Order Atlas Obscura: Wild Life today!
Venture into nature's unseen realms with our new book Wild Life
Destinations from the Atlas
NEW - Southern Italy: Castles, Caves & Coastal Treasures in Puglia
Trip
Tree Communication With Annie Novak
Course
Find Your Escape With Atlas Obscura’s Best Places to Travel in 2025
exploration
Leave the crowds behind with Where to Wander, our top destinations for local connections and transformative experiences.
NEW - Southern Italy: Castles, Caves & Coastal Treasures in Puglia
Trip
Tree Communication With Annie Novak
Course
More Stories
10 Places That Smell Like Nowhere Else
hot springs
10 Optical Illusion Destinations
architectural oddities
The Atlas Obscura Podcast
Get your daily burst of wonder with all-new episodes of The Atlas Obscura Podcast.
All EpisodesGet wonder in your inbox
Wonder delivered to your inbox
Sign up for our Newsletter
Explore the Atlas
Hidden Wonders
Stelae of Nahr el-Kalb
Nahr El Kalb, Lebanon
In a narrow river valley just north of Beirut, Lebanon, is a chronicle of human history unlike anything else in the world.
Join the Community
The Atlas is always evolving thanks to our community. Here’s how to get involved:
Add & Edit Places
Tell us about all the amazing places we don’t know yet. Anyone can contribute, anywhere in the world.
Become a Member
Join our community to see far fewer ads, get a members-only newsletter, receive credit toward your next Atlas Obscura trip, and more.
Download the App
Explore our guide to over 24,000 curious and unexpected places, right from your mobile device.
Discover Our Stories
Articles, Videos, and Podcast
objects of intrigue
This Map Shows a Fictional Country Created by a Con Man
In the 19th century, Scottish scammer Gregor MacGregor made a fortune selling land in Poyais.
Plan Your Adventure
Guides, lists, and itineraries
Top Countries
Explore the World
Trips, experiences, and courses
Discover Our Trips
We travel to incredible, often overlooked places. Our global community of local experts grants you access to unique, small-group experiences.
View all TripsDiscover Our Courses
Atlas Obscura Courses offer opportunities for students of all ages to explore niche topics and skills, in both live and on-demand formats.
View all Courses