18 Of The Best Places In The World To Visit

The most recent vacation taken by author Lana Law, who has traveled much, was in 2022–2023.

It could be challenging to compile a list of the top travel destinations because the world is so rich of stunning places to visit. Where might someone go first if they had never been outside of their hometown before, for whatever reason?

The world's top tourist locations must include great cities with a wealth of must-see attractions, like New York, Paris, London, and others. The list also covers certain buildings, monuments, and locales, many of which merit separate visits.

Visit our list of the top tourist destinations in the globe for more suggestions on where to go and what to do.

1. Peru's Machu Picchu

High in the Peruvian Andes, Machu Picchu is now thought to have served as an important royal retreat for the Incan kings. The far-off site's magnificent brickwork and neatly linked, mortarless stonework continue to astound visitors. Less than a century after it was constructed in the fifteenth century CE, it was destroyed. Without using mortar or cement, huge stone blocks weighing several tons are joined together effectively.

The voyage to Machu Picchu usually begins in the highland city of Cusco, which served as the capital of the Inca Empire. Spend a few days in Cusco before or after your trip to Machu Picchu to visit this amazing city.

The Inca Trail connects Cusco and Machu Picchu by hiking. If you don't mind taking five days to make the entire trek, you can start off closer and hike the trail for one, two, or three days. Most visitors go out of Cusco by rail, which takes around three and a half hours.

Machu Picchu has put measures in place to prevent overtourism and set a daily visiting cap. All visitors must first get a permit. Up to four months in advance, they are publicly accessible through the reservation system of the Peruvian Ministry of Culture. Many travel websites choose not to publish this information.

2. The Arizona Grand Canyon

This breathtaking area is in the U.S.One of the seven natural wonders of the world, it is located in the state of Arizona. One of those mesmerizing places whose grandeur and magnitude are challenging to depict in pictures or videos.

The 277-mile-long canyon is thought to have begun between five and six million years ago, despite the geology having evolved over the two billion years—yes, billion—preceding it. The Colorado River, which still flows through it and erodes the adjacent rock, is responsible for creating it. In certain spots, the Grand Canyon can be as wide as 18 miles across and as deep as a mile. Consider sitting on a ledge with a river below and a mile-long sheer rock face in the distance.

Most visitors stay on the South Rim. The Grand Canyon's many top-notch hiking trails begin here, and the Desert View Drive rim road is dotted with beautiful vistas. The lodging options available here and nearby range from tents to an exquisite log-built rustic resort on a canyon rim. On the lonely North Rim, there are a few hotel possibilities.

The historic Grand Canyon Railway, which departs from Williams, Arizona, is regularly used by tourists to travel to the canyon. The 64-mile rail line, which offers food and live music onboard, is a pleasant way to reach the canyon. Visit our articles on how to get to the Grand Canyon from Phoenix or Las Vegas if you prefer to drive.

3. Old-world city

Highlights: History is all around you; some must-see locations include the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Pantheon.

The Eternal City is more like a vast, bustling museum. The deep and enduring imprint of history that extends back thousands of years stays with visitors after they leave. A three-day itinerary covers most of the must-see sights because of the city's relative compactness.

Rome's must-see sites include the Colosseum, the neighboring Roman Forum, the Pantheon, and Vatican City, a separate country in the midst of the city.

Take some time to explore the area surrounding Rome. A trip to one of the nearby aqueduct ruins is fascinating, as is a stroll along a section of the Appian Way, an ancient Roman road.

If you're in the mood for the beach after all that sightseeing, Rome has a great selection of beach villages on the Lazio Coast that are only a short drive away. To escape the heat and commotion of the city, take a plunge in the refreshing Tyrrhenian Sea.

4. Maui in Hawaii

One of the highlights is the stunning tropical paradise with top-notch resorts and wide beaches.

 A few of the activities on offer include surfing, dining on the beach at a five-star resort in Wailea, riding a horse across a dormant volcano in Haleakala National Park, and hiking through a rainforest in the West Maui Mountains. The surroundings are breathtaking, and the island is among the most beautiful spots on the planet.

There are lodging options for everyone, ranging from luxurious five-star resort hotels to rustic hippy hut B&Bs. Because it is home to all the luxurious resorts, Wailea is like the beachside Beverly Hills of Maui. Spend some time in Kihei, where the people hang out, if you're staying here, and breathe some fresh air.

5. The Masai Mara of Kenya

Highlights include sleeping in luxurious safari hotels and observing wild creatures in their natural setting.

Masai Mara, in Kenya, is a popular safari destination and a tremendously biodiverse area. You can view all of the "big five" animals—the lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and Cape buffalo—in one trip or, with any luck, in one afternoon.

The protected Masai Mara National Reserve park region, which is enormous and extends all the way to Tanzania's Serengeti Plain, is made up of more than 1,500 square kilometers of mostly grassland. The two yearly migrations, which predominantly occur in July and August, are popular travel times. More than a million wildebeest and other animals are found in large herds roaming the area in search of food. Most visitors fly into Nairobi before boarding a small bush plane to travel to the Mara.

