25 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in the World
Travelers are always looking for ideas to guide their trips. They want to know what to do and where to go while they’re away from home. But how do you come up with a list of the best places to travel to? You could start by browsing lists online, but there’s something about seeing every destination in person that makes some locations stick out over others. And once you’ve found those spots, you’ll want to make sure that they’re included in your itinerary. Visit https://madeinturkeytours.com/turkey/ to know more about turkey tour.
What are the top tourist attractions that everyone needs to experience? We took a look at several sources to find out. From the Eiffel Tower to the Taj Mahal, here are 25 must-see sights around the world.
1. Eiffel Tower, France
2. Taj Mahal, India
3. Christ Church Spitalfields, London, England
4. Great Wall of China, China
5. Stonehenge, England
6. Colosseum, Italy
7. Sydney Opera House, Australia
8. Grand Canyon, United States
9. Machu Picchu, Peru
10. Vatican City, Rome, Italy
11. Petra, Jordan
12. Buckingham Palace, London, England
13. Louvre Pyramid, Paris, France
14. St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City ,Rome, Italy
15. Kremlin, Russia
16. Giza Pyramids, Egypt
17. Big Ben, London, England
18. Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy
19. The White House, Washington, D.C.
20. Burj Khalifa, Dubai
21. Sydney Harbor Bridge, Australia
22. Empire State Building, New York City
23. Space Shuttle Atlantis, Florida
24. Niagara Falls, Canada
25. Mount Rushmore National Memorial, South Dakota
1. Eiffel Tower, Paris
The Eiffel Tower is often called the “most photographed building in the world.” In fact, it’s the second most popular tourist attraction in France, behind the Louvre Museum. Located on the banks of the River Seine, the tower is a symbol of Paris and one its greatest attractions.
2. The Colosseum, Rome
The Colosseum is one of the best known structures in the world. Located in the center of Rome, it stands nearly 80 feet tall and is surrounded by 50 acres of grassy grounds. As the largest amphitheater ever built, it originally seated up to 55,000 people. Today, it seats approximately 15,000.
In addition to being one of the oldest surviving stadiums in the world, the Colosseo is also one of the most visited sites in Rome today. In fact, about 2 million tourists come here every year.
Today, visitors are able to take guided tours of the stadium that include the history of the arena and how it came to be. They can also see the inside of the stadium where gladiators fought each other during the games.
3. Statue of Liberty, New York City
America is full of great sights to see, but none represent the United States quite like the Statue of Liberty. She stands tall in New York Harbor, welcoming visitors from across the globe. There are many things to love about Lady Liberty, but perhaps most importantly she is free. In fact, the very word “liberty” came from her torch.
In 1884, President Chester Arthur signed legislation authorizing the US Treasury to sell $2 million worth of bonds to raise money for the pedestal. A design competition was held to decide what type face should adorn the base. French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi won the contest, and his winning entry was unveiled to the public in 1886.
Bartholdi had designed the original model in Paris, but he did not live long enough to realize his dream of seeing his creation completed. He died in 1902, having never seen his masterpiece rise above New York harbor. But even though the statue wasn’t finished, the idea took hold among Americans that such a monument could embody their ideals.
The pedestal itself weighs nearly 20 tons and is composed of 2.5 million individual pieces of Carrara marble. The statue is made of iron, copper, zinc, and aluminum alloy. It stands 165 feet high and measures 30 feet wide.
The structure sits atop a large granite base that covers 3 acres of land. On July 4 each year, thousands gather around the statue to watch the annual lighting ceremony.
4. Machu Picchu, Peru
The ancient Inca city of Macchu Picchu is arguably the best preserved pre-Columbian site in the Americas. Located in the Andes Mountains of Peru, it lies high above sea level on a steep mountain ridge surrounded by dense tropical rainforest.
Set on a high plateau with towering green mountains, the setting feels like another planet. Its breathtaking views take visitors’ breath away.
Visitors today are restricted to a maximum number of people per day, so the impact is lessened somewhat. But the experience has been vastly improved by the introduction of guided tours.
5. The Acropolis, Athens
The Acropolis is one of the most iconic sites in Greece. Located in Athens, it is home to some of the best preserved ruins of the Ancient World.
