13 Most Instagrammable Places You Can Fly for Cheap Right Now (from Major US Airports)

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I’ve been tracking flight deals for years…partly because I travel 3 to 6 months a year, partly because I just love the thrill of finding a steal. I use tools like Going Premium religiously, and when a cheap flight pops up to a place that looks straight-up unreal on camera, I’m usually the first to jump on it. Over the years, I’ve visited 70+ countries, and I’ve learned exactly where to go when you want something that’s both affordable and jaw-dropping.

This list is for travelers who want both: incredible views and a price that makes you do a double take. These are the 13 most Instagrammable places you can fly to for cheap right now from major U.S. airports…based on deals I’ve tracked, places I’ve personally been, and some I’m eyeing for my next trip.

Here’s where you can fly for cheap right now. Trust me, your future self will thank you!

• ✈️ Pro tip: If you want cheap flights to Instagram-worthy destinations delivered right to your phone, I can’t recommend Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) enough. Their free service catches amazing U.S. domestic deals, and their Premium membership has saved me thousands on international flights.

1. Cartagena, Colombia

• ✈️ Flight Price Range: $250–$400 roundtrip
• 🔄 Top Airline Deals: Copa Airlines, Avianca, JetBlue
• 📸 Best Photo Spots: San Diego Square, Getsemaní murals, Plaza Santo Domingo
• 🎯 Perfect For: Colonial architecture, Caribbean vibes, street art

Cartagena is one of those places where you almost can’t take a bad photo. Bright yellow plazas, colonial streets dripping in bougainvillea, and Caribbean sunsets that look like someone turned up the saturation – it’s easily one of the most Instagrammable cities I’ve ever visited.

Flight prices to Cartagena have been looking good lately, too. I just found a Tampa–Cartagena deal through Going for $266 roundtrip on Copa Airlines (that’s about 55% off the usual $600+ price!). Flights from Florida tend to be some of the cheapest to Colombia, so it’s always worth checking Miami, Orlando, and Tampa even if you live elsewhere.

I usually split my time between the walled city (for those classic colorful shots) and Getsemaní (for the street art and sunset rooftops). You’ll want a full camera roll and maybe a second memory card.

👉 Pro Tip: Base yourself in the historic center, but don’t miss the up-and-coming Getsemaní neighborhood. Its street art and vintage doors are social media gold, especially around Calle de la Magdalena. The rainbow umbrellas overhead have become one of the most photographed spots in the city.

2. Antigua, Guatemala (nearest airport: Guatemala City)

• ✈️ Flight Price Range: $150-450 roundtrip
• 🔄 Top Airline Deals: Avianca, United, JetBlue
• 📸 Best Photo Spots: Santa Catalina Arch, Plaza Mayor, Cerro de la Cruz
• 🎯 Perfect For: Colonial architecture, volcano backdrops, cobblestone charm

The secret’s getting out about this UNESCO World Heritage city, but flight prices haven’t caught up yet. From the Miami and Houston gateways, fares often dip below $200 roundtrip, and even from cities like Chicago and LA, deals regularly surface in the $300s. You’ll fly into Guatemala City, then it’s just a scenic hour shuttle to Antigua’s cobblestone streets.

It’s hard to take a bad photo in Antigua. The iconic yellow Santa Catalina Arch has become the city’s most famous shot, especially at sunrise when the morning light makes those walls glow. Throughout the old town, crumbling church ruins and monastery walls create the perfect backdrop for photos, while the massive Volcán Agua looms in the background like nature’s own photo prop. 

The lighting in Antigua is gorgeous all day long. The streets are most magical at dawn when it’s just you and a few local vendors setting up their morning fruit stands. My favorite experience was hiking to Acatenango, a volcano hike just outside of town!

👉 Pro Tip: Make the trek up to Cerro de la Cruz for sunrise. The view of the entire colonial city with Volcán Agua rising behind it is unreal, and the morning light between 6:00-7:00 AM is pure gold, right before the clouds roll in.

