12 architecturally striking photography spots around the world

One of the joys of travel is getting to experience the awe-inspiring design and scale of incredible pieces of architecture you’ve only ever seen images of. Here, Richard MacKichan, former editor-in-chief at Mr & Mrs Smith and now a freelance travel, culture and lifestyle writer, shares his pick of remarkable buildings to add to your travel bucket list – and to photograph for yourself.

St Paul’s Cathedral, London

London isn’t short of landmarks but only one has its visibility protected by law. Ever since Sir Christopher Wren’s domed cathedral of St Paul’s was completed in 1710 it’s been a beloved icon of the city – so much so that any high-rise developments that hinder its view have been legally prohibited since 1937. 

This means you can catch sight of it from points all over the city – even 10 miles away in Richmond Park where a stretch of woods has been obligingly cleared. To get a bit closer, head to the Millennium Footbridge, which offers a modern sightline to the famous dome – line up your shot with the foot traffic to create motion-blur subjects. For a slightly less frantic scene, head to One New Change where there are plenty of gleaming glass buildings for playing with reflections (stunning at sunset); or Canon Aly where the cathedral is framed between the street’s narrow walls.

Sydney Opera House, Sydney 

“Timeless” is an often-misused adjective, but this Australian icon offers heritage status – it turned 50 in 2023 – while still feeling completely contemporary. The overlapping shell-like design and perfect harbourside location ensure it can be captured from all manner of aesthetically pleasing angles – looking down from the Harbour Bridge, back across the water from a ferry, or in profile from around the bay. 

For the most rewarding shots, ascend its steps and get up close, where you’ll notice the tessellated ceramic tiles that coat its exterior and shift in colour as the light changes, making for some artfully abstract details. Come nightfall, the whole structure is lit in varying colour schemes, creating the potential for a unique picture.

Brooklyn Bridge, New York

The Empire State Building, the Flatiron Building, the Chrysler Building – many of New York’s most photographed structures stand tall among Manhattan’s tightly packed grid, so perhaps it’s the relative expanse of Brooklyn Bridge that makes it such a satisfying subject. From entry ramp to exit ramp, it spans 1.8 miles from south Manhattan across the East River to Dumbo (or Brooklyn Heights, depending which side you exit), affording plentiful photo opportunities. 

Enter from Manhattan and you can look back over the skyscrapers with the steel cables and stone tower in the foreground. At the Brooklyn end you’ll find Jane’s Carousel at the foot of the bridge and a wide-angle river and skyline view. On the cobbled Washington Street, between Water and Plymouth, you also get a particularly good shot of the bridge’s flag-topped eastern tower framed between two classic red-brick wharf buildings. Silver subway trains rattle back and forth across, too, adding motion – and another layer of classic New York detail.

Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro

As jaw-dropping now as it was when construction began in 1922, Rio’s Art Deco Christ the Redeemer statue stands proudly atop Corcovado mountain, surveying the sprawling city below. From Corcovado itself, you can get detailed close-ups of the statue, or follow the lead of a recent Vogue shoot and capture the crowds gathering on the steps below like tiny disciples. 

From the lookout point at Mirante Dona Marta, there’s a great view of its forested mountain peak with foliage to use for framing – also found when gazing up from Jardim Botânico. While the beaming sun makes for a nice spotlight, the Redeemer looks particularly imperious when shrouded in mist on grey days.

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Milan

The oldest arcade in Italy – and probably the most spectacular in the world – Milan’s galleria, between the equally impressive Duomo and Teatro alla Scala, transforms shopping into a near-religious experience. There are mosaic-tiled floors, large painted frescoes and ornate stonework aplenty, but it’s the central glass-domed roof that elicits the most “wows” from the (often sizeable) crowds – many have been known to lie down to get the perfect shot. 

There’s symmetry everywhere – helpful for composing pictures – and the shoppers themselves can make interesting subjects. Have a drink at the chic Camparino, the official home of Campari, for elevated views. Position your negroni just right and you’ll capture two Italian icons in one shot.

Acropolis, Athens

It’s old, it’s bold, and you can’t help but be distracted by it whenever you’re navigating Athens. The world’s most famous Greek ruins are the reason some people make the trip in the first place, and you won’t want to leave without some kind of photographic evidence. That said, it gets busy – and hot – so attempt any pilgrimages with plenty of patience. 

