Earlier this year, a friend from Argentina responded to one of my stories while I was in Eswatini, surprised by how much it resembled his hometown. I could totally relate—I’ve had countless moments of déjà vu throughout my travels. I always tell people not to worry about FOMO when it comes to travel because, in reality, a lot of destinations offer the same experiences. That’s why I’m starting this new series, showcasing side-by-side photos from my travels to prove that even across continents, many places can feel surprisingly alike.
1. Tunisia vs Greece
It’s no secret that I love to joke about how either the Greek Islands are just an overpriced Sidi Bou Said or Sidi Bou Said is the budget-friendly version of a Greek Island trip. When I visited Tunisia in 2022 (where I took the first photo), I was taken aback by how similar the picturesque town of Sidi Bou Said looked to the iconic streets of Mykonos and Santorini. While each destination offers its own unique experience, the visual similarities are undeniable. Both places are defined by their brilliant white walls and striking blue windows and doors, but Sidi Bou Said carries its own distinct charm with its North African architectural style. I’m particularly a fan of the intricately decorated doors in Tunisia. If you’re searching for a quieter, less touristy, and more affordable alternative to the famed Santorini-Mykonos trip, Northern Tunisia—particularly Sidi Bou Said—should definitely be on your travel radar.
2. Algeria vs Ghana
Since we’re on the topic of North African gems, the next pair of photos brings us to Algeria, where I visited in 2023 with friends. One of my favorite stops was the Hamma Botanical Garden in Algiers, and I couldn’t help but be reminded of the avenue of towering palm trees in Aburi Botanical Garden in Ghana.
While the pathway between the trees in Algiers is wider and more open than the really cool, tunnel-like effect in Aburi, the experience is equally captivating in both places. It’s amazing that you can enjoy the grandiose tree-lined walks in two completely different parts of Africa.
3. Morocco vs India
Let’s go three for three with another North African destination. The first photo is from Chefchaouen, Morocco, which I visited just before the beginning of the pandemic. I was thrilled to explore this iconic “blue city,” having seen images of its vibrant streets everywhere. It wasn’t until I traveled to India this year that I discovered there’s another blue city—Jodhpur, in Rajasthan.
Although I didn’t make it to Jodhpur after traveling around several other cities in Rajasthan, which have similar architectural styles, I was struck by the parallels. The photo of Jodhpur, courtesy of Gabriel J Diaz, shows just how alike the two cities are.
While Chefchaouen is cleaner and easier to navigate, Jodhpur boasts majestic forts and palaces that add a different layer of grandeur. What’s particularly interesting is that both cities’ distinctive blue color may have religious origins. In Jodhpur, the blue is linked to Hindu Brahmins, while Chefchaouen’s hue is thought to be tied to Jewish traditions. I think it’s fascinating how two cities, worlds apart, share not only a striking visual similarity but also religious significance.
4. Laos vs Liechtenstein
I don’t care what anyone says—these two photos are the same, just in different fonts! When I took the first photo atop Phousi Hill in Laos in 2023, I was instantly transported back to the stunning sunset I experienced hiking up to Vaduz Castle almost exactly a year earlier in Liechtenstein. The only other time I’ve had such a similar feeling was in Kandy, Sri Lanka, while watching the sunset from Arthur’s Seat—but unfortunately, I’ve lost those photos. Yes, the architecture style is different, but the ambience is absolutely the same. By the way, the two places are even more similar than the photos portray because the River Rhine is out of the frame captured in Vaduz!
If someone had told me that the views in tropical Laos would remind me of the alpine landscapes of Liechtenstein, I wouldn’t have believed it. And yet, here we are!
5. Japan vs Finland vs Austria
Okay, I know this one’s a bit of a stretch—LOL—but this one is more of a joke. Hear me out. Instead of comparing just two photos, I’m throwing in a third because after visiting St. Nicholas Cathedral in Helsinki, I got major déjà vu when I visited Karlskirche in Vienna and–weirdly–Osaka Castle in Japan.
It might sound odd to group these buildings together, but again, the similarities are there! From the striking turquoise green roofs and domes to the grand columns of the two cathedrals, there’s a shared architectural vibe that stands out. What’s even cooler is that despite their similarities, these historic buildings are emblematic of very different cities and were built centuries apart. It’s a unique reminder of how certain design elements transcend both time and place.
6. Mozambique vs Namibia
Everyone knows I LOVE Southern Africa—both the west (Namibia) and the east (Mozambique). While in Mozambique, I witnessed one of the most breathtaking sunsets of my life at the Red Dunes of Vilankulos. I was with another solo female traveler from my hotel who had just come from Namibia, and she told me about experiencing a similar landscape there where the dunes meet the ocean.
Three weeks later, I was at Sandwich Harbor, Namibia and realized she was spot on. In Vilankulos, the dunes border the Indian Ocean with redder sands and patches of greenery, while in Namibia, the dunes stretch along the Atlantic with brighter, finer sands and a much more expansive view. Both are absolutely stunning—but be warned, Sandwich Harbor is a lot windier!
7. Eswatini vs Sri Lanka
Since part of the inspiration for this post came from the photo I took in Eswatini that looked strikingly similar to my friend’s hometown in Argentina, it feels fitting to end with another comparison to Eswatini–this time to one from my trip to Sri Lanka. While my iphone photos do not fully capture the similarities, especially given the different lenses and angles, I remember hiking this particular spot in Eswatini and constantly being reminded of my hike in Ella, Sri Lanka. Both places are surrounded by hills, but while Eswatini has a more savanna or grassland feel, Ella offers the lush greenery of a cloud forest ecosystem. I think both places are fantastic destinations for nature lovers.
so there you have it…
This is the tip of the iceberg—I have plenty more side-by-side comparison ideas that show how much destinations can resemble one another. I’ll be sharing another seven pairs of photos soon, so keep an eye out for Part 2. Of course some of these pairs look more alike than others and place offers its own unique charm. The real takeaway here is that different destinations can evoke the same feelings, emotions, and memories. You might be surprised at how incredible and similar an experience you could have in a lesser-known spot if you give it a chance. So, take this as a sign to be open to new places and not get too attached to one idea of the perfect trip. Don’t forget to comment about if any of these surprised you and if you have ideas for more comparisons that others should check out!
