Ever been to a place that was so beautiful that you had to pinch yourself to make your you were not dreaming? Well, this is exactly what we asked our travel blogger friends and look at the results! If this below list of 50 surreal travel destinations from around the world doesn’t motivate you to travel more, then there’s no hope.
01 | Antarctica
By Patti of The Savvy Globetrotter
Surreal Beauty of Antartica
Best described as “hauntingly beautiful”, Antarctica was simply stunning. There was never a moment when the scenery became mundane or merely a backdrop. It was beautiful all day, every day. I hardly slept then entire trip as when not on a landing, I was glued to the deck, the bridge or the cabin porthole watching it all go by. Fortunately, with 20 hours of daylight there was plenty of opportunity to take it all in.
02 | Hallerbos, Belgium
By Sarah of My Gipsy Soul
Hallerbos, Belgium – 50 Surreal Travel Destinations
The beautiful Hallerbos is about half an hour South of Brussels. In the middle of April, a few acres of woodlands on the edge of this forest are covered by an amazing carpet of wild bluebell hyacinths to make for a breathtaking purple blanket. With the early spring weather the forest canopy is covered with new leaves, sunlight pours through the branches and thousands of purple flowers spread as far as the eye can see. And the smell, oh you will just have to go for yourself!
03 | Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
By Ruth Johnston of Exploramum & Explorason
Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia – 50 Surreal Travel Destinations – ©Copyright Exploramum
Uyuni Salt Lake in Bolivia is the largest flat salt expanse in the world in Bolivia. We drove over this for over 100 km, stopping and playing in the salt piles, and even seeing a museum where things were carved out of salt blocks. Other times we chased after llamas and alpacas for photo moments. We spent the night with a traditional family in a Pousada – the bed, walls and furniture were all made of salt. It was incredible!
04 | Leh, Ladakh, India
By Suman Doogar of Nomadic Shoes
Leh, Ladakh, India – 50 Surreal Travel Destinations
Leh is in Jammu and Kashmir state of India with mountains that are crowned with Buddhist Monasteries and landscape that is beautifully barren. At 3505 meters above sea level, it’s important to take thing slow while visiting this enchanting destination to avoid altitude sickness. With the highest motorable pass (Khardung La), magnetic hill, Nubra valley, Pangong lake – this area has many otherworldly attractions that can keep a visitor gasping in surprise.
05 | Annapurna Circuit, Nepal
By Stefan and Sebastien of Nomadic Boys
Annapurna Circuit trek in Nepal – 50 Surreal Travel Destinations
Why? Well at over 5,000 metres (16,400 feet) altitude, you start to push yourself to the extreme. Not only is it freezing cold, the altitude sickness makes you feel like an old man, stopping every 5 steps to catch your breath, as well as the occasional headaches – your heart racing away as it rushes to pump more and more blood around the body to cope with the altitude. But the views of the Himalayas made up for everything. You just can’t beat that.
06 | El Nido, Palawan, Philippines
By Sabrina Iovino of Just One Way Ticket
El Nido, Philippines – 50 Surreal Travel Destinations
El Nido in Palawan, Philippines left me speechless. This is how I imagine paradise. It was certainly the most beautiful place I have ever witnessed. An archipelago of tiny islands, sugar white beaches, crystal clear turquoise waters and an underwater world, so colorful and diverse – it’s incredible!
07 | White Dunes of Sahara (Dakhla, Western Sahara)
By Monika of Bewildered In Morocco
White Dunes of Sahara – 50 Surreal Travel Destinations
The white dune of Sahara is one of the must-visit spots once in Dakhla. This place is amazingly extraordinary because the white sand of the desert meets the crystal-clear waters of the lagoon. When you stand on the coastline, in front of you, you see blue water and no horizon. When you turn, you see mysterious, peaceful dunes and nothing behind. Just the sky above. I found it magical and so relaxing, there’s no sound of civilization. Just the waves, wind, and grains of sand in the air. Surreal experience!
08 | Whitehaven Beach, Australia
By Luke Marlin of Backstreet Nomad
Whitehaven Beach, Australia – 50 Surreal Travel Destinations
Whitehaven Beach is home to some of the whitest sand in Australia, and is situated on a protected part of Whitsunday Island that stretches for 7 kilometers. It is in the middle of the ocean and only accessible by boat a 5 minute walk will lead you to your own serene, (almost) secluded slice of paradise. However, Hill Inlet at the northern end of the beach is the real star. It’s an inlet of water covered in swirls of this perfectly white sand at varying depths to create gorgeous patterns through the clear, turquoise water. It is only truly visible at mid tide though to you have to time if well to see it in its full surreal glory.
