“Well, we’ll arrive. Well, let's take a swim. Well, let's have a cocktail. So, what is next? What do we do?" Sound familiar? If yes, congratulations, you are one of those very type of people who can’t sit still. Well, if, moreover, limp reclining in sun loungers inspires you as little as strong-willed surfing, then you are one of the small but elite class of aesthetes, greedy for art and architecture.
Admit it, you simply cannot look at Dali’s creations without trembling in your knees, the Acropolis puts you in a state close to prayerful ecstasy, and the streets of old Prague practically drive you crazy. Congratulations, you are an “excursion-oriented, ordinary tourist.”
The whole point of excursion tourism is that it calmly coexists with a beach holiday, and with a ski holiday, as well as with any other. One does not exclude the other; rather, it complements the other.
However, there are entire tours dedicated to sightseeing of cities and capitals, antiquities and natural wonders of all five continents. Such trips are usually chosen by individuals married to art or simply greedy for it in a good way, and people who want to see the world on vacation, and not just a couple of heavenly, but completely identical atolls.
But, in order to be as honest with yourself as possible, it is still necessary to say that a “naked” excursion will not give you much pleasure - all that will remain in your head is a chaotic cocktail of porticos and rotundas, dozens of museum halls and thousand-year-old ruins.
When choosing a program, do not chase the number of attractions - in the end, you will go on a trip again. Choose a moderate pace - sprinkle excursions richly with rest, and get the most vivid and fresh impressions.
Holiday destinations
Classic: Europe. The main blow of the excursion element usually falls on Mother Europe with its Czech Republic, France, Greece, Italy, Spain, and other ancient-medieval joys. Tours in Europe, which, as we know, is not so big, often cover more than one country. Sometimes tours include visits to world-famous attractions - such as, for example, Versailles in France, the Colosseum in Italy, the Acropolis in Greece. Sometimes excursions are conducted exclusively to little-known places, sometimes highly specialized tours are organized, for example, on Baroque architecture or a temple structure.
Ancient civilizations. Second in the popularity ranking are countries that grew up on the ruins of ancient civilizations - Egypt, India, China, Chile, Peru, Mexico. Obviously, such tours take second place not in terms of tourist interest, but in terms of remoteness, expressed not so much in geographical terms as in monetary terms. Ancient civilizations with monuments that take us back not even centuries, but millennia, are surprisingly mysterious and therefore alluring. The further into the dust of time, the more secrets to which, as we know, no one can remain indifferent.
Exotica and ecology. Ancient civilizations are followed by countries with exotic landscapes and landscapes - the Australian Great Barrier Reef, lakes of the USA, waterfalls of Nigeria, the fantastic nature of the Galapagos. This is all really unusual. Amazing. Almost impossible.
Way of life. Next come countries with an unusual way of life - that is, any place on the planet whose existence differs from our multi-story panel existence. Tunisian Berbers living in caves, Arab countries with their unconditional and fascinating adherence to the laws of the Koran, Japanese culture and the culture of the American Indians. For a civilized person, which, obviously, is the entire excursion-amateur tribe, such differences cause only admiration - at least from the understanding of how diverse the life of people on this planet can be.
Excursion Russia. Well, our native Russia closes the top five leading destinations. The expanses of our country are enormous: 9 climatic zones and the same number of time zones, mountain ranges, hills, deep rivers, dozens and hundreds of natural wonders - Avacha Bay, Kungur Ice Cave, Krasnoyarsk Pillars, Uzon Caldera... it is perhaps impossible to list everything. And then, there is also the magnificent architecture of our cities - Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kazan, the luxury of folk crafts - Suzdal, Semenov, Gus-Khrustalny. Russia is inexhaustible, great and magnificent, and, in addition, compared to all of the above, it is quite inexpensive.
Tourists annually: 9–10 million
The Great Wall of China sounds simple and at the same time powerful. The 8,851.9 km long structure stretches across China, and its most impressive section, Badaling, is located 75 km from Beijing. Most of the wall has survived to this day, although it was built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), and the beginning of the construction of individual sections dates back to 770 BC. Such a large-scale construction was possible thanks to the labor of millions of slaves and prisoners of war, on whose backs granite blocks, stones and bricks were delivered to the tops of the highest cliffs.
2. Colosseum, Rome
Tourists annually: 6.9 million
When completed in 80 AD, the Colosseum's arena accommodated 50,000 spectators who gathered to watch various theatrical performances (mythological dramas), reenactments of land and sea battles, as well as executions and gladiator fights. In 2010, underground floors were opened to tourists, where gladiators waited to enter the mortal match. From the upper floors of the Colosseum a picturesque panorama of the Eternal City opens.
3. Roman Forum, Rome
Tourists annually: 5.1 million
The Roman Forum remained the city's social center for 1,200 years, from the fifth century BC. This square contained commercial buildings and the main government institutions of Rome. The ruins of temples, columns and ancient frescoes take us back two thousand years and remind us of the former greatness of the city.
4. Terracotta Army, Xi'an, China
Tourists annually: 3.6–4.5 million
The Terracotta Army was discovered in 1974. This sculptural composition consists of more than 8 thousand statues of warriors, made of clay in full size: generals, infantry, cavalry, archers, chariots, and more than 400 horses. Each with unique facial features, hairstyle, and clothing elements, which makes the sculptures even more convincing. The statues were buried with Emperor Qin Shi Huang, becoming part of the majestic acropolis. It is believed that some of the warriors have not yet been excavated, since excavations were stopped until a way was invented to protect the paints with which the statues were painted from fading in the open air.
