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Best Photography Spots by City

City-by-city photography location guides: the specific spots, the best light, and the time of day to beat the crowds. For travelers who plan their shots.

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PHOTO // LOCATIONS12 cities

Best Photography Spots by City

Where to point the camera in the world's most photogenic cities — the specific spots, the best light, and the time of day to beat the crowds. Built for travelers who plan their shots, not just their itinerary.

How to use these

Each guide lists specific locations with the light and time of day that make them work, plus how to beat the crowds. Pair a city with our best cities for photographers ranking and its destination playbook.

Tokyo
PHOTO // JAPAN · 6 spots

Tokyo

Shoot the neon districts at dusk and blue hour; save shrines and gardens for early morning.

01
Shibuya SkyBlue hour, about 20 minutes after sunset, for lit buildings against a deep-blue sky.
02
Senso-ji & NakamiseJust after sunrise, before the crowds and while the light is soft.
03
Omoide YokochoAfter dark, from blue hour onward, for glowing signs and atmosphere.
Kyoto
PHOTO // JAPAN · 6 spots

Kyoto

Be at the famous shrines at or before sunrise; they transform once the crowds arrive.

01
Fushimi Inari TaishaSunrise — the shrine is open 24 hours and nearly empty at dawn.
02
Arashiyama Bamboo GroveJust after sunrise for soft, even light and no crowds.
03
Yasaka Pagoda (Hokan-ji)Blue hour, when the street lamps glow and the pagoda is lit.
Paris
PHOTO // FRANCE · 6 spots

Paris

Sunrise for empty landmarks; blue hour for the Eiffel Tower's hourly sparkle.

01
TrocadéroSunrise for an empty square and soft pink light on the tower.
02
Rue de l'UniversitéEarly morning, before traffic and parked delivery vans.
03
Louvre PyramidBlue hour, when the pyramid glows and the courtyard empties.
Rome
PHOTO // ITALY · 6 spots

Rome

Sunrise for the Trevi, Colosseum and Spanish Steps; blue hour at the river.

01
Colosseum from Oppian HillSunrise, when golden light hits the stone and the street is quiet.
02
Trevi Fountain6 to 7am — the only time it's nearly empty.
03
Aventine KeyholeMorning for even light down the tree tunnel.
Venice
PHOTO // ITALY · 6 spots

Venice

Sunrise everywhere; the crowds arrive with the day-trip boats mid-morning.

01
St. Mark's SquareSunrise for soft light and an empty square; mirror reflections after high water.
02
Rialto BridgeSunrise from the Riva del Vin for warm light and calm water.
03
San Giorgio MaggioreSunrise, seen from the Riva degli Schiavoni.
Lisbon
PHOTO // PORTUGAL · 6 spots

Lisbon

Golden hour at the miradouros; morning for the trams and funiculars.

01
Miradouro da Senhora do MonteSunset, when the rooftops and castle turn gold.
02
Elevador da BicaMorning, with soft light down the hill.
03
Miradouro de Santa LuziaMorning for even light on the azulejo panels.
Barcelona
PHOTO // SPAIN · 6 spots

Barcelona

Sunrise at the Sagrada Família pond; sunset from the Bunkers.

01
Sagrada FamíliaSunrise, when the east façade catches first light and the pond is still.
02
Bunkers del CarmelSunset for warm light across the rooftops.
03
Park Güell terraceMorning, on the first timed-entry slot, for softer light and fewer people.
New York
PHOTO // UNITED STATES · 6 spots

New York

Blue hour from the observation decks; sunrise on the Brooklyn Bridge.

01
Top of the RockBlue hour, for lit towers against a deep sky.
02
Brooklyn BridgeSunrise, walking from the Brooklyn side while it's empty.
03
Washington Street, DUMBOEarly morning, before the street fills with photographers.
Santorini
PHOTO // GREECE · 6 spots

Santorini

Sunrise for empty blue domes; claim a sunset spot in Oia an hour early.

01
Oia blue domesSunrise, when the white walls glow and the walkways are empty.
02
Oia CastleSunset — but arrive at least an hour early for a spot.
03
Imerovigli & Skaros RockSunrise for calm light and almost no one.
Dubai
PHOTO // UNITED ARAB EMIRATES · 6 spots

Dubai

Blue hour for the skyline and fountain; sunrise or sunset in the desert.

01
Dubai Fountain & Burj KhalifaBlue hour, timed to a fountain show, for lit tower and water.
02
Dubai MarinaBlue hour, from the Marina Walk or a bridge.
03
Al Fahidi / BastakiyaMorning, for soft light in the alleys.
Bangkok
PHOTO // THAILAND · 6 spots

Bangkok

Blue hour at Wat Arun and the rooftops; morning at the temples.

01
Wat ArunBlue hour, seen from the east bank as the temple lights up.
02
Wat PhoMorning, at opening, for soft light and few visitors.
03
Yaowarat (Chinatown)After dark, from blue hour on, for glowing signs.
Singapore
PHOTO // SINGAPORE · 6 spots

Singapore

Blue hour at Marina Bay; time the free light shows after dark.

01
Marina Bay skylineBlue hour, from the Merlion or Jubilee Bridge, timed to the Spectra show.
02
Supertree GroveAfter dark, at showtime, for the color and the crowds' glow-sticks aside.
03
Helix BridgeBlue hour, when the bridge and towers are lit.