1. Eiffel Tower, Paris, France
Best time to visit: June-Oct
- The Eiffel Tower is a wrought-iron lattice tower located on the Champ de Mars in Paris
- It was designed by engineer Gustave Eiffel and constructed between 1887 and 1889 as part of the preparations for the Exposition Universelle (World's Fair) held in Paris to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution
- Originally intended as a temporary structure, it has become one of the most iconic landmarks in the world
- The tower stands approximately 1,083 feet (330 meters) tall, making it one of the tallest structures in Paris
- Every evening, the Eiffel Tower is illuminated with a golden light and sparkles for five minutes at the start of each hour, and also features a beacon that shines over the city
Featured in The Best of France
2. Sagrada Família, Barcelona, Spain
Best time to visit: May-June
- Sagrada Família, is a church under construction in the Eixample district of Barcelona, Catalonia
- It is the largest unfinished Catholic church in the world
- Sagrada Família was designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí (1852–1926)
- In 2010, Pope Benedict XVI consecrated the church and proclaimed it a minor basilica
- The style of Sagrada Família is variously likened to Spanish Late Gothic, Catalan Modernism or Art Nouveau
- In 2024, an updated forecast reconfirmed a likely completion of the building in 2026, though the announcement stated that work on sculptures, decorative details and a controversial proposed stairway leading to what will eventually be the main entrance is expected to continue until 2034
- Visitors can access the Nave, Crypt, Museum, Shop, and the Passion and Nativity steeples
Featured in The Best of Spain
#10 in Best Landmarks in the World
3. Empire State Building, New York City, New York, United States
Best time to visit: Jan-Dec
- The Empire State Building is a 102-story Art Deco skyscraper in Manhattan in New York City, built from 1930 to 1931
- Its name is derived from "Empire State", the nickname of the state of New York
- The building stands a total of 1,454 feet (443.2 m) tall, including its antenna
- The Empire State Building was the world's tallest building until the first tower of the World Trade Center was topped out in 1970; following the September 11 attacks in 2001, the Empire State Building was New York City's tallest building until it was surpassed in 2012 by One World Trade Center
4. Hollywood Sign, Los Angeles, California, United States
Best time to visit: March-May, Sept-Nov
- The Hollywood Sign is an American landmark and cultural icon overlooking Hollywood, Los Angeles
- It was originally erected in 1923 as a temporary advertisement for a local real estate development, but due to increasing recognition, the sign was left up
- Among the best-known landmarks in both California and the United States, the sign makes frequent appearances in popular culture, particularly in establishing shots for films and television programs set in or around Hollywood
Featured in The Best of California
5. Colosseum, Rome, Italy
Best time to visit: Jan-April, Oct-Dec
- The Colosseum is a monumental amphitheater located in the center of Rome
- The Colosseum was built as a demonstration of the power and grandeur of Rome, commissioned by Emperor Vespasian around AD 70-80
- It could accommodate tens of thousands of spectators, making it the largest amphitheater in the Roman world
- It was the venue for various public spectacles, including gladiatorial contests, animal hunts, mock naval battles, and was even a site for executions
- The Colosseum is an elliptical structure made primarily of stone and concrete, utilizing a complex system of vaults, which was innovative for its time
Featured in The Best of Italy
#11 in Best Landmarks in the World
6. East Side Gallery, Berlin, Germany
Best time to visit: May-Sept
- The East Side Gallery memorial in Berlin-Friedrichshain is a permanent open-air gallery on the longest surviving section of the Berlin Wall
- It consists of a series of murals painted directly on a 1,316 m (4,318 ft) long remnant of the Berlin Wall
- In the spring of 1990, after the opening of the Berlin Wall, this section was painted by 118 artists from 21 countries
- The artists commented on the political changes of 1989/90 in a good hundred paintings on the side of the Wall that was formerly facing East Berlin
- The gallery serves as a powerful symbol of the reunification of Germany and the end of the Cold War
Featured in The Best of Germany
7. Mount Fuji, Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, Japan
- Mount Fuji is an active stratovolcano that is the highest mountain in Japan, and seventh-highest peak of an island on Earth
- Mount Fuji last erupted from 1707 to 1708
- The mountain is visible from the Japanese capital on clear days - Mount Fuji's exceptionally symmetrical cone, which is covered in snow for about five months of the year, is commonly used as a cultural icon of Japan and is frequently depicted in art and photography, as well as visited by sightseers, hikers and mountain climbers
Featured in The Best of Japan
#15 in Best Landmarks in the World
8. Anne Frank House, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Best time to visit: April-May, Sept-Nov