6. One from New Zealand.

Highlights: An accessible nation with breathtaking natural sights

Because of its incredible natural beauty, friendly people, and recent renown as the location for the Lord of the Rings movie (among many others), this island nation is one of the best places in the world to travel. One of the few locations on Earth where people still live, New Zealand is regarded as having an exceptional biodiversity.

Auckland is a fantastic starting point for your tour because of its culture, history, and museums. Spend some time at the seashore. Waitemata Harbour offers a range of boating and sailing activities in addition to beaches.

Travel to Queenstown to participate in some of the many outdoor extreme adventure activities that are offered around the country, and visit the Rotorua region to learn about and engage with Maori culture. Remember that this was the birthplace of bungee leaping.

7. Visit Istanbul, Turkey.

Highlights include strolling through the bazaars and visiting the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia.

Another location that provides a spectacular blend of culture, cuisine, and history is the capital city of Turkey. This area has a long history that spans from the time of the Ancient Greeks and Romans to the Ottoman Empire.

 You can go shopping during the day, enjoy Turkish cuisine and dancing in a fantastic restaurant at night, and then wake up (very early) to the Muslims' call to prayer in the morning. Loudspeakers mounted atop the minarets of the city's mosques transmit it over rooftops.

Istanbul boasts first-rate public transportation, making it easy to move around and see all the important landmarks. The Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia, and Topkapi Palace are three places that are a must-see.

8. Cambodian temple Angkor Wat

Highlights: A beautiful old city in the countryside is dotted with hundreds of finely built temples.

The largest religious structure in the world, Angkor Wat, is located in Cambodia not far from Siem Reap. The principal tourist destination in Cambodia is Angkor Wat.

It was built as a Hindu temple and mausoleum for the Khmer king at the beginning of the 12th century, and around the turn of the century, it was transformed into a Buddhist temple. is a little portion of a vast historical metropolis. The temple portion of Angkor Wat presently stands where Angor Thom's city and palace formerly stood. There are many more ruins nearby that were once a part of the ancient metropolis of Angkor.

Due to regular flights from Hong Kong and other key Asian cities, it is now relatively easy to visit the temples and ruins of Siem Reap. There are many various kinds of accommodations, ranging from modest guesthouses to opulent luxury resorts.

9. Bali

Highlights include bright beaches, vulcanological climbs, historic temples, and hospitable locals.

Off the coast of Indonesia, the magnificent island of Bali is a tropical paradise that must be seen. This region has it all, from majestic volcanoes and pristine beaches to lush jungles overflowing with mischievous monkeys.

It's not hard to stay longer than you had planned when you consider the welcoming Balinese people and the cultural attractions of the bright temples. A wide range of exciting activities are available in Bali, such as tours of the rice terraces, ascents of active volcanoes, surfing instruction, and market shopping.

Enjoy a delicious plate of Nasi Goreng or satay in the evening while listening to a Kecak dancing performance.

10. VISIT London, England.

A few highlights include world-class shopping, history, architecture, and gastronomy.

This old English city is a great place to go on vacation because it has so many beautiful places to explore. The Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace, and the Tower of London are just a few of the famous locations that may be seen while on holiday in London.

Enjoy the Royal Albert Hall's status as a center of culture by attending a play or a musical. Modern London also provides superb food, opulent living, and first-rate shopping.

The sizable, free British Museum is frequently very busy, so don't skip the museums. Spend some time at Oxford Street's free museum, The Wallace Collection. Along with some well-known Old Master paintings, it houses one of the biggest collections of furniture and ceramics in the world.

11. New York's Manhattan

The Statue of Liberty, Broadway theater, cuisine, and museums are some of the highlights.

The island is surrounded by the East, Hudson, and, to a lesser extent, the Harlem rivers. Only 23 square miles in size, this island is home to around two million people. The island typically has up to four million residents when the daily flow of employees is taken into account.

No other city compares to New York City's frenetic intensity. It has some of the best restaurants, stores, and museums in the entire world.

 It acts as the city's playground all year round, offering a variety of activities from museums to a zoo. Numerous green spaces where you may unwind and enjoy yourself are nearby, along with miles of walking, biking, and skating pathways. Ice skating, hot chocolate, shopping, and Broadway performances are some other wintertime activities in New York City.

12. vist Paris, France

Highlights include the Eiffel Tower, dining, shopping, and visiting museums.

Without visiting and climbing the most famous building in the city, no trip to Paris is complete. From its debut in 1889 for 41 years until 1930, the 300-meter-tall Eiffel Tower was without a doubt the tallest man-made structure in the world.

By climbing the 300 stairs from the ground level to the first of the tower's three stories, you can use your visit as a stair workout. You can reach the second level by climbing an additional 300 stairs if you're in fantastic shape. then ascend all the way in this elevator. You'll get some exercise and avoid the large majority of people who want to take the elevator numerous times.

13. Canada's Ontario

The Old Town and Beach, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the delectable dining options are highlights.

