Sacred Sites of the World
288 holy places across 6 continents, from living temples and cathedrals to ancient sanctuaries. Every entry includes history, etiquette and practical visitor tips.
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Abu Simbel Temples
Visit Abu Simbel, Ramesses II's rock cut temples on Lake Nasser, where twice a year sunlight reaches the gods in the inner sanctuary.
Acropolis and Parthenon, Athens
Visit the Acropolis of Athens and the Parthenon, the marble temple of Athena Parthenos and the most celebrated sacred site of ancient Greek religion.
Ahu Tongariki
See Ahu Tongariki on Rapa Nui, the largest ceremonial platform on Easter Island, where fifteen restored moai face inland as guardians of the ancestors.
Ajanta Caves
Explore the Ajanta Caves, rock cut Buddhist monasteries with some of the finest ancient paintings in Asia, plus tickets, closures and travel tips.
Ajmer Sharif Dargah
Visit Ajmer Sharif Dargah, the Sufi shrine of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti in Rajasthan, open to all faiths, with Urs dates, qawwali and visitor tips.
Al-Azhar Mosque, Cairo
Al-Azhar Mosque in Cairo, founded in 970 CE, is one of the oldest centers of Islamic learning. Visit its courtyards and minarets in Islamic Cairo.
Al-Masjid an-Nabawi, Medina
Al-Masjid an-Nabawi in Medina, the Prophet's Mosque, holds the tomb of Muhammad. A key pilgrimage stop; the central holy area is for Muslims only.
Ancient Olympia, Sanctuary of Zeus
Visit ancient Olympia in the Peloponnese, sanctuary of Zeus and birthplace of the Olympic Games, where athletic contests were acts of worship.
Angkor Wat
Explore Angkor Wat near Siem Reap, the largest religious monument in the world, built for Vishnu and still a living Buddhist pilgrimage site.
Avebury Henge and Stone Circles
Wander through Avebury, the largest stone circle in Britain, a Neolithic sacred landscape in Wiltshire where Druids still gather for seasonal rites.
Baalbek
Baalbek in Lebanon's Beqaa Valley holds some of the largest Roman temples ever built, on a sacred hill once devoted to Canaanite gods. Visit tips here.
Babylon and the Ziggurat of Ur
Explore Babylon, city of the god Marduk, and the Ziggurat of Ur dedicated to the moon god Nanna, two great sacred sites of ancient Mesopotamia.
Badrinath Temple
Visit Badrinath Temple on the Alaknanda River, a Char Dham shrine of Vishnu at 3,300 m, with season dates, hot springs and Himalayan road tips.
Badshahi Mosque, Lahore
Visit the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, Aurangzeb's vast red sandstone Mughal mosque facing the Lahore Fort, with visiting hours, dress code and travel tips.
Bagan
Explore Bagan in Myanmar, a plain of more than 2,000 Buddhist temples and stupas from the Pagan Kingdom, still visited by pilgrims and travelers.
Bahá'í House of Worship, Langenhain
Visit the Bahá'í House of Worship in Langenhain near Frankfurt, Europe's Bahá'í Mother Temple, a domed house of prayer open to people of all faiths.
Baha'i House of Worship, Wilmette
Visit the Baha'i House of Worship in Wilmette near Chicago, a lacy nine sided temple and gardens open to all for prayer, readings and quiet reflection.
Baha'i Temple of South America, Santiago
Visit the Baha'i Temple in Santiago, Chile, a luminous glass and marble house of worship in the Andes foothills, open to all for prayer and calm.
Bahá'í World Centre, Haifa and Bahji
Tour the Bahá'í World Centre in Haifa with its garden terraces and Shrine of the Báb, then visit Bahji near Acre, the holiest Bahá'í pilgrimage site.
Baháʼí House of Worship, Sydney
Visit the Baháʼí House of Worship in Sydney, a domed nine-sided temple on Ingleside heights, open to all faiths for prayer, reflection and quiet gardens.
BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham, Robbinsville
Visit BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham in Robbinsville, New Jersey, a vast hand carved stone Hindu temple complex welcoming visitors of all backgrounds.
Basílica de la Sagrada Família
Explore Gaudí's Sagrada Família in Barcelona, a still unfinished basilica whose forest-like nave and story-filled facades draw visitors worldwide.
Basilica del Santo Niño, Cebu
Visit the Basilica del Santo Niño in Cebu, oldest Roman Catholic church in the Philippines, home of the revered Holy Child image and Sinulog pilgrimage.
Basilica of Bom Jesus, Old Goa
Visit the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa, resting place of Saint Francis Xavier and a baroque landmark, with Mass times, feast dates and visitor tips.
Basilica of Esquipulas
Pilgrimage to the Basilica of Esquipulas in Guatemala, home of the Black Christ, the most visited Catholic shrine in Central America each January.
Basilica of Our Lady of Charity, El Cobre
Pilgrimage to El Cobre near Santiago de Cuba, shrine of Cuba's patroness Our Lady of Charity, also honored as the orisha Oshun in Santeria.
Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health, Velankanni
Visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health in Velankanni, the Lourdes of the East on Tamil Nadu's coast, with feast dates, Mass times and pilgrim tips.
Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Pilgrimage to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, home of the venerated image of the Virgin and one of the most visited shrines on earth.
Basilica of Our Lady of Lujan
Pilgrimage to the Basilica of Our Lady of Lujan, Argentina's national shrine, where millions walk from Buenos Aires each October to honor the Virgin.
Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, Yamoussoukro
The Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast, is one of the largest churches on earth, modeled on Saint Peter's in Rome.
Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre
Pilgrimage to Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre near Quebec City, a historic shrine to Saint Anne on the St. Lawrence, beloved for healing and July feasts.
Basilica of San Clemente and its Mithraeum
Descend beneath Rome's Basilica of San Clemente to a 2nd century Mithraeum, a layered sacred site of Mithraism and early Christianity.
Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi
Make a pilgrimage to the Basilica of San Francesco in Assisi, the Umbrian hill church holding the tomb of St. Francis and Giotto school frescoes.
Basilica of the Annunciation, Nazareth
The Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth honors the angel Gabriel's visit to Mary. A major Galilee pilgrimage church with art from many nations.
Batu Caves
Visit Batu Caves near Kuala Lumpur, a Hindu cave temple to Lord Murugan with a giant golden statue and 272 rainbow steps, famous for Thaipusam.
Bear Butte (Mato Paha)
Visit Bear Butte in South Dakota, a living sacred mountain for Lakota and Cheyenne people. Hike respectfully past prayer ties and honor tribal guidance.
