13 Surreal Landscapes From Around the World That You Must See To Believe

In a world filled with natural beauty, some landscapes stand out as truly surreal, almost otherworldly. These places offer incredible beauty and unique opportunities to capture striking photo that stand out.

Here’s a list of 13 surreal landscapes from around the world that will leave you in awe and inspire your next adventure.

1. Lake Natron, Tanzania

Lake Natron, located in northern Tanzania, is unlike any other lake in the world. The high levels of salt and alkalinity give the water a striking red hue. This eerie landscape is complemented by countless flamingos that gather here, giving photographers an extraordinary subject in a surreal setting.

📆 The Best Time to Visit

Visit during the dry season from June to October when the flamingos flock to the lake, providing the best photo opportunities.

2. Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

Salar de Uyuni, the world’s largest salt flat, is an endless stretch of white, hexagonal salt tiles that looks like a scene straight out of a dream. Located in southwest Bolivia, this landscape transforms into a massive mirror during the rainy season, reflecting the sky and creating an incredible, infinite horizon that is difficult to put into words.

📆 The Best Time to Visit

For the mirror effect, visit during the rainy season from November to April. For a more traditional salt flat experience, the dry season from May to October is ideal.

3. Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland

The Giant’s Causeway, located on the coast of Northern Ireland, is a geological wonder made up of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns. These hexagonal stones create a natural, mystical pathway that seems designed by giants.

📆 The Best Time to Visit

Summer months from June to August offer the best weather and light for photography, though it can be crowded. Early morning visits provide a quieter experience.

4. Maranhenses National Park, Brazil

Imagine endless rolling sand dunes interrupted by crystal-clear lagoons. Located in northeastern Brazil, Maranhenses National Park features a unique desert-meets-lagoon landscape that forms after the rainy season. It’s a perfect playground for photographers seeking unique contrasts between sand and water.

📆 The Best Time to Visit

The best time is from May to September, right after the rainy season when the lagoons are full and the landscape is at its most vibrant.

5. Rainbow Mountain, Peru

Rainbow Mountain, or Vinicunca, in Peru is a dazzling display of multi-colored stripes running across its peaks. The natural mineral deposits give the mountain its unique palette of red, yellow, green, and purple, making it a must-see for photographers and nature lovers.

📆 The Best Time to Visit

The dry season from May to September offers clear skies and the best conditions for hiking and photography.

6. Pamukkale, Turkey

Pamukkale, meaning “Cotton Castle” in Turkish, is a surreal landscape of white calcium terraces filled with mineral-rich thermal waters. Located in southwestern Turkey, these terraces cascade down the hillside, creating a stunning visual effect mimicking a frozen waterfall.

📆 The Best Time to Visit

Visit during spring (April to June) and autumn (September to November) for pleasant weather and fewer crowds.

7. The Wave, USA

The Wave, located in Arizona’s Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness, is a mesmerizing sandstone formation that looks like a frozen wave of swirling colors. Its undulating patterns and vibrant hues make it a dream destination for photographers.

Note: You need a permit to hike to The Wave, and a limited number of permits are given out for each day, so you’ll need to plan ahead.

📆 The Best Time to Visit

Spring and autumn offer the most comfortable temperatures for hiking and photography. Note that a permit is required to visit.

8. Socotra Island, Yemen

Socotra Island, often called the “Galápagos of the Indian Ocean,” boasts a unique landscape filled with endemic flora and fauna. The island’s most iconic feature is the Dragon’s Blood Tree, which looks like a giant mushroom and bleeds red sap.

📆 The Best Time to Visit

Visit from October to April when the weather is cooler, and the flora is at its most vibrant.

9. Danakil Depression, Ethiopia

The Danakil Depression in Ethiopia is one of the hottest and most alien landscapes on Earth. It features sulfur springs, salt flats, and bubbling lava lakes, creating a vivid, other-worldly environment that’s both harsh and beautiful.

📆 The Best Time to Visit

The cooler months from November to March are the best for visiting this extreme landscape.

10. Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, China

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in China is famous for its towering sandstone pillars that inspired the floating mountains in the movie “Avatar.” These dramatic formations are often covered in mist, adding to the park’s mystical feel, and creating spectacular photo opportunities.

📆 The Best Time to Visit

Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) offer mild weather.

11. White Desert, Egypt

The White Desert, located in Egypt’s Western Desert, is a surreal landscape filled with chalk rock formations sculpted by wind and sand into bizarre shapes. The stark white contrast against the golden sands creates a visually stunning scene.

📆 The Best Time to Visit

Visit during the cooler months from October to March.

12. Sossusvlei, Namibia

Sossusvlei in Namibia is home to some of the highest sand dunes in the world. The deep red dunes set against the stark white salt pans and dead camelthorn trees create a surreal and hauntingly beautiful landscape.

📆 The Best Time to Visit

The cooler months from May to September are ideal.

13. Mù Cang Chải, Vietnam

Mù Cang Chải in northern Vietnam is famous for its terraced rice fields that cascade down the mountainside. During the growing season, the terraces turn lush green, creating a stunning, layered landscape perfect for photography.

📆 The Best Time to Visit

Visit in September and October when the rice terraces are at their most vibrant. The harvest season brings golden hues to the landscape.

Which One Will You Visit First?

Each of these surreal landscapes offers a unique blend of natural beauty and photographic opportunities. Whether you’re an avid nature photographer or a travel enthusiast, these destinations promise unforgettable experiences and stunning visuals.