While there are thousands of incredible places to see, it is often the most famous landmarks of the world that inspire us to pack our bags. Having travelled to over sixty countries, we have narrowed down our absolute must-see monuments across the globe.
Scroll down to discover our curated selection of forty spectacular sights for your travel bucket list.
Where are the famous landmarks of the world that we feature?
We opted to list these famous landmarks around the world by continent. Here’s what you will find below:
- Europe’s famous landmarks
Includes: Eiffel Tower, Colosseum, Acropolis of Athens, Stonehenge, Big Ben, Sagrada Familia, The Alhambra, Vatican City, Brandenburg Gate, Hagia Sophia, Neuschwanstein Castle, Tower Bridge, Palace of Versailles and three landmarks in Moscow - North America’s famous landmarks
Includes: Statue of Liberty, Niagara Falls, Mount Rushmore, Grand Canyon, Golden Gate Bridge, Chichen Itza, Hollywood Sign, and Panama Canal - South America’s famous landmarks
Includes: Machu Picchu, Christ the Redeemer, and Iguazu Falls - Asia’s famous landmarks
Includes: Great Wall of China, Taj Mahal, Angkor Wat, Mount Everest, Petra, Mount Fuji, The Forbidden City, The Potala Palace, The Borobudur Temple, and The Golden Temple - Africa’s famous landmarks
Includes: Pyramids and the Great Sphinx of Giza, and Victoria Falls - Oceania’s famous landmarks
Includes: Sydney Opera House, Great Barrier Reef, Ayers Rock, and Milford Sound
Famous landmarks of the world in Europe
Includes France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom, Vatican City, and Russia.
Eiffel Tower, France
While I love the views from the tower, I almost prefer this one that I shot from across the river. I have been up the Eiffel Tower twice, the first time back when I was in my 20s, and the queues were reasonable. More recently, we found the crowds overwhelming. (If you want to avoid the crowds in Paris, check out this article.)
Colosseum, Italy
I have been lucky enough to visit the Colosseum in Rome (The Flavian amphitheatre) twice in my lifetime. Built of sand and stone, it is still the Guinness World Record holder as the largest amphitheatre ever built. It opened in 80 AD and was used for gladiator battles and wild animal fights. Most recently, we visited on a private one-day tour of Rome, as we visited from a cruise ship.
Acropolis of Athens and The Parthenon, Greece
While the Acropolis in Greece is a must-see, the crowds are shocking. Getting photos of some of its highlights, like the Parthenon, without a ton of people is near impossible. That’s why I chose to share this photo from my first visit, a long time ago. Once we look past the crowds, the site’s history and mythology make it unforgettable, as are the engineering skills behind some of the construction. Despite centuries of damage, the Parthenon still dominates the skyline of Athens. (I took the same photo 30 years later; you can see that one along with more on Athens here.)
Stonehenge, United Kingdom
Seeing Stonehenge impressed us with its mystery and age. Even after seeing countless photos over the years, standing beside the ancient stones felt surprisingly powerful. Read more here: 10 Cool Things to Do Near Stonehenge: Bath to Southampton
Big Ben, United Kingdom
I have to admit, whenever I see Big Ben rising above London, either live or in photos, I can’t help but think of Chevy Chase in European Vacation. For most people, I think its clock tower has become one of the city’s defining symbols and is definitely one of the famous landmarks around the world. Read more here: London in One Day: See the Highlights of England’s Capital City
Sagrada Familia, Spain
Even before it was finished (now scheduled for 2034), the Sagrada Familia left us speechless with its towering spires and colourful stained glass. Gaudí’s masterpiece feels unlike any other church we have visited. It was one of the highlights of our time in Barcelona.
The Alhambra, Spain
I still roll my eyes when I think back to the day we discussed skipping Alhambra while on our central Spain road trip. It’s famous for its Islamic architecture, peaceful courtyards, and mountain views, and we now think it is one of Spain’s greatest historical treasures.
The Vatican City, Vatican City
One of the big advantages of being older is that I got to visit many amazing places, like Vatican City, before they had restrictions on photos of key locations, like Michelangelo’s ceiling in the Sistine Chapel. While it was just as impressive the second time, photos were not allowed. Also, being inside St Peter’s Basilica was magical for us. We shared more about it here.
The Brandenburg Gate, Germany
The Brandenburg Gate stands as a symbol of both division and unity in Germany’s history. Today, it’s one of Berlin’s most visited landmarks, and I have seen it twice, both before and after the Berlin Wall came down. In fact, it’s one of many fascinating things to do in Berlin.