3. Lisbon, Portugal

• ✈️ Flight Price Range: $450-650 roundtrip 
• 🔄 Top Airline Deals: TAP Portugal, Iberia, United
• 📸 Best Photo Spots: Pink Street, Alfama tiles, Santa Justa Lift
• 🎯 Perfect For: Pastel buildings, vintage trams, hilltop views

Lisbon is one of those cities that just gets Instagram without even trying. Pastel pink sunsets, tiled alleys, yellow trams rattling up impossibly steep hills – it feels like every street was made for a photo. It’s also one of the cheapest European cities to fly to from the U.S. right now.

I just found a deal from Boston to Lisbon through Going for $491 roundtrip on Iberia – about 38% off normal prices – with a quick Barcelona layover that’s just enough time for a coffee and some jamón. Flights from the East Coast especially have been dropping into that $450–$550 sweet spot lately, which makes Lisbon an easy yes if you’ve been debating a European trip.

My favorite way to do it: skip the rush to Belém or Alfama first thing and start your mornings slowly at a miradouro with a coffee. Lisbon wakes up late, and catching that first hazy sunlight over the rooftops is about as photogenic (and peaceful) as it gets.

👉 Pro Tip: Avoid the crowds at the famous Time Out Market and head to Mercado de Campo de Ourique instead. Not only will you get those same gorgeous market shots with half the people, but the natural light streaming through the historic glass ceiling makes every food photo look professional.

4. Mexico City, Mexico

• ✈️ Flight Price Range: $250-400 roundtrip
• 🔄 Top Airline Deals: Aeroméxico, United, JetBlue
• 📸 Best Photo Spots: Casa Azul, Roma cafes, Palacio Postal
• 🎯 Perfect For: Art deco gems, pink walls, morning light

The secret’s out: Mexico City is an Instagrammer’s dream, and the flight deals are still shockingly good. While a European getaway might cost you $800+, flights to CDMX regularly drop under $300. I just saw $278 roundtrip from Chicago not long ago, about what you’d spend on a long weekend of tacos, coffees, and rooftop drinks in Roma Norte.

For the best mix of visuals and vibes, I recommend staying around Parque México in Condesa or near Plaza Río de Janeiro in Roma Norte. You’ll be right in the middle of leafy boulevards, colorful cafes, and some of the best people-watching in the city.

If you’re chasing Instagram shots, don’t miss the pastel walls in Coyoacán, the soaring gold interiors at Palacio de Correos, or the pink-hued streets early in the morning before the city really wakes up.

👉 Pro Tip: The best flight deals to CDMX tend to pop up in the 2-8 month range especially from gateway cities like Miami, Houston, and Chicago. Going Premium members often catch these deals first, with business class occasionally dipping below $600 roundtrip. I recommend encouraging people to set up a flight alert in the Going app, so you don’t miss a price drop during this window!

5. Reykjavik, Iceland (and nearby wonders)

• ✈️ Flight Price Range: $350–550 roundtrip from major U.S. cities
• 🔄 Top Airline Deals: PLAY Airlines, Icelandair, Delta
• 💰 Average Daily Adventure Cost: $125–250 including guided tours, hot springs, and transportation
• 🌋 Best For: Glacier hikers, geothermal spa lovers, Northern Lights chasers

Iceland is one of those places I keep going back to. Partly because it’s so easy from Boston, and partly because it feels like visiting another planet without the jet lag. I usually tag on a few days here whenever I’m flying to Europe. 

Icelandair and Play have made stopovers basically a travel hack: you can spend three or four days chasing waterfalls and soaking in hot springs before carrying on to Paris, London, or wherever your trip is taking you.

Flight deals are wild too. Going just flagged a New York–Reykjavik roundtrip for $365 – more than 50% off the usual $780 – and fares from Boston were around $425. For the price of a fancy dinner in Manhattan, you could be standing under Skógafoss or hiking across lava fields.

While Reykjavik itself is cute (and super walkable), the real Instagram magic happens once you get out of town. I recommend renting a car and hitting places like Seljalandsfoss, Reynisfjara’s black sand beach, and the geothermal waters at the Blue Lagoon. Even a short trip here feels like you packed three vacations into one.

