Atlas Obscura - Curious and Wondrous Travel Destinations
THE GASTRO OBSCURA BOOK An eye-opening journey through the history, culture, and places of the culinary world. Just released! The Gastro Obscura book is here! Order Now
What's near me?

The definitive guide to the world’s hidden wonders.

Book a Trip
Take an Online Course
Join an Online Experience
Want to see fewer ads? Become a Member.
Happening This Week
Join these experiences from your computer or phone.
Online
Online Course

Making Scents: Experimental Perfumery With Saskia Wilson-Brown

Starts Mon, Oct 18
3 Sessions
$215 per person
+ 3 other dates
Online
Online Course

School of Rot: Decomposition & Composting With Annie Novak

Starts Mon, Oct 18
3 Sessions
$205 per person
+ 1 other date
Online
Online Course

Historical Nonfiction: Research-Based Writing With Hadley Meares

Starts Tue, Oct 19
4 Sessions
$195 per person
+ 3 other dates
Online
Online Course

When Walls Talk: Decoding a Building's History With Lauren Northup

Starts Thu, Oct 21
5 Sessions
$240 per person
Online
Experience

A Taste of the New York Public Library’s Unseen Culinary Collections

Thu, Oct 21
$20 per device
Dig into a helping of rare menus, cookbooks, and more gastronomical ephemera from the stacks of the New York Public Library!
Online
Online Course

Once Upon a Time: Fairy Tale Writing With Anca Szilágyi

Starts Sat, Jan 8
4 Sessions
$225 per person
+ 1 other date
See All Experiences
Featured Trips
Our newest and most incredible trips.
wildlife & nature

Searching for Russia’s Northern Lights

Russia
Nov 22–28, 2021
From $3,830 USD
Bear witness to the ethereal glow of the Northern Lights, explore Arctic Russia, and see life in the Polar Circle up close.
+ 1 other date
history

Turkmenistan and the Gates of Hell

Turkmenistan
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
history

Pyramids and Petroglyphs of Sudan

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
food & drink

The Culinary Crossroads of Marseille

France
Jun 6–12, 2022
From $5,130 USD
See All Trips
Want to see fewer ads? Become a Member.
More Stories
churches

The Curious Case of Norway’s Disturbing Demon Wall

A respected conservator restoring a centuries-old church mural saw the devil in the details—and created a wholly imagined, diabolical scene.
Gemma Tarlach October 13, 2021
museums

Podcast: Disgusting Food Museum

Join us for a daily celebration of the world’s most wondrous, unexpected, even strange places.
The Podcast Team October 13, 2021
food

Behind the Scenes of the New Gastro Obscura Book

It's out today!
Alex Mayyasi October 12, 2021
geology

Is This an Australian Salt Lake or a 'Beating Heart Laid Bare'?

Iron-rich springs generate intense color in a stark landscape that, from above, might be mistaken for a crime scene.
Gemma Tarlach October 12, 2021
libraries

Podcast: Sourdough Library

Join us for a daily celebration of the world’s most wondrous, unexpected, even strange places.
The Podcast Team October 12, 2021
List

9 Places in Vermont to Go Before You Die—or After

Death finds us all, whether you’re a jilted lover, an ice cream flavor, or a mythological deer-boar.
science

These Butterflies Full of Wasps Full of Microwasps Are a Science Nightmare

Accidentally released on a Finnish island 30 years ago, the parasites are spreading.
Patrick Barkham October 11, 2021
victorian

Clearing Up Some Myths About Victorian 'Postmortem' Photographs

Stories abound of dead people being propped up on stands to seem alive. The reality was different.
Sonya Vatomsky October 11, 2021
List

These 11 Puppet Palaces Around the World Will Thrill and Terrify You

Humanoid figurines can range from charmingly whimsical to spine-tinglingly creepy.
Diana Hubbell October 11, 2021
cemeteries

Podcast: The Spritz Cookie Gravestone

Join us for a daily celebration of the world’s most wondrous, unexpected, even strange places.
The Podcast Team October 11, 2021
museums

Is This the End of Switzerland’s Chimney Sweep 'Mafia'?

The long history and new face of a sooty industry.
Oriana Pauli October 8, 2021
libraries

Explore a Century of Halloween in L.A. Through Vintage Photographs

An eerie/fun glimpse into the Los Angeles Public Library Photo Collection.
April White October 8, 2021
Read All Stories