5. Pyramids of Giza, Egypt
Tourists annually: 4 million
Created 4.5 thousand years ago, the pyramids are still considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World and a symbol of Egypt. We still don't know exactly how the ancient Egyptians were able to build them, which adds to the intrigue and even greater attraction for tourists. Three huge sarcophagi for the pharaohs are located 25 kilometers from the center of Cairo, a city with a population of 11 million.
6. Pompeii, Italy
Tourists annually: 2.5 million
When visiting Pompeii, walking along its ancient stone streets, you can imagine how people lived in the Roman Empire in the 1st century AD. Coastal city in 79 AD was completely covered with ash and pumice during the sudden eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Under the layer of ash, people, animals, houses were imprinted, creating a kind of frozen cast of the life of the ancient city.
7. Acropolis, Athens
Tourists annually: 2 million
The Acropolis is located on one of the hills of Athens and is crowned at the top by the Parthenon - a temple to the goddess Athena, a unique symbol of classical Greece and the origins of democracy. Built in the 5th century BC, the Parthenon has lost much of its decoration, and the marble sculptures that adorned it have "mysteriously" appeared in European museums (there are still unsuccessful negotiations for their return to Greece).
8. Ephesus, Türkiye
Tourists annually: 2 million
Just 30 years ago, Ephesus was an almost completely abandoned Roman ruin in a sparsely populated area of Turkey. But now, thanks to this attraction, the local economy has begun to develop dramatically. The ancient library and other buildings were restored, recreating the atmosphere of a big city from the beginning of our era, and in the amphitheater, with a capacity of 25 thousand people, theatrical performances based on ancient dramas are held.
9. Teotihuacan, Mexico
Tourists annually: 1.9 million
Pyramid-shaped terraces dedicated to the Sun and Moon dominated the ancient square of the sacred city, built between the first and seventh centuries AD. With base sides measuring more than 200 meters and a height of 64.5 meters, the Pyramid of the Sun is considered the third largest pyramid in the world. At the same time, the Pyramid of the Feathered Serpent (Quetzalcoatl) has a brighter decorative finish: with unique sculptures and bas-reliefs.
10. Hieropolis, Türkiye
Tourists annually: 1.6 million
The dazzling white terraces of Pamukkale's hot spring pools have attracted people's attention to this place for more than two thousand years. Therefore, it is not surprising that the ancient Greco-Roman city of Hieropolis was built here. Carved out of travertine in 190 BC, this "spa town" has temple ruins, a well-preserved amphitheater and a Sacred Pool where you can swim among ancient Roman columns.
11. Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico
Tourists annually: 1.4 million
The stepped terraces of the Pyramid of Kukulcan, called El Castillo or the Castle by the Spanish, overlook the ancient city surrounded by tropical jungle. The Mayans began building the city in the seventh century AD, and then, three centuries later, it was captured by the Toltec tribes. A huge balustrade with the feathered head of a snake - the deity Kukulkan - borders the stairs leading to the top of the pyramid.
12. Ellora, India
Tourists annually: 1.2 million
34 temples, monasteries honoring Buddha and Hindu gods, and numerous caves were carved into the basalt rock between 600 and 1000 AD. The solid stone buildings and the passages between them are decorated with thousands of different intricate bas-reliefs and sculptures.
13. Hadrian's Wall, England
Tourists annually: 1.2 million
When the Roman army failed to defeat the "barbarians" in northern Britain, Emperor Hadrian in 122 AD. ordered the construction of a stone wall slightly south of the modern border between England and Scotland, which remains to this day. Today, Hadrian's Wall has become a source of pride among the "barbarian" Scots, praising their invincible spirit. The popular Path National Trail runs along the 117 km long fortification.
14. Roman Baths, Bath, England
Tourists annually: 1.1 million
The Celts were the first to declare these springs sacred and dedicated them to their goddess Sulis. Then, in 43 AD, the Romans came and renamed Sulis after their goddess Minerva and built a spa town with the Latin name Aquae Sulis, with baths and a temple to Sulis-Minerva. Later the city was renamed Bath (from the English Bath - bathhouse), and in the 18th century public buildings were built in the neoclassical style.
15. Longmen, China
Tourists annually: 1.1 million
A complex of Buddhist cave temples from the 5th to 9th centuries, with many Buddha and Bodhisattva statues carved into 1,350 caves and 750 niches, is located along the limestone bank of the Yihe River. Some of the statues, of which there are more than 110 thousand, are more than 7 meters high. One of the caves even displays numerous medical recipes.
16. Stonehenge, England
Tourists annually: 1.1 million
People interpret the meaning of the mysterious megaliths, displayed in a circle more than 6 thousand years ago, as they wish. Perhaps they had some astronomical significance or were part of Druid rituals. Now it is a place of pilgrimage for neo-pagans, feminists (associating Stonehenge with the times of matriarchy), fans of aliens and science fiction. Especially many people visit this attraction, located 100 kilometers from London, on the day of the summer solstice.
17. Tulum, Yucatan, Mexico
Tourists annually: 1.1 million
This famous Mayan city, surrounded by a wall on the north, west and south sides, and facing the shores of the Caribbean Sea on the east, reached its power in the 1200s AD. The temples, walls, murals and carvings of the city of Tulum (originally Zama, meaning “sunrise”) have withstood salty sea winds and hurricanes for centuries and have lost much of the features found in other Mayan ruins. However, Tulum is popular among tourists due to its accessible and convenient location.