Bethany Beyond the Jordan (Al-Maghtas)
Bethany Beyond the Jordan is the traditional site of Jesus' baptism by John. Visit the Jordan River pilgrimage site, its churches and ancient pools.
Bhaktivedanta Manor
Visit Bhaktivedanta Manor near Watford, the Hare Krishna temple donated by George Harrison and one of Britain's most visited Hindu pilgrimage sites.
Bhimbetka Rock Shelters
Explore the Bhimbetka Rock Shelters near Bhopal, prehistoric caves with paintings up to 10,000 years old showing early ritual, plus visiting tips.
Bighorn Medicine Wheel
Visit the Bighorn Medicine Wheel in Wyoming, a sacred stone circle on Medicine Mountain still used by Native nations. Respect closures for ceremony.
Borobudur
Visit Borobudur in Central Java, the largest Buddhist monument in the world, a stepped mandala of relief galleries and stupas and a Vesak pilgrimage site.
Boudhanath Stupa
Visit Boudhanath Stupa in Kathmandu, one of the largest stupas in the world and a hub of Tibetan Buddhism, with kora, monasteries, fees and visiting tips.
Brahma Sarovar, Kurukshetra
Visit Brahma Sarovar in Kurukshetra, the Vedic land of the Bhagavad Gita, with eclipse bathing, Jyotisar and travel tips for this sacred site.
Buddhas of Bamiyan
Learn about the Buddhas of Bamiyan in Afghanistan, Silk Road giants destroyed in 2001, with the valley's cave monasteries and heritage travel notes.
Bulguksa Temple
Visit Bulguksa Temple in Gyeongju, a Silla masterpiece of Korean Buddhism with stone pagodas and bridges, paired with the nearby Seokguram Grotto.
Byblos
Byblos on the Lebanese coast is among the oldest continuously inhabited towns, with Phoenician temples to Baalat Gebal and the Obelisk Temple.
Cahokia Mounds
Visit Cahokia Mounds near St. Louis, the largest pre-Columbian city north of Mexico, with Monks Mound and Woodhenge. A sacred Mississippian site.
Camino de Santiago (Way of St. James)
Walk the Camino de Santiago, Europe's best loved pilgrimage route, from the Pyrenees across northern Spain to the apostle's tomb in Galicia.
Canterbury Cathedral
Visit Canterbury Cathedral, mother church of the Anglican Communion and site of Thomas Becket's martyrdom, a pilgrimage goal since Chaucer's day.
Cao Dai Holy See, Tay Ninh
Attend a noon service at the Cao Dai Holy See in Tay Ninh, the colorful mother temple of Vietnam's syncretic Caodaism faith and its Divine Eye.
Cao'an Temple, Jinjiang
Visit Cao'an Temple near Quanzhou, the last known Manichaean temple on Earth, where Mani is honored as the Buddha of Light. A rare pilgrimage.
Cape Arkona and Jaromarsburg
Visit Cape Arkona on the island of Rügen, site of the last great temple of the Slavic god Svantevit, destroyed in 1168 and honored by modern Rodnovers.
Cape Reinga (Te Rerenga Wairua)
Visit Cape Reinga, Te Rerenga Wairua, the sacred leaping place of spirits at New Zealand's northern tip, where Maori believe souls depart.
Capernaum and the Sea of Galilee
Explore Capernaum on the Sea of Galilee, the lakeside town where Jesus taught. See the ancient synagogue and Peter's house on a Galilee pilgrimage.
Cardboard Cathedral, Christchurch
Visit the Cardboard Cathedral in Christchurch, a transitional Anglican cathedral of paper tubes by Shigeru Ban, symbol of the city's recovery after 2011.
Carnac Stones
Walk among the Carnac stones in Brittany, thousands of Neolithic standing stones in long alignments, one of Europe's great prehistoric sacred sites.
Casa Branca do Engenho Velho, Salvador
Learn about Casa Branca do Engenho Velho in Salvador, Bahia, a founding Candomble terreiro of Yoruba heritage. Visit respectfully and by invitation.
Chaco Canyon
Explore Chaco Canyon in New Mexico, the ancestral Pueblo center of great houses and kivas aligned to sun and moon. Visit with care for a sacred place.
Chartres Cathedral
Visit Chartres Cathedral, a High Gothic Marian pilgrimage church famed for its medieval stained glass, its labyrinth and the Veil of the Virgin.
Château de Montségur
Climb to Montségur in the French Pyrenees, the last great Cathar stronghold, where more than 200 Cathar believers were burned in 1244.
Chavin de Huantar
Explore Chavin de Huantar in Peru, an ancient Andean temple of underground galleries and the Lanzon idol, a center of oracles and pilgrimage.
Cheondogyo Central Temple
Visit Cheondogyo Central Temple in Seoul, headquarters of the Korean Cheondoism faith and a landmark of the 1919 independence movement.
Chichen Itza
Visit Chichen Itza in Yucatan, the Maya city of El Castillo, the Sacred Cenote and the equinox serpent of light, one of the great sacred sites of Mexico.
Chico Xavier House and Spiritist Centers, Uberaba
Visit Uberaba, home of the medium Chico Xavier, whose house and Spiritist centers draw pilgrims from across Brazil seeking comfort and charity.
Christ the Redeemer of the Andes
Visit Christ the Redeemer of the Andes on the Argentina and Chile border, a peace statue at 3,800 m on La Cumbre pass, reachable in summer only.
Christ the Redeemer, Corcovado
Visit Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado in Rio de Janeiro, the open armed statue and chapel above the city. Tips for the train, views and pilgrimage.
Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion, Aksum
In Aksum, the Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion is said to guard the Ark of the Covenant, at the heart of Ethiopia's holiest Orthodox city.
Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem marks the site of Jesus' crucifixion and tomb, the most sacred goal of Christian pilgrimage.
Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem
Visit the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, built over the grotto where Christians honor the birth of Jesus, a highlight of Holy Land pilgrimage.
Cologne Cathedral
Visit Cologne Cathedral, the soaring Gothic church on the Rhine built to house the Shrine of the Three Kings, a pilgrimage goal since the Middle Ages.
Copan Maya Ruins
Visit Copan in Honduras, the Maya city of carved stelae and the Hieroglyphic Stairway, set in a green valley with scarlet macaws. A sacred travel gem.
Coptic Cairo and the Hanging Church
Visit Coptic Cairo and the Hanging Church, built over a Roman gate, along with churches tied to the Holy Family and the Ben Ezra Synagogue.
