Atlas Obscura - Curious and Wondrous Travel Destinations
What's near me? Random Place Icon Random Place

The definitive guide to the world’s hidden wonders.

Discover the Unexpected With Our Stories
Our fascinating articles will transport and inspire you.
haunted

The Psychology Behind Why Identical Twins Inspire Fascination—and Fear

A history of othering, experimentation, and mystery.
Sarah Durn November 22, 2022
List

The Most Wondrous Warm Drinks to Get Through Winter

Hot bacon-and-brandy cocktails, cheese coffee, and other ways to counter the cold.
Sam O'Brien January 31, 2019
hot springs

The Icelandic Bakery That Buries Its Bread in Hot Springs

Laugarvatn Fontana's sweet, cakey rye gets baked by geothermal energy.
Tiffany Eastham January 17, 2022

In Search of Sanctuary

Sponsored by Lincoln
Give the ultimate holiday gift!
The Explorer's Library box set
See More
Unlock the World With Our Small-Group Trips
Our immersive, curiosity-driven experiences take you to the hidden side of the world.
history

The Kingdoms of Andalusia: Secret Gardens and Haunted Palaces

Spain
May 8–15, 2023
From $4,370 USD
+ 2 other dates
art & culture

Peru: Machu Picchu and the Last Incan Bridges

Peru
May 30–Jun 8, 2023
From $5,740 USD
+ 2 other dates
wildlife & nature

Living Islands: Whales, Water & Volcanoes of the Azores

Portugal
May 20–28, 2023
From $4,980 USD
Journey across three islands, swimming with dolphins, whale-watching, and hiking through craters.
+ 1 other date
history

Monuments of History: Journey Through Bulgaria

Bulgaria
May 6–15, 2023
From $3,470 USD
Dive into one of Europe’s oldest countries as we explore ancient civilizations and marvel at otherworldly relics of a communist utopia that never came to be.
+ 1 other date
food & drink

Oaxaca: Tastes of Past & Present

Mexico
Jan 20–26, 2023
From $3,480 USD
Join us as we explore the indigenous flavors, contemporary cuisine, and rich history of Oaxaca—meeting local chefs, artisans, and historians along the way.
+ 6 other dates
history

Turkmenistan and the Gates of Hell

Turkmenistan
Mar 19–28, 2023
From $3,970 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.
+ 7 other dates
See More
Want to see fewer ads? Become a Member.
Want to see fewer ads? Become a Member.
Place of the Day
37.2867, -112.9477
The Narrows
Hike through a narrow river flanked by the 2,000-foot-tall walls of Utah's Zion Canyon. Sponsored by Lincoln.
Get Even More From Atlas Obscura
Join the Atlas Obscura Membership Program
Membership is your passport to even more wonder and curiosity, no matter where you are!
Become a Member
Find Wondrous Places on Every Continent
Our guides will surprise and delight you.
Destination Guide

London, England

96 Articles
440 Places
Destination Guide

Marrakesh, Morocco

15 Places
Destination Guide

Mexico City, Mexico

15 Articles
161 Places
Destination Guide

New York

190 Articles
733 Places
Destination Guide

São Paulo, Brazil

29 Places
Destination Guide

Tokyo, Japan

13 Articles
164 Places
See More
Want to see fewer ads? Become a Member.
Explore Our Collection of Hidden Wonders Around the World
Our community-driven database of 22,000+ amazing places grows every day.
Queens, New York

Wise Clock (Riis Park Memorial Clock)

This 19th-century clock has been restored to help withstand the harsh environment of its seaside home.
Barcelona, Spain

Font de Sant Just

This fountain was designed to honor the man who helped bring water to Barcelona.
The Bronx, New York

Bronx Christmas House of the Garabedian Family

Because holiday cheer is at its finest when it includes eerie mannequins, right?
Barão de São João, Portugal

Passeio dos Poetas Stone Faces

On a trail in Portugal's Barão de São João National Forest, a pile of faces look up at hikers from the forest floor.
Le Tréport, France

Kahl-Bürg

Deep in the limestone cliffs of the Alabaster Coast, a German fortress built during World War II.
Chur, Switzerland

Church of St. Luzi Crypt

The remains of St. Lucius of Chur were said to be kept in this crypt for several centuries.
See More
Enroll in a Course to Explore New Skills and Niche Topics
Our deep and dynamic online learning will expand your horizons.
Online Course

Demystifying Artisanal Cheese With Jasper Hill Farm

Starts Tue, Nov 29
4 Sessions
$80 per person
Online Course

Making Upcycled Travel Journals With Bel Mills

Starts Tue, Nov 29
4 Sessions
$210 per person
Online Course

How to Read a Landscape: Botany & Ecology With Annie Novak

Starts Thu, Dec 1
3 Sessions
$65 per person
Online Course

Spoken Stories: Recording Oral History With Meral Agish

Starts Thu, Dec 1
4 Sessions
$220 per person
Online Course

Making Scents: Experimental Perfumery With Saskia Wilson-Brown

Starts Mon, Dec 5
3 Sessions
$215 per person
+ 3 other dates
Online Course

Playing Ancient Games: History & Mythology With John Bucher

Starts Mon, Dec 5
3 Sessions
$210 per person
+ 1 other date
See More