Ah, the humble selfie. It began life way back in 2004-2005 as “the MySpace angle”; that high-angle shot intended to present the subject at their most photogenic. Fast forward some fifteen years and selfies are here to stay. Our storied world boasts some truly incredible sights, many of which are the perfect place to take a selfie. Here are twenty of those places.
London Bridge, London
London’s architecture is famed for its regal charm, and London Bridge is no exception. Tourists flock in their thousands to take selfies outside this edifice, and if you want your trip to London to feel special, you’ll join them. It’s a bridge with a lot of history – it dates back to 50 AD if you’re tracing it all the way back!
Colosseum, Rome
Also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, the Colosseum in Rome was once home to massive Roman spectacles like gladiator combat and mock battles. Now, it stands in ruins, a testament to the rise and fall of one of the mightiest empires in history. Take a photo next to this building to feel truly special.
Eiffel Tower, Paris
This is one of the most famous and well-known buildings in the world, so it stands to reason it would be a prime location for selfies. The Eiffel Tower was originally constructed as an entry to the 1889 World’s Fair and was the tallest building in the world until New York City’s Chrysler Building was erected. Speaking of which…
Chrysler Building, New York City
Although you’ll have to work hard to get the right angle for a Chrysler Building selfie, it’s well worth it. This building isn’t the tallest in the world anymore – that honour goes to the Empire State Building – but it’s arguably more photogenic thanks to its Art Deco stylings. One for the intermediate selfie-taker.
Horsetail Fall, California
If you angle your selfie just right – and pick the right time of day to take it, of course – then the water flowing on Horsetail Fall will catch the sun and glow an incandescent yellow-red. It’s a beautiful sight, and one that’s well worth documenting with a selfie. Just make sure you schedule correctly!
Corcovado Mountain, Rio de Janeiro
You probably know Corcovado Mountain for the world-famous statue of Jesus that sits atop its apex. This statue is a very popular location for selfies, and for good reason; the statue affords an incredible view of the city below, making it ideal for unforgettable memories. Don’t miss out!
Madame Tussauds, London
Depending on your personal feelings, waxworks museums can either be fascinating examinations of celebrity culture or deeply terrifying uncanny valley-inducing nightmares. Either way, it’s worth taking a selfie with one of Madame Tussauds’ many excellent waxworks. Be sure to get there early as the queues can be painful.
The Great Pyramid, Cairo
Don’t listen to what people might tell you – the pyramids are, of course, absolutely nothing to do with aliens. They’re simply incredible edifices constructed by some of the most forward-thinking (and problematic) people ever to live. Coincidentally, they’re also excellent places to take selfies, especially the Great Pyramid of Giza.
Burj Khalifa, Dubai
The Burj Khalifa currently stands as the tallest building in the entire world, standing at an alarmingly high 828 metres. Of course, if you want to take a selfie outside the Burj Khalifa, you’ll need to line up, as this is an incredibly popular tourist destination. Still, it’s well worth your time.
Top of the Rock, New York City
So named for its position at the top of the Rockefeller Centre in New York City, the Top of the Rock is a famous location for selfies, probably thanks to the amazing view of the sprawling New York City metropolis it offers. There’s also an observation platform so you can see everything in minute detail.
Disneyland, various
Disneyland has locations in Florida, Paris, Tokyo, and other places, so you can choose whichever one you like for your selfies. The parks always have characters wandering around and waiting for photo opportunities, so if you spot Mickey, Donald, or Goofy, be sure to rope them in for a selfie!
Big Ben, London
Renovation work is currently underway on London’s world-famous Big Ben; the work will be completed in 2021 and involves adding a lift, reglazing the clock, and more. In the meantime, you can take a selfie with the eerily silent clock tower in the background from a number of different locations.
Great Wall of China, Beijing
The Great Wall of China is an incredibly impressive feat of human architecture, spanning more than 13,000 miles. This isn’t a continuous wall, but rather a series of sections; still, it’s incredible to look at, and even more impressive to take a selfie on. Make sure to get some of the beautiful Chinese countryside in the background.
The Grand Canyon, Arizona
If you visit the Grand Canyon and you don’t take a selfie that demonstrates the sheer awe-inspiring scale of the place, you’re missing out. It’s easy to underestimate just how unspeakably massive the Grand Canyon really is, and that’s what makes it such a beautiful selfie location.
Trolltunga, Odda (Norway)
Yes, it literally means “troll’s tongue”. It’s a massive rock formation situated in Vestland in Norway, and it offers an incredible view of the picturesque Norwegian landscape. If you’re a thrill-seeker, there’s plenty of dangerous rock-climbing to be had around Trolltunga, too.
Machu Picchu, Peru
Dating from around the 15th century, Machu Picchu carries an unmistakable air of charged mysticism. You’ll be entranced by its combination of natural and man-made sights; it’s truly one of the most impressive structures ever created. The Inca were an amazing civilisation, and Machu Picchu attests to that.
Stonehenge, Wiltshire (UK)
While the jury may be out on what exactly Stonehenge was for (our money is on an ancient worship site), it’s a sombre and low-key location to take a selfie. There are other stone circles in the UK worth your time, but Stonehenge is almost certainly the most well-known of them.
Ueno Park, Tokyo
Japan in general is a wonderful tourist destination and there are many locations ripe for selfie opportunities, but our favourite by far is Ueno Park. This beautiful natural setting boasts traditional Japanese cherry blossoms aplenty and a path on which to take the sights in.
The Grand Canal, Venice
Birmingham in the UK may have more canals than Venice, but they’re certainly not more beautiful than those of this historic Italian city. If you’re looking for a low-cost way to take in the sights of the Grand Canal, check out the traghettos, which usually can be hired for a pittance.
The Taj Mahal, Agra (India)
The Taj Mahal is undeniably one of the most opulent and decadent buildings ever constructed. Its minarets hide a mosque, a guest house, and the tomb of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. All of this historical value makes it the perfect place to grab a selfie with friends – just make sure to be respectful.
