40 Drone Images That Show Unique Parts of the World From Incredible Heights

Some drones capture the most bizarre images from above. Take this image, for example. Whoever was operating this drone was bewildered to see a giant pink bunny lying motionless on a mountainside. It was right next to his house. However, he soon learned that a Viennese art group had created the bunny as part of an art project. While it was designed to shock hikers who were passing through, it was also intended as a spot for them to relax midway through their adventures.

What strikes us most about this photo upon first glance is the symmetry between the two people on the beach and the two manta rays in the water. From a visual standpoint, it almost looks as if they are enjoying some sort of interspecies double date. The photo was taken in Sri Lanka, and in a strange way, evokes the classic tale of Noah’s ark, in which two of each animal species were brought onto the vessel before the flood.

Historians are often fascinated by what they can find from shipwrecks. They usually provide plenty of valuable information about the time in which the ship was sunk or abandoned. This shipwreck ended up in the Philippines, specifically in the Palawan province of Coron. The ship was used during World War II and it seems fitting that it would end up in this place. More shipwrecks can be found in this place that many believe is one of the most visually pleasing locations in the world.

This drone image captured a seemingly abandoned Boeing 727 that rests in the woods outside of Portland, Oregon. However, it turns out that a retired engineer bought the plane, placed it in these woods and converted it into a home. The man in question spent a lot of time and resources making the inside of the plane actually liveable. Upon completing the transformation, he was able to enjoy his huge “garden.” The space in which the plane rests is almost like a heart-shape from above.

We would forgive you if you actually thought that an abandoned ship had been left in the middle of this busy cityscape. You might be wondering: “How did this ship get there and why was it left there?” It turns out though that it only looks like a ship. The Whampoa is actually a popular shopping center in the heart of Hong Kong that many people enjoy going to for a number of reasons. There is no denying that drone images from above provide a truly remarkable sight.

There are plenty of movies and documentaries out there that put a magnifying glass over crop circles and what they could potentially mean. If you’ve ever seen Signs by M. Night Shyamalan, this photo will look extremely familiar. People have wondered how these remarkable patterns got there in the first place. Did farmers make them themselves, or could it be that extraterrestrials are sending us some sort of signal? While we don’t know for sure yet, there’s no harm in speculating.

While many of these images show the world’s diverse beauty from above, this one simply shows how annoying and invasive drones can be to us humans. This young lady was doing some sunbathing on the roof of her building when, all of a sudden, she noticed a drone hovering above her. She quickly grabbed her broom and chased the drone, yelling expletives as it flew away. Plenty of people are concerned with how intrusive drones can be in our everyday lives.

One thing that a drone can perfectly capture is a large traffic jam that must be frustrating thousands of drivers below. This photo was taken over a motorway in China during rush hour. While all the cars are somehow driving adjacently, there aren’t any real technical lanes seeing that there are no lines separating them. It’s amazing how all these cars manage to drive in such an orderly fashion. People often get out of their cars during these long, packed hours.

Out of all of the things that have been caught on a drone, this has to be the cutest thing, right? When someone sent their drone over a range of mountains, they discovered that a couple were on the edge of one of the cliffs. Lo and behold, the drone caught the perfect moment when the guy got down on one knee and asked for his partner’s hand in marriage. We sincerely hope that the person was able to share the footage with these new fiances…

When this drone image originally surfaced online, people were scratching their heads by what they were seeing. For some, it took a few minutes to realize that the photo was taken from above as the shadows played tricks on people’s eyes. Obviously, if you focus a bit more on the details, you can see that a drone was hovering over a group of zebras. You could say that this is a perfectly natural optical illusion. But once you do see the zebras, you can’t unsee them.

The world’s oceans are simply full of wonders. With such a diverse range of marine life all around the globe, there is always some majestic creature to encounter. This swimmer got incredibly close to a humpback whale, which can easily grow up to 16 meters long. Moreover, they can live up to 50 years. This drome image clearly shows how big the whale is in comparison to its human neighbor. While the snorkeler is in absolute awe, he keeps his distance just to stay safe.

