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On The Table Read Magazine, “the best entertainment eBook magazine UK“, while we all love a good holiday selfie, some locations are pricier than others, so we’re checking out the most expensive tourist photo spots and what makes them so costly!
Every year, our phones fill up with holiday selfies—snaps in front of towering landmarks, sweeping landscapes, or quirky cultural gems. There’s something magical about capturing that perfect moment, the one that says, “I was here!” However, some locations are pricier to score a photo from than others.
A recent study by Heepsy, which analyzed over 50 of the world’s most iconic photography destinations, reveals just how much we’re willing to pay for that perfect shot. Using a composite score based on entrance fees, Google search popularity, and tourist arrivals, the study ranks the top spots where travelers flock to snap their memories.
Below, we will dive into the top ten, exploring why these locations are selfie magnets and why they come with such a hefty price tag.
(All prices are converted from USD to GBP using an exchange rate of 1 USD = 0.79 GBP as of May 2025.)
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.
–Tabi Vicuña, Founder of Heepsy
The World’s Most Expensive Tourist Photo Spots
1. Burj Khalifa, Dubai (Score: 100)
Entrance Fee: £85.32
The Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, is the ultimate selfie backdrop. Its sleek, futuristic design and jaw-dropping views from the observation deck make it a photographer’s dream. With 17 million visitors and 29.4 million annual Google searches, it’s a global icon, plastered across social media feeds. The allure comes from its status as a symbol of modern ambition, offering panoramic shots of Dubai’s glittering skyline. But that £85.32 entry fee stings—driven by the premium experience of ascending 829.8 meters into the sky. Add in Dubai’s high cost of living, from luxury hotels to dining, and capturing this view can easily set you back hundreds. The exclusivity and prestige keep tourists coming, but your bank account might need a holiday afterward.
2. Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania (Score: 97.3)
Entrance Fee: £55.30
Mount Kilimanjaro’s majestic snow-capped peak is a bucket-list must for adventurers and photographers alike. Its 5.5 million annual searches reflect its global fame as Africa’s highest mountain, promising epic summit shots that scream “I conquered this!” Only 50,000 visitors make the trek each year, though, and here’s why it’s pricey: the £55.30 entrance fee is just the start. Climbing permits, guides, and gear can push costs into the thousands. The remote location means expensive travel logistics, and Tanzania’s tourism infrastructure isn’t cheap. Yet, the chance to capture sunrise over the clouds, framed by Kilimanjaro’s rugged beauty, keeps this destination in high demand for those willing to pay for bragging rights.
3. Eiffel Tower, Paris (Score: 94.6)
Entrance Fee: £30.81
Who hasn’t dreamed of a selfie with the Eiffel Tower sparkling in the background? This Parisian icon, with 7 million visitors and 23.4 million searches annually, is a romantic must for photographers. Its delicate iron lattice and nighttime light shows make it endlessly photogenic, whether you’re snapping from the Champ de Mars or the summit. At £30.81, entry is relatively affordable, but Paris itself is the real budget-buster. Sky-high hotel rates, Michelin-starred dining, and transport costs in this global fashion capital add up fast. The Eiffel Tower’s universal appeal—symbolizing love, art, and French elegance—ensures it’s always crowded, but you’ll pay a premium to join the selfie queue.
4. Big Ben, London (Score: 91.9)
Entrance Fee: £36.34
Big Ben’s iconic clock face and Gothic silhouette make it a staple in London’s selfie scene. With 5 million visitors and 23.9 million searches, it’s a symbol of British history that photographers can’t resist, especially at golden hour when Westminster glows. The £36.34 entry fee for guided tours of the Elizabeth Tower feels steep for a quick snap, and London’s notorious cost of living doesn’t help. From £200-a-night hotels to £15 pints in touristy pubs, capturing Big Ben comes with a side of sticker shock. Its proximity to other landmarks like the Houses of Parliament keeps it popular, but your wallet might need a Brexit from the expenses.
