The Best Places in the World for a Hot Air Balloon Ride
Looking for the best places in the world to take a hot air balloon ride? Look no further than this list! Hot air ballooning is well-known as being a great way to see amazing landscapes from a viewpoint reserved only for the birds. It’s also considered to be very romantic. If you love hot air ballooning or are thinking of trying one on your next vacation, check out these destinations!
Loire Valley, France
Nestled in central France is the Loire Valley- one of the best places in the world to take a hot air balloon ride. High above the Loire River, you can see the many castles once lived in by french nobility- such as Château de Montsoreau, Château d’Amboise, and Château d’Azay-le-Rideauthe.
Loire Valley is known as the Cradle of the French and the Garden of France, boasting many vineyards, fruit orchards and vegetable fields lining the river banks. Many of the towns in Loire Valley are historically significant, having been inhabited since the Middle Palaeolithic times. UNESCO even announced that sections of the Loire River valley would be declared a World Heritage Site in 2000.
Barcelona, Spain
Hot air ballooning is extremely popular in Barcelona- ??a gorgeous city on the eastern coast of Catalonia, Spain. This Spanish metropolitan city is one of the biggest tourist cities in the world. Home to the famous Sagrada Familia, and renowned architectural work by Antoni Gaudí and Lluís Domènech i Montaner, both of which are now UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Hot air balloon rides take off from just outside the city in Montseny Natural Park. When you book a hot air balloon ride in Barcelona, your flight will lift off from Cardedeu or Vic. From the sky, you can see all of Montseny Natural Park region, as well as the stunning peaks of Montserrat, Barcelona city and the Mediterranean sea. Hot air ballooning in Barcelona is a breathtaking and romantic adventure to add to your visit to Barcelona.
Cappadocia, Turkey
Cappadocia is one of the biggest destinations for hot air ballooning in Turkey – and in the entire world. Declared at UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985, this delightful Turkish region is known for fairy chimneys, cone-shaped rock formations in the Valley of the Monks. The 100-meter Ihlara Canyon is also very popular to see, which has hundreds of rock churches built into the canyons.
Since so many people come here for hot air ballooning, the skyline is often filled with balloons. They spread across the horizon like a beautiful rainbow of colours against stunning orange and lavender sunrises and sunsets. Cappadocia is also a favourite destination for Instagrammers- pictures in front of the Fairy Chimneys with countless balloons in the background make for epic Insta pictures!
Napa Valley, California
If you’re planning a trip to California, consider taking a hot air balloon ride in Napa Valley, near Sonoma county. This wine lover’s wonderland is just North of San Francisco, the city ??by the bay. Home to 400 wineries, this region spans over 2,000 kilometres, full of lush vineyards, luxury spas and hotels.
Taking a hot air balloon ride here is a wonderful way to see the valleys and hills of Northern California, all while toasting with a glass of world-famous Napa wine!
Palma de Majorca, Balearic Islands
Hot Air Ballooning in Palma de Mallorca, Balearic Islands is a once-in-a-lifetime experience not to be missed. This island is one of two highly-visited islands just off of the eastern coast of Spain. Palma itself is the main city tourists visit.
This wonderful seaside town is also the capital of the Spanish island of Majorca, located west of the Mediterranean Sea. Taking a hot air balloon ride in Mallorca is a great way to see all of the most famous landmarks on the island.
For instance, you will see the massive and beautiful 13th-century Santa María cathedral. You can also see The adjacent Almudaina fortress in Moorish style, which has now been converted into a royal residence. Finally, you can see Bellver Castle, the medieval fortress located high in the hills of Mallorca. Be
Annecy, France
Known as the Pearl of the Alps and the Venice of the Alps, Annecy is a stunning place to take a hot air balloon ride! The city of Annecy is set at the base of the Alps in the south-east of France. Many travellers come to visit Lake Annecy. The region is also famous for its old town with its adorable cobblestone streets, winding canals and pastel-painted homes
A hot air balloon adventure will take you up high above the town for a panoramic view of Lake Annecy. If you’re lucky enough you may even spot Mont Blanc from afar, as well as the three lakes in the area. You can also see the well-known medieval castle of Annecy. This castle just happens to be the former residence of the Counts of Geneva.