Croagh Patrick
Climb Croagh Patrick, Ireland's holy mountain in County Mayo where St. Patrick fasted for forty days, on the Reek Sunday pilgrimage or any clear day.
Data Darbar, Lahore
Visit Data Darbar in Lahore, the shrine of Sufi saint Ali Hujwiri and one of South Asia's oldest Sufi shrines, with Urs, qawwali and visitor tips.
Devils Tower (Bear Lodge)
Visit Devils Tower, known to Plains nations as Bear Lodge, a sacred volcanic monolith in Wyoming. Honor the June climbing closure and prayer bundles.
Dhamek Stupa, Sarnath
Visit Sarnath near Varanasi, where the Buddha gave his first sermon, with the Dhamek Stupa, Ashoka's lion capital museum and practical pilgrimage tips.
Dilwara Temples, Mount Abu
Visit the Dilwara Temples at Mount Abu, five Jain shrines with some of the finest marble carving in the world, with visiting hours, dress code and tips.
Dohány Street Synagogue, Budapest
Visit the Dohány Street Synagogue in Budapest, Europe's largest synagogue, a Moorish Revival landmark with a Holocaust memorial garden.
Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque, Jerusalem
Visit the compound known as Al-Haram al-Sharif and the Temple Mount, home to the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque, sacred to Muslims and Jews.
El Ghriba Synagogue, Djerba
El Ghriba Synagogue on Djerba is one of Africa's oldest Jewish pilgrimage sites, famous for its Lag BaOmer pilgrimage and blue tiled interior.
El Santuario de Chimayo
Pilgrimage to El Santuario de Chimayo in New Mexico, the adobe chapel of healing holy dirt, visited by thousands walking there on Good Friday.
Ephesus
Visit Ephesus, home of the Temple of Artemis and an early Christian center linked to Paul and John. Walk marble streets and the House of the Virgin Mary.
Erdene Zuu Monastery
Visit Erdene Zuu at Kharkhorin, Mongolia's oldest surviving Buddhist monastery, set inside 108 white stupas beside the ruins of Karakorum.
Etruscan Necropolis of Tarquinia (Monterozzi)
Explore the painted Etruscan tombs of Tarquinia's Monterozzi necropolis, revealing Etruscan beliefs about banquets, dance and the afterlife.
Fushimi Inari Taisha
Walk the torii gate tunnels of Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto, head shrine of the rice deity Inari, on a mountain trail loved by pilgrims and travelers.
Gamla Uppsala (Old Uppsala)
Visit Gamla Uppsala in Sweden, royal burial mounds and site of the famed pagan temple of Thor, Odin and Freyr, a key place for Norse heritage travel.
Gandan Monastery
Visit Gandan Monastery in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia's largest Buddhist monastery, home to a towering Migjid Janraisig statue and lively morning chanting.
Gangotri Temple
Visit Gangotri Temple on the Bhagirathi, where the Ganga is said to descend to earth, with season dates, the Gaumukh trek and pilgrim tips.
Glastonbury Tor
Climb Glastonbury Tor in Somerset, the terraced hill crowned by St. Michael's tower, sacred to Christians, Druids and Wiccans and linked to Avalon.
Göbekli Tepe
Göbekli Tepe near Şanlıurfa holds megalithic enclosures 11,000 years old, among the oldest known monumental sacred sites. Plan your visit here.
Gommateshwara Statue, Shravanabelagola
Climb Vindhyagiri Hill at Shravanabelagola to the 17 m Gommateshwara monolith, a great Jain pilgrimage, with Mahamastakabhisheka and visiting tips.
Great Mosque of Djenné
The Great Mosque of Djenné in Mali is the largest mud brick building in the world, renewed each year by the whole town in the Crépissage festival.
Great Mosque of Kairouan
The Great Mosque of Kairouan, founded in 670 CE, is among the oldest mosques in North Africa and a model for mosques across the Maghreb.
Great Stupa of Sanchi
Visit the Great Stupa of Sanchi, Ashoka's 3rd century BCE monument with four carved gateways telling the Buddha's story, plus tickets and travel tips.
Great Zimbabwe
Explore Great Zimbabwe, the stone city of a medieval Shona kingdom, with the Hill Complex, Great Enclosure and the soapstone Zimbabwe Birds.
Guanabacoa, Havana
Explore Guanabacoa in Havana, a heartland of Santeria and Afro-Cuban religion with its municipal museum, casas de santo and drumming traditions.
Guksadang Shrine, Inwangsan
Discover Guksadang shrine on Inwangsan in Seoul, the city's best known center of Korean shamanism, with the Seonbawi rock and active gut rituals.
Gur Sikh Temple, Abbotsford
Visit the Gur Sikh Temple in Abbotsford, British Columbia, the oldest surviving gurdwara in North America and a National Historic Site of Canada.
Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, Kartarpur
Visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, Pakistan, where Guru Nanak spent his final years, reached via the visa free Kartarpur Corridor from India.
Gurdwara Hemkund Sahib
Trek to Hemkund Sahib, a Sikh gurdwara at 4,632 m beside a glacial lake in the Garhwal Himalaya, with season dates, trail details and pilgrimage tips.
Gurdwara Janam Asthan, Nankana Sahib
Visit Gurdwara Janam Asthan in Nankana Sahib, Pakistan, birthplace of Guru Nanak, with pilgrim visa, Gurpurab and travel tips for this holy Sikh shrine.
Haeinsa Temple
Visit Haeinsa Temple on Mount Gaya, guardian of the Tripitaka Koreana woodblocks, one of Korea's Three Jewel Temples and a top templestay destination.
Ħaġar Qim Temples, Malta
Visit Ħaġar Qim on Malta, a megalithic temple older than Stonehenge, part of a Neolithic sacred tradition known for its corpulent figurines.
Hagia Sophia, Istanbul
Hagia Sophia in Istanbul was for centuries the greatest church of Christendom, later a mosque and museum. Today it is a mosque open to visitors.
Har Ki Pauri, Haridwar
Join the evening Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar, where the Ganges leaves the Himalaya, with bathing, Kumbh Mela and Rishikesh side trip tips.
Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple), Amritsar
Visit the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Sikhism's holiest gurdwara, with its sacred pool, free langar kitchen, dress code and tips for visiting day and night.
Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca
The Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca stands over the Atlantic with a 210 m minaret. It is one of the few mosques in Morocco open to non-Muslim tours.
