Sat 06 21
Our Top 12 Virtual Cities to Visit
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Check out these webcams from eerily empty tourist destinations
As many countries go into lockdown, these live feeds of tourist spots around the world make for peculiar viewing
If one thing could really bring home how significantly life has changed over the past few weeks, it’s seeing sights like Rome’s Spanish Steps and St Mark’s Square in Venice completely, utterly deserted.
Usually, you’d have to wade through crowds upon crowds to get within even queuing distance of the Doge’s Palace or Colosseum. But with curfews and quarantine measures being enforced throughout Europe and the rest of the world, things are looking very different now – as these live webcam feeds from Skyline show.
As most cities are now in lockdown and looking at the same four walls can get a bit tiresome why not have a change of scenery? You might have had a holiday booked over the next few months which has now had to be cancelled or you simply might be like me and be a nosey people watcher. Whatever your circumstance why not visit the places from the comfort of your own home until you can go there yourself. With these live cameras you are able to visit as many countries in lockdown as you want, you could visit at least 10 in half an hour, think of all the time you’re saving by not having to fly there!
Whilst there are very few people around in a lot of countries there are a few rule breakers and also some countries who have started lifting restrictions. You do wonder who the odd straggler is and why they’re still knocking about, but mainly it’s made us ever-impatient to get back out and explore. If you are curious take a look.
Webcams from deserted tourist destinations
Brighton Pier in England
First of all why not start with the UK? From Blackpool to Dover, Cardiff to London there are cameras across the UK showing some beautiful views so before choosing somewhere a bit more exotic why not have a look around!
View webcam of Brighton Pier
Trevi Fountain in Rome
The water may still be flowing, but you’d be hard-pressed to spot more than one or two Romans passing by the Trevi Fountain every minute or so right now. It’s a similar story at the Spanish Steps and Colosseum.
View webcam of Trevi Fountain
Puerta del Sol in Madrid
In any normal time, this would be one of the busiest places in the Spanish capital. Yet as the government enforces a lockdown, few are passing through but emergency service personnel.
View webcam of Puerta del Sol
St Mark’s Square in Venice
La Serenissima was one of the first Italian cities to go into lockdown, and its most popular tourist spot, St. Mark’s Square, is far from the bustling centrepiece it usually is.
View webcam of St Mark’s Square
Old Town Square in Prague
The Church of Our Lady Before Týn looms over a decidedly empty Old Town Square in Prague. On March 16 the Czech government ordered its citizens to stay indoors for at least a week.
View webcam of Old Town Square
Las Vistas beach in Tenerife
There’s no sign of life along the white sands of Las Vistas in Tenerife, where tourists have been told to stay in their hotels in line with Spain’s nationwide lockdown.
View webcam of Las Vistas beach
Ponte Vecchio in Florence
When we last went here, it took us a few minutes to barge through the boutique-lined Ponte Vecchio’s habitual crowds. Today it’s virtually deserted.
View webcam of Ponte Vecchio
Market Square in Bruges
Belgium isn’t on lockdown quite yet, but this historic marketplace in the capital is emptying out already.
View webcam of Market Square
Western Wall in Jerusalem
Usually a thriving place of pilgrimage, Jerusalem’s Western Wall is noticeably emptier than usual. Israelis have been told not to leave their homes unless necessary, and the country’s borders have been sealed off to visitors.
View webcam of Western Wall
Barceloneta beach in Barcelona
There are lots of seagulls on Barceloneta – yet no humans. Public life in the Catalan capital has shut down almost completely.
View webcam of Barceloneta beach
Amalfi Coast in Italy
All tourist activity seems to have faded along Italy’s Amalfi Coast, with boats at a standstill and roads almost car-free.
View webcam of Amalfi Coast
Jökulsárlón lagoon glaciers in Iceland
How about Iceland? Compared to the multiple different cameras in Italy, Iceland only has two. One camera shows you theLutheran Church inReykjavík while the other displays the Jökulsárlón lagoon glaciers both of which are breath-taking.
View webcam of Jökulsárlón lagoon glaciers
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