Hagia Sophia, Turkey
We were amazed by the Hagia Sophia’s enormous dome and layered history as both a church and a mosque. It is one of Istanbul’s most extraordinary buildings. There were three of them very close, and we covered it in more detail here: Istanbul Must See: 7 Places to Visit in Istanbul Turkey
The Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany
Neuschwanstein Castle looks like it belongs in a fairytale. Perched high in the Bavarian Alps, it inspired the design of Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle. I have only visited it once, back in the early 80s. It’s magical, but includes lots of steps during the tour (165 up and 181 down).
The Tower Bridge, United Kingdom
Of course, we walked across the Tower Bridge. I think it’s one of London’s most recognisable landmark. We especially enjoyed seeing it lit up at night over the River Thames. Read more here: London Highlights in One Day.
The Palace of Versailles, France
It may be a bit outside of Paris, but for me, it was well worth the effort to get there. I was fascinated by the grandeur of Versailles, from the Hall of Mirrors to the vast gardens. It offers a glimpse into the extravagant lifestyle of French royalty.
Famous landmarks in Moscow: The Kremlin, St. Basil’s Cathedral, and Red Square
We went to Russia a long time ago. And while there are some pretty famous and stunning places to visit there, I wouldn’t go today. We were lucky to get inside the Kremlin, see St Basil’s both in the day and at night, and to walk through Red Square after we accidentally were required to march in the May Day Parade (really, I can’t make this stuff up!). There were plenty more highlights in Moscow. Read about them here.
Famous landmarks of the world in North America
Includes Canada, Mexico, Panama, and the United States.
Statue of Liberty, United States
Rather than paying for a tour, we opted to see the Statue of Liberty from the water on the free Staten Island ferry. Up close its reminds us that this landmark was put here to welcome generations of immigrants arriving in America. It’s one of several famous landmarks and cool things to see in New York City.
Niagara Falls, Canada, and the United States
I have been to Niagara Falls several times and am always impressed by the power of the water. The last time was with our girls when they were very little. After seeing it in Canada, I drove across to the US side, and by the time we got back to the falls, they were both sound asleep.
Mount Rushmore, United States
The massive size of the huge faces of Mount Rushmore surprised us. The surrounding Black Hills scenery adds to the experience. It’s really cool the way the tunnel frames it.
The Grand Canyon, United States
The Grand Canyon is one of those places that photos cannot fully capture. We spent hours simply staring across the vast layers of rock and colour. While I have been here twice as a destination, I also came here once as a day trip from Las Vegas.
The Golden Gate Bridge, United States
As a former San Franciscan, I have walked across the Golden Gate Bridge many times. My favourite view is from the north end in Marin County. It remains one of the world’s most photographed bridges.
Chichén Itzá, Mexico
I found Chichén Itzá fascinating for both its history and its impressive pyramid design. It remains one of the best-preserved Mayan sites in the world. Another is Tikal in Guatemala. I compared the two here: Visiting Tikal vs Chichén Itzá: Marvels of Two Ancient Civilisations
The Hollywood Sign, United States
Seeing the Hollywood Sign in person felt like stepping into movie history. It has become one of Los Angeles’ most famous symbols, but I prefer some of the other things to do in Hollywood.
The Panama Canal, Panama
I don’t know why it surprised me that it took an entire day to get through the Panama Canal, but it did. From our cruise ship, we had constant commentary, and honestly, it was fascinating. The highlights are here: Panama Canal Cruise Review: Fascinating Passage on Princess. Many people who don’t cross watch enormous ships move through the locks from the visitor centre overlooking Miraflores Locks, as shown in the photo I took as we sailed past. The Panama Canal is one of the world’s greatest engineering achievements.
Famous landmarks of the world in South America
Includes Argentina, Brazil, and Peru.
Machu Picchu, Peru
High in the Andes, Machu Picchu is often described as one of the world’s greatest archaeological sites. The mountain setting alone makes it feel extraordinary, and it remains on our bucket list.
Christ the Redeemer, Brazil
Seeing Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado Mountain towering above Rio de Janeiro felt like one of those must-do activities. Being that it was New Year’s weekend, the crowds were shocking and pushy, and the summer heat only made it worse. However, the panoramic views from the summit made the experience memorable. We wrote about how to do it here.
Iguazu Falls, Argentina and Brazil
Iguazu Falls completely exceeded our expectations. The enormous waterfalls stretch across the border and surround us with mist, noise, and rainforest. I call it a must-see. More here: Visiting Iguazu Falls: Intense Experience in Argentina and Brazil
Famous landmarks of the world in Asia
Includes Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Jordan, Nepal, and Tibet.
