily a “travel” lens because most folks looking for a travel lens want something that covers a range of focal lengths. However, I always suggest people pick one up because it’s a great option for portrait work and anything else where you want a nice shallow depth of field. It can also work as a travel lens, you just have to get used to moving yourself around rather than using the zoom, which is actually not a bad thing.

Let me know if you have any other questions, and enjoy your new gear!

Arijit says

19th July 2020 at 3:46 pm

Great article! Hope you would be able to help me take my decision.

I own a Nikon D5200 (DX) and looking for a single lens which covers all or most aspects of photography (wide angle, portrait, zoom, etc). I had filtered down to 3 lenses- Nikon 18-300 mm (best for Nikon cameras as per your article), Sigma 18-300mm with Macro, Tamron 16-300 with Macro. I had Tamron 18-400 mm in my mind as well but then I thought that additional 100mm is not something I would fancy, as 300mm is still good enough for me and with the Sigma 300mm lens I am getting macro function.

All these 3 lenses are in same price range. But what I researched and understood was that Sigma lenses have best image quality of the three. Undoubtedly, Nikkor has the best overall optics but with Sigma I am also getting a macro feature which I feel I might use more than the 300mm though it is still good to have range.

I also heard that with Sigma 18-300, we might experience stabilization issues at higher mm for video. My requirement is to have the best of image and video quality with a single lens.

Would be grateful if you could share some thoughts on what should I consider.

Thanks in advance!

19th July 2020 at 8:18 pm

Thanks very much! So the lenses you list have some differences. Between the Tamron and the Sigma the Sigma as you say should have the best image quality, specifically sharpness, which is definitely important. Overall though the Nikon is generally better. I would also say that the Macro designation of the Tamron and Sigma is a bit misleading. Whilst they have a slightly closer minimum focus distance than the Nikon, neither are true macro lenses. A true macro lens would allow you to shoot an image with 1:1 magnification, meaning that the size of the image in real life is the same size as it’s reproduced on the sensor. The Tamron and Sigma both only offer a 1:3 magnification.

The reason these two lenses have the macro name is because they can both focus on objects that are within 39cm of the camera, whilst the Nikon has a minimum focus distance of 49cm. Honestly, this is not a big difference, and you will not get a real macro experience from any of these lenses, certainly not enough to make a difference. Usually a macro lens can focus on objects that are 30cm or less from the end of the camera.

So for this reason I would probably recommend the Nikon for overall best performance 🙂

I hope this helps!

Debasis Goswami says

27th February 2020 at 3:44 pm

You never want to put a UV filter for a digital camera. Useless and makes any lens perform poorly. That was such a put off right at the beginning.

27th February 2020 at 3:50 pm

Hi Debasis,

I have to respectfully disagree. A UV filter has protected my lens from damage on a number of occasions, where the filter has been destroyed but the lens is fine. In addition, a good quality UV filter is just a piece of glass, as is the rest of the lens. Studies have shown minimal to no impact in image quality, and it’s generally not noticeable either unless you’re pixel peeping.

In addition, the majority of “weather-sealed” lenses are only truly weather sealed with a filter on.

Of course, I don’t advocate putting a $10 filter on a thousand dollar+ lens. But I do think they are worth it. That said, each to their own. Whatever works for you is best 🙂

Thanks for your comment,

10th November 2019 at 1:14 am

I own a Canon 80D with 10-18 lens, 15-85 Aps-cl ens (probably selling),55-250 (never used probably selling) and Tamron 18-400. I just purchased 24-70 f/4L lens and am thinking of purchasing Canon 6D mark II. I use the 80D for everything and I am thinking the full frame 6DMII will help me get nice crisp pictures in low light and other shots. Do you think this is a good idea to have the crop and get a FF camera? I am not a beginner and not advanced photographer in between the two and still learning

10th November 2019 at 12:05 pm

The 6D Mark 2 is a great camera and will compliment your crop sensor nicely. I always have two bodies, although they are both full frame, it just makes it easier to get shots sometimes without having to mess around switching lenses.

6th September 2019 at 2:31 pm

Hello Laurence, We enjoyed your very well written article. We are getting ready to leave on safari and are looking at purchasing a mirrorless camera. We are very intermediate photographers. We currently use a Canon EOS 7D. We were contemplating staying with Canon due to familiarity. However, your article, as well as others, is pointing toward Sony. What is your recommendation? Lenses, etc? The Sony A7III sounds like the best set up (battery life, etc). What about ease of use? Also, I suppose a need a 200mm or longer telephoto lens, correct. I’m not sure I wanted to invest $5,000 in a camera as we are far from avid photographers. We are traveling more though and expect to get more into photography as we travel. Looking forward to your feedback. Thank you!

6th September 2019 at 3:37 pm

Thanks very much. I would say that if you are happy with the Canon 7D, you should stick with it and spend the money on a lens. A crop sensor camera is a good option for wildlife photography as it gets you closer to the action with the same focal length lens compared to a full frame camera. I would also add that if you are used to the Canon menu system, the Sony will take some getting used to, and many Canon photographers are not keen on the color of the images that Sony cameras produce.

I would instead suggest that you invest in a decent lens for wildlife photography for your Canon, or at least look to rent one. I’d advise something like the Canon 70-200 f/2.8 + a 2x doubler (quite a flexible setup), or the Sigma 150-500. The latter is a bit slower, but the zoom range is pretty amazing!

I hope this helps, let me know if I can help further,

EllenH says

4th September 2019 at 2:19 pm

I have one more question…if I rent a lens or two for my vacation to try out… which ones you choose to shoot Athens Greece and Paros Greece… I have only been in photography 6 months and have a canon EOS rebel T7i

EllenM says

4th September 2019 at 12:17 pm

I have a Canon Rebel T7i… on my next travel we are going to Greece… I will be taking pictures of sunsets, archeology sites, views of the acropolis, Parthenon, mount lycabetta; views of boats and white houses… what is your suggested lens? Sigma 18-300 or the canon 50?

4th September 2019 at 7:06 pm

I would definitely go for the 18-300 which would give you a lot more range and choices for your photography. The 50mm is a great lens, but having a fixed focal length will definitely restrict you!

4th September 2019 at 8:15 pm

I am considering renting… should I stay with this option?

5th September 2019 at 8:08 am

It’s up to you! Are you renting because you want to trial a lens for a future purchase, or just as a one-off? I’d say the Sigma lens you previously mentioned would be a good option in general, but you could rent a more premium lens. I don’t think it would make a huge difference – normally I’d recommend renting for more specialised trips like safaris or other wildlife encounters, where a really nice expensive zoom lens will make a huge difference – but it’s not a lens you’d really use very often otherwise.

I hope this helps 🙂

4th September 2019 at 1:36 am

Hello from Puerto Rico!

I currently own a Canon 6D Mark II eith a 24-105 mm f4 II Lens. I also own a Rokinon 14mm f 2.8 AF and a Tamron 35-105 mm f2.8. I have some traveling planned for November to Spain, France, Italy and Portugal. What should I bring in? Do I need a better Zoom lens such as a 70-200 mm ? I currently have a 75-300 mm f3.5-5.6 crop sensor lens from a previous Canon Camera. Can’t wait for your recommendations!

Best Regards!

4th September 2019 at 7:04 pm

it really depends what you want to photography and how much weight you want to carry! If it’s primarily landscapes and street photography, and you only want one lens, then the 24-105 would be my suggestions. If you want wider shots, then the Rokinon would be the best option.

It’s less likely you will need the extra zoom – it can be useful in some specific situations like wildlife and for candid portraiture from a distance, but it’s a lot of additional weight that you probably won’t use that often!

I hope this helps – have a great time in Europe!

4th September 2019 at 8:41 pm

Thanks! ????

30th August 2019 at 12:37 am

I travel with the Canon 24-70 f/4 on a 6D. Compared to both the 24-70 f/2.8 and 24-105, it weighs less, cost less, and has a sort-of macro mode (.7x) for flowers and any strange bugs one meets. The extra 35mm on the long end I hardly ever miss. I either need no more than 70 or go straight to wishing I had 400.