If you want to learn more about Annecy, make sure to visit Annecy’s Official Tourism website for more information about this wonderful city!
Bagan, Myanmar
Once the capital of the Burmese empire, Bagan is a 50-kilometre wide Buddhist archaeological site in Mandalay, Myanmar.
The temples and monuments built in Bagan, also known as Pagan, are made of brick. There are two types of recognizable structures unique to this site, known as temples and stupas. Each hold specific meanings in Buddhist ideology. Though many of the 2,834 structures are in ruin, their shape and design are very exotic and ancient, having been built as early as the 9th century.
There is nothing like seeing an archaeological site like this hot air balloon in Bagan, Myanmar . Visiting this vast green jungle land with ancient and holy temples built thousands of years ago is an otherworldly feeling you have to experience yourself to understand!
Tannheimer Tal, Austria
Hot air ballooning in Tannheimer Tal, also known as Tannheim Valley, is an ideal activity in this all-season vacation spot in the alpine peaks of Austria. Tannheimer Tal is near the lake of Haldensee, and is part of the Allgäu Alps along the Bavarian-Tyrolean border.
This valley is over 1,000 meters above sea level. Hot air ballooning in Tannheimer Tal, Austria is the only location on this list that offers views of winter landscapes like these snow-drenched peaks from the sky.
The balloon will leave from Austria and float all the way to Bavaria. Sailing above these mountains is akin to an eagle soaring through the sky. It’s a lovely, peaceful experience. This is quite a romantic ride, so consider surprising your significant other with an adventure like this in the Austrian mountains.
Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
The Serengeti National Park is an ideal place for hot air ballooning. This national park spans across 15,000 kilometres of land. For wildlife lovers, it’s packed full of beautiful African animal species.
Northern Tanzania is known for hosting large herds of migrating wildebeest and zebras. Imagine watching them run across the vast plains of Tanzania from a hot air balloon!
The balloon will take you above Grumeti River, full of wild crocodiles. You will also see native tree species such as the Acacia. In a hot air balloon, you will float above the hills of Lobo, densely populated with black eagles, and watch black rhinos graze in the granite hillsides of Moru Kopjes.
Sedona, Arizona, USA
The United States is home to a breathtaking place to take a hot air balloon ride in Sedona, Arizona. Outside the city is the expansive Red Rock State Park in the desert of Arizona. The people of Sedona are known as an artistic and spiritual community, and Sedona boasts many art galleries, spas and chic restaurants to dine at.
Hot Air Ballooning here gives you a birds-eye view of the extraordinary park. From the air, you can see the beautiful Bell Rock and Cathedral Rock monuments. From above you can also gaze down at steep canyons and pine forest, wildlife and birds. It’s an ideal opportunity to see the whole park in a way you simply cannot from the ground.
Belogradchik, Bulgaria
One of the best places for a hot air balloon ride is somewhere unexpected- Bulgaria! Bulgaria is one of the best-kept secrets in Eastern Europe. The Slavic nations are full of stunning castles, untouched forests and wildlife reserves. Belogradchik is no exception.
From the sky, an hot air balloon excursion in Belogradchik takes you high above the famous Belogradchik Rocks and ancient fortress that surround them. These limestone formations are a unique natural phenomenon standing over 30 kilometres high. These rocks have been hidden away in vast forest land for over 200 million years, just waiting to be seen in all their glory.
Wadi Rum, Jordan
Wadi Rum is considered one of the best places in the world for a hot air balloon ride, not to mention a great way to see the deserts of Jordan. What makes Wadi Rum so special is the desert’s collection of ancient architecture.
Many tourists visit Wadi Rum, Jordan and nearby Petra to see The Nabatean Temple. This elaborate temple was built in the 1st century. The face of the temple was built right into the giant rocks of the desert, complete with beautiful intricate carvings and scripture.
From your balloon, keep your eyes peeled for Khazali Canyon, Um Frouth Rock Bridge, and The Seven Pillars of Wisdom. Gaze down and see bedouin tents and riders on camelback from the sky in a peaceful hot air balloon ride.
For more of the best places in the world for hot air balloon rides, you can read our article, The Complete Guide to Hot Air Ballooning. Also, be sure to check out all of our hot air balloon activity options on Adrenaline-Hunter.com.