10 Instagram vs. Reality Travel Photos That Will Shock You

Welcome to Instagram vs reality Travel Photos!

When you decide to visit a travel destination by looking at Instagram photoshoots without finding out the actual reality and motivation behind visiting the place, you will be on the verge of disappointment. The reason is simple, Instagram pics are taken by special 4k cameras and also pass through several software to modify the reality by enhancing colors and applying filters.

Most of the time during photo shoots, you will see actors or influencers just standing alone on the destination to experience tranquility. On the flip side, you will realize after visiting the destination, the solitude just exists in the Instagram pics only.

Watch YouTube video of Instagram Vs reality Travel Before you read further to get a more detailed view of how actual places might look when you visit.

We have compiled an interesting list of such Instagram vs. reality scenarios that help you to identify the difference between them more clearly.

1. The Blue Lagoon, Iceland

The Blue Lagoon, Iceland

Instagram

Blue Lagoon is just a thirty-minute drive away from the capital city of Reykjavik. The place appears incredible and attracts a number of tourists to have a swimming experience. However, on Instagram, you see a bodybuilder or a lady with liposuction just standing alone in the turquoise water. If you desire to take the same sort of picture, it will be impossible for you to capture one because of the crowd. And here is the Instagram vs reality Travel Photo of Blue lagoon.

The Blue Lagoon, Iceland Reality

Reality

2. Mount Fuji, Japan 

Mount Fuji, Japan 

Instagram

Mount Fuji is an active stratovolcano situated on Honshu Island and the tip of the volcano is covered with white snow which gives the imagery of wearing a white cap.

Instagram pics of the place are taken from the perfect angles where you can see pink-blossomed cherry trees and the bluish water of Lake Kawaguchi sitting on the bottom of the white-capped Mount Fuji. On the other hand, it’s quite possible when you visit the place the tip of the mountain disappears into clouds where you don’t find it at all.

Mount Fuji, Japan  Instagram vs reality Travel

Reality

3. Great Wall of China, China 

Instagram 

Great Wall of China, China 

You get motivated to visit the Great Wall of China after looking at the Instagram pic where the wall appears as a corridor passes between heavy greenery.

Reality 

Great Wall of China, China 

When you visit, you find out another feature about the Great Wall of China, it’s the most visited travel destination that attracts a lot of tourists. Being alone here is just a dream that shows on Instagram.

4. Terme di Saturnia, Italy 

Instagram 

Terme di Saturnia, Italy 

On Instagram, you see a very detailed pic of Terme di Saturnia where water is cascading from different ponds, and only one woman is sitting in a pond while having an exciting experience of snorkeling.

Reality 

Terme di Saturnia, Italy 

The ponds are filled with cascading water but you will never find any sign of steam there, even Terme di Saturnia is a hot spring. During snorkeling in the pond, the second common observation will be the presence of a lot of people around you.

5. The Mona Lisa, Paris 

Instagram 

The Mona Lisa, Paris

On Instagram, you see a mysterious smile on the woman’s face in Mona Lisa painting and think about why she is smiling or how Leonardo kept her smiling for a longer time to paint it clear on the canvas.

Reality 

The Mona Lisa, Paris

In reality, you will see the Mona Lisa’s black dress and smile from a distance and your vision will get blurry from time to time due to the flux of people trying to observe the same smile as you are trying. It’s one of the most incredible Instagram vs reality Travel photo you’ll ever see.

6. Tulum Ruins, Mexico

Instagram 

Tulum Ruins, Mexico Instagram vs reality Travel

Tulum Ruins are located on the top of the cliff at the port of Coba, Mexico. The weathering effect on the building and its blackish feature is highlighted more in the Instagram pic. It also shows the building is long forgotten by the people.

Reality 

Tulum Ruins, Mexico

When you reach Tulum Ruins and try to pay the entrance fee, you will notice that it’s not a forgotten place but the most admirable place by people around the world.

7. The Taj Mahal, India

Instagram 

The Taj Mahal, India 

The Taj Mahal looks phenomenal in the Instagram pic where you can see the reflection of the building in the crystal clear water of the pond and two rows of trees are moving parallel to open the view eventually at the point of taking the picture.

Reality

 

The Taj Mahal, India

In reality, you will see the Taj Mahal is not looking as white as it was in the picture. The pond is still there and has crystal clear water and shows a partial reflection of the Taj Mahal with a lot of people around you.

8. Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia 

Instagram

Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia 

The Instagram pic of the Plitvice Lakes National Park is taken by a drone camera that provides extra green trees and blue water of the lake that passes through the trees and eventually changes into a waterfall.

Reality 

Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia 

In reality, you will observe, the trees are there but they are not as green as look in the pic and the lake water is also bluish or emerald. However, you will never be able to take see the vast lake, waterfall, or extra green trees at the same time.

9. Railay Beach, Thailand

Instagram 

Railay Beach Ao nang Beach Krabi

Instagram will show you a quiet sandy beach with a row of boats in the emerald water of the Andaman Sea and a limestone cliff covered with greenery just waiting for you at Railay Beach, Thailand.

Reality 

Railay Beach Ao nang Beach Krabi Instagram vs reality Travel

The limestone cliff is there and other trees are also present but the Andaman Sea water is not as emerald as appears in the Instagram pic. Additionally, you will never find any boats waiting for you to sail through the sea.

10. Brooklyn Bridge, New York  

Instagram 

Brooklyn Bridge, New York

The Brooklyn Bridge is the oldest suspension bridge that was built in 1883. When you see the Instagram pic, the woodwork on the bridge tells the same story as being an antique. The surprising thing in the pic is the quietness and peace on the bridge.

Reality 

Brooklyn Bridge, New York

The feeling of peace and quietness will disappear when you land on the Brooklyn Bridge. However, even the presence of the crowd, the architecture of the bridge will still make you admire its manufacturer and designer.

Read Also: 

20 Beaches On Earth That Don’t Feel Real

20 Places on Earth That Look Like Another Planet


Ferona Jose

Ferona Jose is a passionate travel writer and blogger at Travelistia. She has traveled throughout Europe, Asia and the Americas. Her writing focuses on cheap travel destinations, travel experiences, cultural insights, and travel hacks.

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