Five Places in the World That Seem Unreal but Exist

author

Edgar Loper

Updated: 26 May 2026 ·

Five Places in the World That Seem Unreal but Exist

Reality, as we know, surpasses fiction. These destinations have the particularity of making you believe that you are in a science fiction novel. However, they exist, and you can go see them.

Lake Natron in Tanzania

A dreamlike lake in Tanzania
photo by viajar.elperiodico.com

In the African lands of Tanzania, Lake Natron emerges as a surreal canvas, painted with pink hues that challenge nature's expectations. This saline mirror, with high pH and waters uninviting to the uninitiated, glows with a mystery that extends beyond its striking color.

Lake Natron is not just a visual spectacle; it is a unique conservation laboratory. Its composition of salt and sodium acts as a preservative, mummifying the creatures unfortunate enough to succumb to its waters. This surreal sanctuary, far from housing unsettling creatures, witnesses the dance between natural elements that transforms life into ephemeral art.

The Wave in Arizona, USA

Makes you want to surf these rocks
Makes you want to surf these rocks photo by viajar.elperiodico.com

At the border between Arizona and Utah, a sandstone formation defies logic and seems like a scene taken from distant worlds. Known as The Wave, this geological whim in Coyote Buttes reveals the mastery of time in sculpting stone into shapes that awaken the imagination. Here, among the folds of the rock, one can feel the energy of a place where reality and fantasy coexist in harmony.

The Wave, with its gently curved ridges and warm color palette, evokes the sensation of being in a corner of the universe where fiction intertwines with reality. The sand slipping through your fingers and the changing shadows as the day progresses create a visual symphony that transports those who behold it to a dimension where possibility and impossibility converge.

Lake Tekapo in New Zealand

A sci-fi colored place
A sci-fi colored place photo by viajar.elperiodico.com

In the lands of New Zealand, Lake Tekapo appears as a liquid gem, a mirror of neon-blue waters that stirs the imagination and caresses the retina. If Curiosity had found water on Mars, it might have discovered landscapes resembling the chromatic wonder of this lake.

Lake Tekapo, with its waters reflecting the hues of the sky and surrounding greens, is a reminder of nature's diversity. Every corner of this New Zealand oasis is a brushstroke on the palette of creation, where colors dance in perfect harmony and the surface of the lake becomes a mirror reflecting the beauty of the world around it.

Crystal Caves in Bermuda

An underground wonder
An underground wonder photo by viajar.elperiodico.com

The most visited caves in Bermuda overflow with stalactites and stalagmites, reflecting in the crystal-clear waters, captivating those who seek hidden wonders within the earth's depths.

These formations defy the laws of nature and whisper the geological history of the Earth. The Crystal Caves stand as a testament to nature's ability to sculpt wonders that challenge the imagination and remind us of the vastness of the unknown beneath our feet.

Salt Pans in Namibia

Otherworldly landscapes in Namibia
Otherworldly landscapes in Namibia photo by viajar.elperiodico.com

In Etosha National Park, Namibia, the salt pans might easily transport us to another solar system. Despite their terrestrial location, these salt mines stand out as landscapes that could belong to an alien world.

The salt pans, with their expanse of pristine white and almost perfect geometry, invite us to reflect on the diversity of our own planet. Under the African sun, this surreal corner reminds us that in the wonder of nature, every inch of Earth can transform into a window to the unknown.