30th August 2019 at 6:07 am

Great to hear that you have found the right lens for you 🙂 It’s certainly an excellent lens, and a great lighter option for sure. You are right, those few mm don’t make that much difference, especially with how many megapixels most cameras give you these days and the power of cropping!

Happy photography!

Usama Zulfiqar says

14th August 2019 at 10:41 am

Great article and fully endorse your views. I am enthusiastic photographer and have Nikon D750 with 24-120mm f/4, 50mm 1.8 and 85mm 1.8 lens+Godox Flash. I am planning for a short trip to my home town with loads of indoors gathering and few outdoors gatherings as well, but wanted to carry only two lens max.due to weight issue.

I had previously used 24-120mm for shooting a wedding and it went very well as my photos were as good /sharp as photos taken by professional photographer. I am quite comfortable with this lens, despite losing bokeh compared to 50mm and 85mm.

I will also take some portraits and shots of toddlers and kids running around. My question, which lens you recommend to pack in my carrying bag?

14th August 2019 at 8:01 pm

Thank you very much 🙂 So I would say that if you are happy with the performance of the 24-120 f/4, then that would be a great option as it’s going to be pretty versatile. For the other lens (I think you wanted two), I’d personally go with the 85mm as it’s going to be better for portraits, and will be easier for candid work as you will be able to get photos of people with them noticing less. The 50mm is a great lens too, but it’s harder to get those candid moments if you have to stand closer.

I hope this helps. If you really only wanted to take 1 lens I’d probably pick the 50mm as you could always crop, and it will be a bit more versatile for more situations.

31st July 2019 at 2:53 pm

Hi.. On my weekend travels i normally use NIkon 18-55 VR. And Nikon 35mm 1.8G for low light situation. I don’t take Nikor 55-300 and Tamron wide angle in my bag for travel. It’s a little inconvenient to swap the lens for telephoto or wide angle in some situation since travelling with family (we have 2 year old kid) and the weight of the bag carrying too many lens..!

I’m thinking to buy a good walk around lens (Nikor or third party) and sell both NIkor 18-55VR and 55-300 (or at least keep my first lens 18-55VR).

Do you have any suggestion on my situation? what should be the walk around lens i should go for?

31st July 2019 at 3:02 pm

Obviously it will depend on your budget. I’d suggest either the 18-300mm in the list above, which would be a good all around option. Alternatively if you want a wider aperture for lower light, then you might consider the 24-70 2.8. However it has much less focal length and is also quite expensive, so I think the 18-300 would be a better walkaround option, and would replace your two other lenses you mention.

18th July 2019 at 4:31 am

Thanks for your great articles Laurence, I have found them very informative and clearly explained, which is most helpful to a beginner photographer trying to learn more about the key features of the camera/lens setup and how they impact picture quality. Please forgive the newbie question, but in describing the lenses, you talk about a lens being faster or slower than another? What does that mean in layman’s terms, ie. how is a lens faster than another ? does it refer to the time the light takes to reach the sensor and hence how quickly you can take multiple shots or something else ?

18th July 2019 at 6:08 am

My pleasure. That is a great question, and I should definitely explain it in the article. However, first I’ll tell you 🙂

So, a fast lens is so called because it will have a wider aperture. A wider aperture lets more light in, which means you can use a faster shutter speed, compared to a lens with a smaller aperture (in the same light conditions). Hence, a “fast” lens. The aperture, shutter speed and ISO are all linked in the way a camera works, which I explain in much more detail in my guide to exposure, which you can see here:

https://www.findingtheuniverse.com/exposure-triangle-photography/

Let me know if that doesn’t make sense. It’s not a totally obvious concept I’m afraid, but with a bit of practice it should start to make sense 😉

10th July 2019 at 12:33 pm

Hi Lawrence,

Thank you so much for such nice explanations about different features of camera and lenses. I truly loved the details. I am just wondering in the sentence below, which you wrote

“So a 100mm lens on an APS-C sized sensor will give the same result in terms of the image as you would be able to achieve with a 160mm lens on a full frame camera.”

Shouldn’t it be the other way around? That is a 160 mm lens on APS-C camera will give same result for 100 mm lens on a full frame?

Thanks again, I look forward to your answer.

10th July 2019 at 12:46 pm

Just wondering if what you wrote is correct, does it mean that for a wide angle picture (for a given lens), a full frame sensor is better than APS-C? Whereas, for a magnified/zoomed image an APS-C sensor is better?

12th July 2019 at 4:23 am

For a zoomed image, an APS-C sensor is often preferred as it gives more “zoom” to the lenses, hence why wildlife photographers like crop sensors 🙂

12th July 2019 at 4:22 am

What I wrote was correct 🙂 A 100mm lens on an APS-C sensor has a crop factor applied. You multiply the lens focal length by the crop factor (for most APS-C lenses this is 1.6x), giving an equivalent of 160mm.

Liz Hetherington says

5th May 2019 at 6:01 am

Hi I recently moved from full frame Nikon to Nikon mirrorless and bought the standard z6 kit with 24-70 f4 for less weight while travelling. I did trade in my F 2.8 🙁 . I’m now a bit worried I’m not going to be happy with this new lens in comparison. Your thoughts? Also do you think it’s worth getting the 50mm 1.8 prime? I’m off to Alaska hiking and kayaking. I love taking landscapes, macro and wildlife Liz

5th May 2019 at 9:39 am

To be honest, unless you are doing a great deal of low light work, or shooting events like weddings, I think the lighter nature of the f/4 lens will make up for the loss of one stop of light. For travel, personally as a landscape photographer I rarely find myself shooting wide open, except for the odd portrait or wildlife shot. And the one stop I don’t think is hugely significant for wildlife photography. When I’m shooting wildlife, even though I have a 70-200 f/2.8 lens, I usually have a doubler on it, so it ends up being an f/5.6, and I’ve not had any problems!

For what you are shooting, I’m not sure the 50mm prime will be much use. It’s usually a nice way to get great portraits on the cheap, but I’m not sure you’d find yourself using it all that much 🙂

I hope this helps – I think you’ll be happy with your lens choice!

Image Earth Travel says

28th March 2019 at 1:44 pm

Great write-up and comparisons – lots of food for thought!

I have to mention that I don’t totally agree with your view on the Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lens. I’ve been using this lens on my Nikon D600 since 2013, but travelling full time since 2014. The lens diminishes my D600’s 24.3 MP to only 10P-MP. A testing link you may be interested to check out: https://www.dxomark.com/Lenses/Nikon/AF-S-NIKKOR-28-300mm-f-3.5-5.6-ED-VR-mounted-on-Nikon-D600__834

In addition, the distortion the lens creates when taking architectural images is much higher than my previous cheaper Canon EOS550D+Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 that I used on my 2011, 10-month trip. (Prior to these 2 models, I used a combination of film cameras and lenses.)

Overall, I’m disappointed with my decision to swap from Canon to Nikon – not only much more expensive, but not optimal for travelling as the camera+lens weighs around 3kgs.

I’m yet to discover the best travel camera+lens combination to handle candid and landscapes (including architecture) photography. I like the idea of just having one camera body+one lens – for me, it’s always going to be a zoom lens. So, I understand that the optics of the zoom will never be as good as a fixed lens and always a compromise, but for the money I spent back in 2013 on my Nikon kit I expected better quality. Only as good as the lens right? 😉

28th March 2019 at 3:33 pm

So I am a little confused – this is an FX lens on an FX body, so there should be no reduction in megapixel and it should be able to use the full sensor frame. I don’t understand how it would cause the images to go down to 10MP – that would normally only happen if you used a DX lens on an FX body.

Lens distortions are always going to be an issue for sure, although they can be often fixed in Lightroom or other photo editing software. But yes, the greater the focal range of the lens in my experience, the lower the image quality and the greater the distortion. It’s just a reality unfortunately.

I think you might overall be better off with a different system entirely in weight is more important. Perhaps one of the mirrorless systems. There are many to choose from, especially if you don’t mind stepping down a bit in sensor size. Ultimately though, you are right, good glass is critical to great images – but it tends to come at a price (and weight!).

Saikat Sen says

26th August 2019 at 4:42 am

Disappointed to see that you have not considered the Tamron 16-300 VC f/3.5-6.3, which according to my experience is a great walk around travel lens, weighing just about a pound, cheaper than any other lens you have mentioned here and providing 16mm at the wide end, which roughly equivalent to 24mm at the APS C sensor. Needless to say that it has full-time manual override, which is very useful to those who really like to use it manually with the library to get the auto focus as and when required.

