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The 60 world wonders

A list of world's natural and man-made phenomena, as inspiration for your next backpacking trip.
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Greece - unique site - Acropolis of Athens

Acropolis of Athens [Greece]

Ascend the rocky plateau to encounter iconic temples and sweeping vistas, where the city’s ancient and modern layers converge in one glance.
Best time to go: March - June, September - November
Daily cost: €30 to €60 [thisisathens.org]
Spain - unique site - Alhambra

Alhambra [Spain]

Trace the legacy of Granada’s rulers by moving from ornate halls to tranquil gardens, each space revealing a different layer of history.
Best time to go: March - June, September - November
Daily cost: €35 to €60 [spain.info]
Venezuela - unique site - Angel Falls

Angel Falls [Venezuela]

Fly over the flat-topped tepuis into Canaima, then ride a motorized canoe upriver and climb to Mirador Laime for a face-on look at the 979-meter drop.
⚠️ Currently not safe to visit
Daily cost: US$140 to 255
Cambodia - unique site - Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat [Cambodia]

Witness intricate stone carvings and shifting light as you move through galleries and courtyards that reveal the scale of Khmer ambition.
Best time to go: November - March
Daily cost: USD40 to 70 [tourismcambodia.org]
Myanmar - unique site - Bagan Temples

Bagan Temples [Myanmar]

Cycle dusty tracks at dawn to witness thousands of brick monuments scattered across the plains, each revealing centuries of Buddhist devotion and artistry.
⚠️ Currently not safe to visit
Daily cost: USD20 to 50 [myanmar.travel]
Türkiye - unique site - Blue Mosque

Blue Mosque [Türkiye]

Step inside a living place of worship where blue-hued ceramics and filtered light shape a contemplative, ever-active spiritual space.
Best time to go: March - June, September - November
Daily cost: €18 to €45 [goturkiye.com]
Indonesia - unique site - Borobudur

Borobudur [Indonesia]

Climb the terraces of this ninth-century Buddhist monument, tracing relief panels and bell-shaped stupas while volcanic peaks emerge from the morning haze.
Best time to go: May - September
Daily cost: USD30 to 60
Mexico - unique site - Chichén Itzá

Chichén Itzá [Mexico]

Clap at the foot of the Kukulkan pyramid to hear the chirp, then walk to the ball court, the Caracol and the Sacred Cenote.
Best time to go: October - April
Daily cost: US$64 to 125 [inah.gob.mx]
Brazil - unique site - Christ the Redeemer

Christ the Redeemer [Brazil]

Ride the 1884 rack railway through Atlantic forest to a 30-meter statue and a platform overlooking Guanabara Bay, Sugarloaf and the lagoon.
Best time to go: April - November
Daily cost: US$50 to 94
Ireland - unique site - Cliffs of Moher

Cliffs of Moher [Ireland]

Stand at the edge of Ireland’s western coast and watch seabirds wheel above dramatic rock faces carved by centuries of relentless ocean weather.
Best time to go: March - October
Daily cost: €20 to €60 [cliffsofmoher.ie]
Italy - unique site - Colosseum

Colosseum [Italy]

Stand beneath towering arches and imagine the roar of crowds, as the scale and design of ancient Rome’s arena come into sharp focus.
Best time to go: March - June, September - November
Daily cost: €40 to €70 [coopculture.it]
Ethiopia - unique site - Danakil Depression

Danakil Depression [Ethiopia]

Cross black lava fields to a crater rim with a glowing lava lake, then watch Afar workers cut salt slabs by hand.
⚠️ Currently not safe to visit
Daily cost: US$311 to 508
Iceland - unique site - Dettifoss

Dettifoss [Iceland]

Stand at the edge of a thunderous waterfall and feel the ground tremble as glacial waters plunge into a dramatic ravine.
Best time to go: May - September
Daily cost: €30 to €70 [visiticeland.com]
Israel - unique site - Dome of the Rock

Dome of the Rock [Israel]

Stand at the heart of Jerusalem’s spiritual crossroads, where intricate mosaics and centuries-old rituals define a place of layered devotion.
⚠️ Currently not safe to visit
Daily cost: USD40 to 70 [israel.travel]
Palestine - unique site - Dome of the Rock (Qubbat aṣ-Ṣaḵra)

Dome of the Rock (Qubbat aṣ-Ṣaḵra) [Palestine]

