Satisfy your wanderlust by exploring famous sights — all from the comfort of your couch!
We’ve put together a list of over 100 virtual tours from more than 35 countries worldwide so that you can explore without having to catch a flight or spend a dime! We’ve organized this gigantic list by country so you can easily navigate to your country of choice or simply work your way down the list and digitally travel all over the globe.
Grab a snack and get ready to explore!
Hot Tip: We’ve also created extensive guides to virtual tours across U.S. National Parks, in addition to museums and walking tours!
Argentina
Los Glaciares National Park
Image Credit: John Weinhardt via Unsplash
Google Earth has a tour of this UNESCO World Heritage site, which is located in southwestern Argentina. This park contains the Perito Moreno Glacier, which is one of the only advancing glaciers in the world. It is nearly 20 miles long and is a popular tourist attraction and ice-hiking site.
You can also discover other parts of Argentina through Google Earth including:
Cerro Uritorco, the highest hill in the Sierras Chicas mountain range
Palacio San Jose, the residence of the first constitutional president of Argentina
Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi, the oldest and largest national park, located in the Patagonia region
To view the virtual tour page, click here.
Australia
Great Barrier Reef
Image Credit: Daniel Pelaez Duque via Unsplash
David Attenborough leads you on an interactive underwater tour to explore the Great Barrier Reef. Through interactive time-lapses, videos, and weather maps, the tour shows you the Earth’s most bio-diverse ecosystem.
All the while, a tracker notes miles traveled, total sailing time, and the effects of climate change during your “exhibition,” making this a great educational tour for adults and kids alike!
To start your virtual tour, click here.
Hamilton Island
Image Credit: Elena Emmy via Unsplash
Hamilton Island is one of the Whitsunday Islands in Queensland, Australia. This island features beautiful beaches and is close to the Great Barrier Reef. All you need is a tropical drink to be transported!
You’ll find these videos on YouTube, but the site recommends downloading the YouTube app for the best experience. Swim with sea turtles at the Great Barrier Reef, play golf at Hamilton Island’s championship golf course, take a helicopter tour over the iconic heart reef, or sail to the famous Whitehaven Beach on a yacht!
To start your virtual tour, click to explore.
Sydney
Image Credit: Belle Co via Pexels
YouVisit has an interactive tour of Sydney available. You start your journey by taking a ferry to Sydney, walking around Circular Quay, viewing the Harbour Bridge, seeing the Royal Botanical Gardens, and finishing by exploring both Luna and Hype Parks.
The 360-degree views really make you feel like you’re a part of the action!
To start your virtual tour, click here.
Sydney Opera House Tour
Image Credit: Arvin Wiyono via Unsplash
Views of the iconic Sydney Opera House are synonymous with Sydney itself. Now you can explore this landmark virtually!
The Sydney Opera House and the Google Cultural Institute joined together to provide an interactive tour that takes you around the famous exterior, allows you to tour sets and the orchestra pit, and even features a performance by Nicole Car and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.
To start your virtual tour, click to explore.
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
Image Credit: Holger Link via Unsplash
One of Australia’s most scenic spots is the Uluru rock formation, also known as Ayers Rock. Uluru is sacred to the Aboriginal people of the area and the surrounding area features an abundance of springs, waterholes, rock caves, and ancient paintings.
Qantas Airlines has a virtual reality app that allows you to experience an epic flyover via helicopter. You can experience it on your phone, or even a virtual reality (VR) device like Samsung Gear VR, Oculus Rift, or HTC Vive.
To view the virtual tour page and instructions on how to download the app, click here.
Austria
Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna
Image Credit: Dimitri Anikin via Pexels
Schönbrunn Palace was the summer residence of the Habsburg rulers and is the most-visited tourist attraction in Vienna. The palace consists of over 1,400 rooms and is considered one of the most important architectural, cultural, and historic monuments in Austria.
Once you leave the palace, be sure to venture out to the gardens to explore an impressive maze, orangery, and a botanical garden — all containing impressive fountains and sculptures.
To start your virtual tour, click to explore the palace or start by strolling through the park.
Brazil
Amazon Rainforest
Image Credit: Paula Nardini via Pexels
“Under The Canopy” is a VR experience produced by Conservation International and its partners. This unique view into the Amazon Rainforest and River Basin allows you to see how indigenous tribes live, follows along with a sloth’s journey, and goes deep into the rainforest.
The goal of this educational tour is to teach viewers how to protect the rainforest against the worst impacts of climate change. To get the full experience, you need to download the YouTube app, but you can also view the tour directly on the website.
Start here for more details.
Iguazu Falls
Image Credit: Diego Rezende via Pexels
While the exact number of waterfalls varies by season, the majestic Iguazu Falls are considered to be the world’s largest waterfall system and are also a UNESCO World Heritage site.
AirPano offers interactive photos and videos to explore these stunning vistas from both the Brazilian and Argentinean sides of the falls. Whether you choose the viewing platforms, trails, or videos via helicopter, you are sure to be amazed!
To start your virtual tour, click here.
Sanctuary of Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro
Image Credit: Matheus Bertelli via Pexels
The Christ the Redeemer statue overlooks the city of Rio de Janeiro and was voted one of the “New7Wonders of the World.” This statue is a symbol of Christianity across the world and also a cultural icon of both Rio de Janeiro and Brazil.
Google Arts & Culture allows you to visit the statue virtually through its app. See unique details, such as the mosaic coating made of small, triangular-shaped pieces of soapstone that cover the entire surface of the statue!
To begin, first download the Google Arts & Culture app (iOS, Android) and then begin your virtual tour here.
Cambodia
Angkor Wat, Siem Reap
Image Credit: Łukasz Maźnica on Unsplash
Google Street View lets you experience the mysterious temples of Angkor Wat in Siem Reap. There are many other temples to explore, including:
The “lost temple” of Beng Mealea
Angkor Thom
Ta Prohm (made famous by Tomb Raider!)
Pink temple of Banteay Srei
Each walk includes the history and detailed descriptions of important pieces of artwork found along the way. And the best thing is — no crowds!
