1. Machu Picchu, Peru
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the beautiful ancient Incan city of Machu Picchu has been named the world’s number one landmark by Tripadvisor, beating both the Taj Mahal and St. Peter’s Basilica to the top spot. Located 2,430 metres above sea level in the Peruvian Andes, the incredible historic hotspot sees up to 2,000 visitors a day – with many undertaking the challenging 4-day, 100-kilometre Inca Trail trek beforehand.
2. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, United Arab Emirates
In at number two, Abu Dhabi’s towering Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is the only Middle Eastern entry on Tripadvisor’s list; it is also the newest, with construction work finishing just seven years ago in 2007. Situated in the United Arab Emirates’ capital city, no expense was spared on the impressive religious monolith, which cost an incredible US $545 million to build.
3. Taj Mahal, India
Built in the 17th century by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan; Agra’s giant mausoleum has been a standout world landmark since its completion in 1653. Attracting around three million visitors a year, the Taj Mahal gained UNESCO World Heritage status in 1983 and has seen an steady influx of snap-happy tourists ever since.
4. Great Cathedral and Mosque, Spain
The Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba has been one of Spain’s most-visited historic landmarks for centuries. Fittingly, the ‘Mezquita-Catedral’, as it is known locally, has ranked in Tripadvisor’s top 10 world landmarks for the second year in a row. Situated just two hours south of Madrid, tourists visiting the Mosque-Cathedral have been consistently wowed by its ornate architecture and ancient heritage.
5. St. Peter’s Basilica, Italy
Taking more than a century to complete, St. Peter’s Basilica is arguably Italy’s most impressive renaissance, baroque building. The religious relic has had millions of tourists flocking to Vatican City from across the globe and looks set to maintain its hard-earned place in the world’s top 10 landmarks for the foreseeable future.
6. Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Another landmark you are likely to recognize straight off the bat is the ancient Hindu/Buddhist temple of Angkor Wat. Located in tourist-friendly Siem Reap, the religious monument is the best-preserved temple on site and has received consistent praise from tourists for its traditional Khmer and Kalinga architecture. The most popular way to see Angkor Wat is by trekking to the temple and watching the sunrise over the relic’s distinctive turrets.
7. Bayon Temple, Cambodia
The second entry for the Southeast Asian country of Cambodia is Bayon Temple, also located in Siem Reap. Built in the late 12th century, the historic monument stands at the centre of the Jayavarman capital, Angkor Thom, and has proven to be a popular tourist hotspot. Undoubtedly, you have seen numerous holiday snaps alongside the temple’s distinctive stone faces, which jut from the building’s upper terrace, contrasting the classical style of Angkor Wat.
8. Church of our Saviour on Spilled Blood, Russia
This year marks the second time that the colourful domes of St. Petersburg’s Church of our Saviour on Spilled Blood have graced Tripadvisor’s ‘top landmarks’ list. The iconic Russian cathedral is known across the world for its distinctive style and pristine architecture, attracting droves of tourists to the country’s historic hub.
9. Gettysburg National Military Park, US
The first American entry on Tripadvisor’s top 10 list is the sprawling, 3,695-acre Gettysburg National Military Park. Attracting more than a million visitors a year, the park comprises the Gettysburg National Cemetery, Gettysburg Battlefield and Eisenhower National Historic Site, displaying more than 43,000 American Civil War artefacts.
10. Ancient City Walls, Croatia
Dubrovnik’s Ancient City Walls have protected the coastal Croatian city since the 7th century, and have been consistently added to over the last 10 centuries. Today, visitors are encouraged to explore the winding 2km of fortified walls, which offer incredible views of the Adriatic Sea and surrounding countryside.
