15 Most Beautiful Non-Beach Vacation Destinations

The Scottish Highlands paints a picture of towering mountains, shimmering lochs, and expansive moors. The Highlands are rich in folklore and history, where you can walk the haunted halls of Eilean Donan castle and keep an eye out for a kelpie, a mystical water horse hiding in a lonely river.

Gaze upon tints of lush green, deep blues, and earthy tones as you travel along roads that wind through valleys and over mountain passes. Capture the sense of rugged beauty and serene tranquility when visiting iconic locations such as picturesque Loch Ness, where you can take a boat ride and feel the cool, light spray coming off the waters.

Feel the crunch of fallen leaves beneath your feet when walking through woodland in Cairngorms National Park, taking in the giant trees and beautiful Eidart Falls. Explore the narrow gorge of Reelig Glen and enjoy the sweet, earthy scent of heather and pine as it invokes a sense of peace and connection to nature.

Learn more: Scotland Travel Guide • Scotland Tours & Vacations

Spend time in one of the most stunning regions in Southern France, Provence. The beauty of this area is unparalleled, the lilac-painted landscape having inspired artists for centuries. Take in stunning views from the Valensole Plateau, 300 square miles of golden wheat fields, olive trees, and endless rows of lavender.

The lavender fields provide a sweet, floral aroma, painting the countryside in shades of purple during the summer months. Notice the bright red rocks of the Esterel mountain range as it contrasts with the blue Mediterranean along the French Riviera.

Discover the beauty of Gorges du Verdon, with its dramatic limestone cliffs rising from a deep gorge filled with refreshing turquoise waters. The tranquil scene provides the ideal space for you to enjoy kayaking, hiking, and rock climbing.

Learn more: France Travel Guide • France Tours & Vacations

Discover the citadel of magnificent Machu Picchu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site set high in the Andes Mountains within a cloud forest of lush vegetation. A combination of mountains, valleys, and diverse habitat that includes high-altitude dwarf forests and the tropical slopes of the Peruvian Yungas makes it a visually stunning environment.

The dry-stone construction of Machu Picchu’s Inca architecture blends seamlessly with the landscape. The main temple, with its U-shaped huayrana and ancient ruins, is boldly yet serenely placed amid a wave of green, towered over by steep mountain tops reaching for a blue sky.

The beauty of Machu Picchu can be experienced from various perspectives, such as the hiking trail of Huayna Picchu, which provides panoramic views of the citadel. Spanning multiple ecosystems, from cloud forests to high-altitude grasslands, the area is filled with more than 400 butterfly species and a wide variety of orchids, creating a colorful natural backdrop.

Learn more: Peru Travel Guide • Peru Tours & Vacations

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Pamukkale boasts brilliant natural beauty and geological mastery of swirls of blue water among icy molds. Discover the adjacent Holy City of Hierapolis, with its well-preserved baths and numerous temples.

Pamukkale means “cotton castle” in Turkish and embodies the stunning natural scenery of Southwestern Turkey’s Denizli Province. Intriguing white travertine terraces formed by mineral-rich thermal spring waters that cascade down a hillside create a site of calcium-rich pools that resemble tumbling cotton fortresses.

With water temperatures of 95 to 200 degrees Fahrenheit, you can take a dip in the pools, including the favorite, Cleopatra’s Pool, which offers a body of water that contains submerged Roman columns and structures.

Learn more: Turkey Travel Guide • Turkey Tours & Vacations

Fiordland National Park is an exquisite natural wonder located in the southwest corner of New Zealand’s South Island. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the country’s largest national park, depicting scene after scene of unwavering serenity.

Admire stunning fiords carved by glaciers, tumbling curtains of white and blue waterfalls, and ancient rainforests clinging to steep mountain slopes that are seasonally topped with snow-capped peaks. Take in the pristine alpine lakes and glacier-carved valleys around Milford Sound, often referred to as the eighth wonder of the world.

The park is a refuge for diverse wildlife, ranging from endemic bird species such as the kākāpō and the southern brown kiwi to marine life that includes dolphins, fur seals, and penguins. You can enjoy scenic cruises in Milford and Doubtful Sound, the Great Walks of Kepler and Routeburn Tracks, kayaking, diving, and stargazing in this area.

