A selfie is one of the most shared vacation photos on Instagram. At least it proves that you’ve actually been to those beautiful places you’re talking about. Instagram while traveling—It’s just part of the experience now. But when a photo spot suddenly goes viral, it can become a problem for nature and local residents—as is currently the case in the Dolomites. Our Green Pearls® partners will show you selfie spots with that “wow” factor that aren’t overrun with people yet. And our photo editors also offer tips on how to take really great selfies.
Instagram while traveling: The Instagramability of places
The phenomenon of judging places by how well they can be shared on Instagram and other social media now has a term: Instagramability. If a place is “insta-worthy”, i.e., it is worth sharing on Instagram, depends not only on how beautiful it is, but also on how well you can showcase it or yourself there. While this can be positive, it also has negative effects that we should not ignore, especially as travelers, that try to travel eco-concious.
Dangers of an Instagram location
The natural infinity pool at the Königsbach Waterfall in Berchtesgaden National Park—now known as the “Instagram Pool”—shows just how quickly an insider tip can turn into an overcrowded photo spot. The small natural pool above Lake Königssee gained worldwide fame on social media in 2021. Thousands of photo tourists flocked there. Off the official trails, about three kilometers of beaten paths formed; vegetation was trampled, and trash, campfires, and illegal camping took a toll on the area. The area has now been closed for five years, and according to the national park administration, the vegetation is recovering “slowly but steadily.” At the end of October 2026, a committee of various institutions will decide on reopening access to the “Instagram-Gumpen”.
Our tip: The Klosterhof – Alpine Hideaway & Spa, located near the national park, offers plenty of unique selfie spots of its own. The unobstructed view of the Bavarian mountains—for example, from the suite, the terrace, or even from the bathtub in one of the spa suites—is a fantastic backdrop in and of itself.
Long Lines for the Perfect Selfie in the Dolomites
Around famous landmarks like the Three Peaks, huge crowds in the summer are increasingly leading to long lines and complex visitor management. Since 2026, for example, access to the Auronzo Hut has been limited to 800 cars per day and must be reserved in advance.
To give you an idea: Here on Instagram, you can see the line for a selfie in front of the Three Peaks as well as the line for a photo with a giant doughnut.
According to oe24 News, the problem is that groups of visitors often stay only briefly (just long enough to take the desired photo) and thus generate very little revenue. For these selfie-seeking visitors, it’s neither about hiking nor about nature, but simply about digital proof that they’ve been there.
In a conversation with the hoteliers at the Paradiso Pure.Living Vegan Hotel on the Seiser Alm in the heart of the Dolomites, the owners explained to us that they welcome the access restrictions. At the same time, they are, of course, well aware of the unique nature of their location.
“Our location is surrounded by some of the most famous peaks in the Dolomites: Sassolungo, Sasso Piatto, Santner, Seceda, and Fermeda, as well as the Marmolada. Of course, our guests take lots of selfies—simply because it’s impossible to overlook the scenic beauty of the Dolomites.” – Paradiso Pure.Living Vegan Hotel
As a guest of the hotel, you’ll receive a special permit—valid exclusively on the day of your arrival and departure—to drive up to the high alpine pasture, which is over 2,000 meters high. Otherwise, you’re better off exploring up there on foot or by bike anyway.
Instagram while traveling or travel for Instagram?
Really, how many times have you been to a place just to take a picture of it? Especially when it comes to famous landmarks, we always catch ourselves going there just to check a box on the virtual list. We really don’t enjoy spending time on St. Mark’s Square in Venice or in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. After all, you’re surrounded by many other tourists who are just about to take a selfie. 😉
Part of sustainable travel is also a responsible approach to social media. Visiting places only briefly to take THE selfie and then travel on directly is not particularly sustainable. It doesn’t do anything for the local people. In the worst case, you leave nothing but negative effects on the economy, social structures or the environment.
What can we do about that?
Let’s say you’ve discovered a particularly beautiful spot while hiking. Maybe a natural pool, an enchanted clearing, or a rock with a breathtaking view. Of course, you want to share your experience on Instagram, and right from this moment on, there’s something you can do:
- To protect the location, you should avoid sharing exact coordinates or specific location details.
- If you’re visiting an Instagram hotspot, don’t take any risks for the sake of a photo. Stay on the trails and keep your distance from crumbling ledges.
- It goes without saying that you should take your trash with you. Maybe you can even pick up a little extra and leave the place looking better than before?
Even at well-known spots, the same rule applies: When you post the photo, don’t include the exact location, even if you think it doesn’t make a difference anyway. That way, you won’t contribute to making the spot even more well-known, but you can still share your travel memories with your followers.
Our Alternative: The Most Beautiful Selfie Spots at Green PearlsⓇ Accommodations
The hotels and vacation homes in the Green PearlsⓇ network are committed to treating nature with respect, as evidenced by their numerous initiatives focused on zero waste, the circular economy, natural building materials, and organic cuisine. They’ve also shared with us their most popular, most original, and most beautiful selfie spots—all of which, of course, do one thing they won’t do: destroy nature.
How to take the perfect travel selfie: Tips and tricks for Instagram while traveling
No matter whether it’s a well-known spot, a hotel lobby or an insider tip you found yourself: it doesn’t take much to take the perfect selfie. Maybe you don’t even care what it looks like in the end and just want to capture a memory (or your loved ones back home want a sign of life). Still, you can take your selfie to the next level with a few simple tricks, all without beauty filters and retouching.
1. Natural Light
When properly lighted, you’ll look fresher than with shadows under your eyes caused by overhead lights. Find a window or go outside and pay attention to the incidence of light. Soft evening or morning light looks nicer than harsh midday sun. | ©ADLER Lodge RITTEN