Updated on: June 5, 2025
The world is full of places so awe-inspiring, they seem too extraordinary to be real. From mirror-like salt flats that blur the line between earth and sky, to glowing underground caves and ancient cities carved into stone, these destinations push the boundaries of what we think is possible. Whether shaped by millions of years of nature or the legacy of ancient civilizations, each location on this list offers something truly unbelievable — visually, culturally, or spiritually.
This curated list of 10 unbelievable travel destinations spans six continents and features jaw-dropping scenery, surreal landscapes, and unforgettable experiences. It’s more than just a pretty slideshow, we’ll explore when to go, how to get there, and what to do once you arrive. If you’re a photographer chasing your next great shot, a nature lover looking for your dream hike, or a traveler hungry for adventure and wonder, these are the places to put at the top of your bucket list.
10. Plitvice Lakes, Croatia – Waterfalls Straight Out of a Fairytale
Plitvice Lakes National Park is one of Europe’s most stunning natural wonders, a cascading series of 16 turquoise lakes connected by over 90 waterfalls, all surrounded by lush forests and limestone cliffs. The water is so clear you can see fish swimming beneath the surface, and the colors change throughout the day depending on sunlight and mineral content.
Wooden footbridges and hiking trails weave through the park, giving visitors the chance to explore the lakes from every angle. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must-visit for nature lovers and photographers.
Top things to do:
- Walk the lower lakes trail to get up close to the biggest waterfalls
- Take a boat ride across Kozjak Lake for panoramic views
- Visit during fall to see the waterfalls surrounded by vibrant foliage
How to get there:
Drive or take a bus from Zagreb (2.5 hours), Zadar (2 hours), or Split (3.5 hours). No public transportation runs within the park, so plan ahead.
Best time to visit:
May to September for green landscapes and full waterfalls; October for colorful leaves and fewer tourists.
Pro tip:
- Buy tickets online in advance — daily visitor limits are enforced during the high season.
9. Meteora, Greece – Monasteries Suspended in the Sky
Rising like pillars from the plains of central Greece, the rock formations of Meteora are a natural wonder on their own. But what makes them unbelievable is the series of ancient monasteries perched on their summits. Built by monks in the 14th century to escape invasion and pursue isolation, these gravity-defying buildings seem to float in the clouds.
Only six of the original 24 monasteries remain active today, but all are accessible to visitors via winding stairways and footpaths. The views from the top are breathtaking, offering panoramas of the Thessalian Valley and surrounding mountains.
Top things to do:
- Visit the Great Meteoron Monastery, the largest and most historic
- Hike the trails connecting the monasteries, some dating back centuries
- Stay overnight in nearby Kalambaka or Kastraki to see Meteora at sunrise and sunset
How to get there:
Take a train from Athens or Thessaloniki to Kalambaka, then walk or drive to the monastery area.
Best time to visit:
April to June or September to October for mild weather and fewer crowds.
Pro tip:
- Wear modest clothing, women must wear long skirts and men must wear pants to enter the monasteries.
8. Waitomo Caves, New Zealand – A Glowworm Galaxy Underground
Beneath the green hills of New Zealand’s North Island lies a hidden world illuminated by thousands of tiny lights, the Waitomo Caves. These limestone caverns are home to a rare species of glowworm (Arachnocampa luminosa), which emit a blue-green bioluminescence that turns the cave ceilings into a starry sky. It’s one of the only places in the world where you can experience this otherworldly spectacle in such a grand natural setting.
The cave system also features stunning stalactites, underground rivers, and narrow passages explored via guided boat tours or more adventurous black-water rafting.
Top things to do:
- Take the classic glowworm boat tour through the Glowworm Grotto
- Try black water rafting or cave tubing for a thrilling underground adventure
- Visit nearby Aranui Cave or Ruakuri Cave for additional formations and history
How to get there:
Drive or take a bus from Auckland (2.5 hours) or Rotorua (2 hours) to the Waitomo Caves Visitor Centre.
Best time to visit:
Year-round, the caves stay at a steady cool temperature (~14°C/57°F) regardless of season.
Pro tip:
- Photography isn’t allowed on most tours, so just enjoy the moment, but the memory will stay with you forever.
