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30 Epic Photos You Need to Take Around the World Before You're 30

| © Ronny Bas / Shutterstock

Taking photos is important. Why? Because they’re your memories, that’s why! People also like to know what you’re up to in this social day and age (and they also really like to show off, but hey, we’re not here to judge). From Instagram to Snapchat and Facebook, we can all get a little obsessed with those likes and views.

Let’s be honest, traveling the world just to take a photo is expensive and a tad OTT, but if you travel right, it can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your entire adult life. And, if you were to complete our list of these top 30 travel photos to take before you’re 30, you’d have a pretty awesome existence because you would have learned so much about yourself by the end. After all, they do say travel is one of life’s great learning experiences…

From Chile to England, Vietnam to the USA, here are 30 photos you need to take before you’re 30.

The still, magical allure of Lake Moraine, Canada…

Storm clouds over Moraine Lake in Banff National Park, Canadian Rockies

In Banff National Park, Lake Moraine offers views for days among the snow-capped peaks of the Rocky Mountains.

The jagged, ancient and historic rockiness of the Jurassic Coast, England…

Steps leading down to Durdle Door on the Jurassic Coast, Dorset

Breathtaking coastal walks and the Durdle Door await in this southern English utopia.

The emerald green beauty of Ha Long Bay, Vietnam…

Fishing boat in the mists of Halong Bay, Vietnam

Deep blue waters, mammoth limestone pillars and cutesy fishing homes built on stilts. No wonder this stunning bay is one of the most visited and photographed places in Vietnam.

The eerie mountains of Patagonia, South America

Sunrise at Mount Fitz Roy, Argentine Patagonia

Visit during South America’s summer (December to February), when the sun hardly ever sets on Patagonia’s sublime tundra.

The gondolas of Venice, Italy…

Gondolas at their moorings in San Marco Square at sunrise

Snapshots of Venice will have people drooling over your Instagram feed.

The glorious sunset at Stonehenge, England…

View of Stonehenge at sunset in winter, Wiltshire, UK

A sunset and a pile of prehistoric rocks never looked so good.

The mystery of the Taj Mahal, India…

Taj Mahal on the banks of the River Yamuna, Agra, India

A spiritual pilgrimage for many, one snap of this enchanting mausoleum will leave you stuck in La-la Land.

The dark, blue, icy caves of Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland…

Amazing winter landscape

The ‘Land of Ice and Fire’ is full of grammable cave porn!

The seaside houses of Positano, Italy…

View of the town and the seaside in a summer sunset, Positano, Italy

From colour-crazy beach umbrellas to lush gardens and pastel homes built on cliffs overlooking the sea, this Amalfi Coast destination is the closest you’ll come to finding village paradise.

The vast expanse of the Great Barrier Reef, Australia…

Aerial view of heart-shaped Heart Reef, part of the Great Barrier Reef of Whitsundays in the Coral sea, Queensland, Australia

For the best views in Queensland, you’re going to have to dive below the surface to find awesome sea turtles and over 1,400 types of colourful fish – Nemo and Dory included too!

The bright orange cliffs of The Algarve, Portugal…

Beach and cliffs at Praia do Vau in the Algarve, Portugal

Look long enough and you’ll understand why this coastal stretch of southern Portugal is one of the most popular summer destinations in Europe, #paparazzi.

The pretty streets of Chefchaouen, Morocco…

An old man walking in a street of the town of Chefchaouen in Morocco

The bluest alleyways and cobblestone streets make up the city of Chefchaouen.

The mighty ferocious power of Niagara Falls, Canada…

A wide-angle shot of Niagara Falls on the Niagara River

Snap the roar, the thunder and the power of Canada’s most famous waterfall – oh, and don’t forget to go at night to see them lit up in a spectrum of colours.

The ultra-cute snow monkeys of Nagano, Japan…

Get up close and personal with Japanese snow monkeys who come to bathe in the hot springs of Japan’s Jigokudani Yaen-koen in Nagano.

The #natureporn landscapes of Grand Canyon National Park, Utah, United States…

Grand Canyon South Rim, Arizona, USA

From the South Rim to the north and everything in between, this rocky nirvana is a photo nerd’s absolute dream.

The awesome colours of the Rio carnival, Brazil…

Confetti flutters above crowd of Brazilians celebrating at Rio Carnival

Party and photograph all the glam and chic at the world’s biggest carnival celebration in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The fabulous rainbows of Victoria Falls, Zambia…

Victoria Falls, Zambia

Take a selfie hanging off the epic expanse of Zambia’s Victoria Falls – you might need a selfie stick for this one.

The gargantuan cliffs of the Na Pali coast, Hawaii…

Na Pali Coast in the fog

The 16 mile stretch of the Na Pali coast offers some of the most breathtaking views in all of Hawaii. Think emerald green cliffs, lush valleys and hidden beaches.

The IG-worthy reflections of Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia…

When you get there just gram’ Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni, the largest salt flat in the world, to death.

The sublime views of Santorini, Greece…

Whitewashed houses as far as the eye can see. Nothing else needs to be said really.

The hot air balloons of Cappadocia, Turkey…

A trip on a hot air balloon is the best way to snap this rock-filled ancient landscape, made up of hundreds of ‘fairy chimneys’ and stunning caves.

The quintessential Manhattan cityscape, New York City…

This concrete jungle is literally where dreams are made of. The epic cityscape is always one for the ‘gram.

The peak #KodakMoment landscapes of Trolltunga, Norway…

Find yourself whilst taking pictures of dozens of narrow fjords, majestic waterfalls, steep cliffs and glaciers. Simba often comes to play too.

The fairy-tale Plitvice Lakes, Croatia

Grab your DSLR and upload all your pictures to Facebook immediately after visiting this UNESCO World Heritage Site complete with stunning lakes, caves, waterfalls, and an array of wildlife.

The totally mesmerising Pyramids of Giza, Egypt…

The Great Pyramids of Giza are the only one of the seven ancient wonders of the world still in existence.

The incredible wildlife of the Amazon rainforest, Brazil…

Sail up the Amazon River, the world’s second-largest river, to come face-to-face with over one-third of the world’s animal species.

The endless sandy dunes of the Sahara desert, Northern Africa…

Explore, discover and get lost in the unforgivable landscapes of the Sahara desert, the largest desert in Africa.

The tranquil Lake Annecy, France…

No, this isn’t a scene from a Disney movie, it’s a real French Alpine lake town ridden with colorful, timber homes, gloriously picturesque canals and one of the most beautiful lakes in the world.

The supreme and bewitching terrain of Guilin, China…

You’ve seen it in those HSBC adverts, so why not go and see it for yourself. Use the #NaturePorn hashtag on Insta for extra likes.

And finally, the chilled out nirvana that is the Big Sur of California, United States…

Cruise along Big Sur and you’ll spot McWay Falls, Bixby Creek Bridge and Pfeiffer Beach – all deserve a quick snap on Snapchat.
Like a challenge? See if you can visit all these places around the world before you’re 30!

About the author

Luke Abrahams is a born and bred Londoner and is proud to call the capital his home. He mostly writes about popular culture trends and pugs but isn’t afraid to tackle food, art and style from time-to-time.

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