26th August 2019 at 7:25 pm

Thanks for your comment, and I’m delighted you’ve found a lens that works for you. There are lots of great lenses out there! I think the 18-400 Tamron I recommend is a good option, but of course, if folks would prefer something a little lighter and don’t mind trading off a bit of focal length on the zoom end, then the 16-300 is a great option too 🙂

Lucas Peters says

11th February 2019 at 8:08 pm

Thank you for taking the time to put this article together. I’m sure it’s a ton of research. For the next one, really consider the Sony 24-105mm G OSS f/4. I’ve been using it for travel (England, Iceland, France, Spain and Morocco) over the last few months and am super happy. On a full-frame, you can crop to get an equivalent 150mm or so range for a nice little punch-in. Nice colors. Solid sharpness (though a tad softer at 105, but not too bad), an overall better performance than the SonyZeiss 24-70mm with a larger range. Check it out when you can.

12th February 2019 at 5:42 pm

Thanks for the input, that’s much appreciated. I will certainly take a look at that lens and consider including it 😀

12th February 2019 at 9:07 pm

If you liked the Canon L 24-105, you’ll probably like this a lot.

Curious why you are adverse to small primes. I probably do the vast majority of my shooting with the Sony-Zeiss 35mm 2.8 (you can get them 2nd hand pretty consistently for 300-400 now, making it a great budget option). It’s an awesomely light weight walk around kit.

13th February 2019 at 9:11 pm

I’m not adverse to them at all, I think they are awesome bits of kit. However, for this post the goal was picking lenses that the majority of folks would use without having to carry too many lenses, and whilst I love primes for their sharpness and speed, I think the majority of folks reading this guide are looking more for a one size fits all solution 🙂

Alicja Abela says

30th January 2019 at 12:44 am

I am a beginner photographer and am wanting to buy a Canon 80D for a trip to NZ in November. What lense/ lenses would you suggest for getting landscape shots but also wildlife? much appreciate your advice.

30th January 2019 at 7:28 pm

So for landscapes I’d recommend a wide angle lens like the Canon EF-S 10-18mm. That’s a really good value lens, and the ultrawide angle will let you get some great landscapes. The logical lens to pair it with would be the Tamrom 18-400, which would be great for pretty much everything else, including portraits and wildlife. These are not super expensive lenses, which also makes them lighter for travel, but if you wanted to spend more for some reason, I can recommend more expensive lenses too of course!

Have an amazing time in New Zealand 🙂

1st February 2019 at 8:48 am

Thank you for the recommendation. After looking at the pricing of both 80d and lenses I think I will have to look for a cheaper model such as a 200D. Are there a couple of lenses that I could take that would do a good job on landscapes, action and wildlife that would add up to around $1000 Aus doll ars max?

1st February 2019 at 6:43 pm

So you could get away with just the Tamron lens, and not getting the wide angle. It will work for the majority of shots. Or you could get the Sigma 18-300 and the Canon 10-18, which should come in to $1000.

I am assuming the $1000 doesn’t include the camera purchase. If that is included then you will likely be best buying that body only, and then getting the Sigma 18-300.

Alicja says

2nd February 2019 at 12:44 am

Thank you so much. That was so helpful!

12th December 2018 at 12:57 pm

You have the details wrong on the Lumix wide zoom, it is 8-18 not 8-14

12th December 2018 at 1:06 pm

Good catch! Thanks very much, I’ve updated the post 🙂

26th October 2018 at 3:53 pm

Great article..!

I have Nikon D3400 camera with kit lens amd 35mm Nikon prime lens. Normally i use 35mm lens when we go for family trip. Even if it is a good lens i miss many good shots since it is not wide enough. I am thinking about buying a wide angle lens for travel photography (weekend road trip with family 🙂 ). I considered Tamron 10-24mm VC and Nikon 10-20mm VR. What is your suggestion on my situation ? Should i stick with my kit lens for travel or buy any other walk around lens like Nikon 18-300 or Tamron 18-400?

26th October 2018 at 6:10 pm

Thanks! It’s hard to know exactly what to advise as I’m not sure if you are into wildlife photography or any other types of photography where you will be using the extra length of a longer zoom. So whilst the 18-300 or 18-400 or certainly good options, I think if your main issue is currently not being wide enough, and wide angle photography interests you more, then a 10-24 or 10-20 would be a better choice.

Another option is to try the 18-400 or 18-300 and see if it is wide enough for your needs. The difference between 10mm and 18mm is quite a lot, but you might find it suits what you want to do with, plus gives you a lot more flexibility and choice of focal lengths.

16th October 2018 at 8:34 am

Hi, Great article! I am planning to upgrade from 550D to an 80D, and was wondering about the lenses I could pair it up with. I have a canon 50mm f/1.8 STM prime which I love (and so does the rest of the world, it seems!). I ditched my 6 yrs old canon 18-55 IS II for a sigma 18-35 f/1.8. And on the telephoto end, I am aiming for the Tamron 100-400. Have read some good reviews about it, and its probably the lightest and most easy-to carry telephoto of that range (though not the best w.r.t. IQ, but would be a huge improvement over my notoriously soft canon 55-250 IS II). I shoot birds at times, and so need a good telephoto range. I am slightly worried about losing the mid range (50-100), but was analysing my pictures, and realised I don’t shoot very often in that range. Would love to hear your opinion as well.

17th October 2018 at 7:45 pm

So the good news as you no doubt already know is that the 550D and the 80D have the same sized sensor and mount, so all your lenses will just work across the cameras. I would say that you would be fine without the middle focal length. We usually travel with a 17-40 and a 70-200, and we’re usually shooting either very wide at 17mm or 100mm+, so don’t miss that middle range too much! It all depends on the kind of photography you do, and it sounds like you have a solid idea of what it is you want to shoot, as well as the focal ranges you use most regularly. So if that lens suits your budget and needs, I would say to go for it!

julie anne says

3rd October 2018 at 6:00 pm

hello I just want to ask what camera lens is compatible with canon m50? thanks

4th October 2018 at 4:00 am

Hey Julie! Great question. So you have two main options – there’s a range of EF-M lenses made by Canon for the camera, which I haven’t included here as they are quite specific to the EOS M range. The other option is to get the adaptor which will let you use any EF-S or EF lens, which you can get here: https://amzn.to/2DV5fy5

In which case, the Canon lenses listed here, as well as various third party lenses from brands like Sigma and Tamron will work. Hope this helps!

Caitlin says

25th August 2018 at 1:17 pm

Thank you so much for this informative post. I am starting out on my travel photography journey across the Middle East and was overwhelmed by where to begin with cameras. This was very helpful!

25th August 2018 at 1:33 pm

My pleasure! Let us know if you have any questions 🙂

Ira Sockowitz says

9th August 2018 at 8:15 pm

Laurence, thanks for a very thoughtful and in-depth discussion of options for a wide range of shooters.

As an owner of two bodies, Canon 5D and 5D Mark II respectively, I already own some of the lenses you reference. As I am planning a 9-15 moth RTW trip, I have a couple of questions for you: 1. My everyday lens is the 24-70 f2.8L so covered there. If you are willing to bear the wight, should I carry my 70-200 f.28L? I think I see it in some of your photos and wonder of its uses – close ups of nice architecture as well as long landscape shots. If not, what lighter weight alternative do you use/recommend? 2. Should I consider a smaller, more pocket-sized or easily managed camera for urban travel? I note that you use a mirrorless and again ask about the utility of doing that versus carrying my larger DSLR everywhere.

Appreciate all that you and Jessica do to aide us travelers and look forward to your reply.

9th August 2018 at 8:36 pm

Hi Ira. My pleasure, and thanks for your kind words.