Great Wall of China, China
We were amazed by the sheer scale of the Great Wall of China. Walking along the Mutianyu section of the ancient stones and watching the wall snake over the mountains gave us a real sense of the country’s history and determination. If you are thinking about it, we compared the Mutianyu and Badaling sections here.
Taj Mahal, India
The Taj Mahal is considered one of the world’s greatest monuments to love. Its white marble architecture and symmetrical gardens make it one of the most photographed landmarks in the world, and it remains high on our travel wish list. Read more on the Taj Mahal here.
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Angkor Wat is the largest religious monument in the world and one of Cambodia’s greatest treasures. Sunrise over the temple complex is said to be unforgettable, and it is still firmly on our bucket list.
Mount Everest, Nepal
Mount Everest is the tallest mountain on Earth and is often referred to as the top of the world (8848 m). It draws climbers and trekkers from around the globe. Even seeing it from a distance would be an extraordinary experience that we would still love to do one day.
Petra, Jordan
Petra’s rose-coloured stone buildings carved into cliffs have fascinated travellers for centuries. Walking through the narrow Siq to the Treasury is often described as magical, and it remains one of our dream destinations.
Mount Fuji, Japan
Mount Fuji is Japan’s most recognisable natural landmark. Its near-perfect cone shape has inspired artists and travellers alike, and visiting during cherry blossom season is still on our wish list.
The Forbidden City, China
We found the Forbidden City fascinating for both its scale and detail. Wandering through the vast courtyards and palace buildings offered a glimpse into centuries of imperial Chinese history. Possibly the most famous of the landmarks is the one in the photo, but I didn’t get a shot without my husband and daughter in it. Operated by the Palace Museum, it is sometimes referred to by that name. Read more: How to Spend 5 Days in Beijing: Where to go – What to see
The Potala Palace, Tibet
The Potala Palace towers above Lhasa and once served as the winter residence of the Dalai Lama. Its dramatic hilltop setting and spiritual significance make it one of Asia’s most remarkable landmarks. (We haven’t been here yet.)
The Borobudur Temple, Indonesia
Borobudur Temple is the world’s largest Buddhist temple and is surrounded by lush Indonesian countryside. Watching the sunrise over its stone stupas is considered one of Southeast Asia’s great travel experiences. (So far, we have only been to the island of Bali in Indonesia)
The Golden Temple, India
The Golden Temple in Amritsar is Sikhism’s holiest site and is known for its golden exterior reflected in the surrounding water. Visitors often speak of the peaceful atmosphere and warm hospitality found there.
Famous landmarks of the world in Africa
Includes Egypt, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. For us, we have only been to Morocco in Africa; all the rest remain on our bucket list.
Pyramids and the Great Sphinx of Giza, Egypt
The Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx are among the world’s oldest and most mysterious landmarks. Seeing these ancient wonders remains one of our biggest travel dreams.
Victoria Falls, Zambia and Zimbabwe
Victoria Falls is one of the largest waterfalls on Earth and is often called “The Smoke That Thunders.” The sheer volume of water and dramatic spray make it a bucket-list destination for many travellers.
Famous landmarks of the world in Oceania
Includes Australia and New Zealand.
Sydney Opera House, Australia
One of the world’s most recognisable buildings, the Sydney Opera House, was even more interesting from the inside. Read about our tour here: Inside the Sydney Opera House: Our Tour of an Australian Icon.
The Great Barrier Reef, Australia
The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system and stretches for more than 2,000 kilometres. Snorkelling or diving there remains high on our wish list. We have been close enough on three occasions, but each time the weather wasn’t so great, and since we are only a few-hour flight away, we figured we’ll catch it next time when the weather is better. Instead, we toured the area: Cairns to Paronella Park – See Waterfalls, Platypus, Ruins, & More.
Ayers Rock (Uluru), Australia
Uluru is one of Australia’s most sacred and recognisable landmarks, but simply not that easy to get to. Its changing colours at sunrise and sunset make it especially famous. One day, maybe we will see it live.
Milford Sound, New Zealand
How could we put only one location from the country we live in on this list? I wondered the same, but that’s because of two reasons. First, everywhere I turn is spectacular scenery, and secondly, I have already written what I think is the best here: Unique Things to Do in New Zealand, and here: 20 Unmissable Things to Do in the North Island, New Zealand and here: 18 Extraordinary Things to Do in the South Island NZ.
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