If you are often unable to decide where to spend your vacations, the following list of 15 of the world’s best tourist attractions will make your choice even harder. Each of these attractions is a marvel and some are as old as the concept of tourism itself. It’s hard to prefer one over the other when everything on offer is this enticing!
So here goes our pick of the top 15 best tourist attractions of the world. Some are manmade while others natural, all in different parts of the world, giving you a reason to pack your bags and book your flights every year at vacation time.
1. Machu Picchu, Peru
Machu Picchu is a glorious symbol of the ancient Inca Civilization in Peru. It is a citadel built in the 15th century atop a mountain ridge and was once used as a royal estate. After being abandoned at the time of the Spanish Conquest, the marvelous structure remained more or less in oblivion till 1911 when an American historian discovered it and made it known to the world.
As of now, Machu Picchu could soon enter the list of World Heritage Sites in Danger because of the fragile state of the ruins and the natural disasters the area is prone to. So visit the undisputable wonder of history before it is no longer open to visitors!
2. Great Pyramid of Giza, Egypt
If ancient history excites you, you cannot ignore to visit the pyramids at least once in your life. It’s fascinating how humans, without the aid of modern engineering, could have built a 481 feet tall structure in the 26th century BC that remains largely intact to date.
The Great Pyramid of Giza was not just a work of unfathomable brilliance for its own times but occupied the position of the world’s tallest building for a good 3800 years.
Egypt is brimming with some of the world’s most jaw-dropping historical mysteries. So go there, enjoy the pyramids and a whole lot more that this ancient country has to offer.
3. Mount Fuji, Japan
Create a Japan postcard of your own in front of the snowcapped peak of Mount Fuji. This is an active volcano and had last erupted sometime in the years 1707-1708. The views and feel of the place are nothing like you would ever have seen or felt before.
Given Japan’s ultra-reliable and fast public transport system, Mount Fuji is easy to visit from Tokyo at a distance of 100 km. You can even see the peak from the city on a clear day.
4. Great Wall at Mutianyu, China
If you wanted to hike through the entirety of the Great Wall of China, it will take you 18 months of non-stop walking to cover the entire length. And when you think that this humungous structure was built in the 7th century BC with no major machines to assist human effort, you begin to seriously respect and marvel at human abilities.
Even though the Great Wall cannot really be seen from the moon, what’s the harm in believing in the fancy just to realize how enormous the structure really is?
5. Eiffel Tower, Paris
Nobody can keep count on the number of couples that must have confessed their love in front of this magnificent structure since it was built in 1889. Constructed with an aim of giving the World Fair of 1889 a grand entrance, the monument has since become a symbol of romance, elegance and structural brilliance. At the time it was the tallest edifice ever built.
Going to the Eiffel Tower is even more attractive for the cultural experience than for watching the tower and getting the classical photo shot there. There are some amazing restaurants to eat within the tower and a potpourri of different kinds of people from around the world to watch.
6. Burj Khalifa, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
After all the talk of history and the wonders that testify its glory, here is one modern attraction that beckons all contemporary architecture fanatics. The Burj Khalifa is also very popular among those who have a penchant for luxury and all the good things modern living has to offer in its most glamorous forms.
It is the tallest building in the world in the present day and has a variety of offices, the Armani Hotel, and restaurants inside it. Going inside the tower on to the observation deck is a fabulous experience – the super-fast elevator and the view of the entire city below make it worth the price of the ticket.
7. Times Square, New York
You have to experience an evening in Times Square to find out what makes it so coveted a destination among travelers and locals alike. The vibrancy, the life, the American spirit – all come together to give you an experience seemingly tailor-made for you. Whether you want to enjoy a Broadway Show in its most authentic form, pose with your favorite cartoon character or see a free TV Show Screening, Times Square has it all to amuse you.
The destination celebrates the ‘big city, bright lights’ paradigm in a way that none other in the world can match up to. It’s certainly a must-visit!