So I normally travel with a 17-40 and a 70-200. So you could say I’m missing that classic middle ground, but I find the other two lenses cover enough to make up for it. If I was going on a round the world trip, I think I would lean more towards leaving the 70-200 at home. It is massively heavy, and unless there are really specific shots you want, you might find yourself doing fine with the 24-70. I would perhaps look at investing in a 2x extender instead and using that with your 24-70. It won’t be quite as amazing as the 70-200 in terms of sharpness and autofocus speed, but if you’re not shooting fast moving subjects, or planning on selling your photos to be printed on the side of buildings, I don’t think you’ll notice 🙂

We do travel with a Lumix GX8, which is a great camera. However, if I was to start over, I think I’d likely look at one of the larger sensor compact cameras for more casual use. These are really quite compact and portable, shoot in RAW, and have decent manual controls. The later Sony RX100 models, or the Panasonic Lumix TZ100 / TX200 would be my choice I think, purely so I can have a simple solution that doesn’t come with its own lens ecosystem to worry about!

I hope this helps, happy to expand more of course 🙂

1st August 2018 at 1:51 am

Thanks so much for the very helpful article.

I’ve been using a T3i and the 18-200mm for years, and am upgrading for my latest trip. I just got the Canon 77D and am contemplating whether to get a new lens as well. Realistically, I usually only carry one lens since it is a pain to switch; the 18-200 has done a great job covering both landscapes and far off subjects, but lately I’ve been more aware when it isn’t crisp. Do you think it is worth it to go for something like an 18-55 (similar to the 24-70 full frame on an APS-C I think) or similar? I’m not sure how much better the image quality would be (obviously some with the smaller range, but unclear the degree of improvement).

1st August 2018 at 11:45 am

First, I’d definitely ask if you need the extra range of something like the 18-200 – if you often find yourself at the more zoom end of the lens, then you will likely be unsatisfied with a shorter focal length.

Second, a newer camera body with a better sensor is definitely going to highlight the issues with your existing lens, so if you are noticing problems on the T3i with your existing lens, these will only be more apparent with a better body unfortunately. Of course, it also depends on what you are using your photos for – whilst images can look bad when we inspect them close up, if your shots are mostly for social media or relatively small images, you might not really notice, but for larger use, and especially for printing, you will likely want a higher quality lens.

Without an idea of your budget, its hard to give an exact recommendation, but generally higher quality means higher cost unfortunately!

One good option would be to rent a couple of the lenses you are looking into to see if you can really tell the difference, and go from there 🙂

4th August 2018 at 10:27 pm

On past trips I’ve definitely found myself using the range of the lens to take portraits of people from far away, and get far off statues etc., though the majority of my use is landscape and smaller zooms.

For now, my pictures are mostly just stored on my computer, but eventually I would like to print larger versions of them (though more likely in the 16×24 range, not huge). I’d like to keep expenditure <$1000 on the lens – I think the rental idea is a good one!

Rick Petersen says

18th June 2018 at 3:11 am

My camera system and lenses are pretty set, but it was informative article. Like seeing others opinions on gear which is how I found this.

Currently shooting a Lumix GX8, with the Leica 12-60mm and Leica 25mm. Love this combo and concur with your recommendation of a standard zoom and fast prime.

19th June 2018 at 11:23 pm

Thanks Rick! We also have the GX8, it’s a lovely camera, and we have it with the Lumix 12-35 f/2.8 which is a great walkaround travel lens too. Sounds like you have the perfect set up for travel, light and discreet 🙂 HAppy shooting!

16th June 2018 at 8:21 pm

After reading all that you still don’t come up with a good travel lens??????? Whats the point????

16th June 2018 at 10:17 pm

Hey Max! The goal of the article is to help folk navigate the fairly overwhelming choice of travel lenses, with suggestions given for different camera systems and budgets. Most folks should have an idea of what their camera system is, and then what their budget is, and from that it should be easy to use this post to decide which is going to be the best lens for them 🙂

Thomas FISCHER says

31st May 2018 at 1:31 pm

Great great article.

I am wondering for MFT what do think about thoses lenses for travelling: – 14-140 II F3.5 – lumix 7-14 F4 – lumix leica 15 mm F1.7 – lumix 42.5 F1/7

31st May 2018 at 7:27 pm

Thanks very much. I do love prime lenses because you get that lovely shallow depth of field effect, and they tend to be really sharp. I didn’t recommend any in my post because, well, I would have been writing forever, but with a micro four thirds system they make good sense because the whole system is smaller, so for travelling you can still have some prime lenses. I’d say your selection is ideal for travelling, with a focal range to cover pretty much everything from landscapes to animals, plus some nice lenses for portraits. So yes, I think you’ve picked some excellent choices!

13th May 2018 at 8:33 am

Hi Scott, and thanks for your comment. THe post is definitely new, although we do of course update old posts to ensure they are still relevant. In this case though that isn’t the case, I just missed that lens. I’ll take a look and see where it would fit, and thanks again for your input. Cheers, Laurence.

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Our Expert Guide to the BEST Travel Cameras in 2024

• Last Updated: December 13, 2023

We’ve spent years working as professional travel photographers, and are proud to have put together this definitive guide to the best travel cameras in 2024 for every budget, based on actual hands-on experience.

One of the best souvenirs you can bring home from your adventures abroad is photographs.

As the old saying goes, pictures are worth a thousand words, and nothing brings back the excitement and thrill of holiday memories quite like looking back at your photos.

These days almost everybody has a decent camera in their pocket, thanks to the wonders of modern smartphones. And while these are fine for the average person, if you really want great image quality, you’re going to have to invest in something better.

People say, “It’s not the camera that takes good photos, it’s the photographer”, and this is completely true. Yet there’s a reason professionals use expensive gear – they are better for the job.

Never fear though, that doesn’t mean you need to go out and spend $10k on a set-up! Definitely not.

In fact this article is going to save you time and money by diving straight into the best travel camera for every budget.

So why listen to us?

We’ve been working as professional travel photographers for almost a decade, and have been fortunate enough to put hundreds of cameras to the test during our career.

Based on our personal experience, we’ve been able to narrow down the absolute top choice in every category.

Whether you are a beginner, intermediate or professional, or even if you know nothing at all, we’ll help you make the right choice so you don’t waste your money getting something that just isn’t up to the job.

READ MORE: Check out our comprehensive guide on how to take better travel photos .

Let’s dive into our comprehensive guide for the best camera for travel photography.

Table of Contents

Our Recommendation

Bonus: recommended lenses for sony a6600, bonus: recommended lenses for sony a7iv, size and weight, resolution/megapixels, interchangeable lenses, manual settings, weatherproofing, stabilization, mirrorless vs dslr, what camera do most professional photographers use, what camera is best for travel videos, what is the best small camera for travel, what is the best travel camera in 2024.

Without further ado, let’s get into the article!

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GoPro HERO12 Black – The Best Action Camera

Action cameras have come a long way since we bought our first one back in 2010.

They used to be reserved just for people who were into extreme sports – skiing, skydiving, motocross, scuba diving, etc.

Now they have become one of the top travel cameras on the market thanks to their durability, compact size and high quality.

The good ones shoot in at least 4K video (this one though actually goes up to 5.3k), are completely waterproof and even connect to your phone so can take great photos from any angle.

They also shoot time-lapse photography, which is great if you’re catching an epic sunrise or particularly busy urban scene.

Even if you are not interested in jumping off of cliffs or mountain biking through a jungle, having an action compact camera is still a brilliant tool to have in your suitcase.

They are especially awesome if you’re looking for the best cameras for adventure travel.

The undisputed king of action sports cameras is GoPro, and we’ve been proudly using them for over 13 years.

These epic cameras have insane image quality and shoot some remarkable video. They’re also extremely durable, waterproof and fit in your pocket.

Adding to the GoPro series is a huge range of accessories that makes getting footage limited by only your imagination.

Check out our brand new GoPro HERO12 Black review to see if it’s right for you!

Different mounts allow you to put them just about anywhere, extension poles get unique angles (perfect for selfies), you can stick a GoPro on a tripod and there are even filters available.

We’ve had just about every GoPro camera since the original HERO was released, and we’re super excited to share that the newest one on the market is by far the best ever.

Their latest camera is the GoPro HERO12 Black , following hot off the heels of the successful HERO11 (click the link to read our review of it), and it’s risen the bar once again.

When the HERO7 came out they introduced a number of revolutionary features, such as HyperSmooth (in-built image stabilisation), TimeWarp (awesome hyper-lapse videos) and SuperPhoto (HDR photos on steroids).