Hattusa and Yazılıkaya
Explore Hattusa, capital of the Hittite Empire, with its Great Temple, Lion Gate and the rock sanctuary of Yazılıkaya carved with a procession of gods.
Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah, Delhi
Hear Thursday qawwali at Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah in Delhi, the Sufi shrine of a Chishti saint and poet Amir Khusrau, with visiting and etiquette tips.
Hegra (Mada'in Salih)
Hegra near AlUla is Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO site, with more than a hundred Nabataean tombs and a rock sanctuary to the god Dushara.
Hill of Crosses
Visit the Hill of Crosses near Šiauliai, Lithuania, a pilgrimage mound covered with over 100,000 crosses, a symbol of faith and national resistance.
Hill of Tara
Explore the Hill of Tara, ancient seat of the High Kings of Ireland and a sacred landscape of Celtic myth, with the Stone of Destiny and a Neolithic tomb.
Hukuru Miskiy (Old Friday Mosque), Malé
Visit Hukuru Miskiy in Malé, the coral stone Old Friday Mosque of the Maldives with carved lacquer interiors, plus permission, dress and timing tips.
Ile-Ife
Ile-Ife in Nigeria is the sacred origin city of the Yoruba, where creation began in tradition. See royal shrines, groves and famed Ife bronzes.
Imam Ali Shrine, Najaf
The Imam Ali Shrine in Najaf holds the tomb of Ali ibn Abi Talib, the first Shia Imam. Visit its golden dome, seminaries and the Wadi al-Salam cemetery.
Imam Husayn Shrine, Karbala
The Imam Husayn Shrine in Karbala marks the tomb of the Prophet's grandson and draws millions on the Arbaeen pilgrimage, one of the largest on earth.
Imam Reza Shrine, Mashhad
The Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad is one of the largest Shia pilgrimage complexes in the world, with golden domes, vast courtyards and museums.
Iona Abbey
Travel to Iona Abbey in the Scottish Hebrides, where St. Columba founded a monastery in 563, now a place of pilgrimage, prayer and ecumenical retreat.
Iranshah Atash Behram, Udvada
Learn about Iranshah Atash Behram in Udvada, Gujarat, the oldest continuously burning Zoroastrian sacred fire, with Parsi heritage and visitor etiquette.
Ise Grand Shrine
Make a pilgrimage to Ise Grand Shrine in Mie, the holiest site of Shinto and home of the sun goddess Amaterasu, set in ancient cedar forest.
Isla del Sol, Lake Titicaca
Travel to Isla del Sol on Lake Titicaca, the Inca birthplace of the sun with ancient terraces, sacred rock and quiet trails. An Andean pilgrimage.
Itsukushima Shrine
Visit Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima, famous for its floating torii gate, and climb sacred Mount Misen on a classic Japan pilgrimage and day trip.
Izumo Taisha
Visit Izumo Taisha in Shimane, one of Japan's oldest Shinto shrines, where the gods gather each autumn and couples pray for good relationships.
Jagannath Temple, Puri
Visit the Jagannath Temple in Puri, a Char Dham shrine famed for the Rath Yatra chariot festival, with entry rules, timings and practical pilgrim tips.
Jama Masjid, Delhi
Visit Jama Masjid in Old Delhi, India's grand Mughal mosque built by Shah Jahan, with minaret views, prayer times, dress rules and visiting tips.
Janaki Mandir, Janakpur
Visit Janaki Mandir in Janakpur, Nepal, the marble palace temple honoring Sita at her legendary birthplace, with Vivah Panchami, timings and travel tips.
Jasna Góra Monastery, Częstochowa
Make a pilgrimage to Jasna Góra in Częstochowa, Poland's holiest shrine and home of the Black Madonna icon, visited by millions every year.
Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, Anuradhapura
Visit Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, the oldest documented planted tree on earth, with giant stupas, Poya days and pilgrimage tips.
Jelling Mounds, Runic Stones and Church
Visit the Jelling stones in Denmark, 10th century runestones and royal mounds marking the shift from Norse religion to Christianity, a key heritage site.
Jokhang Temple
Visit the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, the holiest shrine in Tibetan Buddhism, and join pilgrims walking the Barkhor circuit around its golden roofs.
Jongmyo Shrine
Visit Jongmyo in Seoul, the royal Confucian ancestral shrine of the Joseon dynasty, where the grand Jongmyo Jerye rite is still performed each May.
Kamakhya Temple, Guwahati
Visit Kamakhya Temple on Nilachal Hill in Guwahati, a revered Shakti Peetha and Tantric center, with darshan tips, Ambubachi Mela and hill access.
Karnak and Luxor Temple
Explore Karnak, the vast temple of Amun, and Luxor Temple, linked by the Avenue of Sphinxes, in ancient Thebes, Egypt's greatest religious center.
Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi
Visit Kashi Vishwanath in Varanasi, the golden Jyotirlinga of Shiva by the Ganges, with tips on darshan, the new corridor and the riverside ghats.
Kata Tjuta
Walk among the domes of Kata Tjuta near Uluru, a sacred site for Anangu men's law, on the Valley of the Winds trail in Australia's Red Centre.
Kedarnath Temple
Trek to Kedarnath Temple at 3,583 m in the Garhwal Himalaya, a Jyotirlinga and Char Dham shrine, with route, opening season, registration and safety tips.
Kernavė Archaeological Site
Visit Kernavė in Lithuania, a medieval capital of five hillforts above the Neris valley, tied to Baltic pagan heritage and the Romuva revival.
Kīlauea and Halemaʻumaʻu Crater
Visit Kīlauea in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, home of the fire goddess Pele, where Hawaiians still leave offerings at the rim of Halemaʻumaʻu.
Kirtland Temple
Visit Kirtland Temple in Ohio, the first temple of the Latter Day Saint movement, dedicated in 1836 and central to its early history. Guided tours offered.
Kizhi Pogost
Learn about Kizhi Pogost on Lake Onega, two wooden Orthodox churches and a bell tower built without nails, a masterpiece of Russian sacred architecture.
Konark Sun Temple
Visit the Konark Sun Temple in Odisha, a 13th century stone chariot of the sun god Surya with carved wheels and horses, plus tickets, timings and tips.
Kumano Kodo and Kumano Hongu Taisha
Hike the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trails on the Kii Peninsula to the three Kumano Grand Shrines, a UNESCO route of forests, hot springs and faith.
Kyiv Pechersk Lavra
Learn about Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, the Monastery of the Caves above the Dnipro, founded in 1051 and a cradle of Orthodox monastic pilgrimage.
