While Breath of the Wild established a vast open world, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom expanded it. We now have three separate maps to explore: The Sky Islands, the Hyrule Mainland, and the Depths. Each area has different layouts, dangers, materials, characters, and points of interest.
If you spend your whole time just filling in all the maps, you'll be set for quite some time. There's so much to reach and discover, with so many beautiful and unusual sights to behold. No matter if you're driven to journey for missions or curiosity, there are some spots that you need to see.
8 Great Sky Island
The starting areas of games are often places you'll never visit again once you leave them. In Tears of the Kingdom, Link starts off at the Great Sky Island, and you'll want to see all of it. The tutorial takes you all over the island as you learn the new mechanics and get used to the idea of islands in the sky, but it will still hide plenty of mystery.
Even though it is the first area of the game, it's quite expansive with a lot of secrets, treasures, and materials to harvest. It's a great introduction to a great new world, which is why it's deserving of the title Great Sky Island.
7 The Thunderhead Isles
If you're going to be gliding through the sky, you'll be subject to all the different elements. When you're diving over certain areas like icy mountains and deserts, you'll soon feel the chill and heat as you get closer to the ground.
You can also experience various weather phenomena like the constant storm surrounding the Thunderhead Isles. Located in the southern skies of Hyrule, these islands are obscured by thick and scary storm clouds. The main way to see is the sporadic flashes of lightning bolts as you try to navigate the islands. Just don't wear any metal.
6 Great Hyrule Forest
Since the very first Legend of Zelda game, the Lost Woods has been a staple of the series. For one reason or another, Link will find himself exploring a dense forest sooner or later to find something special or explore a forest-themed dungeon. The forest returns with greater grandeur and mystery in the Great Hyrule Forest.
The northeast road from Castle Town can lead you directly to the entrance of the forest where you'll be met by a protective fog. It challenges you to navigate the magical labyrinth among the trees in hopes of reaching a sacred grove full of peace and Koroks.
5 Tanagar Canyon
The Grand Canyon is a geographical wonder to behold, and many have thought about what it would be like to fly through it. Link may not have an X-Wing, but he does have a Paraglider, a Glider outfit, and Zonai Wings to fly through the air and capture some of that wonder. By heading toward the Hebra region, you can't miss the massive crevice that is Tanagar Canyon.
It presents an exciting opportunity to fly through the canyon and move between the different protrusions from the wall, grabbing anything they might hold. Then there's also what lies at its base, which is a barren land filled with some tough enemies, interesting materials, and spots tucked away.
4 Satori Groves
The land of Hyrule is able to support a variety of environments, but some elements are able to grow in any type of climate. While exploring, you're likely to spot bright colors in the distance created by short yet large trees covered in pink petals. These trees are where the elusive Satori like to gather as indicated by the offering bowl propped up against the tree trunk.
In addition to the item mystery offered by the scenario, these groves act as a place of peace and rest. They seem to naturally keep enemies away, and you can frequently find a pleasant Gerudo traveler to talk to nearby.
3 The Tests Of Islands
A motivator to activate as many Skyview Towers as possible is so that you can gain access to the floating islands above. The towers are generous with how high they launch you, giving you a fair amount of time to maneuver yourself to any of the nearby islands. Certain towers will let you catch glimpses of a twisting funnel structure looming in the distance.
Easily eye-catching, these islands will lure you in to reveal that they are actual islands for Link to test his courageous qualities. A Steward at the base will activate a series of rings for you to dive through down the funnel with grace and speed as you avoid the floating debris. It's both calming and exhilarating with a challenge to complete for a sweet reward.
2 Lomei Castles
By looking at the revealed map of Hyrule, you can easily spot some structures that are definitely not naturally occurring. If you travel to certain locations and launch yourself into the sky, you'll see a rectangular structure on the ground… and also in the sky. These interconnected structures are curious, to say the least, but it can be an experience getting to the upper floor of these Lomei Castles.
You'll need to ride a nearby modified Glider using Fans or Rockets and constantly using Zonai Charges to keep it aloft before it disappears. Reaching the Castle envelops you in a mystical blue-particle aura that affects gravity. This will be the key mechanic to navigating the twisting paths within to get at the castle's treasures.
1 The Depths
Despite all the many times we've visited Hyrule, the only times we've ever had to go underground are for a few set dungeons and certain caves. Tears of the Kingdom is making up for it by presenting the Depths.
This dark, dusky, and dangerous region which spans all over underneath Hyrule. By diving through the darkness of the Chasms around the land, you can try to safely make your way to the bottom. When you do, you'll find yourself in a situation covered in corruptive gloom, corrupted enemies, unusual structures, undead horses, and resources that can't be found anywhere else. You're not meant to feel safe while you're in the Depths, and that's exactly why it's worth it to see as much of it as possible.