Follow in the footsteps of an ancient Athenian as he walks around the Acropolis. See his daily routine, hear his stories and learn about his life.
6. The Taj Mahal, India
The Taj Mahal is the most famous monument in the world. It stands as a testament to the power of love. Built in memory of her husband, Mumtaz Mahil, it took 20 years to complete. Today, the Taj Mahal attracts over 10 million tourists every year.
7. Pyramids of Giza, Egypt
The Pyramids of Giza are located about 30 miles south of the Egyptian capital city of Cairo. They date back to the Old Kingdom period, during the reign of Pharaoh Khufu. This is the same pharaoh responsible for building the Great Pyramid.
There are four pyramids here; three of them are much older than the fourth one. The oldest pyramid is known as the Pyramid of Cheops. It dates back to 2560 BC. The second oldest is called the Pyramid of Mykerinus and it dates back to 2490 BC. The third pyramid is called the Pyramid of Menkaura. It dates back to 2400 BC. And finally there is the Pyramid of Khafre, which dates back to 2500 BC.
8. Great Wall of China
The Great Wall of China is a massive construction stretching over 2,300 miles across 11 provinces. It is one of the most visited tourist attractions in the world, drawing millions of people each year.
In comparison to many great works of architecture, the Great Wall is a humble sight. But it is still a stunning work of human ingenuity and engineering.
The wall was originally constructed during the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644 AD). Over the next 400 years, successive dynasties added to the wall to defend against attacks from nomadic tribes and invaders.
Today, the Great Wall serves as a symbol of national pride for Chinese people. It represents perseverance and national unity.
9. Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Surrounded by jungle and, sometimes, overgrown with big trees and roots, the Angkor complex looks like a movie set to tourists. Standing inside the temple, it’s easy to see why.
With its stone faces peering out above the buildings and gates, and the towering walls surrounding it, Angkor Wat is easily one of the most impressive sights in Southeast Asia. And while it’s certainly worth seeing, there are plenty of other places where you can do so for much cheaper.
10. Petra, Jordan
Petra is one of the most fascinating ancient cities in the Middle East. This unique location is located in Jordan, about 800 kilometers south of Amman. It was founded around 2000 BC and became famous due to its spectacular architecture. Today, it attracts millions of tourists every year.
The history of Petra dates back to approximately 3000 BC, when people settled there for trading purposes. Over the course of time, the city became a major center of commerce, religion and government. The Nabataeans, a tribe of Arabian origin, ruled Petra starting from AD 106. They named the settlement Lebenon and developed it into a large commercial hub. In 333 BC, Alexander the Great conquered the city. After his death, control of the city passed to Ptolemy I Soter, later renamed Alexander III. During the Roman Empire era, Petra flourished and reached its peak during the reign of Emperor Trajan (AD 98–117). However, the city declined following the Arab invasion in 642. By the 11th century, Petra had become deserted.
Today, visitors can explore the ruins of temples, palaces and tombs cut out of the solid rock cliffs. The most impressive structures are the Treasury, the Monastery, the Royal Palace and the Temple of the Moon God.
11. Grand Canyon, USA
The Grand Canyon is one of the most famous sights in North America. Located in Arizona, it is 277 miles long and up to 18 miles wide. Its depth varies from less than 300 feet near the bottom to about 5,280 feet at the South Rim. With its spectacular colors, deep gorges, towering cliffs, and vast expanses of desert wilderness, the Grand Canyon offers visitors a breathtaking view of nature.
12. Stonehenge, England
Stonehenge is one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world and it’s no wonder why. This ancient monument located in Wiltshire, England, consists of three concentric rings of massive sarsen stones, each about 30 feet high and weighing up to 80 tons. There are also smaller bluestones that weigh around 2 tons. These stones were brought to the area from Wales and date to approximately 3,300 BC. They were erected within a horseshoe shape and aligned to the sun, moon, and stars.
Theories abound regarding how Stonehenge got built. Some say aliens did it while others believe people did it. But there is little doubt that the structure represents a monumental feat of engineering and architecture.
