We’ve rounded up a selection of aerial photographs of the world's most incredible ports so you can see them with a bird's-eye without taking to the skies.

From Nordic beauties to Caribbean stunners, set sail on a virtual voyage around the prettiest ports on the planet...

Captured at sunset in this stunning aerial shot, Lisbon’s historic port is a hub for both trade and tourism. Positioned at the mouth of the Tejo (Tagus) river and between the Mediterranean Sea and Northern Europe, the Port of Lisbon was a historically important seaport, especially during the 15th and 16th centuries when it was the centre of the Portuguese Empire.

Set in a spectacular bay, in the shadow of steep, rugged mountains, Kotor's port is a favorite with cruise-goers and has been seeing an increase in tourists during the last two decades. The UNESCO World Heritage city, located in southwestern Montenegro, has winding cobbled streets, atmospheric medieval buildings and picture-perfect mountain views.

With iconic views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, Sydney Harbour makes for a spectacular sight as the sun goes down. The world-famous port has been operational for more than a century and is usually visited by around 1,200 commercial vessels each year, as well as being incredibly popular with cruise ships.

A bird's-eye look at the Port of New York and New Jersey also gives spectacular sweeping views across the Big Apple. It covers a region within a 25-mile (40km) radius of the Statue of Liberty and is usually an extremely popular cruise destination, plus a gateway for travel to the Caribbean, Canada, Europe and beyond.

Jaw-dropping mountains and sleek skyscrapers provide a stunning backdrop for Vancouver Harbour. Located in southwest British Columbia, stretching between Roberts Bank and the Fraser River, there's more to this port than boats. On shore, the area has a charming mix of cafés, restaurants and a waterside walkway. You might even spot the odd harbour seal too.

Located in northern Morocco on the Strait of Gibraltar, less than nine miles (14km) from the Spanish coast, the Port of Tanger-Med serves as a gateway between Europe and Africa. From here, visitors can usually take trips to popular locations including Asilah, Tetouan, Chefchaouen and Larache, which are all within reach of the port.

Filled with a dazzling array of luxury yachts, Valletta’s Grand Harbour is the hub of this historic city. The port has been used for trade since Roman times, although nowadays it’s focused on cruise ships as opposed to cargo.

In the heart of glamorous Monaco, the small, enclosed Port de Fontvieille certainly provides its fair share of eye candy when it comes to luxury yachts. Set against Monaco’s striking rocky hills, the waterside is also home to a number of bars, hotels and restaurants in which to kick back and gaze out at the view.

English Harbour gets its name from its former role as a British Navy base in the 18th and 19th centuries, during which time it was visited by Captain Horatio Nelson and King William IV of England. The stunning harbour, offset by lush green hills and azure seas, offers everything from fascinating historical attractions to gorgeous beaches, and is usually visited by many high-end yachts each year.

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Sitting on the southern tip of the Sunshine State, the Port of Miami – also known as PortMiami – is known as the cruise capital of the world, typically visited each year by 22 cruise lines berthing 55 ships and millions of passengers. Its dazzling waters a6363re dotted with yachts, with views of the Star, Palm and Hibiscus man-made islands.

Spotted with colourful fishing boats and surrounded by verdant green hills, Labuan Bajo, a small fishing village turned bustling town, still retains plenty of its historic charm. Located on the westernmost region of Flores in Indonesia, it’s usually a popular spot with visitors, many of whom choose to take trips across to the nearby Komodo Island and Rinca Island.

Having been a trading hub for 2,000 years, the Port of Barcelona is also a major destination for cruises today. Captured from above in this spectacular aerial shot, the attractive port is within easy reach of the city centre and beach.

The Ports of Auckland authority board controls several main ports – the Port of Auckland, Port of Onehuga, Chelsea Wharf and four inland ports. Development began in the harbour area in the 1840s and since then it’s become an important hub for trading and cruise liners. 

Latchi, located on the Akamas Peninsula in northwestern Cyprus, is a pretty fishing region home to fish markets, cafés, bars and restaurants serving the catch of the day. Seen from above, the idyllic boating harbour is a stunning sight against the lush green Akamas National Park.

With its glimmering lights and mountainous backdrop, it’s no surprise that the pretty Nagasaki Port is Japan’s second-biggest cruise destination. Lying at the head of a long bay, liners usually dock at Matsugae Wharf, which is within easy reach of a streetcar stop for exploring the city.

