10 Red Destinations Around the World to Add to Your Bucket List

Located in the foothills of the Sierra Gorda mountain range in the state of Hidalgo, these dunes are red due to high levels of iron and other minerals in the soil. Here, rocks are nestled amid the sand, which varies in color between rust orange and fire truck red. Take a short hike or just pause to take in the view before visiting the nearby Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve.

Insider tip: While you’re in Hidalgo, you should also make sure to see the magic towns of Real del Monte and Mineral del Monte on a guided tour.

A major shrine of the Shinto religion in Japan, Fushimi Inari venerates mainly agricultural and mercantile spirits. Here, you can walk on beautifully manicured paths up the Inari mountain through the Torii Gates, which are painted a blinding shade of red. After the 2-hour hike, visitors should visit the main shrine building to make an offering to the deity. Located in Kyoto, the shrine is easily accessible by Japan’s high speed train service.

Insider tip: If you have extra time, you can enjoy a traditional tea ceremony near the shrine.

The Moulin Rouge, the legendary cabaret immortalized by Toulouse Lautrec and the 2001 Baz Luhrmann film, remains an electric spot for nightlife in the Pigalle neighborhood of Paris. The name literally means “red windmill,” and the building is topped by one—though the color doesn’t end there. Inside this birthplace of the can-can dance, the costumes and stage look as though they are draped in red velvet. Enjoy singing, dancing, and drinks, imagining you’re in the 1920s the whole time.

Insider tip: Don’t forget your flapper dress—and book ahead to receive a bottle of champagne along with your entry.

Lake Natron, which straddles the border of Tanzania and Kenya, is highly alkaline, which means that it’s filled with a form of salt. This creates a pH level that sometimes reaches 12—and means that the water can look blood-red. Surprisingly, certain animals—namely, flamingos—have adapted to living in this inhospitable environment. Creatures who are less lucky, however, may find that they can’t survive for long at all … and their bodies may even end up semi-mummified by the mineral-rich water.

Insider tip: Lake Natron pairs well with a safari in the Serengeti.

Each spring, much of the Netherlands transforms into a bonafide festival of color thanks to its flower fields. The most famous of the bouquet—tulips—sprout from mid-April to early-May. To make the most of this short window, visit Noordoostpolder to see the largest flowering of these Dutch favorites—in red and nearly every other color. In the city of Aalsmeer, you can even visit the auction house of Royal FloraHolland, where over 20 million plants and flowers are sold every single day.

Insider tip: If you’re on a tight schedule, take a day trip from Amsterdam to the tulip fields of Keukenhof Gardens.

Around six hours from Beijing, the Panjin Red Beach ripens into a deep red color every summer. This is due to the concentration of a variety of seaweed—Suaeda heteroptera—which can survive in the salt-rich soil of the area. Plus, the “beach” is actually a protected wetland where you can spot dozens of species of birds and other wildlife. The best time to visit is September, before the seaweed turns purple and eventually dies off for the year.

Insider tip: While you’re in the region, stop by the city of Shenyang, where you can go on a walking tour to see ancient imperial sites.

No, the volcanoes themselves are not red. But if you’re lucky enough to arrive and see some lava, then you certainly will be seeing red. Though eruptions vary (visitors should check the website of the National Park Service to see current conditions), any amount of lava can be a life-changing sight. The park includes two volcanoes: Kilauea, one of the world’s most active, and Mauna Loa, a huge shield volcano. In 2018, the park had to close after eruptions clouded the summits in smoke, but since then visitors have been allowed back.

Insider tip: The summit is also one of the highest points on the Big Island and promises excellent views whether or not lava is visible.

Thanks to its carmine color, the sand at this beach is a tourist attraction for many who visit the famed Greek isle. Red Beach has such a unique color because the sand was created by pulverized volcanic rock that originated in a long-ago eruption. You can arrive here by boat (just anchor offshore) or on foot via a narrow path. Of course, there’s plenty more to do on Santorini when you’re done with the sun: go horseback riding on Eros Beach, which is covered in black sand, or enjoy a sunset wine tasting and sample the local fare.

On the other end of the Mediterranean from Santorini lies Calpe, a beachside city in the east of Spain. The architect Ricardo Bofill designed a series of buildings here, collectively known as La Manzanera, over the course of 20 years. The star of the bunch is La Muralla Roja, a strikingly red apartment complex that includes pools, sea views, and Moroccan-inspired geometry. Inside, the red exterior gives way to blues, purples, and pinks—but no matter where you are in the building, you’ll feel transported to a different world.

Carved by centuries of flash floods, the narrow Antelope Canyon is a spectacular visit for anyone interested in geology—or photography. Go for a hike through the ravine and be amazed by the play of light and shadow on the red rock. At moments, areas may look almost purple and at others orange, while the sky above plays peek-a-boo. Antelope Canyon’s smooth lines and tight corners are unlike anything else in the region.

Insider tip: Entry requires a guided tour of Lower Antelope Canyon, which supports the local tribal government and conservation efforts.