The 20 most beautiful places in the world

Published on 17 déc. 2024

The 20 most beautiful places in the world

The Earth offers the most curious among us unique landscapes and places, which, once discovered, are etched in everyone’s mind. What could be better, for your next vacation, than setting off to discover these cultural and natural gems? To help you choose, here is an overview of the 20 most beautiful places in the world you absolutely must see. It’s an opportunity to discover, or rediscover, these treasures. So don’t hesitate any longer, your next destinations are already all found.

Machu Picchu – Peru

This mythical mountain, whose name means "Old Mountain", has been recognized as one of the 7 new wonders of the world since 2007. It is a must-see on any tailor-made trip to Peru. The lost Inca citadel is of inestimable archaeological value, as it allows you to admire the incredible ingenuity of the Inca civilization, a pre-Columbian people capable of assembling immense stones without mortar.

  • Taj Mahal – India

Every trip to North India includes this essential stop: a visit to the Taj Mahal. Located in the city of Agra, this sublime white marble mausoleum, of incredible beauty, is a true jewel of Mughal architecture. The Taj Mahal, meaning crown of the palace, was built in 1631 by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife. It has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983.

  • Petra – Jordan

The hidden city of Petra, the final stage of the quest for the Grail for Indiana Jones, Jerash, the Jordanian Pompeii, or the desert castles east of Amman. A Middle Eastern country where you can see one of the 7 new wonders of the world. It awaits you in real life, grandiose, nestled between the eroded canyons of the southern valleys. Temples and tombs with impressive facades, carved into sandstone cliffs. A total change of scenery in the face of the splendor of the place.

  • Angkor Temple – Cambodia

Here is a great idea for a stay in Cambodia! The temples of Angkor are a complex of more than 200 temples listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992. The site covers more than 400 km². Angkor is an archaeological site dating from the 11th to the 15th century. If you are short on time, focus on Angkor Wat, the Bayon, or Tah Prohm, the most beautiful archaeological sites of this sacred place.

  • Great Barrier Reef – Australia

The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef on the planet with more than 2,900 reefs and 900 islands stretching from Bundaberg to the Cape York Peninsula. Rich in significant marine biodiversity, it is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a must-see in the state of Queensland for all diving enthusiasts.

  • Atacama Desert – Chile

The driest desert in the world and the Valley of the Moon await you in the far north of the country, wedged between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes. A vast inhospitable expanse bordered by gigantic snow-capped volcanoes and populated by geysers and deep blue lagoons. Discover the natural treasures of this Chilean region.

  • Bagan – Myanmar

Bagan, or the valley of 2,000 temples, has become the tourist heart of Myanmar (Burma), with a site of 42 km² comprising about 2,000 temples and pagodas dating from the 11th and 13th centuries. It dazzled Marco Polo and still possesses a unique splendor today. It is no wonder that UNESCO listed it as a World Heritage Site in 2019.

  • Uluru – Australia

Uluru, also called Ayers Rock, is a sandstone rock formation rising 348 meters found in central Australia. It is a sacred site for Australian Aborigines. It has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987.

  • Pyramids of Egypt Giza

In the suburbs of Cairo, about 25 km away, are the pharaonic pyramids of Giza, one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world. The sight of these pyramids in the middle of a vast desert is fascinating. Among them are the most famous pyramids of Egypt, notably those of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure.

  • Lake Titicaca – Peru / Bolivia

Known for being the largest lake in South America, Lake Titicaca is also the highest navigable lake in the world as it is located at 3,800 meters above sea level. Straddling Peru and Bolivia, it is dotted with a multitude of islands to discover, among which Amantani, Taquile, Uros... and also the famous Sun and Moon islands on the Bolivia side, cradle of the Aymara civilization.

  • Monument Valley – West Coast of the United States

In the footsteps of Native Americans in the Navajo reservation

The Navajo Indians await you in "Monument Valley" on the semi-autonomous territory granted to them by the American government in 1958 in northeastern Arizona and Utah. A symbolic site of the American West popularized by great Hollywood westerns.

  • Galapagos Islands – Ecuador

The Galapagos Islands archipelago is a national park listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its seismic activity, isolation, and strong currents have made it a true underwater reserve. On land and in the water, you will discover ever more astonishing species, such as the Galapagos tortoises and marine iguanas. They are also known for being the research site for Charles Darwin’s famous theory of evolution.

  • Rice Fields – Bali

Between the southern coast and the central volcanoes of the island, on the hills overlooking the waterways, rice is grown in the village of Tegallalang among the coconut trees. This landscape of terraced rice fields will transport you into a relaxed and authentic atmosphere, carefully preserved by the local population. Magical. A magical place listed as a UNESCO Intangible World Heritage Site.

  • Cabo San Lucas – Mexico

Cabo San Lucas is a coastal city located at the southern tip of Baja California in Mexico. It is known for its desert landscapes, beautiful beaches, water activities, and also for its nightlife. Among the most famous sites, you will find Playa del Amor and El Arco, a natural arch in the cliffs.

  • Glacier National Park – Canada

The virgin forests, alpine meadows, rugged mountains, and spectacular lakes of Glacier. With more than 700 miles of trails, Glacier National Park is a hiker’s paradise for adventurous visitors seeking wilderness and solitude.

  • Iguazu Falls – Brazil / Argentina

A tour in Argentina without the Iguaçu Falls would be like visiting Paris without seeing the Eiffel Tower. It is truly one of the most beautiful sites in Argentina and these sublime falls. On the border of Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay, these falls are rightly listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

  • Great Wall of China

The first image that comes to mind when thinking of a trip to China is its majestic crenellated wall. This imposing monument undulates over 6,700 km. It is a strong symbol of Chinese civilization and a must-see for any trip to China. It is a set of Chinese military fortifications built between the 3rd century BC and the 17th century on mountain ridges. It allowed China to protect itself from several enemy peoples. Since 2007, it has been elected among the 7 wonders of the world and has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage since 1987.

  • Easter Island – Chile

Four hours by plane from Santiago emerges in the middle of the Pacific Ocean the most isolated inhabited island on the planet. Its first inhabitants named it "Rapanui". A fabulous nature reserve world-famous for its thousand basalt statues, the moai.

  • Yosemite – West Coast of the United States

Another natural wonder listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Yosemite National Park awaits you in the high mountains of the Sierra Nevada east of California. A paradise for trekking and hiking, with its natural landscapes, glaciers, rivers, waterfalls, as well as its immense forests where the giant sequoia reigns and its granite domes.

  • El Chalten – Argentine Patagonia

Lovers of trekking and nature have a rendezvous at El Chalten, the capital of Argentine trekking. Mythical, Patagonia is one of the most beautiful and best-preserved regions of Argentina. Argentine Patagonia is indeed one of the key sites to discover during a trip to Patagonia!