There are places on this Earth that look so otherworldly that it’s hard to believe they’re actually real. From eerie deserts to snow-capped mountains, these landscapes are like something out of a science fiction movie. Whether you’re looking for a holiday trip with the family or crave a unique experience, you’ll want to add these top destinations to your travel bucket list. Here are 7 of the most otherworldly places on Earth, according to travelers and photographers from around the world.
Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone National Park, USA
One of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States, Yellowstone National Park is home to some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. The Grand Prismatic Spring is one of the park’s most iconic attractions. The spring is 121 feet deep and gets its vibrant colors from the different types of bacteria that live in the water.
Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
The world’s largest salt flat, Salar de Uyuni, is a must-see for any traveler to Bolivia. The vast landscape is covered in a layer of sparkling white salt that stretches as far as the eye can see. The salt flat becomes a giant mirror that reflects the sky above and is the result of thousands of years of evaporated seawater.
Namib Naukluft Park, Namibia
Namib Naukluft Park is one of the largest national parks in Africa and is home to some of the most stunning landscapes on the continent. The park’s Namib Desert is famous for its red dunes, which contrast sharply with the blue sky above. The desert is also home to a variety of wildlife, including desert giraffe, springbok, and black rhinos.
Lake Hillier, Australia
Lake Hillier is a pink-colored lake located on Middle Island, off the coast of Western Australia. The unique color of the lake is due to the high concentration of Dunaliella salina in the water, which creates a red hue when it reflects the sunlight. While the lake is only a few meters deep, its vibrant color is visible from space.
Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland
Vatnajökull National Park is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Iceland. The park is home to a variety of landscapes, including glaciers, waterfalls, and black sandy beaches. One of the most popular attractions in the park is the Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon, where huge chunks of ice float in a bright blue lake.
The Eye of the Sahara, Mauritania
The Eye of the Sahara, also known as the Richat Structure, is a geological formation in the desert of Mauritania. The structure is nearly 40 kilometers in diameter and resembles an eye when seen from above. It’s thought to be the result of a meteorite impact or an ancient volcano.
Socotra, Yemen
Socotra is an archipelago of four islands located in the Arabian Sea, off the coast of Yemen. The island is home to various unique plants and animals, many of which are found nowhere else in the world. Socotra is also famous for its dramatic landscapes, including cliffs, caves, and beaches.