There are a lot of amazing places in the world, but some certainly stand out more than others. These landmarks are the best of the best, with the most historical relevance, interesting architecture, and overall influence on the country in which they are situated. They were also voted as travelers choices for Best Landmarks in 2015, by TripAdvisor. Explore these 25 amazing places below – #24 is simply breathtaking to see in person.Hidden within the otherworldly forests of Siem Reap, Cambodia, lies Angkor Wat, the most famed and visited of Cambodia’s temples. It covers for than 400 square miles (larger than NYC’s five boroughs). It is known for it’s elegant spires, and the silhouette of Angkor Wat can even be found on the Cambodian flag.
Located in the Andes, Machu Picchu stands 2,430 meters above sea-level, right in the middle of a lush, tropical mountain forest. It was built by the Inca Empire, and is comprised of terraces and giant walls that are so elegantly built, they appear to be cut into the rock itself.
Built over the course of 22 years by over 22,000 workers, the Taj Mahal is a sight to behold. It is regarded as one of the eight wonders of the world, as is built entirely out of white marble. The Taj Mahal is gorgeous at any time of day, but is said to be particularly breathtaking at night, when it glows under the light of the full moon.
This location is said to be Abu Dhabi’s most iconic landmark. The structure was built between 1996-2007, and features eighty two white domes, all made from Greek and Italian marble. It is the largest mosque in the United Arab Emirates, and the eighth largest mosque in the world.
The Sagrada Família is the world’s tallest church, standing 560 feet over Barcelona, Spain. Because of its odd design, it is thought of as an anomaly by architects, historians, and critics. Technically, it’s still under construction and likely won’t be finished until after 2026.
The most recognizable landmark in Rome next to the Colosseum, St. Peter’s is the largest church in the world. It was built on Vatican Hill, in the historic center of the city. The basilica was named after St. Peter, who died a martyr and was considered by many to be the first official pope.
This amazing structure took nearly six centuries to complete. Once finished, it secured its spot as the fifth largest cathedral in the world. The cathedral is dedicated to St. Mary of the Nativity.
The federal prison on Alcatraz Island is located in California’s San Francisco Bay. The prison operated from 1934 to 1963, and housed some of the country’s most dangerous felons. Among those who served time at the maximum-security facility were the notorious gangster Al “Scarface” Capone and murderer Robert “Birdman of Alcatraz” Stroud. No inmate ever successfully escaped this facility, which was nicknamed “The Rock.”
Corcovado, which means “hunchback” in Portuguese, rises over 2,000 feet above the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. At the very top of the mountain is a statue of Jesus Christ with his arms spread wide, known as “Christ the Redeemer.” At night, the statue is visible from nearly every part of the city.
Though it’s one of the most iconic and beautiful American landmarks, it could have been far uglier. In fact, the design for the Golden Gate Bridge was initially rejected. The bridge’s original design, produced by chief engineer Joseph Strauss in 1921, resembled “an upside-down rat trap.” Strauss agreed to scrap the design, and reworked his ideas into something more graceful.
When you think of Paris, you more than likely think of the Eiffel Tower. This beautiful landmark is synonymous with the city’s grace, beauty, and elegance. There are 1,665 steps in the tower, and it’s possible to climb to the top. Unsurprisingly, many people choose to take the elevator.
One of the main attractions of St. Petersburg, Russia, this church was built on the site where Emperor Alexander II was killed. It was completed in 1907,but has not been used as a functioning church in years. Today, it is simply a stunning tourist attraction.
Notre Dame is located in a part of Paris Island called Ile de la Cite. The cathedral was built between 1163 and 1345. During its construction, many different architects and designers introduced new elements to the design including the cathedral’s innovative flying buttresses.
The Alhambra gets its name from its reddish walls: In Arabic, al-Hamra means Red Castle. It’s located in Granada, Spain. It is one of Spain’s major tourist attractions, and has the country’s most well-known Islamic architecture.
The Hagia Sophia is a magnificent museum that looms large over Istanbul. Hagia Sophia translated to English means “Shrine of The Holy of God” It has the second largest dome in the world next to the Pantheon in Rome.
This amazing bridge is located in the heart of Prague. The bridge links Prague’s Old Town with Castle Hill and boasts some of the best views in the city. According to many tourists, the “statues emerging from the mists of a Prague dawn is one of the loveliest sights of the city. “
This section of the Great Wall of China has 22 watchtowers, and is built almost entirely of granite. It’s the longest fully-restored section of this world wonder, and the entirety of Mutianyu is open to tourists.
Begun in 1867, The Lincoln Memorial wasn’t finished until more than 50 years after Lincoln’s assassination. It sits across the National Mall from the Washington Monument, and it is the location of Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech.
Standing at over 2,700 feet high in the heart of Dubai, the Burj Khalifa is impressive – if not a little overwhelming. Burj Khalifa is three times the height of the Eiffel Tower, and twice the size of the Empire State Building.
This memorial was constructed to pay homage to the people that perished on 9/11, as well as to signify hope for the future. Over a million people visited within the first three months of opening.
One of the oldest and largest wats,or temples, in Bangkok, it’s believed Buddha actually lived here. More impressive than the structure itself is the massive statue of the reclining Buddha inside, which depicts the Buddha approaching nirvana – or in other words, dying. The reclining Buddha is 140 feet long and 50 feet high
Chichen Itza is the second-most popular site for visitors to Mexico. It is believed that the Maya didn’t use the wheel in building their temples and pyramids, so it’s somewhat of a mystery how they constructed this building. Though the Castillo, or The Castle, is the complex’s signature attraction, it has begun to crumble so much that visitors can’t climb the stairs.
The Sydney Opera House is Australia’s pre-eminent cultural center. Famous for its cutting-edge architecture and interest roofs. It might not look large from a distance, but there are over 1,000 rooms in this opera house.
Cutting high above the Kuala Lumpur skyline, the Petronas Towers were built to signify Malaysia’s arrival as a center for economic development and trade. They are the tallest twin buildings in the world, and together, they have about 32,000 window.
The Panama Canal is one of the most biggest and most difficult feats of engineering. Each year, over 13,000 ships pass through the canal. Though the US used to have control of its waters, it was relinquished to Panama in 1999.
