Most Spectacular Buildings Around The World To Add To Your Bucket List

The world's best bucket list destinations offer tourists a first-hand look at some pretty inspiring features. From stunning natural landscapes to unique cultures to once-in-a-lifetime adventures, there's a reason these places top millions of travelers' must-visit lists. One thing many bucket-list locales share is an extraordinary collection of spectacular buildings. From medieval marvels to modern wonders, these architectural masterpieces span centuries as well as the globe. Travel back in time to over 4,500 years ago with a visit to Egypt's remarkable Pyramids of Giza, then zip into the future with a trip to admire 11,000 glass panels at London's impressive skyscraper, the Shard. 

Not wowed by those spectacular buildings? Book a vacation to Moscow for an up-close view of the whimsical St. Basil's Cathedral. This colorful, onion-domed church is so fantastical that you'll be forgiven for thinking you've stepped into the pages of a fairy tale. Barcelona's Sagrada Familia Basilica is a unique magnum opus that should be seen at least once, while the Parthenon in Athens is one of the most recognized buildings in the world. There's certainly no lack of outstanding structures to explore, and the world's most spectacular buildings are truly awe-inspiring.

It's easy to picture the Taj Mahal. Built in honor of emperor Shah Jahan's wife, this spectacular building is one of the world's most photographed monuments. Its off-white marble gleams under India's powerful sun, made even brighter by the contrasting greens of the garden bordering the reflecting pool. This extravagant complex is a large mausoleum housing two tombs — one for the Shah and the other for his wife. According to UNESCO, the Taj Mahal is "the greatest architectural achievement in the whole range of Indo-Islamic architecture." Although it is yellowing with age due to construction, pollution, and insect excrement, the Taj Mahal is still beautiful enough to make your heart skip a beat upon seeing it, especially for the first time. 

You won't be alone during your visit, so prepare to deal with large crowds. There are separate entry lines for foreigners versus locals. Children under 15 are free to enter, while adult tourists (aka foreigners) can expect to pay about $30 to visit the mausoleum as well as the Taj Mahal. Tickets are only available for purchase online. Note: The Taj Mahal is not open to visitors on Fridays. Also, photography isn't permitted inside the mausoleum.

The Sagrada Família Basilica is impossible to miss. Its iconic spires stand 558 feet tall, after all. Like many other famous and eccentric buildings in Barcelona (i.e., Casa Milà, Casa Battló, and Palau Güell), this beloved Roman Catholic cathedral was designed by the famous Spanish architect, Antoni Gaudi. His unique touch can easily be seen in its fantastical structure and mix of Gothic and Art Nouveau styles. The building itself took nine architects over 140 years to complete — Gaudi died when the church was only one-quarter finished. That's why you'll see Catalan Modernist details present in its architecture as well.

From afar, this church may not appear as pretty as say, Moscow's St. Basil's Cathedral, but once you get close, the innate beauty of its intricate details is mesmerizing. Inside lie some of the building's most impressive features. Giant columns formed from volcanic rock, an apse containing seven chapels and the Sagrada Familia crypt (where Gaudi was laid to rest), remarkable stained glass windows, and captivating carved ceilings. Tip: Buy tickets in advance to ensure you can explore these inner gems, especially if you're hoping to climb into the spires. Entry fees begin at $36 and run as high as $66 for a fast-track guided tour with access to the towers.

It's easy to see why Singapore's Marina Bay Sands should be added as a bucket-list destination. This truly spectacular structure is three buildings topped by a platform that resembles a giant boat. The Israeli-born architect, Moshe Safdie, designed it this way to avoid blocking the view of the ocean — the space between the buildings acts as windows to a pretty water vista. The boat-shaped structure was designed to be asymmetrical in order to achieve feng shui and is home to Sky Park, which boasts a massive infinity pool, gardens, and unbeatable views. Inside lies a luxury hotel, museum, casino, convention center, restaurants, and high-end shops. Book a ticket to ogle the panoramic view from the Skypark Observation Deck. A whopping 56 stories up, you'll be able to see some of Singapore's most famous landmarks. Tickets start at about $15 per person, depending on the date and time of visit.

Attached to Marina Bay Sands is another of Safdie's incredible creations, the ArtScience Museum. Shaped like a lotus, it has been nicknamed "the Welcoming Hand of Singapore," and consists of 10 "fingers" that contain gallery spaces and light-producing skylights. Perhaps the most impressive feature is a waterfall of collected rainwater that drops 115 feet from the roof into a reflecting pool below.

There are few buildings as resilient as Rome's Colosseum. One of the best-built feats of Roman architecture, this remarkable amphitheater survived fires, an earthquake, and moreover its nearly 2,000-year life (it was built between A.D. 72 and A.D. 83). Well-known for hosting gladiator battles and wild beast hunts, this ancient wonder's unique elliptical shape and organized system of entry and exit for spectators is mirrored in today's outdoor sports venues. 

Today, the Colosseum has been designated as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. As such, it receives more than 4 million visitors annually, making it the most visited tourist attraction in Italy. You'll want to book tickets early, especially if you're traveling during high season (i.e., summer, which stretches from June through August). Also, arrive early to reduce your waiting time — gates open at 8:30 a.m. Another quick entry option is to book a guided tour. Since Rome is filled with spectacular buildings to add to your bucket list, you may want to purchase a Rome Tourist Card to save money on entry to some of its most beloved landmarks, like St. Peter's Basilica, Roman Forum, Palatine, Hill, Vatican Museums, and the Sistine Chapel.

The Parthenon is the crowning jewel of Athens. Set atop Acropolis Hill, this Doric- and Classical Greek-style temple overlooks the busy city below. Built between 447 and 432 B.C. to honor the goddess Athena, this spectacular structure has been deemed one of the most attractive buildings in the world. In addition to its prominent hilltop locale, the Parthenon is praised for the design of its columns. Slightly curved, these appear strong and majestic from afar, not spindly. The corner columns are larger than the others, and the entire temple is devoid of straight lines and right angles. Like Italy's Colosseum, the Greek Parthenon has withstood the test of time, surviving fire, wars, earthquakes, and looting that continues today. 

Visiting the Acropolis (home to the Parthenon) is fairly straightforward. Tourists can take the Metro to Acropoli station (about two minutes from the southeast entrance), a bus to Akropolē (an eight-minute walk), or a taxi. Guided tours are another popular way to visit the Parthenon and often include a ride to and from the landmark attraction.

The Hagia Sophia has been around for a long time -– parts of this stunning Byzantine building date to the sixth century. Known as Ayasofya in Turkish, this beauty was originally built to serve as a Greek Orthodox Christian church. No stranger to politics, the iconic structure has suffered from multiple fires (often due to riots and revolts) and reconstructions over the years. It has even changed hands for political and religious reasons, becoming a mosque from 1453 to 1934. After that, the Turkish government turned the gold-domed beauty into a museum, which is how it stood until 2020. In July of that year, Turkish President Erdogan converted the Hagia Sophia back into a mosque. 

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hagia Sophia still welcomes tourists of all religious backgrounds to visit the mosque. Women must wear a head covering (free head scarves are available at the entrance) and all must remove their shoes before stepping on the carpets. It's advised to avoid visiting during prayer times, especially at noon on Fridays. Inside the building lie extraordinary gold mosaics and an impressive collection of windows that lie at the base of the dome. They block the dome's main supports during daylight, making it appear as if the canopy is floating. Guided tours are available for those who would like a deeper insight into the building's complicated and lengthy history.