8. Disneyland Resort, Anaheim, California
If you have ever loved cartoons and their worlds, you are never too old to get an exhilarating high from a visit to Disneyland. Everything in the theme park is so perfectly created to resemble the world of iconic cartoons that you really feel like a part of the stories you love.
Disneyland Resort comprises not one but two theme parks, three hotels and a fantastic entertainment arcade called Downtown Disney where you can shop authentic Disney souvenirs, savor delightful cuisines and enjoy multiple other entertainment options.
9. Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando
Walt Disney World came into being in the 1960s a few years after Disneyland but it has its own unique set of features and offers an experience completely different yet equally enthralling as its predecessor.
The only thing better than enjoying your favorite fairytales come to life is doing so while splashing around in world-class water rides – Disney World, Orlando lets you do just that through its two huge water parks.
The complex has twenty-seven resorts with distinct themes – if you book early you can choose a theme you most love, and immerse yourself in the magical universe for a few days. In addition, there are seven non-Disney hotels and a camping resort to further add to the variety of accommodation options.
If you are any bit of a shopper, you will love the outdoor shopping center called Disney Springs at the complex.
10. Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
Mount Kilimanjaro is a marvel of nature with three volcanic cones, each dormant. The cliff is very popular among mountaineers, and also for a moderate trekking experience in parts for leisure trekkers.
The Kilimanjaro National Park is an unmissable experience for all the pristine natural sights it has to offer. It is a confluence of mountains, forests, and a huge variety of flora and fauna.
11. Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro
If you are a religious Christian, watching the grandest statue of Christ in the world will be an enchanting experience for you; if you are not, the majestic work of art atop a mountain in the middle of a national park by the mesmerizing Guanabara Bay will be a most unique and enjoyable experience. It has rightfully made its place among the ‘New Seven Wonders of the World’.
Going to the Eiffel Tower is even more attractive for the cultural experience than for watching the tower and getting the classical photo shot there. There are some amazing restaurants to eat within the tower and a potpourri of different kinds of people from around the world to watch.
12. Goa, India
Goa is India’s hottest beach destination. It has a unique character that you can’t find anywhere else in any of the world’s beach cities. Goa is a mix of various cultures owing to its colonial legacy and the results are just fantastic. You can experience ethnic Indian cuisine mixed with some Portuguese influence and evolving into something unforgettable.
Some Goan beaches are as serene as can be and others are super-happening party spots with beachside bars and clubs. You can get just what you want from your beach vacation in Goa.
Egypt is brimming with some of the world’s most jaw-dropping historical mysteries. So go there, enjoy the pyramids and a whole lot more that this ancient country has to offer.
13. Taj Mahal, Agra, India
The first look at the Taj Mahal astounds you with its unparalleled beauty. It is a monument representative of India’s prosperity and brilliance in art and architecture in the 17th century. Besides, owing to being commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Jahangir for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj sends across a powerful vibe of love and devotion.
Besides the ivory marvel and the breathtakingly intricate carvings in it, you will be amazed by the motifs that adorn the walls of the mausoleum.
14. Niagara Falls, New York and Ontario, Canada
Niagara Falls is a collection of three waterfalls beautifully joining international borders. One of the falls called Horseshoe Falls is on the border of US and Canada, while the other two lie fully within the United States. Among these, the Horseshoe Fall is the most powerful one.
The sound of the ferociously falling water and the gentle shower of droplets you feel in the air around are worth travel thousands of miles for!
15. Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
Galapagos Islands are home to the largest tortoises in the world called the Galapagos tortoise. These creatures form a magnificent sight even for those who might not be particularly enthusiastic about wildlife.
Lying on either side of the equator, these islands have an extremely unique ecosystem. Tourism to this part of the world entails many surprises even for a seasoned traveler. If divinity had an earthly form, it would be a dive in the waters around the Galapagos Islands!