The HERO9 added a front-facing LCD screen, which really stepped things up a notch, especially for vloggers.

The HERO10 brought in the new GP2 processor, which made everything work, well, just better.

The HERO11 went bonkers with a brand new larger sensor, 10-bit colour and all new aspect ratio.

And now with the HERO12 the company has gone and made everything more refined with a host of new features and upgraded battery life.

Boasting the fantastic GP2 processor, 1/1.9″ sensor and 8:7 aspect ratio, the latest GoPro HERO12 Black now has HDR video to go along with the expert camera settings.

The massive aspect ratio gives more room to crop, so you can shoot in one perspective and scale later for portrait social media content or landscape YouTube videos.

The camera shoots in 5.3k 60 frames per second, 4k at 120fps and 2.7k at a whopping 240fps (8x slow motion), which also allowing for 27 megapixel screen grabs when using 5.3k on the full 8:7 ratio.

The stabilization is even better with HyperSmooth 6.0 (in-built horizon levelling up to 360 degrees), TimeWarp 4.0 allows to switch between hyper-lapse, real-time and slow-mo recording in the same video with a tap of the screen, and the SuperPhoto has improved HDR abilities.

The screens are still very responsive and look excellent.

SuperPhoto for photographers, in particular, means you can point and shoot, and barely have to edit before uploading to social media. Although we still recommend shooting in RAW for the pros out there.

This article talks more about how to take better GoPro photos, written by a pro.

For the purists out there, the GoPro HERO12 shoots in RAW format for all photo modes.

There is still voice activation and the entire unit is waterproof to 10m, meaning there is no need for a dive housing if you’re not going below that depth.

Also the all-new Night Effects modes are really awesome. Who would have thought you could capture light trails and the Milky Way on such a tiny camera?

For the video gurus out there the HERO12 is a gimbal killer. What does that mean? It means HyperSmooth 6.0 is on another level.

The HERO7 stabilisation was amazing for vlogging and action sports, as was the HERO8 and 9, but after testing the new HERO12, the stabilisation is even better again. Don’t know how they do it, but they do! And it works at 4K at 120fps, TimeWarp and live streaming!

Want slow motion? How does 2.7k at 240FPS sound? Buttery smooth, that’s for sure.

Whereas in previous models they had White, Silver and Black models, the HERO12 only has a Black model.

Canon Powershot SX740HS – The Best Affordable Camera

If you want a dedicated camera that is cheap and still takes decent photos then you really are spoiled for choice.

We’ve personally owned a whole range of different brands in this range, from Canon to Fuji to Olympus to Sony, and with the way the best travel camera market is now if you’re not fussy about the brand you get, then you can’t really go wrong. But let us explain what you’ll need.

You’ll basically be looking for a small point and shoot, something that is foolproof and most importantly quite durable. Having a big zoom range is a big bonus so you can crop right in on different scenes.

The ability to use manual settings will come in handy if you ever want to play around and learn a bit more about how photography works.

And you want something affordable so that you won’t be overly worried if you lose it (just make sure you backup your photos).

The Canon Powershot SX720HS was a hugely successful compact camera, and Canon backed it up with the amazing SX730HS to become the best budget travel camera.

But like all good camera companies, Canon has stepped it up a notch again by bringing out the newest model in the range, the SX740HS .

This great little travel camera does it all, and for the price, it is the best travel zoom camera out there.

40x optical zoom, manual settings, shoots in 4K video, good color grading, and it is one of the better compact cameras out there.

It also has wifi so you can transfer photos straight to your phone or laptop without plugging it in, or control the camera from your phone. Perfect for the general traveler who just wants something to take decent photos with on their trip.

It also has a large articulated screen, so you can angle your shots perfectly, whether you’re shooting from the ground or above the head.

A few more updates over the SX730HS is an improved small sensor, meaning better low light capabilities, and faster burst shooting, cementing its position as the best budget camera for travelling.

READ MORE: Check out our latest guide on the best camera accessories !

Sony RX100 vii – The Best Compact Camera for Travel

This is the next level up. You still want the portability and benefits of having a point and shoot, but you want to take incredible photos too.

You’re interested in learning about the fundamentals of photography, and perhaps want to one day print your photos or maybe put them up online. Ultimately you’re after the best pocket camera for travel.

Here are the things you’ll need: Full manual control, a decent size sensor, zoom, high-quality video, flip screen (so you can shoot from different angles while still framing your shot), ability to shoot in RAW format, good ISO performance and a wide aperture.

This is the category that most people will be in. So if you’re asking yourself what is the best compact digital camera for traveling, read on…

READ MORE: Check out our comprehensive guide to the best landscape photography tips !

This is, in our opinion, the best point and shoot camera for travel on the market. It does everything you’ll ever need it to do and has incredible image quality in a premium compact size.

Sony have completely revolutionized the market with the RX100 range, and with each update it just gets better and better.

Without a doubt there’s no better option for the best compact camera for travel out there than the Sony RX100 vii right now.

The Mark 7 has a very long zoom range (8.6x optical, up from 3.6x optical, which is like having a 24-200mm lens), an amazing 20mp one-inch sensor to capture huge dynamic range, high quality 4K video and an articulating flip screen.

It’s an expensive camera, yes, but if you want the absolute best quality on the market in a small, compact unit that fits in your pocket, this is the best travel camera out right now.

BONUS TIP – If you want to create travel vlogs and have a decent camera for photography too, this is the model for you!

Canon G7X Mark iii – Best Camera for Vlogging

Vlogging is the newest craze, and it’s quite literally taking over as the new digital media of choice for many travelers and influencers.

If making videos is more your style instead of taking photos, then you’re going to want to look at a camera that has a range of specific features.

Most importantly is the ability to shoot in 4K (even if not many people have 4K monitors today, in a few years it will be common and you’re going to want to have footage to match the current standard).

Once you’ve got this another handy feature is an articulated LCD screen that can face you while you’re talking in the lens.

This allows you to frame your shot instead of cutting off half your head. Lastly you’ll want a microphone jack to catch better audio.

Get the camera, start filming and put some great videos up on YouTube ! Sounds easy, right? But what is the best travel camera for vlogging…

We’ve used more vlogging cameras than we can remember, from full-frame setups to GoPros and even putting to the test the brand new Sony ZV-1F .

But what have we settled on?

The Canon G7X Mark ii has always been considered the ultimate travel camera for vlogging, but it fell short in a few different categories.

That’s all changed now with the newest upgrade, the G7X Mark iii .

Shooting fantastic 4k video, this travel camera now has an in-built microphone jack for improved audio, a flip-up touchscreen for keeping your face in frame, and has a faster start-up time than previously.

The image quality is also much better now, and with manual control functions it really is a premium compact travel camera.

Sony A6600 – Best Mirrorless Camera for Travel

You’ve broken out of the realm of standard point and shoots, and you’re looking for a camera that has interchangeable lenses.

You’re getting into the idea of shooting wide, or perhaps portrait shots. Maybe you really would like to get a longer zoom.

Most of all, you really want to get serious about photography.

In your kit will be a range of lenses for a range of situations. You can look at getting filters to give beautiful effects on your shots. You might even want to start growing your photography portfolio .

A few years ago everyone would have recommended you to get an entry-level DSLR. This is no longer the case.

With the way mirrorless technology has gone DSLRs are losing traction and popularity. Now you can get something with the same image quality for half the size.

The Sony A6600 is an absolute powerhouse and puts up a good fight for being the ultimate travel camera.

For entry-level mirrorless cameras, Sony broke the mould by introducing the A6000 a few years ago. Since then every model has been lightyears ahead of the competition.

The latest A6600 is their newest offering, and for a compact camera, it is seriously next level.

It boasts one of the fastest autofocus capabilities of any camera on the market, an improved APS-C sensor capable of high-level video and great image quality, a touch-enabled articulating LCD screen and excellent electronic viewfinder.

The range of lenses available for this Sony mirrorless camera is huge, and manages to cover all bases for whether you want to shoot 4K video or take images that you can sell to magazines.

You can really get away with the standard lenses that come in most kits, but there are a couple of exceptions that you could splurge out for.

All Sony E mount lenses will fit onto the Sony A6XXX series (including the spectacular full-frame range, with a crop factor).