Lake Guatavita
Visit Lake Guatavita near Bogota, the sacred Muisca lake behind the legend of El Dorado. Walk the guided trail and honor its living heritage.
Lake Tana Monasteries
Visit the island monasteries of Lake Tana by boat from Bahir Dar, with painted churches, manuscripts and royal relics of Ethiopian Orthodoxy.
Lalish
Lalish in northern Iraq is the holiest temple of the Yazidis, home to the tomb of Sheikh Adi. Visitors walk barefoot through this sacred valley.
Lamu Old Town
Lamu Old Town on the Kenyan coast is the oldest living Swahili town, a center of Islamic learning famed for its Maulidi festival and stone mosques.
Las Lajas Sanctuary
Visit Las Lajas Sanctuary near Ipiales, Colombia, a Gothic Revival church on a bridge across a deep gorge, built around a revered rock image of Mary.
Lejre, Seat of the Skjöldung Kings
Explore Lejre on Zealand, legendary seat of the Skjöldung kings and a Viking cult site of great halls and ship settings, ideal for Norse heritage trips.
Leshan Giant Buddha
See the Leshan Giant Buddha in Sichuan, a 71-meter Maitreya carved from a riverside cliff in the Tang dynasty and still a site of Buddhist devotion.
Lindisfarne (Holy Island)
Walk the tidal causeway to Lindisfarne, the Holy Island of Aidan and Cuthbert, a cradle of Celtic Christianity and site of the Lindisfarne Gospels.
Lotus Temple, Delhi
Visit the Lotus Temple in Delhi, the Baha'i House of Worship shaped like a white lotus and open to all faiths, with prayer times and visitor tips.
Luang Prabang
Visit Luang Prabang in Laos, a UNESCO temple town where saffron-robed monks walk the dawn alms round past gilded monasteries beside the Mekong.
Machu Picchu
Visit Machu Picchu in Peru, the Inca sanctuary of the Intihuatana and Temple of the Sun, set among sacred peaks above the Urubamba. A lifetime pilgrimage.
Mahabodhi Temple, Bodh Gaya
Visit the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, where the Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree, with meditation, timings and pilgrimage travel tips.
Mahaparinirvana Temple, Kushinagar
Visit Kushinagar's Mahaparinirvana Temple, where the Buddha passed into final nirvana, with the reclining Buddha, Ramabhar Stupa and pilgrimage tips.
Mandaean Mandi and Baptism Site, Karun River, Ahvaz
In Ahvaz, Mandaeans gather at a riverside mandi on the Karun for baptism in flowing water, a living rite of one of the oldest Gnostic faiths.
Manhyia Palace, Kumasi
Manhyia Palace in Kumasi is the seat of the Asantehene and the Golden Stool, the sacred soul of the Asante nation. See its museum and Akwasidae rites.
Masjid al-Haram and the Kaaba, Mecca
Masjid al-Haram in Mecca surrounds the Kaaba, the focus of Islamic prayer and the Hajj pilgrimage. Entry to Mecca is restricted to Muslims only.
Maya Devi Temple, Lumbini
Visit the Maya Devi Temple in Lumbini, Nepal, birthplace of the Buddha, with the Ashoka pillar, sacred pond, monastic zone and pilgrimage travel tips.
Mazu Temple, Meizhou Island
Make a pilgrimage to Meizhou Island in Fujian, birthplace of the sea goddess Mazu, whose ancestral temple draws devotees from Taiwan and across Asia.
Medjugorje
Plan a pilgrimage to Medjugorje in Herzegovina, where six young people reported Marian apparitions in 1981, now a busy Catholic place of prayer.
Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai
Explore Madurai's Meenakshi Amman Temple, with towering painted gopurams and the shrine of the goddess, plus timings, dress code and visiting tips.
Meroë Pyramids and Jebel Barkal
The Meroë pyramids and the holy mountain of Jebel Barkal preserve the sacred heritage of the Kushite kings of ancient Nubia in Sudan.
Mesa Verde Cliff Dwellings
Visit Mesa Verde in Colorado, ancestral Pueblo cliff dwellings and kivas set in canyon alcoves. Book ranger tours and honor a place sacred to descendants.
Mevlana Museum (Rumi Mausoleum), Konya
Visit the Mevlana Museum in Konya, the turquoise domed tomb of the Sufi poet Rumi. A pilgrimage site and home of the whirling dervish ceremony.
Mission San Juan Capistrano
Visit Mission San Juan Capistrano in California, the jewel of the missions, with Serra Chapel, the stone church ruins and the famous swallows.
Mogao Caves
Visit the Mogao Caves near Dunhuang, a Silk Road treasury of Buddhist murals and statues spanning a thousand years, with timed tours for travelers.
Monasteries of Meteora
Visit the Meteora monasteries in Thessaly, Orthodox communities perched atop sandstone pillars, among the most dramatic sacred sites in Europe.
Monastery of Saint Anthony
The Monastery of Saint Anthony in Egypt's Red Sea mountains is among the oldest Christian monasteries, with medieval wall paintings and a hermit cave.
Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey
Cross the tidal flats to Mont-Saint-Michel, the Norman island abbey of the Archangel Michael, a medieval pilgrimage goal rising from the sea.
Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba
Visit the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba, a forest of red and white arches from Umayyad al-Andalus with a Renaissance cathedral built at its heart.
Moulay Idriss Zerhoun
Moulay Idriss Zerhoun is Morocco's holy town, built around the tomb of Idris I, founder of the first Moroccan Islamic dynasty. A key pilgrimage town.
Mount Athos
Learn how to make a pilgrimage to Mount Athos, Greece's self-governing Holy Mountain of twenty Orthodox monasteries, open to male visitors by permit.
Mount Emei
Climb Mount Emei in Sichuan, one of the Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains of China, for monasteries, misty forests and the golden Samantabhadra at the summit.
Mount Fuji
Climb Mount Fuji, Japan's sacred volcano and home of the goddess Konohanasakuya-hime, or visit the Sengen shrines at its base on a spiritual journey.
Mount Gerizim
Mount Gerizim above Nablus is the holiest place of the Samaritans. Visit the ancient temple ruins and witness the Samaritan Passover sacrifice.
Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar
Plan a pilgrimage to Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar in western Tibet, the sacred peak and lake honored by Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and Bon followers.
Mount Koya
Stay at a temple on Mount Koya, the center of Shingon Buddhism founded by Kukai, and walk the lantern-lit Okunoin cemetery on a Japan pilgrimage.
