17 Breathtaking Natural Places to Experience Before You Die
If you are a nature lover looking for great landscapes and relaxing getaways, this guide is for you. Here, we will introduce you to some of the most stunning spots across the globe that you'll love as a nature lover.
From misty rainforests to dramatic mountain ranges, there are plenty of incredible destinations around the globe you have to see. While many iconic landmarks like the Grand Canyon or Yellowstone National Park in the United States are undeniably beautiful, this piece focuses on locations beyond the national treasures we all know and love.
If you want to spend more time outdoors and see the world, here are the most breathtaking destinations every nature lover must visit.
1. Oulanka National Park, Finland
Oulanka National Park is a beautiful mixture of all the wonders created by nature: dense pine forests, winding rivers with sandy banks and rapids, and vast bogs with swamps in its northern parts.
With its varied landscapes, you can enjoy many activities in the area that will leave you craving more. For instance, you can ski, hike, canoe, and cycle. You are also allowed to pick some berries and mushrooms. However, if you want to hunt or fish in the area, you need to get a license for that.
2. Gros Morne, Newfoundland, Canada
Gros Morne is a UNESCO World Heritage Site park that you can find in Western Newfoundland. The park allows you to see small coastal communities, forests, fjords, striking sea cliffs, and scenic coastlines. You’ll also come across open lowlands, bogs, and moose.
Gros Morne is known for its unique geology, with the Tablelands, a flat-topped mountain of rock that you'd normally find underground. Enjoy activities like hiking, camping, canoeing, and kayaking. If camping isn’t your style, there are plenty of cozy cabins and cottages to rent.
3. Dominica, Caribbean
Known as the “Nature Island of the Caribbean,” Dominica is every nature enthusiast's dream. The green scenic countryside is full of volcanic hot springs, natural mud baths, rivers, waterfalls, untouched rainforests, and swimming holes.
You can visit Black Sand Beach, a sanctuary for leatherback, hawksbill, and green turtles. If you’re lucky, you may be greeted by a school of sperm whales underwater while snorkeling or diving.
4. Swiss Alps Mountains, Switzerland
The Swiss Alps Mountains in Switzerland feature some of the most breathtaking scenery you will ever lay your eyes on. Here, you can walk through lush valleys, where you'll find colorful wildflowers and breathtaking views.
Its most famous peak is the Matterhorn, which is almost 15,000 feet high. The Matterhorn straddles the Swiss-Italian border and has the highest summit in Switzerland. To ease the climb, take a cable car from the charming car-free village of Zermatt.
5. Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands
Virgin Gorda has everything you need for a tropical retreat. It's famous for The Baths, which are giant granite boulders, where you can go between the giant stones and find stunning sheltered sea pools, perfect for taking a splash. You can also head to Devil's Bay, a great spot to swim and snorkel.
The North Sound, on the northeast shore, is a large water sports center. Additionally, Gorda Peak National Park offers hiking paths where you can see Christmas orchids, bromeliads, and hummingbirds.
6. Durmitor Mountain Range, Montenegro
Another worthy destination is the Durmitor Mountain Range in Montenegro. This national park extends east along the Tara River, offering outstanding scenes.
The dramatic landscape, chiseled by water and ice into limestone, is made up of nearly 15 peaks over 6,600 feet (2,000 meters) in height. It contains three beautiful canyons, and the wild Tara River has one of Europe's deepest gorges.
7. Seljalandsfoss, Iceland
A land of captivating natural attractions, Iceland often tops the list of places to rediscover nature. While here, visit Seljalandsfoss, one of the most photographed waterfalls in Iceland. It lies close to the southern coast, around two hours drive from Reykjavik, and falls nearly 200 feet (60 meters) down to a pool below.
Head to the back of the waterfall to enjoy the soothing mist and the magic experience. Do be careful as you walk the trail, as it can be slippery, narrow, and steep. As you get wet from the spray, bring waterproof gear for both you and any (camera) equipment that you plan to bring.
8. 300 Islands, Palau
Palau is another great spot to visit if you love nature. It consists of several islands in the western Pacific Ocean that feature some of the world's best diving and snorkeling spots.
They are also home to the world's first shark sanctuary, which covers 242,858 square miles and is approximately the size of France. The remnants of ancient coral reefs, the Rock Islands, are made up of 445 islands in Palau’s southern lagoon. Fun fact: This destination gained fame through the show Survivor: Palau!