Believe it or not, but the Belvedere Hotel of the Swiss Alps was once one of the famous locations in a James Bond movie. That’s right, Sean Connery graced this cute hotel for the classic Goldfinger. It appears that the hotel is located in the middle of nowhere. Specifically, though, it was built on what is known today as the Furka Pass, a windy road with tons of bends. The hotel certainly earned its title “The Jewel in the Mountains” and has been open to guests since 1882.

If you are a Star Wars fan, this might remind you of the volcanic planet that Anakin and Obi-Wan fought on at the end of Revenge of the Sith. In reality, this volcanic region is located in Iceland and drone technology has now given us the chance to capture images in dangerous locations around the world, like this one. The lava in the region runs between two mountains. Maybe the best way to describe it is like a river that is on fire.

It was a great winter day for a drone to be hovering over this part of the Pacific Northwest. The snow had perfectly rested on the surface, while the trees retained their bright red color, creating a beautiful contrast from above. “The temperature was about -5ºF at sea level, but -20ºF at 14,000 to 15,000 feet. It was also extremely windy,” the photographer said. If there was an opportunity to drive straight through a winter wonderland, then this is it.

If there is one place in the world where there are plenty of amazing locations for drones to take stunning photos, then it is Barcelona. Sagrat Cor Church is undoubtedly a beautiful building to visit. Mount Tibidabo is where this church is located and it is so high up that the statues at the top are often covered in clouds. Spanish architect Enric Sagnier designed this church, which is also known as the Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

A truly unique natural structure is the Katskhi Pillar, which can be found in the western part of Georgia. Back in the 9th or 10th century, a group of monks built a church at the top of this limestone monolith. It was and always will be a true challenge to get to. Somehow, someway though, they managed to complete its construction and people have been ascending the pillar ever since to pray. Followers supply Monk Maxime with food and supplies twice a week via its 131ft ladder.

One of the highest waterfalls in all of Europe has to be Mardalsfossen. Located in Romsdal, Norway, this incredible waterfall has a terrify

ing 1,175 ft drop and the clouds below create an illusion that it meets no end whatsoever. The water comes from a nearby valley and passes along the Mardola river. Lake Eikesdalsvatnet rests at the bottom of the waterfall and carries the water along. While there are plenty of good locations to take photos of the waterfall, the drone seems to get the best view.

While this might appear to be an incredibly dangerous thing to do, which it is, there are those who are able to do it without causing any damage to themselves. However, it does require skill and meticulous timing. According to the person who took this photo with a drone, the diver in question is over 60 years of age and “is the world record holder for the Guinness waterfall diving.” This photo was taken at a waterfall in China’s Yellow River in the Heilongjiang province.

It’s amazing to think that this is a photo of a real landscape. The beautiful Dubai Miracle Garden was constructed in 2013 and is full of amazing flower assortments. If you are ever in the United Arab Emirates, make sure to visit this awe-inspiring garden complex in Dubailand. It should come as no surprise then that at 72,000 square meters, it is the largest garden of its kind on the planet. Bachir Moukarzel captured this image of the Airbus A4280.

They don’t call it a bird’s eye view for nothing. Members of the aviary community have such an incredible view of the world, similar to that of a drone. But what happens when a drone is hovering over an eagle in mid-flight? That’s right, you get this kind of amazing view. However, large birds are known to be aggressive towards the drones that they share the sky with, with a reputation of plucking at their machinery. Dutch police even used eagles to take out some illegal drones.

Even the simpler photos on this list can be just as beautiful as the jaw-dropping, epic vistas. Take this photo, for example, which was taken by a drone in the Mekong Delta in Vietnam. Helios1412 took the photo of a woman harvesting water lilies and submitted it for 2017’s International Drone Photography Contest. Amazingly, it ended up winning second prize in the People category. The area’s fertile land means that both animals and plants thrive here. No wonder this pond area is referred to as “Vietnam’s rice bowl.”

While it might appear to be a small boat stuck on a cracked desert floor, at first, it is actually something else entirely. Drone photographer Milo Allerton named this photo “Cracked Mud Boating,” and depicts a family enjoying some time on the Burke Lake, located in Virginia. This lake is situated in Fairfax Station and spans a whopping 218 acres. Owned by the local authority, there are plenty of families and individuals alike who like to travel along this body of freshwater via boat.

