11 Picturesque Destinations Photography Enthusiasts Must Travel to in 2022

Nature photographer with a digital camera sits on top of a mountain taking a photo as the sun peeks through the clouds overhead.
While every travel destination has its charms, some locations call out to photography enthusiasta due to their natural or man-made splendor. (Image: Tetiana Zbrodko via Dreamstime)

The world is an amazing place, and when it comes to travel, there are so many fascinating places you may go to. And while every travel destination has its charms, some locations should not be missed due to their natural or artificial splendor.  

11 breathtaking spots to travel to that will inspire you on your next adventure

1. Taj Mahal, India

The Taj Mahal, a magnificent Islamic tomb honoring the love of Mughal emperor Shah Jehan and Mumtaz Mahal, is one of the most exquisite examples of architecture you can capture. Grasp the Taj Mahal’s complex intricacies in the early morning light or as a silhouette against a sparser crowd in the late afternoon. With 2-4 million traveling tourists every year, expect heavy foot traffic on the grounds; as a result, consider arriving early or taking photos from several locations, such as the Mehtab Bagh, the riverfront, or the rooftops of nearby hotels.

The Taj Mahal seen at sunrise.
The Taj Mahal looks fantastic in the early morning light. (Image: Dmitry Rukhlenko via Dreamstime)

2. Mount Fuji, Japan

Because of its virtually flawless, elegant form, Mount Fuji, the tallest mountain in Japan, is a popular subject for photographers. From the Fuji Five Lakes Area, which is situated north of the peak, some of the best pictures of Mount Fuji have been captured. However, Mount Fuji is best viewed from nearby places in the early morning hours of the cooler months, between October and February, when the magnificent snow cap around the summit is thickest.

Mount Fuji and sakura autumn leaves at the northern shores of Lake Kawaguchi in Yamanashi, Japan.
Some of the best pictures of Mount Fuji have been captured from the Fuji Five Lakes Area, which is situated north of the peak. (Image: Somchai Sinthop via Dreamstime)

3. Aurora Borealis, Sweden

Sweden is a great place to travel to see the Aurora Borealis’ swirling violet, green, and blue lights. Working with long exposures is more straightforward here because it isn’t as chilly as in nearby spots. You can see the Aurora Borealis from September to May, but you’ll need patience because the skies must be clear enough to glimpse the northern lights.

If you want to get a photo of the Aurora Borealis, Sweden is a great place to travel to.
If you want a photo of the Aurora Borealis, Sweden is a great place to travel to. (Image: Jamen Percy via Dreamstime)

4. Antelope Canyon, U.S.

Travel to one of the world’s most popular slot canyons for photography in this mysterious location and an apparent reason. A photographer’s paradise, the famed flowing sandstone formations are made up of unique shades, patterns, contours, and light. But unmistakable and particularly stunning in the Upper Antelope are the natural light beams.

The sandstone formations in Antelope Canyon on the Navajo Reservation near Page, Arizona.
The famed flowing sandstone formations of Antelope Canyon are made up of unique shades, patterns, contours, and light. (Image: Emotionpicture via Dreamstime)

5. Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Japan

It’s difficult not to feel Zen while strolling through the wooded trails of the Arashiyama Bamboo forest in Kyoto with the sun shining through thousands of towering, swaying bamboo stalks. Before sunrise, when the area is less crowded, try taking pictures. Then, shoot upward to capture a full photo of the sturdy, long stalks as soon as the warm, mellow light after sunrise hits the woodland. The Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is serene all year round. Still, the winter and summer months are less busy for travelers, and the walk illuminated by lanterns in December is quite a sight.

Bamboo forest of Kyoto, Japan.
Capture the sun shining through the thousands of towering bamboo stalks in the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. (Image: Sean Pavone via Dreamstime)

6. Vatnajökull Ice Cave in Skaftafell National Park, Iceland

Photographers have the opportunity to capture Vatnajökull’s surreal ice cave, which gives the impression of being inside a crystal gem or submerged in water, from November to March. Due to constant melting and refreezing, the shapes and colors of the ice inside the cave change every year. Try taking pictures with a more prolonged exposure because there isn’t much light within the cave.

