Europe offers an incredible array of photogenic destinations, from ancient villages to dramatic natural landscapes.
Whether you’re a professional photographer or simply love capturing beautiful scenes, here are some of the most photogenic places in Europe.
25 Most Photogenic Places in Europe
The 25 European locations listed below provide extraordinary visual opportunities that will fill your camera roll with unforgettable images.
1. Santorini, Greece
Santorini stands out as one of the most Instagrammable places in Europe with its iconic white buildings topped with blue domes.
The villages of Oia and Fira offer the classic postcard views, especially during sunset when the whitewashed buildings glow in golden light.
Visitors can explore ancient ruins at Akrotiri, swim in volcanic beaches with distinctive black, red, or white sand, tour local wineries, and sail around the caldera.
Further Reading: The Most Beautiful Islands in Greece
2. Venice, Italy
Venice transforms photography with its reflections in the canals with double the visual impact of the colorful historic buildings and bridges.
St. Mark’s Square, the Grand Canal, and countless smaller bridges and canals offer endless framing possibilities.
Activities include gondola rides, visiting St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace, and exploring the islands of Murano and Burano.
3. Hallstatt, Austria
Hallstatt delivers picture-perfect compositions with its wooden houses nestled between mountains and Hallstätter See (lake).
The classic view of the village and its Lutheran church from across the lake appears on countless postcards.
Visitors can tour the world’s oldest salt mine, explore the ice caves in the mountains, take the funicular up to the Hallstatt Skywalk, or boat on the pristine lake.
4. Provence, France
Provence offers an extraordinary palette of colors through its famous lavender fields, sunflower meadows, and ochre cliffs.
Charming villages like Gordes and Roussillon provide character-filled streets and buildings.
Activities include visiting local markets, touring Roman ruins, sampling regional cuisine and wines, and hiking in the Alpilles or Luberon Mountains.
Further Reading: The Most Beautiful Cities in Provence
5. Plitvice Lakes, Croatia
Plitvice stands among the most scenic places in Europe with its system of 16 terraced lakes, joined by waterfalls and cascades.
Wooden walkways allow visitors to get remarkably close to the falls.
This national park offers marked hiking trails of varying difficulties, boat rides across the largest lake, and wildlife viewing opportunities.
Further Reading: The Most Scenic Spots in the World
6. Lake Como, Italy
Lake Como’s visual appeal comes from its charming lakeside towns nestled between crystal-clear waters and towering Alpine mountains.
Bellagio, known as the “Pearl of Lake Como,” sits at the intersection of the lake’s unique Y-shape with colorful buildings cascading down to the water.
Varenna offers medieval charm with its steep winding alleys, while Menaggio’s elegant promenade and pastel-colored buildings create classic Italian scenes.
Historic villas like Villa Balbianello and Villa Carlotta add architectural splendor with their meticulously maintained gardens.
Further Reading: The Most Beautiful Towns in Lake Como
7. Cinque Terre, Italy
The five colorful villages of Cinque Terre cling dramatically to the Italian Riviera’s steep cliffs.
Each village has its own character, with Manarola and Vernazza often considered the most photogenic.
Beyond photography, visitors can sample local seafood, try the region’s white wines, and hike through terraced vineyards.
8. Lofoten Islands, Norway
The Lofoten archipelago combines dramatic mountain peaks, sheltered bays,and picturesque fishing villages with distinctive red cabins.
During summer, the midnight sun creates extended golden hours, while winter offers the chance to photograph the northern lights.
Activities include sea eagle safaris, hiking to viewpoints like Reinebringen, and visiting traditional fishing villages like Reine and Hamnøy.
Further Reading: 20 Most Beautiful Places to Visit
9. Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany
This medieval walled town presents a perfectly preserved slice of medieval Germany with its colorful half-timbered buildings, cobblestone streets, and city walls.
The Market Square and Plönlein (Little Square) with its yellow building and forked road create classic compositions.
Visitors can walk the city walls, visit the Medieval Crime Museum, join the Night Watchman’s Tour, and sample local specialties like Schneeballen (snowball) pastries.
Further Reading: The Most Beautiful Medieval Towns to Visit
10. Isle of Skye, Scotland
Skye offers some of the most beautiful places in Europe with its otherworldly landscapes that feel almost fictional.
The Old Man of Storr rock formation, the Quiraing landslip, the Fairy Pools, and Neist Point lighthouse provide distinctive subjects.
Activities include hiking in the Cuillin Mountains, visiting Dunvegan Castle, and touring local whisky distilleries.
Further Reading: The Most Beautiful Places in the UK
11. Mont Saint-Michel, France
This medieval abbey rises dramatically from a tidal island, creating one of the most distinctive silhouettes in Europe.
Visitors can tour the abbey itself and explore the small village on the island.
12. Faroe Islands, Denmark
This remote archipelago offers raw, untamed landscapes with vertiginous sea cliffs, grass-roofed houses, and dramatic waterfalls.
Lake Sørvágsvatn appears to hover above the ocean in one of the islands’ most famous optical illusions.
Activities include hiking to Kallur Lighthouse on Kalsoy Island, visiting the village of Saksun and bird watching for puffins.
13. Amalfi Coast, Italy
The vertical landscape of the Amalfi Coast creates naturally dramatic compositions.
Explore the colorful Amalfi Coast towns of Positano, Ravello and Amalfi that cascades down steep cliffs into the Mediterranean.
