18 Places on Earth That Don’t Feel Real
Discover 18 surreal places on Earth that seem almost too extraordinary to be real. From ethereal landscapes to architectural wonders, this list will transport you to the most mesmerizing and unique locations around the globe, challenging your senses and expanding your notion of what our planet has to offer.
Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
The world’s largest salt flat creates a mirror-like effect after rain, reflecting the sky so perfectly that it becomes hard to tell where the earth ends and the sky begins.
Antelope Canyon, Arizona, USA
This slot canyon is known for its wave-like structure and the light beams that shine down in the narrow openings, creating a surreal and enchanting atmosphere.
Socotra Island, Yemen
Often described as the most alien-looking place on Earth, Socotra is famed for its Dragon’s Blood trees and unique biodiversity that looks lifted from a fantasy world.
Waitomo Glowworm Caves, New Zealand
These caves offer a magical experience with their populations of glowworms that emit a luminescent light, illuminating the cave ceilings like a starry night sky.
Lake Hillier, Australia
Lake Hillier is a remarkable pink-colored lake located on Middle Island, the largest of the islands that make up the Recherche Archipelago off the coast of Western Australia. Its vivid pink hue, which is permanent and remains even when the water is taken in a container, is due to the presence of the microalgae ‘Dunaliella salina’.
Pamukkale, Turkey
Translating to “Cotton Castle” in Turkish, Pamukkale is famous for its white terraces of mineral-rich thermal waters flowing down the hillside, resembling a frozen waterfall.
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, China
The inspiration for the floating mountains in the movie “Avatar,” these towering pillar-like formations are shrouded in mist, creating a mystical and surreal landscape.
Mount Roraima, Venezuela/Brazil/Guyana
This tabletop mountain is surrounded by sheer 400-meter high cliffs, and its summit is often enveloped by clouds, creating a mysterious and isolated landscape.
The Richat Structure, Mauritania
Also known as the Eye of the Sahara, this prominent circular feature in the Sahara Desert has puzzled observers and given rise to various geological and conspiracy theories.
Fly Geyser, Nevada, USA
Not entirely natural (its formation was triggered by well drilling in 1964), the geyser is notable for its vibrant colors and continuous spouting, creating a bizarre and colorful landscape.
Great Blue Hole, Belize
A giant marine sinkhole off the coast of Belize, it is circular in shape, over 300 meters across and 125 meters deep. The hole is a part of the larger Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System and is a popular spot for scuba diving.
Avenue of the Baobabs, Madagascar
This dirt road lined with massive baobab trees is striking at sunrise and sunset. The trees’ towering and ancient forms create a landscape that seems to belong to another time.
Gardens by the Bay, Singapore
Gardens by the Bay in Singapore is a futuristic nature park spanning 101 hectares of reclaimed land in the Central Region of Singapore, adjacent to the Marina Reservoir. The park consists of three waterfront gardens: Bay South Garden, Bay East Garden, and Bay Central Garden, famous for their iconic Supertree structures and the world’s largest glass greenhouse, the Flower Dome.
The Door to Hell, Turkmenistan
A natural gas field collapsed into an underground cavern in 1971, creating a natural gas crater that has been burning continuously since. Known as the Door to Hell, it gives off a fiery glow that can be seen for miles around.
Vinicunca, Peru
Also known as the Rainbow Mountain, Vinicunca is famous for its striking, multi-colored layers of rock sediment. It’s a breathtaking sight and feels surreal in its colorful, striped appearance.
The Wave, Arizona, USA
A sandstone rock formation located in Arizona, The Wave is known for its undulating forms and the play of colors. Due to its fragile nature, access is restricted to a limited number of hikers each day, preserving its untouched allure.
Sørvágsvatn, Faroe Islands
Sørvágsvatn, also known as Leitisvatn, is the largest lake in the Faroe Islands, located on the island of Vágar. This stunning body of water is famous for its optical illusion, where it appears to be perched high above the ocean, although it is actually only about 30 meters above sea level.
Hengifoss, Iceland
Hengifoss is one of the tallest waterfalls in Iceland, located in the eastern part of the country near the town of Egilsstaðir. This striking waterfall is notable for its dramatic red clay and black basalt sandwiched rock layers, which create a vivid backdrop as the water cascades down 128 meters into a scenic gorge.
15 Weird and Fascinating Bird Nests Around the World
15 Weird and Fascinating Bird Nests Around the World
15 European Architectural Marvels That Amaze Americans
15 European Architectural Marvels
Emese Maczko is a travel blogger behind Eco Lodges Anywhere. Having explored several destinations around Europe, the US, Indonesia, and Australia, and resided in Germany, the United Kingdom, and Luxembourg, Emese possesses a keen understanding of diverse cultures and an appreciation for the beauty of each destination she visits. She advocates for sustainable travel and ecotourism.