With drones at our disposal, technology has advanced enough in recent years to allow us to see some of the most exquisite places in the world. As a result, photographers worldwide have been seizing the chance to capture breathtaking photos of exotic locations from above. We’ve gathered the most stunning images for you to see and enjoy.
Autumn Highway
Winding through a forest in Romania, this highway is surrounded by a scene of trees in vibrant shades of red, gold, and orange. This spectacular image truly captures the beauty of autumn.
Autumn Highway
Highway To Mars
This other-worldly image looks like something out of a sci-fi movie rather than a highway in Arizona. Shot by Turkish drone photographer Aydın Büyüktaş, this fantastic image depicts the hills that seem to look more like planetary craters.
Highway To Mars
Syria’s Civil War
A devastatingly real image, this photo shows the ongoing civil war in Syria. Tanks hurtling into a previously occupied civilian area, the damage is evident in the tanks’ areas.
Syria’s Civil War
Lake Of Fire
Thanks to drones, we can now reach areas too dangerous to travel to capture images of them. For instance, this image shows a second drone flying above an Icelandic volcanic eruption, with the lava running between two mountains, looking like a lake of fire.
Lake Of Fire
Concrete Jungle
One of the densest and thriving metropolises, Shanghai has a growing population of 24 million people. Here you can see a multi-level downtown interchange during rush hour from above.
Concrete Jungle
Sagrat Cor Church
Sagrat Cor Church’s elaborate statues can be seen high above Barcelona’s streets in this breathtaking image, surrounded by swirling clouds.
Sagrat Cor Church
Left Behind
Not many people have heard of the Republic of Abkhazia. After being ravaged by widespread killings and ethnic cleansing in the early ’90s, many areas were abandoned. Many regions have become areas of empty buildings. The building in the image is a long-forgotten college that has been overgrown with greenery.
Left Behind
Sky High
Located in the western region of Georgia, the Katskhi Pillar is a naturally occurring rock. On top of it is a Georgian church, where a local monk lives. The monk, Maxime, is 59-years-old and receives food packages and supplies from followers twice a week. To reach the top, one must climb a 131ft ladder.
Sky High
Another World
One of Europe’s tallest waterfalls, Mardalsfossen in Romsdal, Norway, measures 1,175ft. Its stunning beauty looks like something from another world. In the image, the swirling clouds make the waterfall look like it’s floating.
Another World
Waterfall Diver
This perfectly timed photo is the result of technology and human capacity. According to the prize-winning photographer, “He is over sixty, he is the world record holder for the Guinness waterfall diving. In China’s famous spout of the Yellow River and the great falls of the water tower in Heilongjiang province, he surprised the world with his leap.”
Waterfall Diver
Perfectly Timed
Captured by a hovering drone a thousand feet above the ground, this magnificent eagle can be seen spreading its wings majestically. Birds of prey tend to mistake drones for another bird and pluck them out of the sky.
Perfectly Timed
In The Middle Of Nowhere
One of the leading names in drone photography, Justen Soule, captured this fairytale-like image back in 2017. Located in Alexandria Bay between New York and Canada, one tree can be seen by the house with its leaves changing colors for the season in the Autumn.
In The Middle Of Nowhere
A Whole New World
As crazy as it sounds, jobs require you to scale buildings to make sure the windows are clean as they can be. Here we can see workers cleaning a skyscraper in the heart of Moscow city, with the gorgeous cityscape reflected in the glass, allowing the warm sunset to be seen from afar.
A Whole New World
Water Lilies
In this breathtaking image, a woman harvesting water lilies in a pond can be seen from above. Taken in the Mekong Delta pond in Vietnam, the photo was submitted by a Vietnamese photographer named helios1412, winning the second prize in the People category of 2017’s International Drone Photography Contest.
Water Lilies
Not What You Think
What looks to be a dry and cracked desert floor is actually a lake in Virginia named Burke Lake. Capturing a family enjoying a boat ride, ‘Cracked Mud Boating’ was taken by drone photographer Milo Allerton.
Not What You Think
Just Keep Swimming
This rare scene captures a group of hippos swimming in the Serengeti National Park’s muddy waters in South Africa. As hippos as semi-aquatic mammals, they have webbed feet, and their eyes and ears are placed high on their skulls which allows them to stay in the water and still be able to breathe.
Just Keep Swimming
Star Fort
While this Dutch fort has not been in use for centuries now, it serves as a historical museum and is the center of a small town in Holland. Around the star-shaped walls are rows of trees, creating a dense forest.
Star Fort
The Lotus Temple
In the remote fields of Dehli, the Lotus Temple was designed by a talented Iranian architect to resemble the flower in all its glory. The flower is a significant symbol, and since it is now illegal to fly drones in the area, this image becomes all the more special.
