Shawn TanNothing makes you feel the pain of not being able to travel more than stunning images of landmarks and views from other countries. You only truly realise what matters to you when it’s gone, and the effect of travel being put on the back burner is keenly felt. For those who live for the Gram, there’s only so much joy you could derive from reposting old travel photos. Where travelling could always ensure a steady stream of postcard-worthy pictures on your feed in the past, you’re now resigned to maintaining it with snapshots of your day-to-day life instead of the most Instagrammed viewpoints around the world.
To help satiate our wanderlust ever so slightly, the UK-based Unforgettable Travel Company recently did a study on the most Instagrammed and popular viewpoints in the world. It analyses a wide range of lookout points, skywalks, observation decks and viewing terraces that have proved popular with travellers. Next, the number of geotags at these viewpoints are tabulated. Here are the results for the most Instagrammed viewpoints in the world.
At The Top, Burj Khalifa
Image credit: Elisa Sophia
Not surprisingly, the most Instagrammed viewpoint in the world comes from the tallest building in the world. The At The Top observatory deck sits atop the Burj Khalifa, offering stunning panoramas of Dubai from the 125th and 148th floors. From 149 AED per pax (or approximately S$54), visitors can access the viewing decks and soak up views to die for from the world’s best vantage point. If you’re looking to visit during the golden hour to catch the sunset, do take note to book your tickets approximately 90 minutes prior to entry.
Seoul Sky, Lotte World Tower
If South Korea is one of your favourite destinations, seeing it from a 123-storey skyscraper should be on your bucket list. The Seoul Sky viewing deck of the Lotte World Tower allows you a 360-degree view of metropolitan Seoul, along with the winding Han River. Stand on the highest indoor glass floor (478 m) recognised by the Korea Record Institute and experience the bewildering feeling of floating in the sky as it instantaneously changes from opaque to clear. To make your visit more thrilling, sign up for a nerve-wrecking walk on the Sky Bridge. No wonder it is one of the most Instagrammed viewpoints in South Korea and the world!
Fisherman’s Bastion, Budapest
Image credit: Fisherman’s Bastion
Nothing screams romance more than looking at the tranquil Danube River while leaning out from the medieval lookout tower of a 19th century castle. Among the top attractions in Budapest, Hungary, Fisherman’s Bastion served as a lodging and fortification for the surrounding settlements, and was protected by the guild of fishermen that lived within its walls during the Middle Ages. The monument comes with seven turrets, a chapel opened in 2013, and a terrace cafe. Here, sip on your beverage of choice while you gaze out at the whimsical fairytale-like cityscape before you. The best part? This Instagrammable spot is open all year round with free admission! Definitely a place to bookmark once travel resumes.
Sky Garden, London
Designed by award-winning landscape architecture practice Gillespies, Sky Garden is London’s highest public garden – a vibrant social space with 360-degree views of the city’s iconic skyline.
Here, you can experience London from a spectacular viewpoint. Enjoy lush greenery, exquisitely landscaped gardens, observation decks, and an open-air terrace. From the 43rd floor, you could see almost all the famous landmarks of the London skyline, from The Shard and The Gherkin, to Tower Bridge and the River Thames. Those looking to visit one of the most Instagrammed viewpoints in the world would have to wait, with London under Tier 3 of COVID-19 affected places. Keep updated by visiting their website.
One World Observatory, New York
Image credit: One World Observatory
It takes something to rise up from the ashes of a disaster like the 9-11 attacks. Built on top of the former World Trade Center site, One World Observatory is located on floors 100 to 102 of the Freedom Tower. Unsurprisingly, the view from the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere does not disappoint. Take in dazzling views of downtown Manhattan and the skyscraper forest of the Big Apple. Daredevils can even step on the Sky Portal, a 14-foot wide circular glass disc that delivers an unforgettable perspective using real-time, high-definition footage of the streets 100 stories below. Talk about one of the most Instagrammed viewpoints in the world!
Sky Terrace 428, Hong Kong
Image credit: The Peak
No visit to Hong Kong is complete without a trip up The Peak. The best place to take in the postcard-worthy panorama of the city is from the Sky Terrace 428. The highest viewing deck in Hong Kong, it offers the best vantage point to capture Hong Kong’s iconic skyline. The best way to enjoy the ultimate Peak experience is by getting the Peak Tram Sky Pass. Besides being the most direct route to the summit, it also showcases views of the harbour and skyscrapers along the way. How’s that for getting to one of the most Instagrammed viewpoints in the world in style?
Also read: Explore Hong Kong Through the 360° Virtual Reality Tour!
In a time when we can only travel virtually via social media, these most Instagrammed viewpoints in the world not only provide a sliver of solace in satisfying our wanderlust, but they also remind us of the days when travel was commonplace and taken for granted. Here’s hoping that once borders open up and leisure travel kickstarts again, we would explore the world again with greater appreciation of both its beauty and fragility.