13. Borobudur, Indonesia
Set in a steamy jungle, Borobudur lies just outside Yogyakarta, the capital city of Java island. This temple dates from the ninth century and is one of Asia’s most spectacular religious sites. Its size alone makes it impressive – over 500 Buddha statues are spread across the site, including those that sit under ornate stuccoed structures. There are many things to see here, and Borobudur is a great place to start.
The temple itself took almost 200 years to build, and is comprised of five concentric rings. Most visitors come to explore the central area, where there are hundreds of stone Buddha images set into niches along the walls. Some of the figures are life sized, while others are little more than a foot tall. The temple grounds also contain several smaller stupas, which are used for meditation purposes.
There is much more to do here than simply look at the Buddhas though. You can climb up to the top of the main stupa for panoramic views over the surrounding countryside. If you’re lucky enough to visit during sunrise, you might even catch a glimpse of the sun glinting off the temple roofs.
The temple is located in a lush tropical forest, surrounded by rice fields and volcanic mountains. As well as being a stunning sight in itself, Borobudur offers a welcome respite from the heat of the Indonesian summer. In fact, it’s often cooler inside the temple than it is out in the open.
14. Niagara Falls, Canada & USA
Niagara Falls is located just across the Canadian border from Buffalo, New York. In fact, it’s pretty much impossible to miss the massive waterfall, because there are signs everywhere pointing tourists toward the falls. But even though Niagara Falls is one of the most popular tourist destinations in North America, it still feels like something special.
The falls are actually three separate waterfalls – Horseshoe, American, and Bridal Veil – that flow down the side of a cliff. All three waterfalls plummet about 80 feet straight to the ground, creating a thunderous roar.
But it doesn’t end there. Visitors can enjoy the beautiful sight of the water cascading over the cliffs, or they can go further upstream and explore the nearby towns of Niagara Falls, Ontario, and Lewiston, New York.
Visitors can either cross the Rainbow Bridge to the US side of the river, or they can opt to stay in Canada. There are plenty of hotels and restaurants in both countries, and some visitors choose to stay in one country while exploring the other.
15. Bagan, Myanmar
The ruins of Bagan are spread across a vast expanse of land in central Myanmar—a region known as the “Land of Eternal Spring.” This ancient city was once home to more than 200,000 residents.
Spread out over a lush plain, there are more than 10,500 temples, shrines, pagodas, mosques, monasteries, and stupas scattered throughout the area. You’ll find some of the most famous sites in the world here, including the largest surviving collection of Buddha statues outside of India.
Hire a bicycle and pedal yourself around the site, or sign up for a guided walking tour. There are many types of tours you can choose from, including sunrise and sunset tours, moonlight tours, and even ghost tours.
For an aerial view, consider booking a hot air balloon tour during the day. They’re a great option because you can see the entire site without having to hike anywhere.
#travel #asia #bucketlist #bagan #myanmar
STORY AND PHOTOS BY: @davidcameronwong
16. Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House is a famous landmark located in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It is home to the Australian National Academy of Music, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, and the annual summer season of performances known as the Sydney Festival.
Originally designed by Jørn Utzon and completed in 1973, it consists of three main parts: the sail-shaped concert hall, the backstage areas, and the docklands site containing administration offices, rehearsal rooms, and storage space.
The Sydney Opera House was built over 25 years, beginning in 1957 under the leadership of Danish architect Jørn Utzon. Construction costs exceeded $100 million (A$150 million), making it then the most expensive public work undertaken by the Australian government.
In 1972, Utzon died suddenly during construction; he had been working on the project without pay since 1958. His death led to a dispute between his family and the state government over ownership of the design. In 1977, the NSW Parliament passed legislation giving control of the building to the federal government, and the house was renamed the “Opera House”.
17. Mount Kilimanjaro
Mount Kilimanjaro is the tallest free-standing mountain in Africa and the fourth tallest freestanding mountain in the world. At 19,340 feet above sea level it is the highest peak in all of sub-Saharan Africa and the second highest free standing mountain in Africa.
The name Kilimanjaro translates into “the place of the moon god,” and you can understand why once you see the magnificent view. The summit offers stunning vistas across Kenya and Tanzania where the Serengeti plains meet the Indian Ocean. The view is best seen from the northern side of the peak, however, because the southern face is covered in ice fields during winter months.