18. Machu Picchu, Peru
Tourists annually: 1 million
To get to Machu Picchu, you can take train tickets or go on foot, as the ancient Incas did, along a path leading to a 2450-meter mountain ridge overlooking the Urubamba River. Many people dream of visiting Machu Picchu, because this city looks older than it actually is; its construction began relatively recently - around 1400 AD. So many people come here that they are considering limiting the number of visitors to 2,500 people per day or 912,500 per year.
19. Canyon de Chey, Arizona
Tourists annually: 828.1 thousand.
Native Americans have lived around Red Rock Canyon for more than 5,000 years, and 800 years ago they built their homes at the bottom of the rocks. The Canyon de Cheys Wilderness Area is located within the Navajo Nation reservation, so visiting the monument is only possible with a tribal guide. The exception is the White House Ruins tourist route. The name of the canyon comes from its Indian name Tséyi’, which meant “canyon”; they pronounced the word “say-ee,” but it sounded like “de-shey.”
20. Angkor Wat, Angkor Archaeological Park, Cambodia
Tourists annually: 804.7 thousand.
Originally the Angkor Wat temple, built between the 9th and 15th centuries AD. during the formation of the Khmer Empire, it was dedicated to various Hindu gods. Although Angkor Wat eventually became a pilgrimage site for Buddhists, the temple's architecture still reflects significant Indian heritage from those times.
21. Masada, Masada National Park, Israel
Tourists annually: 786 thousand.
At the end of the first century BC. King of Judea Herod I the Great built a luxurious three-level palace on the top of a mountain plateau stretching over the desert at an altitude of 400 meters. Roman mosaics, wall paintings, water collection tanks, baths and military barracks have been preserved quite well due to the dry climate and the sufficient remoteness of the fortress. The story goes that this fortress remained the last stronghold for survivors of the Great Jewish Revolt in 66 AD, and it was only five years later that Roman legionaries managed to capture the defenders.
22. Mogao Grottoes (Cave of a Thousand Buddhas), Dunhuang, China
Tourists annually: 750 thousand.
At the crossroads of the Great Silk Road, Buddhist monks carved out 492 caves and more than 2,000 sculptures decorated with clay and paint. For thousands of years (from 6 to 16 centuries ago), monks created frescoes on 45 thousand m² of the walls of these caves, striking both in their scale and beauty. The murals reflect pictures of Buddhism, local history and the daily life of the region's inhabitants.
23. Knossos, Crete, Greece
Tourists annually: 705.3 thousand.
There is an opinion that the ruins of this Minoan city, built during the Bronze Age, are the lost Atlantis, information about which has come to us from Plato’s descriptions. It is believed that Knossos was destroyed by a volcanic eruption on the island of Santorini that occurred around 1500 BC. The only thing that has survived to this day and has been restored is the so-called Palace of Minos, where frescoes with images of dolphins, fish, griffins and people of that era have been preserved.
24. Petra, Jordan
Tourists annually: 629.8 thousand.
The ancient city was created by the Arab Nabataean people. Along the narrow gorge there are temples and monuments skillfully carved from stone, the majestic Temple-Mausoleum of El Khazneh and more than 500 more tombs. A thousand years ago, this once prosperous city was located at the crossroads of trade routes that brought incense, spices and silk; thanks to this, the cultural influence of other ancient civilizations is noticeable here: the Romans, Greeks, Arabs, Egyptians and Phoenicians.
25. Montezuma Castle, Arizona
Tourists annually: 573.7 thousand.
The name of this place can be misleading: after all, this building is not a castle at all and has nothing to do with the Aztecs and their ruler. The building, consisting of 20 cave rooms in a steep cliff at an altitude of 20 meters, was created by the Pueblo Indians (Anasazi culture) 800 years ago. Small T-shaped entrance openings retained heat in the home and protected from the wind. This is one of the best preserved ancient rock settlements of the American Indians.
26. Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado
Tourists annually: 572.3 thousand.
The cliff dwellings of the Anasazi Indians (ancestors of modern Pueblos) were built from sandstone cemented with mud between the 6th and 12th centuries AD, becoming one of the largest and best-preserved ancient settlements in North America. The walls, plastered in red, brown and white, bear images of people, animals, handprints and various geometric patterns. Perhaps the colors had some kind of generic meaning.
27. Mira (St. Nicholas Church), Antalya, Türkiye
Tourists annually: 544.8 thousand.
The Lycian tombs, with their square columns and house-like appearance, were carved into limestone cliffs in the 4th century BC. They rise above a well-preserved Roman amphitheater with a double vaulted corridor. However, this ancient city is now better known for its restored 9th-11th century church, which bears the name of a local saint who did good to people, St. Nicholas (now better known as Santa Claus).
28. Pergamon (Bergama), Izmir, Türkiye
Tourists annually: 536 thousand.
Izmir is now the closest major city to Pergamum, the ancient Hellenic cultural center with an acropolis rising 250 meters above the valley, marble temples to Athena and Troyan, a Greek amphitheater and a library with 200 thousand manuscripts found in it. In the 2nd century AD in this valley, Galen, one of the most famous doctors of antiquity, opened the largest medical center, based at the Asklepion temple.
29. Troy, Canakkale, Türkiye
Tourists annually: 515.9 thousand.
Troy was immortalized in Homer's Iliad, which tells of a disaster that befell the city around 1183 BC. Until the 19th century, the location of Troy was unknown. Now tourists come here to see the 10-meter Trojan horse with windows and preserved sections of the city walls, reminiscent of the heroic fate of Troy.
30. Delphi, Greece
Tourists annually: 500 thousand.
