What is the number one must-see destination on your bucket list? The world is full of amazing, awe-inspiring places. Many of them are not as popular as you might think, and some you may have never heard of before. After you see our list of 30 of the World’s Greatest Wonders, you’ll have lots of new places to add to your bucket list!
Niagra Falls
Three distinct waterfalls make up the iconic cascades of Niagara Falls. The falls can be seen from the U.S. and Canada. There are look-out points, cable cars, and a viewing platform behind the falls. Visitors can even take the “Maid of the Mist” tour boat to see the falls from the water below.
Terracotta Warriors
The first emperor of China died in 210 B.C.E. Art and treasures were buried with him, including an entire life-size army made of terracotta figurines. The figurines depict thousands of individual soldiers and hundreds of animals and other objects. The army guards the east of the tomb, which is located in Lintong District, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China.
Ngorongoro Crater
The Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania is a 102-square-mile extinct volcanic caldera located in the Great Rift Valley in the Serengeti region. It is part of several important geographic features and is home to a huge grassland that supports rare and diverse plants and animals.
Sagrada Familia
Antoni Gaudi designed one of the world’s most beautiful and impressive basilicas, the Sagrada Família in Barcelona, Spain. Beyond its religious significance, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Known for its imposing spires, dramatic columns, and fascinating façades, the Sagrada Família is truly a sight to behold.
Angkor Archaeological Park
Did you know that the largest archeological site in the world is in Cambodia? The Khmer civilization built the lost jungle city of Angkor around 1,000 years ago. The site has huge monuments and temples, including Angkor Wat, the most famous of these, which is best viewed at sunrise when the temple’s reflection can be clearly seen in the reflection pools.
Pompeii
Step back into the first century while visiting some of the world’s most significant Roman ruins. The city was destroyed almost 2,000 years ago by a volcano. The ash and mud that destroyed the city also preserved it. This gives us the chance to see much of what daily life was like for the Romans who lived there hundreds of years ago.
Petra
The ancient city of Petra is hand-carved from rose colored sandstone. It is considered one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Petra was once a capital city, a trade hub, and had an elaborate water collection and distribution system. Travellers come to see the Urn Tomb, the Roman period theatre, and the Treasury building.
Great Barrier Reef
Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is the largest living thing on the planet. It covers more than 100,000 square miles and can be seen from space! So, how can you see the Great Barrier Reef? Many people sail around the reef, or see it from an airplane above. Scuba diving is a great option for seeing the coral reefs, or try a glass-bottomed boat tour.
Taj Mahal
A premier example of Islamic architecture and India’s most famous monument is the Taj Mahal. It took more than two decades for the white marble building to be erected in the early 1600s. It was built as a symbol of the emperor’s love for his late wife.
The Grand Canyon
The greatest geological wonder of the U.S. is the Grand Canyon in Arizona. Water erosion created the mile-deep canyon over 70 million years. The erosion exposes stunning layers of multi colored rock and creates jaw-dropping views of incomparable vistas from the canyon’s rim.
Ha Long Bay
The world is full of scenic bays, all worth a visit, but none of them compares to Ha Long Bay in Vietnam. Ha Long Bay looks like a dreamscape or a magical world. The legendary bay has thousands of small islands and islets covered in lush vegetation set against a background of aquamarine water. You have to see it to believe it.
Great Wall of China
The Great Wall of China is more than 13,000 miles long, and its oldest section is more than 2,700 years old. Most of the wall is about 600 years old, dating back to the Ming Dynasty when it was last rebuilt. In all cases, it is an engineering marvel and a wonder that deserves to be on your bucket list.
Mount Kilimanjaro
The tallest mountain in Africa is Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro. It is so tall that it can be seen from as far away as Kenya’s capital. Climbing the mountain is possible if you are up for it, but the average outdoors enthusiast will enjoy simply seeing the sights on a camping trip and having a chance to sleep under the stars.
Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower was initially meant to be part of the 1889 World’s Fair, but it has endured to become one of the world’s most famous landmarks and an iconic symbol of Paris. It is one of the most photographed places on earth, and you likely won’t be able to resist taking your own selfie when you visit.
