12 Breathtaking Hot Air Balloon Rides Around the World That Belong on Your Bucket List

Whether you want to see the world from a new perspective, conquer your fears, or get married—yes, you can get married in a hot air balloon—riding a hot air balloon is one of the most exhilarating and pretty terrifying experiences you can have. Offering a unique natural high, traveling by hot air balloon is serene.

However, deciding where to ride a hot air balloon isn’t easy, with so many beautiful places to explore. That’s where we come in. To inspire your next adventure, we’ve compiled a list of 12 bucket-list hot air balloon rides in the world. These rides were selected because they offer one-of-a-kind experiences and epic landscape views.

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Bath, United Kingdom

Generally, there aren’t too many places to ride a hot air balloon in the United Kingdom, so being able to go above the historic city of Bath in one is a real treat. Bath is a breathtakingly beautiful city famed for its well-preserved, 2,000-year-old Roman bath ruins, from which the city takes its name.

From the skies, travelers are treated to an alternative view of the city’s sublime architecture and stunning Somerset scenery, including rolling hills and picturesque fields. Better yet, many hot air balloon rides in Bath include a complimentary glass of Champagne. During your hot air balloon ride, keep your eyes peeled for the Royal Crescent, the Circus, and Bath Abbey.

Tuscany, Italy

If you’re looking for somewhere romantic to take a hot air balloon ride, look no further than Tuscany in Central Italy. Despite being home to major cities like Florence and Pisa, this stunning region is best known for its vast landscapes, which feature rolling hills, picturesque vineyards, fairy-tale castles, and charming medieval villages.

On a Tuscany hot air balloon ride, you can enjoy the region’s best views in unparalleled luxury. Drifting 1,000 to 2,000 feet (305 to 610 meters) above the region’s vibrant landscapes offers a unique and one-of-a-kind perspective of the area. Some of the best Tuscany hot air balloon rides depart from San Casciano in Val di Pesa and include a complimentary glass of Prosecco and breakfast.

Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Serengeti National Park in Northern Tanzania is recognized worldwide for its diverse wildlife. It’s one of the world’s best places to go on an animal safari, and you can spot famous species such as lions, zebras, rhinoceros, elephants, and crocodiles in the national park. A hot air balloon ride above the Serengeti offers an incredible vantage point for wildlife viewing.

While jeep safari tours are more popular and allow you to get closer to the animals, the views from a hot air balloon are unmatchable. From above, you experience the true size of the national park and have the perfect viewpoint for watching the annual migration of wildebeest and zebra. Many Serengeti hot air balloon rides include a bush breakfast.

Sossusvlei, Namibia

Another fascinating hot air balloon experience in Africa is a flight over the Namib Desert in Namibia. More specifically, most hot air balloon tours in the Namib Desert explore the Sossusvlei area, where you’ll find red and orange dunes, vast barren landscapes, and mesmerizing salt pans. This area is still largely undiscovered, so viewing it from above is incredibly exciting.

The dunes are so remote that you must stay in Sossusvlei for a hot air balloon ride. No need to worry, though; Sossusvlei Lodge will look after you. Conveniently, they are also responsible for taking you on your hot air balloon ride. You’ll pass over some of the world’s oldest and tallest dunes during your flight.

Luxor, Egypt

The next hot air balloon ride on our list takes place in Luxor, a historic city on the east bank of the Nile River in Southern Egypt. Luxor sits on the ancient site of Thebes, the Pharaoh’s capital at the height of their power between 16th and 11th centuries B.C. As such, the city is best known for its ancient Egyptian ruins.

Better yet, Egypt’s Valley of the Kings sits on the opposite side of the Nile River. Therefore, this dreamy hot air balloon ride lets travelers experience one of the world’s most significant historical locations from above. The sight of the sun rising over the Valley of the Kings and Nile River is indescribable. Let’s just say it’s not something you’ll soon forget.

Monument Valley, United States

Monument Valley is one of the United States’ most iconic landscapes. Situated at the border between Arizona and Utah, this breathtaking location is famous worldwide for its red-sand desert and unique rock formations. Used as a filming location for many TV series and movies, the valley spans over 91,000 acres (36,000 hectares), so seeing it all in one trip is impossible.

