Top Most Beautiful Places in the World

NATURAL WORLD MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACES

PALMYRA, SYRIA

An important cultural center of the ancient world, the historic city of Palmyra dates back to 1st century A.D. Known as the ‘Venice of the Sands,’ it is situated between Damascus, the capital of Syria, and the city of Deir al-Zour.

THE RIDEAU CANAL, CANADA

Over 200 kilometres in length, this waterway joins the Canadian cities of Ottawa, on the Ottawa River, and Kingston, on Lake Ontario. Operated by Parks Canada, the canal encompasses sections of the rivers, Rideau and Cataraqui, along with a few lakes. Originally built with military purposes in mind, today it is mainly used for boating and was designated as a World Heritage Site in 2007.

MOSI-OA-TUNYA / VICTORIA FALLS, ZAMBIA AND ZIMBABWE

Located on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, the Mosi-oa-Tunya are regarded among the most spectacular waterfalls in the world. Part of Zambezi River, the 108m high falls produce the largest curtain of falling water anywhere on the planet and were declared a World Heritage Site in 1989.

IGUAZU NATIONAL PARK, ARGENTINA

Iguazu National Park is surrounded by the subtropical forest and is centred around the mighty Iguazu Falls, whose name is derived from the local dialect meaning 'big water'. The falls comprise of 275 individual drops, running over a distance of 2.7km along the border of Brazil and Argentina. The park was declared a World Heritage Site in 1984.

LOS GLACIARES NATIONAL PARK, ARGENTINA

At over 7,200 square kilometres, Los Glaciares National Park is situated in the southern Argentinian Andes. This park is exceptionally beautiful with mountains, lakes and woods. After Antarctica and Greenland, the park plays host to the planet's third largest ice cap. This was designated as a World Heritage site in 1981.

TIMBUKTU, MALI

A huge spiritual centre for the propagation of Islam in Africa during the 15th and 16th centuries, this site contains three globally renowned mosques, Sidi Yahia, Djingareyber and Sankore. It was declared as a World Heritage Site in 1988. 

HISTORIC SANCTUARY OF MACHU PICCHU, PERU

Machu Picchu is the unique testimony of the urban Inca Empires power and achievement from the middle of the 15th century. Situated 2,430 metres above sea-level, the terraces and ruins of this once great city look over the tropical mountain forest below and is considered to be the most beautiful locations in the the Peruvian Andes. This was designated as a World Heritage site in 1983.

ACROPOLIS, GREECE

Acropolis in Greek means “The sacred Rock, the high city”. Dating from the 5th century BC, The Acropolis of Athens is a complex of ancient building and structures, the most famous of which is the Parthenon (pictured above). This was designated as a World Heritage site in 1987.

GREAT WALL OF CHINA

One of the most ambitious man-made structures on earth, the Great Wall of China has a history that dates back to 220 BC, when it was made for the protection of the Chinese Empire by Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China. With estimates placing the entire length of the wall at over 21,000km, construction continued up till 17th century, making it the largest military structure in the world. In 1987, it was designated as World Heritage Site. 

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS, ECUADOR

Situated 900km off the west coast of Ecuador, the Galapagos are an archipelago of 18 major volcanic islands that are host to a unique collection of flora and fauna. Central to the studies of the naturalist Charles Darwin, the Galápagos and the waters that surround them, are now part of national park. This spectacular location was designated as a World Heritage Site in 1978.