So if you are ever considering an upgrade to full frame and want to buy some new lenses for your APS-C sensor, you can fork out the money early and still use your lenses later on.

Best Wide Angle Lens

There’s really only one option in this range, and it’s the brilliant 10-18mm F4 . To this day one of the best photos we’ve seen taken of the Petronas Towers was taken with a Sony A6000 (older model) and this lens.

Best Portrait Lens

The Sony 50mm F1.8 is a great choice for a native portrait lens. It’s light, fast and cheap. 

The quality is decent without being amazing, but it definitely does a wonderful job for what you pay for.

Otherwise step up to the FE 55mm F1.8 (read about it below), although this will give you a 85mm perspective on the APS-C sensor.

Best Zoom Lens

Keeping with the affordable and light range that makes for great travel camera lenses, we recommend the Sony 55-210mm f/4.5-6.3 .

For the amateur and hobbyist photographer, this will do just about everything you need and is a solid lens to have in your kit.

Sony A7iv – Best Professional Camera for Travel Photography

If you’re like us and want to make capturing the absolute best images of your travels a priority, then you’ll be looking at a professional range of travel cameras.

Following on from the discussion on mirrorless vs DSLR above, you’ll get many professional photographers who choose to stick to cameras like the Canon 6D or 5D series, or the Nikon D750 or D810.

These are legendary cameras in the industry, and with the enormous range of lenses available for each one, there’s a reason the best in the business use them.

But, we’re talking about travel cameras. And for this, we recommended sticking to mirrorless. 

Full frame DSLRs are big and heavy, whereas their equivalent in mirrorless are a fraction of the size.

If you have decided you want to take the leap to a full frame sensor and want to be rocking the best mirrorless camera for travel, then you have only two choices.

READ MORE: But you need to carry everything, right? Here’s our new expert guide to the best camera backpacks on the market today!

Sony was the first major camera producer to create a full frame mirrorless camera, and while Canon has finally caught up, Sony has years of research and development on their side.

The Sony A7 series is almost flawless. Fantastic image quality, 4K video capabilities (on the A7R, A7S and the A7iv), articulating LCD screens, wifi, light, compact and a whole range of native lenses available for it makes them the absolute best cameras for traveling.

And with the Metabones adaptors you can even use your old Canon, Nikon, Sigma, Samyang or other type of lenses on it.

As of 2024, Sony’s top cameras are the A1, A7iv, A7Siii, A7Rv and the A9ii. Now while the A9ii, A7Rv and A1 are absolute beasts of cameras, the truth is you most likely don’t need all the features they have.

We currently own the A7iv and A7Rv, and for professional travel photography, they are the best on the market.

The image quality is superb and the dynamic range is insane. The low light capabilities are also amazing. Even at ISO 12800, there’s barely any noise that shows up on the shot compared to a compact camera.

We personally recommend the A7iv as the best travel camera out there , as it’s just damn near perfect, especially as a hybrid photo and video camera.

4K video with 60fps, a lightning-fast autofocus system, joystick control, touch screen, fast processor, upgraded full frame sensor and amazing battery life.

If you’re the kind of person that loves to blow up their images for print, or does a lot of cropping when you edit your shots, then that’s the only reason you’ll want to step up to the A7Rv, as it has a 62mp sensor.

But wait – isn’t the brand new Sony A7Rv the best in class right now? Yes, it is. However, while it is absolutely incredible and takes things up another notch, it’s quite expensive and the megapixel count is likely not something you need..

Instead we recommend that you save your money on the body, put what’s left over towards some lenses, and get the A7iv be your go to camera for travel photography.

If you’re going for the Sony A7 series, we’ve got some bad news for you. Full frame lenses are expensive.

But if you’re considering turning your photography hobby into a profession, then this is a small sacrifice to make for the quality of photos you’ll be taking.

Trust us, if you’re buying the best camera for travel photography on the market, you’ll want to also have the best lenses to go with it.

The great thing with the Sony Alpha series is that their lenses are all interchangeable, meaning if you start out with a Sony A6600 and eventually upgrade to a Sony A7iv, you can take your old lenses and put them on the new camera (but it will have a crop factor).

Best All-Round Lens

The new FE 24-105mm f4 lens from Sony is pretty much the best all round travel zoom lens for photography.

It’s damn sharp, and with a constant aperture of f4, it means you can get excellent bokeh and decent low-light performance at any focal length.

This lens practically lives on our A7iv, as it’s so versatile, great for video and the image quality is fantastic.

The Sony 16-35mm f2.8 GM lens is one of the best wide angle lenses on the market, and when you throw it on your travel camera, you’re almost guaranteed to get fantastic shots.

Pretty much every review on photography sites raves about it, and having owned it for over three years now, we completely agree.

It’s not cheap, but to have such a fast and wide native lens for the Sony setup is pretty epic! If you want a cheaper alternative, check out the 16-35mm f4 , which is also very good.

Best Prime Lens

If you are into portrait or street photography make sure you get the FE 55mm F1.8 prime lens.

It’s very fast, very light and very sharp. And with such a good value, it may be the best prime lens that Sony makes (excluding the high-end GM series).

Owning a telephoto lens isn’t just about taking photos of wildlife or zooming in on things that are far away from you. It adds a whole new creative element known as lens compression to your arsenal.

This is the optical illusion that happens when the further you zoom into something, the bigger the background appears.

You start to get this effect from around 100mm and on, so if you’re looking for the best zoom lens to put on your Sony A7iv, consider the 70-200 f2.8 GMii lens, or the 100-400mm GM lens .

We have both of these zoom lenses, and we love love love them!

DJI Mavic Air 2 – The Best Drone for Travel

Aerial photography has gained in popularity over the last two years, and it’s easy to see why. 

Not that long ago the only way to get photos from the sky was by taking a chartered flight or helicopter.

But today just about anyone can go out, buy a drone and start taking shots from very unique angles.

The appeal is obvious. Capturing epic photos and video of landscapes from a perspective that few have ever seen before.

From the moment we bought our first drone (a DJI Phantom 4) we fell in love with it.

Good drones up until now have always been quite prohibitive when it comes to travel due to their bulky size.

The DJI Phantom series helped make it more accessible for most people, but even then it was still a commitment to travel with one.

Today the best drone for travel has finally been determined.

The DJI Mavic series is what you should be looking for when considering a travel drone.

With foldable legs and compact size, they tick all the boxes for portability.

There are a few different models to consider, and it really depends on your needs.

If you’re a professional, we recommend the DJI Mavic 2 Pro , thanks to its 1-inch Hasselblad Sensor and 360-degree collision avoidance.

But just announced is the Mavic Air 2 , and with features like 48-megapixel photo mode, panorama capabilities and 4k video, it’s the best option for anybody trying to take travel photos from the air on their next trip.

Its small size and great value makes it perfect for travel, but one thing to consider is the fixed focal length, meaning you can’t zoom in to take photos.

Note – With whatever drone you buy we highly recommend buying extra batteries. You’ll be surprised how quickly you chew through these. Check out the bundle packages from DJI (called ‘Fly More’ on the Mavics).

GoPro Max – Best 360 Travel Camera

With virtual reality becoming more and more popular, it might be no surprise that one of the best travel cameras for 2024 is actually a 360-degree camera!

These incredible little devices come with multiple cameras on one piece, managing to capture an entire scene in one shot in both photos and high definition video.

When they first came out they were very poor quality, but now they’ve improved enough that we actually travel with one full-time now.

360 cameras became popular when the Chinese company Insta360 started to bring out their affordable options, but the image quality was always pretty poor.

Then GoPro stepped onto the scene with the Fusion, and it changed the industry forever.

With all the standard great features GoPro is known for, such as being waterproof, having awesome connectivity and packing it all into compact cameras, the Fusion took things to the next level.

It did require a bit of work to use though, and the stitching wasn’t great. Plus with two SD card slots required to save media, it was just that bit too cumbersome for most photographers.

Cue the Max!

The GoPro Max took the best parts of all their cameras and threw it together into one unit with this one.

The Max, with its dual lenses on either side of the body, now uses just one SD card, making storage and management so much easier, and it has a touch LCD screen that can be used on the go.