Inside the ice cave in Vatnajokull, Iceland.
The interior of the ice cave gives you the feeling of being inside a crystal or submerged in water. (Image: Jannoon028 via Dreamstime)

7. Gobi Desert, Mongolia

The immense Gobi Desert, filled with lush vegetation, wild animals, and gorgeous dunes, offers travelers breathtaking panoramic views. Even while the best Gobi images are typically taken from June to September, the scenery may still be spectacular in the winter. Take some photos in the morning by the Flaming Cliffs or the Khongoryn Els dunes, get shots at midday of livestock being cared for by the traditional Mongol households, and capture the stunning starry skies at night. To provide a sense of size to your pictures, think about looking for things in the foreground.

Dark rain clouds in the distance with the sun illuminating those nearer to the photographer appear over the Gobi Desert.
The Gobi Desert offers photographers breathtaking panoramic views. (Image: Anton Petrus via Dreamstime)

8. Venice, Italy

Due to its stunning architecture, Venice is another site that attracts a lot of photographers. The city’s most attractive views may be seen from the bell towers and, of course, the Grand Canal. There are fewer tourists in the town between April and May and from September to November, so these are good times to travel there. The city has an obvious appeal when it comes to life at night, but the light is most pleasing in the morning before the streets fill with people.

The famous San Marco square at sunrise in Venice, Italy.
Due to its stunning architecture, Venice is another site that attracts a lot of photographers. (Image: Luckyphotographer via Dreamstime)

9. Bondi, Australia

Walk down the coast from Bondi to Coogee Beach to get the best panoramic views of Bondi’s beautiful calm waves and golden beach. Bondi’s surfers are most active in the morning, so get up early to see them in action. At sunset, the area’s most stunning hues emerge. Bondi is a fantastic location for drone aerial photography because of the ocean’s unmatched natural beauty, the ocean pools, and the vibrant beachgoers. Think of traveling in the cooler months from December to March or before or after the busiest seasons from September to November and March to May.

Scenic view of Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia at dusk.
At sunset, the area’s most stunning hues emerge. (Image: Aruna1234 via Dreamstime)

10. Dubrovnik, Croatia

Dubrovnik, a Croatian city with ancient walls, will astound you. It is impossible to run out of places to take pictures, from the city’s medieval structures and plazas to the clear blue seas surrounding it. Fort Lovrijenac and Mount Srd both offer panoramic views of the entire city. But because there are so many towering buildings, you’ll need to experiment to find the optimal time of day to shoot. Consider traveling there when the weather is warm, such as from May to June or September to October.

A cannon atop the wall around Dubrovnik, Croatia, faces out toward the harbor.
Dubrovnik is a Croatian city with ancient walls that will astound you. (Image: Siegfried Schnepf via Dreamstime)

11. The Fairy Pools, Scotland

Fairies have taken chilly dips in Scottish lakes in ancient folklore. The Cuillin Mountains’ foothills’ Glen Brittle contains these enchanted Fairy Pools, hidden among craggy boulders and lush vegetation. The Fairy Pools are best photographed just before sunrise before the crowds of tourists arrive. Travel there from October through March when the weather is pleasant and the light is at its optimum.

Two waterfalls at the Fairy Pools on the Isle of Skye in Scotland.
Scotland’s enchanted Fairy Pools are hidden among craggy boulders and lush vegetation. (Image: Neftali Lando Da Costa via Dreamstime)

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  • Haidene Go

    Haidene Go is a reader, a speaker, and a writer based in the Philippines. She is a wonderer, a wide-eyed observer of the world, and a lover of words. She has always been fascinated of the human’s capacity to externalise their complex feelings and thoughts through language. Through her written works, she hopes to capture the beauty of being human, her own and other’s.

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