The World's Most Historic Vacation Spots

By: Anna Fleet  | 
Historic Vacation Spot
Greece, Athens. The Parthenon, Theater Of Herodes Atticus, The Odeon of Herodes Atticus and The Erechtheum. Getty Images / © Scott Barbour

Good news for all of you history buffs out there. Your quest for ancient ruins, sacred wonders, and world-famous landmarks need not be squandered at an all-inclusive resort. It’s not as challenging as one might think to choose a vacation destination with historic highlights.

Here are ten prime vacation spots for history lovers…

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1. Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico

Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico
El Castillo (Temple of Kukulkan), Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico
Getty Images / Matteo Colombo

If you like to lounge on a stunning beach between your explorations of ancient Mayan ruins, Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula offers a perfect blend of both. In Cancun, you’ll find the world-renowned ruins of Chichen Itza and Cobá. And in nearby Merida, you can follow the Puuc trek and explore the many Mayan delights—such as the Uxmal ceremonial grounds and pyramids.

2. Athens, Greece

Athens, Greece
Greece, Athens. The Parthenon, Theater Of Herodes Atticus, The Odeon of Herodes Atticus and The Erechtheum.
Getty Images / © Scott Barbour

Athens is the premiere site of Greek myth. Here, you can trace the origins and stories of Greek immortals—like Zeus and Poseidon. As one of the world’s oldest cities, you’ll discover history galore. Start with the Acropolis of Athens, explore the famous Parthenon, check out the seats at the Old Olympic Stadium, and if you have time for a dip in the gorgeous azure waves, it’s a pure bonus.

3. Petra, Jordan

Petra, Jordan
There is a person by the doorway to get a scale of the size. A classic view of El Deir, The Monastery in Petra. Shown in the context of the mountain that the facade was carved out of by the Nabataeans in the 1st century. The facade measures 50 metres wide by approximately 45 meters high.
Getty Images / Nick Brundle - Photography

If Indiana Jones inspired your adventurous side—the city of Petra, scene of the fictional hero’s Holy Grail quest will certainly get your whip spinning. Petra sits carved into a canyon in Arabah, Jordan, where, as the real story goes, was uncovered in 1812 by a Swiss explorer. Today, Petra is among the New Seven Wonders of the World.

4. Rome, Italy

Rome, Italy
Rome is renowned for its rich history, stunning architecture, and cultural significance. It’s home to iconic landmarks like the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Vatican City, including St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel.
Sylvain Sonnet / Getty Images

It should be no surprise to find Rome on this list of top historical cities. Not only is it the birthplace of one of the world’s most influential civilizations; it’s also the site of ruins of ancient Rome—such as the Colosseum, The Roman Forum, the early Christian Catacombs of San Callisto, Palatine Hill, the Baths of Caracalla, Villa dei Quintili, and the remains of Port of Ostia Antica.

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5. Machu Picchu, Peru

Machu Picchu, Peru
Machu Picchu is a 15th century Inca site located 2,430 metres above sea level on a mountain ridge above the Urubamba Valley. Machu Picchu was declared a Peruvian Historical Sanctuary.
Getty Images / Copyright © 2010 Kelly Cheng

Well worth the 4-day trek, Machu Picchu is all that remains of the lost Incan civilization in Peru before it was ravaged by the Spanish. You can explore the “Lost City of the Incas” along with hordes of other tourists. So it’s best to plan a day trip and arrive early to get the biggest bang for your efforts.

6. Bejing, China

Bejing, China
Beijing is home to landmarks like the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Temple of Heaven, and the Summer Palace.
Getty Images / copyright Darrell Gulin 2014

A reminder of the emperors who once ruled this vast empire, Bejing is home to a plethora of Asian culture and influence—such as the Forbidden City, the Ming Tombs, and the Great Wall of China, which almost fully-preserved, dates back to the glorious Ming Dynasty.

7. Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Angkor Wat, Cambodia
The exterior view of Angkor Wat.
Getty Images / ashit desai

A stunning example of Khmer architecture, the Angkor Wat Temple dates back to the early 12th century. Constructed by Cambodia’s King Suryavarman II as the state capital, the temple holds many unique bas-reliefs (colonettes carved in sandstone) and devatas (elaborate Hindu carvings of deities).

8. Budapest, Hungary

Budapest, Hungary
The Hungarian Parliament Building on the Banks of the Danube at dawn.
Getty Images / Sasipa Muennuch

The picturesque city of Budapest still harbors many of the forgotten Roman and Medieval sites—although many are now found in ruins. However, you can still take a step back through history amid the Roman-inspired Aquincum to Matthias Church, and the medieval Buda Castle and museums.

9. Agra, India

Agra, India
Agra is best known for the Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city also boasts other architectural gems like Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri.
Jim Zuckerman / Getty Images

Obviously, the Taj Mahal is India’s most famous and celebrated ancient structure. However, Agra, a short train excursion from Delhi, offers an abundance of historical architecture for the history buff. Remnants of the Mughal Dynasty and one-time Indian capital of Fatehpur Sikri still linger like ghosts in this thriving city.

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10. Cairo, Egypt

Cairo, Egypt
Cairo is famous for its proximity to the Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx, as well as its rich history showcased in sites like the Egyptian Museum and Old Cairo.
Kitti Boonnitrod / Getty Images

Cairo is steeped in the remains of ancient Egypt and the inspiring civilizations that were responsible for modern day marvels such as the Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx, which will have you scratching your noodle over the possibility of the construction. The 481-foot building, which took almost 20 years to build, was once considered the tallest man-made structure in the entire world—and that was without the use of cranes or modern machinery.

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