Social media has made it all too easy to see where the masses are travelling these days. From selfies in ancient Buddhist temples to panoramas of wild Icelandic wildlife, there’s a noticeable increase in globetrotters—with corresponding pictures as proof! According to recent Google studies and Instagram location tracking data, the following are some of the most photographed places in the world to date:
BUDAPEST, HUGARY’S ST. STEPHEN’S BASILICA
Like nearly every European capital, Budapest is home to some of the world’s most impressive and iconic religious structures. And St. Stephen’s Basilica is undoubtedly the crown jewel! Named after the first king of Hungary, this specific cathedral possesses imposing architectural structures and grandeur artwork. Composed of approximately 150 types of Hungarian marble, the church towers reach high into the sky, and the central dome flaunts intricately detailed designs.
ITALY
We could be more specific, but there are just so many areas of Italy visited that we might as well list the country as a whole. Italy has been photographed from the tip of its boot to the mid-calf, with favorites including Florence’s Piazzale Michelangelo; Venice’s Ponte dell’Accademia bridge, under which gondolas
travel along the Grand Canal; and of course, Rome’s Trinità dei Monti—a Catholic church perched above the Spanish steps of the Piazza di Spagna. Of all Italy’s highlights, Rome ranks second-most photographed city in the world, according to Google’s photo services—probably for the Colosseum, Pantheon, and Trevi Fountain!
BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA’S CAMINITO
This particular South American alleyway is filled with vibrancy: colorful buildings, energetic street performers, flamboyant tango dancers, and quirky shops.
BERLIN, GERMANY’S EAST SIDE GALLERY
This specific wall of artwork was first formed on the border between East and West Berlin in 1990, to represent the collapse of the Berlin Wall. With over 100 large format images painted directly onto the wall, the collection is now the world’s longest open-air gallery. The art displays stories of hopes and dreams, understood as a monument representing resolution of boundaries and peace—the only authentic monument of reunification in Germany. More than 3 million visitors flock to the gallery each year.
MOSCOW, RUSSIA’S RED SQUARE
The scene of riots, parades, and various demonstrations throughout history, this 800,000 square foot marketplace—also known as Krasnaya Ploshchad—is the heart and soul of Russia! Within the square is the iconic Bolshoi Theater; the art nouveau masterpiece, Matropol Hotel; the shop-worthy Manezh Square; the Cathedral of St. Basil the Blessed; Central Lenin Museum; and the mighty Kremlin towers. The square is best approached from the Resurrection Gate’s triumphal arch—an exact replica of the original 1680 structure. Immediately on the left is the Kazan Cathedral, and to the right is the State History Museum, where each room is dedicated to a different time period. The enormous and elaborate façade occupying the east side of the square is the State Department Store, filled with fancy boutique shops. All in all, the entire plaza is architecturally impressive, aesthetically gorgeous, culturally reflective and historically profound!
SAO PAULO BRAZIL’S IBIRAPUERA PARK
This major urban park is known for its openness for leisure activities, as well as its vivid culture. With a number of museums and a music hall, this bustling park is comparable to what Central Park is to New York City. Between Monday and Friday an estimated 20,000 visitors come to the park, while on Saturdays the number triples, and Sunday the head count is at about 130,000!
BARCELONA, SPAIN’S PARK GÜELL
Dotted with impressive, modern architectural work from Antonio Gaudí, this public park system reels in thousands of tourists daily. Officially opened to the public in 1926, the park is not only historically valued, but it boasts some of the country’s most gorgeous and unique artwork. UNESCO declared the garden a World Heritage Site in 1984, protecting the urban project and treasuring its naturalist mosaics of artistic iconography.
LONDON, ENGLAND’S TOWER BRIDGE
This combined bascule and suspension bridge was first built in 1886, for crossing the River Thames to the Tower of London. It’s one of London’s five bridges that are owned and operated by the Bridge House Estates—a charitable trust overseen by the city’s capital corporation. The bridge consists of two towers that are tied at their upper levels by two horizontal walkways. Here, pedestrians and vehicles access the crossway for remarkable views and historical reminisces.
BANGKOK, THAILAND’S SIAM PARAGON
This chaotic shopping mall is host to a number of internationally acclaimed, high-end fashion brands, as well as an impressive movie theatre, top-ranked restaurants and Southeast Asia’s largest aquarium.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA (USA)’S GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE
At one point, this iconic bright redish-orange connector was nicknamed “the bridge that couldn’t be built”. Today, it’s one of the seven wonders of the modern world. San Fran’s most famous landmark, the bridge crosses from the city into Marin headlands, for a total distance of 1.7 miles. Anchored by twin towers that reach up to 746-feet, the bridge provides humbling views of the bay from high in the clouds.
PARIS, FRANCE’S EIFFEL TOWER
This iron lattice tower is named after its designer and engineer, Gustave Eiffel. Originally used as the 1889 World Fair entrance, the architectural
icon is now one of the most recognized structures in the world. It is comprised of three levels, including restaurants and shopping areas, as well as the highest observation deck within the European Union. From this vantage point, tourists can take in awe-inspiring views of its well-known romantic city: Paris!
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK’S GUGGENHEIM
The world’s most photographed city, NYC is home to the Empire State Building, Central Park, and Times Square. However, surprisingly the most photographed hotspot in New York is actually the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, this building was meant to form a continuous spiral, in which visitors would circle around the entire museum on one single ramp. Located on the corner of E. 89th Street in the Upper East Side neighborhood of Manhattan, this museum is home to an ever-expanding collection of Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, early Modern and Contemporary artwork.