- The Anne Frank House is a writer's house and biographical museum dedicated to Jewish wartime diarist Anne Frank
- The building is located on a canal called the Prinsengracht, in central Amsterdam
- During World War II, when the Netherlands was occupied by Germany, Anne Frank hid from Nazi persecution with her family and four other people in hidden rooms, in the rear building, of the 17th-century canal house, later known as the Secret Annex
- She did not survive the war but her wartime diary was published in 1947
- Ten years later the Anne Frank Foundation was established to protect the property from developers who wanted to demolish the block, and the museum was created
Featured in The Best of The Netherlands
9. Tower of London, England, United Kingdom
Best time to visit: March-May
- The Tower of London is a historic castle on the bank of the River Thames in central London, England
- It was founded toward the end of 1066 as part of the Norman Conquest
- The White Tower, which gives the entire castle its name, was built by William the Conqueror in 1078 and was initially a resented symbol of oppression, inflicted upon London by the new Norman ruling class
- The castle was also used as a prison from 1100 (Ranulf Flambard) until 1952 (Kray twins), although that was not its primary purpose
Featured in The Best of the United Kingdom
10. Las Vegas Strip, Nevada, United States
Best time to visit: March-May, Sept-Nov
- The Las Vegas Strip is a stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard in Clark County, known for its concentration of resort hotels and casinos
- Many of the largest hotel, casino, and resort properties in the world are on the Strip
- Its hotels, casinos, restaurants, residential high-rises, entertainment offerings, and skyline have established the Strip as one of the most popular and iconic tourist destinations in the world
Featured in The Best of Nevada
#39 in Best Attractions in the USA
11. Neuschwanstein Castle, Hohenschwangau, Germany
- Neuschwanstein Castle is a 19th-century historicist palace on a rugged hill of the foothills of the Alps in the south of Germany
- Despite the main residence of the Bavarian monarchs at the time—the Munich Residenz—being one of the most extensive palace complexes in the world, King Ludwig II of Bavaria felt the need to escape from the constraints he saw himself exposed to in Munich, and commissioned Neuschwanstein Palace in the remote region as a retreat but also in honor of composer Richard Wagner, whom he greatly admired
- Construction began in 1869 but was never completed
- The castle was intended to serve as a private residence for the king but he died in 1886, and it was opened to the public shortly after his death
Featured in The Best of Germany
12. Statue of Liberty, New York City, New York, United States
Best time to visit: Jan-Dec
- The Statue of Liberty is a colossal neoclassical sculpture on Liberty Island in New York Harbor, within New York City
- The copper-clad statue, a gift to the United States from the people of France, was designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and its metal framework was built by Gustave Eiffel
- The statue is a figure of a classically draped woman, likely inspired by the Roman goddess of liberty Libertas
- She holds a torch above her head with her right hand, and in her left hand carries a tabula ansata inscribed JULY IV MDCCLXXVI (July 4, 1776, in Roman numerals), the date of the U.S. Declaration of Independence
- With her left foot she steps on a broken chain and shackle, commemorating the national abolition of slavery following the American Civil War
- After its dedication in 1886, the statue became an icon of freedom and of the United States, being subsequently seen as a symbol of welcome to immigrants arriving by sea
Featured in The Best of New York
#12 in Best Landmarks in the World
#47 in Best Attractions in the USA
13. Cayman Crystal Caves, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Best time to visit: March-June
- Cayman Crystal Caves is a natural attraction located in the North Side district of Grand Cayman, beneath a lush tropical rainforest
- The series of caves features geological formations, including stalactites and stalagmites, which have developed over millions of years
- Visitors can explore the caves through guided tours, which provide insights into the unique geology and ecology of the area
- The caves contain fossilized shells and various animal life
Featured in The Best of Cayman Islands
14. Louvre, Paris, France
Best time to visit: June-Oct
- The Louvre is a national art museum located in Paris, renowned as one of the most famous and visited museums in the world
- Originally built as a fortress in the 12th century by King Philip II, it was transformed into a royal palace and later became a public museum during the French Revolution
- The Louvre houses a large collection of art and historical artifacts, totaling nearly 35,000 objects that span over 10,000 years of history
- Notable works include the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo
- As the world's largest museum, it offers a vast array of exhibits and is a central landmark in Paris
Featured in The Best of France
