There’s a lot to consider when planning a vacation or traveling somewhere new. Some people choose specific destinations based on landmarks and world attractions. Plenty of folks grow up wishing they’ll eventually have the chance to lay eyes on specific monuments by the time they reach adulthood. Some of the most overrated tourist attractions include Mount Rushmore, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Times Square, Disneyland in Anaheim, and Plymouth Rock. These attractions have been labeled overrated because they’re overly crowded by loads of visitors at all times. To make matters worse, their price points are often a bit outrageous.
Tons of world attractions will never be considered overrated or underrated, by the way. These middle-of-the-road attractions are special, timeless, and iconic. Several undeniable world attractions will always be worthwhile, regardless of how crowded they might get or how expensive they might be. Just think of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Colosseum in Rome, Niagara Falls in Canada, the Taj Mahal in India, the Statue of Liberty in the Big Apple, and the Great Wall of China as a few valuable examples.
As far as underrated world attractions go, a handful of epic places fly under the radar of the masses every year. For some reason, these underrated world attractions haven’t received as much attention, respect, or clout as they deserve. The good news about visiting underrated world attractions is that the crowds are never too chaotic or overbearing. The price points are often lower than what you might estimate as well. While we’re on the topic of special places to visit around the globe, click here to uncover iconic world attractions that no longer exist.
To compile this list of the most underrated world attractions ever, 24/7 Tempo consulted several travel sources. These include Thrillist, World Packers, Travel + Leisure, Travel Channel, and Explore.
The Terracotta Army Museum in China
If you’re traveling to China, the Great Wall of China is an obvious landmark to visit. What about the Terracotta Army Museum, though? The special museum is full of sculptures that showcase what the first-ever emperor of China looked like. The attention-grabbing sculptures also depict what his armies once looked like as well.
The emperor’s name was Qin Shi Huang and the museum now exists as a place to protect his soul in the afterlife. All the clay soldiers placed in rows are meant to represent real soldiers protecting the tomb of Qin Shi Huang. They were carved to accurately showcase the men of that era.
The Sydney Harbor Bridge in Australia
There are so many lovely sites to admire throughout Australia, and the Sydney Harbor Bridge happens to be one of them. The arch-style bridge is made of steel for sturdiness. It spans across Sydney Harbor between the North Shore and the central business district. Curious visitors are welcome to schedule walking tours across the Sydney Harbor Bridge.
Walking tours are perfect for folks hoping to admire some of Australia’s most exquisite outdoor views. If you’re not interested in physically crossing Sydney Harbor Bridge on foot, you can always book a water cruise or boat tour to catch a better glimpse of the bridge from below. Most of the boat and cruise tours offer brunch and dinner along with the base ticket.
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in Japan
The events that took place in Hiroshima will never be forgotten. For that reason, Japan opened the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park for locals and tourists to spend quality time. The park was specifically designed to honor the legacy of Hiroshima and the devastating nuclear attack that occurred at the end of World War II. The memorial park serves as a place to remember all the bomb victims who died.
Malham Cove in England
Malham Cove is a lovely tourist attraction in England. The cove is a naturalistic wonder that visitors can experience firsthand. The limestone scenery of Malham Cove is beyond breathtaking. Since the cove is so beautiful to lay eyes on, it’s considered one of the most stunning natural wonders in England. Admission to Malham Cove is completely free, which means tourists won’t break the bank to catch glimpses of the beautiful limestone formations.
The Great Buddha in Japan
Visiting the Great Buddha statue is an enticing thing to do while spending time in Japan. The bronze statue has been around since the 13th century, which means there’s loads of history behind it. As of now, it’s the second tallest Buddha statue carved in bronze located in the entire country.
Since Buddhism is a popular religion in Japan, this statue is highly valuable to many of the locals who live in the area. For deeper context into Buddhism, there are about 535 million people practicing the religion today. Based on that number, about 8% of the world’s population has respect for this special statue.
Buckingham Fountain in Chicago, USA
Buckingham Fountain, not to be confused with Buckingham Palace, is located in Chicago, Illinois. The landmark can be tracked down between Ida B. Wells Drive and Queens Landing in the midwestern state. Back in 1927, Buckingham Fountain was dedicated to the city of Chicago by a woman named Kate S. Buckingham. As a philanthropist, she wanted to leave a mark on society.
She did so with the construction of this fountain. Along with being the brilliant mind behind Buckingham Fountain, S. Buckingham also enjoyed collecting decorative arts, medieval sculptures, and tapestries. She had an eye for the most complex and intricate details. Her connection to Buckingham Fountain makes sense after seeing the way the different streams of water connect with each other on the fountain.
The Blue Mosque in Istanbul
Also known as the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, the Blue Mosque is located in Istanbul. Between 1609 and 1617, hard-working individuals were busy constructing the Blue Mosque from the ground up. Despite the fact that the mosque was built many centuries ago, it’s still active and functioning today.
It’s still important in Istanbul because visitors have the opportunity to admire the complex architectural beauty of the structure. If you’re curious to know how the Blue Mosque got its name, it comes from its color. In certain lighting, the Blue Mosque appears to be a dark gray or white color. In the right lighting, it’s clear that the gorgeous building is actually a shade of royal blue.
Penobscot Narrows Bridge in Maine, USA
You’ll have to rewind back to 2006 for the history of the Penobscot Narrows Bridge. This attention-grabbing bridge is located in Maine. It first opened in 2006 as a replacement for the Waldo Hancock Bridge, which was built many years prior in 1931. The Penobscot Narrows Bridge spans 2,120 feet long, connecting the city of Prospect to Verona Island within the state of Maine.
