Home › Themes › Best destinations for history lovers
Best destinations for history lovers
Ruins, old towns and places where things happened.
84 destinations across 8 regions.
Africa
Accra
Jamestown Lighthouse, Independence Arch, Makola Market, Labadi Beach
Budget day from GH₵ 730 · Best Nov–Feb
Cairo
Giza Pyramids, Khan el-Khalili, The Egyptian Museum, Mosque of Muhammad Ali
Budget day from EGP 2,800 · Best Feb–Apr, Oct–Nov
Casablanca
Hassan II Mosque, Quartier Habous, Rick's Café, Corniche, Old Medina
Budget day from MAD 510 · Best Mar–May, Sep–Oct
Chefchaouen
Plaza Uta el-Hammam, Spanish Mosque, Kasbah Museum, Ras el-Maa, Grand Mosque
Budget day from MAD 290 · Best Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
Egypt
Great Pyramids, Sphinx, Valley of the Kings, and Red Sea coral reefs.
Budget day from E£ 2,700 · Best Oct–Mar
Essaouira
Skala de la Ville, Port de Pêche, Mogador Island, Medina ramparts
Budget day from MAD 370 · Best Mar–May, Sep–Oct
Ethiopia
Lalibela's rock-hewn churches, Simien Mountains gelada baboons, and coffee ceremony.
Budget day from birr 6,500 · Best Oct–Feb
Fez
Chouara Tannery, Bab Boujloud, Attarine Madrasa, Al-Attarine Souk
Budget day from MAD 390 · Best Mar–May, Sep–Oct
Johannesburg
Apartheid Museum, Constitution Hill, Vilakazi Street, Maboneng, Gold Reef City
Budget day from R 1,100 · Best Mar–May, Sep–Oct
Luxor
Karnak Temple, Valley of the Kings, Luxor Temple, Hatshepsut Temple
Budget day from E£ 1,950 · Best Oct–Mar
Marrakech
Djemaa el-Fna, Majorelle Garden, Bahia Palace, Atlas Mountains day trips
Budget day from MAD 540 · Best Mar–May, Sep–Nov
Tunis
Medina of Tunis, Bardo Museum, Zitouna Mosque, Sidi Bou Said
Budget day from TND 125 · Best Mar–May, Sep–Oct
Asia
Baku
Maiden Tower, Flame Towers, Heydar Aliyev Center, Boulevard
Budget day from AZN 75 · Best Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
Bangladesh
Ahsan Manzil, Sundarbans, Somapura Mahavihara, Shait Gumbad Mosque
Budget day from ৳ 3,500 · Best Nov–Feb
Beijing
Forbidden City, Great Wall, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace
Budget day from yuan 310 · Best Apr–May, Sep–Oct
Cambodia
Angkor Wat sunrise, Ta Prohm jungle ruins, Khmer Rouge Killing Fields history
Budget day from US$42 · Best Nov–Mar
Cappadocia
Goreme Open Air Museum, Uchisar Castle, Pasabag, Derinkuyu Underground City
Budget day from ₺ 2,700 · Best Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
Chengdu
Chengdu Research Base, Wuhou Shrine, Dufu Thatched Cottage, Kuanzhai Alley
Budget day from CN¥ 300 · Best Mar–May, Sep–Oct
Chiang Mai
Wat Chedi Luang, Doi Suthep, Warorot Market, Tha Phae Gate
Budget day from baht 1,150 · Best Nov–Feb
Delhi
Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Humayun's Tomb, Jama Masjid, India Gate
Budget day from rupees 2,200 · Best Oct–Feb
Gyeongju
Daereungwon, Bulguksa, Cheomseongdae, Anapji Pond
Budget day from ₩ 81,000 · Best Apr–May, Sep–Oct
Ha Long Bay
Limestone karst pillars, floating fishing villages, and fried squid cakes.
Best Mar–Apr, Sep–Oct
Hiroshima
Genbaku Dome, Peace Memorial Museum, Itsukushima Shrine, Mount Misen
Budget day from yen 6,500 · Best Apr–May, Oct–Nov
Hue
Imperial Citadel, Khai Dinh Tomb, Thien Mu Pagoda, Perfume River
Budget day from ₫ 600,000 · Best Feb–May, Aug
Caribbean
Antigua and Barbuda
Nelson's Dockyard, Shirley Heights, Devil's Bridge, Barbuda Frigate Bird Sanctuary
Budget day from EC$ 260 · Best Jan–May
Barbados
Harrison’s Cave, Oistins Fish Fry, Crane Beach, Bridgetown Garrison, Mount Gay
Budget day from Bds$ 250 · Best Jan–May
Belize
Great Blue Hole, Xunantunich, Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Lamanai
Budget day from BZ$ 185 · Best Feb–May
Bermuda
Horseshoe Bay, Crystal Caves, Royal Naval Dockyard, St. Peter's Church
Budget day from US$219 · Best Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
Cuba
Havana vintage cars and Malecon, Trinidad cobbles, Vinales tobacco fields, salsa and rum
Budget day from US$58 · Best Dec–Apr
Curacao
Handelskade, Queen Emma Bridge, Shete Boka, Playa Kenepa, Hato Caves
Budget day from Cg 190 · Best Jan–Jun
Dominican Republic
Humpback whales in Samaná, Punta Cana beaches, and merengue street festivals.