7. Petra, Jordan – A Lost City Carved in Stone
Hidden in the desert canyons of Jordan lies Petra, one of the most breathtaking archaeological sites in the world. Known as the “Rose City” for its pink sandstone cliffs, Petra was the capital of the Nabataean Kingdom over 2,000 years ago. The city’s structures were carved directly into the rock, with the Treasury (Al-Khazneh) standing as its most iconic facade, famously revealed through the narrow Siq gorge.
Petra is massive, it stretches over 60 square kilometers, with temples, tombs, amphitheaters, and trails that climb into the surrounding hills. Visiting it feels like stepping into an ancient civilization frozen in time.
Top things to do:
- Enter through the Siq and experience the dramatic reveal of the Treasury
- Hike to the Monastery (Al-Deir) for one of the most impressive views in Petra
- Visit Little Petra for a quieter, less crowded glimpse into Nabataean life
How to get there:
Fly into Amman, then drive or take a bus 3–4 hours south to Wadi Musa, the town outside Petra.
Best time to visit:
March to May or September to November for pleasant temperatures and minimal rain.
Pro tip:
- Try the Petra by Night tour for a candlelit walk through the Siq, a magical experience unlike any other.
6. Wulingyuan, China – The Real-Life Avatar Mountains
Wulingyuan Scenic Area in China’s Hunan Province looks like something from another planet. With over 3,000 narrow sandstone pillars rising hundreds of meters into the misty sky, it’s no surprise that this landscape inspired the floating Hallelujah Mountains in Avatar. These vertical rock formations are draped in mist, covered with trees, and often surrounded by low-hanging clouds, creating a mystical, gravity-defying effect.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site includes Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Tianzi Mountain, and the world’s highest outdoor elevator — the Bailong Elevator, which offers an awe-inspiring ride up a cliff face.
Top things to do:
- Ride the Bailong Elevator for sweeping views of the sandstone pillars
- Walk the Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge, the longest and highest in the world
- Explore Tianzi Mountain for panoramic photo opportunities
How to get there:
Fly into Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport, then take a shuttle or taxi to the park entrance.
Best time to visit:
April to October for comfortable temperatures and the best chance to see the mountains through the mist.
Pro tip:
- Fog adds to the ethereal beauty — don’t worry if the forecast isn’t sunny!
5. Santorini, Greece – Clifftop Villages and Volcanic Beauty
Santorini is the picture-perfect island that launched a thousand postcards, and it’s even more magical in person. Famous for its stark white buildings with blue domes perched on volcanic cliffs, this Greek island offers jaw-dropping views over a deep blue caldera. The island’s geography was shaped by a volcanic eruption thousands of years ago, giving it its distinctive crescent shape and dramatic terrain.
But Santorini isn’t just about the view. You’ll find charming villages like Oia and Fira filled with boutiques, tavernas, and cliffside cafes. The beaches are unique too, with red, white, and black volcanic sand.
Top things to do:
- Watch the sunset in Oia, one of the most famous in the world
- Swim at Red Beach and explore the Akrotiri archaeological site
- Taste local wines at a clifftop vineyard
How to get there:
Fly directly into Santorini (Thira) Airport or take a ferry from Athens or nearby islands like Mykonos.
Best time to visit:
Late April to early June or mid-September to October for great weather and fewer crowds.
Pro tip:
- Stay in Imerovigli if you want similar caldera views to Oia, but with fewer tourists and lower prices.
4. Antelope Canyon, USA – Nature’s Sandstone Cathedral
Hidden within the desert of northern Arizona lies Antelope Canyon, a slot canyon sculpted by thousands of years of wind and flash flood erosion. Its smooth, flowing sandstone walls twist and curl like liquid, while sunlight filters through narrow openings above, creating dramatic beams of light that dance across the crimson rock. It’s a sacred site to the Navajo people and one of the most photographed natural landmarks in the United States.
Divided into two sections, Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon, both offer different experiences. Upper is known for its iconic light beams and ease of access, while Lower is narrower and more adventurous, with ladders and tighter passages.
Top things to do:
- Take a guided photography tour of Upper Canyon
- Explore Lower Antelope Canyon for a more physical, immersive hike
- Visit nearby Horseshoe Bend and Lake Powell for more scenic stops
How to get there:
Fly into Page, Arizona or drive from Las Vegas or the Grand Canyon. Tours depart from Page and must be booked in advance.