Start your virtual tour here.
Canada
Niagara Falls
Image Credit: Edward Koorey via Unsplash
Journey Behind the Falls is a popular tourist attraction on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls. It offers a unique view below and behind the falls that you are now able to experience in virtual reality!
Niagara Falls Tourism has brought this experience to life with an interactive video detailing your trip. Experience the power of the falls from multiple vantage points — without the need for a rain poncho!
Visit Niagara Falls virtually here.
Old Quebec, Quebec City
Image Credit: Québec City Tourism
Known for its classical architecture and a distinctive European feel, Quebec City is a popular tourist destination. Old Quebec is the historic area of the city, rich in historic landmarks and museums. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Start with a sunrise walk on the Dufferin Terrace, where you can see the St. Lawrence River and a breathtaking view of the Château Frontenac. Take a funicular to get to the Petit-Champlain District and admire the charming boutiques and terraces. The 360-degree views will certainly impress!
Start your virtual stroll here.
Polar Bears, Churchill
Image Credit: Dan Bolton via Unsplash
Churchill, Canada is known as the Polar Bear Capital of the World! Using Google Street View, search for polar bears as you trek along the frozen tundra — without needing your warmest winter coat!
This joint effort by Polar Bears International, Earth Outreach, and Google Maps allows you to learn more about the bears and their habitat, the impacts of climate change, and the work being done to advance the cause of polar bear conservation.
Begin your virtual trek here.
China
The Bund, Shanghai
Image Credit: Terry via Unsplash
The Bund is the waterfront located on the western bank of the Huangpu River in Shanghai, China. It is famous for its grand buildings and the epic view of the city skyline.
On this interactive walking tour, you can see the city during the day and night, explore the Bund Bull and Monument to the People’s Heroes, and learn about the history of Shanghai through the architecture of its buildings.
Visit the Bund by clicking here.
Forbidden City, Beijing
Image Credit: Ling Tang via Unsplash
The Forbidden City is a palace complex in central Beijing, China. It was the former Chinese imperial palace and state residence of the emperor of China from the Ming dynasty until 1924. It is also China’s best-preserved imperial palace.
This tour allows you to see the main areas of the complex, including:
Hall of Supreme Harmony
Imperial Gardens
Meridian Gate
Pavilion of Ten Thousand Springs
Begin your virtual tour by clicking here.
Great Wall
Image Credit: Manuel Joseph via Pexels
The Great Wall boasts a history of over 2,000 years and stretches more than 3,000 miles across several provinces of northern China. With over 10 million visitors each year, it is one of the world’s most-visited tourist attractions.
This virtual tour lets you walk along the Jinshanling to the Simatai section of the wall, experiencing multiple seasons along the way. This 6.5-mile stretch provides guests with some of the best views of the wall since this region is well-known for having some of the most well-preserved sections with original features still intact.
Walk along the Great Wall by starting here.
Guilin Mountains, Guangxi
Image Credit: farfar via Unsplash
“Avatar” fans will be interested to know that the movie’s floating mountains were based on the karst formations in the Guilin mountain range. This UNESCO World Heritage site is known for its natural scenery and wild and untouched landscape.
AirPano takes you on a flight over the area, exploring famous sites such as Seven Stars Park, Reed Flute Cave, Folded Brocade Hill, and Green Lotus Peak.
Start your interactive flight here.
Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge, Hunan
Image Credit: unge_photostock via Shutterstock
Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge is a skywalk bridge that is made from glass — making it completely transparent. It spans 1,410 feet across China’s Grand Canyon. When it opened, it was the longest and tallest glass-bottomed bridge in the world!
The safety of this bridge has been called into question after incidents at similar bridges resulted in injuries. This makes for an even better reason to virtually experience this bridge safely and enjoy the heart-stopping views from the comfort of your own home!
Start your video tour here.
Czech Republic
Prague Castle
Image Credit: Florian van Duyn via Unsplash
Prague Castle sits overlooking the beautiful city of Prague. It serves as the official office for the president of the Czech Republic. Prague Castle is among the most-visited tourist attractions in Prague — attracting over 1.8 million visitors annually.
The Czech government has put together a virtual look at the courtyard, gardens, the castle’s picture gallery, and even the inside the Cathedral of St. Vitus.
Start your virtual tour here.
Prague Walking Tour
Image Credit: JESHOOTS via Pexels
Step into this fairy tale town with a 4K virtual walk around Prague, also known as the “City of a Hundred Spires.” Start your tour at Charles Bridge, wander down the twisting cobblestone streets, and end your day by visiting one of Prague’s pubs.
You will really feel like you stepped into Prague with the city sounds and tourist chatter in this real-time stroll to Powder Tower — passing many historic buildings along the way.
Start your walking tour here.
Egypt
Pyramids of Giza, Giza
Image Credit: Marcel Winger via Pexels
Among the most famous tombs in the world, the Pyramids of Giza were built for the pharaohs Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure. The pyramids originally held the royal mummies and their worldly effects to be used in the afterlife.
Stand beside these 4,500-year-old pyramids that overlook the modern city of Cairo. The behind-the-scenes portion of the Google Street View trek gives you details about the construction process and purpose of this Ancient Wonder of the World.
Start your walk to the pyramids here.
Sphinx, Giza
Image Credit: Lea Kobal via Unsplash
The Great Sphinx was believed to have been built by ancient Egyptians of the Old Kingdom (around 2500 B.C.). This limestone statue has the body of a lion and the head of a human and faces from west to east, directly in the shadow of the famous pyramids of Giza.
Google Earth allows you to virtually see the Great Sphinx on the Giza Plateau.
Start your explorations here.
Tomb of Queen Meresanhk III, Giza
Image Credit: The Giza Project at Harvard University
Close to the Great Pyramid lies the tomb of Queen Meresankh III, the wife of Khafra and granddaughter of Khufu. The Giza Project, presented by Harvard University, allows us to virtually explore her tomb.
You will find many well-preserved wall reliefs as well as 10 large statues of women that are carved out of the northern wall. It is believed that the women represent Meresankh herself, her mother, and her daughters.
