10 Best Countries With The Most Awe-Inspiring Historic Sites Around The World Ranked

Summary

  • Peru offers historical attractions like Machu Picchu and Cuzco, making it a must-visit for history lovers.
  • England is home to numerous castles, including the world’s oldest inhabited castle, Windsor Castle. Stonehenge and Buckingham Palace also add to its historical charm.
  • Egypt boasts famous sites like the Pyramids of Giza and the Luxor Temple, showcasing its rich ancient history and making it a dream destination for history enthusiasts.



Traveling around the world is fun, and for history lovers, it’s beyond the excitement of seeing new places and experiencing new things. It’s also about history education and a journey to the past, which is sometimes more sensational than the fun.

Combined with the thrills of traveling, history makes every trip worthwhile and some countries know how to make this combination excellent. From Egypt to Italy, here are countries around the world with the best historic attractions.


10 Peru

10 Best Countries With The Most Awe-Inspiring Historic Sites Around The World Ranked
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Historical sanctuary of Machu Picchu in the Andes Mountains, Peru 

Peru is a South American country that features one of the seven wonders of the new world: Machu Picchu, also known as the Lost Citadel of the Incas. Besides being an interesting historic site, this is a bucket list item worth getting on a flight to Peru.


Beyond the magnificent Machu Picchu, Peru is also home to historic attractions like Cuzco, Chan Chan, and Caral, all offering their wonders and stories to the delight of every history lover.

  • More Top historic attractions: Nazca Lines, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, Kuelap, the Moche Temples

9 England

Whitby Abbey Castle in England
Photo by iSAW Company on Unsplash

Whitby Abbey Castle in England

England is one of the most historic places in the UK that history lovers have to check out. First, this country is home to thousands of castles some of which were established nearly a thousand years ago, and reflect how old and historic the country is.

Some of them will melt the hearts of history lovers, especially Windsor Castle which is the world’s oldest inhabited castle.


Besides the castles, England is also home to attractions like Stonehenge which comes with both history and mystery. And that’s not all. World-famous historic attractions like the Tower of London and Buckingham Palace and many others are located in this country.

  • More Top historic attractions: the British Museum, York Minster, Warwick Castle

8 Turkey

Ruins of the ancient town Laodicea on the Lycus, Turkey
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Ruins of the ancient town Laodicea on the Lycus, Turkey

Turkey is an amazing country filled with so much history and culture, and this country features some of the best historic sites in the world. Here, history lovers will find awe-inspiring ancient sites like Troy, Ephesus, and Gobekli Tepe.


As if that’s not enough, there are also words-famous attractions like Hagia Sophia, Topaki Palace Museum, and many more things that will give history lovers an unforgettable adventure.

And not just the attractions. Turkey also offers opportunities for people to engage in ancient traditions like bathing in a Hamman, sipping Turkish Tea, and hand-kissing.

  • More historic attractions: Antalya Museum, the Blue Mosque, Goreme Open Air Museum, Derinkuyu Underground City

Related: Uncover The Mysteries: A Guide To The 10 Best Archeological Sites In Turkey

7 Israel

The Temple Mount - the golden Dome of the Rock mosque in the old city of Jerusalem, Israel
Photo by Raimond Klavins on Unsplash

The Temple Mount – the golden Dome of the Rock mosque in the old city of Jerusalem, Israel

Israel does not just come with awe-inspiring historic sites but also sites of great religious importance to people of different faiths. Places like Caesarea Maritima, Jaffa, and the Old City of Jerusalem are just a few of the historic attractions visitors to this country will be met with and there is a load of others.


Israel is also home to a few UNESCO World Heritage Sites which are historic like Acre, the ancient city of Shivta, and the fortress of Masada. All these are just a few of the historical wonders that await visitors in Israel.

  • More amazing historic attractions: Bet Gurvin Caves, Yad Vashem, the Western Wall

6 India

A brilliant pink and purple sky behind the India Gate.
Photo by shalender kumar on Unsplash

A brilliant pink and purple sky behind the India Gate.

The history of the world’s most populous nation is long and interesting, and some of the best historical landmarks are located here, in one of the cradles of civilization.

