Top of the Rock, New York City - 850 feet above the bustling streets of Manhattan, the Rockefeller Center observation deck has arguably the best views of the City that Never Sleeps, perhaps even better (and cheaper) than those of the Empire State Building. While many travelers suggest setting your alarms and getting there early to avoid the long lines, it's especially spectacular during an evening visit when you can see the sunset cast its colors on Central Park and the buildings of Lower Manhattan begin to light up. (Photo by Fernando C. López)
Chipeque Viewpoint, Canary Islands - Perhaps the most romantic view on this list is the Chipeque Viewpoint in Tenerife in Spain's Canary Islands. The magic of this viewpoint comes from the combination of Orotava Valley, the various towns below, the Atlantic Ocean in the background, the imposing peak of the Teide volcano. One of the best parts though, is the area's unique geography, which lets travelers enjoy a bird's-eye-view of the ebb and flow of fluffy white clouds coming in from the ocean. (Photo by Ruymán G. Fumero)
The Peak, Hong Kong - There's nowhere better to take in the neon spectacle that is Hong Kong's skyline than The Peak, a complex of restaurants, shops, and bars perched atop the island's highest point, Victoria Peak. You can get there quickly by cable car, spend the afternoon taking in the panorama and enjoying dinner with a view, and then try heading back down on foot (it's fairly easy) to take in the city from all angles. Make sure to get tickets online and early, as the lines that form can be as impressive as the view itself! (Photo by David Esteban)
Tunnel View, Yosemite National Park - As soon as you leave the Wawona Tunnel on California's SR41, travelers are greeted with one of the most breathtaking views in the American West: the Yosemite Valley from the historic Tunnel View overlook. From here, the valley is in full splendor, with Bridalveil Fall and the craggy face of El Capitan creating the perfect welcome to this stunning National Park. (Photo by Eugenio V. Bencomo)
Corcovado Mountain, Brazil - Few skylines are as unique and evocative as that of Rio de Janeiro, and there's no better place to take it all in than the viewpoint atop Corcovado Mountain. Here, travelers can not only come face to face with the world-famous Christ the Redeemer statue, but also take in the dazzling Guanabara Bay topped off by the emblematic Sugarloaf Mountain. More than Ipanema Beach, Corcovado Viewpoint is the true essence of Rio. (Photo by Mary Mora3S)
Yuanyang Rice Paddies, China - After centuries of transformation, the Yuanyang terracs are the world's largest rice paddies and home to one of the most interesting and surreal views on the planet. To enjoy them at their prime, try to visit during springtime when the paddies are flooded and mirror-like, gradually changing colors and reflecting the sky and surrounding hills.
Mrs Macquarie's Chair, Australia - On the thin strip of land jutting out into Sydney Harbor known as Mrs Macquarie's Point, there's a stone chair that beckons travelers to take a load off and enjoy the simply sublime view of the skyscrapers of the business district, the Harbour Bridge, and the iconic Sydney Opera House. As one traveler put it, "by day the view is stunning, but at dusk when the city lights reflect off the sea, it becomes a magical place." (Photo by Naxos)
Preikestolen, Norway - Towering more than 650 yards above the epic Lysefjord, Norway's Preikestolen (or Pulpit Rock) is understandably one of the country's most popular landmarks, and home to some of the world's best views. While the hike up can be tough (travelers unanimously suggest bringing good boots!), you're rewarded with a jaw-dropping landscape and a peaceful silence broken only by the wind bringing the fog dramatically down over the cliffs. (Photo by Paco Ldo Rgz)
Isla de Pescado, Bolivia - Bolivia's Uyuni Desert is a seemingly endless and mesmerizing expanse of white salt whose center is marked by the Isla de Pescado, an "island" of cactus and rock rising out of the vast white landscape. From here, travelers have a unique vantage point to take in the flats in all their overwhelming glory and marvel at the ever-changing display of clouds and sky mirrored in the thin sheet of water covering the land. (Photo by Guiseppe Civica)
Bagan, Myanmar - Few relics of the ancient world are as spectacular as Bagan, an open plain in central Myanmar dotted with literally thousands of stupas and temples. To enjoy the best views (and the peace and quiet before the tour buses arrive), many travelers suggest getting there first thing in the morning when the sun first hits the stupas appearing slowly out of the morning mist. (Photo by Johann)
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