Few games give you such a breadth of choice in exploring places as Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020. Asobo Studios have recreated the globe using satellite imagery and artificial intelligence, meaning you can travel anywhere from the comfort of your home.
Choosing where to fly to can be challenging with so many places to visit. From scenic mountains to sprawling metropolises to vast oceans, all are stunningly beautiful in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020. Prepare for take-off, Pilot; for goodness sake, do not crash.
Updated June 16, 2023, by Christopher Argentino: The whole point of enjoying Microsoft Flight Simulator is the chance this game gives you to fly over some of the world's most sought-after locations. Not just that, but you also get the opportunity to fly some great airplanes in the meantime. As time goes by, we wanted to update this list because there are some not-so-hidden gems we forgot to add for you during our last update. Now get ready, captain. The sky awaits.
19 Sydney: Front Seat At The Opera
People often overlook Australia despite how beautiful the country and continent are. Sydney has to be one of the more breathtaking cities the world has to offer, and there's nothing quite like flying over the Sydney Opera House.
Though the flight's focus should be soaring over the skies above Sydney, generally between the outlands and ocean reefs, there are plenty of sights to see in and around Australia. Do yourself a favor and go down under.
18 Cairo: Oversee The Pyramids
Modern humans will be obsessed with the Egyptian pyramids to discover how they came to be. That's why Cairo, Egypt is an obvious destination anyone playing Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 should visit as soon as possible.
Sure, the pyramids are the main attraction, but Egypt generally is a country that is rarely appreciated and explored by outsiders regarding everything around those infamous structures. This is a good opportunity to look at how majestic and awe-inspiring modern Egypt is and will give you a better understanding that it isn't tied directly to the pyramids.
17 Florence: Fly Over The Renaissance
The city that brought us the Renaissance and Ezio Auditore has some of the most visited buildings in the world. People flock to Florence in the millions yearly to witness the city's beautiful architecture.
Even though the game's skins could be a little more pleasing, the red roofs fading into the countryside are a fantastic sight. Seeing some of the city's panoramic shots is also a beauty to behold. Plus, you'll enjoy the city without squeezing in with millions of other visitors.
16 China: The Forbidden City
The Forbidden City in China should be on your travel list simply due to how interesting and mysterious the name is. This location served as the former Chinese Imperial palace and was the residence of the Emperor of China during the winter months throughout the Ming Dynasty.
It's a beautiful display of Chinese architecture, and its symmetry adds to the overall aesthetic. China is controversial in modern America, and regardless of that, the country has plenty of beautiful locations worth looking at.
15 San Francisco: A Trip Across The Bay
Take flight in the golden state's most beautiful city, San Francisco. The Bay Area offers many places to explore, including the legendary Golden Gate Bridge. From there, fly over to Alcatraz Island and take in the scenery of the once-infamous prison.
Even flying over the San Francisco hills is an incredible sight. It's a truly iconic American City and looks gorgeous from the skies.
14 Sierra Nevada: A Free Spot At Burning Man
If you took on the Sierra Nevada Bush Trip in Microsoft Flight Simulator, you might have noticed something peculiar going on in the middle of the desert. It wasn't a mirage you were witnessing, but the legendary Burning Man festival.
If you haven't played through this trip, give it a go. It's a nice little touch to an otherwise dull view of the desert. You can't join in, but you can at least say you've seen it once.
13 Niagara Falls: Soak It In At The Falls
Prepare for an extraordinary experience as you fly over the breathtaking power of nature at Niagara Falls. Soar high above the majestic falls and be enthralled by the thunderous rush of water as mist rises gracefully to the sky.
Niagara Falls offers a mesmerizing spectacle that genuinely captures the essence of natural beauty. Take in the sweeping panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, marvel at the intricate details of the falls, and feel the sheer magnitude of this iconic destination.
12 New Zealand: Lord Of The Scenery
New Zealand is great to fly around because of its varied landscapes and pristine countryside. One cool part of flying across the country is checking out all the volcanoes and mountain ranges.
If the inland doesn't interest you, it is just a short flight to the coastline. For Lord of the Rings fans, this will probably be as close as you can get to flying over Middle-earth, so why not plan a flight that takes you to all the iconic places they used to recreate Tolkien's fantasy world?
11 Paris: The City Of Lights
Paris is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and it looks incredible in Microsoft Flight Simulator. The best part about flying over Paris is that there is no shortage of landmarks to visit. You can fly by the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, The Louvre, Basilique du Sacré-Cœur, and Versailles in a few minutes.
All of these landmarks look stunning during the day or at night. Paris is an excellent first stop if you want to explore a city.
