Instagramarama: These 10 stunning staircases beat taking the elevator any day

Photo: pixelsandpen/Instagram

Most people encounter a staircase or two in their daily lives and never give them a second look. They serve a very functional yet rather mundane purpose of getting you from one level to another, or from point A to point B. But that doesn’t mean they have to be boring.

We searched Instagram to find some of our favorite staircases from around the world. The architects of these stairs have elevated their designs and made them true works of art and an experience to climb. So next time you encounter one of these stairwells, do yourself a favor — skip the elevator.

Heals and Sons, London

A photo posted by Paulo del Valle (@paulo_delvalle) on Aug 9, 2015 at 7:52am PDT

Photo: paulo_delvalle/Instagram

Tiger and Turtle, Germany

A photo posted by Markus Eckartz (@herr_e) on Jul 12, 2015 at 11:33am PDT

Photo: herr_e/Instagram

The Vatican Museum, Vatican City

A photo posted by Akriti Sondhi ? (@uhkriti) on Sep 5, 2015 at 1:57am PDT

Photo: uhkriti/Instagram

Chand Baori, India

A photo posted by Liz S (@lizbogart76) on Jul 8, 2015 at 10:40pm PDT

Photo: lizbogart76/Instagram

Armani Store, New York City

A photo posted by Alexis (@lexlexie) on Jun 11, 2015 at 12:42pm PDT

Photo: lexlexie/Instagram

Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto

A photo posted by Mike (@moneyy14) on Sep 10, 2015 at 10:41am PDT

Photo: moneyy14/Instagram

Louvre, Paris

A photo posted by eliemoose (@eliemoose) on Sep 10, 2015 at 4:51pm PDT

Photo: eliemoose/Instagram

St. Pauls Cathedral, London

A photo posted by Comb (@joincomb) on Sep 10, 2015 at 12:06pm PDT

Photo: joincomb/Instagram

Lello Bookshop, Portugal

A photo posted by Puli (@pedropulido) on Sep 3, 2015 at 6:05am PDT

Photo: pedropulido/Instagram

Grand Cafe Orient, Prague

A photo posted by Pixels & Pen (@pixelsandpen) on Sep 3, 2015 at 12:05pm PDT

Photo: pixelsandpen/Instagram