HISTORIC PLACES TO VISIT IN THE WORLD: THE 20 BEST DESTINATIONS

These are 20 of the most stunning historic locations on Earth:

1.Tikal, Guatemala

Chichen Itza, Mexico’s most famous (mentioned below at number 17), is often overshadowed. Tikal makes Chichen Itza seem small. Go up one of the Mayan pyramids to see it for yourself.

You can only imagine the power and grandeur of this historical city, with its over 3,000 structures scattered across the jungle. It is believed that 100,000 people lived there.

Around 900 BC, the Mayans created Tikal. Construction continued until the 8th Century AD. The entire Tikal complex was abandoned shortly after its completion. It is still unknown why this city fell apart.

Volunteering in Guatemala is a great way to get to know the culture and rhythm of the country while you’re there for Tikal.

2.Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Angkor Wat, which covers a staggering 400km2, is the biggest religious monument.

Angkor Wat was originally built as a Hindu temple. It became a Buddhist temple at the end of the 12th Century. Many temples here include complex communication routes and hydraulic structures like reservoirs and canals. This is evidence that there was once an extraordinary civilisation.

It is possible to spend a whole day exploring Angkor Wat in Cambodia.

3.Bagan, Myanmar

Bagan is second in the list of extraordinary Buddhist monuments behind Angkor Wat.

Before Bagan was destroyed in 1287, more than 13,000 pagodas, temples, and other religious structures were scattered over the tree-covered plain of Myanmar. Today, around 2,200 remain!

4.Machu Picchu, Peru

Machu Picchu is truly as incredible as everyone claims. Amazingly, 75% is still original, created by the Incas.

The city is made up of approximately 200 structures. It reflects the Incas’ genius in astronomy, religion, and agriculture.

This Wonder of the World is 2,400m above sea level and nestled between the Andes Mountains.

Due to its geographical location, Machu Picchu was abandoned in the 16th century. The outside only discovered it in 1911.

Peru is just one aspect of the magic of Machu Picchu. You’ll want to spend more time there. You can apply for a volunteer position to extend your time.

5.The Colosseum in Italy

The Colosseum was the biggest arena of the Roman Empire. It made it to the 7 Wonders of the World List! It was also constructed almost 2,000 years ago, which is impressive.

The Colosseum was also the center of civilisation in Rome. Fifty thousand people could come together to see gladiator fights and executions.

Even though two-thirds (or more) of the original Colosseum in Italy have been destroyed, it is still one of the most visited tourist destinations in the world.

Italy is full of wonders, including wonderful volunteering opportunities.

6.Ephesus in Turkey

Ephesus, also known as ‘Efes’, was the second-most important city of the Roman Empire after Rome. It was founded in the 10th Century BC. Today, you can still see many of its extravagantly decorated buildings.

The Library of Celsus, which once housed 12,000 scrolls, is the show’s star. If all that isn’t impressive enough, Ephesus’ outdoor amphitheatre can hold 25,000 people and is considered the largest in ancient history.

In this historic location, you’ll also find one of the 7 Wonders of the World- the Temple of Artemis. Unfortunately, only a few columns remain of this majestic structure.

The top tip: You have two options. You can either pay for an audio guide at the entrance or download the Rick Steves podcast for free on your smartphone. He does an amazing job!

You should also check out volunteer positions in Turkey, so that you can stay longer there and take advantage of every moment.

7.Pyramids of Giza in Egypt

We still have a lot to learn about the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt. These massive structures were built by humans 4,500 years ago.

The 2.3 million blocks of stone weigh on average 2.5 to 15 tonnes. What was the effort involved in building three pyramids?

Egypt’s pharaohs were destined to be gods after death. They needed pyramid-style tombs and temples for gods to do this.

8.Syria, Ancient Bosra

Unfortunately, Syria’s turbulent past has kept chiefly its historic sites hidden from the rest of world. One is Ancient Bosra.

This historic city is believed to have been built in the 14th century BC. Bosra was the capital of the Roman province Arabia and home to approximately 80,000 people.

The Colosseum in Rome is undoubtedly impressive. But the 2nd century AD Roman theater in Bosra is equally as spectacular, perhaps better because it is well-preserved.

Al-Omari Mosque, also part of Bosra is believed to be the 3rd most ancient surviving mosque in all of the world.

9.Great Wall of China (China)

The Great Wall of China, which spans just over 21,000kms and is more than 2,300 years old is one of the most historic sites.

The wall was constructed to protect North China against nomads, and later the Silk Road.

It is now one of the 7 Wonders of the World.

10.Borobudur in Indonesia

Borobudur, located on Java Island, is the largest Buddhist temple in the world. The 9-platform, high-rise monument was built using 1.6 million blocks of volcanic rock.

The temple is small but the details are stunning. You’ll find 554 Buddha in meditative posture and 72 openwork stupas with a statue.

