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2019's Most Instagrammable Destinations

By The Editors on October 01, 2019

The 2019 Legend Awards

© Tim Snell/Getty Images

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Luxury travelers aren’t just doing it for the ‘gram—but that doesn’t mean they’re opposed to sharing their scenic travels on social media. There’s a reason that Instagram is the staple social medium of the travel community. Travel is visual. Travel is bright colors and otherworldly vistas and the outfit you’ve been saving to debut on your next trip to Paris. Travel is photographing local food and drink, the ornate fixtures of a hotel room, and how golden hour transforms a city.

So what makes an Instagrammable destination? While this is, to a certain extent, subjective, there are certainly cities around the world that come off especially well—it’s in their architecture, distinctive hues, and culture that’s especially worth capturing. This year's honorees are known for their street art, mosaic inspo, intricate architecture, and—of course—colorful row houses. And these are the photogenic destinations that aren’t quite overrun with Instagrammers; There are still plenty of spots you can ‘gram before the rest if you know where to look.

These are our most Instagrammable Legend Award honorees:

 
tawatchaiprakobkit/Getty Images

Chiang Mai, Thailand

To start, the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary in Chiang Mai is both unforgettable and an Instagram essential. Beyond that, Chiang Mai’s beauty is intricate and timeless; be sure to capture a sunrise from Doi Inthanon National Park and shots of the Silver Temple and Wat Ratchamonthian.

Extreme Photographer/Getty Images

The Cayman Islands

Instagramming The Cayman Islands is all about the caves and the coves. A sunset at Seven Mile Beach is one of the most colorful you’ll find. The Cayman Crystal Caves, in addition to being good, alliterative fun, are wildly scenic, and Smith Cove is the perfect backdrop for your beach shot.

 

Jim Schwabel/Getty Images

Bermuda

Bermuda is a point-and-click hub if ever there was one. Between the colorful, charming streets in St. George and the pink sand and jagged rocks at Jobson’s Cove, the entire island is truly photo-ready.

Sean Pavone/Getty Images

Palm Beach, Florida

Palm tree-lined streets in Palm Beach tend to make a perfect Instagram shot—especially if you’re cycling through them on a colorful beach-cruiser. A stop at the Turquoise Wall, on Peruvian Avenue, is also an Instagram essential in Palm Beach.

Den Belitsky/Getty Images

Zanzibar, Tanzania

The first rule of Instagram in Zanzibar is to rise early—because the sunrises are unreal, and the island looks beautiful right as it’s waking up. Visiting Stone Town is also essential for any photographer—amateur or professional. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Stone Town has Instagram detail for days, from the narrow streets to the unique doorways made mostly of carved wood. Still on the rise as a photogenic destination, now is the time to head to Zanzibar to experience the wonders of Darajani Market and Old Fort.

Pakin Songmor/Getty Images

Strasbourg, France

Arguably the unsung Instagram hero of France, this quintessential town will yield all the photo results you crave—and then some. You’ll want to capture Le Parc de L’Orangerie, Strasbourg Cathedral, and Petite France’s house—which is the famous little house on the island, you can’t miss it. Revel in the mosaic Instagram glory at Les Boutiques de l’Aubette and remember that the best vantage point for photographing La Petite France is from the front of La Corde à Linge restaurant.

Ken Welsh/Getty Images

Porto, Portugal

We can, of course, tell you that the best views in Porto are from Porto’s Cathedral or the nearly adjacent Fernandina’s Wall. But the Instagram splendor of Porto is really all about the tile. The Tile Wall, by Joana Vasconcelos is a must-visit, as is the blue-and-white-tile facade of Igreja do Carmo. And of course, you’ll want to visit Livraria Lello, the stunning library that was supposedly an inspiration spot for J.K. Rowling when writing Harry Potter.

Gavin Hellier/Getty Images

Singapore

If Crazy Rich Asians taught us anything, it’s that Singapore looks amazing on camera—and it’s even better in person. Of course, there are the obvious Instagram stops, like Gardens by the Bay (and Cloud Forest, within the gardens). But you'll also want to pop next door to visit the ArtScience Museum—and snap a picture in the Future World exhibit.