Learn more: New Zealand Travel Guide • New Zealand Tours & Vacations

Step into the alpine Austrian village of Hallstatt, a UNESCO World Heritage Site offering picturesque characteristics in a fairy-tale setting. Nestled beneath the towering peaks of the Dachstein Massif and along the Hallstätter See, the crystal-clear waters reflect quaint alpine buildings and grassy boulders, creating a postcard-perfect scene perfect for non-beach family vacations or exploring on a couple’s getaway.

There is a romantic feel to Hallstatt, with narrow streets, enchanting locals, and a stillness in the air. Flower-draped balconies add color to the village, while the glass-built Hallstatt Skywalk, raised 1,150 feet above the village, offers panoramic views of the entire landscape.

A visit to the Hallstatt Salt Mine provides a fascinating journey through the history of “Man in Salt,” dating back to the 18th century. Spend time back in the village and the market square, or Marktplatz, then take a walk to the Hallstatt Photo Point, considered one of the most beautiful photo locations in Europe.

Learn more: Austria Travel Guide • Best Luxury Austria Tours & Vacations

Victoria Falls is recognized as one of the seven natural wonders of the world, spanning around 5,600 feet wide. One single, dramatic sheet of water plummets 355 feet into the Batoka Gorge, creating a curtain of white splendor set against a thundering soundtrack.

The beauty of Victoria Falls lies in features such as the Lunar Rainbow, or Moonbow, a rainbow visible only at night during a full moon. The constant mist creates a unique microclimate, with a “rainforest in the sky” that supports rare plant and animal species. Locally known as mosi-oa-tunya, or the smoke that thunders, the Victoria Falls are immensely powerful.

When the water is low, you can spend time at Devil’s Pool, a natural infinity pool set at the edge of the falls, the cool waters of the Zambezi River flowing around you. Activities include white-water rafting, bungee jumping, and guided walking tours along the falls, stopping at strategic viewpoints that showcase the magnificent landscape.

Learn more: Best Zimbabwe Safari Tours

The Great Barrier Reef stands out as one of the most beautiful places due to its extraordinary natural characteristics and biodiversity, home to over 3,000 individual coral reefs. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is recognized as one of the seven wonders of the world. The complex ecosystem occupies less than one percent of the ocean floor yet supports more than 25% of marine life.

While the wonders of the area are along the water, the experience has nothing to do with a beach. The reef offers an underwater panorama, with vibrant coral gardens of brilliant blues, vivid greens, and stunning shades of pink, purple, and orange. Reefs, islands, and coral cays can be seen from above, creating a gorgeous seascape of diverse shapes and sizes. Enjoy endless opportunities for adventure, exploration, and appreciation of nature’s beauty.

Coral reefs create intricate three-dimensional habitats, providing a captivating underwater world of shallow, light-filled gardens and deeper sea beds. You can encounter over 1,600 species of fish, 400 species of hard coral, six of the world’s seven marine turtle species, and at least 30 species of whales and dolphins.

Learn more: Australia Travel Guide • Australia Tours & Vacations

The Douro Valley is famous for its sloped vineyards and emerald mountains dotted with whitewashed 18th-century wine estates known as quintas. The terroir not only produces world-renowned wines, but also creates a visually striking landscape dotted with white-walled and terracotta-roofed countryside villages.

Enjoy panoramic views of terraced vineyards cascading down steep hillsides, with the flowing blue waters of the Douro River dissecting the picturesque patchwork of green and gold. The valley is home to diverse flora and fauna, such as the cork oak, roe deer, and peregrine falcon.

You can choose to take a slow, lazy boat ride down the river, stopping at incredible viewpoints like the Miradouro Sao Leonardo de Galafura and Casal de Loivos. While both offer panoramic vistas of the valley, the latter has been named one of the six most beautiful viewpoints in the world by the BBC.

Learn more: Portugal Travel Guide • Portugal Tours & Vacations

Hạ Long Bay is a result of an incredible 500-million-year geological journey, with limestone formations that tower above emerald-green waters. The karst landscapes resemble a living watercolor painting, with dramatically formed islets scattered across the bay.

The UNESCO World Heritage Site is also one of the seven wonders of nature. Hidden caves like the Sung Sot Cave boast magnificent chambers of stalactites and stalagmites, resembling an underground opera house.

This beautiful bay is home to several endemic floral and faunal species, such as the mangroves near Ba Chã and delightful creatures like white-tabby and red-haired monkeys. The diverse ecosystem includes evergreen and marine environments, and intricate underwater gardens include disk-like and tree-like structures.