15. Matterhorn, Valais, Switzerland
- The Matterhorn is a mountain of the Alps, straddling the border between Italy and Switzerland
- It is renowned for its distinctive pyramid shape and is one of the most iconic peaks in the world
- The mountain was formed millions of years ago through geological processes involving the collision of land masses
- The first successful ascent of the Matterhorn was achieved in 1865, and it remains a popular destination for climbers, though it presents significant challenges
Featured in The Best of Switzerland
16. Times Square, New York City, New York, United States
Best time to visit: Jan-Dec
- Times Square is a major commercial intersection, tourist destination, entertainment hub, and neighborhood in the Manhattan section of New York City
- Times Square is brightly lit by numerous digital billboards and advertisements as well as businesses offering 24/7 service
- One of the world's busiest pedestrian areas, it is also the hub of the Broadway Theater District and a major center of the world's entertainment industry
Featured in The Best of New York
#17 in Best Attractions in the USA
17. Buckingham Palace, London, England, United Kingdom
Best time to visit: March-May
- Buckingham Palace is a royal residence in London, and the administrative headquarters of the monarch of the United Kingdom
- Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is often at the center of state occasions and royal hospitality
- It has been a focal point for the British people at times of national rejoicing and mourning
- Originally known as Buckingham House, the building at the core of today's palace was a large townhouse built for the Duke of Buckingham in 1703 on a site that had been in private ownership for at least 150 years
Featured in The Best of the United Kingdom
18. Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy
- The Leaning Tower of Pisa is a freestanding bell tower located in Pisa, where it serves as a bell tower for the adjacent Pisa Cathedral
- The tower's construction began in 1173 and spanned nearly 200 years, completing in the 14th century
- The tower is famous for its unintended tilt, which is a result of unstable foundation soil. It leans at an angle of about 5.5 degrees due to settling and has undergone various stabilization efforts over the years
- The Leaning Tower is renowned for its Romanesque architectural style, characterized by its white and gray marble construction and intricate arcades
Featured in The Best of Italy
19. Milan Cathedral, Italy
Best time to visit: April-May, Sept-Oct
- Milan Cathedral, known as Duomo di Milano, is the cathedral church of Milan, dedicated to the Nativity of St. Mary
- It serves as the seat of the Archbishop of Milan and is located in the central square of the city
- The construction of the cathedral began in 1386 and took nearly six centuries to complete, with various architectural styles evolving throughout its development
- It is renowned for being one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in the world
- The Duomo is famous for having the most statues of any church in the world, with over 3,400 sculptures adorning its facade
Featured in The Best of Italy
20. British Museum, London, England, United Kingdom
Best time to visit: March-May
- The British Museum is a public museum dedicated to human history, art and culture located in London
- Its permanent collection of eight million works is the largest in the world
- It documents the story of human culture from its beginnings to the present
- Established in 1753, the British Museum was the first public national museum to cover all fields of knowledge
Featured in The Best of the United Kingdom
21. Disneyland, Anaheim, California, United States
Best time to visit: March-May, Sept-Oct
- Disneyland is a theme park at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, and was the first theme park opened by the Walt Disney Company
- It is the only theme park designed and constructed under the direct supervision of Walt Disney, which opened in 1955
- Disneyland Park consists of nine themed "lands" and a number of concealed backstage areas
- The themed lands are: Adventureland, Bayou Country, Fantasyland, Frontierland, Main Street, U.S.A., Mickey's Toontown, New Orleans Square, Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, and Tommorrowland
Featured in The Best of California
22. Vasa Museum, Stockholm, Sweden
Best time to visit: June-Aug
- The Vasa Museum is a prominent maritime museum located in Stockholm, on the island of Djurgården
- It is renowned for housing the Vasa, a 17th-century warship that famously sank on its maiden voyage in 1628
- The ship was salvaged in 1961 and is the only almost fully preserved ship from that era in the world
- The museum provides a rich historical context about life at sea, naval battles, and shipbuilding during the early 17th century through various exhibits and artifacts
Featured in The Best of Sweden
23. Gyeongbokgung, Seoul, South Korea
Best time to visit: March-May, Sept-Nov
- Gyeongbokgung was the main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty, built in 1395, and located in Seoul
- It continued to serve as the main palace of the Joseon dynasty until the premises were destroyed by fire during the Imjin War (1592–1598) and abandoned for two centuries