09 | Cappadocia, Turkey
By Rhoni Speed of Living Our Life
The View! Flying over Fairy Chimneys – Hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia
Cappadocia is cave hotels, fairy chimneys and “ruins” of old churches, monasteries and underground cities. The common denominator is the landscape. Everything is built in the sandstone. The chimneys themselves, created by mother nature, with a white sandstone base and a black basalt top, give the illusion of giant mushrooms. Goreme is in the middle and provides easy access to all the sites. You can pretty much guarantee a cave hotel, in any budget. Weather has eroded and created a beautiful unique area.
Related post: 20+ Stunning Pictures of Cappadocia in Turkey
10 | Sossusvlei Desert, Namibia
By Tracey Pictor of Journal of a City Girl
Sossusvlei Desert in Namibia – 50 Surreal Travel Destinations
Most people have never even heard of Namibia and don’t have the faintest idea where it is. A simple search will return an overwhelming number of photos, of sun scorched camel thorn trees, surrounded by towering red sand dunes, with the clear blue backdrop of sky. But nothing prepares you for the surreal reality of actually walking through the oldest desert in the world, Sossusvlei. As you stand, insignificant, in the middle of the desert surrounded by the mountainous dunes, the arid land, the air silent and still, one can only be left humbled by the immense vastness.
11 | Jökulsárlón, Iceland
By Jennifer Melroy of Made All The Difference
Jökulsárlón, Iceland – 50 Surreal Travel Destinations
Jökulsárlón is a glacial lake near Vatnajökull National Park which is fed by the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier. The lake started to form in the 1940’s as the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier recede. The lake is growing as the glacier shrinks. Icebergs of all sizes break off from the glacier and fall into the lake. The glaciers float around the lake until they make their way into the Atlantic Ocean. During the winter, the ice is a clear pale blue. In the summer, it is possible to take a boat tour of the lake. Make sure to watch the water, seals, dolphins, and small whales have been seen in the lake.
12 | Mt Tongariro, New Zealand
Mt Tongariro, New Zealand – 50 Surreal Travel Destinations
The Tongariro Crossing has been called the most beautiful hike in New Zealand and that’s for a good reason. The landscape is so beautiful and ‘out of this world’ with some parts looking similar to something you would see on Mars!
13 | Manarola, Cinque Terre, Italy
By Jeremy of Escapist Atlas
Manarola, Cinque Terre, Italy – 50 Surreal Travel Destinations
Only a few places can compare to the sheer beauty of the villages that comprise the Cinque Terre. Manarola is a village that looks exactly like it does in the Instagram photos. I spent hours just gazing out at the buildings, seeming to defy gravity as they dared jut out over the sea beneath. Walking through the vineyards winding up the large hills that surround the towns seems to take you to an alternate reality where you can lose yourself in the beauty of the towns and be swept away by nostalgia for a life you haven’t lived.
14 | Koh Lipe, Thailand
By Hannah Lukaszewicz of Getting Stamped
Koh Lipe, Thailand – 50 Surreal Travel Destinations
I still remember the first time I laid eyes on Koh Lipe, Thailand. I had taken a ferry from Langkawi, Malaysia to Koh Lipe an island I knew nothing about heck I just heard about it from a poster in Malaysia. A 1.5 ferry ride away was the Thai island of Koh Lipe, I wondered around the white sand beaches until I found a $30 beach villa and woke up to the waves crashing just feet from out porch. I really did have to pinch myself, this was too good to be true. Koh Lipe has some of the prettiest turquoise waters in the world, it’s nicknamed “The Maldives of Thailand.”
15 | Larung Gar, China
By Christian of Unusual Traveler
Larung Gar, China – 50 Surreal Travel Destinations
Larung Gar in western China is a strange place and one of a kind. It’s not mentioned in any guidebook but it’s yet one of most amazing and surreal places on Earth. It will take you 3 days of rough traveling to reach the area, with the last 120km taking more than 14hours in a jeep, but it’s worth it. The first glimpse of this Tibetan Buddhist Institute that’s home to no more than 40 000 with take your breath away! It’s a sea of red, not only is every single building red but every single monk is also dressed in red robes. Oh and you should totally check out this itinerary for backpacking China.
