Ancient wonders of the world

For centuries, the ancient world has captivated and inspired mankind. Despite facing the challenges of collapsing empires, war, and disease, these civilisations managed to build colossal statues and intricate cities – all without the aid of modern technology or machinery.

Throughout history, explorers have travelled to visit these legendary landmarks firsthand. To this day, many ancient wonders continue to fascinate and excite people thousands of years later.

Unfortunately, of the original Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, only the Great Pyramids of Giza remain. However, there are many archaeological sites and ruins that have survived and are waiting to be explored.

To delve deeper, we analysed renowned historical sites across the world to determine which locations are the most loved by history buffs and tourists alike.

Using a weighted rank algorithm, we have analysed 25 ancient landmarks still standing today. We examined the estimated footfalls, average review data, and the number of Instagram geolocation tags to rank the remaining wonders.

The ancient Mayan city of Chichén Itzá in Yucatán emerged as the top destination to visit for history lovers in the study

Often overlooked as destinations for historical holidays, the Americas contain rich and vibrant stories making them ideal locations for history enthusiasts. Mexico stands out as a must-visit destination in North America.

The ancient Mayan city of Chichén Itzá in Yucatán emerged as the top destination to visit for history lovers in the study, scoring 88 out of a possible 100. The site’s immense popularity on social media draws hundreds of thousands of tourists each year to see the Kukulkan Pyramid.

For those interested in learning more about ancient Mexican civilisations, our Mayan Trail tour includes visits to Chichén Itzá and other archaeological sites, including the Aztec ruins of Teotihuacán. During the tour, you'll have time to visit Mexico’s National Museum of Anthropology to marvel at pre-Hispanic artwork and sculptures.

Meanwhile, Machu Picchu, located in Peru’s Andean Mountain range, scored the highest among the historical sites based in South America. The ancient lost city attracts thousands of visitors each year, all eager to learn about the history of the Inca Empire.

If you wish to explore this iconic wonder and follow in the footsteps of Incan royalty, our Footsteps of the Incas tour explores how Incan civilisations once lived, cultivated their land, and thrived. The tour offers visits and excursions to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.

The Colosseum is one of the most heavily reviewed and visited sites within the study

Europe is well known for its role in the history of the ancient world, marked by the rise of great empires and tales of myths and legends. Among the most significant civilisations of the ancient world were Ancient Greece and the Roman Empire, both of which influenced the cultural and historical landscape of the continent today.

The Roman Empire’s historical sites, including the Colosseum and Pompeii, proved immensely popular with the Colosseum being one of the most heavily reviewed and visited sites within the study. You can visit both these sites with our Highlights of Rome Tour which includes a guided tour of ancient Rome, including the Colosseum before travelling to Sorrento for a walking tour through Pompeii.

The Parthenon, a temple within the Athenian Acropolis, scored the second highest in the weighted rank, and the highest-rated destination in Europe. The Parthenon has become a symbol of Ancient Greece and modern democracy and remains one of the world’s most historically significant sites.

You can immerse yourself in Ancient Greek history with our Archaeology in Greece holiday, which contains expert-led lectures and visits to the Acropolis in Athens and the Temple of Zeus in Olympia.

Ephesus is an ancient Greek city located in the western region of Turkey

As the world’s largest and most diverse continent, Asia is a treasure trove of ancient history and cultural heritage. From the majestic ruins of Ayutthaya and the awe-inspiring views from the Great Wall of China, historical landmarks across the continent reflect the rich and varied civilisations that have thrived here for centuries.

The highest-rated ancient wonder in Asia in our rankings is Ayutthaya, Thailand’s ancient capital. Once a thriving capital city, Ayutthaya now stands as a fascinating archaeological site. Despite being partially destroyed in the 18th century, you can still explore the Buddhist monasteries, artwork, and sculptures that survive from the period with our Taste of Thailand tour.

Ancient ruins on the Asian side of Turkey, reveal the expansive reach of the Greek and Roman empires. Among the most well-preserved sites is Ephesus, an ancient Greek city located in the western region of Turkey, near the modern town of Selçuk. Ephesus is included on our Tour of Turkey, along with other ancient Greco-Roman sites such as Pergamon and Troy.

Turkey is also home to the Göbekli Tepe, one of the world’s oldest archaeological sites, featuring settlements from the Neolithic era, more than 10,000 years ago which continue to intrigue archaeologists and draw curious visitors.

As a continent, Africa was home to many kingdoms and empires, each with their own rich history and culture. The ancient landmarks that remain offer a glimpse into the civilisations that once thrived here.

At the forefront of Africa’s ancient wonders is Egypt, famed for its iconic pyramids including The Giza Plateau and the Great Pyramid of Giza, which earned a score of 80 out of 100.

Constructed around 2500 BC, the pyramids continue to draw millions of visitors each year. While modern archaeology has provided insight into how Ancient Egyptians constructed the Pyramids, the sheer scale and precision of pyramids remain a mystery. To learn more about the mysteries of the pyramids, our Nostalgic Nile tour is led by an expert Egyptologist who will guide you through the Giza and ancient temples across Egypt.

Moving to southern Jordan in the Middle East, the ancient city of Petra scored 54 putting it in second place. Famed for its unique architecture, which is half-built, and half-carved in the rockface, the ruins draw millions of visitors each year.

Our Jordan with Ancient Petra tour allows you to visit the incredible ‘Rose-Red City’ yourself. Highlights include the spectacular Treasury and the Monastery, both of which have been hewn out of solid rock.

The ruined city of Jerash also made it onto the list with the site considered one of the largest and well-preserved locations of Greek and Roman architecture in the world hence its nickname, the ‘Pompeii of the East’.

For those passionate about history, travel, and culture, we offer a wide range of curated trips led by expert tour guides. Explore our archaeology holidays and tours to help plan your next adventure.