National Geographic Traveller Photography Competition Winners

This article was originally written by Dean Murray for SWNS — the U.K.’s largest independent news agency, providing globally relevant original, verified, and engaging content to the world’s leading media outlets.

The winners of the 2025 National Geographic Traveller Photography Competition have been revealed — and the subjects range from a vibrant rainbow staircase in France to a geothermal pool that looks like a dragon’s eye and more.

Every year, National Geographic Traveller (UK) organizes the contest, which is open to amateur and professional photographers from the United Kingdom and Ireland, to highlight the best in travel photography.

Now in its 13th year, the contest features six categories: People, City Life, Landscape, Wildlife, Food, and Portfolio. Out of thousands of submissions, 18 photographers were selected as finalists before the winning shots were chosen. “Our competition goes from strength to strength, with this year’s easily one of the strongest yet,” said Pat Riddell, editor of the travel magazine.

The grand prize winner is Justin Cliffe, who captured a striking image of a woman in northwestern Vietnam’s Lào Cai province embroidering at the door of her property alongside her great-granddaughter. Intricate embroidery is a skill that members of the Red Dao minority pass down through generations, from mother to daughter.

“This is such an intimate moment between generations that captures so much beauty and humanity,” the judges said. “The colors, light, and textures work really well.”

Scroll through other contest highlights below.