The elegant bridge climbs 420 feet into the sky for people to admire. There are a handful of intriguing things to do in Maine, including visiting the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, checking out the Portland Headlight Lighthouse, and trekking through Acadia National Park. The Penobscot Narrows Bridge still lands on this list before those options as one of the most underrated world attractions.
Angel Falls in Venezuela
It seems there are unlimited natural wonders around the globe, and Angel Falls happens to be another one of them. Get ready to add this one to your travel itinerary for its sheer beauty. Angel Falls is a breathtaking waterfall located in Venezuela. It’s classified as the world’s tallest waterfall without any interruptions. Rumbling waves of water pour from a height of 3,211 feet.
The plunge of Angel Falls is a massive 2,647.6 feet. This is the type of waterfall people love taking pictures of — without getting too close. Keep in mind that climbing Angel Falls is totally illegal in Venezuela. Since it’s dangerous enough to end your life, it’s best to view it from a safe distance while preserving its natural ecosystem. Tons of wildlife resides there, including reptiles, amphibians, birds, and fish.
Bryce Canyon Amphitheater in Utah, USA
Utah has a fabulous reputation among Americans since there are loads of beautiful views to see from nearly every angle. The Bryce Canyon amphitheater is located in Utah as a picturesque and unique natural attraction. Plenty of adventurers consider the Bryce Canyon amphitheater to be a superb place for outdoor exercise. Folks who love hiking and dog walking will wholeheartedly enjoy themselves at the Bryce Canyon amphitheater. It’ll take you two or three hours to complete the entire trail with minimal breaks.
The Church of Saint-Sulpice in Paris
Paris is often considered one of the most romantic cities in the world. Plenty of people can agree that France is magical. Beyond the Eiffel Tower, there’s a lot more to get excited about in such a romantic country. The Church of Saint-Sulpice was originally founded in 1646 and currently exists as the third largest Parisian church of all time. Today, the church still functions in honor of the Catholic religion, with multiple services taking place every Sunday.
Wave Rock in Australia
When visiting Australia, taking time to stop at Wave Rock is certainly worth your time. It’s even more worth your while if you truly enjoy admiring the natural wonders of the world with your own two eyes. Wave Rock is famous for its aesthetic beauty. It came to be following over 2.7 billion years of erosion from rain and wind. Since Wave Rock is so lovely to look at, photographers often use it as a backdrop for elegant photoshoots.
Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany
One of the most exciting tourist attractions in Germany happens to be Neuschwanstein Castle. Construction on the castle first started in 1869, but the doors didn’t finally open until 1884. It’s since been labeled one of the best 19th-century palaces for history buffs to visit. Based on the way the Neuschwanstein Castle was designed and built, it’s now considered a highly recognizable symbol of Germany.
Elk Rock Gardens in Portland, USA
You’re missing out on true outdoor beauty if you skip Elk Rock Gardens while traveling to Portland, Oregon. The blooms of Elk Rock Gardens first started being planted in 1893. A man named Peter Kerr was inspired to plant the garden and he continued watching a blossom until his death in 1957. Elk Rock Gardens spans across 13 stunning acres. Today, the land is covered in flowers, fruit trees, and vegetable growth.
Shoshone Falls in Idaho, USA
Another top-tier American world attraction to see is Shoshone Falls in Idaho. The waterfall is both jaw-dropping and exquisite. Since it surpasses the height of Niagara Falls, many people believe it should receive just as much attention from tourists. That isn’t the case, though. Since Niagara Falls is placed between Canada and New York while Shoshone Falls is in Idaho, Shoshone Falls doesn’t get mentioned as often as it probably should. Generally speaking, Canada and New York pull in more tourist attention than Idaho.
Huascarán National Park in Peru
A vacation to Peru will become far more special after spending time at Huascarán National Park. This national park was first established in 1975. It’s still open today for tourists and locals to visit for wildlife admiring, picnics, hikes, and beautiful photo opportunities. The highest tropical mountain range in the central Peruvian Andes is located inside Huascarán National Park, which is why it will always maintain such a high level of importance.
Fatehpur Sikri in India
If you’re planning a trip to India sometime soon, it’ll be worth your while to add a visit to the small city of Fatehpur Sikri. It was originally founded in the 16th century by an emperor who wanted to construct something undeniably outstanding. The Mughal emperor was determined to create religious buildings, residential buildings, and sales buildings together in one place. He achieved exactly what he set out to do, and the city is still standing strong today.
Tsingy de Bemaraha Integral Nature Reserve in Madagascar
A beautiful nature preserve to visit in Madagascar happens to be Tsingy de Bemaraha Integral Nature Reserve. This nature reserve was first established in 1990 based on its breathtaking geographical layout. At the time, people knew it was important to preserve the area since it was full of incredible wildlife and mangrove forests. Since then, clear walkways have been added to the nature preserve to help visitors navigate the land more easily.
Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado, USA
There’s more to do in Colorado than skiing in Aspen and taking in the city life of Denver. Mesa Verde National Park is a perfect place for adventurers to go since it’s another highly underrated world attraction. This national park was first established in 1906. Today, it still includes endless rock carvings for hikers to analyze and appreciate. It’s possible that more archaeological sites will be uncovered there in the future, but for now, more than 4,700 have already been pointed out.
Mir Castle Complex in Belarus
Back in the 1520s, a man named Duke Ilinich started construction plans for Mir Castle Complex. His intentions were to design a long-standing castle with a Gothic ambiance. He succeeded in that, and the castle still stands strong today. As of now, Mir Castle Complex has become a museum people can visit based on their own interests and curiosities. Sometimes, folks choose to visit world attractions like this one for the purpose of taking phenomenal pictures for social media. Click here to learn about the most popular Instagram attractions in the world.