Visitors can drive the famous coastal road, hike the “Path of the Gods” trail, tour lemon groves, or take day trips to nearby Capri and Pompeii.
14. Annecy, France
Annecy is a picturesque medieval town known as the “Venice of the Alps” for its charming canals that wind through the historic center.
The stunning backdrop of Alpine mountains and the remarkably clear turquoise waters of Lake Annecy complete this photogenic setting.
Activities include exploring the old town, visiting the 12th-century Palais de l’Isle, cycling around the lake, swimming, and paragliding from nearby mountains.
15. Meteora, Greece
The extraordinary rock formations of Meteora are topped with centuries-old monasteries.
This creates a landscape unlike anywhere else in Europe, where architecture and geology merge.
Beyond photography, visitors can tour six accessible monasteries, hike the numerous trails, or visit the town of Kalambaka.
16. The Algarve, Portugal
The Algarve’s golden cliffs and rock formations along the Atlantic coast create a fascinating interplay of color and texture.
Praia da Marinha with its distinctive double arch and Benagil Cave with its natural skylight offer unique natural features.
Visitors can take boat tours to explore sea caves, snorkel, hike the Seven Hanging Valleys trail, and relax on numerous beaches.
17. Swiss Alps
The Swiss Alps present a landscape of superlatives with towering peaks, verdant valleys, and picture-perfect villages.
The Matterhorn’s distinctive pyramid shape near Zermatt is one of the world’s most recognized mountains.
Alpine lakes like Oeschinen and Bachalpsee offer perfect reflections of the surrounding peaks.
Scenic train journeys like the Glacier Express and Bernina Express provide comfortable access to otherwise difficult-to-reach vistas.
18. Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany
This 19th-century Romanesque Revival palace appears to come straight from a fairytale.
The best views come from Marienbrücke (Mary’s Bridge) spanning a gorge behind the castle.
Visitors can tour the lavish interior, visit the nearby Hohenschwangau Castle, and explore the charming town of Füssen.
Further Reading: The Most Beautiful Castles in Germany
19. Procida, Italy
This small island of Procida, in the Bay of Naples is a photographer’s dream with its densely packed houses painted in pastel color.
The Marina Corricella fishing village creates a colorful amphitheater around the harbor.
Activities include wandering the narrow vertical streets, relaxing on black sand beaches, and visiting the Abbey of San Michele.
20. Colmar, France
Colmar’s well-preserved old town features distinctive buildings mixing German and French architectural influences.
The canal district called “Little Venice” offers reflections of half-timbered houses in the calm water.
Visitors can take small boat tours along the canals, visit the Unterlinden Museum, and tour the surrounding Alsatian wine route and villages.
21. Lago di Braies, Italy
This alpine lake in the Dolomites is one of the most breathtaking places in Europe with its emerald-green waters surrounded by jagged mountain peaks.
The wooden boathouse with traditional rowboats provides a perfect foreground element for photographs.
Activities include hiking around the lake, and renting rowboats to explore the water.
Further Reading: Best Hidden Gems in Tuscany, Italy
22. Tuscany, Italy
Tuscany’s landscape centers on its rolling hills punctuated with cypress trees and isolated farmhouses.
The Val d’Orcia region, a UNESCO World Heritage site, offers the most iconic views.
The medieval towns of San Gimignano and Montepulciano add architectural interest.
Visitors can tour wineries, explore hill towns like Siena and Pienza, take cooking classes, or drive the winding country roads.
Further Reading: Best Hidden Gems in Tuscany, Italy
23. Mykonos, Greece
The stark white buildings of Mykonos Town (Chora) stand out sharply against the blue sky and sea.
The island’s famous windmills and the waterfront area called “Little Venice” offer classic photo opportunities.
Beyond photography, visitors can explore the maze-like streets of Mykonos Town, relax on beaches, and take day trips to the archaeological site of Delos.
Further Reading: Best Cyclades Islands in Greece
24. Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland
This valley features 72 waterfalls cascading from vertical cliff faces up to 300 meters high.
The village church with its spire against the backdrop of the falls and surrounding mountains creates a classic Swiss scene.
Activities include visiting Staubbach and Trümmelbach Falls, taking cable cars to car-free villages like Mürren and Wengen, and visiting Jungfraujoch.
Further Reading: Best Swiss Villages to See
25. The Dolomites, Italy
The Dolomites offer some of the prettiest places in Europe with their distinctive pale limestone peaks and lush meadows.
Locations like the Tre Cime di Lavaredo (three distinctive peaks), Seceda ridgeline, and Lake Carezza provide iconic compositions.
Activities include driving the Great Dolomites Road, hiking, climbing via ferrata routes, skiing in winter, and exploring mountain huts (rifugios).
Further Reading: Dreamy Places to Visit in Italy
Final Thoughts on Europe’s Most Photogenic Locations
From the sun-soaked islands of Greece to the alpine wonders of Switzerland, Europe’s diverse beauty offers something for every photographer and traveler.
Each of these 25 locations provides its own unique visual story waiting to be captured.
Want to explore more of Europe? Further Reading:
- Boring European Cities That You Should Probably Avoid Visiting
- Best European Medieval Towns That Are Beautifully Preserved
- Europe’s Most Unique Countries: Beyond the Obvious
Discover More: Browse our complete collection of Europe travel articles for inspiration on your next European adventure!
