Ever wondered how some people manage to take travel photos at world-famous landmarks, with no one else in sight? You’re not alone. I get that question often, especially when I post photos from popular places like Prague that are usually filled with tourists.
Taking travel pictures without people might seem impossible, especially in crowded destinations. But with the right planning, smart angles, and perfect timing, you can capture incredible, crowd-free shots.
In this guide, I’ll share the best tips for how to take travel photos without people in them, including sunrise strategies, creative framing, and off-season travel tricks. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned photographer, these practical tips will help you shoot stunning, serene scenes, no matter how busy the place usually is.
N°1. Get There Early (Really Early!)
The best way to avoid crowds in your travel photos is to arrive before sunrise. Most tourists are still sleeping, which gives you rare, peaceful access to even the busiest landmarks. For example, when I photograph the Charles Bridge in Prague, I always go at sunrise. The city is just beginning to wake up, the sun casts a golden glow over the cobblestones, and the bridge is nearly empty. It’s one of the few moments when you can truly feel the magic of the place. Just a few hours later, it’s completely packed with tourists and street performers, making a quiet photo nearly impossible.
Photo Tip: Use a photo planning app like PhotoPills and SunSurveyor to check the exact sunrise time and golden hour window for your destination. Set your alarm and aim to arrive 15-30 minutes before sunrise to set up your gear, scout the perfect angle, and be ready as the light hits!
N°2. Be The Last One In
Another great strategy for crowd-free shots is to be one of the last people to leave. Many tourist attractions, especially those with set opening hours, see a decline in visitors as closing time approaches. While you won’t have as much time, you’ll have a few precious moments to take photos without anyone else in sight.
Photo Tip: Check the closing times of popular attractions, and aim to arrive an hour or two before closing. Also, during the final moments before closing, lighting tends to be softer, providing a more magical atmosphere for your photos.
N°3. Choose your Angles Wisely
Sometimes, crowds are unavoidable. If that’s the case, consider using creative angles to remove people from your frame. Zooming in or shifting your perspective can make a crowded scene appear empty. A close-up of you in front of a stunning landmark can often make the scene look more personal and intimate.
Photo Tip: Use tight framing and zoom in on specific details, such as intricate architecture, street signs, or beautiful textures. By focusing on smaller, interesting elements, you can create a unique photo that draws attention to the beauty of the scene, without including distracting crowds.
N°4. Avoid Tour Groups
Tour groups are usually a nightmare for crowd-free photos. If you can, travel independently or with a small group of friends to avoid the hassle of large crowds and rigid schedules. I’ve often found that visiting landmarks on my own, or with a fellow photographer, gives me much more freedom and time for perfect shots.
Photo Tip: If you’re visiting a busy landmark, avoid peak times when tour groups are likely to be around. Weekdays and off-season months are usually much quieter, and if possible, try to visit when local school trips or guided tours are least likely to be scheduled.
N°5. Be Patient and Act Fast
Sometimes, the key to crowd-free shots is patience. Wait for a moment when the crowd clears or a lull in activity occurs. The key is to stay alert and ready, as these moments can be fleeting. Once you see an empty frame, act quickly to capture the shot.
Photo Tip: Use burst mode on your camera or smartphone to take multiple shots in quick succession. This way, you increase your chances of catching the perfect moment when the crowd clears or the light hits just right.
N°6. Use Yourself to Block People
In some cases, especially when people are far in the background, you can simply block them out with your own body. Whether you use yourself or a travel companion, positioning someone strategically in the foreground can help hide unwanted tourists from your shot.
Photo Tip: Stand in front of unwanted people in the background to block them from the shot. Alternatively, use a wide aperture (f/2.8 or lower) to create a blurry, shallow depth of field, drawing the focus to your subject and leaving the background out of focus.
N°7. Frame Your Shot Creatively
With social media’s influence, many people try to recreate the same iconic shots over and over. But if you’re looking to avoid crowds, the secret is to get creative with framing. Look for alternative spots and angles that provide unique perspectives of the same famous landmarks.
Photo Tip: Use natural elements like trees, windows, or doorways to frame your subject and block people from view. You can also shoot upwards to emphasize architecture and exclude the busy street level.
N°8. Visit During the Off-Season
Traveling during the off-season is one of the best ways to capture photos without crowds. This is when the usual tourist crowds thin out, allowing you to explore popular spots with ease. While weather may be unpredictable, the benefits of fewer tourists often outweigh the potential for less-than-perfect conditions.
Travel Tip: Research your destination’s shoulder seasons — those months just before or after the peak season. For instance, visiting Paris in November or Rome in January means fewer tourists and often lower prices, all while avoiding the heavy crowds of summer.
N°9. Pick Lesser-Known Spots or Destinations
Rather than sticking to the over-photographed spots, try to find hidden gems in your destination. Lesser-known parks, viewpoints, or villages offer amazing photo opportunities without the chaos of tourist traffic. These places can provide a more intimate and authentic travel experience.
Travel Tip: Use Google Maps, Instagram geotags, or ask locals for recommendations on hidden spots that aren’t overrun with tourists. Sometimes the best shots come from places you’d never expect to find.
N°10. Use a Tripod and Long Exposure
In certain low-light or night-time situations, a tripod with a long exposure can make moving people blur and even disappear. This technique works wonders in busy public spaces, such as plazas or streets at night, where people are constantly moving.
Photo Tip: Set your camera to aperture priority mode, use a low ISO (100–200), and select a slow shutter speed of 10 seconds or more. This will capture the scene while rendering any moving people as blurry or invisible, resulting in a serene, crowd-free image.
N°11. Use Editing Apps to Remove People (When Needed)
Despite your best efforts, there might still be people sneaking into your photos. Luckily, photo editing apps like Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop or Snapseed can help you clean up your shots and remove any unwanted figures without losing the authenticity of the scene.
Photo Tip: Use the healing brush or content-aware fill or even the AI generative fill features in apps like Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop to remove small crowds or stray people from your photos.
Taking travel photos without people requires a bit of strategy, but the results are worth it. With early mornings, off-season planning, and some creativity, you can capture crowd-free, stunning images that tell a deeper story of the place.