16 | Bagan, Myanmar
By Ludek Jirous of Coddiwompling
Bagan, Myanmar – 50 Surreal Travel Destinations
This ancient city is located in central Myanmar and boasts with over 2200 temples rising from the green plains with hazy mountains towering in the distant background. It is a magical place and it seems like time has stopped here. The horse-carts trot to and fro between the well preserved temples decorated with carvings and Buddha-statues. The spectacle starts with the first sun-beams when hundreds of scattered temples emerge from the dark and dozens of hot air balloons levitate above this spiritual place. The atmosphere gets under your skin and these feelings double when the sun sets and the temples are suffused in an orange flare.
17 | Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
By Lance and Laura of Travel Addicts
Galápagos Islands, Ecuador – 50 Surreal Travel Destinations
For us, one of the most surreal destinations on the planet is The Islands of the Galapagos in Ecuador. Being both geologically unique and geographically remote, these islands have spawned voyages of discovery. The islands of the Galapagos are so isolated the animals have evolved into whole new species and are some of the most unusual on the planet, something Charles Darwin observed on his voyage. The Galapagos is so unique and surreal that it was recognized as the very first UNESCO World Heritage Site.
18 | Tulip Fields, Keukenhof, Netherlands
By Criz of Crizzy Kiss
Tulip Fields, Netherlands – 50 Surreal Travel Destinations
Keukenhof in the Netherlands was my dream destination and when I finally got to visit, I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn’t dreaming. Standing in the middle of the tulip fields and millions of other flowers, as far as my eyes can see, was surreal. Although I was already seeing tulips when I got to Norway and other parts of Europe, it still never failed to amaze me. The place is just so magical and fascinating!
19 | Torres del Paine National Park, Chile
By Jon Algie of Jon is Travelling
Torres del Paine National Park in Chile – 50 Surreal Travel Destinations
High winds, rough terrain and lung-busting climbs make the hike to the “towers” of Torres del Paine National Park challenging, but that’s the price you’ll have to pay to see one of the world’s most surreal vistas. Three massive stone towers rise above a milky green lake, surrounded by rocks and a hint of snow — there’s nowhere else like it. Patagonia is home to some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in the world and hiking is the best way to see it. It’s not always easy but those views make it all worth it in the end.
20 | Rotorua, New Zealand
By Gia Kristel De Guia of MismatchedPassports
Rotorua, New Zealand – 50 Surreal Travel Destinations
Hues of green, orange and yellow – it was like a work of art, a display of bold colors I had never seen upon the ground. Rotorua, New Zealand is one of the world’s most unique landscapes with colorful hot pools and rocks that seem out of this world. Wai O Tapu Thermal Wonderland, one of the geothermal parks in the area has some of the best volcanic formations. Take a deep breath and face the hot steam coming out of the Champagne Pool, the star of the show. The spectacular formation has a rust orange rim with deep green boiling water at the centre. The Devil’s Bath, a pool with bright green shade and the Artist’s Palette, a splatter of mineral laden water are also incredible.
21 | Hakuba, Japan
By Anne of Traveltheglobe4less
Hakuba, Japan – 50 Surreal Travel Destinations
Imagine standing on a plateau covered in snow soaking up the view of vertiginous mountains topped by a deep blue sky, the air so crisp and fresh its intoxicating. Deep breaths chill your throat, but every atom of your body feels alive, as though super-charged with energy. Your eyes cannot take in the magnitude of the endless Alps stretching to the horizon. Don’t be deceived. These are not the Alps of Europe. Oh no! These are the Alps of Japan and damn they are so worth the 24-hour journey to get here by train, plane and automobile. Moments like this almost reduce me to tears, reminding me of how fortunate I am to be able to travel and see marvels such as this. I’m feeling blessed! If only this moment would never end….
22 | Ribbon Falls, Grand Canyon, USA
By Cindy Barks of Near and Farz
It is not exactly easy to get there. In fact, it might be one of the toughest trips you’ll take. But the payoff? Amazing. It is Ribbon Falls, located in the depths of the Grand Canyon in Arizona. To get there, you have to commit to either a day of full-on hiking on the Rim-to-Rim hike (24 miles on the Bright Angel and North Kaibab Trails), or a mule ride to Phantom Ranch, located along the Colorado River, and then an 11-mile round-trip hike. Either way, it’s almost guaranteed to be a hot and rugged trip. Once you do make it to Ribbon Falls, you’ll wonder why it took you so long to visit. Through a gap in the massive red walls is gushing water, gorgeous water. Green moss clings to the rock, and mist billows all around. Walking under the falls and looking out at one of the wonders of the world is a truly surreal experience!