You can reach the summit via either the Machame Route or Marangu Route. The former takes about five days while the latter requires eight days. Both routes begin and end in Arusha, Tanzania, but each route goes through different parts of the park.
For those who want to climb the mountain, there are several companies offering guided climbs. Most people travel to Kilimanjaro as part of a larger safari vacation package. However, climbing the mountain alone allows visitors to experience the breathtaking scenery and wildlife without having to worry about anything except reaching the top.
18. The Louvre, Paris
The Louvre Museum in France is widely regarded as one of the best art museums in the world. Located in the heart of Paris, it contains over 35,000 pieces of artwork. With works dating as far back as Ancient Egypt, the museum is filled with paintings, sculptures, drawings, tapestries, ceramics, jewelry, furniture, armor, weapons, coins, medals, stamps, and much more. There are many famous paintings within the collection including Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa,” Raphael’s “La Fornarina,” Titian’s “Venus of Urbino,” and Rembrandt’s “Night Watch.”
Although most people know it as home to the most famous portrait in the world, the “Mona Lisa,” this is just one of many reasons to visit the Louvreso. The museum holds countless masterworks by the greatest artists thathave ever lived. Visitors can find works by DaVinci, Michelangelo, Botticelli, Velazquez, Van Gogh, Renoir, Matisse, Picasso, Degas, Manet, Warhol, Hopper, Klimt, Kandinsky, Mondrian, Munch, Gauguin, Modigliani, Schiele, Chagall, Calder, Lichtenstein, Pollock, Rothko, Bacon, Dubuffet, deKooning, Stella, Haring, Basquiat, and many others.
The glass pyramid and the 18th century building are recognized by almost everyone, and have appeared in countless movies. The Pyramid of Luxor, the Cour Carrée, the Grande Galerie, and the Petit Palais are among some of the highlights of the Louvre.
19. Forbidden City, China
The Forbidden City in Beijing is home to some of the world’s most famous emperors. Located in the center of the city, it is surrounded by towering walls and gates. The entire complex covers about 2.3 million sq ft.
The building itself contains a total area of approximately 447,000 sq ft. It consists of three main parts: the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Hall of Preserving Harmony and the Hall of Prayer For Good Harvest.
In addition, there are several smaller buildings within the complex including the Palace of Heavenly Purity, the Palace of Earthly Delights, the Palace of Ten Thousand Warriors, the Palace of Divine Might, the Palace of Perfect Peace, the Palace of Golden Light, the Palace of Everlasting Spring, the Palace of Bright Moon and the Palace of Nine Dragons.
Inside the palace, visitors can see exhibits dedicated to the history of Chinese imperial life. There are many items of interest inside the palace such as paintings, statues, musical instruments, weapons, clothing, furniture, gold and silver objects, porcelain, jades, ivory carvings, books, calligraphy scrolls and ancient documents.
20. Prague Castle, Czech Republic
Prague Castle sits atop a hill across the Vltava River from the center of the capital. Standing guard over the city since 1042, it is an incredible collection of medieval buildings constructed from the 9 th to 14th centuries. Stroll over the ornately decorated 14th-century Charles bridge spanning the Vltava and head up the hill into the castle complex. There are nearly 200 museums within the walls, including the National Museum, where you’ll find exhibits ranging from Egyptian mummies to Renaissance paintings. Outside the castle walls there are numerous churches, squares, and palaces, many dating back to the 13th century.
21. Chichen Itza, Mexico
Chichen Itza is considered to be one of the most important archaeological sites in the world. Located in the state of Quintana Roo, it is home to some of the oldest structures built by the Maya civilization. In addition to being a major tourist attraction, the city also serves as a major archeological site.
The city dates back to approximately 600 AD; however, there are indications that it existed even earlier. This makes it older than the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt. Despite its age, the structure of the city is still well preserved. There are many pyramids, temples, palaces, plazas, ball courts, houses, and tombs.