Budget day from RD$ 4,300 · Best Dec–Apr
Havana
El Capitolio, Hotel Nacional de Cuba, Plaza de la Catedral, Malecón
Budget day from US$45 · Best Nov–Apr
Puerto Rico
Castillo San Felipe del Morro, El Yunque, Mosquito Bay, La Perla
Budget day from US$130 · Best Jan–May
Europe
Algarve
Limestone cliffs, emerald grottoes, and traditional cataplana octopus stew.
Best May–Jun, Sep–Oct
Athens
Parthenon, Ancient Agora, Temple of Olympian Zeus, Plaka
Budget day from €83 · Best Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
Bologna
Two Towers, Piazza Maggiore, Basilica di San Petronio, Archiginnasio
Budget day from €85 · Best Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
Bordeaux
Place de la Bourse, Grosse Cloche, Cité du Vin, Grand Théâtre
Budget day from €90 · Best Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
Bratislava
Bratislava Castle, St. Martin’s Cathedral, UFO Bridge, Devín Castle
Budget day from €61 · Best Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
Bruges
Belfry of Bruges, Markt, Basilica of the Holy Blood, Rozenhoedkaai, Begijnhof
Budget day from €93 · Best May–Jun, Sep–Oct
Bucharest
Palace of the Parliament, Romanian Athenaeum, Stavropoleos Monastery, Lipscani
Budget day from lei 230 · Best May–Sep
Lake Como
Historic villas like Villa del Balbianello and traditional sun-dried missoltino fish.
Best May–Sep
Pelion
Stone-built mansions in Vizitsa and hearty spetzofai sausage stew.
Budget day from €80 · Best May–Jun, Sep–Oct
Provence
Ochre cliffs in Roussillon and classic garlicky bouillabaisse.
Best May–Jun, Sep–Oct
Santiago de Compostela
Catedral de Santiago, Praza do Obradoiro, Parque da Alameda, Pazo de Raxoi
Budget day from €68 · Best May–Jun, Sep–Oct
Tuscany
Medieval hilltop towns and wood-grilled Bistecca alla Fiorentina.
Best May–Jun, Sep–Oct
Middle East
Abu Dhabi
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque's 82 marble domes and Louvre Abu Dhabi
Budget day from AED 330 · Best Nov–Mar
Armenia
UNESCO monasteries Haghpat and Sanahin, Tatev cable car, lavash and khorovats
Budget day from AMD 25,000 · Best May–Oct
Azerbaijan
Baku's Old City, futuristic Flame Towers, Gobustan mud volcanoes, Sheki Shah's palace
Budget day from ₼ 80 · Best Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
Beirut
Corniche, Pigeon Rocks, Sursock Museum, Hamra, Gemmayzeh
Budget day from US$60 · Best Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
Bodrum
Medieval Castle of St. Peter and traditional meyhane dining culture.
Budget day from ₺ 3,500 · Best May–Jun, Sep–Oct
Israel
Jerusalem's Dome of the Rock, Dead Sea float, Negev craters, Carmel Market
Budget day from ₪ 340 · Best Mar–May, Oct–Nov
Jeddah
Al-Balad, King Fahd Fountain, Al-Rahma Mosque, Naseef House, Red Sea Corniche
Budget day from SAR 250 · Best Nov–Feb
Jerusalem
Western Wall, Dome of the Rock, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Mahane Yehuda
Budget day from ₪ 315 · Best Mar–May, Sep–Oct
Jordan
Petra treasury, Wadi Rum stargazing, Dead Sea, Roman ruins of Jerash
Budget day from JD 55 · Best Mar–May, Sep–Nov
Lebanon
Baalbek ruins, Jeita Grotto, Byblos Citadel, Cedars of God, Raouche Rocks
Budget day from US$70 · Best Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
Oman
Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Wahiba Sands dunes, Jebel Akhdar roses, shuwa lamb
Budget day from OMR 38 · Best Oct–Mar
Petra
Al-Khazneh, The Monastery, The Siq, Royal Tombs, Colonnaded Street
Budget day from JD 70 · Best Mar–May, Sep–Nov
North America
Antigua Guatemala
Santa Catalina Arch, Volcán de Agua, Convento de las Capuchinas, San Francisco Church
Budget day from Q 310 · Best Nov–Apr
Boston
Fenway Park, Freedom Trail, Boston Public Library, Faneuil Hall
Budget day from US$135 · Best May–Jun, Sep–Oct
Charleston
The Battery, Rainbow Row, City Market, Ravenel Bridge, Magnolia Plantation
Budget day from US$160 · Best Mar–May, Oct–Nov
Chicago
Willis Tower, Millennium Park, Navy Pier, The Art Institute of Chicago
Budget day from US$156 · Best May–Sep
Grand Canyon
Vast mile-deep chasm, Colorado River, and historic Hopi House architecture.
