Ten Most Famous Landmarks to Visit in 2025

The world is filled with amazing places to see and explore. From very old temples that have lasted for thousands of years to very tall, modern buildings, some sites are known everywhere as global icons.

These famous landmarks tell us the story of human history, art, and what people have dreamed of building. They show us the biggest achievements of different cultures across time.

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This article explores ten most important places on Earth that you should visit soon based on the recent travel information and the long-lasting historical importance of each place.

1. Eiffel Tower (Paris, France)

The Eiffel Tower was designed and built specifically for a massive event called the 1889 World’s Fair in Paris. It was meant to stand as a temporary structure for 20 years, after which it was supposed to be taken down. However, due to its value for communication saved it from being destroyed.

The Tower was designed by Gustave Eiffel’s company, and its construction was a huge engineering feat for the time.

The primary reason for its creation was to serve as the main entrance arch to the 1889 World’s Fair. Its tall design was meant to show off the technological skill and advanced industrial capabilities of France to the entire world.

The Tower is very large, standing tall above Paris. The Tower’s original height was 312 meters (1,024 feet). It is located on the Champ de Mars, a large public green space near the Seine River. Over time, with the addition of different antennae, its size has increased slightly.

For many decades after its completion, the Tower was known as the tallest man-made structure in the world. It is always a global icon and a central part of the world’s image of Paris.  It stands as a powerful symbol of modern architectural genius and the spirit of innovation in the 19th century.

2. The Great Wall of China (China)

The history of the Great Wall of China is not just one story, but many stories over time. Its construction started as early as the 7th century BC, but the most famous and visible sections were built during the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644).

The primary reason for its creation was defense and military protection. It was designed and built to protect the Chinese states and empires against raids, attacks, and invasions from groups living to the north, especially nomadic tribes.

The Great Wall’s size is truly enormous and unmatched. The most commonly accepted length, including all its branches and parts, is over 21,196 kilometers (13,171 miles).

The wall lies across the entire northern historical border of China. It runs through many different provinces, mountains, deserts, and grasslands. Some of its sections sections are located close to major cities like Beijing.

The Wall’s most significant function was to serve as a military barrier and a signaling network. Soldiers used the wall to quickly send messages (using smoke or fire) across long distances to warn different armies of an attack.

The Great Wall holds immense value as a symbol of human determination and history. Walking on the wall gives people a deep feeling for the vast power and long history of ancient China.

3. The Colosseum (Rome, Italy)

The Colosseum has a dark and important background history in Rome. Its construction began under Emperor Vespasian around AD 70–72. It was completed by his successor, Titus, in AD 80. It became the largest amphitheater ever built at the time.

The main reason for its creation was to serve as a gift to the Roman people and to host large public events. It was built to host games and contests to entertain the Roman people. This entertainment kept the citizens happy and reinforced the power of the emperors.

The Colosseum is massive in size. It could hold an estimated 50,000 to 80,000 spectators at its peak. It measures about 189 meters (620 feet) long, 156 meters (512 feet) wide, and 48 meters (157 feet) tall, showing the enormous scale of Roman engineering.

The Colosseum is located in the center of the city of Rome, Italy. It was built just east of the Roman Forum, making it a central and easy-to-reach location for the people of Ancient Rome.

The Colosseum has great value because visiting it is like stepping directly back in time to the height of the Roman Empire. It is an amazing way to understand the scale and drama of Roman history and culture.

4. Machu Picchu (Cusco Region, Peru)

Machu Picchu has a somewhat mysterious history. This ancient Incan citadel was built high up in the Andes mountains, most likely around the year 1450. It was abandoned about a century later, possibly because of the Spanish conquest, though the Spanish never found it. It was hidden from the outside world until 1911.

The exact reason for its creation is still debated by historians. It was most likely built to serve as a royal retreat, a spiritual center, or a sacred religious site for the Incan emperors and their most important people.

Machu Picchu covers an area of about 5 square miles (13 square kilometers). It consists of over 150 different buildings, including temples, baths, houses, and storage rooms, all connected by stone paths.

It is situated on a mountain ridge, approximately 2,430 meters (7,970 feet) above sea level, above the Sacred Valley.

This ancient Incan site continues to captivate travelers from all over the world with its beauty and mystery. Its current status requires very careful management. Because the site is fragile and important, visitors should book well in advance due to the very strict daily limits placed on the number of people allowed to enter.

Machu Picchu still holds enormous value for its setting and its architecture.

5. Taj Mahal (Agra, India)

The Taj Mahal complex covers a large area, including gardens, a mosque, and other buildings in the city of Agra, India. It is situated on the south bank of the Yamuna river.

The construction of  Taj Mahal began around 1632. It was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. The entire project took over 20 years to complete, involving thousands of artisans and craftsmen.

The main reason for its creation was as a mausoleum, or tomb. Emperor Shah Jahan built the structure to hold the body of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died in 1631. Its entire design and beauty were meant to serve as a lasting monument of eternal love and devotion to her memory.

The main marble mausoleum itself stands about 73 meters (240 feet) tall. The entire complex covers 42 acres (17 hectares), showing its grand scale.