Learn more: Vietnam Travel Guide • Vietnam Tours & Vacations

Nestled in the majestic Himalayan mountains lies the extraordinary Valley of Flowers National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Situated at an elevation of around 12,000 feet above sea level, the location is in the basin of the Pushpawati River, surrounded by rugged mountain wilderness.

The park is like a living artist’s canvas with its incredible collection of over 600 flowering plant species. During the summer months of July and August, the valley erupts into a spectacular display of colors with a bouquet of Himalayan blue poppies, bellflower, primroses, and the rare Himalayan snow lotus.

Wildlife in the area includes Asiatic black bears and Himalayan musk deer, adding depth to the beautiful emerald-green fields, snow-capped mountains, glaciers, waters, and flower-filled landscapes.

Learn more: India Travel Guide • India Tours & Vacations

Spanning southern Argentina and Chile, Patagonia boasts simply beautiful and immensely diverse scenery. Discover the Pali-Aike volcanic field, located along the Argentina-Chile border, and the Magellanic Steppe, a distinctive biome within the broader Patagonian Desert.

Discover the Torres del Paine National Park in Chile, the crown jewel of Patagonia with its soaring granite peaks, glacial lakes, and rugged mountain ranges. Trek the El Chaltén in Argentina, with Mount Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre framing reflective turquoise waters and continuous peaks.

Visit penguin colonies in the Patagonian fjords along Chile's Pacific coastline and take in ice-capped volcanoes and a chance to capture a picture of the endangered Southern Andean deer at the iconic Cerro Castillo peak.

Learn more: Patagonia Travel Guide • Patagonia Tours & Vacations

With the combination of terrestrial and marine landscapes, unique wildlife, and diverse ecosystems, the Komodo National Park in Indonesia presents a destination of rugged hillsides, tropical dry forests, and sheer cliffs.

Even though Komodo National Park brushes against miles of shoreline, this UNESCO World Heritage Site boasts panoramic vistas from Padar Island, offering views over tri-colored beaches, dramatic coasts, and a jagged landscape, turning it into an elaborate non-beach vacation destination.

You can spend time familiarizing yourself with the unique wildlife in the park, including the iconic Komodo dragon, powerful water buffalos, and the intriguing green junglefowl. Off the coast, you can find a brilliant marine world where turtles, dugongs, and reef sharks play in crystal-clear turquoise waters.

Learn more: 7 Best National Parks in Indonesia

An undeniably beautiful city, Chefchaouen stands out as a picturesque marvel of blue-washed architecture set in undulating surroundings. Known as the Blue Pearl of Morocco, the entire medina, or old town, is painted in varying shades of blue, creating a dreamlike scene.

Hanging flowerpots add color to the walls of the azure streets. Each corner offers a photogenic landscape, while the Bab Souk bazaar displays colorful pashminas, kaftans, and carpets, offering a warm tint to the cool surroundings.

The nearby Rif Mountains provide a majestic backdrop to the Blue City, with the Akchour Waterfalls painting a flowing picture of natural beauty. Other distinctive sites include the Bridge of God, a natural rock arch in the Rif mountain range, a popular hiking spot.

Learn more: Morocco Travel Guide • Morocco Tours & Vacations

With its exceptional preservation of medieval architecture visible in a collection of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque buildings, Český Krumlov is a truly captivating destination. Mostly unchanged since the 19th century, its historic center was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992.

Boasting a central 13th-century castle complex, the city has a fairy-tale-like appearance. The castle sits atop a rocky promontory, offering views over the surrounding town. The historic center holds an impressive 300 protected monuments and beautifully preserved medieval streets.

Český Krumlov is located on the banks of the winding Vltava River, with lush surrounding countryside and undulating landscapes. The destination can be enjoyed throughout the year, with concerts such as the Chamber Music Festival or illumination displays at the Light Park event taking place in this iconic Eastern European gem.

Learn more: Czech Republic Tours & Vacations

Some of the most beautiful places in the world offer a combination of outstanding natural beauty, touches of rich heritage, and a space that serves as the ideal playground for unforgettable experiences

From the serene landscapes of New Zealand to the thundering Victoria Falls and the quaint alpine village of Hallstatt, diverse beauty is only an adventure away. Take a look at our trips of a lifetime for more examples of breathtaking destinations or travel inspiration.