- In the 19th century, all of the palace's 7,700 rooms were restored under the leadership of Prince Regent Heungseon during the reign of King Gojong
- In the early 20th century, much of the palace was systematically destroyed by Imperial Japan during its occupation of Korea
- Since the 1990s, the walled palace complex is gradually being restored to its original form
- It also houses the National Palace Museum and the National Folk Museum within the premises of the complex
Featured in The Best of South Korea
24. Acropolis of Athens, Greece
Best time to visit: March-May, Sept-Nov
- The Acropolis of Athens is an ancient citadel located on a rocky outcrop above the city of Athens
- It contains the remains of several ancient buildings of great architectural and historical significance, the most famous being the Parthenon
- During ancient times the Acropolis of Athens was also more properly known as Cecropia, after the legendary serpent-man Cecrops, the supposed first Athenian king
Featured in The Best of Greece
25. Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida, United States
Best time to visit: March-May
- The Walt Disney World Resort is an entertainment resort complex located about 20 miles (32 km) southwest of Orlando
- Opened in 1971, the property covers nearly 25,000 acres (39 sq mi; 101 km2), of which half has been developed
- Walt Disney World contains numerous recreational facilities designed to attract visitors, including four theme parks, two water parks, four golf courses, conference centers, a competitive sports complex and a shopping, dining, and entertainment complex - Additionally, there are 19 Disney-owned resort hotels and one camping resort on the property
Featured in The Best of Florida
#12 in Best Attractions in the USA
26. Vatican Museums, Vatican City, Italy
- The Vatican Museums are a renowned collection of art and Christian museums located within Vatican City, which is an enclave in Rome
- Established in the early 16th century, these museums house an extensive collection amassed by the popes over the centuries
- The museums contain art, archaeology, and ethnographic collections, including works from the Renaissance and Baroque periods
- Among the highlights are the Sistine Chapel, known for Michelangelo's ceiling, and the Raphael Rooms, which feature frescoes by the artist Raphael
- The Vatican Museums comprise about 54 museums and galleries, totaling approximately 1,400 rooms
Featured in The Best of Italy
27. Musée d'Orsay, Paris, France
Best time to visit: June-Oct
- The Musée d'Orsay is a museum in Paris, housed in the former Gare d'Orsay, a Beaux-Arts railway station built between 1898 and 1900
- The museum holds mainly French art dating from 1848 to 1914, including paintings, sculptures, furniture, and photography
- It houses the largest collection of Impressionist and post-Impressionist masterpieces in the world, by painters including Berthe Morisot, Claude Monet, Édouard Manet, Degas, Renoir, Cézanne, Seurat, Sisley, Gauguin, and van Gogh
Featured in The Best of France
28. Sydney Opera House, Australia
Best time to visit: March-May, Sept-Nov
- The Sydney Opera House is a multi-venue performing arts center, located on the foreshore of Sydney Harbour
- It is widely regarded as one of the world's most famous and distinctive buildings and a masterpiece of 20th-century architecture
- The building also houses a recording studio, retail shops, cafes, restaurants, and bars
- Guided tours are available, including a frequent tour of the front-of-house spaces, and a daily backstage tour that takes visitors backstage to see areas normally reserved for performers and crew members
Featured in The Best of Australia
29. Pompeii, Naples, Italy
Best time to visit: March-April
- Pompeii was a city in what is now the municipality of Pompei, near Naples
- Along with Herculaneum, Stabiae, and many surrounding villas, the city was buried under 4 to 6 m (13 to 20 ft) of volcanic ash and pumice in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD
- Largely preserved under the ash, Pompeii offers a unique snapshot of Roman life, frozen at the moment it was buried
Featured in The Best of Italy
30. Meiji Shrine, Tokyo, Japan
Best time to visit: March-May, Sept-Nov
- Meiji Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Shibuya, Tokyo, that is dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shōken
- After the emperor's death in 1912, the Japanese Diet passed a resolution to commemorate his role in the Meiji Restoration
- The original building from 1920 was destroyed during the Tokyo air raids of World War II
- The present iteration of the shrine was funded through a public fund raising effort and completed in 1958
Featured in The Best of Japan
31. Niagara Falls, New York, United States
Best time to visit: June-Aug
- Niagara Falls is a city and park to the famous waterfall, which consists of three waterfalls: the American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Horseshoe Falls
- These falls mark the border between the United States and Canada
- Niagara Falls State Park is the oldest state park in the U.S., established in 1885