👉 Pro Tip: Most tourists crowd the Golden Circle, but the real magic happens on the south coast between 7-10am when tourist buses haven’t arrived yet. Hit Reynisfjara black sand beach at sunrise and you’ll have those famous basalt columns all to yourself. Time your visit between September-March for northern lights and moody winter shots that perform incredibly well on social.

6. Puerto Escondido, Mexico

• ✈️ Flight Price Range: $300–$450 roundtrip
• 🔄 Top Airline Deals: Aeromexico Connect, Volaris, VivaAerobus
• 📸 Best Photo Spots: Playa Carrizalillo, La Punta sunsets, Zicatela surf breaks
• 🎯 Perfect For: Barefoot beach days, surf shots, boho cafes

Puerto Escondido feels like the part of Mexico you hope still exists. It’s low-key, colorful, and packed with places that don’t need a filter. You’ll find a mix of golden beaches, dusty surf roads, and sunset bars where the beers are cheap and the views are free. Flights into nearby Oaxaca City have been staying under $400 from tons of U.S. cities lately, and a quick domestic hop or bus ride drops you right into Puerto’s barefoot vibe.

If you’re after Instagrammable beaches without the crowds, Playa Carrizalillo is where you want to be. It’s a hidden cove with bright turquoise water and a perfect curve of white sand – but fair warning, the 150+ stairs down (and back up) are a leg day you’ll remember! For that classic sunset shot, La Punta’s beachfront bars line up perfectly with the dipping sun, and the entire beach claps when it disappears.

I usually stay in La Punta. It’s a little scruffier than Zicatela but way more charming, with colorful hostels, barefoot cafes, and hammocks everywhere. Casa de Olas is a great pick if you want a rooftop pool, good Wi-Fi, and a short stumble to the beach for sunset.

7. Isla Holbox, Mexico

• ✈️ Flight Price Range: $250-400 to Cancun + $15 ferry 
• 🔄 Top Airline Deals: JetBlue, United, Southwest to Cancun
• 📸 Best Photo Spots: Beach swings, street art walls, Punta Cocos 
• 🎯 Perfect For: Barefoot days, colorful town shots, chill beach vibes

Holbox feels like what Tulum used to be before Instagram found it. No paved roads, no chain resorts, just sandy streets, candy-colored houses, and hammocks swinging over clear blue water. It’s one of the easiest places to fill your feed without even trying, and flights into Cancun stay cheap year-round if you time it right. From there, it’s a quick bus-and-ferry combo to the island, and trust me, the journey is half the fun!

For the most photogenic stay, I like to book somewhere right near Playa Holbox. Villas Flamingos is a favorite, with beachfront bungalows with hammocks you can literally wade into the ocean from. It’s the perfect base for sunrise shots, lazy beach days, and walking straight from your door onto the sand.

The best light for photos hits in the early morning when the streets are still quiet and the beach swings are empty. Later in the day, the sunset at Punta Coco turns the sky sherbet pink, and you’ll get that classic barefoot beach shot with nobody around if you wander a little past the crowds.

👉 Pro Tip: I always check Going for Cancun deals between June-October. That’s when airlines panic about hurricane season and slash fares, even though Holbox weather is usually perfect!

8. Lagos, Portugal

• ✈️ Flight Price Range: $450–$600 roundtrip (to Lisbon)
• 🔄 Top Airline Deals: TAP Portugal, United, Iberia
• 📸 Best Photo Spots: Ponta da Piedade arches, Praia do Camilo stairs, Benagil Cave
• 🎯 Perfect For: Epic cliffs, hidden beaches, cave adventures

If Lisbon already has you tempted (and it should – those flight deals are some of the best in Europe right now), it’s worth knowing you’re just a few hours away from one of the most photogenic stretches of coastline anywhere. Lagos feels like Portugal’s answer to the Amalfi Coast. You’ll find dramatic cliffs, hidden beaches, and colorful towns, but with way fewer crowds and a much easier price tag.

From Lisbon, it’s a simple two-and-a-half-hour train ride or rental car drive south to the Algarve coast. Once you get there, it’s hard not to feel like you’ve walked into a live postcard. The cliffs at Ponta da Piedade are the star of the show: towering golden formations carved by the Atlantic, with winding stairs that drop you into hidden coves. Praia do Camilo is perfect for sunrise when the beach is almost empty and the light hits the cliffs just right. The old town’s whitewashed lanes and tiled squares make it just as easy to fill your camera between beach runs.