The site of the construction of majestic temples, created among the mountains back in the Neolithic period 6 thousand years ago, was considered by the ancient Greeks to be the center or “navel” of the whole world. A temple to Apollo, Athena and other gods, as well as stone terraces and rest houses for parishioners, were erected here. The famous Oracle reached its greatest influence between the 6th and 4th centuries BC.
31. Gaochang, Xinjiang, China
Tourists annually: 500 thousand.
An oasis city located on the Silk Road between the Fire Mountains and the Taklamakan Desert, from the 1st century BC. was a Western Chinese cultural, economic and political center until the 14th century. Work on the reconstruction of buildings in Gaochang, created in the image of the city of Xi'an, once the largest city in the world, is still underway.
32. Ajanta, India
Tourists annually: 416 thousand.
Using only hammers and chisels, it took Buddhist monks between 15 and 21 centuries to create 30 caves, each with separate interiors and openings that offered views of the gorge and river. The monasteries are decorated with paintings and stone sculptures of Buddha and bodhisattvas. Examples of magnificent works of art reveal about the lifestyle of Indians in those distant times.
33. Coba, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Tourists annually: 400.6 thousand.
This 2,000-year-old Mayan city, home to the tallest pyramid in the Yucatan Peninsula, was the center for 46 sacbes, or “white roads,” connecting different parts of the mesostate, built of rubble, pebbles and limestone. Coba is surrounded by five sinkholes filled with water (cenotes) and impenetrable tropical jungle.
34. Perge (Perga), Antalya, Türkiye
Tourists annually: 399.8 thousand.
The ruins of Perge are now surrounded by fields and countryside near Antalya, but two thousand years ago it was a thriving Roman city. Alexander the Great passed through these places with his army, then the Romans came and built baths, fountains, a 60-meter agora (a market square in ancient cities), an amphitheater for 12 thousand spectators and a boulevard with a colonnade. The site is also known for its unusual stone gate towers, built in a combination of Greek and Roman styles, and for the fact that the Apostle Paul preached here.
35. Herculaneum, Italy
Tourists annually: 320.5 thousand.
Covered in ash after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, this town is even better preserved than nearby Pompeii. Here a dramatic picture of the last minutes of the life of the ancient Roman city opens up, with its public baths, warehouses and living quarters, luxurious villas, hidden for many years under a 20-meter layer of volcanic rock.
Places where every cultured person dreams of visiting. Experts from the world's largest travel website have compiled a ranking of 25 cultural sites that were most highly rated by tourists from around the globe. In general, if you have not yet decided on your plans for the next 25 vacations.
Machu Picchu, Peru
Machu Picchu, recognized as one of the New Wonders of the World, is located in modern Peru, on the top of a mountain range at an altitude of 2450 meters above sea level. It is called the “city in the sky” or “city among the clouds”, sometimes called the “lost city of the Incas”. Some archaeologists believe that the city was created as a sacred mountain retreat by the great Inca ruler Pachacutec around 1440, and functioned until 1532, when the Spanish invaded the Inca Empire. In 1532, all its inhabitants mysteriously disappeared.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is one of the six largest mosques in the world. Named after Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan, the founder and first president of the United Arab Emirates. Unlike many other Muslim temples, everyone is allowed into it, regardless of faith.
Taj Mahal, Agra, India
The Taj Mahal Mausoleum is one of the most recognizable landmarks not only in India but throughout the world. The structure was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died during childbirth. The Taj Mahal is considered one of the most beautiful buildings in the world and also a symbol of eternal love.
Mezquita, Cordoba, Spain
Walls decorated with intricate patterns, mosaic ornaments, hundreds of thin openwork columns - this is how the Cathedral Mosque of Cordoba appears today. Many centuries ago, there was an ancient Roman temple on this site, then it was replaced by a Visigothic church, and in 785 the Mezquita appeared. It became the second most important mosque on the planet, and the pilgrimage to Cordoba was even equated to the obligatory hajj to Mecca for every Muslim. But then the Catholics replaced the Moors, and Mezquita was turned into a Christian temple.
St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican, Italy
The heart of the Vatican and the entire Catholic world, St. Peter's Basilica is one of the main attractions of Rome. Here you can view ancient Rome from a bird's eye view, admire the interior of the cathedral from the top of the dome, celebrate Mass and even receive the blessing of the pontiff.
Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia
The Cambodian temple Angkor Wat is the largest religious building ever created, the history of which goes back almost 9 centuries. Even its name speaks about the monumentality of the temple complex, because Angkor Wat literally translates as Temple City. It covers an area of 200 hectares and is surrounded by a moat 190 meters wide. This colossal structure is dedicated to the god Vishnu, revered in this area.
Bayon Temple Complex, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Bayon is one of the most amazing temples located on the territory of Angkor Thom and was its religious center. The “highlight” of Bayon are the towers with many faces carved from stone, silently looking from above over the vast territory of Angkor Thom, and during the heyday of the state, over the entire Khmer Empire. Initially, there were 54 towers, which symbolized the 54 provinces under the rule of the king. Today, only about 37 towers remain.
Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ on the Blood, St. Petersburg, Russia
The Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ, better known as the Church of the Savior on Blood, became the only Russian attraction on Trip Advisor's list. The Savior on Spilled Blood attracts tourists from all over the world not only with the splendor of its domes and interiors, but also with its unusual history, which has given rise to many legends and speculations. Many of them are related to the fact that the temple was erected on the spot where on March 1, 1881, the Narodnaya Volya member I. Grinevitsky mortally wounded Alexander II, who was popularly called the Tsar Liberator for the abolition of serfdom.
