Beloved vacation hotspots of the past seen in historic images

Vacations from the past

From sprawling metropolises and glamorous beach resorts to ancient ruins and quaint seaside towns, these destinations have captivated travelers for decades, if not more than a century. We take a nostalgic look back in time to see how these tourism hotspots came into their own. 

Click through this gallery to see what the world's most famous holiday hotspots looked like in days gone by...

London, England, UK, 1910

The Industrial Revolution ushered in a lot of changes in various aspects of life, one being the rise of travel for pleasure. Thanks to the introduction of steam trains, ocean liners and steamboats, the world was first opened up to the wealthy. London became a popular European destination for Americans, who could now make the journey from New York in just nine days and combine it with trips to other countries like France and Italy. Pictured here in 1910 is an American traveling party who stayed at the George Hotel in Southwark – a popular bolthole for visiting Americans.

London, England, UK, 1912

The city already had lots of sights to see, from Piccadilly Circus and Buckingham Palace to the Houses of Parliament and the Tower of London, so day trips taking in top attractions took off very early on. Sightseeing tours like this one in 1912 on an open-top carriage passing by Westminster Abbey, ran from almost every mainline city terminus, including Paddington and Waterloo. Much like the London sightseeing buses of today, tours looped around the city's most famous locations.

London, England, UK, 1936

This snap of busy Victoria Station in 1936 bears a lot of resemblance to the vacation rush train travelers experience these days. With a wealth of train companies, ferrying passengers to nearly every corner of the UK, more people were able to afford tickets and by the 1920s and 1930s it was no longer a luxury reserved just for the wealthy. Many families enjoyed Bank Holidays by the beach, foreign visitors were able to discover more of the country and domestic travel to London also boomed.

London, England, UK, 1959

Buckingham Palace has been a highlight for tourists visiting the capital ever since it became an official residence of the monarch in 1837. These visiting ladies have managed to capture a historic snap – the last day when the sentry (palace guard) boxes were placed outside the gates. From this day in 1959, the sentry boxes have been set against the palace walls and the changing of those on sentry duty has taken place behind the railings, leaving tourists peering through to catch the tradition.

London, England, UK, 1978

By the 1970s, London was buzzing with tourists as around eight million international visitors crowded into the capital every year. Many were keen to capture their visit to the city, just like these two women using a coin-operated tourist camera, the Fotoking 8080, to photograph themselves in front of the statue of Eros in Piccadilly Circus in 1978.

Niagara Falls, New York, USA, 1859

Ocean liners were also ferrying travelers from Europe to the US, with plenty of wealthy Europeans keen to experience the wonders of the New World. Many vacationed in New York City before venturing further, to see natural marvels like Niagara Falls on the border with Ontario, Canada. Here, Victorian-era tourists view the tumbling white waters from a nearby observation point in 1859.

Manhattan, New York, USA, 1910

Similarly to London, New York City grew considerably in a short amount of time and getting around Manhattan's attractions, from the marvels of Chinatown to the menagerie in Central Park, was difficult. Various city tours came into operation as early as the start of the 20th century and this incredible image captures a group of tourists sat in an open-top tour car, operated by Green Car Sight-Seeing Service in 1910. The tour departed from the Bartholdi Building, which was a hotel at the time and traveled 13 miles (21km) uptown or downtown for two hours.

Manhattan, New York, USA, 1940s

Famous for its abundance of skyscrapers, which were still a rarity in Europe, New York City continued to attract millions of visitors in the post-war era. Just like the travelers of today, these visitors from the 1940s line the edge of the observation deck at 30 Rockefeller Plaza (formerly the RCA Building), looking north towards Central Park, with the breathtaking Manhattan skyline surrounding it.

Coney Island, New York, USA, 1940s

The pleasure playground that is Coney Island attracted vacationers from Europe and across the US. Its development dates back to the 1840s and in the early 1900s it was the country's largest amusement park. This 1940s shot shows vacationers on Coney Island’s now defunct parachute ride, as well as hordes of tourists on the sandy beach. A series of fires throughout this decade would put Coney Island’s future at risk, though the seaside resort remains beloved today.

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Luxor, Egypt, 1870

In the Victorian era, Egypt's enticing history and wealth of ancient monuments were particularly popular with wealthy travelers from Britain. Those with cash to spare (and often investments to check out) would journey to Egypt and embark on a grand tour of the country, exploring Cairo, Giza, Luxor and Aswan on a Nile cruise. Here a group of Victorian tourists and their guides are photographed at the Temple of Karnak in Luxor in 1870.