For people looking for travel cameras that can do it all, it doesn’t just shoot in 360-degree mode.

There is their ultra-wide single perspective, and for having a small sensor, the low light shots are surprisingly good.

If you’re a travel vlogger you’ll be amazed at the quality of this! The inbuilt microphones do a great job at picking up audio while cutting out background noise, and the battery life is great.

It shoots at 5.6k video quality and 30 frames per second. You can change the pitch, yaw, field of view and angles to get the view you desire.

Even more unique, it can create 360 time-lapses and hyper lapses with a simple click. No need to pull it up in a program like Adobe Premiere Pro to make your videos any more!

Best of all it connects seamlessly to your smartphone using the GoPro app, so you can do all your editing, sticking and keyframing on the go.

When it comes to a travel camera that tries to do it all, this one is hard to beat.

That concludes our list of the best cameras for traveling. Let us know if you have any other recommendations, or if you use any of these cameras while traveling the world!

How to Choose the Best Camera for Travel 

No matter what level you are, the first piece of kit you are going to need to buy is the camera.

This can range from a cheap point-and-shoot right up to a top-of-the-line DSLR that can cost as much as a small car.

A quick visit to a camera store can leave you feeling completely overwhelmed with all the choices.

Keep on scrolling to find detailed information about each of these, and why they really are the best cameras for travel.

READ MORE: See what made the cut as the best travel tripod on the market in our expert guide!

What Features to Look for in a Travel Camera

There’s a number of different features that you need to look for when searching for the best travel camera to buy, based on your needs.

The first thing to look out for is how big and heavy a camera is.

When you’re on the road traveling, weight and space is a huge issue to overcome. You don’t want to be lugging around a heavy backpack full of gear if you don’t have to.

If you’re not a pro or a big enthusiast, we recommend checking out a compact camera or mirrorless camera, as they are smaller and more portable, while also providing decent image quality.

One thing that camera companies and salespeople like to preach about is megapixels. But what exactly does that mean?

A pixel is a tiny dot of color that you see on your computer or phone display. A megapixel is 1 million (actually 1,048,576 to be technically correct)  of those dots. So ‘24 megapixels’ so about 24 million dots of color

You may hear that more megapixels equal better quality photos, but this isn’t entirely true.

The sensor has more to do with image quality than the resolution does, but it does play a small part.

In short don’t get caught up about more buying a camera with more megapixels, unless you’re planning on printing your images on billboards.

Instead just use this guide to the best travel cameras to find out exactly what is the best choice you can afford.

One thing to consider when looking at the best travel camera is whether or not you can change the lens.

The reason this is important is that it gives you more choices down the road if you decide you want to get into different styles of photography.

A compact travel camera is most likely a fixed lens, meaning that whatever zoom range it comes with you can’t change.

A camera that you can change the lens on will let you upgrade to wide-angle lenses, a zoom lens, better maximum aperture options for low light performance, etc.

In general, if you can afford a mirrorless camera or DSLR, it’s worth buying.

A camera that allows you to change the manual settings gives you complete control over things like aperture, ISO and shutter speed.

This opens up a whole new world of creativity, and in our opinion, you shouldn’t consider a camera that doesn’t have this feature.

Luckily every recommendation on this list allows you to control those settings, even the GoPro HERO camera below!

It’s 2024 – make sure you get a camera that can shoot 4K video!

This provides much higher resolution when shooting video, and even if you don’t have a 4K monitor at home, you can always take that clip and watch it in high definition 1080p, or even crop into your footage.

Just beware that 4K video chews up your battery life, so make sure you have some spare ones!

Unless you plan on always being in perfect weather when you travel, it’s a good idea to get a camera that is either waterproof, or has good weather sealing.

Unfortunately you often have to compromise on a waterproof camera or a quality travel camera (unless you buy a GoPro), so we don’t recommend buying a camera that is fully waterproof.

Instead just make sure it has decent sealing, or look at buying an underwater housing if you want to get into underwater photography.

How far you can zoom in on a subject is very important when trying to decide the best travel camera.

If you buy a fixed lens camera, make sure it has a long zoom range, like a Canon Powershot or the Sony RX100vii.

Or if you buy a mirrorless camera or DSLR, you don’t have to worry about this as you can always upgrade later.

No matter how steady you think you are, you will almost always have a small amount of camera shake when taking handheld photos.

If you’re shooting at fast shutter speeds, this isn’t a problem. But if you’re photographing in low light, you can end up with motion blur.

Look out for cameras that have inbuilt image stabilization to counter this.

A DSLR ( digital single lens reflex ) works by having a mirror inside the camera. When you are looking through the viewfinder the mirror is down, covering the sensor, and you are looking at a reflected scene.

When you push the shutter the mirror flips up mechanically, allowing the image to be exposed onto the sensor, and then onto your SD card. All these moving parts take up room, hence why DSLRs are larger in size.

With mirrorless cameras, there are no moving parts inside. The image comes through the lens and directly onto the sensor.

There is an electronic viewfinder,  meaning you are seeing a digital copy of what you’re pointing the camera at, rather than a live view.

So without a mirror constantly flipping, the camera can be made a lot smaller. That’s why mirrorless cameras can be half the size of a DSLR.

When mirrorless cameras first came out the quality wasn’t that great. Now they are just about on par with DSLRs, and the portability means that they are the best cameras for travel photography!

In case you’re not sure what we mean, this article goes into a bit more information, but in short, we recommend getting a mirrorless camera.

The 3 most popular cameras that pros use are the Canon 5Div, the Nikon D850 and the Sony A7Riv.

For general travel videos, the kind of stuff you would publish on YouTube, we recommend the Sony RX100vii. If you’re looking to create more cinematic videos, the A6600 is the best compact travel camera for videos.

If you need the best small camera for travel, you should buy the Canon SX740HS. Compact, high quality and affordable, this little beast is a fantastic travel camera.

DISCLAIMER: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links, which means if you book accommodation, tours or buy a product, we will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These commissions help us keep creating more free travel content to help people plan their holidays and adventures. We only recommend the best accommodations, tours and products that ourselves or our fantastic editorial team have personally experienced, and regularly review these. Thanks for your support, kind friend!

Alesha and Jarryd

Hi, We’re Alesha and Jarryd!

We’ve been traveling the world together since 2008, searching for the planet’s best destinations and adventures.

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Beat the heat: The ‘cool’ European destinations to visit in summer 2024

Here are the temperate alternatives to european hotspots that keep it cool – even in peak season, article bookmarked.

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Shade seekers can rejoice, holiday travel trends are changing and tan-refreshing, sunbed-stewing summer getaways are on the decline.

In light of the ongoing climate crisis , Brits – habitually inclined to boil abroad – are redirecting their wanderlust to European shores where they won’t be a prisoner to a hotel room’s air-conditioning or sweat over the midday UV index.

The shift to more moderate climates comes as no surprise. A furnace of Mediterranean holiday heavyweights, from Rhodes to Gran Canaria , were ablaze with wildfires during peak travel season 2023, and temperatures are continuing to break record highs year on year.

Now’s the time to swap searing Andalusia in mainland Spain for the cooler Canaries , trade Portugal ’s Algarve for Poland ’s Baltic coast, and replace big-hitting Greek islands with German variations.

With chasing scorching sun on the backburner, here are the destinations bringing a breeze to summer holidays from wind-whipped islands to northern Europe’s fine coastline.

Read more on Europe travel :

• The Spanish islands with sun and volcanic peaks that you should make your next holiday destination
• Greece travel guide: Everything you need to know before you go
• The best things to do in Valencia, from beach hopping to exploring by bike

Ostend, Belgium

• Average high in August: 21C
• Average low in August: 15C

Though best known for its chocolate, beer and the hub of EU democracy that is Brussels , it would be foolish to turn your nose up at Belgium ’s beach resorts. Let Flanders’s largest, Ostend , sweep you away to its golden sands this summer for mornings spent kitesurfing and afternoons filled with fresh oysters on the Albert I Promenade – all without the need to retreat from the heat.

