The most beautiful places in the world continue to surprise us—it feels like every day we come across a new tropical island or mountainous national park that filters into our daydreams. This list proves just how staggering that variety is: We’re talking shimmering glaciers and otherworldly deserts, dense rainforests and colorful lakes, sky-high mountains and plains carpeted with wildflowers. These incredible landscapes stretch across every continent, so you may feel a bit overwhelmed when deciding to go first. Should you unwind on a quiet Southeast Asian beach, or ride over the red dunes of Namibia? Are you craving a leisurely vacation in Lake Como, or something more adventurous in Brazil? Do you want to go somewhere far-flung, or hop on a quick flight to the Caribbean? Because one lifetime isn’t nearly enough to see every natural wonder, we’ve done the hard work and narrowed down our list to the 50 most beautiful places in the world. From Greenland’s icy expanse to the Grand Canyon’s vast red walls, your next favorite view is waiting below.
This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.