12 Famous Places to See on Satellite View

Some of the most famous places on Earth look completely different from above. Satellite view lets you trace the geometry of ancient monuments, the scale of huge natural features and the shapes of human-made islands, all from your phone. Here are twelve famous places to see on satellite view, with tips on what to look for once you find them.

How to find famous places to see on satellite view

For each location below, search the name in a map app, switch to satellite imagery and start zoomed out, then zoom in gradually. Many of these sites only make sense at the right scale: zoom in too fast and you will miss the overall shape. If you are new to satellite maps, our guide on how to see a satellite view of your house covers the basics.

Ancient and historic wonders

1. Pyramids of Giza, Egypt

From above, the three main pyramids form a striking diagonal line on the edge of the desert, with the city pressing right up to the plateau. Zoom in to see the smaller queens’ pyramids, the Sphinx and the long causeways.

2. Great Wall of China

The idea that the wall is easily visible to the naked eye from space is a myth, but in satellite imagery you can follow sections of it snaking along mountain ridges. Try the well-known restored sections north of Beijing.

3. Nazca Lines, Peru

These huge ancient designs in the southern Peruvian desert are best appreciated from above. Look for long straight lines crossing the plain. Some of the figures are faint, so take your time and adjust the zoom.

4. Vatican City and St. Peter’s Square

The world’s smallest independent state is easy to explore in one sitting. The oval colonnade of St. Peter’s Square and the dome of the basilica are unmistakable.

Natural wonders

5. Eye of the Sahara (Richat Structure), Mauritania

A vast circular formation of concentric rings in the desert. It is large enough that you need to zoom out a long way to see the full pattern, which is part of the fun.

6. Grand Canyon, USA

Satellite view reveals the canyon’s branching side canyons and the winding Colorado River at the bottom. Compare the South Rim and North Rim to see how differently they are developed.

7. Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Off the coast of Queensland, individual reefs appear as turquoise shapes against deep blue water. Pan north along the coast to get a feel for how enormous the reef system is.

8. Uluru, Australia

A single, enormous sandstone monolith rising from flat red desert in central Australia. From above, its rounded shape and the ring road around its base stand out clearly. Kata Tjuta, with its cluster of domes, is nearby.

9. Mount Fuji, Japan

Look for the near-symmetrical cone and the crater at the summit. Depending on when the imagery was captured, you may see snow on the upper slopes.

Human-made marvels

10. Palm Jumeirah, Dubai

A palm-shaped artificial island with a trunk, fronds and a protective crescent. It is one of the most recognizable shapes on any satellite map.

11. Central Park, New York City

A long green rectangle cutting through the grid of Manhattan. Zoom in to find the reservoir, the lakes and the winding paths that contrast with the straight streets around it.

12. Venice, Italy

The city’s islands, the S-shaped Grand Canal and hundreds of smaller canals make Venice a fascinating place to pan around. Follow the long bridge that connects the city to the mainland.

Tips for the best satellite views

• Use Wi-Fi. High-resolution imagery loads faster and uses no mobile data.
• Start wide, then zoom in. Large features like the Richat Structure and the Great Barrier Reef only make sense from far away.
• Switch to street view where available. Places like Central Park, Venice and the Vatican have street-level imagery that adds detail you cannot see from above. Learn more about the difference in satellite view vs street view.
• Remember imagery has a date. What you see may not be exactly how a place looks today, particularly in fast-changing cities.
• Look for shadows. Long shadows reveal the height of buildings and pyramids better than the shapes alone.

Turning a virtual visit into a real trip

Exploring from above is a great way to decide where to go next. Once a place has caught your eye, use satellite imagery to understand the layout, street view to preview the area at ground level, and a route planner to work out how to get there. GPS, Earth Maps & Navigation brings satellite and street view together with a route planner and offline navigation, so the same app you used for a virtual visit can guide the real one.

Frequently asked questions

Can you see the Great Wall of China from space?

Not easily with the naked eye, despite the popular myth. However, high-resolution satellite imagery does show sections of the wall following the mountain ridges.

Why do some famous places look blurry on satellite view?

Imagery resolution varies by location, and some sites are captured in lower detail or deliberately blurred. Try zooming out one level for a sharper picture.

What is the coolest thing to see on satellite view?

It depends on your interests, but the Richat Structure, Palm Jumeirah and the Nazca Lines are popular because their shapes are only fully visible from above.

Ready to tour the planet from your phone? Download Earth Maps free on Google Play and start exploring these famous places in satellite view.