1. Machu Picchu, Peru
This one has to be first – purely because it was the most rewarding. After a full day hiking the Inca Trail (which would have been easier if I hadn’t have had a stomach bug and two hours sleep the night before), reaching the Sun Gate was a tearful moment of joy.
There’s not much like seeing a Great Wonder of the World, especially when it’s so hard to reach. You can see Machu Picchu by coach, walking around it’s ancient walls. But Sun Gate is definitely the best way to arrive.
Read more: The perfect Peru itinerary
2. Vernal Falls, Yosemite National Park
Yosemite feels like a great place to start, as a place that has wonderful views around every sequoia. Yet hiking up the Mist Trail to the peak of Nevada Falls was what made me release that sigh of beauty, where you are simply wow’ed by what you see and no words are needed. I managed to bum-shuffle my way over to the edge of a hanging rock, just long enough to throw my arms in the air and cuckoo like Peter Pan.
Read more: A guide to hiking the Yosemite Mist Trail
3. The Dolomites, Cortina
Of course some of the best views in the world are seen from above, one of which is the flight path from London to Venice. Before I could even get to my end destination, I saw it from the skies, looking down onto the Italian Alps. When I ultimately reached Cortina, the surroundings were just as jaw dropping, seen at their best from the peak of the ski slopes where the mountains peeped through the clouds.
Read more: Views from the slopes of the Dolomites and the luxury town of Cortina
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4. The Acropolis, Lindos
Walking to the top of the Acropolis in Lindos is beastly, especially in 40 degree heat, but make it to the peak and you’ll be rewarded with striking views from every angle; the Old Town, ocean panoramas and the stunning St Paul’s Bay which is naturally heart shaped from above.
5. Dunkery Beacon, Exmoor
On one of my many trips to Exmoor National Park, Dad and I walked the 20 minute path up to Dunkery Beacon, the highest point in the county. Sitting on top of the mountainous pile of rocks, I felt very peaceful looking out at rolling lush green fields, thick forests and even the ocean, all from one point.
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6. Grand Canyon National Park, USA
I couldn’t write this list without giving the Grand Canyon an honourable mention. I recently wrote about the top 3 ways to see this wonder of the world and each one provides an equally striking view over the national park. One of the most overwhelming moments on my travels was sitting in a helicopter, flying low over woodland before suddenly bursting out miles high above the striped canyon below.
7. Sulphur Mountain, Banff
I could probably have filled this list with views from British Columbia. But that would be extreme favouritism. So instead I’ve picked one, the first I saw in West Canada which truly took my breath away. Riding the Banff Gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain, I was just blown away by the sheer scale of mountains, forests and deep winding rivers that surrounded us. It’s one of the first times that I’ve sat and felt completely overwhelmed by nature and truly understood Gustave Flaubert’s famous quote…
“Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.”
8. Huacachina, Peru
I absolutely love sunsets. And I’ve seen a fair few in my time so it’s hard to pick my favourites. But watching the sky cast golden hues over the dunes of the Huacachina desert will stay with me forever.
It was a poignant moment on my first long haul solo travel trip – and a destination I highly recommend visiting. Before sitting to watch the sky turn dark, you get to enjoy a dune bashing ride through the sands, which despite my initial hesitation, was absolutely brilliant.
9. Rockefeller Center, New York
As much as I love a view of nature, a city skyline is also a favourite thing to add to a trip.
If you want the best views in the Big Apple than don’t head up the Empire State Building, instead pick a sunset slot at the Top of the Rock, where you’ll be able to see the famous skyscraper as well a clear view of Central Park.
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10. Lions Head, Cape Town
This Cape Town experience was definitely a treasured memory. Perched at the peak of Lions Head, we sat with a bottle of fizz and picnic, looking out over the ocean from above.
As the sky took its journey from blue to pink, we noticed two movements in the water below. From this distance it could have been impossible to identify the cause but with a large ship providing scale of size, we could see that it was two whales dancing among the waves. Pretty unbeatable ey?
11. The Stratosphere, Las Vegas
Topped with the most terrifying rides in the world, Las Vegas’ Stratosphere is a beast of a building, with open views onto the strip down below.
I’ll save my story of what happened at the top for another time, but let it be known that the 360 degree views of Sin City are phenomenal, making it seem like a little Lego strip among a patch of desert land that reaches out as far as the eye can see.
12. Riesenrad, Vienna
Now Vienna’s historical Ferris wheel might not offer the most conventional views of the capital but I loved looking out over the city and surrounding mountains from a wobbling wooden capsule. You could see far and wide over the historical skyline, a striking match to the dense wooded hills of the Wachau Valley.
Read more: Postcards from Vienna and the Wachau Valley
13. Tsavo National Park, Kenya
I recently wrote a post about the trip that inspired me to travel, a 30 day adventure in Kenya when I was just 15. Here I described a moment that stays with me to this day and developed into a love for Africa and its wildlife. On a morning game drive we stopped on Tsavo’s very own Pride Rock, watching a herd of elephants, zebra and antelope graze around a watering hole. From the corner of my eye I noticed a slow creeping beast down below; a lion picking his next meal as he cautiously crawled forward. With the African plains and red burnt mountains in the distance, this view was definitely unforgettable.
Read more: 30 days in Kenya, the trip that inspired me to travel
14. Harlech Beach, North Wales
Okay one more sunset… but you tell me that these skies don’t deserve a place in this list! The wide open stretch of Harlech Beach is a glorious place to visit, with dolphin and seal spotting by day and enchanting skies by night. These Welsh skies have created some of the most incredible natural patterns I’ve ever seen.
15. The Montparnasse Tower, Paris
For views of Paris, head to the Montparnasse Tower, where the panoramas are provided from a rooftop terrace offering champagne to chilly tourists. The sight that stands out is of course the Eiffel Tower in all its effortless glory. Even with a moody Parisian sky, the views still made my tummy go.
Read more: 13 things I learnt on my first trip to Paris
16. Kitzsteirhorn, Austria
Come summer or winter, the Top of Salzburg is an incredible viewpoint for snowy mountain scenes. It takes a few gondolas to reach, but they’re worth it alone. With each promising bright green views of the Austrian mountains.
Nearby you’ll find Lake Zell am See which is another strikingly beautiful sight. You really are spoilt for views in this area!
Read more: top things to do in Zell am See
17. Koh Phi Phi View Point, Thailand
One of my favourite spots on my travels around Thailand was Koh Phi Phi, with its tiny strip of restaurants, hotels and bars between the two great hills, it’s a tourist trap but one you can relax in. I wasn’t the camera geek that I am today when I went, so my pictures won’t do it justice. But that said, the view point is of course spectacular, looking down onto the patch of car-free land, surrounded by turquoise waters.
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18. Sky Garden, London
I can’t forgo my home city when it comes to the world’s best views.
As one of my favourite spots in London, the Sky Garden combines everything I love about my city; panoramic views, an indoor-outdoor setting and god damn good cocktails.
On our visit to the Sky Pod Bar I fell quickly and deeply in love with their botanical menu, whilst looking out over the Shard, Gherkin and miles upon miles of bustling London life. The Sky Garden can be booked for free online with reservations for two bars and three restaurants.
Credit: travelbetweenthelines.