Giza, Egypt, c.1899

At the time there were no rules protecting the ancient monuments so it wasn't unusual to see street vendors selling off mummies and various trinkets from the tombs. Sometimes visitors would even climb the pyramids, bringing a picnic with them and spending hours sunbathing or taking tea. Here a group of Victorian vacationers (circa 1899) are making their way up the Great Pyramid in Giza.

Tossa de Mar, Costa Brava, Spain, 1965

Back in Europe in the 1950s, Spanish tourist resorts such as Costa Brava and Costa Blanca were becoming increasingly popular with wealthy Brits, who mainly traveled on package vacations. While these Mediterranean spots typically attracted tourists from the UK, some well-off Americans keen to pair a fly-and-flop break with a tour of Europe could be found on these beaches too. Pictured here is Tossa de Mar, a resort especially popular with British sunseekers, in 1965.

Palamós, Costa Brava, Spain, 1981

There was a steady uptick in tourism from the 1950s and 1960s onwards, as package vacations became a little more affordable. By the 1980s, Spain's beaches were thronged with people come summertime. Here, families cruise on inflatables in the ocean or sit elbow-to-elbow on the shores, shading themselves under umbrellas. This snap was taken in Palamós, another top Costa Brava destination for Brits, in 1981.

Palma de Mallorca, Mallorca, Spain, 1959

Another popular Spanish destination, the Balearic island of Mallorca, saw the potential of travel early on and in 1959 the Spanish government simplified the entry requirements to encourage visitors. Traditionally, the island's main industry had always been fishing, but the advent of mass tourism brought new opportunities. In the following decades, tourism boomed and the city grew quite significantly, changing its traditions and even having an effect on its language. Here, fishermen and kids are pictured at the harbor of Palma with the cathedral in the distance and no cruise ships in sight.

Barcelona, Spain, 1954

Back on the Spanish mainland, Barcelona became popular as a vacation destination among wealthy Europeans following the World's Fair in 1888. Although the Spanish Civil War and both World Wars halted the growth of tourism, the city came back with a boom in the 1950s. One of the city's most striking landmarks, Sagrada Família, had grown quite considerably by that time as well, attracting many visitors eager to see the impressive and unusual cathedral. Here, it's pictured in 1954.

Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia, c.1900

A private estate until 1882, Sydney's famous Bondi Beach has been luring sunseekers for more than a century, thanks to its pristine sands. Some public access to the beach was already in place from the mid-1800s, but it wasn't until the government made it a public reserve and the first tramway opened in 1884, that it really became a top destination among residents. Here, beachgoers are pictured circa 1900, enjoying a little paddle in the shallow waters.

Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia, 1950s

By the mid-20th century, Bondi was already famous beyond the shores of Australia and became a must-visit for anyone spending time in Sydney. As crowds packed the sands, as pictured in this snap from the 1950s, there were strict controls in place for appropriate beach attire. Between 1935 and 1961 beach inspectors would patrol the sands in a bid to maintain decency. Swimming costumes had to meet certain requirements, including strict size dimensions, and any offenders were escorted off the beach.

Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, c.1930

A luxury exclusive to the upper echelons of society, lounging on Copacabana beach was something most Europeans and Americans could only dream of. The Brazilian charmer was a legendary destination, with five-star hotels, first-class restaurants and entertainment facilities springing up ready to welcome royalty and movie stars. This photo, taken from Copacabana Palace circa 1930, captures the famous sands and the equally iconic wavy tiling of its beach promenade.

Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 1970s

Copacabana's popularity boomed in the 1970s, a decade that saw several hotel redevelopments, the relaying of the promenade tiles and further airline links to Europe and the US. Here, thriving Copacabana is captured in the late 1970s.

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, 1949

A city that grew out of the desert thanks to the Union Pacific Railroad Project and gambling, Las Vegas started attracting vacationers as early as the 1930s, when the first gambling license was issued. A hotel boom followed during the 1940s – the legendary Flamingo Las Vegas (still in operation) was one of the ritzy hotels to open during this period. Then tipped as a "playground of the elite", the hotel boasted a palm-dotted patio, a vast pool and plush accommodations. This aerial shot was taken in 1949 and sees glamorous vacationers sun themselves beside the water. 