Oslo, Norway

• Average low in August: 13C

The Norwegian capital is a tangle of hip districts – specifically buzzy Grünerløkka – boutique stores and al fresco dining spots fringed with by thick Marka forest (where you can go for active pursuits, including zip lining and mountain biking). Slick museums on the Oslo Pass, such as the Munch Museum, meet the culture criteria for a city break while taking a dip in seawater pools and drying off in Nordic saunas nails the R&R element of a standard summer holiday.

La Gomera, Canary Islands

• Average high in August: 28C
• Average low in August: 21C

While mainland Spain sizzles, an Atlantic onshore breeze blows through the Canary Islands , blessing balmy year-round La Gomera with inviting 20C days for holidaymakers to indulge in hiking, black-sand bathing and foodie feasts of melon lobster and marmalade rabbit. The bearable heat doesn’t sacrifice sunshine, with around nine hours of vitamin D on offer in August.

Tartu, Estonia

• Average low in August: 11C

Inevitably laden with sweaty vista climbs, winding refreshment queues and daily step tallies in the thousands, comfort is key on a city break, and the 2024 Capital of Culture , Tartu has just the climate for exploring Estonia . There is an elegant Town Hall Square primed for mass kissing events (yes, really), the sleek Estonian National Museum, and timber barges on the Emajõgi River for a sailor’s view of the peaceful landscape.

Sopot, Poland

• Average high in August: 22C
• Average low in August: 12C

Seafront Sopot, in the Tricity region of the “Baltic Riviera”, is an affordable alternative to the beloved big names further south  and  at its warmest come August. A short train ride from all the history of Gdansk , 4km of tempting beaches, Europe ’s longest wooden pier and stylish health spas dot the fairy tale-esque facades and locals hail Sopot for its beachfront nightlife scene and, of course, decadent waffles.

Sylt, Germany

• Average high in August: 20C
• Average low in August: 16C

A magnet for the German elite, the North Frisian Islands’ mild microclimate, pinstriped strandkorbs (hooded wicker seats wide enough for two) and pristine pale sands understandably attract travellers to Sylt’s west coast. A Michelin-rosette gastronomy scene, thatched cottages and lighthouse-scattered peninsulas make this balmy under-the-radar beach break one to add to your list.

Lake Bled, Slovenia

Slovenia ’s most famous attraction sparkles under the summer sun and Lake Bled’s inviting turquoise glacial waters will help you keep your cool on climbs up to the medieval Bled Castle and romantic rows around the fantasy island. Where the legendary lakes of Garda and Como sweat with crowds in Italy , Bled’s slice of the Julian Alps, though inevitably busy, offers forest trails suited for secluded alpine hikes.

Machico, Madeira

• Average high in August: 26C

Leave the scorching Algarve for a more temperate Atlantic alternative on Portugal ’s Madeira archipelago. Sandwiched between mountains, far east Machico has a wave-battered artificial beach with golden grains imported from Africa , well-groomed gardens and a vision of terracotta roofs dotting its landscape. 

Pori, Finland

On Finland ’s west coast, the city of Pori is a centre for jazz music, Finnish street eats (including  porilainen,  an elevated sausage sandwich), and, star of Scandinavia, Yyteri Beach: 6km of white sand geared for windsurfing, bird watching, beach volleyball and barbecues. With the Kokemäenjoki River and Bothnian Sea National Park, this diverse destination has mastered sub-30C summer culture.

Haarlem, Netherlands

• Average high in August: 19C

Head to Haarlem for tulips, vinyls, hidden  hofje  courtyards and a fair share of canals. Amsterdam ’s less-crowded neighbour serves a slice of Dutch cool without the sweaty shoulder brushes with strangers. It has a popular shopping scene as well as a brewing culture backdating to the 14th century, and active pursuits can be found in the Zuid-Kennemerland National Park. 

Skagen, Denmark

On Denmark ’s northeastern peninsula, the port town of Skagen has art museums and fine dining to rival the country’s effortlessly cool capital Copenhagen . Whisps of cloud paint the skies and wild nature patrols the pale grains of the Grenen sandbar that straddles the Baltic and North Sea. Better still, August’s T-shirt and light-layers weather is ideal for exploring this stretch of the Rabjerg Mile – a migrating coastal sand dune.

Hoping for a balmy UK summer? Here are the best secret UK beaches to visit for some peace and quiet

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This Quaint Town in Portugal Was Just Named the Best Place to Invest in Europe — and It Has Stunning Beaches

Lush pine forests, cobblestone streets, endless ocean views, and low real estate prices await in this quaint community in northern Portugal.

Xurxo Lobato/Getty Images

Portugal is on everyone's mind these days. The country's sunny weather , many beaches , and affordable cost of living have made it a popular choice for retirees and digital nomads. However, as is often the case, real estate prices in some of its most sought-after regions, like the capital, Lisbon and Algarve , have soared. But that doesn't mean you should give up on your dream of owning property in Portugal.

A new report by International Living ranked the small, under-the-radar- town of Caminha the best place to invest in real estate in Europe for its value and growth potential. 

The community is located in the northwest along the mouth of the Minho River, which separates Portugal from Spain, and is home to about 16,000 residents. International Living gave Caminha a perfect score of 10 in the relative value category and nine for quality of life and stability.

"Caminha, which is only separated from Spain by a river, completely charmed me," Ronan McMahon, founder of Real Estate Trend Alert and author of International Living's Global Real Estate Index, told Travel + Leisure . "It has a beautiful Old Town surrounded by a verdant and bucolic countryside, with mountains, rivers, forests, and fields overflowing with brightly colored flowers and fruit trees heavy with their bounty. And then there are the stunning Atlantic beaches."

The ancient town has plenty of character, with fountains, churches, and other buildings dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries. And it's easily accessible from Porto, which is just an hour and 15 minutes south, providing access to an international airport. 

Jeff Opdyke, International Living's personal finance editor, called Caminha a "holdover of Portugal before tourism and modernity swept over Lisbon, the Algarve, and Porto," where affordable real estate is still the norm. 

Potential buyers can find apartments downtown for as low as $150,000 and stand-alone houses for $280,000 .

And while Caminha is the best place to invest in Europe, another destination took the top prize for global real estate value: Mexico's Los Cabos. International Living ranked first with almost perfect scores in categories such as income potential, climate, and international appeal. Riviera Maya and Estepona in Spain, a town in the country's famous Costa del Sol region, are tied for the third place.

You can see the full ranking at internationaliving.com .

Best European Restaurants in Aksay, Aksaysky District

European restaurants in aksay, establishment type, traveller rating, dietary restrictions, restaurant features.

New Greek Resorts, Golden Visa Countries And More Travel News

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5 New Greek Hotels For Summer

W ith summer fast approaching, there are recently opened hotels and resorts in Greece to consider. From popular escapes such as Mykonos and Santorini to the lesser-known islands across the Aegean chain, here are five new Greek hotels worth checking out —and into.

10 Incredible Cruise Ship Features

For many years, the trend in cruise ship design has been that “bigger is better”—with vessels such as Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas setting new passenger records. But many cruise lines are also competing by offering innovative features to the high seas. From kart racing on multi-level courses to multiscreen movie theaters, here are some of the most incredible activities on cruise ships right now.

Disney World Earns Its First Michelin Star

Victoria and Albert’s at the Grand Floridian Resort—which has been a Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star restaurant since 2018—added a new star to its constellation this month: It became the first Disney restaurant to be awarded a Michelin star . Located at the Grand Floridian Resort at Walt Disney World, Victoria and Albert’s is known for its opulent Victorian era-inspired meals. A prix-fixe dinner is $295 per guest, with optional wine pairings starting at $155 per person. Unlike the rest of the theme park, a formal dress code is encouraged for all diners, who must be 10 years of age or older.

Golden visas—which grant residency and/or citizenship through an investment—may be disappearing from Europe, but many EU countries are now luring travelers with digital nomad visas, which grant travelers the legal right to work remotely for an extended period. Italy recently became the latest country to offer the visa and here are other EU countries with digital nomad visas .

America’s Best Airlines 2024

The personal-finance website WalletHub recently announced its annual ranking of the best U.S. airlines . The study evaluates the nine largest national airlines and one regional carrier across a range of criteria, including safety, on-time records and overall service. This year, Alaska Airlines was named the best airline in America, beating out Delta, which ranked first in 2022 and 2023. The survey also ranked U.S. carriers based on reliability and comfort.

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