10 Breathtaking Desert Landscapes You Need to See

Deserts are often seen as barren and lifeless, but in reality, they are some of the most mesmerizing landscapes on Earth. Towering dunes, dramatic rock formations, and surreal salt flats create stunning natural beauty that feels like another world. Whether you're looking for adventure, solitude, or simply jaw-dropping scenery, these breathtaking desert landscapes are worth adding to your bucket list.

Here are ten of the most awe-inspiring deserts you need to experience.

Sahara Desert, Africa

The largest hot desert in the world, the Sahara stretches across 11 countries and covers nearly 3.6 million square miles. Its vast golden dunes, dramatic rock plateaus, and star-filled night skies make it an unforgettable destination.

Things to Do:

Ride A Camel At Sunset

Experience the endless dunes of Morocco’s Erg Chebbi or Erg Chigaga.

Spend A Night In A Berber Camp

Sleep under the stars in a traditional desert camp.

Explore Ancient Desert Towns

Visit places like Siwa Oasis in Egypt or Timbuktu in Mali.

Fun Fact

The Sahara isn’t just sand—about 70% of it consists of gravel plains and rocky plateaus!

Atacama Desert, Chile

Often called the driest desert in the world, the Atacama boasts otherworldly landscapes, salt flats, geysers, and valleys that resemble Mars. Its high altitude and clear skies make it one of the best places on Earth for stargazing.

Things to Do:

Watch The Sunset At Valle De La Luna

The "Moon Valley" looks like an alien world.

See The El Tatio Geysers

Steam rises dramatically at sunrise from this geothermal field.

Float In The Salt Lagoons

Lagunas Cejar offers a natural buoyancy similar to the Dead Sea.

Fun Fact

NASA tests Mars rovers in the Atacama because of its extreme dryness and terrain!

Namib Desert, Namibia

Home to the world's tallest dunes, the Namib is one of the oldest deserts on Earth. Its burnt-orange dunes, petrified trees, and ghostly coastal fog create an eerie yet stunning landscape.

Things to Do:

Climb Dune 45

It is one of the most photographed dunes in the world.

Explore Deadvlei

A white clay pan dotted with ancient, dead trees.

Visit The Skeleton Coast

A foggy, shipwreck-strewn coastline where the desert meets the ocean.

Fun Fact

The Namib is home to desert-adapted elephants that survive with almost no water!

Wadi Rum, Jordan

Nicknamed the "Valley of the Moon," Wadi Rum is a vast red desert famous for its dramatic sandstone mountains, ancient petroglyphs, and connection to the Lawrence of Arabia. It has also served as a filming location for sci-fi movies like The Martian.

Things to Do:

Take A 4x4 Desert Tour

Ride through red dunes and towering rock arches.

Camp With Bedouins

Experience traditional hospitality under a starry sky.

Climb Jebel Umm Ad Dami

The highest mountain in Jordan, offering stunning desert views.

Fun Fact

Humans have inhabited Wadi Rum for over 12,000 years!

White Sands National Park, USA

Unlike typical golden deserts, White Sands in New Mexico is made up of dazzling white gypsum dunes that stretch for miles. The unique landscape looks like a winter wonderland—except it’s warm and dry!

Things to Do:

Sled Down The Dunes

The soft gypsum sand makes for perfect sandboarding.

Take A Sunset Walk

The dunes glow pink and gold as the sun sets.

Explore The Alkali Flat Trail

A surreal 5-mile hike through untouched dunes.

Fun Fact

Unlike regular sand, gypsum doesn’t absorb heat, so the dunes stay cool even in summer!

Gobi Desert, Mongolia & China

A land of extremes, the Gobi Desert is known for its rolling dunes, rugged mountains, and dinosaur fossils. It's one of the most remote and untouched deserts in the world.

Things to Do:

Ride A Camel Across The Khongor Sand Dunes

Some of the tallest dunes in Asia.

Visit The Flaming Cliffs

A famous site where dinosaur fossils were discovered.

Stay In A Traditional Ger (Yurt)

Experience nomadic Mongolian culture.

Fun Fact

The first dinosaur eggs ever discovered were found in the Gobi Desert in the 1920s!

The Empty Quarter (Rub al Khali), Arabian Peninsula

The largest continuous sand desert on Earth, the Empty Quarter spans Saudi Arabia, Oman, the UAE, and Yemen. It's a vast, untouched sea of rolling dunes stretching to the horizon.

Things to Do:

Go Dune Bashing In Liwa

Explore massive dunes in the UAE’s Liwa Oasis.

Visit The Lost City Of Ubar

A fabled ancient city buried beneath the sands.

Experience The Silence

The Empty Quarter is one of the most peaceful places on Earth.

Fun Fact

Some dunes in the Empty Quarter reach over 800 feet high!

Painted Desert, USA

A colorful masterpiece of eroded rock, the Painted Desert in Arizona lives up to its name with layers of red, orange, pink, and purple. It’s a geological wonder that changes color depending on the light.

Things to Do:

Drive Through Petrified Forest National Park

See 225-million-year-old fossilized trees.

Hike The Blue Mesa Trail

A surreal landscape of blue and purple hills.

Visit The Historic Painted Desert Inn

A beautifully restored 1920s lodge.

Fun Fact

The vibrant colors of the Painted Desert come from different mineral deposits over millions of years!

Dasht-e Lut, Iran

One of the hottest places on Earth, Dasht-e Lut, is a vast desert with surreal landscapes, including enormous dunes and bizarre rock formations known as kaluts. It’s an untouched and mysterious land that looks straight out of a sci-fi movie.

Things to Do:

Explore The Kalut Formations

Wind-sculpted ridges that look like ancient ruins.

Experience The Extreme Heat

Temperatures here have reached 159°F (70.7°C)!

Camp Under The Stars

A truly remote and magical desert experience.

Fun Fact

NASA satellites have recorded Dasht-e Lut as one of the hottest places on Earth!

Karakum Desert, Turkmenistan

A lesser-known but equally stunning desert, the Karakum is home to one of the world’s most bizarre attractions—the Darvaza Gas Crater, also known as the "Door to Hell."

Things to Do:

See The Door To Hell

A massive crater that has been burning for over 50 years.

Ride A Camel Through The Dunes

Traditional transportation in this vast desert.

Explore The Yangykala Canyon

A breathtaking hidden gem with colorful cliffs.

Fun Fact

The Darvaza Gas Crater was accidentally created in 1971 when Soviet engineers tried to burn off natural gas—only for the fire to never go out!

Which Desert Will You Visit First?

From fiery red dunes to alien-like salt flats and ancient rock formations, these desert landscapes prove that even the most extreme environments can be stunningly beautiful. Whether you’re drawn to the mystery of the Sahara, the surreal beauty of White Sands, or the adventure of the Gobi, the desert is waiting to be explored. Which one is calling your name?