If you want a photogenic base, I recommend Casa Mãe. It’s tucked just outside the old town walls, with boho-chic design, handmade ceramics everywhere, and a pool framed by palm trees. Even breakfast here, served in their garden with fresh flowers and local jams, feels like it was made for Instagram.

👉 Pro Tip: The Algarve gets packed in peak summer. For the best light, lower prices, and emptier beaches, aim for late May, early June, or September. Sunrise missions = less editing needed later.

9. Savannah, Georgia

• ✈️ Flight Price Range: $39-200 roundtrip (yes, really!)
• 🔄 Top Airline Deals: Delta, JetBlue, United
• 📸 Best Photo Spots: Forsyth Park fountain, Jones Street, Wormsloe trees
• 🎯 Perfect For: Spanish moss, historic squares, pastel houses

If you’re looking for a domestic getaway that punches way above its weight in charm (and price), Savannah is it. This might be the cheapest destination on the entire list. I’ve spotted roundtrip fares on Going for as low as $39, and even right now, NYC–Savannah is going for $167 roundtrip on Delta (normally $330+).

Savannah basically invented the “walk around aimlessly and take 500 photos” travel style. Spanish moss drips from ancient oak trees, pastel-painted houses line the squares, and every street seems designed to catch golden hour just right. Forsyth Park is a must for wide, sun-dappled shots, but some of the best photo finds are in the smaller, quieter squares like Lafayette or Chatham where you’ll often have the whole place to yourself.

I discovered the city’s most Instagrammable breakfast spot by accident: The Collins Quarter. Their avocado smash comes topped with edible flowers, and the historic building’s original windows frame the perfect morning light. Walk it off with a stroll down Rainbow Row, where pastel-painted houses give Charleston a run for its money.

👉 Pro Tip: Avoid the touristy afternoon shots at Forsyth Park fountain. Instead, grab a coffee from The Sentient Bean and arrive 30 minutes before sunrise. You’ll have the city’s most famous landmark all to yourself, with perfect reflections in the still water and that golden morning glow.

10. New Orleans, Louisiana

• ✈️ Flight Price Range: $50-300 roundtrip 
• 🔄 Top Airline Deals: American Airlines, Delta, United
• 📸 Best Photo Spots: French Quarter balconies, Garden District mansions, Cafe du Monde
• 🎯 Perfect For: Historic charm, jazz clubs, creole colors

New Orleans feels like a city built entirely out of photo ops. Between the lacy wrought-iron balconies, faded pastel townhouses, live jazz on every street, and beignets dusted in powdered sugar at Cafe du Monde, you could spend days here without ever putting your camera down.

Because it’s another domestic destination, flights to New Orleans stay surprisingly affordable. If you’re feeling a little fancy, it’s also one of the easier places to grab a business class upgrade without emptying your wallet. I just spotted a Washington DC–New Orleans business class deal on Going for $431 roundtrip on American Airlines (normally $780+), and sometimes you’ll find even better sales if you’re flexible.

If you want that classic New Orleans morning shot, get up early and wander the French Quarter before the city fully wakes up. The light spills through the balconies just right, and you’ll have all the colorful doors and creaky shutters to yourself without the crowds.

👉 Pro Tip: I use Going Elite when I’m eyeing business class or first class fares. They send out alerts for mistake fares and sales that often include domestic routes like New Orleans. It’s an easy way to fly like a rockstar without paying full price.

11. Madeira, Portugal

• ✈️ Flight Price Range: $300-525 roundtrip 
• 🔄 Top Airline Deals: United, TAP Portugal, Azores Airlines
• 📸 Best Photo Spots: Rua de Santa Maria, Santana houses, Cabo Girão skywalk, Pico to Pico hike
• 🎯 Perfect For: Dramatic views, island charm, digital nomad vibes

Madeira always feels like Portugal’s best-kept secret. Even though it is technically closer to Africa than mainland Europe, it’s just a short hop from Lisbon and flights are usually much cheaper than people expect. I’ve also flown here directly from Boston for cheaper than flying to Iceland. What you get once you land is wild cliffs, waterfalls that pour straight onto beaches, and ancient forests that look like something out of a fantasy novel.