Venture underground by starting here.
France
Catacombs of Paris, Paris
Image Credit: Travis Grossen via Unsplash
Not for the squeamish, the Catacombs of Paris hold the human skulls and bones of more than 6 million people in a network of subterranean tunnels underneath the streets of Paris. Explore these catacombs, some of which date back over 1,200 years!
There are 5 areas you can navigate through:
The Alcôve de L’Ossuaire
The Atelier
The Cloche de Fontis
The Galerie de Port-Mahon
The Lampe Sépulcrale de L’Ossuaire
Begin your virtual tour here.
Château de Versailles, Versailles
Image Credit: EPV/Thomas Garnier
The Palace of Versailles was the principal royal residence of France from 1682 until 1789. What began as a simple hunting lodge transformed into a palace with over 2,300 rooms! Explore many of these rooms on your virtual tour.
Google Arts & Culture provides the unique experience of seeing Versailles free of tourists. Zoom in on artifacts, step into 3D renderings of rooms and wander around the expansive gardens. This is definitely a unique experience!
The best experience can be found by downloading the Google Arts & Culture app (iOS, Android), but you can also start your journey here.
Eiffel Tower, Paris
Image Credit: Sarkhan Mamedov via Shutterstock
The Eiffel Tower is one of the most recognizable structures in the world. It was visited by almost 7 million people last year, but you can avoid the crowds and take a virtual tour instead!
TV5 Monde created a 360-degree virtual reality tour that reveals every aspect of the Eiffel Tower in 3 minutes, featuring a sunrise from the Champ-de-Mars and a panoramic ascent to the top, both inside and out. Learn about 130 years of history and enjoy the stunning views.
Begin your virtual ascent here.
Louvre, Paris
Image Credit: Chait Goli via Pexels
The Louvre is the world’s largest art museum and contains some of the world’s most amazing artwork and treasures. If you spent 60 seconds looking at each of the objects for 8 hours a day, it would take you 75 days to see them all.
Here is just a sampling of some of what you can view virtually:
Roman Antiquities Hall
“Winged Victory”
Napoleon’s Apartment
Tuileries Garden
Begin your journey through the Louvre here.
Hot Tip: We’ve also created a guide to the 50 best museums that you can tour and visit virtually!
Musee D’Orsay, Paris
Image Credit: Armand Khoury via Unsplash
The building of the Musee D’Orsay is just as beautiful as the artwork it contains. The Beaux Arts-style building was formerly a train station and later a hotel.
Inside, the museum contains a wide range of magnificent French art from the period 1848 to 1914, including furniture, paintings, photographs, and sculptures. Paintings by greats such as Renoir, Monet, Degas, Manet, and Van Gogh are on virtual display throughout the museum.
As is usual for Google, you can explore via Street View or download its app for a more interactive adventure.
Greece
Acropolis, Athens
Image Credit: Febiyan via Unsplash
The Acropolis stands watch over the city of Athens. These ruins serve as a reminder of the rich history of Greece. Today, it is a cultural UNESCO World Heritage site and home to several temples that you can visit courtesy of the Acropolis Restoration Service.
On this virtual tour, explore the Parthenon, Erechtheion, Propylaea, and the Temple of Athena Nike while learning about the historical significance of the Acropolis and restoration efforts that are taking place.
Start your virtual tour here or you can follow directions on how to download the app.
Guatemala
Tikal
Image Credit: Jimmy Baum via Unsplash
Tikal was once the capital of one of the most powerful kingdoms of the ancient Maya. The site is part of Guatemala’s Tikal National Park and in 1979 it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
There are thousands of ancient structures and temple complexes at Tikal, but only a fraction of these sites have been excavated. On this virtual tour, explore some of the most prominent surviving pyramids — Temples I to VI — some of which are over 200 feet high!
Start exploring virtually by clicking here.
Iceland
Ice Cave and Aurora Borealis Tour
Image Credit: Blue Eden
Ice caves are an extraordinary and mesmerizing wonder of nature. They’re a common tourist attraction in Iceland. The best time to visit is from November to March when the weather has been consistently cold enough for the ice caves to become stable enough to visit and explore properly.
Hike along with this YouTube adventurer to explore the freezing ice caves in Vatnajokull and the aurora borealis from the comfort of your warm home!
Start your virtual hike here.
India
Red Fort, Delhi
Image Credit: Nitish Patel via Pixabay
The Red Fort is a historic fort in the city of Delhi and served as the main residence of the Mughal emperors. It was constructed by the same architect that built the Taj Mahal.
Google Maps Street View allows you to get an up-close look at this fort. Explore the 1.5 miles of defensive walls, walk through the main gate, and explore the beautiful domed ceilings.
Start your Google Maps walk here.
Taj Mahal, Agra
Image Credit: Sylwia Bartyzel via Unsplash
The Taj Mahal is a marble mausoleum in Agra, India. This UNESCO World Heritage site was commissioned in 1632 by the emperor to house the tomb of his favorite wife. The Taj Mahal receives close to 8 million visitors a year and in 2007 it was declared one of the “New7Wonders of the World.”
Google Maps allows you to walk around this beautiful site from the comfort of your computer, tablet, or phone. It advertises that you can “enjoy postcard views or discover rarely-seen perspectives” as well as “get up close to the hand-carved details and explore expansive landscapes.”
Start your virtual walk here.
Indonesia
Borobodur Temple, Java
Image Credit: Sebastian Staines via Unsplash
Borobudur Temple is a famous Buddhist temple dating from the 8th and 9th centuries located in central Java. The monument was restored with UNESCO’s help in the 1970s.
Google Earth allows you to explore the beauty of the temples in Borobudur. Tour the various tiers and wall reliefs, including numerous stupas, each containing a statue of the Buddha. Also, enjoy the gorgeous views overlooking the island.
Begin your virtual tour here.
Prambanan Temple, Yogyakarta
Image Credit: pvdberg via Pixabay
Prambanan attracts many visitors from around the world. Built during the 10th century, it is the largest temple compound dedicated to Shiva in Indonesia. While it went through a period of decline, the British rediscovered Prambanan, along with Borobudur above, in the early 19th century.
