It’s hard to narrow down the most iconic places to visit as many famous landmarks and well-known tourist attractions exist. Still, selecting an ideal vacation spot can be a daunting task, given the vast array of captivating destinations available worldwide. To help with travel planning, we’ve narrowed down this list of some of the planet’s most amazing places. Use these suggestions to craft your ultimate travel bucket list. From scuba diving in the great barrier reef to throwing a coin into the Trevi Fountain, here are the most iconic and famous landmarks to visit in the world.
Famous Landmarks in the World
Trevi Fountain — Rome, Italy
Rome’s a city with no shortage of icons, and one of the most visited in the city is the Trevi Fountain. It’s been a landmark of the centuries, and the fountain’s origins span back to Roman times. The fountain’s facade tells this story and pertains to the Roman’s taming of the water to bring life to their cities. The original Roman aqueduct still supplies the fountain’s waters, so a visit feels like a step back in time and to the heart of Rome. We’ve visited the fountain several times, and the novelty is never lost. Legend has it that tossing a coin into the fountain will bring you back to the city. So many visitors do this that the city collects several thousand euros daily, which supplies food for those in need.
Eiffel Tower — Paris, France
The Eiffel Tower, or “La Dame de Fer,” is a true landmark of France, a bastion of Paris, and one of the most recognizable structures on earth. The lattice tower of iron was made for the 1889 World Fair in honor of the centennial of the French Revolution. While critical at first, the French have learned to love their icon, and it’s a must-visit for every traveler to Paris. While it’s not why we love Paris, we’ve never regretted visiting the Eiffel Tower. Its towering image lies over the city’s Champ de Mars, a huge greenspace in its heart. As you stand before, it will leave you in awe of its architectural brilliance. You can look at the tower, but we suggest ascending to the top to get a bird’s eye view of the city. You can take an elevator or take a deep breath and climb the 1,665 steps to the top.
Great Wall of China – China
The Great Wall of China is legendary thanks to its extraordinary size at 13,000 miles long. It’s a historically significant achievement of architecture and has a profound impact on the history of China. The wall was built over several centuries and used by various Chinese dynasties to control its borders, emigration, and trade. It should be no surprise that, like almost every one of the landmarks on the list, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The enormous monument elicits a strange feeling when you realize it was a place of suffering for many. Mass graves surround the walls, and some are present even inside the walls. Its formidable façade, long history, and tales of many battles make the Great Wall of China one of China’s most iconic places to visit. A walk along the wall is a must for any visitor to China and a challenge due to the steep steps.
Chichen Itza — Yucatan, Mexico
Chichen Itza is undeniably the most recognizable landmark of the ancient Mayan civilization. It’s a symbol of the Mayan civilization’s mathematical, astronomical, and architectural prowess. Its most iconic structure is the Kukulkan Pyramid, which aligns with the spring and autumn equinoxes. It’s widely celebrated worldwide and named one of the New Severn Wonders of the World. Due to its location in the Yucatan Peninsula, the site is easily accessible and a super popular tourist destination. It’s a two-hour drive from the popular resort city of Cancun, and we visited while staying in Tulum, another popular resort town. Visiting the huge site requires a full day to appreciate as the scale and intricate carvings are mesmerizing. Chichen Itza is an unforgettable experience!
Mont-Saint Michel — Normandy, France
Mont Saint-Michel is a medieval abbey that sits atop a rocky island just off the coast of Normandy. The image of the abbey looks like something straight out of a fairytale, and the dramatic scene has inspired numerous artists. It’s a marvel of Gothic architecture with its defensive walls, towering abbey, spires, and flying buttresses. The scene has become France’s second most iconic place behind the Eiffel Tower. When we visited Normandy in the Fall, we couldn’t make just one trip to the island as it was such a stunning scene. We returned three times a week, catching the abbey at different times of the day. Visitors can access the abbey via a long bridge from the mainland over the marshes that surround the island. A walk through its serene streets will stay with you forever. It’s one of our favorite sites on this list!
Taj Mahal – Agra, India
The Taj Mahal is arguably the world’s most beautiful symbol of love. This white marble mausoleum was built by the Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan, in 1631 to honor his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Its flawless symmetry, intricate carving, and mesmerizing grounds evoke awe and admiration. The Taj Mahal’s grandeur is wild as it took 22 years and nearly 20,000 workers to complete. It’s a magnificent sight, one of those destinations that lives up to the hype. Few places are as humbling or inspiring as the Taj Mahal, and we left fully understanding why it is so widely celebrated. It’s also the third of the New 7 Wonders of the World on this list. If you’re planning a visit, we highly suggest planning to arrive at sunrise.
The Colosseum – Rome, Italy
As far as famous landmarks go, it doesn’t get much more iconic than the Colosseum. It lies at the heart of Rome and is a testament to ancient Roman strength, ambition, and ingenuity. Emperor Vespasian built the amphitheater in 70 CE on the site of what was once Nero’s Golden House. Its location symbolized a shift from the private luxury of previous emperors to colossal public works. It remains an engineering feat as previous amphitheaters by Romans and Greeks were largely carved into the hillsides, but the Colosseum stands freely. It uses a complex system of groin vaults and could hold 50,000 spectators who game for gladiatorial combat. The magnificent structure was a place of atrocities that entertained the masses. As you enter the Colosseum, it’s easy to imagine the crowd’s roar as a man fights an animal, a prisoner is executed, or two gladiators fight to the death while the emperor watches. Undeniably, this is one of the top things to do in Rome.
Pyramids of Giza — Cairo, Egypt
The Pyramids of Giza are a true marvel from ancient times and one of the most famous landmarks in the world. They are the last of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World that remain, a remarkable feat considering they are over 4500 years old. The Great Pyramid was built for Pharaoh Khufu and is the largest and most iconic. It’s colossal at 146.6 meters tall, which made it the tallest human-made structure for 3,800 years! It’s estimated that it took 2.3 million stone blocks, which weigh a staggering 6 million tons together. The engineering feat has sparked a constant mystery and debate within the scientific and archeological community. That’s not even getting into the numerous conspiracy theories that swirl around their creation. Regardless, discoveries are still being uncovered to this day, making these pyramids one of our world’s most mystical ancient wonders. They’re easily accessible from Egypt’s capital city, Cairo, and operate as a gateway to the ancient Egyptian world. Egypt has so many incredible heritage sites that we can not recommend a trip here enough. A river cruise down the Nile has been one of the best adventures for travelers for over a century.
Machu Picchu – Peru
The Mayans weren’t the only great civilization in the New World, as the Incans had an equal amount of extraordinary sites and achievements. The civilization’s greatest landmark is Machu Picchu, a magnificent site that has drawn travelers for decades. It dates back to the 15th century and is a testament to Incan’s skill and knowledge. It’s perched at…