The prominence of the Parthenon can perhaps best be appreciated from afar: zoom in from up high on Mount Lycabettus and you’ll get a striking juxtaposition of the sprawling modern city and its ancient monument. Closer in, plenty of hotels boast perfect views, but only the Dolli truly delivers – with Acropolis eyefuls from its restaurant, its pool and some rather lovely bedrooms.

Chand Baori, Abhaneri, Rajasthan

If the name doesn’t immediately ring a bell, you might be more familiar with Chand Baori by sight. One of the oldest surviving stepwells in India, this ninth-century feat of astonishing architectural and aesthetic achievement features 3,500 steps descending 30 metres over 13 storeys. 

Though its primary function was to collect precious rainwater for desert-dwelling locals, it was also an important gathering spot, its Escher-esque design affording easy access for large crowds. It’s a bit of a detour from Jaipur (just shy of two hours by car), but tours are easily arranged – and the spectacle is worth it. The sun, sandstone, shadows and steps combine for mesmerising scenes. Allow about 30 minutes and you should be able to capture something memorable.

Eiffel Tower, Paris

Sure, you’ll find plenty more Parisian scenes, but if you’ve not seen it up close, the Tour d’Eiffel still packs an architectural punch. As the city’s tallest structure, you’ll catch glimpses of “the Iron Lady” from all around Paris, so keep your camera ready.

The western end of Rue de l’Université offers a particularly good top-to-bottom view, with its cobbled streets and iron-balconied buildings adding extra Gallic charm to the frame. Those partial to an architectural close-up will be drawn to the jardin at its imposing base. The tower-view sunsets from Palais du Tokyo are memorable, but perhaps the most charming sightings are from the Rive Gauche, where you’ll catch its warped reflection in the Seine – the true heart of the city.

Fundación César Manrique, Lanzarote

If your first thoughts of Lanzarote are of package holidays and plastic sun loungers, think again. The otherworldly volcanic isle has a rich artistic heritage, much of it courtesy of César Manrique – an artist, architect and activist who became its de facto creative director. His former home in Tahiche is a quite remarkable spectacle: a shapely party pad-cum-studio built, somewhat improbably, into a volcanic crater – like the Flintstones meets Seventies modernism meets nature. 

Lava spills in under a window, a palm tree protrudes through two storeys to meet daylight, lounges are carved into rocky caverns, and all the sharp basalt is tempered with smooth white curves. Post a picture from any room (or pool) here and you’ll be inundated with “Where is this?”’ comments.

Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Cambodia’s sprawling, 400-plus-acre Angkor Wat is the world’s largest religious structure – and the only entry here to appear on its nation’s flag. Such is its scale, capturing its entirety is all but impossible, but its close-up details more than compensate, with almost every stone surface intricately carved with mythical scenes. 

It’s at its most spectacular on the spring and autumn equinox, when the temple’s central spire aligns perfectly with the rising sun – a photo opportunity with spiritual significance. For some lesser-known sights, carry on northeast beyond the main temple complex and seek out Kbal Spean, where ancient Hindu carvings line the riverbed, or visit the “goddesses” temple of Banteay Srei, built from red sandstone, which is particularly striking in the late-afternoon sun.

The Pyramids of Giza, Egypt

This might seem like an obvious entry, but any list feels lacking without the last intact ancient wonder of the world – which, to this day, has visitors agog at the sheer existence of the pyramids. 

At their sand-hued best at sunset and sunrise, there are many vantage points. Even at its busiest, you can approach the Great Sphinx and just about frame it with a perfect pyramid backdrop, and there are numerous dusty tracks where you can find space to compose a worthy shot. Pay the entry fee and you can explore inside, where carved hieroglyphics telling the stories of the pharaohs remain a truly captivating sight – and make for compelling close-ups.

Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao, Spain

In contrast to such ancient wonders, the Guggenheim still looks mind-blowingly futuristic up close, despite being nearly 30 years old. Designed by revered architect Frank Gehry, it takes the shape of a wave-like, dream-like, deconstructed ocean liner and dominates the Nervión riverfront in the Basque city of Bilbao. 

Thanks to its glass, titanium and limestone cladding, there are intriguing angles and reflections galore – making it a photographer’s dream. From across the estuary, if you wait until the sun is low, you can capture an enchanting full-width landscape with light reflecting on the water and Louise Bourgeois’ menacing spider sculpture in full view. The art inside is worth admiring, but you’ll be forgiven for considering the whole just as impressive as its parts.