Seven Places in the World Every Landscape Photographer Should Visit

Patagonia, Argentina & Chile

Widely regarded as the ultimate destination for landscape photography, Patagonia offers a surreal combination of tall mountain peaks, deep blue glacier lakes, and vast windswept plains dotted with the free-roaming guanaco. The iconic spires of the Fitz Roy and Torres del Paine ranges seem almost too perfect to be real, making them a dream subject for photographers.

A condor flying above Monte fitz Roy in Argentina, Patagonia. Stormy, dark-blue weather with a sunbeam in the sky.

The region’s enchanting bonsai-like forests, turquoise lakes, and rapidly changing weather conditions create the perfect atmosphere for capturing moody and dramatic images. Whether you're photographing the sunrise hitting Monte Fitz Roy or chasing the lenticular clouds in Torres del Paine, Patagonia never fails to impress.

If you plan to visit this incredible destination make sure you read our Ultimate Guide to Patagonia first!

A dark colored winter landscape, with a winding river in the middle and ancient trees all around. The river leads to a beautiful mountain, called Cerro Torre in Patagonia.

Beyond the well-known sites, Patagonia offers hidden gems like the Perito Moreno Glacier and the remote landscapes of Tierra del Fuego. If you plan to visit, prepare for unpredictable weather and strong winds, which can add dramatic clouds and everchanging light to your shots. Layers are recommended to stay warm whilst exploring.

Want to visit Patagonia to see the fall colours? Join our Patagonia Autumn Tour and get access to exclusive photography locations.

A setting sun above a mountain range with trees on both sides of the frame. Mist, a river, a glacier and a lake in the valley. — **Patagonia in summer** is special because it is less crowded with photographers.

Peru

Home to giant snow-capped mountains with striking textures , Peru’s landscapes are unique and impressive. The towering peaks of the Cordillera Blanca and Cordillera Huayhuash are perfectly shaped, with an almost sculpted appearance. Still largely unexplored, this region retains a sense of wildness and untouched beauty that few places in the world can match.

In spring, the valleys come alive with vibrant wildflowers and flowing streams, adding stunning foreground and mid-ground elements to your compositions. The colors and light in this part of the world shift dramatically throughout the day, allowing for a wide range of creative shots. In addition to mountains, Peru offers the famous Rainbow Mountain and famous UNESCO world heritage sites such as Machu Picchu.

If you want to visit Peru, check out the 5 Best Places in Peru: Travel & Photography.

High snow-caped mountains seen from a viewpoint with purple and yellow flower plants on the foreground - in the cordillera huayhuash of Peru. — This mountain paradise viewpoint can be seen on our **Peru Tour**!

Norway

Norway’s landscapes are defined by hundreds of fjords and countless cascading waterfalls. High viewpoints provide breathtaking panoramic perspectives, with fjords stretching into the horizon. If you're lucky you may even catch waterfalls of clouds too.

Lone person standing on a lone mountain with clouds in the valley and a setting sun - Nowegian mountain landscape near Romsdal.

The northern lights illuminate the sky in winter, while the midnight sun casts an ethereal golden glow over the landscapes in summer. The best time to capture the auroras is from October to November and February to March, when the skies are clearest.

Northern lights above a person standing on a snow-caped mountain in the lofoten islands, norway.

Norway’s Lofoten Islands offer dramatic mountain peaks rising straight from the sea, providing some of the most photogenic landscapes in the world. Whether capturing the reflections in the fjords or hiking to remote summits for a sweeping view, Norway offers endless opportunities for photography.

If you plan to visit Norway either during the midnight sun or for the northern lights, make sure you read our Ultimate Photography Guide to Norway first!

A person standing on a vertical mountain top with the Norwegian fjords and other mountains in the distance at sunrise. Husfjellet, senja.

Dolomites, Italy

Well-known as a paradise for photographers, the Dolomites boast a range of beautiful mountains, rolling green meadows, and fields of colourful wildflowers. There are many areas to explore and the uniquely jagged peaks provide a variety of compositions. Stormy conditions in summer months can also offer dramatic skies, especially after a big rainfall.