One of the most densely populated capital cities in the world, Mexico City is a sight to behold from above. The most populated city in the Western Hemisphere, it has a staggering 21 million people and this photo seems to capture one of the busiest parts of the entire city. This hilly part of Mexico City is laden with homes and buildings. Of course, Mexico’s capital is home to a number of historically important landmarks such as the 13th-century Aztec temple Templo Mayor, as well as the Cathedral Metropolitana.

This beautiful area view of the red sand dunes of Saudi Arabia was taken by talented drone photographer Abdullah Al Nassar. The photo gives a fascinating look at white camels moving in a bending line in search of some water. This photo was taken in the desert area of north-east Riyadh. Seeing that the area is surrounded by towering mountains, the “Hidden Valley,” as it is also known, is a popular place for locals to visit during the weekend.

Was there ever a time that one person was surrounded by more ducks than in this photo? There are plenty of duck farmers in Asian countries such as Vietnam and the man in the middle of this photo is one of them. Here, ducks are used for both feathers and meat and it’s the farmer’s job to do daily rounds. He makes sure to feed all of the ducks and as he moves through the middle, the duck’s group up and form fascinating shapes along the water’s surface.

Back in 2016, when the International Drone Footage photography awards were first launched, this photo was first prize winner, and it’s not hard to see why. Taken from an angle that is bound to scare a lot of people with a fear of heights, a climber carefully scales down this Moab, Utah mountain face. “Two years ago I started flying drones, and I quickly realized their potential to capture stunning, never-before-seen views,” photographer Max Seigal said. “I’ve been hooked ever since!”

If you haven’t been before, make sure to add the Algarve, Portugal to your list of places to visit in your lifetime. It is a truly beautiful part of the world and this is just one example of this southern region of Portugal’s vast array of natural (and man-made) beauty. This long staircase helps direct beachgoers to one of the most secluded and beautiful beaches in the Faro area. If you are looking from the beach though, the stairs look like they’ll take you to heaven!

Don’t worry, this wasn’t constructed by aliens or simply by chance. American artist Robert Smithson is responsible for this stunning earthwork structure. Spiral Jetty was first put together in April 1970 and this drone image gives a stunning view of the artwork on the beach that it was built on. The image would be amazing to look at without the spiral, simply due to the texture and the relationship between land, water, and sky. The artwork can only be seen when water levels fall below 4,195 feet.

It is unclear where this drone image was taken. However, it is common to see women in this part of the world picking marigolds in a field. While it looks pretty normal on the ground level, there is something extremely aesthetically pleasing about seeing this from above. It must be something to do with the bright colors and the symmetry that creates some sort of peaceful quality. Many backpackers like to walk through these fields and have their photo taken.

Best known for its turquoises waters at the bottom, Cascade de Tamul is where the Santa Maria River and the Gallinas River meet to form a truly remarkable waterfall. While you can get great views while using a traditional wooden canoe called a panga, this drone certainly got the very best view. Apparently, there is also a stunning cave around the middle that is worth checking out. “Suddenly you are in a river, bluer than anything you’ve seen,” MSalazar said. “Fresh waters, nice canoes to row and an amazing waterfall.”

Different from most of the other drone images on this list, this one was taken by someone who ended up getting pranked by his friend. A drone enthusiast explained to his friend that he loves flying his drone over the countryside. After finding out where exactly he flew the drone, the friend devised an elaborate plan. The next time he flew his drone over the field, a bigfoot seemed to appear out of nowhere. However, he discovered the next day that it was just his friend dressed up!

A truly stunning image saw photographer Bryan Dumas fly his drone over New York’s iconic Central Park during one of the winter’s coldest mornings. The end result was this incredible photo. While it is surrounded by skyscrapers, the park stands out even more because of its snowy blanket. People who live in New York City appreciate having Central Park to get away from the busy city life every once in a while. The snow just emphasizes how unique this part of the city really is.

