The best landmarks for photo opportunities.

Summary/Overview

From London’s Big Ben to Rome’s iconic Colosseum, European cities are filled with landmarks that stop you in your tracks. And once you’ve had a moment to take in the sights, many of us reach for our cameras to capture what we’re seeing. But are some spots more picturesque than others?

To find out, we’ve researched and ranked the best landmarks for photo opportunities across the UK and Europe. Analysing six different factors, including TripAdvisor reviews, Instagram hashtags, and TikTok search volume, we’ve compiled a list of the most photogenic spots.

So, whether you’re a seasoned photographer or just capturing memories on your phone, here’s our ranking of the must-visit landmarks!

The best landmarks for photo opportunities in the UK.

The UK is home to some impressive landmarks, but are some more picture-perfect than others? Here’s our ranking of the top five photography-worthy spots:

1. Big Ben, London

Big Ben tops our ranking with a total score of 61.78 out of 100. With 62% of its TripAdvisor reviews at five stars and 217 mentions of ‘photo opportunity’, it’s clearly a must-snap landmark.

There are a whopping 3,627,657 Instagram posts featuring #BigBen, and the landmark has a search volume of 22,780,000, the highest on our list.

2. London Eye, London

The London Eye comes in second place, scoring 56.57. We found 843 photo opportunity mentions (the highest on our list) as well as an impressive 3,568,253 Instagram hashtags.

With 52.9% of TripAdvisor reviews coming in at 5 stars, the London Eye is well loved by tourists and professional photographers alike.

3. Buckingham Palace, London

The third London landmark to steal a spot is Buckingham Palace, with a total score of 50.43. With its intricate architecture and surrounding parks—offering natural framing and seasonal colour—it’s easy to see why.

We found 526,000 TikTok searches for Buckingham Palace, as well as 1,630,412 Instagram hashtags. The landmark also has the second highest overall search volume, coming in at 21,050,000.

4. Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh

Moving away from the capital, our next landmark is Edinburgh Castle, scoring 40.08. With its dramatic hilltop location and medieval architecture, there’s no wonder it comes in fourth place.

With 58.2% five-star reviews and 245 mentions of ‘photo opportunity’, there are ample spots for capturing an impressive shot!

5. Stonehenge, Wiltshire

Last on our list of UK landmarks we have Stonehenge, with a total score of 31.33. While we found fewer photo opportunity mentions (155), the landmark still has 50.4% 5-star reviews.

On top of this, we found a total search volume of 14,840,000, as well as 979,288 Instagram hashtags.

The most photogenic landmarks in Europe.

From the Eiffel Tower to the Colosseum, Europe is packed with must-see landmarks. But which ones truly stand out on camera?

1. Eiffel Tower, Paris

First on our list is the Eiffel Tower, one of the most photographed landmarks in the world. With 70.6% five-star reviews, 422 photo opportunity mentions, and 7,884,619 Instagram hashtags, it’s certainly deserving of the top spot.

With multiple vantage points to capture it from (whether you’re stood under its arches or across the Seine) there’s no surprise it scores 66.19.

2. Sagrada Familia, Barcelona

With its unique towering spires, the Sagrada Familia comes in second place, scoring 47.20.

With a search volume of 29,380,000 and an impressive 77.9% five-star reviews, it’s clear that this landmark continues to captivate tourists and photographers.

3. Big Ben, London

Big Ben also earns a place on the European list, boasting a search volume of 22,780,000.

The instantly recognisable landmark has a total score of 45.51, attracting photographers on both bright and overcast days.

4. Colosseum, Rome

With its tiered arches and weathered stone, Rome’s ancient Colosseum comes in fourth, scoring 44.67.

We found 72.4% five-star reviews, and 425 photo opportunity mentions, which isn’t surprising considering its 360-degree photo potential.

5. Charles Bridge, Prague

Last up we have Charles Bridge, one of Prague’s most famous landmarks, with a score of 41.72. While we found a slightly lower search volume of 2,539,000, Charles Bridge has the most photo opportunity mentions out of our top five, coming in at 560.

Its scenic river reflections and Gothic charm make it a popular landmark to capture.

So, there you have it: the most photogenic landmarks across the UK and Europe! If you ever find yourself in one of the above cities, don’t forget to snap a shot of one of these standout attractions.

And remember, taking the perfect image isn’t just about pressing the shutter. Whether you’re capturing a sunset over the Colosseum or Edinburgh Castle covered in snow, here are some top tips to help take your photography to the next level:

• Experiment with angles: You can add depth and intrigue by experimenting with different angles. For tall landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Big Ben, try shooting from a low angle to make the architecture appear even more imposing.

• Look out for natural framing: Thoughtfully framing the landmark is another way to completely transform your image. Keep an eye out for natural frames (like archways, windows, or overhanging branches) to draw attention to your subject. If you’re looking to eliminate visual clutter, our background removal feature allows you to refine your image and let the landmark take centre stage.

• Focus on lighting: A soft, warm light flatters nearly every scene, making golden hour the perfect time to shoot. But if you’re looking to capture a more dramatic shot, just head to a landmark that lights up after dark.

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Methodology.

This dataset contains 4 rankings, ranking landmarks in the UK, France, Germany & across Europe, based on how picturesque they are. To do this, 6 different factors were used. Once the data for the factors was collected, the factors were then normalised, to provide each factor with a score between 0 and 1. If data was not available, a score of 0 was given. The normalised values were then summed and multiplied, to give each landmark a total score out of 100. The landmarks were then ranked from highest to lowest, based on their total scores.

The factors used are as follows:

• 5 Star Reviews - The percentage of TripAdvisor reviews for each landmark that are rated 5 stars.
• "Photo Opportunity" Mentions - The number of mentions for the prompt "photo opportunity" in each landmark’s TripAdvisor reviews.
• "Picturesque" Mentions - The number of mentions for the prompt "picturesque" in each landmark’s TripAdvisor reviews.
• Instagram Hashtags - The number of posts on Instagram using #X, where X is the landmark name.
• TikTok Searches - The number of searches on TikTok for each landmark.
• Landmark Search Volume - The total number of searches globally for each landmark across Google and search partners, between Apr 24 - Mar 25.

The factors were indexed as follows:

• All Factors - Higher is better.

All data is correct as of 25/04/25. The ranking data shown is a compilation of multiple data sources and may not be representative of real life. All data is accurate with regard to the sources provided.

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