The Most Beautiful Desert, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the desert you think is the most beautiful!

Updated on Apr 14, 2024 06:22

Finding the most exquisite desert landscapes can be a subjective endeavor, shaped by personal experiences and preferences. Whether it's the serene solitude they offer or the unique flora and fauna they host, deserts hold a special allure that captivates many. By participating in a ranking, users contribute to a collective appreciation and recognition of these stunning natural wonders. Through voting, enthusiasts around the world can share which desert landscapes touched their hearts the most and see how others have been moved similarly. This process not only fosters a community of like-minded nature lovers but also highlights the diverse beauty found in arid regions across the globe. Each vote helps to shape a broader narrative of what makes each desert uniquely beautiful.

What Is the Most Beautiful Desert?

1

63
votes
Project Apollo Archive · Public domain

Sahara Desert

The largest hot desert in the world, Sahara is known for its stunning sand dunes, picturesque oasis, and unique rock formations.
The Sahara Desert is the largest hot desert in the world, located in Northern Africa. With its vast expanse of sand dunes, rocky plateaus, and occasional oasis, the Sahara is known for its stunning and otherworldly beauty. The landscape is dominated by a golden, undulating sea of sand, stretching as far as the eye can see.

Area: 9,200,000 square kilometers

Location: Northern Africa

Countries: Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Sudan, Tunisia, Western Sahara

Climate: Hot desert climate with scorching temperatures during the day and cold nights

Rainfall: Very low, less than 100 mm per year in most areas
Sahara Desert in other rankings
- Position 2 of 10 in Most difficult terrain to survive in
2

39
votes
Namib Desert

The oldest desert in the world, Namib is famous for its towering sand dunes, rugged coastlines, and diverse wildlife.
The Namib Desert is a coastal desert located in southern Africa, stretching across parts of Namibia, Angola, and South Africa. It is considered one of the most beautiful and oldest deserts in the world, with an incredibly diverse landscape and unique ecosystems.

Size: The Namib Desert covers an area of approximately 81,000 square kilometers.

Age: It is estimated to be at least 55 million years old, making it one of the oldest deserts.

Coastal Location: The desert runs along the southwestern coast of Africa, bordering the Atlantic Ocean.

Sand Dunes: It is famous for its stunning red sand dunes, some of which are among the tallest in the world.

Wildlife: Despite its harsh conditions, the Namib Desert is home to a variety of unique animal species, including the endangered desert-adapted elephants and black rhinos.
3

26
votes
NASA · Public domain

Atacama Desert

Located in Chile, Atacama is the driest non-polar desert in the world, known for its breathtaking landscapes, vibrant sunsets, and unique geology.
The Atacama Desert is a breathtakingly beautiful desert located in South America, covering a vast area of approximately 105,000 square kilometers. It is known as the driest non-polar desert in the world and boasts an otherworldly landscape that attracts nature enthusiasts, photographers, and adventure seekers alike.

Location: South America

Area: Approximately 105,000 square kilometers

Dryness: Driest non-polar desert in the world

Elevation: Ranges from 2,000 to 6,000 meters above sea level

Landscape: Varied terrain including salt flats, sand dunes, volcanoes, and geysers
Atacama Desert in other rankings
- Position 9 of 10 in Most difficult terrain to survive in
4

15
votes
Fred Morledge · CC BY-SA 2.5

Mojave Desert

One of the hottest and driest deserts in North America, Mojave is home to stunning rock formations, wide-open spaces, and fascinating flora and fauna.
The Mojave Desert is a vast and stunning desert located in the southwestern United States. It covers parts of California, Nevada, Utah, and Arizona, spanning approximately 47,877 square miles. With its unique landscapes and diverse ecosystems, it is considered one of the most beautiful deserts in the world.