10 Mont Blanc: Italy's Tallest Mountain
Rising majestically in the Italian Alps, Mont Blanc is a testament to nature's grandeur. As the tallest mountain in Italy, it offers an unparalleled flight experience for adventurers and nature enthusiasts alike.
Let Mont Blanc enchant you with its awe-inspiring beauty and leave an indelible mark on your heart. Discover the harmonious blend of serenity and power that only nature can provide. Mont Blanc awaits, ready to bestow upon you an unforgettable adventure.
9 Banff: Soar Over The Canadian Rockies
Perhaps the most scenic place in Canada, Banff offers expansive forests, snow-capped mountains, and pristine lakes. Flying through the mountains perfectly combines natural beauty and pushing your technical skill level.
If you're looking for a fun flight path, try taking off from Calgary in a small single-engine plane and landing on Banff's all-grass runway. If you're looking for some points of interest to fly over, visit Lake Louise and Sunshine Ski Resort, or keep flying west till you get to Vancouver.
8 Lukla Airport: The Most Dangerous Airport
One of the tallest airports in the world, Lukla Airport is situated in the heart of the Himalayan mountain range and dubbed by many "the most dangerous airport in the world."
This is one of the best airports to fly from in Microsoft Flight Simulator because getting there will allow you to see Mount Everest and enjoy the sights of the tallest mountain range on Earth — if you survive the landing and take-off, that is.
7 Tokyo/Mount Fuji: From Mega-City To Natural Wonder
If you're looking for a combination of a metropolis and a natural wonder, flying from Tokyo to Mount Fuji is worth checking out. Frankly, Tokyo is one of the best cities in the world, and flying over it is equally excellent.
With Mount Fuji looming in the distance, it is irresistible not to start flying in that direction. And it is worth doing because the still-active volcano is as marvelous as iconic.
6 Vietnam: A Constellation Of Islands
Embark on a breathtaking aerial journey over the celestial masterpiece that is Ha Long Bay, Vietnam. As you take to the skies, you'll be greeted by a mesmerizing tapestry of islands scattered like stars across the emerald waters below.
Fly high above the ethereal beauty of Ha Long Bay, where each island holds its own allure. From your vantage point in the sky, witness the lush foliage, hidden caves, and pristine beaches that adorn these celestial bodies, patiently awaiting discovery.
5 Maldives: Finding That Perfect Ocean Blue
If you're looking for the perfect section of the ocean to fly over, then the Maldives is where you want to go. This archipelagic state is the best combination of tropical ocean water and perfect tropical islands to explore. The airports in the Maldives offer a real challenge to players looking for less-than-simplistic landings.
Landing on various islands in the Maldives is beautiful, but it will also earn you your wings, landing on intimidating runways.
4 Rio de Janeiro: A World Wonder
The Harbor of Rio de Janeiro is a natural wonder of the world, and rightfully so. The mix of mountains, the Christ the Redeemer statue, and the sprawling cityscape is astonishing to fly through. Not to mention the incredible beaches, quintessentially Rio, are breathtaking to soar over.
There are so many details to absorb flying over Rio de Janeiro, and it highlights how impressive the technology in Microsoft Flight Simulator is. The striking beauty of Rio de Janeiro makes it an absolute must-see on your global journey.
3 Iceland: A Flight Of Ice And Fire
Few countries in the world have such raw natural beauty as Iceland. Iceland's natural contrast between icy terrain and volcanic formations makes it a visual splendor from your plane. Additionally, Iceland's unique location in the Atlantic Ocean makes it a great starting or endpoint for cross-Atlantic flights.
The volcanic landscape is a sight from the skies and should be on your shortlist of places to visit in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020.
2 Mount Kilimanjaro: One Epic Flight
It is tough competition for Africa's most beautiful place to fly to, but Tanzania takes the cake with Mount Kilimanjaro. Surrounded by extraordinary Savannah, you'll find beautiful herds of wildlife surrounding the enormous Mountain.
After flying by some elephants, try to make the steep ascent to the top of the Mountain to get an unbelievable view of the surrounding landscape. Mount Kilimanjaro is an excellent location to learn how to fly and a must-see in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020.
1 The Grand Canyon: The Best View Is From The Sky
The Grand Canyon is one of the world's seven natural wonders, and for a good reason. The sheer size of the Grand Canyon is truly awe-inspiring, and perhaps it is one of the most beautiful places on Earth.
The best way to explore the canyon is by flying around it or flying in it for those who are more daring. The Grand Canyon should be your first stop in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and will blow your mind.