5. Galápagos Islands, Ecuador (Score: 89.2)
Entrance Fee: £158
The Galápagos Islands are a nature photographer’s paradise, home to unique wildlife like giant tortoises and blue-footed boobies. With 1.5 million searches and 329,000 visitors, it’s a niche but coveted destination for those chasing pristine ecosystems. The £158 entry fee is the highest on this list, reflecting strict conservation regulations and limited access. Add in costly flights to Ecuador, specialized cruises, and eco-lodges, and a photo trip here can cost thousands. The islands’ remote location and unparalleled biodiversity make every shot Instagram-gold, but only those with deep pockets can afford to capture its wonders.
6. Sagrada Familia, Barcelona (Score: 86.5)
Entrance Fee: £22.91
Antoni Gaudí’s unfinished masterpiece, the Sagrada Familia, is a photographer’s delight with its surreal spires and kaleidoscopic interiors. Attracting 4.7 million visitors and 17.2 million searches, it’s a cultural icon blending architecture and spirituality. At £22.91, entry is a bargain compared to other landmarks, but Barcelona’s tourism boom drives up costs elsewhere. Trendy tapas bars, boutique hotels, and crowded transport systems mean your budget gets stretched. The basilica’s intricate details and vibrant stained glass keep cameras clicking, but the city’s popularity as a European hotspot ensures you’re paying for the privilege.
7. Grand Canyon, USA (Score: 83.8)
Entrance Fee: £27.65
The Grand Canyon’s vast, colorful chasms are a bucket-list must for landscape photographers. With 15.7 million visitors and searches each year, its dramatic vistas are tailor-made for jaw-dropping selfies. The £27.65 entry fee is reasonable, covering park access for a vehicle, but getting there is another story. Flights to Arizona, car rentals, and nearby lodging in pricey tourist towns like Flagstaff add up. The canyon’s remote location and the cost of guided tours or helicopter rides for the best angles make it less affordable than it seems. Still, its sheer scale and natural beauty keep it a top pick for epic holiday snaps.
8. Machu Picchu, Peru (Score: 81.1)
Entrance Fee: £35.55
Machu Picchu’s ancient ruins, nestled in misty Andean peaks, are a photographer’s dream. With 1.6 million visitors and 14.9 million searches, its blend of history and natural beauty is irresistible. The £35.55 entry fee is moderate, but the journey to this remote site isn’t. Train tickets from Cusco, guided treks, and high-altitude accommodations can cost hundreds, while Peru’s tourism infrastructure leans pricey for foreigners. The site’s mystique—those iconic shots of stone terraces against rugged mountains—draws crowds, but capturing them requires both stamina and a healthy budget.
9. Palace of Versailles, France (Score: 78.4)
Entrance Fee: £25.28
The Palace of Versailles, with its gilded halls and sprawling gardens, screams opulence, making it a selfie hotspot for 15 million visitors. Though it garners only 1.6 million searches, its historical grandeur keeps cameras clicking. At £25.28, entry is affordable, but Versailles’ proximity to Paris means you’re still grappling with the city’s high costs—think £150-a-night hotels and expensive trains. The palace’s lavish interiors and manicured grounds offer endless photo ops, but the price of experiencing this royal extravagance reflects France’s premium tourism market.
10. Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, China (Score: 75.7)
Entrance Fee: £23.70
Zhangjiajie’s otherworldly sandstone pillars, famously inspiring Avatar, draw 15.9 million visitors for surreal landscape shots. Despite only 305,000 searches, its visual drama makes it a photography gem. The £23.70 entry fee is low, but getting to this remote Hunan province park isn’t. International flights, domestic travel, and tourist-targeted hotels inflate costs, while language barriers can mean pricier guided tours. Its relatively low digital buzz keeps it affordable compared to Western landmarks, but the journey to capture those misty, fantastical vistas still hits the wallet hard.
Why We Pay for the Perfect Shot
From the futuristic heights of the Burj Khalifa to the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu, these destinations prove our love for holiday selfies knows no bounds. The Heepsy study highlights how entrance fees, visitor numbers, and online buzz shape the world’s most iconic photography spots. But the real cost often lies beyond the ticket price—in travel, lodging, and the premium of visiting bucket-list locations. As I scroll through my own travel photos, I’m reminded that every snap comes with a story, a memory, and, yes, a price tag. So, where’s your next selfie spot, and how much are you willing to pay for it?
Data sourced from Heepsy’s study, based on official tourism boards, landmark websites, and keyword search volumes. All prices converted to GBP at 1 USD = 0.79 GBP.
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