Area: 47,877 square miles

Location: Southwestern United States

States: California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona

Elevation: Up to 11,049 feet (3,368 meters)

Temperature: Extreme temperature variations, reaching up to 120°F (49°C) in summer and dropping below freezing in winter
5

19
votes
Christopher Michel from San Francisco, USA · CC BY 2.0

Gobi Desert

A vast and remote desert in Asia, Gobi is known for its towering sand dunes, breathtaking mountain ranges, and unique wildlife.
The Gobi Desert is a vast and mesmerizing desert located in Asia, spanning across northern and northwestern China and southern Mongolia. It is renowned for its stunning landscapes, unique ecological features, and rich cultural heritage.

Area: 1.3 million square kilometers

Climate: Extreme temperature variations, with scorching hot summers and bitterly cold winters

Geological Features: Massive sand dunes, vast gravel plains, rocky mountains, and intermittent lakes

Flora: Sparse vegetation comprising of drought-resistant shrubs, grasses, and some scattered trees

Fauna: Diverse range of wildlife including Bactrian camels, snow leopards, ibex, Gobi bears, and more than 200 bird species
6

12
votes
sushmita balasubramani · CC BY 2.0

Thar Desert

The largest desert in India, Thar is known for its colorful culture, stunning sand dunes, and unique plant and animal life.
The Thar Desert, also known as the Great Indian Desert, is a vast and beautiful desert located in Northwestern India and southeastern Pakistan. It is the seventh-largest desert in the world and covers an area of approximately 200,000 square kilometers.

Location: Northwestern India and southeastern Pakistan

Size: Approximately 200,000 square kilometers

Rank: Seventh-largest desert in the world

Climate: Hot desert climate with extremely high temperatures in summer and low precipitation

Topography: Sandy plains, sand dunes, salt marshes, and thorny vegetation
7

14
votes
BLM photo · Public domain

Sonoran Desert

Located in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, Sonoran is known for its stunning cacti, unique rock formations, and diverse wildlife.
The Sonoran Desert is a stunning and diverse desert located in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. It covers an area of approximately 120,000 square miles and showcases unique and fantastical landscapes.

Climate: Hot desert climate with long, extremely hot summers and mild winters.

Biodiversity: One of the most biologically diverse deserts in the world, with over 2,000 plant species and numerous endangered animal species including the iconic saguaro cactus and the desert bighorn sheep.

Saguaro Cactus Forests: Home to the largest and densest concentration of saguaro cacti, which can reach heights of up to 40 feet and live for more than 150 years.

Stunning Landforms: Encompasses a variety of spectacular landforms, including vast sand dunes, rugged mountain ranges, deep canyons, and unique rock formations.

Wildflower Blooms: During spring, the Sonoran Desert bursts into vibrant colors with stunning wildflower blooms, including poppies, lupines, and desert marigolds.
8

8
votes
Emilfarb at English Wikipedia · Public domain

Kalahari Desert

Located in southern Africa, Kalahari is known for its beautiful sunsets, unique wildlife, and stunning landscapes.
The Kalahari Desert is a vast, semi-arid sandy savannah in southern Africa, spanning across Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. It is known for its mesmerizing landscapes, including wide golden dunes, sparse grasslands, and scattered acacia trees. The name 'Kalahari' originates from the Tswana word 'Kgala,' which means 'the great thirst', reflecting the region's arid conditions. Despite its harshness, the Kalahari Desert supports a rich diversity of plant and animal life.

Size: Approximately 360,000 square miles (930,000 square kilometers), making it one of the largest deserts in the world.

Location: The Kalahari Desert stretches across Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa, mainly in the southern region of the African continent.

Climate: The desert experiences a semi-arid climate with hot summers and cool winters. Rainfall is scarce and highly variable.

Vegetation: Despite being a desert, the Kalahari showcases diverse vegetation, including numerous species of shrubs, grasses, and trees.

Wildlife: The Kalahari is home to a variety of iconic African wildlife, such as lions, cheetahs, leopards, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, and meerkats.
9

4
votes
NASA · Public domain

Simpson Desert

Located in Australia, Simpson is known for its stunning landscapes, unique wildlife, and breathtaking sunsets.
The Simpson Desert is a breathtaking desert located in central Australia. It is one of the world's largest parallel sand dune deserts and is renowned for its stunning landscapes and unique biodiversity.

