News

All the best travel photos from the Sony World Photography Awards 2026 shortlist

From adorable snaps of wildlife to mesmerising images of our planet’s landscape, here are our favourite entries from the professional competition

Liv Kelly
Written by
Liv Kelly
Travel Writer
Sony World Photography Awards 2026
Photograph: Benjamin Pawlica / Sony World Photography Awards 2026
Advertising

On April 16, all the winners of the Sony World Photography Awards 2026 will be announced at a glitzy ceremony in London, but there’s no harm in taking a sneak peek at those in contention for a prize, is there? 

After the shortlist of images from the Student and Youth categories were unveiled in January, the awards body has now released all the entries from the professional competition competing for the grand prizes – including the coveted title of Photographer of the Year – and we’ve combed through to find our favourite travel snaps. Scroll on to have a look. 

Sony World Photography Awards 2026
Photograph: Andreas Secci / Sony World Photography Awards 2026
Sony World Photography Awards 2026
Photograph: Hugo Hebbe / Sony World Photography Awards 2026
Sony World Photography Awards 2026
Photograph: Borja Arbagues / Sony World Photography Awards 2026
Sony World Photography Awards 2026
Photographer: Eduardo Valenzuela / Sony World Photography Awards 2026
Sony World Photography Awards 2026
Photograph: Dong Wei / Sony World Photography Awards 2026
Sony World Photography Awards 2026
Photograph: Fei Xin / Sony World Photography Awards 2026
Sony World Photography Awards 2026
Photograph: Liam Man / Sony World Photography Awards 2026
Sony World Photography Awards 2026
Photograph: Marcus Westberg / Sony World Photography Awards 2026
Sony World Photography Awards 2026
Photograph: Michael Blann / Sony World Photography Awards 2026
Sony World Photography Awards 2026
Photograph: Sunita Mandal / Sony World Photography Awards 2026

Oh, and if you’re keen to get a closer look at the winners, they’ll all be on display at the exhibition in London’s Somerset House, from April 17 to May 4 2026. 

ICYMI: Why is Rome chopping down its iconic pine trees?

Plus: Berlin just opened a museum dedicated to Ukraine in a former bunker

Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out Travel newsletter for all the latest travel news and best stuff happening across the world.

Latest news
    Advertising