While a major earthquake in the 16th century caused serious damage, there are still many beautiful temples to explore. By using Google Earth, you can walk among many stunning structures with stone spires and sculptures.
Start your wandering here.
Ireland
Cliffs of Moher, County Clare
Image Credit: Dimitry Anikin via Pexels
The Cliffs of Moher are sea cliffs located in County Clare that run for about 9 miles. The stunning cliffs rank among the most-visited tourist sites in Ireland with around 1.5 million visits a year!
Start your walk at multiple sweeping viewpoints along the cliffs, move to the view from the top of O’Brien’s Tower, and explore the visitor’s center on your interactive tour.
Enjoy the views of the sea by starting here.
Israel
Jerusalem
Image Credit: Sander Crombach via Unsplash
Jerusalem is one of the world’s foremost pilgrimage destinations since it is considered holy to Jews, Christians, and Muslims. 360 Virtual Tour has put together a digital tour of Jerusalem so you can experience what it’s like to explore the Holy Land.
See many of the most-visited sites, such as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Dome of the Rock, the Western Wall, and more.
Begin your virtual tour here.
Tel Aviv Museum of Art
Image Credit: Nicole Baster via Unsplash
Explore the art collection in Tel Aviv’s Art Museum. You can visit select exhibitions, including the SOLAR GUERILLA, at the Tel Aviv’s Museum of Art.
This exhibition showcases how cities can be used as tools for change. It presents case studies from Chicago, Copenhagen, Hong Kong, London, New York, Shanghai, and Tel Aviv and highlights ideas such as sponge cities and solar trees.
Start exploring the exhibition here.
Italy
Colosseum, Rome
Image Credit: Henry Paul via Unsplash
The Colosseum is located in the center of the city of Rome. It is the largest amphitheater ever built —holding between 50,000 and 80,000 spectators. It was used for gladiatorial contests and other events, such as mock sea battles, animal hunts, executions, and reenactments of famous battles.
Take a virtual tour around the corridors of the arena’s unknown underground, learn historical details, and more.
To begin, first download the Google Arts & Culture app (iOS, Android) and then start your tour here.
Uffizi Gallery, Florence
Image Credit: “The Birth of Venus” by Sandro Botticelli (Firenze 1445-1510) via Le Gallerie degli Uffizi
The Uffizi is an art museum located in Florence. It is one of the largest and best-known museums in the world, holding an immense collection of priceless works from the Italian Renaissance.
Google Arts & Culture allows you to tour inside the museum without any crowds virtually through its app. Walk down the hallways and explore the collection.
A sampling of the artwork inside includes:
“Annunciation” by Leonardo da Vinci
“The Birth of Venus” by Sandro Botticelli
“La Primavera” (Spring) by Botticelli Filipepi
“Madonna with the Long Neck” by Parmigianino Mazzola
To begin, first download the Google Arts & Culture app (iOS, Android) and then begin your tour here.
Valley of the Temples, Sicily
Image Credit: Simon Maage via Unsplash
The Valley of the Temples is an archaeological site in Sicily. Once part of the Ancient Greek empire, it is one of the most outstanding examples of Greek art and architecture. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the main attractions of Sicily.
Your tour will allow you to take a virtual walk around the Temple of Juno, the Temple of Zeus, and the early Christian acropolis.
To begin, first download the Google Arts & Culture app (iOS, Android) and then begin your tour here.
Venice
Image Credit: MustangJoe via Pixabay
Venice is a magical city situated on a group of 118 small islands — linked by over 400 bridges. Travel the canals, walk the streets, ride boats, and cross bridges to reveal one of the world’s most unique cities.
This virtual tour is a fantastic introduction to Venice, especially for those who have mobility issues that make crossing bridges difficult, but also useful in times when you can’t travel.
Explore the city virtually by clicking here.
Japan
Hanami Around the World
Image Credit: Bagus Pangestu via Pexels
While the pandemic spoiled many people’s plans to visit the cherry blossoms in Japan, Google Earth has got you covered. Enjoy the amazing experience of Hanami in Japan!
This tour starts in Japan but also jumps to 9 other popular sakura spots around the world, including Paris and Washington, D.C. It can also help you plan prime-viewing locations for when you are able to take your trips!
Start experiencing the cherry blossom festival here.
Mt. Fuji
Image Credit: Tomáš Malík via Pexels
Mt. Fuji is Japan’s tallest mountain, known for its perfect conical shape. Fujisan, as it is reverently referred, is used as a cultural icon of Japan and is frequently visited by sightseers and climbers.
Now, you can see the beautiful Mt. Fuji from home. Google Street View lets you see what it would take to hike to the top and be rewarded with stunning views from the summit.
To begin your virtual tour, click here.
Onsen All Over Japan
Image Credit: Michael Sum via Unsplash
An onsen is a Japanese hot spring — and since Japan is a volcanically active country, it has thousands of onsens scattered throughout its major islands. Locals and tourists alike flock to the traditional inns and bathing facilities that these hot springs feed into.
Take a tour through the hot springs of Japan. Google Earth allows you to explore 13 of these magical hot springs situated all over the country.
Start your explorations here.
Jordan
Petra
Image Credit: Abdullah Ghatasheh via Pexels
Petra is an ancient city located in Jordan. The Nabataeans might have settled in what would become the capital city of their kingdom as early as the fourth century B.C. It is famous for its pink sandstone walls and stunning carvings.
Trek through the Siq and explore sights such as the Treasury, Royal Tombs, Little Petra, and Monastery. Learn about the people who inhabited Petra while staying out of the sun!
Start your walk around Petra here.
Kenya
Samburu National Reserve
Image Credit: Photos By Beks via Unsplash
The Samburu National Reserve is a game reserve on the banks of the Ewaso Ng’iro in Kenya. This river provides water, without which the game could not survive. The elephants of this region have been studied by Save the Elephants for over 20 years.