Gettysburg National Military Park, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Gettysburg National Military Park is not a park in the traditional sense. Here you will not find shady alleys and flowering flower beds. This is the site of an important battle of the United States Civil War in 1863.
Walls of the old city, Dubrovnik, Croatia
In 1979, UNESCO declared Dubrovnik's Old Town a World Heritage Site, including a significant portion of the city's ancient walls. They surround the city on all four sides and contain a venerable collection of historical monuments, including towers, fortresses, churches, monasteries, squares and streets, schools, museums and galleries. Built for defensive purposes, these stone walls have protected its citizens since the founding of Dubrovnik in the 6th century.
Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon, Myanmar
Shwedagon Pagoda is the tallest spiritual building in Myanmar, or, as it is also called, the Land of Pagodas. The entire complex of the giant pagoda occupies more than five hectares of land, on which, in addition to the main structure, there are many smaller spiers and countless sculptures of mythical and real animals : golden griffins and elephants, dragons and lions. The Shwedagon Pagoda became what it is today in the 15th century, during the reign of Queen Shinsobu. It was then that the gigantic temple was finally given the shape of an inverted begging bowl and sheathed in gold from top to bottom.
Lincoln Memorial and Reflecting Pool, Washington, DC
The Lincoln Memorial is a majestic temple made in the ancient Greek style and somewhat reminiscent of the Parthenon. It is supported by 36 white marble columns, representing the number of states that belonged to the United States at the time of President Lincoln's death. In the center of the temple is a statue of the world's most respected American president sitting in a chair. Its height is 5.79 meters.
Ancient City of Petra, Petra/Wadi Musa, Jordan
In the very heart of Jordan, in the Wadi Musa valley, deep in the sandy mountains, there is the most amazing ancient city of Petra. Petra was originally a temporary refuge for the nomadic Nabatean tribes. From several fortified rock caves, it gradually grew into a large fortified city. There is only one way to get to the city - through the narrow Siq gorge, which was once the bed of a mountain stream. Petra still belongs to the Bedouins, who warmly welcome guests to their land.
Section of the Great Wall of China Mutianyu, Beijing, China
On no other section of the Great Wall of China were restoration work carried out as well as on the Mutianyu section. This site, with 22 watchtowers that have retained their original appearance, is a true architectural masterpiece. The phrase Mutianyu from Chinese is translated as “a valley in which you can admire the views of the fields.” Among all the sections of the Great Wall of China, Mutianyu is the longest fully restored section open to tourists.
Ancient city of Ephesus, Selcuk, Türkiye
The largest and best-preserved ancient city on the Aegean Sea and the second most important after Pompeii in the Mediterranean, ancient Ephesus is the most visited attraction in Turkey. Legends connect the appearance of the city with the name of Androcles, the son of the ruler of Athens, Codra, who, on the advice of an oracle, arrived in these places to found the temple of Artemis. The city got its name from the Amazon Ephesia, Androcles' lover.
Alhambra, Spain
The Alhambra (Arabic: Al Hamra - literally "Red Castle") is an ancient palace and fortress of the Moorish rulers of the province of Granada in southern Spain. The castle occupies the top of a rocky plateau on the southeastern border of Granada. The name Alhambra probably comes from the color of the sun-dried clay or bricks from which the castle walls are made. However, some historians suggest that the name came from the “red flame of torches” that illuminated the many years of construction of the castle, which went on around the clock.
Australian War Memorial, Canberra, Australia
The Australian War Memorial is the main memorial dedicated to the memory of soldiers killed during the First and Second World Wars. Today it is considered one of the most significant monuments of its kind in the world. The memorial is located near the Parliament building, from the balcony of which a 360-degree panorama of the monument opens.
Siena Cathedral, Siena, Italy
According to the chronicles, at the beginning of the 13th century, the inhabitants of the city-state of Siena, which acted as the main competitor and adversary of Florence, “called upon their leaders to build a temple more magnificent than that of their neighbors.” So, between 1215 and 1263, on the site of the old temple, the Duomo of Siena was founded according to the plan of the Gothic master Niccolò Pisano. Today this majestic temple is the main attraction of the city.
Milan Cathedral (Duomo), Milan, Italy
The most important place in Milan is the Cathedral of Santa Maria Nascente (Duomo), a pearl of Italian Gothic architecture, which was built from 1386 to the beginning of the 19th century. The third largest Catholic church on the planet can easily be considered one of the wonders of the world. Its hundred-meter spiers tower over the center of Milan, and the golden statue of the Madonna on the longest spire (four meters high) is visible from many parts of the city.
Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain
The Basilica of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona is one of the most famous long-term construction projects in the world: its construction began almost 150 years ago and continues to this day. Although Antonio Gaudi initially had nothing to do with the construction of this temple, a year after the start of work he headed this project. Gaudi built the temple for 30 years until he died. The reason for such a long construction period is that the Sagrada Familia is built solely on donations from parishioners.
Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California
If you look at the map, you can understand why the bridge (not golden at all, but red) is called a gate. The main local attraction “let” the Pacific Ocean into the San Francisco Bay, connecting the city with Marin County. This grandiose structure was built from 1933 to 1937. At the time of its opening, it was the largest suspension bridge in the world.
Christ the Redeemer Statue, Rio de Janeiro
The Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro is one of the most famous and popular monuments in the world. Every year, millions rise to its foot, from where a stunning panorama of the city and the bay opens with the picturesque Sugar Loaf Mountain, the famous beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, and the huge bowl of the Maracana Stadium.