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However, a hot-air balloon ride allows you to cover more of the valley and see more of its most impressive sights. Exploring this otherworldly landscape by hot-air balloon is exciting, awe-inspiring, and rejuvenating. You’ll pass over deep gorges, vast deserts, and towering rock formations. The experience makes you realize just how extensive and empty the valley is.

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Jaipur, India

If you’ve never been to India before, Jaipur likely seems like a strange inclusion on our list. However, seasoned travelers who know what Indian cities offer already know what a hot air balloon ride over the “Pink City” might entail. Like many Indian cities, Jaipur is renowned for its ancient architecture.

While you can admire almost all of this architecture from the ground, the views from above are exceptional. Furthermore, the city is surrounded by a gorgeous natural landscape that looks especially beautiful at sunrise and sunset. Key highlights of a Jaipur hot air balloon ride include the Amber Fort, Samode Palace, and their small villages. Of course, the natural scenery is breathtaking, too.

Marrakech, Morocco

Marrakech, one of Morocco’s most popular tourist destinations, is another location that doesn’t sound like a once-in-a-lifetime hot air balloon destination. However, as soon as you leave the ground, you’ll quickly realize why Marrakech needs to be on everyone’s hot air balloon bucket list. A flight over some of Morocco’s most tremendous landscapes is not to be missed.

On a hot air balloon trip from Marrakech, you’ll be treated to unparalleled views of the ancient city. You’ll then gently walk toward the Atlas Mountains and traditional Amazigh villages nestled in their foothills. You’ll witness vast desert landscapes, towering peaks, and remote villages in every direction. We don’t know about you, but that sounds pretty special.

Las Vegas, United States

Dream US Escape Set a Budget — © f11photo / Adobe Stock

Las Vegas might not be everyone’s cup of tea, especially if you dislike gambling and partying, but that doesn’t mean the area around the city doesn’t have something you like. The state of Nevada, where Sin City is located, is home to impressive natural landscapes, offering an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.

As such, hot air balloon rides are popular in Las Vegas, even though they leave the city searching for natural beauty instead of cliche 5-star hotels and casinos. On a hot air balloon ride in Las Vegas, you’ll fly towards the Mojave Desert and Pahrump Valley. Soaring as high as 10,000 feet (3,000 meters), the views of this vast desert and mountain landscape from above are extraordinary.

Cappadocia, Turkey

Cappadocia is a spectacular semi-arid region in Central Turkey famed for its unique rock formations, cave hotels, and vibrant rooftop terraces that offer incredible views of the vast rocky landscape. However, this region is most famous for its hot-air balloon rides, which see more than 2,000 tourists take to the sky daily.

Cappadocia looks magnificent from ground level, but the views of the region’s unique rock formations, cave homes, vineyards, and orchards from above are exceptional, especially at sunrise. Not to mention, the change of perspective is welcomed. You’ll take to the skies with hundreds of other hot air balloons in a truly magical experience. Most hot air balloons in Cappadocia take off near Goreme.

Loire Valley, France

Iconic Riverfronts Loire River Bank, Rochecorbon, France — © SCStock / Adobe Stock

The penultimate hot air balloon ride on our list is the Loire Valley in France. Spanning over 170 miles (270 kilometers) in Central France, the Loire Valley is a picturesque valley surrounding the Loire River. The area is best known for its charming architecture, lush scenery, and winding waterways, making it a big hit with hot air balloon enthusiasts.

From the air, the Loire Valley offers outdoor adventurers a postcard-perfect tapestry of dense forests, majestic castles, lush vineyards, and scenic waterways. If you can book a hot air balloon tour with a glass of champagne, that would be even better. These serene views cannot be witnessed from the ground, so you must take a hot air balloon ride to enjoy them.

Dubai Desert, United Arab Emirates

If you ask most people about Dubai, they’ll most likely tell you about the city’s mesmerizing skyscrapers, luxury resorts, world-class cuisine, and artificial beaches. However, beyond the glitz and glamor lies an authentic Arabian country waiting to be discovered. With that in mind, take a hot air balloon ride during your visit.

Floating over the Dubai desert is a fantastic way to explore the more authentic side of the United Arab Emirates. You’ll realize how remote the nation is and pass over some of its least-discovered regions. If you take a hot air balloon at sunrise, you might be lucky to witness the fiery morning sun and mist passing over towering orange dunes.