Get to know the landscape, people, and wildlife of Samburu through this virtual trek. Learn about conservation efforts and see elephants up close!
Start your virtual safari here.
Mexico
Museo Frida Kahlo, Mexico City
Image Credit: Museo Frida Kahlo
The Frida Kahlo Museum, also known as the Blue House, is a historic house museum and art museum dedicated to the life and work of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo.
Use Google Street View to see inside of the Mexico City museum and zoom in on some of her most-famous artwork including:
“Frida and the Caesarian Operation” (1931)
“Long Live Life” (1954)
“Portrait of My Father Wilhelm Kahlo” (1952)
Start your explorations here.
Teotihuacan
Image Credit: Cinthia Aguilar via Unsplash
Teotihuacan is an ancient Mesoamerican city located near modern-day Mexico City. It is known for its Mesoamerican pyramids and also for being the largest city in the pre-Columbian Americas at its peak.
You can now see the pyramids at Teotihuacan from home. On this tour, walk along the Avenue of the Dead, visit the Temple of the Sun, Temple of the Moon, and more — and experience each viewpoint in 360 degrees!
Begin your virtual journey here.
Nepal
Climb Mount Everest
Image Credit: Ben Lowe via Unsplash
Mount Everest is Earth’s highest mountain above sea level at 29,029 feet. Everest attracts many climbers, but it also presents dangers, such as altitude sickness, weather, and avalanches. More than 300 people have died trying to reach the summit.
But you don’t have to risk death to experience what it takes to summit Mt. Everest. You will need a VR device to be fully immersed in this experience, but if you don’t have one, you can always watch a video of the final ascent here.
Start your VR experience here.
The Netherlands
Anne Frank House, Amsterdam
Image Credit: Ahmet Burak Çanakcı via Pixabay
The Anne Frank House, now a museum, is located in central Amsterdam and hid the young Jewish diarist, her family, and 4 other people from Nazis during World War II.
The Anne Frank Museum offers a virtual tour so that you can experience a video diary, see the Secret Annex where she lived and what it looked like when she was there, and more.
Begin your tour of her life here.
Keukenhof Tulip Fields, Lisse
Image Credit: Marnee Wohlfert via Unsplash
Keukenhof is one of the world’s largest flower gardens and is widely known for its beautiful tulip fields. Keukenhof opens for 8 weeks from mid-March to mid-May, with peak viewing for tulips arriving near mid-April, where it can receive 26,000 visitors per day.
The exhibition’s blooms are available virtually — free of crowds!
Begin your virtual walk around the gardens here.
Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam
Image Credit: Jean Carlo Emer via Unsplash
The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam is a must for anyone who is a fan of this tragic, ingenious painter. The Google Arts & Culture app allows you to see his works up close by virtually visiting this museum.
This collection contains the largest number of his artwork, including over 200 paintings, 500 drawings, and over 750 of his personal letters.
Some of the most famous items include:
“Almond Blossom”
“The Potato Eaters”
“Sunflowers”
To begin, first download the Google Arts & Culture app (iOS, Android) and then start your virtual tour here.
New Zealand
Hobbiton, Hinuera
Image Credit: roberto saltori via Unsplash
Any Lord of the Rings fans will recognize Hobbiton — it was created as the movie set for the Shire. It is situated on the North Island of New Zealand and the set is around 12 acres large!
On this virtual tour, you will be able to explore many parts of the set, including the Green Dragon Inn, Frodo and Bilbo’s much-loved Bag-End, and more.
Begin your virtual journey here.
Waitomo Glowworm Caves, Otorohanga
Image Credit: Shaun Jeffers via Shutterstock
The Waitomo Glowworm Caves are located on the North Island of New Zealand. They are known for their population of glowworms found only in New Zealand.
On this virtual tour by National Geographic, you can experience what it is like to take a boat ride under the glowworms.
Float in the caves by clicking here.
Peru
Machu Picchu
Image Credit: Nad Hemnani via Unsplash
Machu Picchu takes your breath away. It stands high above the tropical mountain forest and is among the greatest artistic and architectural achievements made by the Inca civilization.
See Machu Picchu without the trek! Explore this UNESCO World Heritage site by seeing the views from multiple outlooks, wandering around the residences and burial grounds, and seeing the current residents — the alpacas!
Explore virtually by starting here.
Russia
Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, Sergiyev Posad
Image Credit: snow-dog via Pixabay
The Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius is the most important Russian monastery and the spiritual center of the Russian Orthodox Church. It is also home to over 300 monks and serves as an educational center for young priests.
Use Google Earth to explore the entire complex, including many stunning churches, the famous Holy Trinity icon, as well as many important burial sites.
Explore the ornate buildings starting here.
Singapore
Gardens by the Bay Cloud Forest
Image Credit: Yuiizaa September
The Cloud Forest at Gardens by the Bay is an indoor greenhouse with diverse vegetation and rare plants from all over the globe. The goal of the attraction is to expose visitors to these disappearing plants and discuss conservation efforts underway.
Be amazed as you encounter the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, descend through the surreal mist-filled Cloud Walk, and finish with the Treetop Walk.
Begin walking around the dome here.
Marina Bay Sands
Image Credit: Hu Chen via Unsplash
Visit Singapore’s most iconic hotel virtually! The Marina Bay Sands hotel has put together a virtual tour so that you can visit from home.
See views from various rooms throughout the hotel, a museum, and get a glimpse into some of the shopping the hotel offers. The main attraction is the Sky Park, which contains the infinity pool overlooking the Supertree Grove at Gardens by the Bay.
Start your virtual tour here.
Slovakia
Domica Cave, Kečovo
Image Credit: Skitterphoto
The Domica Cave is made from light limestone and the passages were shaped by the waters of the underground river Styx. The cave is the largest of over 700 in the area.
Venture underground in Slovenia to visit this UNESCO World Heritage site, courtesy of Google Earth.
Walk around the caves starting here.
South Africa
Kruger National Park
Image Credit: WildEarth
One of the largest game reserves in Africa, an amazing array of wildlife calls Kruger National Park home, including the “Big Five” of lions, elephants, rhinoceroses, leopards, and Cape buffaloes, as well as zebras, giraffes, hippos, antelopes, cheetahs, crocodiles, and hyenas.
