Final Fantasy 7 is one of the most well-known and well-received games in the entire series. From its larger-than-life story starring Cloud Strife to its impeccable Materia and combat system, it's no wonder why this game is cited as one of the best games in the Final Fantasy series.
With an adventure spanning an entire planet, Final Fantasy 7 also features some of the most memorable locations the series has to offer. While Cloud and his friends have visited numerous places on the planet of Gaia, these locations stand out as the most awe-inspiring places based on design alone.
10 Aerith's House
One of the earliest locations in the game, Aerith's house is best known for its overabundance of flowers, similar to the ones at the Sector 5 Church. Located in a remote part of Sector 5, Cloud first visits this location when he is tasked with escorting Aerith herself.
Compared to the slums and other shady places in Midgar, Aerith's house definitely stands out in terms of presentation; the flowers and waterfall give off the impression of something from a fairy tale. Initially owned by Aerith's stepmother Elmyra, the house is ultimately deserted when she and Marlene are brought to Kalm by Cait Sith.
9 Honeybee Inn
Like Aerith's house, the Honeybee Inn is quite the affluent place with the Sector 6 Slums. In this case, however, the surrounding area, Wall Market, is also an affluent area in its own right due to its status as the entertainment district of Sector 6.
Though the Honeybee Inn is an optional location, the player can visit it in order to spruce up Cloud's iconic disguise after obtaining a membership card. In the Final Fantasy 7 Remake, the Honeybee Inn is far more developed, with Don Corneo and the entertainers putting together elaborate shows every night.
8 Costa del Sol
When it comes to beautiful locations in Final Fantasy 7, the tropical Costa del Sol should be one of the first places to come to players' minds. Needless to say, it is quite obvious why Costa del Sol is on this list. After all, it's a beachfront resort!
After the fight with Jenova-BIRTH, Costa del Sol serves as the perfect way for Cloud and his friends to rest, play, and prepare for what lies ahead. Usually a place for relaxation, the brief encounter with Hojo on the beach foreshadows Cloud's connection with Sephiroth and Jenova.
7 Gold Saucer
Another location that comes to mind when talking about beautiful locations in Final Fantasy 7 is the Gold Saucer. With its bright lights and colorful atmosphere, this amusement park is home to many difficult and enjoyable minigames such as Mog House and the Battle Square.
Though the Gold Saucer is surrounded by desert, it serves as a much-needed distraction from the outside world, even staying open during the Meteorfall. Renowned as the happiest place around, things initially took a turn for the worse when several innocent parkgoers are murdered by Barret's old acquaintance, Dyne.
6 Sleeping Forest
A prelude to the City of the Ancients, the Sleeping Forest is just one example of the greenery that lies outside Midgar and Corel. Located immediately after the Bone Village, the forest is home to some powerful materia, namely the Kujata summon materia, though it must be caught immediately before it leaves the screen.
The Sleeping Forest is also known for its repetitive nature; immediately traversing the forest will result in the player repeating the same area over and over. It is only when the player acquires the Lunar Harp that they are able to truly pass through the forest.
5 Temple of the Ancients
Not all visually-stunning locations have to be forests, and no location proves this point better than the Temple of the Ancients. Though it is surrounded by a forest, the temple itself is an architectural marvel with its labyrinth-like structure and numerous puzzles.
In addition to the lost knowledge of the Ancients, the temple contains numerous treasures and items important to the game, including the Ribbon accessory, Aerith's ultimate weapon, and the Black Materia. It is also the last dungeon in which Aerith is a playable party member, as she departs from the party shortly afterward.
4 Forgotten City
Much like the Temple of the Ancients, the Forgotten City is another wondrous site with unique buildings and interesting sights. Many of the structures in the city are reminiscent of the sea with their coral-like structures and the fish illusion in the main room, which Cloud and his party must bypass in order to reach Aerith before Sephiroth.
The most memorable part of the city is a giant altar at which Aerith can be found praying for Holy. After Aerith's death and the battle against Jenova-LIFE, much of the city cannot be accessed again.
3 Cosmo Canyon
A must-see for those interested in nature, Cosmo Canyon is a place of importance for Cloud and his party. Not only is this the birthplace of Red XIII, better known by his true name Nanaki, but the significance of the Lifestream and the planet is also explored here in great detail.
The most notable site in Cosmo Canyon is Bugenhagen's observatory, in which a full-scale model of the solar system can be viewed throughout the story. Being his birthplace, Red XIII's strongest weapon can be found here and the location itself plays a role in his strongest limit break Cosmo Memory.
2 Gaea's Cliff
One of the northernmost parts of the planet, Gaea's Cliff has perhaps the harshest weather out of all the locations in Final Fantasy 7. Ascending the cliff itself has been proven to be a difficult task, as the player must keep their temperature in check or risk passing out and restarting.
After climbing the cliff, however, players are treated to crystalline blue caves with icicles that are tinted in various colors. Unfortunately, Gaea's Cliff can only be traversed once, as the player is prevented access due to the barrier surrounding the final dungeon.
1 Northern Cave
Speaking of the final dungeon, the Northern Cave is the final bit of beautiful scenery the player can view before fighting Sephiroth. Depending on which paths the player decides to take, they can be treated to a range of environments such as dreary graveyards, beautiful lakes, and brilliant streams of Mako.
As the player descends further down the Northern Cave, the concentration in Mako increases until it comes to a head near the planet's core. Naturally, as the game's final dungeon, the enemies and treasures that can be found here are some of the rarest in the game.