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There's no shortage of inspiring spots to visit around the globe. But some destinations draw bigger crowds than others, from awe-inspiring natural wonders to architectural marvels and cultural treasures.
From its layered white sails to its dazzling city views, the Sydney Opera House has become an iconic symbol of Australia. Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York draws millions of visitors each year to its vast collections.
1. Table Mountain
Table Mountain — on the flag of Cape Town and featured on its City’s logo — is one of the famous spots in the world flat-topped mountains in the world. It’s also one of the most popular spots in the City, with more than 800,000 people visiting each year.
Originally the Khoisan called it Hoerikwaggo or “Mountain in the Sea” and Portuguese explorer Antonio de Saldanha named it Taboa do Cabo (Table of the Cape). Today it’s home to dassies that resemble guinea pigs, baboons, jackals and raptors. It’s also a popular rock-climbing spot, with hundreds of routes of varying difficulty. There are also many sandstone caves, with the largest being Wynberg Caves.
2. Big Ben
Big Ben is a renowned symbol of England and is one of the most visited landmarks in the world. This famous clock tower is located near other popular London attractions like Westminster Abbey and the London Eye.
During the height of World War II, the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben were a target for German bombings. Fortunately, the bell tower itself avoided major damage.
The chimes of the bell can be heard on radio and TV broadcasts in the United Kingdom, including on BBC news bulletins. It is also a centerpiece of London's annual New Year celebration.
3. Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is one of the world’s most famous landmarks, attracting millions of tourists each year. The iconic wrought-iron structure was designed and built by Alexandre-Gustave Eiffel for the 1889 World’s Fair in Paris. It was a technical masterpiece that stunned the public and became a symbol of France.
Though many artists like Emile Zola or Guy de Maupassant opposed the construction, it has since become a universal icon. From its iconic ascent to its sparkling lights, the Eiffel Tower enchants travelers from all over the world.
4. Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House is a famous performing arts venue in Sydney Harbor. Originally opened in 1973, it is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The complex consists of three theaters and a forecourt that hosts outdoor performances. The largest theatre, the Concert Hall, hosts symphony concerts, choir performances, and opera shows.
Jorn Utzon’s design pushed architecture and engineering to new limits. Its unique forms are still an inspiration to architects today. The building has seen many iconic performances and events, including Irish rock band Thin Lizzy playing a free show in 1978 and the great Australian operatic soprano Joan Sutherland giving her final performance in 1995.
5. Machu Picchu
The iconic 15th-century citadel in the Peruvian mountains was rediscovered by American explorer Hiram Bingham in 1911. Its stunning stonemasonry is a testament to Inca engineering and agricultural prowess.
Machu Picchu’s walls, terraces and stairways blend seamlessly into the natural setting. Its central complex is a showcase of masonry techniques, including stones cut to fit without mortar. The ruins also feature an impressive irrigation system and are believed to have been a spiritual centre. Thousands visit it each year. They often gather to watch the sun rise over the ruins through the Inti Punku or ‘Sun Gate’.
6. Easter Island
Easter Island, also known as Rapa Nui, is famous for its giant statues shaped like humans and known as moai. These monoliths have been baffling scientists and enchanting onlookers since they were first erected in 1722, and new DNA research is providing fresh clues into their origins.
The island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to a small, indigenous population. It is famous for its colossal stone figures, which locals believe represent ancestral chieftains. Carved between 1100 and 1680 CE, a total of 887 moai remain.
7. Pyramids of Giza
One of the original Wonders of the World, the Pyramids of Giza continue to baffle scientists and mesmerize onlookers millennia after they were built. The necropolis includes three towering pyramids—the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the Pyramid of Khafre, and the Pyramid of Menkaure—as well as an enormous statue of a sphinx.
The pyramids' southeast tips all align precisely, and each has a mortuary temple that connects to a valley temple via a causeway. Each also has smaller pyramids that served as tombs for queens and other royals.
8. La Sagrada Familia
Located in Barcelona, Spain, La Sagrada Familia is a breathtaking sight to behold. Its soaring ceilings and intricate details are a trove of art and symbolism.
Its history dates back to 1866 when a community devoted to Saint Joseph conceived of building a cathedral dedicated to him. The first stone was laid in 1882, on March 19, amid a plot of 12,000 square meters.
Visit with City Experiences to skip the line and tour the basilica before the crowds arrive on our Gaudi’s Masterpieces Tour. You’ll also get to explore Casa Batllo and Park Guell.
9. Petra
Petra is one of the world’s most impressive archaeological sites set in a dominating red sandstone landscape. It was built by the Nabataeans over 2000 years ago and is famous for its rock-cut architecture. One of the most impressive structures is Al Khazneh (The Treasury), a grand temple carved into a cliff face.
Another interesting site is the Tomb of Obelisks, a tomb carved from sandstone. The Great Temple on Colonnaded Street, a large building with multiple stories along a string of grand staircases is also fascinating to see.
10. Stonehenge
Stonehenge is one of the most famous places in the world, and also one of the most baffling. Scientists are still trying to understand how a civilization without modern technology could produce the monument.
Conclusion
Theories run the gamut from the wizard Merlin to alien landing sites. But despite its mysteries, there is much to see at this UNESCO World Heritage Site. A stone circle, avenues and burial mounds make up the sprawling ritual landscape.
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