Budget day from US$140 · Best Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
Guadalajara
Guadalajara Cathedral, Hospicio Cabañas, Mercado Libertad, Tlaquepaque
Budget day from MX$ 900 · Best Oct–Feb
Key West
Hemingway Home, Mallory Square, Duval Street, Mile Marker 0, Seaport
Budget day from US$185 · Best Jan–May
Mexico City
Zócalo, Palacio de Bellas Artes, Chapultepec, Teotihuacán
Budget day from MXN 1,110 · Best Feb–Apr, Oct–Nov
Nashville
Ryman Auditorium, Parthenon, Country Music Hall of Fame, Broadway, Bluebird Cafe
Budget day from US$185 · Best Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
New Orleans
French Quarter, Jackson Square, St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, Garden District
Budget day from US$125 · Best Mar–May, Oct–Nov
Oaxaca
Monte Albán, Templo de Santo Domingo, Hierve el Agua, Mercado 20 de Noviembre
Budget day from MX$ 930 · Best Oct–Feb
Quebec City
Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, Place Royale, Plains of Abraham, La Citadelle
Budget day from C$ 133 · Best Jun–Oct
Oceania
Christchurch
Riverside Market, Botanic Gardens, Cardboard Cathedral, Sumner Beach, Christchurch Gondola
Budget day from NZ$ 140 · Best Nov–Mar
Tasmania
Cradle Mountain, Wineglass Bay, MONA, Salamanca Place, Port Arthur
Budget day from A$ 155 · Best Jan–Apr
Vanuatu
Mount Yasur, SS President Coolidge, Champagne Beach, Millennium Cave, Nanda Blue Hole
Budget day from VT 12,000 · Best May–Oct
South America
Bogota
Monserrate, Museo del Oro, La Candelaria, Plaza de Bolivar
Budget day from COP 130,000 · Best Dec–Feb, Jul–Aug
Buenos Aires
Recoleta Cemetery, Teatro Colón, Casa Rosada, Obelisco
Budget day from US$63 · Best Mar–May, Sep–Nov
Cartagena
Castillo San Felipe, Walled City, Islas del Rosario, Getsemaní, Clock Tower
Best Dec–Feb
Iguazu Falls
The massive Garganta del Diablo waterfall and authentic parrillada in the tri-border region.
Budget day from ARS 110,000 · Best Mar–May, Sep–Nov
Lima
Huaca Pucllana, Museo Larco, Puente de los Suspiros, Plaza Mayor
Budget day from S/ 165 · Best Dec–Apr
Machu Picchu
Intihuatana, Temple of the Sun, Huayna Picchu, Intipunku
Budget day from S/ 245 · Best May–Sep
Montevideo
Rambla, Palacio Salvo, Mercado del Puerto, Teatro Solís, Plaza Independencia
Budget day from $U 3,100 · Best Nov–Mar
Paraguay
Palacio de López, Jesuit Missions, Panteón Nacional, Chaco, Asunción
Budget day from ₲ 330,000 · Best Apr–Jun, Aug–Sep
Peru
Machu Picchu citadel, Inca Trail, Nazca Lines, Lima ceviche, Vinicunca rainbow mountain
Budget day from S/ 150 · Best May–Sep
Quito
La Compañía de Jesús, El Panecillo, Mitad del Mundo, La Ronda
Budget day from US$38 · Best Jun–Sep
Salvador
Pelourinho, Elevador Lacerda, Farol da Barra, Mercado Modelo
Budget day from R$ 185 · Best Mar–May, Sep–Oct
Santiago
Cerro San Cristóbal, Palacio de La Moneda, Mercado Central, Plaza de Armas
Budget day from CLP$ 51,000 · Best Oct–Mar
Tours & skip-the-line tickets: Klook