The WildEarth team broadcasts 3-hour-long live safaris daily at sunrise (starting at 11:30 p.m. EST) and sunset (starting at 9 a.m. EST).
Begin your virtual safari here.
Robben Island Museum, Cape Town
Image Credit: ludi via Pixabay
Robben Island Museum is an island off the coast of Cape Town. It was fortified and used as a prison from the late 17th century to 1996, after the end of apartheid. Many of its prisoners were political — including Nelson Mandela.
Google Arts & Culture brings you to the former island prison and educates you on the 18 years Nelson Mandela spent there.
Begin your virtual tour here.
Spain
Alhambra, Granada
Image Credit: Dimitry B via Unsplash
The Alhambra is a palace and fortress complex located in Andalusia. It is one of Spain’s major tourist attractions, exhibiting Islamic architecture together with 16th century and later Christian buildings and gardens due to its many different occupants.
Take a virtual tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site and visit the following:
Charles V Palace
Justice Tower
Square of Cisterns
Wine Gate
Tour the palace and gardens here.
Casa Batlló, Barcelona
Image Credit: Ruggiero Calabrese via Unsplash
Casa Batlló is considered one of Antoni Gaudi’s masterpieces. Many things inside (and on top of!) the house were designed by him, including some of the furniture, windows, and even the staircase railings.
There are few straight lines inside, and much of the façade is decorated with a colorful mosaic made of broken ceramic tiles. The roof is arched and the structures have been compared to the back of a dragon. It’s truly a unique house!
Begin your virtual tour inside the house starting here.
Dali Museum, Figueres
Image Credit: Julia Casado via Pixabay
The Dali Museum is dedicated to the artist Salvador Dali in his hometown of Figueres. There are an incredible 96 oil paintings and other artworks displayed in this space.
The virtual tour of this museum is pretty incredible — you can click through the rooms, zoom in on important pieces of art, and learn more about the life of Salvador Dali.
Some of the most outstanding works on display are:
“Port Alguer” (1924)
“Portrait of Gala with Two Lamb Chops Balanced on Her Shoulder” (1933)
“Self-Portrait with l’Humanité” (1923)
“The Spectre of Sex-Appeal” (1932)
Begin your virtual tour here.
Sagrada Familia, Barcelona
Image Credit: Ferran Fusalba Roselló via Unsplash
The Sagrada Familia is considered to be the best example of Modernist architecture. The design developed by Antoni Gaudi was so complex and detailed that it remains unfinished to this day!
On the virtual tour of Gaudi’s famous cathedral, you can walk inside the basilica, see the different façades, and even see the tomb of Gaudi.
Tour inside the church by clicking here.
Sweden
Aurora Borealis, Abisko
Image Credit: David Becker via Unsplash
The northern lights, or aurora borealis, come alive as streaks of pink, green, and purple dancing across the night sky. The best time to visit is during the coldest and darkest months. Still, visitors flock to see the show during the long winter nights.
See the spectacle from home thanks to Lights Over Lapland. The site also has a dog-sledding adventure to experience!
Experience the northern lights here.
Malmö Street Art Walk
Image Credit: Lioba Belage via Pixabay
Malmö is Sweden’s third-largest city and home to a variety of street art thanks to the 2014 Artscape Festival, Sweden’s first large-scale street art festival. There are large sculptures and murals hidden around every corner!
Google Street View makes it easy to explore street art in Malmö.
Take a walk through the city to explore some of these gems!
Nature of Sweden
Image Credit: Jon Flobrant via Unsplash
Maybe a quiet escape to the outdoors in beautiful Sweden is more your speed? Visit Sweden has put together a virtual reality tour that you can experience either through your computer or VR device.
There are multiple adventures you can choose from: go for an evening swim, camp in the mountains, or meet the King of the Forest.
Escape to nature here.
Tanzania
Gombe Stream National Park
Image Credit: Gerrit Bril via Pixabay
The Gombe served as a home for Jane Goodall’s chimpanzee research. It is one of the smallest national parks in Tanzania, and only accessible by boat. Besides chimpanzees, primates inhabiting Gombe include beachcomber olive baboons, red colobus, red-tailed monkeys, and more.
Learn about Goodall’s life, her work with the chimpanzees, and see the beautiful place they call home. You can also experience a “day in the life” of a chimpanzee family.
Start your Street View Trek here.
United Arab Emirates
Burj Khalifa, Dubai
Image Credit: Burj Khalifa
The Burj Khalifa is the world’s tallest building. The floors are arranged in a unique spiral formation to provide stability from the strong desert winds.
Google Street View allows you to go to different rooms and floors within the building, and the behind-the-scenes section shows you the views from a window washer’s viewpoint on the 80th floor. Learn more interesting facts and figures about this amazing building on this trek.
Start your Street View Trek here.
United Kingdom
The British Museum, London, England
Image Credit: hurk via Pixabay
The British Museum, located in London, has a permanent collection of 8 million works — making it the largest and most comprehensive collection in existence. Many of its treasures were widely sourced during the era of the British Empire.
Google Street View begins the walk outside, but you can click through to experience some of the vast collection. Just a sampling of the objects include:
The Book of the Dead
Egyptian mummies
Parthenon sculptures
The Rosetta Stone
Read more about the British Museum in our guide to the best museums in London.
Click here to start your virtual tour.
Buckingham Palace, London, England
Image Credit: Debbie Fan via Unsplash
Step inside the official residence of the Queen of England. It can be difficult to visit the Royal Palace as it is only open to the public between July and October.
Through this virtual tour, visitors will explore Buckingham Palace’s ornate rooms, garden parties, and famous artwork — available any time of year!
Begin your virtual tour here.
Giants Causeway, Bushmills, Northern Ireland
Image Credit: H. Hach via Pixabay
Explore the unique Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland. This is an area of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns — the result of an ancient volcanic fissure eruption. There is a local myth that a giant named Finn MacCool built the causeway to get to Scotland to battle a rival giant.
