The votes for the National Geographic 2017 Travel Photographer of the Year competition are in, and it’s time to announce the winners. This yearly competition highlights the diversity of our planet through its natural wonders and inhabitants, and the winning photographs are absolutely stunning.
The judges had to review around 15,000 entries from all over the world for awards in three categories: people, nature, and cities. First, second, and third places were awarded $2,500, $750 and $500 respectively. The Grand Prize winner, also received a 1—day trip for two to the Galapagos Islands with National Geographic Expeditions.
Below are our favorite photographs from this competition.
WOW! I've Never Seen Photos This Stunning Before!
These photos are so amazing my first thought was that they must have been photoshopped. Wrong. Throw your hands up in amazement at these great photographs.
The Best Northern Lights Photographs of the Year Revealed
These magical images prove that nothing can be compared to the beauty of the Northern Lights!
This Woman Unintentionally Befriended a Wild Crow
Watch this crow solve complex puzzles to get food!
These Turtles Look Nothing Like You Could Ever Imagine
From turtles with two heads to those with glow-in-the-dark powers, here are the world's coolest turtles.
For the First Time Ever, Sand Kittens Filmed in the Wild
These is the first ever footage of sand kittens in the wild, and it's simply adorable!
Bask in the Glory of Mother Nature
After taking a look at these amazing photos, it should become clear that Mother Nature is a force to be reckoned with!
A Mother’s Love Captured in 15 Stunning Animal Photos
A mother’s love for her child is one of the most heartwarming sights one could witness, a love that transcends the barrier between humans and animals
Bask in the Glory of Mother Nature
After taking a look at these amazing photos, it should become clear that Mother Nature is a force to be reckoned with!
Step Back in Time With These Rare Historical Photographs
Enjoy this new collection of historical photos!
16 Quirky Garden Designs That Will Make You Chuckle
Gardens aren’t always beautiful and exotic. Some are just straight up bizarre!
20 Amazing Animal Photos that'll Leave You Breathless
If you love photography and animals, then this will make your day. Here are 2015's 20 best pieces of animal photography!
13 Photographs of Stunning Beach Art With Stones
Here is a collection of some stunning images showing unique beach art that has been created by using just stones.
Stunning Drone Photography of Temples Across Asia
Talented photographer Eleonora Costi traveled through 7 Asian countries and captured stunning shots of the most unique looking temples
These Pictures Perfectly Capture the Magic of the 1970s
Time for some good old ‘70s nostalgia…
27 Wintry Log Cabins to Escape to During the Holidays
If you've already got your dream home, chances are you haven't imagined your dream log cabin yet. Have a gawp at these 27 winter wonders.
You’ll Never Forget These Unbelievable Microscopic Photos
Take a look at the amazing winners of the Nikon Small World Photomicrography Contest 2022.
This Unique Dune House is Like a Hobbit Home, But Better
This astonishing and unique Florida home built into a sand dune facing the beach is sure to impress you!
These Chinese Gardens are Like Nothing You've Seen Before!
These gardens combine beauty and function, and are places of pure serenity and unparalleled grace.
WATCH: The Inner Workings of London's Big Ben
Big Ben is probably the world's most famous clock tower, having stood in Westminster, London for over 150 years Watch this video to see how it works.
Incredible 3D Art Brings Life to Dull and Dreary Spaces
French street artist Scaf has been winning people over with his mind-bending 3D graffiti art. Check out his best works.
15 Gripping Images Reflecting the Duality of Life on Earth
A look at a collection of digital collages that show how some people from different regions have completely opposite lives from one another.
20 Pictures That Are Worth MORE Than a Thousand Words
From pictures of unique historical artifacts to natural phenomena and human wonders, this epic collection of captivating photos is worth watching!
