Some of the best views of a city can be seen from above -- an impressive skyline lit at night, buildings engulfed in dramatic fog, or majestic monuments set against a mountainous landscape. Aerial views offer a unique perspective of a city, and highlight its natural features, such as parks, rivers or canals, as well as its architecture and other man-made wonders.

Aerial photographs, however, are some of the most tricky to successfully shoot and aerial photographers need to depend heavily on weather conditions.

Prolific aerial photographer Jason Hawkes, for example, avoids windy days altogether and doesn't shoot much in the winter, according to an interview in the British Journal of Photography.

Gray Malin, who has been featured on Weather.com for his aerial photographs of beaches around the world, also relies heavily on an accurate weather forecast, especially since he shoots from a door-less helicopter flying over the ocean.

“The weather is the most important factor to all of my photo shoots, especially wind,” Malin told Weather.com.

Take an around-the-world tour from up high, and see the stunning aerial views of some of your favorite cities by browsing the slideshow above.

MORE ON WEATHER.COM: Amazing Aerial Photos of Beaches Around the World

Bondi Beach, Australia. (Credit: Gray Malin)