23 | Pamukkale, Turkey
By Clelia Mattana of Keep Calm and Travel
Pammukale, Turkey – 50 Surreal Travel Destinations
Pamukkale is a surreal destination by definition. The travertine creating a huge white valley in the middle of nowhere, the bright turquoise color of the warm water in the pools and the surreal silence (this is if you go very early in the morning, which I highly recommend!) make this place one of my favorite destinations where I can really fantasize about an “out of this world” experience.
24 | Zaanse Schans, Netherlands
By Grietje of Travel Gretl
Zaanse Schans, Holland – 50 Surreal Travel Destinations
While exploring the world, we tend to forget the beautiful things our own countries have to offer! I am a Dutchie from the south, so the famous flower fields and windmills (western Netherlands) were no part of my childhood. But last year, I finally got to see the places so many tourists would describe as ‘typically Dutch’. And to be honest, I was quite amazed! This picture is from the Zaanse Schans. The mills are very well preserved, and seeing them besides the water in all their glory is definitely worth a detour when you’re in the Netherlands.
25 | Bayon Temple, Angkor Cambodia
By Ashley Erickson of The Traveling Gals
Bayon Temple – Siem Reap, Cambodia – 50 Surreal Travel Destinations
Bayon Temple in Siem Reap is part of the ancient city of Angkor Thom and close to the famous Angkor Wat. The most remarkable part about this temple is the 216 carvings of the same smiling, serene face. It is almost slightly creepy when walking around to see this face over and over again keeping watch over the Temple. When I was there, it was also very quiet walking around, making it feel even more surreal. The face is believed to be Jayavarman, a former Buddhist King in the 13th century, but no one knows for certain.
26 | Horta, Faial, Azores
By Jessica Johnson of MJ Sailing
Horta, Faial, Azores – 50 Surreal Travel Destinations
The Azores are an archipelago of islands 800 miles off the continental coast of Portugal. Faial, to the west, is referred to as the Blue Island for the number of blue hydrangeas that line everything from windowsills of shops to its green country roads. It’s largest city, Horta, is a popular harbor for sailors to stop on their way across the Atlantic. With spectacular views of the towering volcano of Pico just across the bay and a tradition of painting your yacht’s emblem on the sea wall, it’s easy to see why so many yachties make a visit here. Non sea folk also flock here for these same sights as well of tours of Faial to see its caldera (a large volcanic crater) and the Capelinhos. A volcano complex that includes 20 scoria cones and lava fields, as well as a refreshing pool of enclosed Atlantic water to take a dip in after your hike.
27 | The Laki Craters, Iceland
By Christina and Kevin of Wandering Wagars
The Laki Craters, Iceland – 50 Surreal Travel Destinations
The Laki Craters, also known as Crater Row is located deep in the heart of Vatnajökull National Park in Iceland and is the epicenter for Icelands most destructive natural disaster. Fire and lava spewed forth from the earth, tearing the surrounding land like a zipper for 25 kms and covering the country in ash. The nearby mountains offer a spectacular view that helps you bear witness to the scars ripped across the Icelandic countryside. Getting to the Laki craters is an adventure of its own that involves driving through small rivers and through the rough Icelandic interior. The area is filled with spectacular lava tubes and caves to explore as well as incredible opportunities for hiking.
28 | The Church of the Savior, St. Petersberg, Russia
By Marcela Faé of Fotostrasse
The Church of the Savior, St. Petersberg, Russia – 50 Surreal Travel Destinations
The Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood in St. Petersburg is an orthodox church and it was designed in the XVII century style by Alfred Parland with some elements of Classical and Modernist without forgetting the undeniable Barroque touch you can see around it. Inside the church everything is made of mosaics. I, myself, am a strong atheist but I have a crazy fascination with the beauty of every kind of worshiping center. The Russian orthodox churches took the 1st one position on “The most Beautiful Church I’ve Seen Awards
29 | The Buddha Park, Vientiane, Laos
By Nikki Godwin of Where is Noodles?