It was a great winter day for a drone to be hovering over this part of the Pacific Northwest. The snow had perfectly rested on the surface, while the trees retained their bright red color, creating a beautiful contrast from above. “The temperature was about -5ºF at sea level, but -20ºF at 14,000 to 15,000 feet. It was also extremely windy,” the photographer said. If there was an opportunity to drive straight through a winter wonderland, then this is it.

This drone image was taken in the Norwegian archipelago of Lofoten, which has its very own soccer field for people from the local community to play on. It just goes to show how far the beautiful game has come. Norway is experiencing something of a renaissance in soccer, with many believing that the current crop of players in the national team is the country’s golden generation. It is remote fields like this one that are bringing more opportunities to young, talented players.

Unlike other drone images on this list, this one shows the exact same location with a long, winding road through the middle. What makes it so unique is that the photographer took the exact same image twice, with one having been taken in the summer and the other being taken in the winter. With a bit of editing magic, the effect was created that different seasons are happening either side of the road. It is almost reminiscent of the yin and the yang.

If you haven’t seen the Landwasserviaduct in a movie or a TV show over the last 50 years, then you simply haven’t watched enough. This incredible six-arched viaduct is located in Graubunden, Switzerland and was designed over a hundred years ago by the revered Alexander Acatos.  Surrounded by snowy mountains and thousands upon thousands of trees, you can consider yourself a true traveler if you ever end up passing through this viaduct on one of the iconic red trains.

Unlike many of the other drone images on this list, this one was given a black and white filter through the power of editing. This photo was taken in Phan Rang, Vietnam, where there is a copious amount of sand dunes. The figures in the center of the image are a group of kids who are running through the dunes as a form of exercise during the early hours of the morning. The city also has plenty of green areas too.

Photographer Panvelvet captured this incredible image through some neat camera work. It was taken in Hong Kong, a country blessed with numerous, bustling metropolises and an unfathomable number of skyscrapers. This particular drone image is reminiscent of the scene from the classic Christopher Nolan movie Inception. You know the scene where the characters experience in their dreams that the shapes of city landscapes can be modified. That’s how we feel right now when looking at this stunning photo.

A similar drone image to one that was previously shared on this list, a group of farmers can be seen from above washing each water lily meticulously. This followed by a process in which they group a certain number of lilies into a bundle. The final step is to take these beautiful bundles to the local markets. During this washing process though, the workers lay out the lilies in a beautiful, circular display. Their clothes also match the flowers.

As each year passes by, Iceland is becoming an even greater tourist location to visit than it already was. One of the attractions that people flock to from around the globe is the Gullfoss, the most famous waterfall in the entire country. With an impressive double cascade, the “Golden Falls,” as they are known as in English, is even more mesmerizing when observed from tremendous heights, like from this drone image, for example. Make sure to visit the next time you’re in Iceland.

Located in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam, the Bac Lieu is a majestic part of the world for a number of reasons. The reason that is evident in this drone image is the fact that it is the salt basket of this region. Large salt fields can be found here, where workers collect to form large piles of salt that they can even stand on. When the sun is shining on them, they are almost reminiscent of little pyramids.

The largest city in northern Thailand, Chiang Mai, boasts some truly stunning locations, especially surrounding its many bodies of water such as the Ping River. This drone image shows two people riding scooters on one of the cities bridges. However, the most unique thing about this photo is how small the bridge and the scooters look against the crashing waves and patterns created by the waters. It is amazing how such a chaotic scenario can create something such beautiful patterns.

This drone image might not capture the natural beauty of the world the same way that many of these other images do. However, it presents a really cool view of a couple driving along the iconic Will Rogers Highway, better known as Route 66. They are enjoying themselves in a classic blue Ford Mustang Convertible, as many others have over the years. If you are ever able to drive the entirety of Route 66, then that is one huge thing to tick off your bucket list.

This drone image captures the Melissani cave on the Greek island of Kefalonia from the most unique of angles. It is a popular location, attracting many visitors each year. Due to the extremely clear, blue waters in the cave’s lagoon, many believe that the boats that reach these parts look like they are floating in the air. What’s remarkable about this image is that from above, it hardly looks like a cave, and simply like a lake that is surrounded by trees.