Location: Central Australia

Size: It covers an area of approximately 176,500 square kilometers (68,100 square miles)

Sand Dunes: Consists of an extensive network of red sand dunes, with some reaching heights of up to 40 meters (130 feet)

Landforms: Features salt lakes, claypans, and flat plains interspersed between the dunes

Fauna: Home to various unique species, including the red kangaroo, dingo, and numerous reptiles and bird species
10

2
votes
This image was acquired by Landsat 7’s Enhanced Thematic Mapper plus (ETM+) sensor. · Public domain

Great Sandy Desert

Located in Australia, Great Sandy is known for its stunning sand dunes, unique wildlife, and breathtaking landscapes.
The Great Sandy Desert is a vast and mesmerizing desert located in northwestern Australia. Stretching over an area of approximately 284,993 square kilometers, it is one of Australia's most magnificent deserts. The landscape of the Great Sandy Desert is characterized by stunning red sand dunes, vast salt lakes, rugged rocky ranges, and scattered shrubs and grasses. It is a captivating and remote wilderness that showcases the raw beauty of nature.

Location: Northwestern Australia

Size: 284,993 square kilometers

Landforms: Red sand dunes, salt lakes, rocky ranges

Vegetation: Scattered shrubs and grasses

Wildlife: Various reptiles, marsupials, and birds

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Ranking factors for beautiful desert

Scenery and landscape

The overall visual appeal, unique land formations, and geological features of the desert should be considered. This can include factors like the presence of sand dunes, rock formations, canyons, and other natural attractions that make the desert visually stunning.
Biodiversity

The variety of plant and animal species that inhabit the desert should be taken into account. A greater biodiversity is generally considered more attractive, as it reflects a healthier ecosystem.
Color palette

The colors of the sand, rocks, and other features in the desert can significantly contribute to its beauty. This can include factors such as the shades of red, orange, and brown found in the landscape, as well as the contrasting hues presented by vegetation and other natural elements.
Sunset and sunrise

The beauty of sunrise and sunset in the desert can enhance its overall attractiveness. Deserts with particularly striking sunrises and sunsets are often considered more beautiful.
Night sky

The clarity and visibility of the night sky in the desert can also contribute to its beauty ranking. Deserts with minimal light pollution and excellent stargazing opportunities are often considered more attractive.
Cultural and historical significance

The presence of archaeological sites, ancient ruins, or strong associations with local or world history can increase a desert's beauty ranking.
Accessibility

Ease of access to the desert and the availability of facilities and amenities for tourists can also be a factor in determining the beauty of a desert. Deserts that are more easily accessible and accommodating to visitors may be considered more appealing.
Climate

The overall climate and weather conditions in the desert should also be considered. Deserts with more moderate temperatures and fewer extreme weather events may be seen as more attractive.
Unique phenomena

Some deserts may feature unique natural phenomena that contribute to their beauty, such as seasonal wildflower blooms, rare geological formations, or unusual wildlife sightings.
Popularity and reputation

The overall popularity and reputation of the desert, influenced by factors like media exposure, tourism, and word-of-mouth, can also impact its beauty ranking. Deserts that are renowned for their beauty or frequently featured in travel guides and media outlets may be considered more beautiful.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most beautiful desert. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or desert is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

2215 views
201 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each desert once every 24 hours. The rank of each desert is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

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More information on most beautiful desert

Deserts are mesmerizingly beautiful landscapes, with vast expanses of sand dunes, towering rock formations, and unique wildlife that has adapted to endure the harsh conditions. With a range of colors, textures, and natural formations, deserts have been the inspiration for countless works of art, literature, and photography. From the Sahara in Africa to the Mojave in North America, each desert has its own unique beauty that draws travelers and adventurers from around the world. In this article, we'll explore some of the most stunning deserts on the planet and discover what makes them so awe-inspiring.