- The park offers views of the falls up close, hiking trails, and various attractions
- The area has a history that includes early settlements dating back to the 18th century
- Notable attractions include, Cave of the Winds, which is an experience that allows visitors to get very close to the falls; as well as, Goat Island, which is a small island that offers scenic views and access to various trails
Featured in The Best of New York
#25 in Best Attractions in the USA
32. ʻIolani Palace, Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii, United States
Best time to visit: mid-April-early June-Sept-mid-Dec
- The ʻIolani Palace was the royal residence of the rulers of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi beginning with Kamehameha III under the Kamehameha Dynasty (1845) and ending with Queen Liliʻuokalani (1893) under the Kalākaua Dynasty
- It is located in Honolulu, on the island of O'ahu
- After the monarchy was overthrown in 1893, the building was used as the capitol building for the Provisional Government, Republic, Territory, and State of Hawaiʻi until 1969
- ʻIolani Palace is the only royal palace on US soil
33. Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
Best time to visit: June-Aug
- Niagara Falls is a renowned group of three waterfalls located at the southern end of the Niagara Gorge, straddling the border between Ontario, Canada, and New York, USA
- The three waterfalls are: Horseshoe Falls (also known as the Canadian Falls), American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls
- Adjacent to these natural wonders is the city of Niagara Falls, Ontario, which is named after the falls
- The area around Niagara Falls offers such activities as boat tours, hiking trails, and viewing platforms that provide different perspectives of the falls
Featured in The Best of Ontario
34. Tokyo Disney Resort, Urayasu, Japan
Best time to visit: March-May, Sept-Nov
- Tokyo Disneyland is a theme park at the Tokyo Disney Resort in Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture, near Tokyo
- It was the first Disney park to be built outside the United States and it opened in 1983
- The park has seven themed areas: the World Bazaar, Adventureland, Westernland, Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, Critter Country and Toontown
- As of 2023, Tokyo Disneyland is the fourth-most visited theme park in the world and the second-most visited theme park in Asia
Featured in The Best of Japan
35. Central Park, New York City, New York, United States
Best time to visit: Jan-Dec
- Central Park is an urban park on Manhattan in New York City, and the first landscaped park in the United States
- It is the most visited urban park in the United States
- It is also one of the most filmed locations in the world
- The park's main attractions include the Ramble and Lake, Hallett Nature Sanctuary, the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, and Sheep Meadow; amusement attractions such as Wollman Rink, Central Park Carousel, and the Central Park Zoo; as well as, formal spaces such as the Central Park Mall and Bethesda Terrace; and the Delacorte Theater
Featured in The Best of New York
36. Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California, United States
Best time to visit: Sept-Nov
- The Golden Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Golden Gate, the one-mile-wide (1.6 km) strait connecting San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean
- It also carries pedestrian and bicycle traffic
- At the time of its opening in 1937, it was both the longest and the tallest suspension bridge in the world, titles it held until 1964 and 1998 respectively
- Recognized by the American Society of Civil Engineers as one of the Wonders of the Modern World, the bridge is one of the most internationally recognized symbols of San Francisco and California
Featured in The Best of California
#6 in Best Landmarks in the World
37. Fushimi Inari-taisha, Kyoto, Japan
Best time to visit: March-May, Sept-Nov
- Fushimi Inari-taisha is the head shrine of the kami Inari, located in Fushimi-ku, Kyoto
- The shrine sits at the base of a mountain, also named Inari, and includes trails up the mountain to many smaller shrines which span 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) and take approximately 2 hours to walk up
- Inari was originally and remains primarily the kami of rice and agriculture, but merchants also worship Inari as the patron of business
- Each of Fushimi Inari-taisha's roughly 10,000 torii were donated by a Japanese business, and approximately 800 of these are set in a row to form the Senbon Torii, creating the impression of a tunnel
Featured in The Best of Japan
38. Navy Pier, Chicago, Illinois, United States
Best time to visit: April-May, Sept-Oct
- Navy Pier is a 3,300-foot-long (1,010 m) pier on the shoreline of Lake Michigan, located in Chicago
- The Pier encompasses shops, restaurants, live theaters, family attractions, parks, gardens, and exhibition facilities
- Completed in 1916, it is one of the most visited attractions in the entire Midwest
- It is also home to Offshore, recognized as the world's largest rooftop venue, providing panoramic views of the skyline and lake
Featured in The Best of Illinois
#17 in Best Theme Parks in the USA