Stand on the Temple Mount and take in intricate tilework, geometric patterns, and the spiritual gravity of a site central to three faiths.
⚠️ Currently not safe to visit
Daily cost: USD20 to 50
France - unique site - Eiffel Tower

Eiffel Tower [France]

Ascend a landmark structure for sweeping city views and a close look at 19th-century engineering.
Best time to go: March - June, September - December
Daily cost: €40 to €80 [toureiffel.paris]
China - unique site - Forbidden City

Forbidden City [China]

Move through a labyrinth of palaces and gates, observing the spatial order and decorative detail that defined China’s dynastic power center.
Best time to go: March - June, September - November
Daily cost: €20 to €35
United States - unique site - Golden Gate Bridge

Golden Gate Bridge [the USA]

Cross the east sidewalk on foot, feel the deck hum under traffic, then compare angles from Battery Spencer, Fort Point and Crissy Field.
Best time to go: all year round
Daily cost: US$101 to 204 [goldengate.org]
India - unique site - Golden Temple

Golden Temple [India]

Join pilgrims circling a shimmering shrine, pausing for reflection and sharing a meal in the world’s largest free dining hall.
Best time to go: October - April
Daily cost: USD15 to 35 [incredibleindia.org]
United States - unique site - Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon [the USA]

Walk the paved rim past two billion years of rock, then drop onto the trails or ride the shuttle between overlooks.
Best time to go: March - May, September - November
Daily cost: US$115 [nps.gov]
Australia - unique site - Great Barrier Reef

Great Barrier Reef [Australia]

Board a catamaran from Townsville to snorkel coral gardens, dive the upright Yongala wreck, or book a multi-day boat to remote Ribbon Reefs.
Best time to go: May - November
Daily cost: USD150 to 260
Saudi Arabia - unique site - Great Mosque of Mecca

Great Mosque of Mecca [Saudi Arabia]

Join millions of pilgrims in a spiritual center defined by ritual, monumental architecture, and centuries of religious tradition.
⚠️ Currently not safe to visit
Daily cost: €60 to €90
Egypt - unique site - Great Pyramid of Giza

Great Pyramid of Giza [Egypt]

Circle the base of Khufu’s pyramid, squeeze up to the King’s Chamber, and finish at the desert viewpoint where three pyramids line up.
Best time to go: October - April
Daily cost: US$62
China - unique site - Great Wall of China

Great Wall of China [China]

Hike along rugged sections where the wall snakes across hills, offering changing perspectives on both landscape and military ingenuity.
Best time to go: March - May, September - November
Daily cost: USD20 to 50
Iceland - unique site - Gullfoss

Gullfoss [Iceland]

Watch glacial waters drop in two dramatic stages, sending mist into the air as they carve through a rugged river gorge.
Best time to go: March - November
Daily cost: €50 to €130 [visiticeland.com]
Argentina - unique site - Iguazú Falls

Iguazú Falls [Argentina]

Cross a long catwalk to the thundering chasm, then compare upper and lower circuits, a boat ride under the spray and quiet forest paths.
Best time to go: March - October
Daily cost: USD30 to 60 [argentina.gob.ar]

Iguazu Falls [Brazil]

Follow the rim trail for wide views of the falls, then step onto the Devil’s Throat platform where the roar and spray hit hard.
Best time to go: March - November
Daily cost: US$48 to 123
Tanzania - unique site - Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro [Tanzania]

Ascend through shifting climate zones, from rainforest to arctic tundra, and experience the stark beauty of Africa’s highest peak.
Best time to go: June - October, December - March
Daily cost: USD250 to 400
Russia - unique site - Kremlin and Red Square

Kremlin and Red Square [Russia]

Cross a vast open square framed by monumental architecture, encountering the heart of Moscow’s political and cultural life in one sweep.
⚠️ Currently not safe to visit
Daily cost: €25 to €70 [russiatourism.ru]
Myanmar - unique site - Laykyun Sekkya Buddha

Laykyun Sekkya Buddha [Myanmar]

Stand beneath one of the world’s tallest Buddha images, then explore the surrounding grounds dotted with intricate sculptures and panoramic views.
⚠️ Currently not safe to visit
Daily cost: USD20 to 50
Peru - unique site - Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu [Peru]

Climb to the guardhouse for the full layout of terraces, then follow stone paths to temples, a ritual pillar and the Sun Gate.
Best time to go: April - October
Daily cost: US$157 to 294
Switzerland - unique site - Matterhorn

