Atlas Obscura - Curious and Wondrous Travel Destinations

The definitive guide to the world’s hidden wonders.

Take an Online Course

Join an Online Experience

A northern bettong from a small population in Danbulla National Park in North Queensland.

Australia's Truffle-Eating Marsupials Are 'Ecosystem Engineers'

Work is underway to save northern bettongs, whose numbers are dwindling.

Place of the Day

Kenneth Dike Library

This Nigerian library houses unique Arabic manuscripts—and was designed to keep its cool.

Chasing Oregon’s Watery Wonders

Gear up for an outdoor adventure and explore the wet and wondrous sights of Central Oregon’s majestic wilderness.

Want to see fewer ads? Become a Member.

New to Gastro Obscura? Start Here!

The Overlooked History of Berlin's Black Community

Order our new book today!

Gastro Obscura: A Food Adventurer’s Guide

21 Places to Get Back Into the Beatles

Podcast: Abandoned Chacaltaya Ski Resort

Want to see fewer ads? Become a Member.

Top Countries

Top Cities

São Paulo, Brazil

Memorial da Resistência de São Paulo (Memorial of the Resistance)

The building that once housed the dictator's secret police is now a museum that documents the history of an oppressive regime and those who fought against it.

Monsieur Mictlan

Added by Monsieur Mictlan

Aberfeldy, Scotland

Croft Moraig Stone Circle

This Neolithic stone circle is the most complete of its kind in Scotland.

katielou106

Added by katielou106

Trelleborg Ö, Sweden

'Famntaget' ('The Embrace')

This statue standing near Sweden's southernmost point was based on the grandmother of a modern movie star.

Johan SWE

Added by Johan SWE

Coulee City, Washington

Summer Falls

This large artificial waterfall in Washington state was merely an incidental byproduct of a technological megaproject.

Pereiaslav, Ukraine

Museum of Space Exploration

An century-old church is now a space museum with a treasure trove of Soviet space items.

CoolCrab

Added by CoolCrab

Add a Place to the Atlas

Top Place Tags

Historical Nonfiction: Research-Based Writing With Hadley Meares

Starts Thu, Dec 2

$195 per person

+ 3 other dates

Recreating Ancient Recipes With VAWAA

Starts Sat, Dec 4

$235 per person

Podcasting & the Art of the Interview With Hrishikesh Hirway of Song Exploder

Starts Sun, Dec 5

Making Scents: Experimental Perfumery With Saskia Wilson-Brown

Starts Mon, Dec 6

$215 per person

+ 3 other dates

Online Experience

Global Moves: Learn the Flamenco of Spain w/ Xianix Barrera

Learn about the cultural traditions and fiery moves of the Spanish Flamenco!

Making Music With Nature: Composing Across Species With David Rothenberg

Starts Tue, Dec 7

$220 per person

Feather, Bone, Skin: Taxidermy for Art & Design With Allis Markham

Starts Tue, Dec 7

Online Experience

Atlas Obscura Trivia Night

Gather your team and compete in a weekly contest of wits and educated-guessing.

+ 1 other date

China's Regional Cuisines: Culture Through Food With Xiaokun Song

Starts Wed, Dec 8

$235 per person

Online Experience

Art & Evolution w/ Megan McGrath: Drawing Octopus & Squid

See All Experiences

Turkmenistan and the Gates of Hell

Mar 18–27, 2022

From $3,475 USD

On this sweeping, eclectic adventure through Turkmenistan, marvel at the towering white-marble structures of Ashgabat, roam through barren deserts and a world-class canyon, and spend the night camped out beside the flaming Gates of Hell.

+ 2 other dates

Pyramids and Petroglyphs of Sudan

Mar 22–Apr 1, 2022

From $5,680 USD

Journey along the Nile, across the Sudanese desert, and discover the pyramids and archaeological treasures of ancient civilizations.

+ 1 other date

The Culinary Crossroads of Marseille

Jun 6–12, 2022

From $5,130 USD

wildlife & nature

Rewilding: Tracking Wolves in the Forests of Sweden

Jul 4–9, 2022

From $3,450 USD

Explore Sweden’s boreal forests by day and hear the howling of wild wolves by night.

+ 2 other dates

Podcast: Tree of 40 Fruits

Join us for a daily celebration of the world’s most wondrous, unexpected, even strange places.

The Podcast Team November 29, 2021

The Case for Pigeon-Watching

A new book is part ornithology guide, part ode to the misunderstood urban birds.

Jessica Leigh Hester November 29, 2021

How Old Is Zimbabwe’s Famed ‘Big Tree’?

The majestic African baobab has seen several growth spurts over its 1,200 or so years.

Jonathan Moens November 26, 2021

14 Places to Celebrate Native American Heritage Day

Visit one of these historic locations to honor the day.

Jonathan Carey November 25, 2021

Podcast: Looking for Pawpaws

Join us for a daily celebration of the world’s most wondrous, unexpected, even strange places.

The Podcast Team November 25, 2021

The Surprising Resilience of the Hog Island Fig

Virginia's Eastern Shore has rallied around a sweet, centuries-old local delicacy.

Rachel Kester November 24, 2021

Podcast: International Cryptozoology Museum

Join us for a daily celebration of the world’s most wondrous, unexpected, even strange places.

The Podcast Team November 24, 2021

Come Hell or High Water, Mail Arrives Weekly in This Remote Canyon

Jill and Jim Koch have been delivering mail by boat to Hells Canyon for decades, following a century-old route.

Michelle Harris November 24, 2021

Behold Denmark's Gravity-Defying Marzipan Cake

Creating one of these cornucopias is expensive and time-consuming.

Priya Mani November 23, 2021

What Does It Take to Be the Rolley Hole Champion?

Marbles is a serious game in Overton County, Tennessee.

Maggie Gigandet November 23, 2021

Americans Once Celebrated Thanksgiving with Tricks, Treats, and Mayhem

Ragamuffin Day looked a whole lot like Halloween.

Diana Hubbell November 23, 2021

Podcast: The Jagannath Temple

Join us for a daily celebration of the world’s most wondrous, unexpected, even strange places.

The Podcast Team November 23, 2021

Read All Stories