The Buddha Park, Vientiane, Laos – 50 Surreal Travel Destinations
A beautifully strange and unique place, the park is home to more than 200 religious sculptures, which are peacefully located in a meadow next to the Mekong River. It is the perfect place to while away a few hours, just wandering around viewing some of the bizarre sculptures influenced by a mix of Hinduism and Buddhism. There is no explanation of the history of the sculptures and their anonymity kind of added to the surreal atmosphere.
30 | Lake Louise, Emerald Lake, Peyto Lake, Canada
By Gemma of Two Scots Abroad
Peyto Lake, Canada
How do they get those lakes so blue? If you have seen Lake Louise, Emerald Lake, Peyto Lake, etc., in the Canadian Rockies you will know what I am talking out. The color of the water is eye popping, making it one of the most surreal destinations we’ve stumbled across in the past eleven months on the road in North, South, and Central America. I was fully expecting jaggy edged mountains, tall trees, maybe a bear sighting but was not prepared for the beauty of that water. If really want to get close to it, why not try the Polar Bear Swim challenge in Bow Lake?! We did!
31 | Pololu Valley, Big Island, Hawaii, USA
By Alexandra Korey of ArtTrav
Pololu Valley, Big Island, Hawaii, USA – 50 Surreal Travel Destinations
Pololu Valley is where the opening to Jurassic Park II was filmed, and indeed it is surreal. The view from the top is amazing, but it is absolutely worth the steep hike down the trail to the black sand beach, bordered by a thick forest. In the off-season you’re likely to share this place with just a few locals. I honestly think this is the most beautiful place I have ever been in the world.
32 | Kawah ijen, Indonesia
By Nina Ragusa of Where in The World is Nina?
Kawah ijen, Indonesia – 50 Surreal Travel Destinations
The treacherous hike through a volcanic crater named Kawah Ijen in Indonesia is the epitome of a surreal experience. While here, you’ll encounter dangers like breathing in the sulfuric smoke that billows from the earth, the pitch black conditions and fragile rocks that fall apart under your feet. So why would any visitor put themselves through this? How about the chance to see blue flames flowing out of the ground, incredible views, a sunrise over volcanos, a gorgeous but toxic green acid lake, and phenomenal terrain like you’ve never seen before.
33 | Dyrholaey Coast, Iceland
By Cora of The Path She Took
Dyrholaey coast – 50 Surreal Travel Destinations
The south coast of Iceland was completely surreal. I’m sure it already looks insanely beautiful all year round, but I got there just after one of the biggest snowfall ever, and it had transformed the whole coast into the perfect set for a sci-fi movie. The white waves, the black sand beaches and the sparkling snow, all the colors added up to create something completely unique and, frankly, very surprising. I still remember when I had my first view on the sea. The engine stopped and there was just a big silence in the car. “Wow” could not cover it.
34 | St. Basil’s cathedral, Moscow
Nic and Paul of The Roaming Renegades
St. Basil’s cathedral, Moscow – 50 Surreal Travel Destinations
Red Square was just as impressive and imposing as I had always imagined it to be. But as my eyes wandered to its far end I had to pinch myself. There is the glistening autumn sun stood the magnificent St. Basil’s cathedral. The colors just as bright as I had imagined and the onion domes just as wild and surreal. To be standing here almost didn’t feel real, this gingerbread like cathedral looks more like something from a fairy tale than harsh Russia. Venturing inside and the magic continued, we were immediately struck by the detail and intricacy of the murals and frescos that adorned every wall and ceiling of this maze like structure. A truly beautiful and surreal experience!
35 | Yosemite National Park, California, USA
By Carole of Berkley and Beyond
Yosemite National Park, California – 50 Surreal Travel Destinations
Being a native Californian, I have visited Yosemite National Park countless times. And every time I visit, I am awed yet again by its spectacular beauty. It is wondrous at any time of year, but my favorite time is the quieter time of fall. Perhaps the best way to get a feel for the overall splendor of this park is to take a walk across the valley floor, with the tall granite walls surrounding you, but I also especially enjoy the trail up to the base of Yosemite Falls and the huge boulders found there.
36 | The Maldives
By Lauren of The Traveller’s Guide By #ljojlo
The Maldives – 50 Surreal Travel Destinations
The vivid hues of blue, green and turquoise make Maldives mesmerizingly beautiful. Even on a windy day with a chance of rain the colors are oh so incredible. You often find yourself daydreaming not believing it is real or that you are actually fortunate enough to be lapping up the luxury that is the Maldives. The astonishing fact is you need to head under the water for even more beauty. Between the corals, colors, fish and sea turtles this is where the magic happens. Here’s a guide to explore the Maldives on a budget which will help you plan your trip.