Teotihuacan, San Juan Teotihuacan, Mexico
The name of the ancient settlement of Teotihucan is translated from the Aztec language as “the city where people become gods.” According to legend, after the Great Flood, the gods returned to Teotihuacan to re-create the world. Modern researchers believe that the area of this ancient settlement was 26-28 square kilometers, and the population was about 200 thousand people. It is one of the oldest and largest cities in the Western Hemisphere, the exact age of which is still unknown.
Golden Temple - Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar, India
Harmandir Sahib is one of the oldest and most revered temples in India and is the Mecca of the Sikhs. Its upper tiers are covered with gold, which is why it is also known as the “Golden Temple”. The road to the entrance to the temple goes along a narrow marble bridge over a pond, the water of which is considered healing. Pilgrims believe that it consists of the elixir of immortality and holy water. The road over the bridge symbolizes the path from the sinner to the righteous.
There are a huge number of places and attractions in the world that you want to visit. They are all something special and attract the attention of thousands of tourists every year. When planning your next trip, take a look at this list and perhaps visiting one of these amazing places will leave a lasting impression on you.
1)
A large castrum sinkhole located in the center of Lighthouse Reef, an atoll within the Belize Barrier Reef. The diameter of this natural miracle is 305 meters, and it goes 120 meters deep. The Blue Hole attracts a huge number of divers from all over the world every year.
2) "Wave" in Arizona, USA
In the state of Arizona in the USA, there are rocks covered with intricate layered patterns that give the place an unearthly appearance. is located near large settlements, so it has gained great popularity among tourists.
These hills, called chocolate hills, are located on the island of Bohol in the Philippines. In total, there are more than 1,200 such hills covered with greenery in this area.
This place in the Karakum Desert in Turkmenistan is nicknamed the Gateway to Hell, it was formed after a failed gas drilling operation. During drilling in 1971, all equipment, including the drilling rig, fell into the resulting crater, which was filled with gas. To avoid accidents and poisoning, it was decided to set this gas on fire and since then, it has continued to burn for more than 40 years.
In the Chinese province of Hunan, they became the prototype for the fantastic landscapes from the movie "Avatar". More than 3,000 thousand sand mountains rise to a height of up to 800 meters and are of great interest to tourists, especially after the success of Cameron's film.
One of the most accessible amazing places on the planet, many Russian tourists have already visited it, since Pamukkale is located just a few hours from the popular Turkish resort of Antalya. Pamukkale, which means “Cotton Castle,” is a snow-white terrace filled with water from mineral springs. The water in these terraces is believed to have healing properties.
7) Antelope Canyon, USA
Antelope Canyon is located in the southwestern United States, 240 kilometers from. Wind and water have done a lot of work over many thousands of years, resulting in this amazing canyon of red-red flowers.
Did you know that the most active volcano is in Antarctica? Volcano Erebus (Ice Towers of Mount Erebus) was discovered on January 28, 1841 by an English expedition led by polar explorer Sir James Clark Ross on the ships Erebus and Terror. The height of this volcano is 3794 meters, making it one of the highest points in Antarctica. Inside the volcano there is a large lava lake.
9) Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks Monument, USA
This national monument is located in the state of New Mexico, 60 kilometers from the city of Santa Fe and was formed due to sedimentation of volcanic rocks.
10) Ischigualasto Natural Park, Argentina
This park, also called The Valley of the Moon, is located in the province of San Juan in Argentina. Not the most popular place among tourists, as it is located far from the main tourist routes, but this is where NASA tested its Mars rovers. The landscape of this place looks alien.
11) Salt Flat of Uyuni, Bolivia
The Salt Lake (Salar de Uyuni) in Bolivia is located near Lake Titicaca - this is one of the most amazing and photogenic places on our planet. Everything in this area is saturated with salt, it is everywhere, but the most amazing sight occurs when the rains fall and everything is covered with a thin layer of water, the ideal surface of which turns into a mirror.
12) Danxia Landform, China
This incredible landscape may appear to be just the result of Photoshop, but it is a real geological feature formed by the overlay of sandstone and other mineral rocks. This natural site is located in the Chinese province of Gansu. In 2010, the Danxia Landscape was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
13) Crystal Cave of the Giants, Mexico
This cave containing the world's largest crystals was recently discovered in 2000 near the city of Chihuahua in Mexico. These giants measure up to 15 meters in length and 1.5 meters in width and are composed of zinc-silver-lead salts. The cave has a special climate (almost 60 degrees Celsius and 100% air humidity), in which a person cannot spend more than 5-10 minutes.
14) Dry Valleys, Antarctica
A dry valley is the territory of three oasis valleys (Victoria, Wright, Taylor) in Antarctica west of McMurdo Sound. Hurricane winds, lack of precipitation, and low temperatures created a unique climate in this place. Rare lakes have long been turned into ice wells, in which, according to some scientists, unknown microorganisms live.
15) Socotra Island, Yemen
Socotra is an archipelago in the Indian Ocean, consisting of 4 islands, located off the coast of Somalia. These islands preserve unique plant and animal life, many of which can only be found here. The symbol of the archipelago is the endemic dragon tree.
16)Giants Causeway, Ireland
More than 40,000 basalt columns form a path that leads to the foot of the volcano, thanks to the eruption of which these amazing columns were created. The Giant's Causeway is one of Northern Ireland's most popular tourist attractions.
17) Kliluk, the Spotted Lake, Canada
Local indigenous Indians consider this lake sacred. The water of this lake has bright colors, as it is saturated with sodium sulfates, calcium, magnesium and other minerals. During the hot season, the water in the lake dries up and many small puddles form, which have different colors, depending on which element of the periodic table predominates in them.