A quaint spot nestled in a bay on the small island of Procida, off the west coast of Naples, Marina Corricella is recognisable for its adorable multicoloured houses. The 17th-century port is best-known for its stunning architecture and it’s not hard to see why, with decorative domes, arches, terraces, windows and balconies creating a colourful view from above. 

Among the most popular cruise destinations in Europe, the Port of Bergen, Norway’s second largest port, is the gateway to the country’s beautiful fjords. The city is charming in its own right too, with houses nestled into hilltops and steep, narrow alleyways, as well as the UNESCO World Heritage Site Bryggen, a historic wharf.

The Port of Hong Kong is among the busiest in the world, both in terms of cargo and passengers. Located in the sheltered Victoria Harbour on the southern tip of the Kowloon Peninsula, it’s a hub for trade between Southeast and East Asia, as well as offering 400 container liner services a week traveling to 500 destinations, under ordinary circumstances.

One of Geneva Harbour’s most recognisable features is the 460-feet tall (140m) Jet d’Eau water jet that springs out from the lake and pumps out 500 liters (132 gallons) of water per second. Seen from above, the harbour filled with yachts and surrounded by stunning mountains is a sight to behold.

The tiny port town of Svolvær is located on the island of Austvågøya in the Lofoten archipelago, along the Vestfjorden. The isle offers plenty of dramatic landscapes, from mountains to lush green hills and white sandy beaches, making it a great destination for nature lovers. In this photo, the town is captured during winter with a blanket of snow.

Around six miles (10km) from Athens lies the small town of Piraeus, where you’ll find a picturesque marina which is frequented by both fishing boats and luxury yachts. You wouldn’t believe that Piraeus port, the busiest port in Greece, is located just on the other side of this gentle little harbour.

Port Gruž in Dubrovnik is situated on the west side of the city, offering a main entry point for ferries and cruise ships. The pretty harbour area, which has appeared on popular TV series Game of Thrones, has a daily fruit, vegetable and fish market which sells some of the region’s specialities including local goats' cheese, olive oil and wine. 

Surrounded by jagged mountains, Muttrah Corniche is an attractive port on the western side of Muscat, the capital of Oman. The pretty waterfront is the city's old commercial centre and still the place to be today with a daily fish market, a bustling souk filled with vendors and more.

With sweeping views taking in the striking Christ the Redeemer statue and a multitude of tiny islands dotted around, Guanabara Bay separates Rio de Janeiro on the southwest and Niterói on the southeast. At the entrance to the bay are the popular beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, while the awe-inspiring Sugarloaf Mountain juts out on a peninsula on its southwestern side. 

Located in the town of Amalfi along the stretch of coastline that goes by the same name, Coppola Marina Dock is encircled by towering cliffs set above glittering azure seas. Frequented by luxury yachts, this small yet perfectly formed marina is within reach of the towns of Sorrento and Positano, and the volcanic island of Ischia. 

It’s not hard to see why Honfleur’s picturesque harbour, lined with narrow slate-fronted houses dating back to the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, was beloved by impressionist painters including Claude Monet. Situated in northern France’s Calvados region, this pretty-as-a-picture port is brought to life by the street markets, cafés and restaurants nestled in its labyrinthine streets.

Stretching 20 miles (32km) between the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea, the Bosphorus Strait cuts through Istanbul, separating the continents of Europe and Asia. A hub for trade and tourism, there's a stunning view from whichever way you look across the water. The skylines are dotted with mosques, palaces and fortresses that serve as reminders of its long and complex history.

Few waterways have quite the status held by Venice’s majestic Grand Canal, a sweeping S-shaped channel that cuts through the Floating City. Lined by historic palazzos, grand churches and prominent museums, the city’s main traffic corridor is well-suited to gazing up at the stunning Venetian architecture and maze-like streets.  

A former fishing village turned fashionable port town, Portofino draws in visitors with its pretty pastel-coloured houses and honeysuckle-clad hills overlooking a dazzling harbour. Situated on its own peninsula on the northeast coast of Italy, it’s the perfect spot for panoramic views over the Italian Riviera.

The glimmering ocean and white sandy beaches make for the perfect backdrop to the main seaport in the Bahamas. Nassau, located on New Providence Island, is the capital city of the Bahamas and an ideal starting point for those wishing to explore the archipelago.

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