Stonehenge
Everyone has heard of Stonehenge, the megalithic circular structure on Salisbury Plain in England. However, seeing pictures and documentaries doesn’t compare to seeing these massive stone pillars in person. Stonehenge is known for its unique aura and ambiance, and that too must be experienced firsthand.
Aurora Borealis
The Aurora Borealis, also called the Northern Lights, is a solar phenomenon that creates a colorful light show in the night sky in the far northern hemisphere. In some years, these colorful paint strokes of nature can be seen lower on the globe, but for the best views, Iceland, Sweden, Norway, and Alaska are prime destinations.
Lake Titicaca
Nestled high above sea level in the valley of the Andes is the world’s highest navigable lake, Lake Titicaca. Located on the border of Peru and Bolivia, the lake attracts visitors with its breathtaking blue waters and scenic backdrop.
Victoria Falls
The Victoria Falls are found on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe. You can get great views of these falls from local bridges and trails. However, it is exciting to see the falls from a plane above or go white water rafting at their foot for a completely different view.
Easter Island
Chile’s Easter Island in the Pacific Ocean is home to huge stone moai. These statues are between 500 and 1,000 years old, and some are still only partially finished. The Father Sebastian Englert Anthropological Museum, located nearby, is a wonderful place to learn more about the cultures that have inhabited the island.
Venice
Venice is a dreamy destination that captivates the imagination. The city built on water, with canals as streets, is a place long associated with love and romance. When you are in Venice, you are obligated to go on an iconic gondola ride and sample their outstanding, world-renowned cuisine.
Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming is located on a supervolcano. The Yellowstone caldera is still active, and the area has unique geothermal features. The most popular features that visitors come to see are Old Faithful Geyser, Mammoth Hot Springs, and Grand Prismatic Springs.
Colosseum
Rome’s Colosseum was completed in the first century, around the same time Pompeii was destroyed. The Colosseum was the state-of-the-art, world-class sporting and entertainment venue of its day. It has stood the test of time as its ruins still proudly stand today, almost two millennia later.
Burj Khalifa
A modern architectural wonder, Burj Khalifa dwarfs Dubai’s skyline and calls out as a beacon to travellers everywhere. The building has a hotel, residential suites, observation decks, pools, gyms, offices, restaurants, and more. If you aren’t staying there, you can still get tickets to tour the building.
Plitvice Lakes National Park
One of Croatia’s most beautiful parks is Plitvice Lakes National Park. Gorgeous blue lakes and awe-inspiring waterfalls are hidden in lush vegetation. You will be thrilled with the diversity of plants and animals in this park, as well as the spectacular scenery.
Cliffs of Moher
Europe’s highest and most spectacular cliffs are the Cliffs of Moher, in County Clare, Ireland. The cliffs are incredibly steep, water-carved rock that can be as high as 700 feet in some places. Standing atop the cliffs gives you a full view of the Atlantic Ocean as far as the eye can see, and waves crashing all around you.
Geirangerfjord
Norway has a fantastic landscape filled with natural beauty. One of the most scenic places in the country is Geirangerfjord. Snuggled into the hills of western Norway, this small village sits at the edge of a fjord and is blessed with rivers, lakes, waterfalls, and beautiful mountains all around.
Chichen Itza
In the 6th century C.E., the Mayans built Chichen Itza in Yucatan, Mexico. It is one of the most significant archeological sites in the Americas. Visitors who tour the area will see the Warriors’ Temple, the Observatory called El Caracol, and many other artifacts.
Patagonia
Patagonia, in Argentina and Chile, is famous for its three sharp mountainous peaks that rise 6,000 feet above sea level. The Torres del Paine are more than 12 million years old and are the centerpiece of the Patagonian region, which is filled with glaciers, ancient forests, and diverse wildlife.
The Acropolis
For thousands of years, the Acropolis has been perched above the city of Athens. It is a powerful view of the ancient world, still a part of our world today. It is a testament to architecture and building. The Acropolis belongs on everyone’s bucket list.
Neuschwanstein Castle
Neuschwanstein Castle in the Bavarian Alps is quite literally the stuff that fairytales are made of. This castle sits perched high atop the mountains with clouds dancing around it. The castle was commissioned by King Ludwig II but was never finished. !4 of the rooms are open for visitors on guided tours only.
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