Mount Nebo
Mount Nebo in Jordan is where Moses viewed the Promised Land in biblical tradition. Visit the Byzantine mosaics and the panoramic Holy Land view.
Mount Sinai and Saint Catherine's Monastery
Climb Mount Sinai at dawn and visit Saint Catherine's Monastery, one of the oldest working Christian monasteries and a revered Sinai pilgrimage site.
Mount Tai
Climb Mount Tai in Shandong, the foremost of China's Five Great Mountains, on a pilgrimage of 6,600 stone steps past Taoist temples to the Jade Emperor Peak.
Muktinath Temple
Travel to Muktinath at 3,800 m in Mustang, Nepal, a shrine sacred to Hindus and Buddhists with 108 water spouts and an eternal flame, plus route tips.
Nabi Shu'ayb Shrine
Nabi Shu'ayb near Tiberias is the most sacred shrine of the Druze, honoring the prophet Jethro. Visit during the April pilgrimage festival.
Nag Hammadi and Jabal al-Tarif
Travel to Nag Hammadi in Upper Egypt, where the famous Gnostic library was found in 1945. A key heritage stop for students of early Christianity.
Nan Madol
Explore Nan Madol off Pohnpei, the basalt island city of the Saudeleur dynasty, a ceremonial and royal mortuary center known as the Venice of the Pacific.
National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida
Pilgrimage to the Basilica of Aparecida in Brazil, the vast shrine of the black Virgin who is patroness of the nation, visited by millions each year.
Nazca Lines
Discover the Nazca Lines in Peru, giant desert geoglyphs of animals and lines linked to water and ritual. See them on a flight or from viewing towers.
Newgrange
Visit Newgrange in Ireland's Boyne Valley, a 5,000 year old passage tomb whose chamber is lit by the winter solstice sunrise, a Neolithic sacred site.
Nine Mile, Bob Marley Mausoleum
Visit Nine Mile in Jamaica, the hill village where Bob Marley was born and rests in a mausoleum, a place of Rastafari reverence and reggae pilgrimage.
Notre-Dame Basilica, Montreal
Visit Notre-Dame Basilica in Old Montreal, a Gothic Revival church with a deep blue and gold interior, carved wood and a celebrated Casavant organ.
Notre-Dame de Paris
Visit Notre-Dame de Paris, the Gothic cathedral on the Île de la Cité, reopened after the 2019 fire with its rose windows and Crown of Thorns relic.
Old New Synagogue, Prague
Visit Prague's Old New Synagogue, Europe's oldest active synagogue, a Gothic house of prayer linked to Rabbi Loew and the legend of the Golem.
Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove
The Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove in Nigeria is a forest shrine to the Yoruba river goddess Osun, with sculptures and a huge annual festival.
Palace of Knossos
Explore the Palace of Knossos on Crete, ceremonial center of Minoan religion, with its throne room, bull frescoes and the legend of the Labyrinth.
Palenque
Visit Palenque in Chiapas, a jungle Maya city famed for the Temple of the Inscriptions and the tomb of King Pakal, a sacred site of rare beauty.
Palitana Temples, Shatrunjaya Hill
Climb Shatrunjaya Hill at Palitana, Gujarat, to over 800 marble Jain temples, one of Jainism's holiest pilgrimages, with steps, timing and etiquette tips.
Pantheon, Rome
Visit the Pantheon in Rome, a Roman temple to all the gods turned Christian church, with the world's largest unreinforced concrete dome and its oculus.
Paradesi Synagogue, Kochi
Visit the Paradesi Synagogue in Kochi's Jew Town, the oldest active synagogue in the Commonwealth, with its blue tiles, opening hours and visiting tips.
Paro Taktsang (Tiger's Nest Monastery)
Hike to Paro Taktsang, the Tiger's Nest Monastery on a Bhutan cliff where Guru Rinpoche meditated, with trail, permit and timing tips for visitors.
Pashupatinath Temple
Visit Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal's holiest Shiva shrine on the Bagmati River, with sadhus, cremation ghats, entry fees and etiquette tips.
Perfume Pagoda
Join the spring pilgrimage to the Perfume Pagoda near Hanoi, a Buddhist cave shrine in limestone hills reached by rowing boat along the Yen stream.
Persepolis and Naqsh-e Rostam
Visit Persepolis, ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid kings, and the royal rock tombs of Naqsh-e Rostam nearby, with Zoroastrian imagery.
Petra
Visit Petra, the rose red Nabataean city in Jordan, with tombs, temples and the High Place of Sacrifice devoted to the god Dushara.
Philae Temple of Isis
Visit Philae near Aswan, the island Temple of Isis where ancient Egyptian worship continued into the 6th century CE, reached by boat.
Potala Palace
Visit the Potala Palace in Lhasa, the former winter seat of the Dalai Lamas and a landmark of Tibetan Buddhist pilgrimage and architecture.
Prambanan
Visit Prambanan near Yogyakarta, the largest Hindu temple compound in Indonesia, dedicated to the Trimurti and famed for Ramayana reliefs and dance.
Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau
Visit Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau on Hawaii Island, an ancient Hawaiian place of refuge with a royal temple, carved kiʻi images and a great stone wall.
Pura Besakih
Visit Pura Besakih, the Mother Temple of Bali, a terraced complex of Hindu shrines on the slopes of sacred Mount Agung, busy with temple festivals.
Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx
Visit the Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx, royal tombs and temples of ancient Egypt built to carry the pharaoh to the afterlife.
Qorikancha and Santo Domingo, Cusco
Visit Qorikancha in Cusco, the Inca Temple of the Sun once sheathed in gold, now crowned by a Dominican church. A key stop on any Peru pilgrimage.
Qoyllur Rit'i Sanctuary, Sinakara Valley
Join the Qoyllur Rit'i pilgrimage below Ausangate in Peru, a high Andes festival blending Catholic devotion and mountain spirits. Come with respect.
Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram
Visit Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameswaram, a Char Dham and Jyotirlinga shrine with the longest temple corridors in India and 22 sacred wells to bathe in.
Ranakpur Jain Temple
Visit Ranakpur Jain Temple in the Aravalli Hills of Rajasthan, a marble marvel with 1,444 carved pillars, with timings for tourists, dress code and tips.
Rila Monastery
Visit Rila Monastery in the Rila Mountains, Bulgaria's greatest Orthodox monastery and pilgrimage site, famed for its striped arcades and frescoes.
Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela
Lalibela's eleven rock-hewn churches in Ethiopia are a living center of Orthodox pilgrimage, especially at Genna, Ethiopian Christmas.
Sacsayhuaman and Inti Raymi
Visit Sacsayhuaman above Cusco, the Inca complex of giant zigzag walls where Inti Raymi, the festival of the sun, is staged each June solstice season.
Saint Basil's Cathedral, Moscow
Learn about Saint Basil's Cathedral on Red Square, Moscow, with its colorful onion domes, built for Ivan the Terrible and named for a holy fool.
Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal
Pilgrimage to Saint Joseph's Oratory in Montreal, the great domed basilica founded by Saint Andre Bessette, with votive crutches and city views.
Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira
Visit the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira near Bogota, an underground church carved into a salt mine, with Stations of the Cross lit in shifting color.
San Antonio Missions
Explore the San Antonio Missions in Texas, a UNESCO World Heritage chain of Spanish colonial churches still serving parishes. Bike or walk the trail.
San Thome Basilica, Chennai
Visit San Thome Basilica in Chennai, built over the tomb of Saint Thomas the Apostle, plus nearby St Thomas Mount, with Mass times and visiting tips.
Sanctuary of Apollo, Delphi
Visit ancient Delphi on Mount Parnassus, home of Apollo's oracle and the navel of the Greek world, a sacred site still honored by modern Hellenists.
Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima
Visit the Sanctuary of Fátima in central Portugal, where three shepherd children reported Marian apparitions in 1917, a major Catholic pilgrimage.
Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes
Plan a pilgrimage to Lourdes, the Pyrenean Marian shrine where Bernadette saw the Virgin in 1858, known for its grotto, baths and candle processions.
Sankore Mosque, Timbuktu
Sankore Mosque in Timbuktu was the heart of a famed university of Islamic learning. Discover the earthen mosques and manuscripts of Mali.
Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey
Ride up to Montserrat Abbey near Barcelona to venerate the Black Madonna, hear the boys' choir and hike among the saw-toothed sacred peaks.
Santiago de Compostela Cathedral
Reach Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, the goal of the Camino pilgrimage, to embrace the apostle's statue and see the giant botafumeiro censer swing.
Saut-d'Eau Waterfall
Learn about Saut-d'Eau in Haiti, the sacred waterfall where Vodou and Catholic pilgrims honor Ezili Danto and the Virgin each July. Travel with care.
Sedona Red Rocks and Chapel of the Holy Cross
Visit Sedona in Arizona, red rock country known for vortex sites, the Chapel of the Holy Cross and Indigenous heritage. Hike gently and respectfully.
Serpent Mound
See Serpent Mound in Ohio, the largest serpent effigy mound in the world, coiling along a ridge above Brush Creek. A sacred Native earthwork to visit.
Shah Cheragh and Nasir al-Mulk Mosque, Shiraz
Visit Shiraz's mirrored Shah Cheragh shrine and the nearby Nasir al-Mulk Mosque, famous for morning light pouring through stained glass.
Shaman Rock, Olkhon Island, Lake Baikal
Visit Shaman Rock on Olkhon Island in Lake Baikal, one of the holiest places of Buryat shamanism and Tengrism, wrapped in ribbons and prayer posts.
Shaolin Monastery
Explore Shaolin Monastery on Mount Song, birthplace of Chan Buddhism and kung fu, with its Pagoda Forest and Bodhidharma cave for pilgrims and travelers.
Shikharji (Parasnath Hill)
Make the pilgrimage to Shikharji on Parasnath Hill, where 20 Jain Tirthankaras attained liberation, with the 27 km circuit, timings and practical tips.
Shrine of Baba Yadegar
The mountain shrine of Baba Yadegar in Kermanshah is a major pilgrimage site for the Yarsan, a Kurdish faith also known as Ahl-e Haqq.
Shwedagon Pagoda
Visit the golden Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar's most sacred Buddhist stupa, said to enshrine hairs of the Buddha, best seen at sunset.
Sistine Chapel, Vatican City
Plan a visit to the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican Museums, home of Michelangelo's ceiling and Last Judgment and the room where popes are elected.
Sixty Dome Mosque, Bagerhat
Visit the Sixty Dome Mosque in Bagerhat, Bangladesh, a 15th century brick mosque in a UNESCO Mosque City near the Sundarbans, with travel and dress tips.
Skellig Michael
Visit Skellig Michael off County Kerry, a dramatic island where early Irish monks built beehive cells on a sea crag, a remote pilgrimage of ascetic faith.
Somnath Temple
Visit Somnath Temple on Gujarat's coast, the first of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Shiva, with aarti times, the sound and light show and pilgrim tips.
Sri Pada (Adam's Peak)
Climb Sri Pada, Adam's Peak in Sri Lanka, a sacred mountain honored by four faiths, for sunrise over the hills, with season, trail and pilgrimage tips.
Sri Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala
Plan a pilgrimage to Tirumala Venkateswara Temple near Tirupati, one of the busiest sacred sites on earth, with darshan booking, dress code and laddu tips.
St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York
Visit St. Patrick's Cathedral on Fifth Avenue in New York, the neo Gothic seat of the Catholic archdiocese, open daily for Mass, prayer and visits.
St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City
Visit St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, the great Renaissance church raised over the tomb of the Apostle Peter and a focus of Catholic pilgrimage.
Stonehenge
Visit Stonehenge on Salisbury Plain, the prehistoric stone circle aligned to the solstice sun and a gathering place for modern Druid celebrations.
Süleymaniye Mosque, Istanbul
Visit the Süleymaniye Mosque on Istanbul's European side, Mimar Sinan's Ottoman masterpiece and the tomb of Suleiman the Magnificent.
Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque), Istanbul
Visit the Sultan Ahmed Mosque in Istanbul, the Blue Mosque, with six minarets and Iznik tiles. A working mosque open to respectful visitors.
Swayambhunath Stupa
Climb to Swayambhunath, the Monkey Temple above Kathmandu, an ancient stupa revered by Buddhists and Hindus, with stairs, views, fees and visiting tips.
Taj Mahal, Agra
Visit the Taj Mahal in Agra, Shah Jahan's white marble tomb for Mumtaz Mahal, with its garden of paradise, mosque, tickets, Friday closure and timing tips.
Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazur Sahib, Nanded
Visit Takht Sri Hazur Sahib in Nanded, one of the five Takhts of Sikhism where Guru Gobind Singh passed, with langar, Hola Mohalla and visiting tips.