Here, one will get to see ancient and fascinating sites that have been around for thousands of years as well as newly established and still amazing ones. Whether one is seeking to learn about the ancient history of this part of Asia or just looking to explore recent colonial history, this country has something for everybody.


For a satisfying historic adventure in India, check out these historic places in the country and learn about the amazing stories associated with them.

  • Top historic attractions: Taj Mahal, Red Fort, Chola Temples, Agra Fort

5 Jordan

Ancient ruins in Petra, Jordan
LoggaWiggler from Pixabay

Ancient ruins in Petra, Jordan

Everything in Jordan reeks of history, it almost feels overwhelming. From cities that have been in existence for more than 5,000 years to interesting Roman ruins, this Middle Eastern country is blessed with so many awe-inspiring historical sites.

The list is endless but at the top of it are sites like Petra, the ancient capital city of Amman, Jerash, and Madaba which is also known as the city of Mosaics. One could spend a lifetime here and still not fully explore the historical sites Jordan is endowed with.


  • More historic attractions: Kerak Castle, Qasr Bashir, Amman Roman Theatre

4 China

Tianamen Square, Beijing, China
Photo by Vidar Nordli-Mathisen on Unsplash

Tianamen Square in Beijing, China

China is one of the world’s oldest civilizations which explains why it is home to so many awe-inspiring historic sites and attractions. No list of awe-inspiring historical attractions in the world is complete without mention of the Great Wall of China as it is one of the most impressive things ever built by humans.

In terms of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, China comes just behind Italy with 56 and most of these sites are of great historical significance. From the Mausoleum of the First Chinese Emperor to the Forbidden City, and the massive Summer Palace, China is a haven for history lovers.


  • More historic attractions: The Magao Grottoes, the Three Confucius Sites, Terracotta Warriors

Related: The Temple Of Heaven: Why Visiting Beijing’s Imperial Ancient Temple Is A Bucket List Trip

3 Greece

Parthenon, Athens
Photo by Constantinos Kollias on Unsplash

Parthenon, Athens, Greece

Greece is one of the world’s oldest countries, the birthplace of democracy, and it’s not uncommon for it to be called “Ancient Greece” even in today’s world. This country is a must-visit for any history lover as it is home to many awe-inspiring historical sites such as the Acropolis, Delphi, and the Temple of Hephaestus, among others.

Whether one is in the Peloponnese region, the Island of Crete, Corfu, Rhodes, or any other part of Greece, there are historic sites to see at every turn.


  • Top historic attractions: Mycenae, Epidaurus, Acropolis of Athens, Delphi, Temple of Hephaestus

2 Italy

Florence, Italy
Photo by Jonathan Körner on Unsplash

An aerial view of rooftops in Florence, Italy

Italy is without a doubt one of the most historic countries in the world and it also has the highest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites at 58. Rome, its capital, is one of the oldest cities in the world as it was home to the great Roman Empire which nearly conquered the whole world during its time.

In this city alone, there are so many amazing historic attractions that will keep history lovers an exciting adventure. From the Colosseum to the Catacombs of Rome, the Pantheon, and St. Peter’s Basilica, there is so much to see in this city.


Besides just Rome, Italy also has an abundance of historic attractions in the various cities and islands within its territory. A lifetime would not be enough to explore all the historic adventures that this country has to offer.

  • Top historic attractions: Florence Cathedral, Valley of Temples in Sicily, Milan Cathedral

1 Egypt

The Great Pyramid of Giza, Al Haram, Nazlet El-Semman, Al Giza Desert, Egypt
Photo by Ahmed Afifi on Unsplash

The Great Pyramid of Giza, Al Haram, Nazlet El-Semman, Al Giza Desert, Egypt

Egypt is a historic country, and it’s only natural for it to be filled with so many awe-inspiring historic sites. As the cradle of civilization, some historic sites here date back to 3000 BC, which makes it so fascinating.


Famed historic sites in the world like the Pyramids of Giza, the Tomb of Tutankhamun, the Abu Simbel Temple, the Great Sphinx, and the Luxor Temple are all located in this country. And there’s even more proving there is so much satisfaction for history lovers here.

  • Top historic attractions: River Nile, Egyptian Museum in Cairo, the Valley of Kings

With this list of the best historic sites around the world, travelers can dive into history, in the present.