Skiers on the Swiss side of the slopes in the Alps

These are the best travel photos of 2021

Explore the world in 18 stunning images from our contributors.

Zermatt, SwitzerlandTwo countries’ differing COVID-19 responses have led to divided slopes: some deserted, some crowded at the Matterhorn Ski Paradise, which straddles the border between Italy and Switzerland. Here, visitors enjoy the slopes on the Swiss side of the resort, while the Italian side marked off with a yellow rope remained closed. Scroll through to see 17 more awe-inspiring images from our contributors.
Photograph by Davide Bertuccio
Photos curated byMaura Friedman
Text byStarlight Williams
December 02, 2021
9 min read

Even with an unsteady return to travel, 2021 proved to be a time of renewed exploration. The photographs we published this year reflect an intimacy that comes from staying closer to home and looking deeper into the landscapes and cultural traditions all around us.

Our National Geographic contributors shared surprising glimpses of regions they know well, from the urban trails of San Francisco to the untamed lands of Patagonia to the watery wilds of Alaska. These images reveal the enduring essence of inspiring places. 

(Best of the World: Here are 25 incredible journeys for 2022.)

The year ahead promises a grand return to travel, and we’re eager to hit the road. We hope these photographs reignite your desire to discover, spark your adventurous imagination, and set you off on your next journey, near or far.

