- Burj Khalifa is the most expensive and sought-after place to take a personal photo, with the highest entrance fee and overwhelming global interest.
- Drone rules, photography permits, and gear restrictions can significantly raise the cost of capturing a shot—especially at destinations like Mount Kilimanjaro.
- Entry prices range widely, with places like Zhangjiajie charging less than one-third of what the Galápagos Islands cost despite drawing nearly 50 times more annual visitors.
A recent study by Heepsy analyzed more than 50 of the world’s most iconic photography destinations using a composite score based on entrance fees, Google search popularity, and tourist arrivals. Numeric metrics were normalized using Min-Max scaling. Locations were selected from global landmarks trending on photo platforms and travel sites. Drone and photography restrictions were researched for narrative context but excluded from scoring. Final rankings were rescaled from 0–100 to enhance readability. Data was sourced from official tourism boards, landmark websites, and keyword search volumes.
| City/State | Place Name | Fee | Popularity | Visitors | Score |
| Dubai | Burj Khalifa | $108 | 29.4M | 17M | 100 |
| Kilimanjaro | Mount Kilimanjaro | $70 | 5.5M | 50K | 97.3 |
| Paris | Eiffel Tower | $39 | 23.4M | 7M | 94.6 |
| London | Big Ben | $46 | 23.9M | 5M | 91.9 |
| Galápagos | Galápagos Islands | $200 | 1.5M | 329K | 89.2 |
| Barcelona | Sagrada Familia | $29 | 17.2M | 4.7M | 86.5 |
| Arizona | Grand Canyon | $35 | 15.7M | 4.7M | 83.8 |
| Cusco | Machu Picchu | $45 | 14.9M | 1.6M | 81.1 |
| Versailles | Palace of Versailles | $32 | 1.6M | 15M | 78.4 |
| Zhangjiajie | Zhangjiajie Nat’l Forest Park | $30 | 305K | 15.9M | 75.7 |
To access the full research, please follow the link.
Burj Khalifa ranks first with a composite score of 100. The world’s tallest building is the most expensive place to take a photo, charging $108 for entry. It attracts 17 million visitors each year and sees 29.4 million searches annually. This combination of high ticket prices, popularity, and iconic status makes it the top-ranked photography destination.
Mount Kilimanjaro ranks second with a score of 97.3. While its $70 entrance fee is moderate, the location attracts 5.5 million searches annually, driven by its global reputation as a bucket-list destination. Despite receiving only 50,000 visitors annually, the high costs for permits and limited accessibility place it second on the list.
The Eiffel Tower ranks third with a score of 94.6. Its $39 entrance fee is among the most affordable, yet it still attracts 7 million visitors annually. With 23.4 million global searches, the Eiffel Tower remains one of the most photographed landmarks, balancing cost and widespread interest.
Big Ben ranks fourth with a score of 91.9. Its $46 entrance fee is slightly higher than the Eiffel Tower, but it still attracts 5 million visitors and garners 23.9 million searches annually. The landmark’s visibility in both the physical and digital worlds keeps it near the top despite the higher ticket price.
The Galápagos Islands rank fifth with a score of 89.2. At $200 for entry, it has the highest fee of any destination on this list. With 1.5 million searches and 329,000 visitors annually, it remains an exclusive destination for nature photographers, commanding a premium price for access to its unique wildlife and ecosystems.
Sagrada Familia ranks sixth with a score of 86.5. The basilica, at $29 for entry, is one of the more affordable landmarks. With 4.7 million visitors and 17.2 million searches, it strikes a balance between accessibility and widespread interest, making it a top choice for architecture and culture enthusiasts.
The Grand Canyon ranks seventh with a score of 83.8. Its $35 entrance fee makes it one of the most accessible photography destinations, yet it draws an impressive 15.7 million visitors each year. The site’s popularity online (15.7 million searches) reflects its position as a bucket-list destination for photographers looking to capture dramatic landscapes.
Machu Picchu ranks eighth with a score of 81.1. At $45 for entry, the historic Inca site is a popular and affordable photography destination, attracting 1.6 million visitors and 14.9 million searches. The combination of history and natural beauty ensures its place among the world’s most photographed locations.
The Palace of Versailles ranks ninth with a score of 78.4. At $32 for entry, it remains one of the most affordable European landmarks. Despite attracting 15 million visitors, it garners 1.6 million searches, indicating stronger physical interest than digital demand. Still, its grandeur and historical significance keep it relevant for photographers.
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park rounds out the top ten with a score of 75.7. While its $30 entrance fee is one of the lowest, the park attracts 15.9 million visitors yet sees only 305,000 global searches. Its limited digital presence holds it back from ranking higher, though it remains a popular location for capturing scenic landscapes, especially in Asia.
Tabi Vicuña, Founder of Heepsy, commented on the study: “As personal photography becomes more regulated and costs vary by location, travelers are now planning around more than just the view. From fees to permit rules to gear restrictions, the true cost of getting a good photo goes well beyond the entrance gate. What this ranking highlights is a growing gap between digital interest and financial accessibility—some of the most famous places remain affordable, while others are quietly becoming luxury experiences.”
