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| © Getty |
As more cities around the world feel the effects of the coronavirus and government shutdowns, virtual travel is becoming more of a necessity. Cities and hotels around the world are opening up webcams, so you can tap into life far, far away from your own home. These live streams let you see Hawaii's oceans, Croatia's islands, Tokyo's streets, and Kenya's highlands (among others) in real time, making it even easier to picture yourself in far-off places. So grab a plate of your favorite food, snuggle up in your comfiest chair, and get ready to virtually visit some seriously beautiful destinations.
Sydney, Australia
Easily one of the higher-quality videos on this list, Webcam Sydney provides a gorgeous livestream of the Sydney Harbour. You can easily spot the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Circular Quay, and The Rocks in the panoramic shot; make sure to sneak a peak when the sun goes down (which is about when the sun comes up in the U.S.) to see the harbor's glittering nighttime lights.
Northern Lights, Canada
Trying to spot the elusive Northern Lights usually involves camping out in the cold in the middle of the night, desperately hoping for perfect weather and conditions (and even then it still might not happen). This Northern Lights webcam in Manitoba, Canada, makes the process much easier, letting us watch the night sky from the warmth of our homes. If the idea of waiting for a spark of light on your computer screen is still too much effort, the site also shows a highlights reel and lets viewers post screenshots of their findings.
Trevi Fountain, Rome
Possibly the most famous fountain in the world, the Trevi Fountain is a Baroque masterpiece depicting Neptune atop a chariot pulled by sea horses. The Roman landmark is typically surrounded by masses of tourists, but currently sits quiet thanks to Italy's nationwide lockdown. The resulting livestream really shows off the fountain's design—and it's strangely relaxing, too.Yosemite Falls, California
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| © Getty Yosemite Falls is on display, thanks to a live webcam. |
The Yosemite webcam is one of our favorites. It streams the 2,424-foot-tall waterfall's top section, Upper Yosemite Falls, in its scenic, roaring glory. The peak flow occurs in early summer as the snow starts to melt, but it's looking pretty awesome right now.
Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda
Sailboats, yachts, sunsets: What more could you want while stuck at home? This webcam gives viewers an all-encompassing look into the waterfront life of Bermuda's historic Royal Naval Dockyard, which is still used to house cruise ships, museums, and artsy shops.
CN Tower, Toronto
Get sweeping views of Toronto from this webcam located on top of the CN Tower, the city's tallest—and most iconic—landmark at 1,815 feet. You can switch between east- and west-facing cameras, letting you see Lake Ontario, the Toronto Islands, the Royal Ontario Museum, and much more.
Hvar, Croatia
The country’s most popular island for nightlife and yachters, Hvar is also Croatia’s sunniest spot. Luckily for those of us stuck with cramped quarters and cloudy weather, the Croatian island offers a 24/7 panoramic webcam showing off its port and the Pakleni islands in the distance. The view is especially gorgeous during sunrise and sunset.
Because, well, we're all spending time at home right now.
Thailand
Thailand has just about everything we're craving right now: Beautiful beaches, rich culture, and some of the most luxurious resorts on the planet. The Tourism Authority of Thailand has a live stream view conveniently located on YouTube, where people can take a look at a number of Thai destinations (arranged in a tidy collage) from the comfort of their home.
Cancun, Mexico
The beach is the main attraction at NIZUC Resort & Spa, located on the northeast tip of the Yucatán Peninsula. Anyone craving some waves and sunshine can now tune into the resort's live webcam, which offers a perfect shot of the shoreline and stretches of water.
Shibuya Crossing, Japan
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| © Getty Tokyo's Shibuya Crossing is usually packed with pedestrians. |
The Japan National Tourism Organization is currently encouraging people to satisfy their wanderlust remotely, with virtual experiences showcasing the best of the country. Our favorite is the Shibuya Crossing webcam, which overlooks Tokyo's busiest intersection. It's not quite as crowded as usual these days, but it's still pretty crowded by current social-distancing standards—you might even end up grateful for your quarantine situation after watching the "Shibuya scramble" for a few seconds.
Kauai, Hawaii
Bring some real-time Hawaiian surf into your living room, courtesy of rental company Great Vacation Retreats. Their webcam faces the popular PKs surf break on Kauai, showing off the island's natural landscapes among the killer waves.
Niagara Falls
While most of Niagara's tours and visitor facilities are closed (on both the Canadian and U.S. sides), the surrounding state parks and trails are still open—for now, at least. But if you want to practice true social distancing, we recommend checking out the Niagara Falls live webcam, presented by the Hilton Fallsview Hotel in Ontario. The sound of the crashing water is pure white noise bliss, and the camera's aerial view is better than what you'd see in person.
Dam Square, Amsterdam
Like many major cities around the world, Amsterdam has closed its attractions, restaurants, and bars to curb the spread of COVID-19. We love this webcam of Dam Square (the city's hopping central spot), which oscillates to provide great shots of the area's streets, sculptures, and stunning architecture. And if you're feeling really lonely, there are still a few residents strolling around.
