See the World’s Best Travel Photos

Need some vacation inspiration? Some ideas for your next family trip? Learn from the best! Click through these galleries of 2020’s winning travel pics.

By Maryann Jones Thompson

It’s hard to believe a whole year has disappeared since we awarded Alison Bowman-Salas the grand prize in ROAM’s Family Travel Photo Contest of 2020. Who knew that trip-taking would be curtailed just a few weeks later?

As we prepare to award ROAM’s Best Family Travel Photo of 2021, let’s take a look at the travel photos that inspired us during our year of quarantine from some of the most famous magazines, contests and photographers in the industry.

Links to the Winning Travel Photos of 2020

CNN Picks Best Travel Photos of 2020

The news channel’s Travel editors pick their favorite wire-service shots from a year of covering news around the world.

Travel Photographer of the Year 2020

A European based competition that recognizes the year’s most incredible photographs by adults and teens, too.

National Geographic – Best Travel Photos 2020

The editors pinpoint 18 shots that remind us of why we missed traveling last year.

Agora 2020 Finalists for Best Travel Photograph

Forbes promotes the shots up for consideration in the photo app’s annual contest.

2020 Ocean Art Contest Winners

Blackwater goblins, smiling scallops, and a whole category devoted to nudibranchs! Click here for complete gallery of winners.

World Nomads Favorite Photos of 2020

Fabulous, brilliant shots from Instagrammers around the world.

Afar Travel Photos of 2019

We love Afar so we’re including their faves from the year before last 😉

Conde Nast Traveller 50 Best Photos of 2019

Another magazine with some catching up to do – and a great gallery of inspirational shots, too.

ROAM’s Best Family Travel Photos – 2020

A bedtime story in Morocco turned into the most-loved family travel photo of 2020. Click the link above to see more of the judges’ favorites.

ROAM’s Best Family Travel Photos – 2019

Check out the winner, runner-up and honorable mention pics that launched our initiative to recognize the most authentically beautiful family vacation snaps.

Maryann Jones Thompson – January 2021

ROAM Founder & Editor

After a thousand years in publishing as a business journalist, ghostwriter, content strategist and market researcher, Maryann brings her experience traveling as a backpacker, businessperson, expat and mom to writing and editing for ROAM.