Traveling the world gives you endless opportunities to discover and personally witness natural wonders that you cannot find anywhere else. Even the most seasoned travelers or those who travel for work will never run out of places to explore. However, there are more sites to see than there is time to do so in this world. Most people can only travel at certain times of year, so trips have to be planned out strategically. If you are a person like most who does not have all the time in the world but still wants to see what the world has to offer, this travel bucket list is for you.
This travel bucket list highlights the top 10 spots to visit across five different continents. The destinations range from beautiful resorts, ancient archaeological sites, snow and ice wonderlands, traditional cities, natural wonders and more. Helping you narrow down your travel wishlist, this bucket list also offers an opportunity to discover what places make most of Earth’s seven continents magnificent and unique.
Discover your dream travel destination below.
North American Travel Bucket List Destinations
Antelope Canyon, Arizona: Antelope Canyon is a slot canyon known for its smooth, flowing sandstone walls that create mesmerizing light beams when the sun shines directly overhead. Divided into Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon, these narrow passageways with stunning hues and light play make it a photographer’s paradise.
Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming: This vibrant hot spring is famous for its rainbow-like colors caused by microbial mats around the mineral-rich waters. It is the largest hot spring in the United States and the third-largest in the world.
Banff National Park, Canada: Nestled in the Canadian Rockies, Banff National Park features stunning mountain scenery, pristine lakes and the iconic Lake Louise, surrounded by glaciers and snow-capped peaks.
Zion National Park, United States: Zion National Park in Utah offers more than just its famous rainbow mountains, including towering red cliffs, slot canyons and the emerald waters of the Virgin River.
Cenotes of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico: These natural sinkholes, filled with crystal-clear freshwater, are scattered across the Yucatan Peninsula, providing a unique and refreshing swimming experience.
Pitons, Saint Lucia: The Pitons are two volcanic spires, Gros Piton and Petit Piton, rising dramatically from the sea on Saint Lucia’s southwest coast. These UNESCO World Heritage Site landmarks offer hiking trails and stunning views of the surrounding lush landscapes and the Caribbean Sea.
Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska: Experience dramatic fjords, tidewater glaciers and abundant marine wildlife in this stunning Alaskan park. Visitors can explore the park by boat tours to witness tidewater glaciers calving into the ocean, go hiking on various trails, take in the stunning scenery and experience the rich natural diversity.
The Baths, British Virgin Islands: This iconic destination on Virgin Gorda features massive granite boulders forming grottoes, pools and tunnels along the beach. Visitors can swim, snorkel and explore these enchanting natural formations.
White Sands National Park, New Mexico: White Sands National Park is located in the Tularosa Basin in southern New Mexico and spans about 275 square miles. The park is renowned as the world’s largest gypsum dune field. The dunes constantly shift and create a mesmerizing landscape. Visitors can hike the trails through the dunes, sled down the sand, stargaze in this International Dark Sky Park and learn about the unique plants and animals adapted to this environment.
Na Pali Coast, Hawaii: This travel bucket list destination is a remote and stunning coastline on the island of Kauai, featuring towering sea cliffs, lush valleys and pristine beaches accessible by hiking or boat tours.
South American Travel Bucket List Destinations
Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca), Peru: Similar to Utah’s rainbow mountains, Vinicunca offers colorful striations of mineral deposits, creating a stunning natural canvas of vibrant hues at high altitudes in the Andes.
Iguazu Falls, Argentina and Brazil: Iguazu Falls is one of the world’s most magnificent waterfalls and spans the border between Argentina and Brazil. The thundering cascades and lush surrounding rainforest create an awe-inspiring spectacle for travelers to witness.
Galapagos Islands, Ecuador: This volcanic archipelago in the Pacific Ocean is renowned for its unique wildlife and landscapes. Visitors can encounter diverse species, including giant tortoises, marine iguanas and blue-footed boobies.
Patagonia, Chile and Argentina: This region boasts breathtaking landscapes, including the awe-inspiring Torres del Paine National Park in Chile and the Perito Moreno Glacier in Argentina, offering stunning vistas and diverse ecosystems.
Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia: The world’s largest salt flat, Salar de Uyuni, presents a surreal landscape during the rainy season when it transforms into a giant mirror, reflecting the sky.
Amazon Rainforest, Brazil, Peru, Colombia: The world’s largest tropical rainforest, the Amazon, is a biodiversity hotspot offering unparalleled opportunities for wildlife encounters and exploration of lush, dense jungles.
