There is no denying that spiritual experience is of paramount importance to global tourism hubs. Millions of pilgrims make the pilgrimage each year to holy sites, which can be religious temples or areas known for their healing properties, such as the chakras of the seven worlds.
Most religions have areas that are considered sacred and become central locations for religious figures and those who want to learn more about history. From the Vatican to the ghats of Varanasi, these are some of the most revered places anyone can visit.
10 Varanasi, India
The ancient city of Varanasi in India is regarded as a holy place by Hindus. According to Hindu mythology, Shiva (the god of destruction) defeated Brahma (the god of creation) and chopped off one of his five heads as a symbol of victory. When he entered Varanasi, the head fell to the ground and disappeared. Since then, this land has carried the creative spirit of Brahma.
Varanasi is also considered to be one of the oldest cities in the world. Millions of pilgrims and tourists visit each year, attracted by the temples built around the Ganges and the ghats of Varanasi. There are daily religious ceremonies during sunrise and sunset.
Many people believe that spreading their ashes on the Ganges can calm their souls. Therefore, many Hindus are cremated in Varanasi.
9 Mashhad, Iran
Traveling in Iran is rewarding and the country has incredible tourist attractions.
Mashhad is the holiest city in Iran, receiving 20 million pilgrims every year. This place is the mausoleum and shrine of Imam Reza, the eighth Shia Imam of Islam. It is believed that Iman Reza can fulfill anyone’s dreams regardless of religion.
Visitors will notice that the locals keep their heads down as they pass by the main dome.
8 Jerusalem, Israel
Jerusalem is an important city for Christians, Jews and Muslims. Between 587 BC and 70 AD, the most revered Jewish temples were located in Jerusalem; they have been destroyed, but Jews all over the world still pray to Jerusalem.
The Qur’an also indicates that Yasuralam may have been the place where the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven, making the city a holy place for Muslims.
Jerusalem is also where Jesus spent key moments in his adult life. This is where he preached on the Mount of Olives and where he was crucified and later resurrected.
7 Parotaksang, Bhutan
Bhutan is a must-see destination for adventure seekers, but travelers can also find places of worship along the way. Paro is home to the country’s most important Buddhist temple, Wat Taktsang, perched on a cliff.
Known as the Tiger’s Nest, the temple is built around a sacred cave where Guru Rinpoche meditated for three years, three months, three days and three hours in the 8th century AD. Built in 1692, the temple is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the Himalayas.
6 Bethlehem, Israel
According to the Bible, Bethlehem is the place where Jesus Christ was born. The city has many historical sites, but the most important for Christians is the Church of the Nativity, built on the spot where Jesus was born. In this place, there is a well-preserved cave, which is believed to be the exact place of the birth.
The cave is reportedly the oldest continuously used Christian place of worship and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
5 egypt mount sinai
Egypt attracts millions of tourists for its pyramids, ruins (including the ruins of Tanis) and pristine beaches. However, many travelers overlook Mount Sinai, the mountain revered by Muslims, Jews and Christians as the place where God gave Moses the Ten Commandments. St. Catherine’s Monastery, built more than 1,700 years ago, is located at the foot of the mountain and is known as the oldest continuously operating Christian monastery in the world.
It is possible to climb Mount Sinai, and it usually takes pilgrims two hours to complete the journey. There are many travel agencies offering tours from Cairo.
4 Mecca, Saudi Arabia
Most people have heard of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, one of the holiest places for Muslims. The place is known as the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad and the birthplace of the religion, and its sanctuary is considered the holiest place in Islam. As such, Mecca receives millions of pilgrims every year.
It also has historical importance beyond religion, as it is an oasis linking South Arabia and the Mediterranean world, making it a strategic journey for caravans of the past.
3 Lourdes, France
Lourdes is a little-known city in France, but it is well known among Catholics as it is one of the cities where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to local women in a cave in 1858. Since then, Lourdes has been known as a miraculous cure.
The Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes is the most famous place among religious tourists. It was built on the spot where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared. Since the end of World War II, Lourdes has hosted millions of pilgrims each year, most of them hoping to gain healing from its holy water.
2 Borobudur, Indonesia
Indonesia is known for its paradise islands and pristine beaches, but the country is also home to ancient temples dedicated to Buddhists. Considered the largest Buddhist temple in the world, Borobudur Temple covers an area of over 2,500 square meters and dates back to the 9th century. This impressive temple was lost for many centuries, covered in volcanic ash.
The temple was discovered in 1815 and restored in the 1970s. Now this place is advertised as a must visit place in Java.
1 vatican city
Vatican City is an important pilgrimage site for Catholics, intertwined with the history of Christianity. This place is home to the tomb of St. Peter the Apostle, believed to be the first Pope.
On Sundays, visitors can receive the papal blessing or attend general audiences on Wednesdays. This is also the busiest day to visit the Vatican.
Apart from religion, the Vatican is also home to important works of art, mainly from the Renaissance and Baroque periods.
