Top 9 destinations every travel photographer should visit
Learning how to become a travel photographer is the first step. Knowing where to go is the second. In this article, I’m sharing some of the best destinations every travel photographer should visit.
Key Takeaways
Nature lovers should visit Valle De Cocora, Kotor and Puerto Escondido for travel photography.
It’s often a good idea to travel out of season for a more unique experience.
For culture and history, Panama City and Istanbul are perfect destinations for travel photographers.
The best destinations every travel photographer should visit
I wanted to avoid sharing destinations you’ve all heard of before. Milan, Paris et al. I’ll note I have done travel photography in each of the destinations I’m sharing. I’ve also aimed to offer a blend of different destination types including coastal, nature and city vibes. I’ll break them down into more detail as to why they’re the best destinations for travel photographers.
Valle de Cocora, Colombia
Puerto Escondido, Mexico
Istanbul, Turkey
Caye Caulker, Belize
Jaipur, India
Kotor, Montenegro
Prizren, Kosovo
Gothenburg, Sweden
Panama City, Panama
Valle de Cocora, Colombia
Located in the Quindio region of Colombia, Valle De Cocora is home to some of the most beautiful nature in Latin America. It’s filled with rows upon rows of Wax Palm trees, giving travel photographers the opportunity to create an array of beautiful vibrant images that make people say “I want to go there!”.
The national park is located around 30 minutes from Salento. With a population of less than 10,000 people the Colombian town is a great opportunity to capture some authentic Latin American culture. Like most Pueblo’s in the country it’s full of vibrant streets that sit amongst a sea of nature.
Valle De Cocora is also part of the coffee region too. You can take tours and photograph the coffee making process. If you’re concerned about your safety in Colombia, check out my article that answers the question: is Colombia dangerous for street photography?
Where on the map?
Puerto Escondido, Mexico
I’m fortunate enough to have explored many parts of Mexico. If there’s one place that’s remained in my heart it’s Puerto Escondido. Unlike Cancun and Playa Del Carmen, Puerto Escondido has not been modernized for western tourists. Instead the beach line is full of nature and small wooden huts.
It’s famous for being a surfing town and if you wake up early enough, you can get awesome photographs of surfers doing their thing underneath the morning sun. Make sure to take a telephoto lens so you can keep a safe distance from the morning waves.
Puerto Escondido’s stand out attraction is its sunsets. I spent a month there and not once did I see a cloudy sky. Just thirty consistent days of clear, mesmerizing sunsets. Many people come out to watch, so it’s a great opportunity to do some candid photography as well.
Where on the map?
Istanbul, Turkey
For me, Istanbul is the best city for street photography. Its allure also extends to travel photography. From bustling street markets to incredible architecture, the largest city in Turkey is home to so much diversity - perfect for storytelling in travel photography.
The city is divided across two continents: Europe and Asia. This gives you the opportunity to experience different cultures in the space of a single city. Both are easily accessible too as Istanbul is home to one of the best metro’s I have used - and I’ve used a lot.
For a traditional experience, I recommend checking out Uskudar. Of course, the Grand Bazar is a must as well. The Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque and the Blue Mosque are also sights to behold after sunrise and perfect for image making. Be sure to visit one of the nearby rooftop bars for amazing views and a delicious cup of Turkish coffee.
Where on the map?
Caye Caulker, Belize
If you like island life you will love Caye Caulker. If you don’t you will if you visit Caye Caulker. There are no cars or buses on the island. Just bikes and golf buggies, which is an intriguing sight in itself.
The main event is the beautiful turquoise waters better known as the Caribbean Sea. If you want to add some underwater photography to your travel photography portfolio, you’re in the right place. It’s a popular spot for scuba diving and an excellent chance to add some unique photography to your galleries.
The vibe in Caye Caulker made me fall in love with the Caribbean island. Everyone is in good spirits and having the time of their life, which is perfect for positive, energetic photography. By the way, if you like the above photograph, you can purchase it via The Guardian.
Where on the map?
Jaipur, India
India is one of the best destinations for travel photography. From the intense hustle and bustle of New Delhi to the more relaxed vibes of Kerala. However, it was Jaipur that really stood out to me.