 

Denis Tangney Jr/Getty Images

Old Québec City, Québec, Canada

Old Québec City is one of those destinations that feels like Europe without crossing the Atlantic. For striking architecture, The Dauphine Redoubt is part of the fort surrounding the old city—so that’s a good place to start. Photographing the whole city from Bastion-de-la-Reine is also a must—it gets you a stunning view of Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, the Daufferin Terrace, and the St. Lawrence River. And for the classic European street photo, the best options are Rue Couillard and Rue du Sault-au-Matelot.

Baloncici/Getty Images

Hong Kong

The street art capital, Hong Kong is a photographer’s paradise. For a full street art tour, start at Shing Wong Street, visit Elgin Street, and admire the brightly colored steps of Public Square Street. Perhaps the most recognizable mural in Hong Kong is Alex Croft’s Hollywood Road townhouses, commissioned for the adjacent GOD Store.

 

Gonzalo Ruiz Calavera/EyeEm/Getty Images

Naoshima, Japan

Welcome to the Japanese island known for its art collections. From Yayoi Kusama’s famous pumpkin installation at Benesse House Art Site to the Art House Project, installations are all around on this Seto Inland Sea island.

Danita Delimont/Getty Images

Havana, Cuba

Start in Old Havana, a UNESCO World Heritage site, home to four charming-but-regal squares. Photograph the Carribean Sea from El Cristo, the Afro-Cuban culmination Callejon de Hamel, and the iconic Cuba sign at Hotel Nacional.

Elizabeth M. Ruggiero/Getty Images

Greenland

The world’s largest island has the arctic attractions photographers dream of. The contrast of the colorful houses, dark oceans, and bright white glaciers will stun the senses. Kangerlussuaq sees 300 clear nights, making this one of the most likely places for you to secure a photo of the Northern Lights in action. The wildlife also begs to be photographed, whether you’re capturing your vantage point while riding a dog sled or you’re scouting fjords for whales, seals, and walruses to surface.

 

Brandon Rosenblum/Getty Images

Cartagena, Colombia

The walled city is overwhelmingly photogenic, to the extent that it would take a novel to describe every spot. One of the best spots to take an iconic street photo is right outside Abaco Libros y Cafe—grab some coffee while you’re there. For one of the most scenic alleyways beyond the walled city, try Calle 37.

orpheus26/Getty Images

Florence, Italy

There are, of course, the classic Florence overlooks that make for an iconic Italian ‘gram, like the view from Piazzale Michelangelo. But one of the under-the-radar best photography spots in Florence is the more hip, less touristy Santo Spirito neighborhood. The Bardini Gardens are a photogenic and quieter alternative to the Boboli Gardens. And for the icing on the cake of your Florence photo tour, take to the markets, like Mercato Centrale and San Lorenzo Market.

Chris Coe/Design Pics/Getty Images

Buenos Aires, Argentina

The colorful houses of el Caminito deserve a timeline photo, as does the Frida Khalo mural. For a solo shot, visit Palacio Barolo at sunset—if Buenos Aires is the Paris of South America, the view from the lighthouse is Champ de Mars.

Daniel Frauchiger/Getty Images

Abu Dhabi, UAE

The Abu Dhabi architecture is remarkable, between the Shaikh Zayed Mosque, the Louvre Museum, and Emirates Palace. For the classic desert dunes picture, visit Liwa Oasis and for your obligatory shopping 'gram, head to Abu Dhabi Carpet Souk.

Sean PavonePhoto/Getty Images

Charleston, South Carolina

The photogenic South Carolina town might be on its way to Instagram fame, between Rainbow Row and the iconic pink Mills House. For other crucial Instagram spots in Charleston, visit the French Huguenot Church, Zero George Street Hotel, and Dock Street Theatre, which dates back to 1736.

AnetteAndersen/Getty Images

Chefchaouen, Morocco

The Blue Pearl of Morocco is a city of pure color, from their oft-Instagrammed Callejon El Asri to the Blue Street (though, don’t be fooled by this title, because there are a great many blue streets). Visit El Ouahabi House to see the famous yellow-tiled stairs. Beyond that, you won't need an Instagram guide to this city because every door seemingly merits a picture.

 


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