The real Instagram magic happens up in the clouds. Hiking from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo puts you above the mist, with jagged peaks poking through a sea of clouds at sunrise. It’s easily one of the most otherworldly landscapes I have ever photographed. The Monte Palace Gardens in Funchal also deliver endless photo ops, with koi ponds, tile mosaics, and subtropical plants that explode with color.

If you’re looking for a stay that feels as photogenic as the scenery, Les Suites at The Cliff Bay is a great choice. The oceanfront views are unreal, and the infinity pool set against Madeira’s cliffs is one of those places you end up posting about months after the trip ends.

👉 Pro Tip: Madeira’s weather is famously unpredictable. Pack for every season even if you are visiting in summer, and plan to hit the peaks early before the clouds roll in. The best sunrise hikes usually mean a 4 AM start, but they are absolutely worth it!

12. Amalfi Coast, Italy

• ✈️ Flight Price Range: $500-800 roundtrip to Naples 
• 🔄 Top Airline Deals: Iberia, ITA Airways, United 
• 📸 Best Photo Spots: Positano view, Path of the Gods, Villa Cimbrone
• 🎯 Perfect For: Pastel towns, coastal views, lemon groves

The Amalfi Coast is the kind of place that does all the work for you. No matter where you point your camera, you get cascading pastel villages, cliffside lemon trees, and turquoise water that looks like it was filtered even before you touched it. 

Flights into Naples have been staying surprisingly affordable this year. I spotted a roundtrip deal from Boston for $507 on Iberia through Going, with just a quick layover in Madrid, which makes getting here way easier on the wallet than it used to be.

Once you land, you have options. I usually recommend basing yourself in a smaller town like Praiano instead of Positano. It is quieter, still ridiculously photogenic, and gives you easy access to the coastal hiking trails like the Path of the Gods. Those hikes are packed with sweeping views that make it easy to grab the kind of photos that people think you chartered a yacht to get.

If you want the iconic Positano shot with the colorful stack of houses, take the local ferry into town from Amalfi. Approaching from the water gives you the best angle without having to fight for space with a hundred other photographers on the beach.

👉 Pro Tip: The famous Path of the Gods hike gets crowded by 9am, but start from Nocelle at sunrise and you’ll have the whole coastline to yourself. The morning light hitting the limestone cliffs creates this ethereal glow that makes every shot look professional. Pack a picnic from Nocelle’s small deli and find your own private outcrop for breakfast with a view.

13. Oaxaca City, Mexico

• ✈️ Flight Price Range: $200-400 roundtrip 
• 🔄 Top Airline Deals: Volaris, Aeromexico, United
• 📸 Best Photo Spots: Hierve el Agua, Santo Domingo church, Monte Albán
• 🎯 Perfect For: Colonial streets, indigenous markets, mezcal bars

If you’re after a city that feels like it was made for color-driven, sun-drenched photos, Oaxaca delivers at every turn. Cobblestone streets glow in the afternoon light, and markets like Mercado 20 de Noviembre explode with everything from bright textiles to towers of spices. 

Flights from the U.S. are surprisingly affordable too. Houston usually has the cheapest routes, sometimes under $300 roundtrip, but I’ve also caught good deals on Going from Dallas, L.A., and Phoenix if you’re flexible with dates.

One of my favorite photo runs starts early in the morning at the Templo de Santo Domingo before the crowds set in. The light hits the stone perfectly and the surrounding plaza stays empty just long enough to feel like you have the city to yourself. From there, wander the backstreets and alleyways heading toward Mercado Benito Juárez for endless murals, street scenes, and little bursts of daily life that look incredible on camera.

Instead of booking a traditional hotel, I usually stay in a colorful guest house near the city center. You end up closer to the real rhythm of the city, and it makes catching sunrise and market mornings a lot easier.

👉 Pro Tip: Oaxaca’s light is softest early and late in the day. Midday gets harsh, especially around the bright-colored buildings, so plan your main photo walks for morning and golden hour if you want those clean, rich colors without heavy edits.

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