As one of the most recognizable weather occurrences in modern culture, rainbows have cemented their reputation as symbols of beauty and hope. However, part of their allure is that they are also difficult to find, making the lucky few who see them feel particularly special.
No matter how many rainbows you’ve seen in your life, it’s important to know exactly where to be to see some of the best rainbows in the world. To help you solidify your travel plans, we’ve created a list of seven places that are well-known for having some of the most beautiful rainbows:
Kauai, Hawaii
Hawaii is known as the ‘Rainbow State,’ so you’re guaranteed to see stunning rainbows across the chain of islands. Kauai is a particularly rainy island and is home to Mount Waialeale, one of the wettest spots on earth. Because of that, rainbows can be spotted frequently.
Yosemite National Park, California
Are you familiar with the rainbow’s less famous cousin, the moonbow? They’re often spotted around waterfalls, when the light of the moon is refracted through the mist. Yosemite Falls is famous for its beautiful moonbows, and the best time to see one is during a full moon in spring or summer.
Jasper National Park, Alberta
Jasper National Park in Alberta is no stranger to being the focus of gorgeous photo ops. It’s full of mountains, forests, picturesque lakes and waterfalls. And where there’s water, there are rainbows. Seeing one over the Canadian Rockies is a totally unique experience.
Lake Neusiedl, Austria
Lake Neusiedl, just an hour’s drive from Vienna in Austria, is a UNESCO World Heritage site known as the “Sea of the Viennese.” The lake is a draw for tourists hoping to see protected wildlife, go windsurfing or spot some rainbows.
Iguazu Falls, Argentina and Brazil
Comprised of 275 individual falls, Iguaza Falls on the Argentina-Brazil border is the largest waterfall system in the world. It’s three times as wide and twice as tall as Niagara Falls, and it’s famous for the hundreds of rainbows it generates. An especially colorful time to visit is during the dry season, April through June.