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, 1950s

The 1950s solidified Las Vegas' position as the gambling and entertainment capital of the US. The city also attracted more visitors thanks to the so-called atomic tourism. Established in 1950 within the limits of Nellis Air Force Base, the Nevada Test Site earned Las Vegas the nickname Atomic City. The primary testing location for nuclear devices between 1951 and 1992, a total of 928 tests were carried out here. During the 1950s, the test mushroom clouds, which could be seen from Downtown hotels (pictured), became a tourist attraction in itself.

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, 1965

During the following decades, Las Vegas truly enjoyed its golden era. From legendary performers taking to stage every night to new hotels that gave the city its modern face, this was the place to let loose and enjoy life. Pictured is a croupier dealing a hand in a blackjack game at the famous swimming pool casino at the Sands Hotel in 1965.

Venice, Italy, 1894

As travel became more popular towards the end of the 19th century, only the very upper echelons of society could afford to do so abroad and when they did, it was normally a multi-destination tour, spanning weeks if not months. Italy was one of the first destinations to charm, from its seaside retreats to beguiling cities. This charming snap captures wealthy travelers feeding pigeons in Piazza San Marco in Venice in 1894.

Amalfi Coast, Italy, 1955

Although travel to Italy declined at the start of the 1900s, there was rapid growth in tourism following the Second World War as the world's economies started to recover. Over the following decades, travel became more accessible to people and destinations like Italy became incredibly popular due to pleasant weather, delicious food and stunning natural beauty. Amalfi Coast (pictured here in 1955) soon became a top vacation spot among celebrities, politicians, sports stars and even royals.

Paraggi Beach, Italian Riviera, Italy, 1948

Another Italian destination making the most of wealthy visitors was the Italian Riviera. Stretching along the Ligurian coast, from the French border to La Spezia, the region has captured the hearts of many over the decades, from writers and poets to fashion designers and movie stars. Here, a hotel on Paraggi Beach is captured in the early morning in 1948, with its beach chairs unfolded ready for sunbathers.

Portofino, Italian Riviera, Italy, 1950s

Portofino was (and arguably still is) the most famous of all the resorts on the Italian coast. By the 1950s, glamorous movie stars from across the pond – most notably Rita Hayworth, Clark Gable, Ava Gardner and Humphrey Bogart – all set their sights on Portofino for their vacations. This nostalgic shot from the 1950s perfectly captures the atmospheric town and its picturesque harbor.

Miami, Florida, USA, 1930s

At the start of the 20th century, vacations in Florida grew in popularity as wealthy vacationers journeyed there in search of sun, sea and sand. Many luxurious tourist resorts and hotels popped up in Florida in the early 1900s, but the less affluent also found a way to vacation here. Trailers, which were lighter and more affordable than RVs at the time, gained popularity and in 1919 the Tin Can Tourists Club, an auto-camping club, was established. The club remained popular throughout the following decades.

Miami, Florida, USA, 1930s

On the flipside, dozens of glitzy Art Deco hotels and resorts sprang up in Miami during the Roaring Twenties and wealthier vacationers flocked to the city's sand-trimmed shores like never before. This photo dates to the 1930s and captures a group of young vacationers having lunch by the pool at a Miami hotel.

Cypress Gardens, Florida, USA, 1959

Another draw for tourists to the Sunshine State was Winter Haven's Cypress Gardens. Often tipped as Florida's first major tourist attraction, the site was a theme park and botanical garden that opened in 1936. Cypress Gardens was famed for its water-ski shows, first introduced to entertain visiting Second World War soldiers. The show saw the skiers perform elaborate routines and eventually tourists would come to enjoy the sport for themselves. This water-skiing clan was snapped trying their hand at the sport in 1959.

Gulf Coast, Florida, USA, 1950

By the 1940s, self-catering vacation cottages and chalets close to the seaside, and often a stone’s throw from major highways, were a frequent sight too. Most parks would also have plenty of space for trailers and RVs. Pictured here is a trailer camp on Florida's Gulf Coast around 1950.

Miami, Florida, USA, 1965

Florida remained the destination of choice through the 1960s. As new hotels, resorts and amusements continued to spring up near the coast, the Sunshine State was flooded with people each summer and continues to be a popular vacation destination today. Here, sun-worshippers relax beneath the palms on Miami Beach in southern Florida circa 1965.

American Beach, Florida, USA, 1958

Up until the mid-1960s, racial segregation affected most parts of life – even a simple family activity like going to the beach. As most areas in and around Jacksonville didn't welcome Black vacationers, several beaches for minorities popped up, most notably, American Beach on Amelia Island. The largest and most popular beach community among African Americans, American Beach Historic District is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Here, a family is photographed on American Beach in 1958.