Angel Falls, Venezuela: The world’s highest uninterrupted waterfall, Angel Falls cascades from the Auyán-Tepuí mountain in Canaima National Park, surrounded by breathtaking tepui plateaus.
Atacama Desert, Chile: Known as one of the driest places on Earth, the Atacama Desert features stunning salt flats, geysers, colorful rock formations, and an otherworldly, lunar-like landscape.
Easter Island (Rapa Nui), Chile: Famous for its monumental Moai statues, Easter Island offers a unique blend of mysterious archaeological sites, volcanic landscapes, and Polynesian culture.
Pantanal Wetlands, Brazil: The world’s largest tropical wetland area, the Pantanal, is a wildlife paradise where visitors can spot diverse species, including jaguars, caimans, and capybaras.
European Travel Bucket List Destinations
Santorini, Greece: Santorini is a volcanic island in the Cyclades group of Greek islands in the Aegean Sea. The Greek city is famous for its stunning sunsets, white-washed buildings with blue domes and dramatic cliffs overlooking the Aegean Sea. The sunsets in Santorini are particularly famous for their breathtaking beauty. Visitors can explore charming villages like Oia and Fira, visit ancient sites like Akrotiri, enjoy stunning beaches, and savor the local cuisine and wines.
Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia: Situated in central Croatia, this national park is renowned for its chain of 16 terraced lakes interconnected by waterfalls. The turquoise lakes, cascading waterfalls, and lush forests create a stunning natural landscape. The park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Northern Lights, Scandinavia: Witness the mesmerizing Aurora Borealis in regions like Norway, Sweden and Finland during the winter months. These are the only places during this specific time of year when you can see these colorful displays in the night sky.
Alhambra, Spain: Alhambra is a palace and fortress complex in Granada, Spain. This UNESCO World Heritage Site showcases stunning Moorish architecture, intricate courtyards, beautiful gardens like the Generalife, and the Nasrid Palaces. Visitors can explore the Alhambra’s various sections, including the Alcazaba fortress, the Palace of Carlos V, and the Generalife gardens. It’s the perfect travel bucket list destination for history lovers.
Fairy Pools, Isle of Skye, Scotland: The Fairy Pools are a series of crystal-clear pools fed by waterfalls located in the Scottish Highlands on the Isle of Skye. Surrounded by dramatic mountain scenery, these natural pools offer a magical and picturesque setting, perfect for hiking and photography.
Cinque Terre, Italy: Cinque Terre is a string of five colorful fishing villages perched on cliffs overlooking the Ligurian Sea, connected by scenic trails and offering breathtaking views.
The Swiss Alps, Switzerland: The Swiss Alps cover a significant portion of Switzerland, offering majestic mountain landscapes and pristine lakes. It is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, offering majestic mountain peaks, pristine lakes and charming villages amid stunning alpine scenery.
Plaza de España, Seville, Spain: Plaza de España is an architectural masterpiece featuring a stunning semi-circular building adorned with colorful tiles, bridges and a beautiful central fountain.
The Blue Lagoon, Iceland: The Blue Lagoon is a geothermal spa located in a lava field in Grindavík, Iceland. The milky-blue, mineral-rich waters of the lagoon are renowned for their healing aura and surreal beauty. The surrounding volcanic landscape adds to the unique experience. Visitors can relax in the geothermal waters, apply silica mud masks and enjoy various spa treatments while surrounded by the otherworldly scenery.
Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany: Neuschwanstein Castle is a fairytale-like castle nestled in the Bavarian Alps, known for its picturesque setting, towers and opulent interiors.
African Travel Bucket List Destinations
Serengeti National Park, Tanzania: The Serengeti spans approximately 12,000 square miles and is located in northern Tanzania. Renowned for its vast savannas, the park is famous for the annual Great Migration of wildebeest and zebras, as well as its diverse wildlife, including the “Big Five” (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, rhino). Visitors can experience game drives, hot air balloon safaris and, of course, witness the incredible wildlife and stunning landscapes.
Victoria Falls, Zambia/Zimbabwe: Victoria Falls is one of the largest waterfalls in the world and a thundering curtain of water plunging into the Zambezi River, creating a mesmerizing spectacle. Visitors can view the falls from various vantage points, take boat cruises and engage in adrenaline-pumping activities.
Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya: This reserve is famous for its diverse wildlife and known as the backdrop to the Great Migration, offering thrilling safari adventures and another opportunity to see the “Big Five.”
Pyramids of Giza, Egypt: This is an iconic archaeological site featuring the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Sphinx and several ancient tombs, showcasing the grandeur of ancient Egyptian civilization.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda: Bwindi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site situated in southwestern Uganda. It’s home to endangered mountain gorillas and is known for its dense forests and mountainous terrain. Gorilla trekking experiences allow visitors to observe these magnificent primates in their natural habitat.
Namib Desert, Namibia: Namib Desert is the oldest desert in the world, characterized by vast red sand dunes, striking landscapes and the surreal beauty of Sossusvlei. Visitors can explore the dunes, including Dune 45 and Big Daddy, enjoy sunrise/sunset views and visit unique sites like Deadvlei, a clay pan with ancient, dead trees.
Table Mountain, South Africa: Table Mountain is a prominent landmark overlooking Cape Town in South Africa. Here travelers are offered panoramic views of the city, coastline and the opportunity for hiking and outdoor activities.
Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania: The Ngorongoro Crater is a UNESCO World Heritage Site situated in northern Tanzania. The crater is a natural amphitheater, home to a dense concentration of wildlife, including lions, elephants and rhinos. It offers stunning scenery and a diverse ecosystem.
Okavango Delta, Botswana: The Okavango Delta located in northern Botswana is the world’s largest inland delta. Here the Okavango River fans out to create a labyrinth of water channels, attracting abundant wildlife and offering scenic boat safaris.
Marrakech, Morocco: This vibrant city is a cultural hub with its bustling souks, stunning palaces like the Bahia Palace and the lively Jemaa el-Fnaa square, offering a sensory experience of sights, sounds and flavors.
Asian Travel Bucket List Destinations
Taj Mahal, India: This iconic white marble mausoleum in Agra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a symbol of love, renowned for its stunning architecture and intricate craftsmanship.
Great Wall of China, China: Spanning thousands of miles, this ancient wonder winds through rugged landscapes, offering breathtaking views and a glimpse into China’s history.
Angkor Wat, Cambodia: The largest religious monument in the world, this ancient temple complex and UNESCO World Heritage Site in Siem Reap is a marvel of Khmer architecture and a testament to Cambodia’s rich history. Visitors can explore the temple complex, climb to the top for panoramic views, and witness stunning sunrise or sunset views.
Mount Everest, Nepal: Mount Everest in Nepal is a classic and iconic travel bucket list destination. It is the world’s highest peak and attracts adventurers and climbers from around the globe. Even witnessing it from nearby regions provides awe-inspiring views.
Borobudur, Indonesia: This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the largest Buddhist temple in the world, adorned with intricate stone carvings and surrounded by lush landscapes. Visitors can explore the temple’s levels, admire the detailed reliefs depicting Buddhist teachings and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes.
The Maldives: The Maldives is an island nation in the Indian Ocean with crystal-clear waters, white sandy beaches, vibrant coral reefs and overwater bungalows, offering unparalleled snorkeling, diving and relaxation.
Petra, Jordan: This ancient city carved into rose-red cliffs is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, showcasing impressive rock-cut architecture including the Treasury and Monastery, reflecting the ancient Nabatean civilization’s craftsmanship. Visitors can explore the ancient city through the Siq (narrow canyon), discover tombs, temples, amphitheaters and appreciate the historical significance of Petra.
Kyoto, Japan: Kyoto is a city in central Japan steeped in tradition and culture, featuring historic temples, serene gardens like the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and traditional tea houses. Visitors can immerse themselves in traditional Japanese culture, participate in tea ceremonies, explore historic districts like Gion and visit iconic temples and gardens.
Bagan, Myanmar: Bagan is an ancient city located in central Myanmar known for its archaeological sites. It boasts over 2,000 temples and pagodas dating back to the 9th century. The area showcases stunning architecture, religious monuments and beautiful landscapes. Visitors can explore the temples by bike or hot air balloon, witness sunrise or sunset views and appreciate the cultural and historical significance of Bagan.
Cappadocia, Turkey: Known for its fairy chimneys, rock formations and underground cities, Cappadocia offers a surreal and otherworldly atmosphere. Hot air balloon rides over the landscape are particularly popular. Visitors can explore the rock-cut churches, hike through valleys, take hot air balloon flights and experience the region’s rich history and geological wonders.
