2020 has been an atypical year full of unique challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused us to reevaluate many aspects of our personal lives, from how we communicate with our families and friends to how we work and stay safe when we leave the house.
After many months of confinement, now that summer’s here, we all want to go out and rediscover the world. However, the appearance of new outbreaks means that for many, travel is still a distant dream that will have to wait until there is a vaccine. Does that mean you can’t do any sightseeing when you’re on vacation this year?
Fortunately, there are a number of interesting ways to visit some of the most amazing places on the planet without leaving your living room or spending a dime! No, we’re not crazy, we’re talking about virtual tours you can do online. You can walk in the Scottish Highlands, visit the Ghibli Museum in Japan, or discover the glaciers of Iceland from your PC or phone. Do you find that hard to believe?
In today’s article, we’re going to share what we consider to be the most interesting virtual tours on YouTube today. We hope you find them helpful!
How to take advantage of virtual tours on YouTube
To enjoy these virtual tours on YouTube, you only need an internet connection, but to take full advantage of them, we recommend getting a VR headset that’s compatible with your phone. That way you can immerse yourself in your chosen destination, and when you move your head, the video will move at the same time.
There is a wide selection of virtual reality headsets for your phone with affordable prices. You can check out the best deals on Amazon here.
If you’re a PC user, you can also enjoy these videos to the fullest by purchasing a compatible virtual reality headset. They are a lot more expensive, but they offer a far more realistic and immersive experience.
The best undersea virtual reality tours
Want to go underwater and explore the fauna in coral reefs? There are some excellent virtual reality tours of amazing places such as Manta Point, the star location for scuba diving in Bali, or the Glen Nusa shipwreck. In fact, you can even swim among sharks without leaving your living room. Interested?
360° Coral reefs
Scuba diving at Manta Nusa Penida (Bali)
Scuba diving at the Glen Nusa wreck
360° Coral reef with sharks
Underwater national park at Buck Island Reef
The best virtual tours of the USA
Now that the US border is closed to the vast majority of the world, the best way to enjoy the United States is through a virtual tour. You can visit the Grand Canyon, go hiking in Yosemite Park, or enjoy well-known museums like the Metropolitan Museum of Art or the Smithsonian Natural History Museum.
The Grand Canyon
Go hiking in Yosemite Park
Visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Visit the rest of the Metropolitan Museum of Art by clicking this link.
Visit the Smithsonian Natural History Museum
Visit NASA
- Visit the rest of NASA by clicking this link.
The best virtual tours of Iceland
Iceland, the paradise of fire and ice, is another incredible destination for tourism without leaving your sofa. Here you can enjoy icy landscapes, the Northern Lights, and an underwater paradise. How does that sound?
Visit Iceland’s glaciers
Take a diving tour of the Melckmety shipwreck
Experience the amazing Northern Lights
The best virtual tours of Africa
An exceptional destination for nature and wildlife lovers, Africa is home to some of the most astonishing and majestic animals on the planet. Discover the magic of Kenya and Tanzania, or the magnificent Victoria Falls in Zambia-Zimbabwe.
12 Virtual safaris in Africa
- Watch the rest of the safaris by clicking here.
Fly over Victoria Falls
The best virtual tours of Australia
Although it has been severely affected by forest fires, Australia is still a green paradise that attracts millions of visitors a year. You can visit the paradisiacal Hamilton Island, attend an opera, or enjoy the lights at the Vivid festival in the heart of Sydney without leaving your living room.
Visit Hamilton Island and go scuba diving
Discover Sydney’s magical Vivid festival
Visit the Sydney Opera House
Fly over Australia’s Great Barrier Reef
Explore Kangaroo Island
The best virtual tours of New Zealand
Previously visited by few, New Zealand has become a hot tourist destination thanks to the Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit. Its stunning landscapes and wilderness are a few of its many strong points. Want to discover it?
Explore Weta Cave (Weta Workshop)
Stroll through the city of Wellington
Visit New Zealand’s most beautiful landscapes
The best virtual tours of the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom is one of the world’s most popular tourism destinations. It has cosmopolitan cities, stunning natural landscapes, and fascinating historical sites. If you’ve always wanted to stroll through the streets of London, visit Cornwall, or enjoy the beauty of Newcastle, don’t miss these tours.
Visit London and its main points of interest
Tour the top tourist sites of England
Visit Buckingham Palace
Stroll through Camden Town
Ride the colossal London Eye
Visit the Tower of London
The best virtual tours of Italy
Considered to be the cradle of art, Italy has been the birthplace of many great poets, painters, and sculptors. Enjoy its views and beaches, and don’t miss the opportunity to visit some of its best-known monuments from the comfort of your armchair.
Tour the Venice Carnival
Discover the Colosseum
Tour the city of Rome
Discover Cinque Terre National Park
Visit Florence
The best virtual tours of France
If you have always dreamed of spending a day in the “city of love,” touring the Champs-Élysées or visiting the Louvre… Why not use your vacation this year to do just that? You can go to the top of the Eiffel Tower or enjoy the Palace of Versailles without spending a euro.
Go to the top of the Eiffel Tower
Visit Paris
See the Mona Lisa
Visit the top sightseeing spots in Paris
The best virtual tours of China
China is a country full of charm and tradition with many sights to see. From Shanghai and Hong Kong to the Great Wall of China, hours of adventures await you, and you can enjoy them today without taking the long plane flight!
Visit the Great Wall of China
Visit the city of Shanghai
Cross the Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge
Fly over the Guilin Mountains
Visit some panda bears
Discover Hong Kong
The best virtual tours of the Amazon
Considered the lungs of the planet, the Amazon is the perfect destination for adventurous, nature-loving travelers. If you enjoy beautiful scenery but are not up for braving the dangers of the jungle… Why not take a virtual tour on YouTube? Here are the ones we like the most:
Go deep into the heart of the Amazon
Tour the Amazon
Learn the secrets of the Amazon with a local guide
The best virtual tours of Japan
Japan is a magical destination full of history, beauty, and charm. Here, you’ll find big cities like Tokyo and idyllic villages with spectacular natural scenery. Whether you’re a fan of manga and video games or want to learn more about Japan’s thousand-year-old culture and lifestyle, you’ll love these videos.
Visit the top sightseeing destinations in Japan
Tour 12 emblematic places in Tokyo
Discover Shinjuku
Relax in some of the best spots in Tokyo (in 3D)
Enjoy the Cherry Blossom Festival in Tokyo
Have a blast in Akihabara
Visit the temples of Kyoto
Visit Studio Ghibli
- Click here to watch the rest of the Studio Ghibli videos.
The best virtual tours of Germany
Germany is the perfect destination if you love art and especially music. Here, you can visit cosmopolitan, historic cities like Berlin, or see the amazing Neuschwanstein Castle, straight out of a fairytale. How does that sound?
Spend a day in Berlin
Fly over Neuschwanstein Castle
Visit Cologne
Tour the South of Germany and the Black Forest
Discover Hamburg
The best virtual tours of Spain
Last but not least, Spain has hundreds of beautiful spots that you probably have yet to visit. Why not take advantage of your vacation to take a trip around the country?
Visit Cadiz and Seville
Spend a day in Barcelona
Take a Barcelona bus tour
Check out the Sagrada Familia
Relax in Park Güell
Visit Madrid (3D)
Discover the Alhambra of Granada
Climb the Picos de Europa
Take a tour of Lloret de Mar
We hope you liked our selection of virtual tours on YouTube. Is there anywhere special you would like to visit this summer? Tell us about it in the comments section!
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