Grape harvesting at Cheo in Vernazza in Italy
Vernazza, Cinque Terre, ItalyRaffaello Lercari, a worker for the Cantina Cheo winery in Vernazza, Cinque Terre, Italy, teeters down a narrow path carrying a box of hand-harvested grapes from the winery’s ”vigneti eroici,” or heroic vineyard. Protected by Italian law, heroic vineyards are ones where grapevines grow in hostile climates, geographies, and labor conditions.
Photograph by Chiara Goia, National Geographic
an aerial view of tourists watching lava flow from the volcano
Fagradalsfjall Volcano, IcelandLava flows in waves over black basalt rocks at Iceland’s Fagradalsfjall volcano, which erupted in March 2021 for the first time in nearly 800 years. The world holds more than 1,500 active volcanoes, which draw of tourists each year to see the aftermath of an eruption. Yet, despite its danger, volcano tourism has boomed in the last decade, a trend expected to continue long after the pandemic.
Photograph by Chris Burkard, National Geographic
Landscape of lush green mountainous area
Drežnica, SloveniaDrežnica, in western Slovenia’s Soča Valley, is home to the country’s only indigenous goat. Popular with hunters and, more recently, paragliders, the village is rich with cascading waterfalls and viridescent meadows.
Photograph by Ciril Jazbec
Detail image of woman putting gold accessory in her hair
SingaporeA woman tries on a traditional Peranakan ”cucuk sanggul” (comb) at the Straits Enclave, a by-appointment historic house museum in Singapore. Appreciation of the Peranakans—a cultural group that uniquely merges Chinese, Malay, and Western aesthetics, heritage, and values—is undergoing a revival around Singapore.
Photograph by Ore Huiying, National Geographic
Two girls in traditional greek dresses and head scarves stand outside the Celebration of Church Metamorhpis of Christ in Olympos in Karpathos
Karpathos, GreeceTwo girls dressed in traditional Greek attire stand outside the church of Agios Onoufrios in Karpathos, the second largest of the Greek Dodecanese islands. In Olympos, a matriarchal village in the northern part of the island, women are forging a new path for ecotourism while keeping ancient traditions alive.
Photograph by Ciril Jazbec, National Geographic
A couple enjoys the view of the sunset from the train. September 12th, 2021.
Abruzzo, ItalyA couple onboard the Sulmona-Carpinone railway takes in the beauty of Italy’s Abruzzo region—complete with steep mountains, lush terrain, and hilltop towns. Nicknamed “the little Trans-Siberian,” the 73-mile historic route rekindles a connection to the heyday of train travel in Europe.
Photograph by Chiara Negrello
A red fox leaps past a pair of walrus skulls on the porch of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game staff cabin
Walrus Island, AlaskaA red fox leaps past a pair of walrus skulls on a cabin porch on Round Island, Alaska. It’s one of seven craggy islands in Bristol Bay that make up Alaska’s Walrus Islands State Game Sanctuary. Since 1985, a state-run visitor program has allowed travelers to camp in the heart of the walrus habitat during the summer.
Photograph by Acacia Johnson, National Geographic
The Bièvre River flows through a park in the suburb of Fresnes, one of the few places it can be seen above ground.
Paris, FranceThis picture, made using a photographic technique from the late 1800s, shows the Bièvre River flowing through a park in the suburbs of Paris, one of the few places it can be seen above ground. In recent years, sections of the river have reopened in upstream suburbs. There is a hope that the river’s revival will spark a sustainable shift in Paris’ urban development.
Photograph by Tomas Van Houtryve, National Geographic
Anna, the little bridesmaid, is waiting for the bride and groom to take a picture together on historic stones from the Appian Way
Rome, ItalyA young bridesmaid waits for newlyweds to take a picture on the paved path of the Appian Way—a longstanding wedding tradition. At 360 miles, connecting Rome to Brindisi, Italy’s Appian Way inspired the phrase ”all roads lead to Rome.” It was the economic artery for the Roman Empire and one of Europe’s first highway systems. After centuries of neglect, an expansive project was approved by the Italian government this year to enhance and renovate the entire route.
Photograph by Andrea Frazzetta, National Geographic
Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
Tierra del Fuego, ArgentinaAlvino “El Chino” Velázquez oversees livestock, horses, and dogs as field foreman on the Bronzovich ranch in Argentine Patagonia. Gauchos like him—skillful equestrians, traditional ranchers, and occasional tour guides—have navigated the country’s untamed Tierra del Fuego (Land of Fire) for centuries.
Photograph by Luján Agusti, National Geographic
Fireflies dance in Great Smoky Mountains National Park in June
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TennesseeThousands of synchronous fireflies (Photinus carolinus) dazzle travelers in Great Smoky Mountains National Park with their unique, flashing patterns. Every year, the National Park Service hosts an eight-day event at the peak of mating season, which typically lasts about two weeks around the end of May or the beginning of June. This image is a layered composite of 30-second exposures made in the same position over 10 minutes.
Photograph by Kiliii Yuyan, National Geographic
a woman kneads clay and sand to prepare the mixture for the creation of red pottery pieces
Oaxaca, MexicoMaría Cruz López kneads water into a slab of red clay to start molding a comal (griddle) in San Marcos Tlapazola, Oaxaca, Mexico, a place famous for its red clay pottery. Nearby, in San Bartolo Coyotepec, the 2,500-year-old tradition of black pottery is making a comeback as a sustainable alternative to throwaway plastics.
Photograph by Mariceu Erthal García, National Geographic
People run through spraying water at a splash pad park
Miami Beach, FloridaPeople cool off in splash pad at South Pointe Park in Miami, Florida, on the last day of summer. It’s one of the thousands of public pools in the United States that offer a place for people to relax and find common ground with strangers.
Photograph by Rose Marie Cromwell, National Geographic
Sculptor and director of the workshop, Stelios Gavalas, with the cast-faithfull copy of the head from the statue known as the Poseidon of Artemision
Athens, GreeceStelios Gavalas is a sculptor and director of an artisan workshop on the outskirts of Athens, where artists create replicas of ancient works, such as the Artemision Bronze seen here. Thought to depict either Zeus or Poseidon, the original is on display at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens. Since the 1970s, the workshop has promoted Greece’s heritage by selling replicas of ancient statutes at museum gift shops; a portion of the proceeds from the sales benefit historic preservation.
Photograph by Demetrios Ioannou
View from the Lobos Valley Trail portion of the Crosstown Trail in San Francisco
San Francisco, CaliforniaConsisting of well-trodden dirt paths, winding walkways, and urban streets, the 16.5-mile Crosstown Trail in San Francisco, California blends idyllic nature views with lively city adventures. Travelers can explore it in a day, seeing neighborhoods from above or walking through one of the many parks connected to the trail.
Photograph by Alessandra Sanguinetti, National Geographic
People bike around the large Ttukseom Hangang Park, filled with people.
Seoul, South KoreaLocals bike past Ttukseom Hangang Park, where friends and family members enjoy a late summer weekend in the grass. Even amid the ongoing tragedy of the COVID-19 pandemic, people found moments to spark joy with loved ones.
Photograph by Jun Michael Park, National Geographic
Serenella Binatti, clam fisherwoman, while working at dawn. Delta del Po, April 2nd, 2021.
Po River Delta, ItalySerenella Binatti fishes for clams using a ”rasca” (a type of rake with a net) in Italy’s Po Delta Biosphere Reserve. The area is supported by a thriving fishing industry, but few know about the community of women who make their living harvesting mussels and clams in the region. On tours, visitors learn about this history and meet the women who have been boosting the industry for years.
Photograph by Chiara Negrello

Correction: The correct name of the Greek church is Agios Onoufrios. 

FREE BONUS ISSUE

Go Further

Animals

Environment

History & Culture

Science

Travel