How to photograph iconic landmarks without the crowds

Picture the scene: anticipation rises as you walk through unfamiliar city streets on a trip that’s been planned for months. A few more twists and turns will lead you to a landmark you’ve dreamt about seeing in person. Yet turning a corner swiftly reveals you weren’t alone in that dream – your holy grail only visible above a shuffling gathered crowd.

It’s a common scenario with the potential to take the shine out of an otherwise glorious memory – yet it doesn’t have to be this way. With a little research and the right strategy you can rewrite this script and find your own way to experience the world’s most iconic landmarks, resulting in unforgettable photographs you’ll cherish forever. 

Perhaps it’s considering the time of day you visit, finding an alternative vantage point, applying a little technical wizardry or researching access options to give a privileged perspective of a location before or after visitors arrive. Here, we explore how to take photographs of six world-famous landmarks without the crowds.

Eiffel Tower, Paris

Gustave Eiffel’s wrought-iron wonder made its mark on the Paris skyline at the 1889 World’s Fair and – despite initial criticism from some quarters – has endured as an emblem for the city. Its star status also makes it a magnet for tourists, with an estimated 20,000 visitors each day. 

Despite this, photographing the Eiffel Tower without crowds is still possible. Timing is crucial: off-season weekdays will mean fewer crowds. Sunrise (which falls between 5.45 and 7am, depending on the season) will give you a headstart on most visitors – even from popular vantage points such as Champ de Mars and Trocadéro – as well as the chance of witnessing it in soft golden light.

Or head to lesser-known vantage points, including Avenue de Camoëns and Rue de l’Université, which promise lower foot traffic and less crowded shots.

Taj Mahal, Agra

A white marble masterpiece of Indo-Islamic architecture, the Taj Mahal – built as a symbol of eternal love by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife – has starred in many iconic portraits. Capture its gleaming form in all its glory with a little forward planning by avoiding Indian national holidays and school breaks. Or even weigh up the benefits of visiting during monsoon season (July–September), which, despite the threat of rain, promises far fewer tourists and dramatic light. 

Top tips include heading to the slightly less crowded East Gate before it opens at sunrise and researching the shot you want in advance, so you can make a beeline for it upon entry. While many head to the reflecting pool in the Charbagh garden, other less crowded spots include the Mehtab Bagh (across the river) and the rear garden.

Yet for the classic reflecting pool shot, one handy (if costly) shortcut is to sign up for a private sunrise photography session, or a tour that offers early gate access, both of which give you a queue-jump for stunning crowd-free shots.

Machu Picchu, Peru

Maybe you’ve reached the Incan Empire’s greatest city following a gruelling four-day trek along the Inca Trail. Or perhaps you’ve hopped on the half-hour bus from Aguas Calientes (no judgement here). Either way, expect to be awed by one of the greatest artistic and architectural accomplishments anywhere on Earth. Framed by dramatic Andean vistas and defined by intriguing buildings that play on astronomical alignments, Machu Picchu is a photographer’s dream. 

To capture it at its most magical – not crowded by backpackers – time your arrival to be ahead of the site’s opening time at 6am; or stay late (most daytrippers leave by 3pm) – although this requires an afternoon permit. You could also consider gaining a permit to the neighbouring peak Huayna Picchu, which offers views back over Machu Picchu.

However, the best photo opportunities are reserved for those braving the Inca Trail, which – limited to 500 permits per day – allows access to the site earlier than day-trippers. This includes the less crowded Sun Gate, which promises unforgettable panoramas worthy of preserving in a photo book.

Colosseum, Rome

Now approaching 2,000 years old, the unmistakable form of the Colosseum has remained a constant on the city’s skyline, with this feat of Roman engineering wearing its age-worn patina well. An essential visit for anyone arriving in Rome, it ranks among the world’s busiest attractions, yet can still be photographed without crowds. 

Head down after dark when its vaults and arches are beautifully illuminated and the crowded Piazza del Colosseo has emptied out (usually after 11pm during the week). During the day, seek out the Parco del Colle Oppio or Via Nicola Salvi Overlook – with both providing less crowded perspectives that look across the Colosseum, where clever framing, using trees and architectural details as foreground details, can result in enviable crowd-free shots.

Pyramids, Giza

Rising up amid the sand and scorching heat of the Egyptian desert some 5,000 years ago, the Pyramids of Giza are one of the original Seven Wonders of the World – and a true bucket list trip for many. However, photographing these striking structures – and the Sphinx that guards them – requires negotiating these same harsh conditions and the stark sunlight and shadow that can make or break an image. 

Aim for golden hour, either during sunrise or sunset, when soft, warm light lifts the pyramids’ golden tones. An early or late arrival means fewer group tours, as does timing your visit during Ramadan or the peak summer months. Get creative with angles, too, using wide angles and shooting upwards to avoid people, or alternatively embrace their movement by reducing your shutter speed and allowing people to walk through your frame, which renders their moving figures as a dynamic blur.

Sydney Opera House, Sydney

Capturing crowd-free shots of Sydney’s spectacular Opera House can prove a tricky proposition. Perched on the city’s harbour’s with its interlocking, sail-like structures reaching skywards, it’s often the first destination on any visitor’s hitlist, which – combined with keen early morning joggers and culture vultures attending evening performances – means quiet moments are rare. 

The trick is to find your own vantage point. While the steps and forecourt that lead to the Opera House are often crowded, head further out for excellent alternative spots including Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, which sees the structure set against Sydney’s Harbour Bridge and, in the other direction, the Circular Quay ferry wharves. Or, for the ultimate alone time with this architectural icon, consider hiring a kayak, which gives unadulterated access from a variety of angles.