A pointy mountain catching the last sunset light with mist in the valley and green trees and purple flowers underneath. Fotoboon, Dolomites, Italy.

One of the Dolomites’ biggest advantages is the ease of access; many stunning locations are within a short drive of each other, minimizing travel time and maximizing shooting opportunities.

A pointy mountain with rolling white clouds in the Italian Dolomites in Seceda.

In autumn, the landscape transforms into a mesmerizing display of golden hues, while winter brings a pristine, snow-covered wonderland. Capturing the interplay of light and shadow as the sun rises or sets over the Dolomites can yield some of the most dramatic shots imaginable. Tre Cime di Lavaredo and Alpe di Siusi are two must-visit locations that provide an iconic backdrop for landscape photography.

A small church called Church of St. John with fall colored larches and misty mountains behind it. Dolomites, Italy.

The Alps (Swiss & French)

The Swiss and French Alps are home to some of the most picturesque mountain scenery in the world. Certain areas are especially photogenic, featuring dramatic peaks, flowing rivers, and colorful alpine meadows. In summer, wildflowers and glacial streams create a magical, almost fairytale-like setting, while winter covers the landscape in a thick blanket of snow.

A misty landscape, with high mountains and waterfalls in the distance and sheep and a barn on the foreground during sunset. The landscape of Lauterbrunnen in the Swiss alps.

The Alps' diversity in terrain—from rocky summits to gentle rolling valleys—provides endless inspiration.

A wide panorama view with a sun in the middle, a person standing on a mountain top and mist between the mountain layers. View on Monch, eiger and Jungfrau in the Swiss alps.

Whether you're capturing a sunrise over the Matterhorn or the misty, forested valleys below, the Alps will never disappoint. Cable cars and mountain trains make it easy to reach high vantage points, giving photographers a chance to capture stunning aerial perspectives.

A green, tree and cloud covered landscape, with a giant mountain and a giant waterfall in the distance. Taken in Sixt-Fer-a-Cheval-, france.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia’s desert landscapes are home to some of the most spectacular and unique rock formations on the planet. Towering sandstone cliffs, numerous caves, and cracked mud flats provide an otherworldly setting for dramatic compositions. Every shot here is unique and special and the exploring is so much fun.

One of the most visually stunning locations is AlUla, known for its massive, sometimes phallic shaped, rocks and ancient tombs carved into sandstone. Another must-visit location is the Empty Quarter (Rub' al Khali), the largest continuous sand desert in the world. The vast, rolling dunes shift in color and shape depending on the time of day, offering an incredible range of photographic possibilities.

A view form a cave looking at pointy rock formations at sunrise.

For those seeking a more adventurous photography experience, Saudi Arabia's remote locations offer an unspoiled and untouched beauty rarely seen elsewhere. Looking for the easiest way to experience Saudi Arabia and capture unforgettable photos? Join our Saudi Arabia Tour!

A pointy rock formation seen from a semi-cave view with a sun in the middle. A red, desert like landscape in Wadi Disah.

United States

From desert landscapes to towering cacti and stony mountains, the U.S. offers a diverse range of photography opportunities. The vast mud cracked terrain of Factory Butte, the rolling sand dunes of Death Valley, and the jagged mountain peaks of the Rockies all provide a rich variety of compositions.

A pointy mountain with cracked mud on the foreground. A snow covered landscape with warm colors in the sky at Factory butte, utah.

Winter brings crisp lighting to the landscapes, enhancing textures and contrasts. In particular the cactus fields of Kofa offer eye-catching sunrises. Just don't accidentally fall on a cactus! You will spend months trying to get the needles out.

Cacti being illuminated by a rising sun above jacked mountains in Kofa wildlife refuge, Arizona.

Final Thoughts

The world is full of incredible locations just waiting to be captured, and these seven destinations offer some of the most awe-inspiring landscapes imaginable. Whether you prefer the icy peaks of Patagonia, the mystical fjords of Norway, or the vast deserts of Saudi Arabia, each location offers a unique perspective that can take your photography to the next level.

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