The capital of Rajasthan is better known as the pink city. That’s because of the beautiful architecture that gives the city a tone of pink, making it extremely attractive on the eye.
You can reach Jaipur by train from New Delhi. I recommend doing so as the train journey is a tourist attraction in itself and a wonderful opportunity to add to your travel photographs. Try to avoid going in April like I did. The temperatures were at their highest making it hard to do a full day of travel photography.
Where on the map?
Kotor, Montenegro
Montenegro is one of the most underrated places on earth. Throughout my seven years of traveling the world, seldom do I receive recommendations for the Eastern European nation - I’m perplexed as to why.
The main reason to visit Montenegro is the Bay of Kotor. It’s made up of beautiful spots like Perast and Kotor. Also, eight miles on the other side you’ll find Tivat. I personally walked from Tivat to Kotor and it gave me one of the best photographic experiences of my life.
I went in February. This meant plenty of snow capped mountains, beautiful calm waters and hardly any people. It’s the perfect time to get some landscape images for your travel photography and fill your gallery with chilling blue tones, which I personally love.
Where on the map?
Prizren, Kosovo
Due to the major conflicts in the late 20th century, Kosovo was a no-go zone for many travel photographers. It still carries a lot of that stigma today, although it’s slowly becoming a known spot for tourists.
Priezren’s architecture still shows signs of the Ottoman Empire. Personally I found viewing the buildings from high view points made for the most compelling travel photographs. There’s also something magical about hearing the evening call for prayer as the sun begins to cast shadows on the mosques and local houses.
Despite its past, Kosovo is completely safe, especially Prizren. It’s multicultural in terms of religions and almost everyone respects each other. I’m certain after one visit you will return home with an eclectic mix of travel photography that you will cherish for the rest of your days.
Where on the map?
Gothenburg, Sweden
There was a time when I had to travel on a smaller budget. The reason I went to Gothenburg in the first place was because I could get a return flight from London for less than $40. I’m extremely glad I did.
Now, the central part of the city isn’t the most picturesque. However, the surrounding lakes provided me with some of the most peaceful and tranquil moments of my life. I took a beautiful walk down to Lake Delsjön. People were sparse and it felt like the earth’s nature belonged to me. It was the perfect Scandinavian experience.
South of the city is Sjöbacken. It is a 40 minute bus ride from the center and it’s full of abandoned nature. I found boats and bikes left behind from the peak season, which I thought was captivating and very enjoyable to photograph.
Where on the map?
Panama City, Panama
I must confess, on my first visit, I did not fall in love with Panama City. However, the second time I went I found it to be an intriguing place for travel photography. First off it’s one of the best destinations to create cityscapes. Perfect for panoramic prints if that’s your style.
Casco Viejo is the city’s old town and this is where you will find most of the action. You can blend street photography with travel photography and photograph both tourists and locals. The architecture has the presence of colonial times, offering a different aesthetic in comparison to the rest of the city.
Panama City also has the main port to the Panama canal. Huge cargo ships enter the canal on a daily basis and this can make for some fascinating photographs. To be transparent, I personally did not make it to the canal due to time constraints. However, many of my friends who are travel photographers recommend it as a must see destination.
Where on the map?
Signing off
Now you know some of the best destinations every travel photographer should visit, it’s time to book your trip. Of course, you can go in any order, however if you can’t visit them all, I say make Istanbul and Kotor your priorities. They’re two of my favorite places on earth.
Naturally, this selection is built on opinion and not fact. With that, I’d love to know some of your favorite places for travel photography. Let me know in the comments. Thanks for reading.
FAQs
What does a travel photographer do?
A travel photographer tells photographic stories of the places they visit. Their job can be to educate people about different cultures or work for travel agencies.
Who is the most famous travel photographer?
After his world renowned image “Afghan Girl”, Steve McCurry went on to become the most famous travel photographer in the world.
Can you make a living as a travel photographer?
Absolutely. Although the market is more saturated than ever, it’s possible to earn an income by working for travel magazines, selling prints and photobooks, plus through creating a personal photographic blog.
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