Most Instagrammed Winter Holiday Destinations
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To many, winter is "the most wonderful time of year." Yes, there are the holidays that bring families and friends together. But the season's unique beauty also makes it stand out for travelers and photographers alike.
Snow falling from the sky, blanketing the streets with endless white. Icicles glistening in the sun or moonlight. And iced-over lakes that crackle as far as the eye can see. There are very few things as beautiful as a winter wonderland, but which destinations do it best?
Here are 18 winter places that happen to be the most photographic this time of year.
18. Lake Baikal, Siberia
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No. of Instagram hashtags: 169
* Data comes from a 2021 study conducted by Area 52, ranking destinations based on the number of Instagram hashtags they had at the time of the report.
What Makes Lake Baikal So Photogenic
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Frozen bubbles and huge cracks in the ice make this lake a unique spot.
17. Swiss Alps, Switzerland
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No. of Instagram hashtags: 845
What Makes the Swiss Alps So Photogenic
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A fluffy blanket of snow covering mountain tops and pine trees make this a must-see location.
16. Rila, Bulgaria
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No. of Instagram hashtags: 862
What Makes Rila So Photogenic
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Mountain tops, foggy lakes and luscious snowfall make Rila a great winter destination.
15. Yosemite, California
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No. of Instagram hashtags: 2,700
What Makes Yosemite So Photogenic
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Natural wonders like larger-than-life mountains and trees make Yosemite a stand-out place to visit, especially in the winter when crowds are scarce.
14. Highlands, Scotland
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No. of Instagram hashtags: 3,600
What Makes the Scottish Highlands So Photogenic
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Snow-covered trees and hilltops make the Scottish Highlands an ideal winter destination for snowy adventures.
13. Lapland, Sweden
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No. of Instagram hashtags: 4,200
What Makes Lapland So Photogenic
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Lapland is full of natural winter beauty, especially if you look up at the nighttime skies to see the Northern Lights.
12. Mt. Cayambe, Ecuador
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No. of Instagram hashtags: 5,200
What Makes Mt. Cayambe So Photogenic
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The third highest mountain in Ecuador serves up some amazing views from the top.
11. New York, United States
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No. of Instagram hashtags: 6,700
What Makes New York So Photogenic
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Snow-covered streets, parks and buildings make New York City a fun winter destination for those who love bright lights and city life.
10. South Coast, Iceland
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No. of Instagram hashtags: 8,800
What Makes the South Coast So Photogenic
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The Northern Lights and cascading walls of ice make Iceland's South Coast a great place for exploration in winter months.
9. Tromso, Norway
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No. of Instagram hashtags: 10,400
What Makes Tromso So Photogenic
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Picturesque mountain tops and quaint winter homes make Tromso a magical winter wonderland to visit.
8. Lofoten, Norway
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No. of Instagram hashtags: 10,500
What Makes Lofoten So Photogenic
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Complete with white reindeer, Lofoten is a winter haven for anyone craving a scenic getaway.
7. Bled, Slovenia
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No. of Instagram hashtags: 26,500
What Makes Bled So Photogenic
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This famous location just happens to include a castle in the middle of Lake Bled.
6. Dolomites, Italy
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No. of Instagram hashtags: 27,200
What Makes the Dolomites So Photogenic
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Snowy mountain tops and calm lakes make the Dolomites a trendy winter location.
5. Prague, Czech Republic
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No. of Instagram hashtags: 27,200
What Makes Prague So Photogenic
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Snow-lined cobblestone streets and pubs make Prague a particularly fun winter destination.
4. Whistler, Canada
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No. of Instagram hashtags: 45,700
What Makes Whistler So Photogenic
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Gorgeous, snow-covered trees on winding roads, not to mention top-rate skiing, make Whistler a true winter wonderland.
3. Missoula, Montana
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No. of Instagram hashtags: 124,000
What Makes Missoula So Photogenic
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Rolling mountains and clear, starry skies bring visitors to Missoula any time of year.
2. Lapland, Finland
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No. of Instagram hashtags: 222,000
What Makes Lapland So Photogenic
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Northern Lights, reindeer and snow-covered everything make Lapland the ultimate winter destination.
1. Cappadocia, Turkey
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No. of Instagram hashtags: 257,000
What Makes Cappadocia So Photogenic
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Hot-air balloons and snow-covered caves make Cappadocia a truly unique place to visit during wintertime.