Borobudur, which was lost to all the world until 1815 after it was buried under volcanic rockash, was still in existence. The Indonesian Government and UNESCO tried restoring Borobudur’s former glory in the 1970’s.

11.Petra, Jordan

Petra is hidden in the gorges and mountains of red-rock cliffs. It was once a major trading center and cross-road between Arabia and Egypt.

The city was built in the 3rd Century BC. It is home of the famous Treasury, which most photos show. Other attractions include royal tombs, Roman ruins and monasteries, and stables.

World packers can help you find volunteer opportunities in and all over the country.

12.Taj Mahal, India

The Taj Mahal, another Wonder of the World, stands proudly on the banks of the River Yamuna. It’s a magnificent mausoleum of white marble, precious stones and geometric patterns.

The Taj Mahal, built in Agra in 1631-1648 by Shah Jahan, in memory of his favorite wife, was ordered to be made by the Mughal Emperor, . He was the first to set the standard for all husbands!

It is an unforgettable experience to walk through the gardens and gaze at the reflections in the ponds while admiring the magnificence of the Taj Mahal.

These unique volunteer opportunities will help you make the most of your time in India.

13.The Alhambra in Spain

The Alhambra is located on a plateau that overlooks the Spanish city of Granada. It is without a doubt one of the most stunning historic sites in Spain.

In the latter 800 AD, construction began at the Moors. In the late 800 AD, construction started at the hands of Moors.

Alhambra is not one palace. It is an entire complex that combines both Renaissance and mediaeval Moorish architecture. You will be captivated by the traditional Islamic details such as the wall covered in geometric patterns, painted tile and Arabic inscriptions.

You’ll find the perfect opportunity by searching our volunteer opportunities in Spain.

14.Hagia Sophia, Turkey

As you step into the Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, your eyes widen instantly. ‘s sheer size and architectural beauty will leave you speechless.

The Hagia Sophia is one of Istanbul’s most important historic sites. It was also an important site for the Byzantine Empire and Ottoman Empires.

It’s been used for many purposes. It was originally a Christian church that was built in the 6th Century. Later, it became a mosque and museum in 1453. In 1935, it was reclassified to a mosque. It is still being determined what the future holds.

15.China’s Forbidden City

The Forbidden city was once a place of terror for ordinary people. It is now the largest imperial palace in the world. It was 14 years in construction and more than 1,000,000 people .

The Forbidden city was built in 1420 by the Ming Dynasty emperor. It is a stunning display of traditional Chinese architecture at its best.

16.Easter Island, Chile

The journey to Easter Island is not an easy one. Searching for the 900 moai statues scattered throughout Chile’s Rapa Nui National Park is quite an adventure.

These stone blocks are carved into human-like figures and measure on average 4 m high. They weigh in at 14 tons. The best part is that we need to figure out why the Rapa Nui people did this task.

Chile’s rest is a beautiful place to explore and experience. These significant volunteer positions are available throughout Chile.

17.Chichen Itza, Mexico

Chichen Itza, Mexico receives more than 2.5 million visitors annually. They all want to see one of the 7 Wonders of the World.

This Maya city is thought to be over 1,500 years old. But Chichen Itza stands out in how well-preserved it was after so many centuries. It is due to the Maya’s excellent building materials and techniques.

El Castillo is the most well-known pyramid. However, the Temple of the Warriors and the Observatory display the sophistication and intelligence of the Maya–Toltec civilisation.

18.The Alamo, United States

The Alamo is a historic site in Texas that attracts more than 2.5 million visitors yearly.

The Alamo is where a small number of Texans (estimated to have been around 183 men), fought for Mexican independence. According to Mexican sources, there were approximately 1,600 men on the Mexican side.

Even though the numbers weren’t great, the Texans fought bravely for 13 days, before being defeated by the Mexican forces.

After the battle of 1836, Texans made The Alamo a symbol for heroic resistance.

The USA is not the most affordable country to travel. Volunteering is a great way to stay within your budget. World packers offers over 300 memorable volunteering experiences in the USA.

19.Timbuktu (Mali)

You may have heard of the term “Timbuktu,” used to describe a long journey. It’s a significant city located at the Sahara desert edge in Mali.

Between the 13th and 16th centuries, Timbuktu served as a center for Islamic scholarship. The timber and mud city was home to around 100,000 people. It contained three mosques as well as sixteen mausoleums.

Unfortunately, because of human neglect and the challenges of nature, it is not likely that Timbuktu will still be around. You should move it up on your list.

20.Saint Basil’s Cathedral in Russia

Saint Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow is one of Russia’s most well-known historical sites. Its nine colorful and intricately-designed domes look out over Moscow’s Red Square.

It was built by Ivan the Terrible between 1555-1561 to commemorate the defeat of the Kazan. Legend has it that Ivan the Terrible blinded the cathedral’s builders after it was completed so that no other structure of its beauty could ever be built.