22. Corcovado and Cristo Redentor, Rio de Janeiro
The breathtaking view of Rio de Janeiro is nothing short of spectacular. From Sugar Loaf Mountain to Copacabana Beach, there are many places where you can take pictures of this gorgeous city. One of those places is the Corcovado Mountain, home to the most famous statue in Brazil – Cristo Redentor – the Christ the Redeemer. The giant statue stands high above the city, overlooking Guanabara Bay. To reach it, visitors must climb a steep path up through the forested mountainside. On the way up, they pass by the Tijuca National Forest, a protected area full of flora and fauna. The journey takes about 45 minutes. Once at the summit, visitors can enjoy 360° panoramic views of Rio de Janeiro.
23. Ch’teau de Versailles, France
The Ch’tteau de Versailles is a palace located in Versailles, France. It is the residence of the French head of state and his family. It is named after Louis XIV, the Sun King. The ch’tteau is home to many of the most famous paintings in the Louvre Museum, including “The Oath of the Horatii”, “Aristotle Contemplating the Bust of Homer”, “Mona Lisa”, “La Belle Ferronière”, “L’Homme à la Hache” (“Man With An Axe”), “Oath of the Horatii” and “Portrait of Mme de Pompadour”.
The ch’tteau is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it should be near the topof your list of places to see when you travel to France.
24. Mount Fuji
Mount Fuji is the most famous mountain in Japan. In Japanese culture it represents purity, strength, and longevity. The name “Fuji,” meaning “the beautiful sight,” refers to the majestic view of the snow-covered peak. This iconic image of a dormant volcano is often pictured snowcapped, but it is actually a dormant volcano.
The volcano itself is known as Mount Asama, and it is located in Omi Province. There are several ways to climb the mountain, including hiking, climbing, and even skiing. The most common way to reach the top is via hiking. There are four main trails leading up to the top. They vary in length and difficulty. The shortest trail takes about six hours to complete; while the longest route requires 16 hours.
There are many different reasons why people choose to hike up Mount Fuji. Some come to see the beauty of the landscape, others want to experience the atmosphere of being surrounded by nature. Others still come to take part in the annual Sunrise Festival held every year around July 15th. During this festival, hundreds of thousands of people gather together to watch the sun rise over Mount Fuji. Many people make the trek to the top of the volcano during this event.
Another reason hikers go to Mount Fuji is because it symbolizes life and death. To some, it represents the beginning of a journey, while others consider it the end of the road. Regardless of what people think, there is no denying that Mount Fuji is a sacred place.
25. Central Park, New York City
Central Park is located in Manhattan, New York City. A great place to take a stroll, enjoy some nice views, and spend some quality time with your loved ones. There are plenty of ways to explore the park. You can rent a rowboat, go for a horse drawn carriage ride, or even try out ice skating. Here we present you 25+ interesting facts about Central Park.
1. Central Park is the largest urban park in North America.
2. Central Park is also home to the oldest zoo in the United States, founded in 1874.
3. In 2011, Central Park received $7 million dollars worth of artworks.
4. Central Park is home to the Carousel Center, the largest carousel center in the world.
5. Central Park is home over 200 species of birds.
6. Central Park contains six major lakes.
7. There are over 100 monuments in Central Park.
8. The Ramble was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux.
9. The Great Lawn is where free concerts happen throughout the summer.
10. The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir is nicknamed the “Lady’s Pool.”
11. There are two playgrounds inside Central Park: one is called the Children’s Playground and the other is the Imagination Playground.
12. Central Park is sometimes used as a location for movies and TV shows. Most recently, the 2015 movie adaptation of Anna Karenina took place here.
13. Central Park has been ranked #1 on the Top 10 Parks list.
14. Central Park is the only national park that is not contiguous.
15. Central Park is often ranked #1 on travel lists.
16. Central Park is the second-largest city park in terms of total area after San Francisco.
17. Central Park is home of the famous Tavern on the Green restaurant.
18. There are over 40 statues in Central Park.
19. Central Park is home the Alice in Wonderland statue.
20. Central Park is home an Egyptian obelisk.
21. Central Park is home a Chinese pagoda.
22. Central Park is home five museums.
23. Central Park is home three sports complexes.
24. Central Park is home two golf courses.
25. Central Park is home to the first public library in America.