Showstopping Aerial Photos From 22 Famous Places Worldwide
Agora Images is back with another astonishing competition, and this time, we'll be soaring in the sky above 22 iconic locations around the world
These Pics Were Taken On a 40000 Km Journey Through Europe
This Belgian photographer traveled no less than 40,000 kilometers to photograph the peaks of Europe. Take a look at his amazing photos right here.
Have You Seen These Beautiful Churches?
Churches are beautiful and peaceful places that always manage to put me in a relaxed state of mind. Perhaps it is their beauty or their design, but this amazing feeling is even more powerful at these 22 most iconic and majestic of churches.
Some Photos Require No Explanation Whatsoever!
Here are 16 photos, all of which speak more than a thousand words by themselves.
These Photos Are Just Gorgeous, and Won Prizes...
Did you know you can take amazing photographs with your little iPhone? Just look at these insanely beautiful winners of this years iPhone photography contest!
This Magical Town is the Most Beautiful Place in China
In the south of China, a small, peaceful and picturesque town lies on a fertile cliff from which several waterfalls flow in perfect harmony.
10 Places of Worship That'll Leave You Utterly Speechless
These stunning places of worship will dazzle you with their architectural beauty and breathtaking surroundings. Located all over the world, these beautiful buildings are bound to leave you speechless.
19 Pictures That Prove Your Eyes and Brain Are Lying to You
Each of these 19 pictures will cause you to linger in front of it for a few seconds trying to figure out what it is that’s really going on in them!
Simply Majestic! 14 Vivid and Vital Wild Animal Photos
Capturing the personality of wild animals on film is a challenging task, but these 14 photos prove that it's possible and worth it!
These Amazing Tips Will Create a Bright and Welcoming Home
Make your home feel bright and airy by bearing in mind these useful tips.
This Artist Has Managed to Capture Moments of Innocence
These photos truly let the innocence of this amazing photographer's subjects shine through in all their glory
Time Stood Still for These 21 Stunning Photographs
Time is a series of present moments that elapse and leave us with beautiful memories, so here are 21 such photographed moments never to be forgotten.
These Stunning Bird Photos are All Award Winners
Bird photos make for some of the most beautiful pictures possible, and these are the very best of these.
18 Pictures That’ll Give You A Glimpse of The Past Century
Thanks to historical photographic records we get a glimpse of the way of life that was in the past years around the world...
You Won't See These Rare Sights Twice in Your Lifetime!
Here are 20 rare and unbelievable sights that you certainly won't end up seeing twice in you lifetime!
Some People Go Completely Overboard On Halloween...
While some people just love Halloween, there are others who don't bother with it at all. The owners of these houses certainly do though! Take a look.
15 Out-of-This-World Hotels You Simply Won't Believe
These brand new around-the-world hotels offer incredible views from some spectacular, exotic locations. You'd never want to leave these hotels.
10 Medieval Walled Cities that Are a Wonder to Visit!
There's something spectacular about beholding a medieval walled city. You're instantly transported back in time. Take a look at the world's 10 best.
An Amethyst Gemstone Comes to Life in Real-Time
Take an in-depth look at how a hyper-realistic creation is made, from start to finish.
13 Mesmerizing Sunset Silhouettes You Won't Forget
Photographer Aaditya Shrirang Bhat creates unique photo stories during the sunset.
The Small Things in Nature Are the MOST Precious!
All 22 of these genius macro shots will reveal the captivating hidden beauty of nature to you from a brand new, and much closer look
These Photos of Myanmar Are Absolutely Stunning
Kyaw Kyaw Winn is a very talented photographer from Myanmar. Here is a selection of some of his best shots.
14 Unique and Unconventional Urban Designs That Inspire
Let’s check out some truly amazing examples of smart urban planning designs that every city in the world should take inspiration from.
Australian Wildlife is Extreme. Birds Are No Exception
No other country has astounding wildlife quite like Australia. You can be sure their birds aren't any different!
Incredible! A Glimpse Into What Ancient Rome Looked Like
This video depicts a 3D rendering of what Rome looked like in 320AD.