The Taj Mahal is recognized globally as a masterpiece of Mughal architecture. The building has great value for its perfect symmetry, detailed inlaid stonework, and careful planning. It represents the height of Mughal art, which skillfully blended Islamic, Persian, and Indian styles.

6. Statue of Liberty (New York City, USA)

The Statue of Liberty has a strong history rooted in international relations. The idea for the statue came from French political thinkers. The construction in France began in 1876, and the statue was shipped to the U.S. and dedicated in 1886. It was a gift to the people of the United States from the people of France.

The main reason for its creation was to celebrate the alliance between France and the United States. It was meant to commemorate the centennial (100th anniversary) of the signing of the U.S. Declaration of Independence. It was created to stand as a powerful beacon of freedom and democracy.

The Statue of Liberty is large and commanding. The copper statue itself stands 46 meters (151 feet) tall. When you include the pedestal and the foundation, the entire monument reaches a height of 93 meters (305 feet), making it a huge sight in the harbor.

The Statue of Liberty is famously located in the New York City Harbor, USA. It stands on Liberty Island, making it the first major landmark seen by many people arriving in the U.S. by sea, especially the millions of immigrants who arrived over the years.

The Statue’s most significant function is to act as a powerful, welcoming symbol of freedom, democracy, and opportunity. For immigrants arriving in the USA, it was the first sight of the new country, symbolizing the hope for a free life and prosperity.

The Statue of Liberty is one of the most famous and recognizable landmarks in the New York City Harbor. Its current status requires planning for visitors.

The Statue holds immense value as a symbol. It represents the ideals of the American people, including liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

7. Sagrada Família Church (Barcelona, Spain)

The Sagrada Família has a long and ongoing history. The construction of this massive Roman Catholic church began in 1882. The famous Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí took over the project in 1883 and dedicated the rest of his life to its design, working on it until his death in 1926.

The main reason for its creation was to be a magnificent Roman Catholic basilica and a religious center for the people of Barcelona.

The Sagrada Família is vast in size. When finished, it will have eighteen towers, the tallest of which will reach 172.5 meters (566 feet). Its enormous size and unique design make it one of the largest and most complex churches ever attempted.

The church is centrally located in the city of Barcelona, Spain. Its large presence and unusual design make it a focal point of the city. It is easily accessible and stands out among the surrounding modern buildings.

8. The Great Pyramid of Giza (Giza, Egypt)

The Great Pyramid of Giza has the longest history of any landmark on this list. It was built during the Fourth Dynasty of Egypt over 4,500 years ago, around 2560 B.C. It was built for the Pharaoh Khufu and is the largest of the three pyramids in the Giza complex.

The main reason for its creation was to serve as a tomb and a burial complex for the powerful Pharaoh Khufu. The Egyptians believed the Pharaoh was divine, and the pyramid was built to protect his body and all the necessary goods for his important journey into the afterlife.

The Pyramid’s original size was truly monumental. It originally stood at 146.6 meters (481 feet) tall, making it the tallest man-made structure in the world for over 3,800 years. It consists of an estimated 2.3 million stone blocks, each weighing many tons.

The Great Pyramid is permanently located on the Giza Plateau in Egypt. It is on the outskirts of the modern city of Cairo. This location, on a desert plateau, has helped preserve it for thousands of years.

The structure’s most significant function was to be a royal tomb and a religious monument. It was the central point of a complex designed to honor the dead pharaoh and ensure his successful transition into the next life.

This is the only remaining Ancient Wonder of the World, which gives it unique and immense historical status.

9. Petra (The Treasury, Jordan)

Petra was established as the capital of the Nabataean civilization as early as the 4th century BC. The city grew rich and powerful because it controlled the trade routes that passed through the region.

The city’s main reason for creation was to be a major trading hub and capital city. Its hidden location made it defensible. The famous rock-cut structures were created to serve as tombs, temples, and places to honor the wealthy and powerful citizens.

Petra is a vast archaeological site. The most famous structure, The Treasury (Al-Khazneh), stands about 40 meters (131 feet) high. The entire city complex, however, extends over many square miles, with hundreds of rock-cut tombs, temples, and homes.

Petra is located in a remote valley in the southwest of modern Jordan. It is known as the “Rose City” because the stone from which it is carved is often a beautiful reddish-pink color.

The site’s most significant function was to be a commercial and political center. It controlled the major trade routes that moved expensive goods like incense, spices, and silks through the desert.

10. Angkor Wat (Siem Reap, Cambodia) Angkor Wat has a magnificent history. It was built in the early 12th century by the Khmer King Suryavarman II. It was built as his state temple and eventually his mausoleum. It was the central architectural project of the mighty Khmer Empire.

It was to serve as a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Vishnu. It was built to demonstrate the king’s power and to honor the gods. It was also intended to be the eventual tomb for the king after his death.

Angkor Wat is immense in size. The entire temple complex is surrounded by a massive moat and walls, covering over 400 acres (162 hectares). It is known as the world’s largest religious structure by land area.

The temple’s most significant function was originally as a Hindu temple. Later, it transformed into a Buddhist temple, serving as the spiritual and state center for the entire Khmer Empire. Its function was to connect the king to the divine.

Angkor Wat holds great value as a cultural and historical masterpiece. The site is a perfect example of classical Khmer art and architecture.