The renowned travel magazine, Lonely Planet, has published a ranking of the most awe-inspiring landscapes on Earth. In this article, we will explore the top five winners—places that are truly worth seeing at least once in a lifetime
Grand Canyon (US)
The Grand Canyon is one of the world's most majestic natural wonders, astonishing visitors with its colossal size and stunning landscapes. Stretching 446 km, this massive rift in the Earth's crust plunges to a depth of 1,800 m, revealing breathtaking views of layered rock formations shaped over millions of years. Their surfaces shimmer in hues ranging from ochre and gold to deep purple. Sunlight plays across the rugged terrain, creating a mesmerizing interplay of light and shadow that turns the canyon into a masterpiece of nature.
Salar de Uyuni (Bolivia)
Salar de Uyuni, the largest salt flat on Earth, spans over 10,000 square km. After rainfall, its surface transforms into an endless mirror, reflecting the sky and creating surreal optical illusions. In the dry season, this vast, snow-white expanse resembles a frozen desert stretching to the horizon. The unique landscape is further enhanced by geothermal springs, geysers, and bizarre rock formations. One of the most striking features is Incahuasi Island, covered in giant cacti that are several hundred years old.
Victoria Falls (Zambia and Zimbabwe)
Victoria Falls is Africa’s most spectacular natural wonder, renowned for its sheer power and grandeur. The roaring water plunges from a height of 108 m, creating an awe-inspiring spectacle. Fine mist rises into the air, shrouding the surroundings in an almost mystical fog. This immense cascade on the Zambezi River holds the record for the world’s largest curtain of falling water, with its thunderous roar audible from kilometers away. Stretching 1.7 km wide, the falls merge into a single, continuous water sheet during the rainy season, earning them the local name "The Smoke That Thunders."
Vatnajökull National Park (Iceland)
Covering 14% of Iceland’s territory, Vatnajökull is the largest national park in Europe. It encompasses the massive Vatnajökull Glacier, the biggest ice cap outside the polar regions. Beneath its thick ice, ancient mountain ranges and active volcanoes remain hidden. However, the park’s most breathtaking sights are its ice caves, concealed beneath the glacier’s frozen rivers. Their walls form mesmerizing shapes, while the shifting light inside creates stunning shades of blue, turning these natural formations into magical underground palaces.
Kong Lor Cave (Laos)
Kong Lor is one of Laos’s most extraordinary hidden gems, nestled in the heart of Khammouane Province. This magnificent karst cave extends 7.5 km deep into Phou Hin Bun National Park. Inside, the Nam Hin Bun River carves its way through limestone mountains, unveiling a world untouched by sunlight. Visitors are greeted by a mesmerizing underground landscape: shimmering calcite crystals, frozen waterfalls, and surreal rock formations that resemble mythical creatures.