Matterhorn [Switzerland]

Stand beneath a sharply defined summit, surrounded by glaciers and ever-changing light, as climbers and hikers test their limits.
Best time to go: April - October
Daily cost: €70 to €130 [myswitzerland.com]
Chile - unique site - Moai of Easter Island

Moai of Easter Island [Chile]

Cover the island by rented car or bike, from the half-carved giants of Rano Raraku to sunrise at fifteen restored moai.
Best time to go: all year round
Daily cost: US$135 [chile.travel]
Nepal - unique site - Mount Everest

Mount Everest [Nepal]

Follow winding trails through remote valleys, pass prayer flags and stone stupas, and witness the world’s highest peak from rugged vantage points.
Best time to go: March - May, September - November
Daily cost: USD40 to 150 [welcomenepal.com]
Japan - unique site - Mount Fuji

Mount Fuji [Japan]

Ascend Japan’s highest mountain for sunrise views, or circle its base to experience lakes, forests, and the changing moods of the landscape.
Best time to go: June - September
Daily cost: €60 to €120 [japan.travel]
United States - unique site - Mount Rushmore National Memorial

Mount Rushmore National Memorial [the USA]

Approach the carved faces through pigtail bridges, then climb the Presidential Trail stairs for a close look at the rock.
Best time to go: April - October
Daily cost: US$95 [nps.gov]
Germany - unique site - Neuschwanstein Castle

Neuschwanstein Castle [Germany]

Approach a hilltop palace framed by mountain scenery, then tour lavish halls inspired by myth, legend, and royal imagination.
Best time to go: March - November
Daily cost: €50 to €90 [neuschwanstein.de]
United States - unique site - Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls [Canada and the USA]

Stand at the railings as the river turns glassy and drops, then get soaked on the boat or the wooden decks below Bridal Veil.
Best time to go: March - November
Daily cost: US$115
Mexico - unique site - Palenque

Palenque [Mexico]

Walk between carved temples and the tower of the Palace as howlers roar overhead, then continue to the waterfalls down the road.
Best time to go: November - April
Daily cost: US$45 to 76
Panama - unique site - Panama Canal

Panama Canal [Panama]

Watch ships rise and drop through the locks from the rooftop deck, then compare quieter viewpoints, the lake and the cut dug through the Continental Divide.
Best time to go: November - April
Daily cost: US$62 [pancanal.com]
Greece - unique site - Parthenon

Parthenon [Greece]

Stand beneath monumental stonework and intricate carvings, observing the enduring craftsmanship that has defined Western architecture for centuries.
Best time to go: March - June, September - November
Daily cost: €25 to €60
Jordan - unique site - Petra

Petra [Jordan]

Enter a labyrinth of sculpted sandstone where tombs, temples, and stairways reveal the ingenuity of a lost desert civilization.
Best time to go: September - May
Daily cost: USD100 to 150 [visitjordan.com]
Croatia - unique site - Plitvice Waterfalls

Plitvice Waterfalls [Croatia]

Follow marked trails past tiered waterfalls and vibrant pools, observing native wildlife and dramatic limestone formations.
Best time to go: March - June, September - November
Daily cost: €35 to €70 [np-plitvicka-jezera.hr]
Mexico - unique site - Pyramids of Teotihuacan

Pyramids of Teotihuacan [Mexico]

Walk the long avenue between enormous pyramids, see serpent carvings in the Ciudadela, and seek out faded murals in the quiet side compounds.
Best time to go: October - April
Daily cost: US$48 [gob.mx]
Ethiopia - unique site - Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela

Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela [Ethiopia]

Descend into trenches around churches carved downward from volcanic tuff, and pass through a pitch-dark tunnel to see worship still in daily use.
⚠️ Currently not safe to visit
Daily cost: US$93
Spain - unique site - Sagrada Familia

Sagrada Familia [Spain]

Step inside a basilica where organic forms and colored light create a shifting atmosphere, reflecting decades of ongoing construction.
Best time to go: March - June, September - November
Daily cost: €40 to €70 [spain.info]
Bolivia - unique site - Salar de Uyuni

Salar de Uyuni [Bolivia]

Cross a white plain that reflects the sky in wet months, climb among giant cacti on Incahuasi and catch first or last light on the crust.
Best time to go: all year round
Daily cost: US$75 to 95
Iceland - unique site - Seljalandsfoss