18) "Pulpit" or Preikestolen, Norway
Preikestolen Rock, a favorite place for photographers and just tourists, is a huge rock-cliff with a flat platform 25 by 25 meters. The height of the cliff is 604 meters and from its top there is a beautiful view of the surrounding landscape. The Preikestolen cliff is one of Norway's most popular attractions.
19) Plitvice Lakes, Croatia
Plitvice Lakes is the main attraction of Croatia. There are 16 large and several small lakes, about 20 mysterious caves and 120 waterfalls. In this place you can find many species of plants and animals that are unique and found only in the Plitvice Lakes region, which is why they are strictly protected by UNESCO.
20) Cappadocia, Türkiye
Cappadocia, or “The Land of Beautiful Horses,” is a unique place located in the Goreme Valley in Turkey. Cappadocia is practically a whole world, which is hidden in caves of volcanic origin, there are houses, monasteries, unique multi-tiered underground cities and much more, all this appeared before our era. This unique place is rightfully popular among tourists coming to Turkey.
21) Yellowstone National Park, USA
Yellowstone National Park is a unique natural park known throughout the world. The most famous and most visited national park in the USA. Yellowstone is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. This park is located in three states: Montana, Idaho and Wyoming. Yellowstone is famous for its unique geological features: geysers, geothermal springs and the largest dormant volcano on the entire continent - Caldera.
22) Tunnel of love in the city of Klevan, Ukraine
This tunnel of trees envelops the railway tracks that pass near the city of Klevan. Because of its amazing beauty and romance, this place was nicknamed the Tunnel of Love. In the summer, when the tunnel is in its prime, newlyweds like to come here; taking a photo against its background is considered a good sign.
23) Corinth Canal, Greece
It is impossible to believe that this channel was created by human hands. The construction of the Corinth Canal began under Emperor Nero in 67 BC, and was completed only in 1893. This unique human creation connects the Saronic Gulf of the Aegean Sea and the Corinthian Gulf of the Ionian Sea. The depth of the Corinth Canal is 8 meters and the width is 24 meters.
One of the most beautiful places in Chile is Lago General Carrera, where the Marble Caves are located. This unique natural cave consists entirely of multi-colored marble (pink and blue), there are more than 5000 million tons of it.
25) Monsanto village, Portugal
This small Portuguese town is built among huge stone boulders, many of which serve as homes for local residents. The town of Monsanto consists almost entirely of one-story buildings, which are separated by narrow streets; getting here, you can feel like you are in the Middle Ages.
The views of this ice canyon in Greenland are mesmerizing, its deep blue water is captivating and you can get lost in the many intricately crafted ice arches. This canyon is the largest on the island, and its waters are home to bowhead whales, seals and walruses.
27) Skaftafell, Iceland
Skaftafell Park is a natural wonder of Iceland, home to the Jökulsarlon ice caves.
28) Multnomah Falls, USA
29) Seljalandfoss waterfall, Iceland
This temple carved into the rocks truly deserves the title of one of the wonders of the world. The construction of this city began before our era, and it is currently included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
32) Town of Riomaggiore, Italy
A small town in Italy, where houses are piled on the rocks right at the edge of the sea. Cars are prohibited in Riomaggiore.
33) Loy Krathong Festival, Thailand
Every year a festival is held in Thailand, the unchanging tradition of which is the launching of sky lanterns. This amazing sight, when thousands of luminous lights rise into the sky at the same time, is simply mesmerizing. If you're in Thailand in November, don't miss this festival.
34) Mount Roraima, Venezuela
The height of Mount Roraima is 2723 meters, and the summit plateau has an area of 35 square kilometers. Reports of an expedition to the mountain area inspired Arthur Conan Doyle to write his novel The Lost World.
35) Etretat, Normandy, France
It is impossible to list all the interesting places on the planet in one place, because each place is unique in its own way and deserves attention, but we tried to collect many interesting places that you should pay attention to when going on your next trip.
What places do tourists visit most often? Journalists from Travel Leisure decided to find out. Based on data provided by the institutions responsible for tourism in different countries, a list of the most visited tourist destinations in the world has been compiled. Which place turned out to be the most popular among tourists? Find out on FullPicture.
30 PHOTOS
30th place. Universal Studios Japan amusement park in Osaka, which opened in 2001. 10.1 million people visit it annually. (Photo: [email protected]/flickr.com). 
29th place. Disney's Animal Kingdom amusement park in Florida is the largest of all the amusement parks owned by Walt Disney World Resort. It is also the second largest amusement park in the world. 10.2 million people visit it annually. (Photo: Ana Paula Hirama/flickr.com). 
28th place. Disneyland Paris, which opened in 1992, is located on the outskirts of Paris, in Marne-la-Vallee. 10.4 million people visit it annually. (Photo: Cristian Bortes/flickr.com). 
27th place. The Sacré-Coeur Basilica, which is located on the picturesque hill of Montmartre in Paris. Its bell tower houses one of the largest bells in the world. This cathedral attracts 10.5 million people annually. (Photo: Son of Groucho/flickr.com). 
26th place. The Great Wall of China (Wanli Changcheng) is the largest building structure of ancient China, consisting of defensive fortifications erected at different times in order to protect the northern borders of the country from the nomadic peoples of the North. 10.7 million people visit it annually (Photo: Shutterstock). 
