Covid-19 has brought photography to another level. From different trendy filters to various photography hacks, everyone seems to be getting into the art form and all its glory.
As the world starts to recover from the pandemic, more countries are starting to open, and travel restrictions are getting loosened. Your chance to travel the world and see all of its artistic beauty is just within your reach.
With that in mind, here are the four best European places open for tourists for the photography enthusiast inside you to enjoy.
London, United Kingdom
London is known to be one of the most Instagrammable cities in the world. It is one of the most suitable locations for black and white, cityscape, and panoramic photography due to it being surrounded by water and having architecture all around.
One of the best ways to maximize London’s stunning scenery is riding the world’s tallest observation wheel, the London Eye. Standing at 443 feet tall, the formerly known Millenium Wheel boasts 40 kilometers of view range in all directions. And at a leisurely pace of 26 cm per second, you will have more than enough time to take in the view and immortalize it with a few shots.
The Sky Garden is another must-visit spot. Taking a panoramic shot of the city is best done at the top of the Sky Garden. As high as 525 feet, the skyscraper offers a 360-degree view of the city, perfect for candid sunset snaps.
Visiting the Sky Garden and The London Eye will be a thrilling and heart-warming experience for anyone with or without a camera. And to top it all off, artistic city hostels are also available for a more convenient and authentic experience.
Bruges, Belgium
The next stop is a town an hour away from Belgium’s capital, Brussels. Bruges is a fairy-tale medieval town filled with an old-world architecture charm. From its canals to its castles, Bruges is one of the best-preserved cities in Europe and a magical place for street and architecture photography.
The Belfort is considered the most important tower in all of Bruges. It’s not only known for its architecture but also its symbolism. The Belfort or the Belfry Tower is a civil monument formerly used as a 272 feet central watchtower and treasury where important public documents were kept. It is one of the few remaining buildings that embody medieval urban and public architecture and has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999.
Though known for its towering castles and churches, the jaw-dropping architecture of Bruges is not only exclusive to historic buildings. Many enchanting waterways are found within the city. Located in the middle of them is the Dijver Canal.
Strolling along the canals of Bruges is one of the most sought-after experiences in Belgium. The Dijver Canal is a perfect place for a photo walk as it connects you to many picturesque locations. Silhouette shots with low sun exposure will surely captivate the hopeless romantic in you.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam is one of the most popular tourist destinations in all of Europe. A city listed in so many traveler’s Bucket lists mainly due to the Dutch tradition of tolerance. With Amsterdam’s open policies on drugs and sexuality, it is a goldmine of editorial and event photography as well as photojournalism.
Let’s get it out of the way and talk about the world-famous Red Light District. From brothels to sex shops to funky museums, the Amsterdam Red Light District is the perfect spot for capturing human interactions at their rawest. But be careful and follow the guidelines for taking photos in the area to avoid unwanted situations.
Getting wasted in Amsterdam is inevitable, but there is a way to do it and still get that unique Instagrammable party experience you’ve been looking for. Visit Paradiso in Weteringschans. Paradiso is a church turned into a club. With outstanding acoustics and a spacious great hall, you’d wonder why this hasn’t been done in your country. Imagine taking photos of beer bottles in front of stained-glass windows and people dancing on top of two-level balconies.
There is also a basement café where you can sober up and once again take pictures of people who are having the best time of their lives.
Rhodes, Greece
With its perfect weather and crystal-clear waters, Greece has been a go-to destination for the longest time. The country offers breathtaking landscapes and glorious infrastructure that date to ancient times. However, when it comes to photography, a certain island rises above the rest.
Rhodes not only has 42 beaches to choose from but also brims with historical buildings and monuments perfect for landscape, golden hour, and adventure photography.
The largest medieval city in all of Europe is found here. The Old Town of Rhodes has been a UNESCO World Heritage City since 1988 and was once home to Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Taking selfies in the narrow streets leading to ancient Greek churches would surely bring you back in time.
And last but not least is the Agios Pavlos Beach. Take a dip in the crystal-clear waters of Greece and enjoy the view of the unending Mediterranean Sea. Whether it’s sunrise or sunset, pictures taken from this beach would surely be stunning.
On Your Way Home
Traveling and taking photos of beautiful scenery is fun but remember to take your eyes of the lens from time to time. Enjoy the view along the way.