The National Trust put together a virtual sunset tour of the Giant’s Causeway, as well as the surrounding areas of Aird Snout headland and Port Noffer.
Access all of the virtual tours here.
London Walking Tour, London, England
Image Credit: Eva Dang via Unsplash
London is one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations with millions of visitors annually! There is so much to do and see in London, from history to art to culture and food.
VisitLondon offers a virtual map of the entire city. The tour starts at the top of the London Eye. From there, you can drop down into selected landmarks, like Big Ben or Westminster Abbey, and explore the locations from a street view.
Start your walking virtual tour here.
The Roman Baths, Bath, England
Image Credit: Mario Klassen via Unsplash
The Romans built a magnificent temple and bathing complex in Bath on the site of Britain’s only hot spring, which still flows with hot water. The Roman Baths are one of the finest historic sites in Northern Europe.
Enjoy a virtual tour around the steaming Great Bath where people bathed nearly 2,000 years ago. Learn more about the baths and walk through the complex.
Begin your virtual tour here.
Stonehenge, Wiltshire, England
Image Credit: Brooke Bell via Unsplash
Stonehenge consists of a ring of standing stones, each weighing around 25 tons. Archaeologists believe it was constructed sometime between 3000 B.C. to 2000 B.C. It is one of the most famous attractions in the U.K., attracting 800,000 visitors a year.
English Heritage has put together an interactive tour around the site. Select various hotspots to find out more. The tour also offers a live view from within the stone circle.
Begin your virtual tour here.
United States of America
Alcatraz Island, San Francisco, California
Image Credit: U.S. National Park Service
Alcatraz Island was developed with facilities for a lighthouse, a military fortification, a military prison, and a federal prison for almost 30 years.
Explore this former prison in San Francisco Bay on an interactive Google Arts & Culture tour where you can learn about notorious inmates and see escape materials and inmate artwork.
Begin your journey to “The Rock” here.
Baseball Hall of Fame, Cooperstown, New York
Image Credit: jpenrose via Pixabay
Die-hard baseball fans regularly make the pilgrimage to see the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. This museum is committed to preserving the history of America’s pastime and celebrating the legendary people who have made the game great.
Examine vintage photos, signed baseballs, programs, posters, videos, and more thanks to Google Street View.
Walk around the museum virtually by clicking here.
Bryce Canyon National Park, Bryce, Utah
Image Credit: U.S. National Park Service
Bryce Canyon National Park is known for the beautiful, red, white, and orange “hoodoos” surrounding this famous desert landscape.
Take a virtual tour around Sunset Point and view the star-filled night sky from this Dark Sky-certified national park, see the park’s unique rock formations up close, and even take a horseback ride through the canyon.
Begin your virtual explorations of Bryce Canyon here.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Carlsbad, New Mexico
Image Credit: Christopher O’Toole via Pixabay
Carlsbad Caverns National Park is located in the Chihuahuan Desert of southern New Mexico and is home to over 100 caves. The caverns are well-known for their many impressive calcite formations.
On this virtual tour, you can take a walk through some of the caverns, view incredible rock formations, and even experience life as a bat thanks to Google Arts & Culture’s simulation.
Walk into the caverns beginning here.
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Image Credit: Produtora Midtrack via Pexels
See the majestic Grand Canyon that was carved over millions of years by the Colorado River below. It’s amazing to see this much geological history revealed before your eyes.
Walk with Google Street View to explore the Bright Angel trail. It will lead you from the South Rim, down the Black Bridge, across the Colorado River, and up to the Phantom Ranch campsite. You can zoom in and click to discover new views of the park.
Begin your virtual descent here.
Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
Image Credit: Cedric Letsch via Unsplash
Hawai’i Volcano National Park is one of the most popular national parks, located on the Big Island of Hawai’i. This park spans from sea level to the summit of 2 of the world’s most active volcanoes — Kilauea and Mauna Loa.
Thanks to Google Arts & Culture, you can access a virtual tour to explore the Nahuku Lava Tube, enjoy the stunning view from the volcanic coastal cliffs, fly over an active volcano, and see the effects of an eruption from 1959.
Begin your tour through a lava tube starting here.
Kenai Fjords National Park, Seward, Alaska
Image Credit: 272447 via Pixabay
Experience the Kenai Fjords National Park virtually. The national park was established to preserve the fjord and rain forest ecosystems, Harding Icefield, abundant wildlife, and historical and archaeological remains.
Google Arts & Culture offers a guided tour through the park. Climb down a crevasse on Exit Glacier, watch a glacier melt, and kayak through a Bear Glacier lagoon. You might even encounter some wildlife along the way!
Start your virtual journey here.
Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral, Florida
Image Credit: Aditya Vyas via Unsplash
The John F. Kennedy Space Center is 1 of 10 National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) field centers. It currently serves as NASA’s primary launch center for human spaceflight.
Google Street View Treks allows you to experience a tour of the Kennedy Space Center virtually. Take a virtual walk through the transfer aisle of the cavernous Vehicle Assembly Building, stand at the top of Launch Pad 39A, and more.
Begin your virtual tour here.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City, New York
Image Credit: Robert Bye via Unsplash
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, also known as the Met, is located in New York City and is the largest art museum in the U.S.
The Met 360° Project developed videos covering 6 of the Met’s most popular attractions and spaces, including:
The Charles Engelhard Court
Gothic Cloisters in Fort Tryon Park
Neo-Classical Grand Hall
Temple of Dendur
You can experience the museum through your computer, smartphone, on Google Cardboard, or with a VR headset.
For all of the details, click here.
Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey, California
Image Credit: Michal Pechardo via Unsplash
If you are missing the ocean, the Monterey Aquarium is here to help! This aquarium is known for its regional focus on the marine habitats of Monterey Bay and was the first to exhibit a living kelp forest when it opened.
Experience the stunning Monterey Bay Aquarium in real-time. It has several live cams broadcasting including a aviary cam, a jelly cam, a shark cam, and an adorable penguin cam.