Seljalandsfoss [Iceland]

Walk behind a tall waterfall and experience the landscape from a hidden vantage, surrounded by open fields and spray.
Best time to go: March - October
Daily cost: €20 to €60 [visiticeland.com]
Tanzania - unique site - Serengeti Migration

Serengeti Migration [Kenya and Tanzania]

Follow wildebeest herds across open grassland by shared safari vehicle, then camp close enough to hear them grunting and lions calling after dark.
Best time to go: all year round
Daily cost: US$330 [tanzaniaparks.go.tz]
Namibia - unique site - Sossusvlei

Sossusvlei [Namibia]

Climb razor-edged ridgelines at first light, then drop into a clay pan where blackened camelthorn trunks stand against rust-orange sand.
Best time to go: April - September
Daily cost: US$85
Vatican City State - unique site - St. Peter’s Basilica

St. Peter’s Basilica [Vatican City]

Climb to panoramic views or linger beneath soaring vaults, taking in the interplay of art, faith, and architectural ambition.
Best time to go: September - June
Daily cost: €25 to €70 [vatican.va]
United States - unique site - Statue of Liberty

Statue of Liberty [the USA]

Ride the ferry from Battery Park to circle the 305-foot statue, then continue to Ellis Island and its immigration exhibits.
Best time to go: March - November
Daily cost: US$113 to 207 [nps.gov]
United Kingdom - unique site - Stonehenge

Stonehenge [the UK]

Contemplate ancient ritual and astronomical purpose as you circle enigmatic monoliths set in open grassland under shifting English skies.
Best time to go: March - November
Daily cost: USD40 to 70 [english-heritage.org.uk]
Australia - unique site - Sydney Harbour Bridge

Sydney Harbour Bridge [Australia]

Walk the eastern footpath from Cumberland Street for free, or climb the arch in a harness for views over the harbor and Opera House.
Best time to go: March - November
Daily cost: US$133 to 165
Australia - unique site - Sydney Opera House

Sydney Opera House [Australia]

Circle the forecourt to see the chevron-tiled roofs up close, then take a tour or catch a performance beneath the Grand Organ.
Best time to go: all year round
Daily cost: US$108 to 190 [sydneyoperahouse.com]
India - unique site - Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal [India]

Arrive at dawn to see changing light on a mausoleum built for remembrance, where every detail is designed for visual harmony.
Best time to go: July - March
Daily cost: USD30 to 60 [incredibleindia.org]
China - unique site - Terracotta Warriors

Terracotta Warriors [China]

Stand before ranks of excavated warriors, each distinct, revealing the scale and detail of ancient funerary customs.
Best time to go: March - June, September - November
Daily cost: €30 to €70
Guatemala - unique site - Tikal

Tikal [Guatemala]

Climb stone stairs above the rainforest, cross the great plaza between towering pyramids, and read royal history carved into weathered stelae.
Best time to go: November - May
Daily cost: US$62
United Kingdom - unique site - Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge [the UK]

Watch the river open beneath you or ascend to glass walkways, discovering the mechanics and views of London’s most recognizable bridge.
Best time to go: March - November
Daily cost: USD30 to 60
United Kingdom - unique site - Tower of London

Tower of London [the UK]

Step inside thick stone walls to encounter royal intrigue, ceremonial regalia, and centuries of power struggles on the Thames’ edge.
Best time to go: March - June, September - October, December
Daily cost: USD60 to 90
Italy - unique site - Tre Cime di Lavaredo

Tre Cime di Lavaredo [Italy]

Hike beneath sheer rock faces and across high meadows, with changing light and weather revealing new perspectives at every turn.
Best time to go: April - October
Daily cost: €25 to €60 [dolomiti.org]
Colombia - unique site - Valle de Cocora

Valle de Cocora [Colombia]

Hike the full loop through palm pasture and cloud forest, crossing log bridges to a cabin where hummingbirds crowd the feeders.
Best time to go: November - April
Daily cost: US$23 to 45 [colombia.travel]
Zimbabwe - unique site - Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls [Zambia and Zimbabwe]

Follow the rim trail through warm spray to cliff-edge viewpoints, then head downstream for Grade 5 rafting or upstream for a quiet river cruise.
Best time to go: February - October
Daily cost: US$108

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