The Lotus Temple
Humpback Whale
A snorkeler is swimming nearby a majestic humpback whale, completely oblivious. Known to grow up to 16 meters in length and live up to 50 years, the humpback whale is an incredible aquatic mammal. Here the image perfectly captures the animal in all its glory.
Humpback Whale
Delta River
This spectacular image may look like it’s from another world, but it was actually taken in Iceland by drone photographer Max Foster. A part of his series named ‘Elemental,’ this exquisite image was taken from 1500 ft above the Delta River’s lines.
Delta River
Dense Mexico City
The densely populated capital of Mexico, Mexico City, has a population of 21 million people, making it the most populated city in the Western Hemisphere. In this amazing image, you can see thousands of homes on the city’s hills.
Dense Mexico City
A Desert Scene
Taken by Abdullah Alnassar, this breathtaking image shows the dunes of Saudi Arabia from above. White camels can be seen walking along in search of water.
A Desert Scene
Duck Farm
In Asian countries, raising ducks is common as farmers use them for their meat and feathers. In this glorious image, a duck farmer makes his way across his grounds.
Duck Farm
Aerial View
Twelve drone images stitched into one magnificent photo; this gorgeous image shows the fantastic beauty of Iceland. With towering mountains and blue rivers, even a rainbow can be seen faintly on its right side.
Aerial View
Just Like A Fairytale
Taken in Italy, this gorgeously vivid image depicts sweeping hills and distant mountains. This magnificent picture looks like something out of a fairytale, capturing Santa Maddalena flawlessly.
Just Like A Fairytale
The Dead Sea
Even if it’s shrinking, the Dead Sea is breathtaking from above. Tel-Aviv-based landscape photographer Tzvika Stein used his drone to capture the aerial view of this magnificent scene. “It’s beautiful and fascinating and very unique.”
The Dead Sea
Turquoise Waterfalls
Known for its vibrant turquoise waters, Cascada de Tamul is actually two rivers emerging- the Gallinas River and the Santa Maria River – which created a 300-meter wide waterfall. If you want to go and see it for yourself, the best way to view it is with a traditional wooden panga (canoe), which you’ll help paddle upstream.
Turquoise Waterfalls
Taj Mahal
One of the seven wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal is absolutely breathtaking, as this aerial image clearly shows. Even this image depicts the calmness and stillness of the spiritual essence of India.
Taj Mahal
Colorful Fields
With the variety of options that drones offer, images can now be taken off the ground. Still, at a lower level than helicopters, allowing a new perspective, we’ve never had to emerge. Here in this image is a magnificent scene from Noordwijk, South Holland, The Netherlands. As Romeo Durscher, an aerial photographer and director of education at DJI, tells TIME, “We’ve spent the last 100 years taking images at ground level, so as soon you change the perspective slightly, everything looks different, everything looks beautiful.”
Colorful Fields
Spirals By The Sea
An earthwork sculpture created in April 1970 by Robert Smithson, Spiral Jetty looks spectacular from the air. This exquisite image shows off its texture and outstanding natural beauty.
Spirals By The Sea
Crystal Blue Waters
This captivating image shows the crystal blue waters of Vietnam from above. All over are lobster breeding farms of the Phu Yen province, reflecting the beauty of nature and artificial design.
Crystal Blue Waters
Ice, Snow, And Polar Bears
You can see a polar bear crossing between two pieces of ice glaciers in Greenland in this stunning image. Dominated by ice, snow, and mountain-sized glaciers, the temperature can plummet to -58 °F during the winter.
Ice, Snow, And Polar Bears
The Climber
First prize winner of the 2016 International Drone photography awards, this image shows a climber scaling the side of a mountain face in Kalbyris forest in Denmark.
The Climber
India’s Slums
While India’s economy is thriving, it still faces a horrible poverty epidemic, with around 1 million people living in the slums. Even though it is home to the largest number of billionaires, it also has the largest slums in Asia. In this image, you can see Dharavi – a slum resting on the outskirts of Mumbai.
India’s Slums
The Melissani Cave
A breathtaking image shows a boat of travelers exploring the Melissani cave on Cephalonia in Greece.
The Melissani Cave
Marigold Fields
Showing women in Asia picking marigolds in the fields, this symmetrical image is extremely aesthetically pleasing with its bright colors.
Marigold Fields
Waves
Here we can see a Portuguese surfer braving the cold of February and riding some waves.
Waves
Portugal Staircase
In this stunning drone image, a long staircase can be seen leading to one of the most beautiful beaches in the Algarve in Portugal.