People often forget how close New York actually is to Canada. This drone image was taken in Alexandria Bay, a village that is home to just 1,078 people. Due to its location, the village is often a victim of high water levels. This is just one of many remote homes that were built to sustain the rising waters. It is around this time of the year (early fall) that many vacationers and boaters come to enjoy boat tours and other activities.

Without a shadow of a doubt, Mont Blanc is the mountain of the French Alps that most climbers are determined to reach the summit of. Some of the most iconic skiers on the planet can be seen in this drone image on the mountain’s summit. The Dynastar ski team can be seen walking up to the 4810m peak before they eventually ski the north face of the mountain during sunset. For light purposes, this is certainly one of the most beautiful times of the day to ski.

While the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre museum might be some of the more popular tourist attractions in France, one shouldn’t ignore Mont-Saint Michel. This beautiful tidal island is surrounded by empty beach space and only has a population of 50 people. It is a commune and has seen plenty of history over the last few hundred years. It is currently on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites and attracts more than three million people every year.

The following drone image is a truly remarkable sight. It shows the hotel of Aman Sveti Stefan, which virtually encompasses the entirety of this islet on the Adriatic coast of Montenegro. In total, the resort is believed to have about 50 rooms, suites, and cottages, as well as eight grand suites in Villa Milocer. While it is just as beautiful from the ground, the many orange roofs are an amazing thing to see from a bird’s eye view.

No, this trawler isn’t polluting the waters with what looks like acidic residues of some neon-green-like poisons. It’s just the reflection of the green fishing net in the clear waters around Vietnam.

We first thought that it looks like a watercolor painting of a shellfish. Something about the wavy outline of the net gives it an otherworldly touch. In fact, it’s as if the trawler has become a marine creature itself.

Fall is a beautiful season. When everything is colored in yellow and brown hues, and few leaves (or none) hang from trees, this is the season to enjoy nature. This photo was taken somewhere along the Western Coast of the United States.

If this is the way it looks from above, we wonder how it looks on the ground. We sure want to find ourselves walking among these trees.

This is a unique picture, no doubt. Just look at the way the shadows fall, making us believe that these aren’t exactly people who are walking their dogs on a hot summer’s day.

In a way, they seemed to be a little detached from the background, as if they don’t really belong in the picture and are nothing but momentary visitors. One might even think that they are just statues.

This isn’t just a random black and white photo of a bunch of bushes. This picture, of a grain field in Germany, is special. If you look closely enough, you’ll see that there’s a face hiding in there.

Yes — it does require a little imagination to see it, but we saw a face of an old man, hiding in there. Who knows? Maybe it’s the spirit of this grain field, manifesting itself as an old man.

If you ever got the chance to walk alone in a forest, in the middle of the winter, you’d probably recall the immense sensation of peace it gives you. Also, all you hear is the sound of your own breath and the crunching snow underneath your feet.

This is a mesmerizing picture of a forest during winter. The trees are arranged in a peculiar pattern, with this tree being in the middle.

This photo of a random road segment in the Al Qudra desert in Dubai shows harmony with nature. If you look closely, you’ll see that the road segment on the left side was built around a pair of trees.

The unique shape of the roads also reminds us of a woman wearing a niqab, which leaves only two narrow slits for the eyes. There’s definitely something enchanting about this picture.

From the picture, you can easily tell that it was taken somewhere in Asia. But, to be more precise, we can reveal that it was taken on the Nhu Y River in Vietnam in Hue City. The girls on the boats are wearing traditional dresses called Ao Dai.

They’re releasing floating candles on the river as a form of prayer for peace and happiness. This is part of an age-old spiritual tradition.

This could easily be an inspiration for a scene in Lion King: a herd of hippos who are happily bathing in muddy waters somewhere in Tanzania.

The only way you can tell that these are hippos (and not some giant random grey blocks) is the pink parts, presumably their eyes and ears. In any case, it seems like they are having the time of their lives in this murky pool.

There’s something very soothing about this picture. Perhaps, it’s the color contrast, which passes from bright yellow-green to a light-blue. We imagine that this picture was taken somewhere around the Mediterranean coast, but we don’t know exactly where.

Given the color of the green rocks and their yellow hues, we think that this picture was taken a couple of hours before sunset. The angle of the sun’s rays could have given the rocks their yellow hues.