37 | Tellaro, Italy
By Jessica of Travel to be Alive
Tellaro, Italy – 50 Surreal Travel Destinations
If there’s a surreal – and not crowded! – place in the world, that is “Tellaro”. It is a picturesque village situated on the west coast of Italy, kind of magic, with its typical houses and its sparkling view over the sea. What keeps it so special is that the wave of tourism has not swallowed the town yet and it has preserved its original look. The village is very little and truly romantic at the same time. Walking through the narrow alleys, watching the fishermen in the distance and waiting for the sun to set you’ll be transported back in time. This is Italy as you’ve always imagined it.
38 | Valle de Cocora, Colombia
By Taylor Record of Once We’re Young Travel
Valle de Cocora, Colombia – 50 Surreal Travel Destinations
Valle de Cocora in Colombia’s coffee region is a place so surreal, that it will make you believe in mermaids, yetis, and the Loch Ness herself. Just outside of Salento, you can experience sky-high wax palms and watch as clouds swallow the surrounding mountains. Embark on a 5 hour trek to experience the wonder of one of the world’s most bizarre landscapes.
39 | Newfoundland, Canada
By Danielle Ditzian of Like Riding a Bicycle
Newfoundland, Canada – 50 Surreal Travel Destinations
This photo was taken in the middle of the summer in Newfoundland, Canada – a ridiculously stunning island in Canada with the kindest people you will ever meet! I was hanging out in a tank top and shorts, just checking out the icebergs. How much more surreal can it get? The icebergs float down from Greenland in the spring, and if you’re lucky, you can still catch a glimpse when the warm weather comes around in the summertime. It was hard to believe this was a real thing, and I couldn’t help but stare in awe, wondering how huge that iceberg was below the surface.
40 | Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
By Soumya Nambiar of Travel Books Food, Photo Credit: Nishanth Nottath
Serengeti National Park, Tanzania – 50 Surreal Travel Destinations
Africa changes you forever, like nowhere on earth. Once you have been there, you will never be the same. But how do you begin to describe its magic to someone who has never left it? How can you explain the fascination of this vast, dusty continent, whose oldest roads are elephant paths? Could it be because Africa is the place of all our beginnings, the cradle of mankind, where our species first stood upright on the savannahs of long ago?
41 | Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh, India
By Rishabh and Nirali of GypsyCouple
Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh, India – 50 Surreal Travel Destinations
Think of untamed mountains, meandering rivers, treeless plains and a monastery in the middle of it. We aren’t talking about the mystical Shangri-La but an equally mystical land called Spiti Valley. The still clear water of Chandratal Lake in Spiti Valley and the reflection on it gave it a feeling of a looking glass to a whole different world and we decided to pitch our tent there.
42| Sapa, Vietnam
By Elena Nemets of Travelability
Sapa, Vietnam – 50 Surreal Travel Destinations
If you plan your trip to Vietnam, you should definitely consider spending at least couple of days hiking in the northern part of the country and visiting villages near the town of Sapa. Mountains made by nature and rice terraces cultivated by hard work of local people together make a dramatic scenery (and fifty shades of green!). Sapa itself is worth visiting mainly because of the local market. Here the women from local tribes, wearing colorful traditional costumes which are different for each tribe, sell handmade clothing and handicrafts.
43 | Erg Chebbi, Morocco
By Kylie of Between England and Iowa
Erg Chebbi, Morocco – 50 Surreal Travel Destinations
The Sahara Desert is a landscape that looks like it should belong on another planet. No matter what direction you look in, it’s just miles and miles of bright orange sand dunes, there are no roads, paths or human creation (other than the Bedouin tent that’s home for the night), even footprints are erased almost instantly. It makes you feel so small and peaceful, you can’t help but just sit and stare out at the vastness. When the sun comes up, shadows are cast across the dunes, the light and dark meeting at the peak in a defined line. The wind blows rippled patterns on the flatter parts of the dunes, it’s a constantly changing environment. It’s an amazing place!