9. Williams Lake, British Columbia
Another nature destination to visit is Williams Lake in British Columbia. It’s in the Cariboo region and offers stunning views of the wilderness framed by towering mountains.
At Williams Lake, you can enjoy various activities such as swimming, fishing, and boating in its crystal-clear waters. Besides that, you can also hike or bike through its trails and enjoy breathtaking views of the lake and its rugged landscape.
10. Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
If you love nature, don’t miss Lake Atitlan in Guatemala. Alexander von Humboldt, a German explorer and naturalist, named it the most beautiful lake in the world in his 1934 travel book Beyond the Mexique Bay.
Lake Atitlan is surrounded by three lovely volcanoes in the Guatemalan Highlands within the Sierra Madre mountain range. The place is perfect for yoga and meditation and offers activities like kayaking, hiking, and biking.
11. Lake Bohinj, Slovenia
When you think of Slovenia, you might think of the world-famous Lake Blade. However, Lake Bohinj, the largest natural lake in Slovenia, is only 40 minutes away and also deserves to be on your itinerary.
Lake Bohinj offers a peaceful wilderness experience with various shades of green in every direction. Northeast of Lake Bohinj, near the Stara Fuzina, is the lovely turquoise Mostinica River, which runs through an incredible gorge with waterfalls.
12. Azores, Portugal
Situated in the middle of the Atlantic, some 850 miles from the Portuguese mainland, beautiful nature can be found in the Azores. The archipelago has green valleys, waterfalls, dramatic cliffs, and beautiful blue hydrangea flowers.
You can soak in natural hot springs, hike, watch whales, and enjoy good food. Taste some exotic fruits and fresh seafood with a special sample of a stew made from pork, beef, and vegetables, steamed underground with geothermal heat from the volcanic islands.
13. Istria, Croatia
Croatia's Istrian Peninsula is undoubtedly beautiful, with romantic waterfalls like Sopot near Floricici. At a height of 30 meters (98 feet), the Sopot waterfall has dense forests, caves, and varied flora and fauna. Bird watchers will enjoy Palm Cove, an ornithological park that hosts 220 bird species.
The best sea view is from Sacred Rock on Verudela in Pula. On the opposite end of the county is another hilltop village, Opaltaj, where you can see olive groves, vineyards, and forests. Oprtalj has a view often likened to Tuscany but without the touristy feel.
14. Aran Island, Ireland
Ireland’s Aran Island is another nature spot you should not miss. This destination is made up of three islands: Inishmore, Inishmaan, and Inisheer. To reach it, take the ferry from Rossaveal or Doolin.
Here, you’ll find magnificent landscapes, beaches that look like they come from the Caribbean, stone walls, ancient places, and rare flowers in the late spring and early summer. Among the three islands, Inisheer is the quietest and smallest, so you can enjoy it in complete silence.
15. Disko Bay, Greenland
One of the most mysterious and remote places on Earth is Greenland, and Disko Bay gives a glimpse into its untouched beauty. You'll come across huge icebergs, picturesque coastal towns, and plenty of wildlife, including humpback whales and seals.
It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for the mighty sound of breaking-off glaciers (also called calving). The view here is truly phenomenal, so make to visit Greenland at least once.
16. Faroe Islands, Denmark
The Faroe Islands is a group of small islands founded between Iceland and the Shetland Islands. They are known for their wild coastlines, puffins, and grass-roofed homes, but the Mulafossur Waterfall might be its most iconic sight. It spills over the rocky cliffs of Vágar Island, close to the very small village of Gásadalur.
This forms one of the most beautiful vistas you will ever encounter. Nature lovers will enjoy discovering the Faroe Islands with their stacks, waterfalls, dramatic gorges, and cliffs. You can also watch puffins in this area.
17. Asturias, Spain
Very few tourists outside Spain are familiar with Asturias in the northwest. It’s a well-kept secret of Spain with its stunning mountain peaks, alpine lakes, waterfalls, and silent beaches.
You can take a scenic hike at the Covadonga Lakes and the Picos de Europas. As for beach-goers, drop by the Playa del Toro at Llanes, which has bizarre rocky formations, and the Playa de las Catedrales, with its natural stone arches that resemble a cathedral at low tide.