Cannes, Côte d'Azur, France, 1900s

Côte d'Azur, or the French Riviera, covers most of the French Mediterranean coastline and the end of the 18th century saw the region develop into a fashionable health resort and vacation destination for the British upper classes. Many notable Brits were among regular visitors, including Queen Victoria and Edward VII (then Prince of Wales). By the turn of the 20th century, a summer escape to Côte d'Azur was a must among the wealthy. Here, people are seen wandering beneath the palm trees of Boulevard de la Croisette in Cannes in the early 1900s.

Cannes, Côte d'Azur, France, 1925

While much of Europe was still recovering from the First World War, the strength of the US dollar meant Americans became staple visitors to the French Riviera – everyone from businessmen and artists to movie stars and politicians came here to mingle. This influx of Americans is largely responsible for the birth of the summer high season in Côte d'Azur, but it was Coco Chanel who made sunbathing fashionable among the upper classes of Paris and beyond: she was snapped sporting a striking tan in the summer of 1923, as she hopped off a yacht in Cannes. In this image from 1925 beachgoers are captured enjoying the sun at Plage Les Baigneurs, also in Cannes.

Nice, Côte d'Azur, France, 1931

Another French Riviera city, Nice, was equally en vogue, especially for aristocrats who preferred to escape the gloomy British winter and settle here until spring. Nice's popularity boomed even more following the refurbishment of the city's main seaside promenade, the Promenade des Anglais, in 1931. In this image, captured shortly after its opening, people are seen enjoying a casual stroll, with the stunning Casino de la Jetée in the background. Sadly, the casino was stripped of all its metals for the German war effort during the Second World War and destroyed.

Cannes, Côte d'Azur, France, 1959

During the Second World War, many of the French Riviera's towns and cities were badly damaged, but peacetime saw artists like Marc Chagall and Pablo Picasso return to live here. Cannes really came to life in 1946, when the Cannes Film Festival was launched, marking the return of French cinema to world screens. Here, movie fans are captured in 1959 outside the Carlton Hotel, waiting for their favorite movie stars to arrive for the festival.

Saint-Tropez, Côte d'Azur, France, 1960s

Saint-Tropez had been particularly badly damaged in the war, but it too got a new lease of life. Featured in the 1956 flick And God Created Woman, starring Brigitte Bardot, Saint-Tropez became an international tourist destination, particularly for the "jet set" (a term used to describe society figures traveling around the world on jet planes). Here, a wealthy couple arrives at the harbor of Saint-Tropez in their MG sports car in the mid-1960s.

Paris, France, 1889

Arguably the most famous destination in France, Paris has attracted large numbers of visitors for over a century. During the second half of the 1800s, the city was mostly visited by the upper-classes for business or new fashions, but the tourism industry in Paris started to grow following the World's Fair in 1889. Here, the visiting crowds have gathered under the Eiffel Tower, which served as the entrance to the fair.

Paris, France, 1972

In the post-war era, tourism to the French capital continued to increase. At the same time, road trips across Europe surged in popularity, with many embarking on longer trips during the summer vactions. Here, a Dutch tourist has parked his car and trailer in the heart of the Place de la Concorde in 1972. 

Tokyo, Japan, 1923

The former small fishing village of Edo only became the capital of Japan in the 1860s, when the Emperor moved his palace and administration here. Japan had long maintained its policy of isolation from the rest of the world and few Westerners ventured to Tokyo. By the 20th century, intrepid visitors began to arrive and in 1923, the Imperial Hotel (pictured), designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, opened its doors.

Nikko National Park, Japan, 1974

In the decades following the Second World War, Western interest in Japan only increased and by the 1970s the memories of the conflict had faded. Tour groups and individual travelers from European countries and the US traveled to Japan in large numbers, keen to see this fascinating country and learn about its history. In this captivating shot from 1974, that could easily be mistaken for a tour group today with the guide's flag raised in the air, American tourists have gathered to tour Nikko National Park.

Machu Picchu, Peru, 1980s

As air travel became even more streamlined and widely accessible during the 1960s and 1970s, long-haul travel really kicked off, with backpacking becoming increasingly popular. Backpackers often chose far-flung destinations in Asia or South America for their sometimes months-long adventures. One of the most sought-after destinations at the time was Machu Picchu in Peru. This snap captures a couple of hikers looking over the ancient citadel and the mountains in the 1980s.

Now discover what your favorite destinations looked like before tourism

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