44 | Bay of Fethiye, Turkey
By Sophie Nadeau of Solo Sophie
Bay of Fethiye, Turkey – 50 Surreal Travel Destinations
The town of Fethiye in Turkey is built on the site of ancient Telmessos and is surrounded by rock tombs, cliff cut temple like tombs that rise high above the surrounding sea and villages alike. The bay is surreal: sandy beaches line the mountain studded horizon and in the sea, a bright turquoise, it’s not unusual to see turtles swimming along the surface of the crystal clear water.
45 | Wadi Rum, Jordan
By Aleah of Solitary Wanderer
Wadi Rum, Jorden – 50 Surreal Travel Destinations
Wadi Rum in Jordan is one place that stands out in its magnificance. Its vastness and surreal beauty can definitely make any visitor gawp in awe. I was especially lucky in that I got to witness the sunset there, and the glorious sight of the sun turning the desert as red as the land in Mars rendered me speechless. Witnessing such magnificence of nature is indeed the reason why I travel.
46 | Abu Simbel, Egypt
By Laura Lynch of Savored Journeys
Abu Simbel, Egypt – 50 Surreal Travel Destinations
One of the most surreal places I’ve ever been is Abu Simbel in the dessert of Egypt. Built as a temple complex by Ramesses II sometime during the 1200s BCE, Sometime after its glory days, it was completely covered in sand and wasn’t rediscovered until 1817. In the 1960s, the building of the Aswan High Dam would have completely submerged the temples and they would have been lost forever if they hadn’t been relocated to a cliff side behind the original site. Abu Simbel is an incredible sight to see. It is one of the most dramatic and stunning temples in the world and we’re lucky many times over that it still exists for us to visit.
47 | Dunn’s River Falls, Jamaica
Howard Blount of Backroad Planet
Dunn’s River Falls, Jamaica – 50 Surreal Travel Destinations
Dunn’s River Falls near Ocho Rios, Jamaica, is one of those rare waterfalls that flow directly into the ocean, or in this case the Caribbean Sea. Countless terraced levels and lagoons allow visitors to safely ascend from the beach to the top of the falls. Although I climbed the falls in the company of family and strangers, I found myself immersed in a confluence of sparkling sunlit droplets and multi-level cascades, all wrapped in lush tropical foliage. In one word: Otherworldly!
48 | Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, India
Anna Phipps of Global Gallivanting
Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, India – 50 Surreal Travel Destinations
I’d been traveling around India for over a year and thought I had seen it all… and then I visited the remote, tribal regions in North East India. After a couple of days of a bumpy journey through the mountains we finally made it to Tawang. As I stood amongst the soaring Himalayan mountains, fluttering prayer flags and colorful monasteries watching the people go about their life as if the modern world did not exist it was hard to believe that I was still in India and not in Tibet. It did not surprise me when I learned that this region used to be part of Tibet and today in this unexplored part of India the people are still free to practice their colorful, peaceful and fascinating Tibetan religion and culture. It was like steeping back in time and a surreal, beautiful and serene experience.
49 | Panajachel, Guatemala
By Francesca Collins of Two Backpacks One Adventure
Lake Atitlan in Panajachel, Guatemala – 50 Surreal Travel Destinations
Panajachel, Guatemala, located on Lake Atitlán. Panajachel (known as “Pana” among the locals) is perfect for any traveler that craves calm, relaxing, good-for-your-soul vibes. Head out in your kayak for a sunrise tour of the lake and revel in the beauty of the three volcanoes that lie along its border, Volcán Atitlán, Tolimán, & San Pedro. When you aren’t taking in all of Pana’s natural beauty, take a walk around the local markets, get a bite to eat at a lake-side food stall, or grab your yoga mat and take a class at one of the many locations available around town or on the lake. There is no way that you can leave this town feeling anything other than totally at peace with the world and your life.
50 | Hampi, Karnataka, India
By Sonal and Sandro of Drifter Planet
Hampi, Karnataka, India – 50 Surreal Travel Destinations
Situated in lush green part of South of India, Hampi was the ancient capital of Vijayanagara, a.k.a., “A Forgotten Empire” and is famous for its ruins that are a UNESCO world heritage site. However, more than the ruins, it was Hampi’s bizarre landscape that took our breath away. The landscape is made of many miles of boulders heaps that appear to be precariously arranged.
How many of these destinations have you visited already? Have you visited a surreal destination that’s not on this list? Let us know in the comments section.
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50 surreal travel destinations – these travel destinations are too beautiful to be real
Commendable job! I’m happy that I’m going to Ladakh this September.
Have fun in Ladakh 🙂