25th place. St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, which has 11 chapels, 45 altars and countless statues, was created by the greatest architects and artists of the Renaissance and Baroque eras. 11 million people visit this place every year. (Photo: Chris Yunker/flickr.com). 
24th place. Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. This amusement park, located on an area of 12 thousand hectares, is one of the largest entertainment complexes in the world. 11.2 million people visit it annually. (Photo: Evan Wohrman/flickr.com). 
23rd place. San Antonio Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas. For a long time this embankment was unkempt and overgrown with weeds. However, the city authorities decided to change this, and by investing 72 million dollars, they created the most picturesque place in the city, which attracts thousands for tourists and local residents. Every year 11.5 million people come there. (Photo: jjsala/flickr.com). 
22nd place. South Seaport Street in New York. The cobblestone streets, buildings and waterfront that formed New York's 19th-century waterfront area, known as the "Street of Sails", are now one of the city's most popular attractions. Every year this tourist center is visited by 12 million people. (Photo: Patricia Hallstein/flickr.com). 
21st place. Balboa Park is the largest tourist destination in San Diego. There are a large number of museums and historical buildings from the 19th and 20th centuries, built in Spanish style and with colorful gardens. More than 12 million people visit this place every year. (Photo: Osbornb/flickr.com). 
20th place. Golden Gate Park is located in San Francisco and covers an area of 4.1 square kilometers. It is visited by 13 million people a year. (Photo: Mila Zinkova/Wikimedia). 
19th place. Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, which is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture, is visited by 14 million people every year. (Photo: Shutterstock). 
18th place. Tokyo Disney Sea is an amusement park whose main theme is various myths and legends associated with the sea. More than 14 million tourists visit it every year. (Photo: JoshBerglund19/flickr.com). 
17th place. Golden Gate National Recreation Area in San Francisco. This is an ideal place for a picnic and just relaxing among the greenery. 14.2 million people come there every year. (Photo: Frank Schulenburg/flickr.com). 
16th place. The Forbidden City in Beijing is the former residence of the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties and contains about 800 palaces. For five centuries the residence was closed to the outside world. Every year 15.3 million people come here. (Photo: Shutterstock). 
15th place. Disneyland in Anaheim, California. Every year 16.2 million people have fun there. (Photo: HarshLight/flickr.com). 
14th place. Tokyo Disneyland opened in 1983 and was the first Disney amusement park outside the United States. Every year it is visited by 17.2 million people. (Photo: fortherock/lickr.com). 
13th place. Faneuil Hall Marketplace in Boston is a vibrant market where you can buy a variety of goods from around the world. About 18 million people visit it annually. (Photo: Masayuki (Yuki) Kawagishi/flickr.com) 
12th place. Disney World's Magic Kingdom in Orlando, which opened in 1971, attracts 18.5 million visitors annually. (Photo: versageek/flickr.com). 
11th place. The Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico is the largest shrine to the Virgin Mary in the world, with 20 million visitors annually. (Photo: Janothird/wikimedia.org). 
10th place. Grand Central Terminal in New York is the largest train station in the world. 21.6 million people visit it annually. (Photo: Rob Young/wikimedia.org). 
9th place. A total of 21.6 million people a year come to admire Niagara Falls from the Canadian and American sides. It’s not surprising, because this place makes a huge and lasting impression, regardless of the time of year. (Photo: Michael Muraz/flickr.com). 
8th place. Senso-ji is the oldest Buddhist temple in Tokyo, built in 628. 30 million people visit it annually. (Photo: Wei-Te Wong/flickr.com). 
7th place. Meiji Jingu Shrine in Tokyo was built over 100 years ago in honor of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. Currently, it is visited by at least 30 million people annually. Despite such a large number of visitors, you can find peace and tranquility there. The temple is surrounded by a forest of more than 100 thousand trees. (Photo: Meiji Jingu/flickr.com). 
6th place. The Las Vegas Strip is a section of Las Vegas Boulevard that is approximately 6.8 kilometers long. The Las Vegas Strip is home to nineteen of the twenty-five largest hotels in the world by number of rooms. The Las Vegas Strip attracts 30.5 million visitors annually. (Photo: David Stanley/flickr.com). 
5th place. Washington DC's Union Station is ranked fifth among the most visited tourist destinations in the world. 40 million people visit it annually. (Photo: F Delventhal/flickr.com). 
4th place. Central Park is the green symbol of New York. Every year, about 40 million people pass through its streets, for whom this is the best place to relax on the grass in a densely built-up city. (Photo: Abir Anwar/flickr.com). 
3rd place. Times Square in New York has topped the list of the world's most visited tourist destinations for many years. In the latest ranking, however, he took only third place. This most famous square in the United States is visited by 50 million people every year. (Photo: MK Feeney/flickr.com). 
2nd place. The Zocalo (Constitution Square) in Mexico City is one of the largest in the world. It was founded by the conquistadors in the 16th century on the site where the center of the Aztec capital Tenochtitlan used to be. Nowadays it is a very busy square where people like to sit on benches, stone steps or high curbs. 85 million people visit it annually. (Photo: David Jones/flickr.com). 
The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul took 1st place in the ranking of the most visited tourist places in the world. The Grand Bazaar is a huge labyrinth of thousands of shops, stalls, fountains and cafes, and a mixture of scents, colors and people. At the Grand Bazaar you can buy almost everything: clothes, trinkets, carpets, spices and even aphrodisiacs. Shopping here is a relentless bargaining experience and an interesting adventure. This is probably why the Grand Bazaar is the most visited place in the world. 91.2 million people shop there every year! (Photo: george ruiz/flickr.com).