Best time to visit:
March to October for peak lighting; midday hours (11 AM–1 PM) are best for sunbeams.
Pro tip:
- You must go with a licensed Navajo guide, book well ahead as tours often sell out months in advance.
3. Zhangye Danxia, China – China’s Technicolor Mountains
Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park in China’s Gansu Province looks like a giant canvas painted with brushstrokes of red, orange, yellow, and green. These natural formations, often called the “Rainbow Mountains”, were created over 24 million years of sandstone deposition and tectonic plate movement. The result is a series of striped, wave-like mountains that look almost computer-generated.
What makes the Danxia landscape even more astonishing is how vibrant and sharp the colors appear in the sunlight. From elevated viewing platforms, visitors can watch the light shift across the mountains, revealing different hues depending on the time of day.
Top things to do:
- Visit multiple observation decks for varied perspectives
- Explore the nearby Binggou Danxia area for lesser-known red rock formations
- Time your visit around sunrise or sunset for the best photos
How to get there:
Fly to Zhangye Ganzhou Airport or take a train from Lanzhou or Xi’an, then take a bus or taxi to the park entrance.
Best time to visit:
June to September for lush scenery and warm temperatures, though fall brings less haze and great visibility.
Pro tip:
- Wear sun protection, the area has little shade and strong UV rays due to high altitude.
2. Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia – The World’s Largest Mirror
Salar de Uyuni is not only the world’s largest salt flat, it’s one of its most surreal landscapes. Stretching over 10,000 square kilometers in southwest Bolivia, this vast expanse of salt turns into a natural mirror after a rainfall, perfectly reflecting the sky and clouds in an optical illusion that’s almost impossible to believe until you see it. It feels like walking on the surface of a giant, glassy ocean where the earth and sky merge into one.
Aside from its dreamlike appearance, the salt flat is also home to unusual sights like a train graveyard, colorful lagoons filled with flamingos, and Isla Incahuasi — a cactus-covered island rising from the middle of the salt.
Top things to do:
- Capture photos of the mirror effect during the rainy season
- Visit Isla Incahuasi for panoramic views
- Explore the eerie train graveyard near Uyuni town
How to get there:
Fly or bus into Uyuni from La Paz or Sucre, then join a guided 4×4 tour across the salt flat.
Best time to visit:
January to March for reflections; May to October for the classic dry, hexagonal patterns.
Pro tip:
- Pack layers, the temperature swings from hot in the day to freezing at night, even in summer.
1. Cappadocia, Turkey – Land of Fairy Chimneys and Underground Cities
Cappadocia’s otherworldly landscape looks like something out of a fantasy novel. Towering rock spires known as “fairy chimneys” rise from the ground in surreal formations shaped by millions of years of volcanic activity and erosion. But it’s not just what’s above ground that’s unbelievable, beneath the surface lie sprawling underground cities used by early Christians to escape persecution.
The region is best known for its sunrise hot air balloon rides, where dozens of colorful balloons float silently above the unique terrain, offering panoramic views of the Göreme Valley and beyond. It’s one of the most photographed places in the world for a reason.
Top things to do:
- Explore the ancient underground city of Derinkuyu
- Visit the open-air Göreme Museum, home to cave churches with stunning frescoes
- Hike through the Rose and Love Valleys for sunset views
How to get there:
Fly into Nevşehir or Kayseri Airport, then drive or take a shuttle to Göreme.
Best time to visit:
April to June or September to October, the weather is pleasant, and skies are clearer for balloon rides.
Pro tip:
- Book your balloon ride on your first morning in case it gets canceled due to wind, you’ll have backup days.
Unbelievable doesn’t always mean unreachable. Each destination in this guide is not only visually stunning but also accessible with the right planning. Whether you’re navigating the misty spires of Wulingyuan, floating above the valleys of Cappadocia, or gazing into the crystal-clear lakes of Plitvice, these places will leave a lasting impression on your soul.
The world is more magical than we sometimes realize, and traveling to places like these reminds us of that. So, which destination sparked your wanderlust the most? Let us know in the comments, and don’t forget to share this article with a fellow travel lover who needs a little inspiration.
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