You might mistakenly believe you are in France as you stroll through Old Montreal's winding cobblestone streets and listen to French being spoken all around you. You may experience a little bit of Europe in North America by visiting the charming shops and cafés that line the historic district of this Canadian city.

There are many well-known farmers' markets all across the city, including as the Atwater Market and the Jean Talon Market, as well as a vibrant food scene. It is also highly known for its bagels, which are created hot and fresh by numerous well-known bakeries that you must visit.

While climbing Mount Royal, the substantial hill (or low mountain) that gave the city its name, don't miss to visit the spectacular Notre-Dame Basilica. Beautiful vistas that reach all the way to the dock will be your reward. 14. Accommodations: Best Hotels & Areas in Montreal

14. California's San Francisco, California.

Highlights include Fisherman's Wharf, the stunning Golden Gate Bridge, and vintage streetcars.

San Francisco is a distinctly American city and one of the world's most popular tourist destinations. Visit the area, ascend the hills with the cable cars, and savor some seafood at Fisherman's Wharf. Explore Marin County for a while, paying close attention to Sausalito, a picturesque town on the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge. The little drive is well worth it to see the enormous redwoods at Muir Woods National Monument, which are nearby.

Planning a trip to the Golden Gate Bridge, or even better, taking a drive across it, is a good idea. The strait separating San Francisco Bay from the Pacific Ocean is traversed by this marvel of contemporary engineering. The city in Northern California and Marin County are connected by the nearly two-mile-long, six-lane bridge.

The 1937-built bridge may be seen from many locations on both sides of its span and has a distinctive, geometric elegance. The Marin Headlands, a mountainous section of the Golden Gate National Recreation area, a national park that encompasses areas on both sides of the bridge, offers some of the best vistas.

15. Morocco's Marrakech is.

Old Walled City Highlights, Bazaar Shopping, and Sensory Overload

The Jemaa el-Fnaa, Marrakech's major green space, is where your inquiries ought to begin. It acts as the primary entrance to the formerly walled or medina city. The square is unlike any other place on earth because people are there all the time. There are musical performances, transgender belly dancers, snake charmers, and training sessions for monkeys in addition to amateur boxing matches.

There is a large food market, an antique market, and a swap meet. Additionally, you can have a haircut or get dental treatment done. The focal point of the scene is set up as a nighttime outdoor food market with rows of food stalls fronted by counters topped with chairs and fire performers.

From the majority of the major European cities, it takes less than four hours to travel to this unusual African location. There are numerous flights available as a result of its popularity. In the medina, accommodations range from riads, which are traditional homes converted into opulent boutique hotels, to five-star luxury resorts in the La Palmeraie neighborhood just outside the city.

16. Columbia's Cartagena

Highlights include some of Colombia's best cuisine and a magnificent walled city with 500-year-old traditional 19th-century architecture.

Bustling Cartagena, one of the most important old Spanish cities in the Caribbean, is a hub of activity on Colombia's northern coast. The medieval walled city has gone through ups and downs in its fortunes since its founding in 1533, but more recently has undergone a revival and revitalization.

The historic city has undergone extensive renovations that have transformed deteriorating 16th-century structures into contemporary hotels, cafés, and stores. Explore the narrow city streets to find grand churches, public squares adorned with art, or quirky shops selling the ideal memento.

Think about how things were about 500 years ago as you stroll along the historic city walls and enjoy the sunset over the water.

Americans can easily travel to Cartagena thanks to frequent flights from Miami and straightforward connections through Panama City. From almost anywhere in North America, one can travel there for a long weekend.

17. Jamaican Islands,

The highlights include visiting white-sand beaches, rocky mountains, opulent resorts, and uncharted islands.

A stunning chain of islands off the coast of northwest Africa should be on the bucket list of every sun seeker. Because each island in the Canary Islands is a little different from the others, an adventurous traveler can experience four, five, or even more things during a single trip there.

The beaches on the Canary Islands are particularly well-known. The best beaches in Spain are those with lovely white sand and clear waters. Tourists typically stay at one of the opulent resorts that line the riverbank when they visit.

For those looking for adventure, this area offers imposing volcanoes, stunning hiking trails, towering pine forests, and authentic historic towns dating back to Christopher Columbus' era.

The most well-known islands include Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, Tenerife, and Gran Canaria. Each of these offers a distinctive experience and environment.

18. Honk Kong

The Victoria Harbor Star Ferry, skyscrapers, Victoria Peak views, and delicious food are some of the highlights.

With its massive skyscrapers crammed into a small area and strong emphasis on business, Asia's largest city occasionally reminds one of an Asian Manhattan. However, if you take a closer look, you'll see that the city is home to a rare fusion of traditional Chinese culture and remnants of its former British colonial rule. Shiny skyscrapers are constructed using hand-assembled bamboo scaffolding in a blend of the old and the new.

Victoria Harbour divides the city's two main districts, Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. Take the Star Ferry across the bay; it's still one of the most reasonably priced ways to get about, plus you get stunning views from both sides. The sparsely populated Outlying Islands, hiking paths, and stunning beaches can be found farther out.