This giant truck looks like an animal, possibly a cat, that’s simply taking a few minutes to rest after a long journey. In fact, the more we look at it, the more we think of a ginger cat that is busking in the sun.

This is perhaps only because of the color of the material that was spilled. We guess that trucks also need some rest, especially in Russia.

You can easily tell from the picture that it was taken in Kuala Lumpur, in the Philippines. How could you tell? The twin skyscrapers in the middle are easily recognizable. These are the Petronas Towers, which were built in 1999.

They’re considered the tallest twin towers in the world, reaching a staggering height of 1,483 feet. This photo was taken right when the lightning struck, in the middle of a tropical storm.

August is the harvest season in Vietnam. Vietnamese farmers go out into the fields with sickles to harvest the grass. They cut the grass and divide it into bundles, as you can see in the picture.

It’s planted roughly six months before harvest and grows until it’s taller than an average adult’s head. In West Vietnam, the grass has a variety of uses: from making wickers to hats and even cushions.

Iceland is known for its beautiful cliffs and fjords. Even though it’s a harsh country in terms of terrain and climate, it’s still worth visiting. This picture is of the Reynisdrangar beach (don’t even try to pronounce it).

The beach consists of what looks like black needles. According to the legend, the beach was formed when two trolls were trying to drag a three-mast ship to the shore. When day broke, the trolls turned to stone.

No, this picture wasn’t photoshopped nor was this island artificially created by humans or anyone else for that matter. This is Gaz island in the Brijuni archipelago in Croatia.

Only a handful of other islands in the world share the same shape as this island. The shape of the island was the inspiration for the logo of the Brijuni National Park, which the island is part of. The island is a tourist attraction as it has various archeological sites.

We’re not sure what we’re even looking at here. It seems like one side is entirely scorched while the other is flourishing. In the middle, there seems to be a red umbrella.

There’s definitely something surreal and eerie about this picture. We believe it sends a strong message, though: there’s always hope, and one should never give up, no matter how hard things are.

There’s something enchanting about the desert. It seems like time moves a lot slower there. Just imagine a caravan, as it slowly plows through the sandy terrain. While it leaves tracks, the sand covers everything eventually.

This shows that no matter how much time and effort humans would invest, the desert will always win. This roundabout is the perfect example of it. It’s been covered in dust, possibly because a sand storm recently passed over it in that area.

There is no denying that Christ the Redeemer is one of the most iconic tourist attractions in the world. This gigantic statue watches over Rio de Janeiro and attracts millions of visitors every year. Despite images of the statue being readily available online, these drone images capture Christ the Redeemer from some truly unique angles. The shot from above is especially different from what we are used to seeing in travel brochures. It also shows just how big it actually is.

While Amsterdam has plenty to offer for tourists, there are many other beautiful parts of the Netherlands worth visiting. Take Fort Bourtange, for example, which is located in the village of the same name in Groningen. This stunning star-shaped fort was constructed about 300 years ago. These days though, tourists are able to visit it as it reopened as a historical museum. While it is a beautiful place to see from the ground, this drone image truly captures the sheer grandeur of its design.

One part of the world that seems to have plenty of remote, winding highways is Romania. This drone was hovering over one of them and captured this incredible aerial image. With red, burnt orange, and gold autumn leaved trees coming from every angle, this meandering road still manages to stand out like a sore thumb, in stark contrast to the forestry that surrounds it. This type of drone image perfectly shows how nature and man-made structures can find some sort of balance.

The historical significance surrounding Russia’s Mir mine is unquestionable. One of the largest excavated holes on the planet, it has been active as a diamond mine for over half a century, while open-pit mining was discontinued in 2001. This aerial shot from a drone shows just how big Mir Mine is compared to its neighboring villages. Completely man-made, it also shows the huge impact that humans have had on this landscape over the years.

One of the more intimate drone images on this list got a closeup image of a lion looking up from the ground. It is believed that the “king of the jungle” in this image was disturbed by the sounds the drone was making and couldn’t keep its eyes off it from that point onward. All cats have this in common. As soon as they notice something out of the ordinary, they put everything else to one side and give it all of their attention.