Portugal Staircase
Life’s A Beach
Depicting two women sitting on a stunning beach in Sri Lanka, directly across them are two manta rays swimming along in the clear waters.
Life’s A Beach
World War II Shipwreck
Taken in Coron in the Philippines, this gorgeous photo shows a shipwreck from World War II from above.
World War II Shipwreck
Route 66
What’s better than a road trip? You can see a couple cruising down Route 66 in a classic blue Ford Mustang convertible in this aerial image.
Route 66
Along The Ocean
A breathtaking image, here we can see two scooters crossing a bridge in Chiang Mai in Thailand, with the turquoise ocean underneath them.
Along The Ocean
Dream Destination
A place everyone needs to visit, here we can see a gorgeous image of the beaches of Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic.
Dream Destination
Mahale Mountains National Park
Mahale Mountains National Park is located in the remote western part of Tanzania. It is one of the most picturesque places there, as it borders Lake Tanganyika, one of the deepest and oldest lakes in the world. As the park is only accessible by air or boat, even getting there becomes an adventure.
Mahale Mountains National Park
Salt Fields
A specialty of Bac Lieu, the salt fields are the salt baskets of the Mekong Delta. With salt fields running along the coast, they are divided into squares and rows, with the glistening white salt in organized piles.
Salt Fields
There’s No Place Like Home
Just outside of Portland, Oregon, there appears to be an abandoned Boeing 727 buried deep in 10 acres of dense forest. Surprisingly enough, the plane is home to Bruce Campbell. He transformed the plane into a home for himself. In this marvelous photo, the plane can be seen from above in the forest.
There’s No Place Like Home
Whale Spouting
This one is a winner when it comes to whale photography. It was photographed as it spewed, with sunlight filtering through the mist it produced! Without the use of a drone, taking this photo would have been extremely difficult.
Whale Spouting
After You
Oh, my goodness. This photo of a massive whale calmly trailing behind the boat is fantastic. True enough, we have nothing to be concerned about. If you get too close, however, it can be dangerous!
After You
Saying Hello
That’s an amazing action shot! As if to say hello, the duck flew up to the drone! It has a priceless expression on its face. We’re sure the drone pilot had no idea what was going to happen at that time.
Saying Hello
Bad Boy
We’ve got another impromptu wildlife shot for you today. When the pilot saw a dog playing in the river, he decided to fly the drone along the water. The dog suddenly attacked the device! Do you think it made it through?
Bad Boy
China Traffic
This is the stuff of nightmares, to be sure. Imagine being stuck in this kind of traffic. We’re sure the drone pilot was relieved not to be present when he flew over these massive shambles!
China Traffic
Relaxing At The Beach
So, what exactly do we have here? Someone appears to be having the time of her life on the beach! Let’s hope she isn’t bothered by the drone operator watching her. Of course, privacy is a major concern with drones.
Relaxing At The Beach
Robot Sharks
Who on earth thought up the concept of a robotic shark? A drone operator captured this image off the coast of Florida. Do you think this was a joke, scientific research, or sporting equipment?
Robot Sharks
Killer Whales
Drones are also used for scientific investigations. Killer whales were caught in the act as they swam across the ocean. What an awesome picture! Sending the drone over the sea must have taken a lot of patience.
Killer Whales
With The Fish
What are your thoughts on swimming with fish? or a whale… a whale shark, perhaps? It actually frightens us a little. You can tell me it’s safe, but swimming with it is a little unsettling!
With The Fish
Sting Ray Monstrosity
Another spectacular action shot! Is this a ray from one of the oceans or a spaceship from a science fiction film? We’ll leave it up to you to decide. As soon as the picture was taken, the Mobula devil ray flew out of the water.
Sting Ray Monstrosity
Hard At Work
What a fantastic piece of artwork! This photograph shows a group of fishermen casting their net into the sea from their fishing boat. Do you believe they’ll be able to catch anything in the shallows? Who knows what will happen.
Hard At Work
Salvaging Planes
Another graveyard has been established, this time for airplanes. After active service, US military planes are brought here. It’s not open to the public, but thanks to drones, you can now see them!
Salvaging Planes
Shark Pals
The following work of drone photography depicts a massive school of sharks in the sea. This image stands out because the drone flew so close to capture it. Is anyone aware of what the sharks are up to?
Shark Pals
Bye Bye Whale
These two guys were out on a boating trip when they came across a whale carcass. They checked out, just like the rest of us. It’s a sad sight to behold, but it’s also incredibly fascinating.
Bye Bye Whale
Not Your Regular Cityscape
Nature is truly remarkable! The drone pilot must have hoped to capture a beautiful nighttime cityscape, but instead, he got something even better. Let’s hope that the drone survived the ordeal.
Not Your Regular Cityscape