See all of the live stream options here.
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C.
Image Credit: Alejandro Barba via Unsplash
The National Museum of Natural History is one of the largest natural history museums in the world. Science lovers can experience permanent, current, and past exhibitions online.
This includes exhibits such as:
The Butterfly Pavilion
The Hall of Fossils
The Hall of Geology, Gems, and Minerals (featuring the Hope Diamond)
The Hall Human Origins
Access all the exhibits here.
Redwood National and State Parks, Crescent City, California
Image Credit: Steve Olson
The Redwood National and State Parks hold some of the world’s tallest trees. In this series of short VR interpretive talks produced by the NPS, Ranger Greg takes you on your own ranger-led walk. Learn about habitats, rivers, ecosystem restoration, and historical figures, and understand some of the amazing adaptations that redwood trees have.
NPS suggests using a VR device for full immersion, however, it notes that you can also move the video/photo in any direction on your mobile device or PC.
Start your virtual hike here.
Route 66
Image Credit: Christoph Partsch via Pixabay
Route 66 is one of the most famous roads in the U.S. It originally ran from Chicago, through many states in the Southwestern U.S., ending in Santa Monica. Because this road wound through so many tiny towns, hundreds of odd little trading posts, motels, and attractions popped up along the way — many still available to explore.
Take a virtual drive along the historic highway and get an up-close-and-personal look at 10 different sites along the way.
Begin your journey down Route 66 here.
San Diego Zoo, San Diego, California
Image Credit: Curtis Yancey via Pixabay
The San Diego Zoo is one of the best out there. Its innovative animal habitats provide natural settings for animals, often with different species living amongst one another. The 100-acre facility features a variety of settings and wonderful exhibits.
The San Diego Zoo has several live streams on throughout the day focusing on various animals. The streams include an ape cam, elephant cam, a koala cam, and more.
Access all of the live cams here.
Statue of Liberty, New York
Image Credit: Avi Werde via Unsplash
The Statue of Liberty is located on Liberty Island in New York Harbor. Interestingly, it was built by Gustave Eiffel, the creator of another item on our list — the Eiffel Tower. The statue became an icon of freedom and the U.S. to immigrants arriving by sea.
The NPS has created a 360-degree tour that allows you to virtually see the views from the torch, crown, inside the copper statue, and elsewhere on Liberty Island.
Visit Lady Liberty by clicking here.
Walt Disney World Rides, Orlando, Florida
Image Credit: Matt Stroshane via Walt Disney World
If you’re waiting on a visit to Walt Disney World, you can still experience a little of that Disney pixie dust from home.
Virtual Disney World has put together an astounding number of videos riding some of the famous rides throughout all of the parks.
Check out the main YouTube page here, which is divided by park.
The White House, Washington, D.C.
Image Credit: David Everett Strickler via Unsplash
The White House is the official residence of the president of the U.S. Located in Washington, D.C., and every U.S. president since 1800 has lived here. Tours are not easy to come by as public tour requests must be submitted through your member of Congress.
Luckily, you can take a virtual tour thanks to Google. This tour offers tons of history and interesting facts while you see the following highlights:
The Oval Office
The Secretary of War Suite
Vice President’s Ceremonial Office
The White House Library
Start your virtual tour here.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Image Credit: Lukas Kloeppel via Pexels
Yellowstone was the first national park in the U.S. and is known for its many geothermal features, especially the popular Old Faithful geyser. You can also expect to see bison roaming around!
There are many video walks available thanks to the U.S. National Park Service (NPS). You take a map-based our of the park and you can also tag along for virtual walks to:
Canary Spring
Dragon’s Mouth Spring
Lookout Point
To start your virtual tour, click here.
Yosemite National Park, Yosemite, California
Image Credit: Aniket Deole via Unsplash
See the stunning Yosemite National Park, internationally recognized for its granite cliffs, waterfalls, clear streams, giant sequoia groves, and diverse wildlife. On average, about 4 million people visit Yosemite each year — primarily within Yosemite Valley.
Virtual Yosemite allows you to see the valley and beyond! Some of the places you can explore include:
Bridal Veil Falls
Glacier Point
Nevada Falls
Summit of Half Dome
Yosemite Falls
Start your virtual exploration here.
Zambia/Zimbabwe
Victoria Falls
Image Credit: Leon Basson via Pixabay
Victoria Falls is one of the most spectacular attractions in Africa. This waterfall was created by the Zambezi River that suddenly plummets into a narrow, 100-meters deep chasm. Its roar can be heard from 40 kilometers away — locals called even call it “The Smoke Which Thunders.”
Watch a series of 2 360-degree interactive videos to see these majestic falls from above and multiple vantage points on both the Zambia and Zimbabwe sides.
Start Part 1, then continue to Part 2.
… And Beyond
International Space Station
Image Credit: 272447 via Pixabay
Would you like the chance to view Earth from above and learn what it feels like to live in space? Now you can, thanks to a virtual tour of the International Space Station (ISS) created by the European Space Agency.
Get station tours from some of the crew who live there. Through various video clips, learn what it’s like to eat, work, and even bathe onboard. And don’t forget to look outside to get a glimpse of Earth from space!
Access all the tours here.
Outer Space
Image Credit: Alexander Andrews via Unsplash
Even the nearest planets outside of our solar system are light-years away, so actually visiting remains a distant dream.
However, on NASA’s Exoplanet Exploration website, you can explore an imagined surface of alien worlds via 360-degree interactive visualizations. Explore the blood-red sky of TRAPPIST-1d, or stand on the imagined moon of Kepler-16b.
This tour works on desktop and mobile, but is optimized for VR devices such as Oculus and Google Cardboard.
Start exploring here.
Final Thoughts
While we’ve listed over 100 of the very best virtual tours out there, we know there are even more! Use this list as a jumping-off point to explore even more. Google Earth, Google Arts & Culture, official websites for attractions, and national park websites have a treasure trove of fabulous content.
While viewing these attractions virtually isn’t quite the same as being there in person, it’s still very possible to explore and learn about the world around us from the comfort of your home.