Temple of Confucius, Qufu
Visit the Temple of Confucius in Qufu, the sage's hometown, and explore the great Dacheng Hall, family mansion and cemetery on a Confucian heritage trip.
Temple of Heaven
Visit the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, where Ming and Qing emperors prayed for harvests, and see its iconic Hall of Prayer and Circular Mound Altar.
Temple of Pythons, Ouidah
Visit the Temple of Pythons in Ouidah, Benin, a sanctuary of the snake deity Dangbe, and join the colorful Vodun Festival held each January.
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Kandy
Visit Kandy's Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Sri Lanka's holiest Buddhist shrine, with puja times, Esala Perahera dates, dress code and visitor tips.
Temple Square, Salt Lake City
Visit Temple Square in Salt Lake City, spiritual heart of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with gardens, the Tabernacle and choir.
Templo Mayor, Mexico City
Explore the Templo Mayor in Mexico City, the twin shrine of Huitzilopochtli and Tlaloc at the heart of Aztec Tenochtitlan, with ruins and a superb museum.
Tenda Espirita Nossa Senhora da Piedade, Birthplace of Umbanda
Discover the Tenda Espirita Nossa Senhora da Piedade in Sao Goncalo, honored as the birthplace of Umbanda in 1908. Respectful visiting and pilgrimage tips.
Tenrikyo Church Headquarters
Visit the Tenrikyo Church Headquarters in Tenri, the Jiba where followers believe humanity began, and join a welcoming Joyous Life pilgrimage.
Teotihuacan, City of the Gods
Visit Teotihuacan near Mexico City, where the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon line the Avenue of the Dead in a sacred city later honored by the Aztecs.
Tikal
Travel to Tikal in Guatemala, a Maya sacred city whose temple pyramids rise above rainforest canopy, alive with howler monkeys and dawn birdsong.
Tiwanaku
Explore Tiwanaku near La Paz, the Andean ceremonial city of the Gate of the Sun and Akapana pyramid, revered by Aymara people for Willkakuti rites.
Todai-ji
See the Great Buddha of Todai-ji in Nara, a vast bronze Vairocana inside one of the largest wooden halls in the world, surrounded by sacred deer.
Tomb of Allan Kardec, Père Lachaise Cemetery
Visit Allan Kardec's dolmen tomb in Paris's Père Lachaise Cemetery, the most visited grave for Spiritists worldwide and a quiet pilgrimage site.
Touro Synagogue
Visit Touro Synagogue in Newport, Rhode Island, the oldest surviving synagogue building in the United States and a landmark of religious freedom.
Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, Sergiev Posad
Learn about the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius in Sergiev Posad, the spiritual center of Russian Orthodoxy and a major Golden Ring pilgrimage site.
Triveni Sangam, Prayagraj
Bathe at Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj, the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati and home of the Kumbh Mela, with boat and timing tips.
Uganda Martyrs Shrine, Namugongo
Namugongo near Kampala honors the Uganda Martyrs. Millions walk here each 3 June for Martyrs Day, one of Africa's largest Christian pilgrimages.
Ukko-Koli Hill, Koli National Park
Visit Koli in North Karelia, whose summit Ukko-Koli is named for the Finnic sky god Ukko, a sacred hill with famous views for nature and heritage travel.
Ukonsaari Island, Lake Inari
Cruise Lake Inari to Ukonsaari, a rocky island sacred to the Inari Sámi as a sieidi offering place, one of Lapland's most respected sacred sites.
Uluru
Visit Uluru in Australia's Red Centre, a sacred monolith of the Anangu people, with guided base walks sharing Tjukurpa stories and desert sunsets.
Uluwatu Temple
Visit Pura Luhur Uluwatu, a Balinese Hindu sea temple on a cliff above the Indian Ocean, famous for its sunset Kecak dance and resident monkeys.
Upopoy National Ainu Museum and Park
Visit Upopoy in Shiraoi, Hokkaido, a national center for Ainu culture where travelers learn about kamuy beliefs, ceremonies and the Ainu memorial.
Uxmal
Discover Uxmal in Yucatan, a Puuc Maya city with the oval Pyramid of the Magician and stone mosaics of the rain god Chaak. A calm, rewarding visit.
Vaishno Devi Temple
Trek to the Vaishno Devi cave shrine above Katra in the Trikuta Hills, a top Hindu pilgrimage in India, with route, registration and travel tips.
Valley of the Kings
The Valley of the Kings near Luxor holds painted royal tombs of the New Kingdom, including Tutankhamun's, rich in imagery of the afterlife.
Villa of the Mysteries, Pompeii
Visit the Villa of the Mysteries at Pompeii, whose vivid frescoes depict a Dionysian initiation rite, a rare window into Roman mystery religion.
Voroneț Monastery, Painted Churches of Bukovina
Visit Voroneț, jewel of Bukovina's painted monasteries in Romania, whose exterior frescoes in vivid Voroneț blue tell biblical stories in the open air.
Washington National Cathedral
Visit Washington National Cathedral, the Gothic Episcopal cathedral on Mount St. Alban with stained glass, gargoyles and services open to all.
Wat Pho
Visit Wat Pho in Bangkok, home of the giant Reclining Buddha and the birthplace of Thai massage, a first-class royal temple full of chedis.
Wat Phra Kaew
Visit Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in the Grand Palace, Thailand's most sacred Buddhist temple and royal chapel.
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
Climb to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep above Chiang Mai, a golden mountain temple holding a Buddha relic, reached by a naga stairway of 306 steps.
Western Wall, Jerusalem
The Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City is the most important place of Jewish prayer. Visit the plaza, leave a note, and explore the tunnels.
Westminster Abbey
Visit Westminster Abbey in London, coronation church of English monarchs and shrine of Edward the Confessor, with royal tombs and Poets' Corner.
White Horse Temple
Visit the White Horse Temple near Luoyang, traditionally the first Buddhist temple in China, with its old pagoda and halls built by many nations.
Wudang Mountains
Travel to the Wudang Mountains in Hubei, a Taoist holy range of temples, hermitages and martial arts, crowned by the Golden Hall on Tianzhu Peak.
Yamunotri Temple
Visit Yamunotri Temple at 3,291 m, the first Char Dham shrine and source of the Yamuna, with the Janki Chatti trek, Surya Kund and season tips.
Yazd Atash Behram and Chak Chak
See the sacred fire of the Yazd Atash Behram, burning for centuries, then travel to the mountain shrine of Chak Chak, a key Zoroastrian pilgrimage.