atlas obscura travel guide

If you’ve felt it, then you know.

Travel is not about personal growth or bragging rights. Travel is transformative not because it changes us, but because it makes connections that can change the world. People who see the complexity of the world—at home and abroad—see better. We reject the cynicism that can hang over tourism because we believe that deeper connections are possible, that meaningful experiences can happen anywhere at any time, and that the world is big enough that it still holds lots of surprises. 
 This is what inspires us at Atlas Obscura, and this is why we have created something new: The Wanderlist. For 2024, we’ve selected 24 remarkable destinations that demonstrate why travel and exploration are important to us. Each of the places we’ve selected for this list are sure to evoke a sense of surprise and curiosity. They’re places where you’re less likely to encounter crowds. And they’re places where, we feel, your travel dollars benefit local communities and help preserve the places you’re visiting. We sourced the destinations on this list from our own travels and our network of guides, writers, and travel experts around the world. Welcome to the inaugural Wanderlist. We are so excited that you will be joining us on this journey in 2024 and beyond. 


Playa de Sotavento de Jandía, Spain ❘ Ruben Earth/Getty Images

Photo Caption going here

Travel is not about personal growth or bragging rights. Travel is transformative not because it changes us, but because it makes connections that can change the world. People who see the complexity of the world—at home and abroad—see better. We reject the cynicism that can hang over tourism because we believe that deeper connections are possible, that meaningful experiences can happen anywhere at any time, and that the world is big enough that it still holds lots of surprises. ‍ This is what inspires us at Atlas Obscura, and this is why we have created something new: The Wanderlist. For 2024, we’ve selected 24 remarkable destinations that demonstrate why travel and exploration are important to us. Each of the places we’ve selected for this list are sure to evoke a sense of surprise and curiosity. They’re places where you’re less likely to encounter crowds. And they’re places where, we feel, your travel dollars benefit local communities and help preserve the places you’re visiting. We sourced the destinations on this list from our own travels and our network of guides, writers, and travel experts around the world. We’ll be releasing the first-ever Wanderlist next month, and are so excited that you will be joining us on this journey in 2024 and beyond.


Coming soon...

Get ready for an adventure! Delta Airlines and Atlas Obscura will soon unveil the top 24 destinations for 2024. Stay tuned!

Tsingy de Bemaraha

Chapada Diamantina

Castlemaine

Sado Island

Mesabi Iron Range

Oklahoma City

North Island

Aguascalientes

Cosmopolitan

North Coast

Newfoundland

Cobblestoned

Boardman Scenic Corridor

Readers’ Choice

When our readers tell us where to go, we listen. Check out their top destination recommendations for 2024.

Gobi Desert, Mongolia | SinghaphanAllB/Getty Images

24 Unexpected Places You Should Visit This Winter

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WANDER THE WORLD WITH CURIOSITY

We at Atlas Obscura believe there is wonder at every turn, around the corner and across the world. Here are some of the places that most excite our wanderlust!

10 Natural Wonders That Will Make You Think You're on Another Planet

Red lakes, glowing caves, and towering pinnacles—all right here on Earth.

10 Dishes Worth Booking a Trip Around

See the world through your stomach.

10 Mind-Blowing Structures You Have to See for Yourself

Set your sights on the world’s most fascinating human-made wonders.

10 Cemeteries to See Before (or After) You Die

Ponder the thin veil between worlds at these beautiful, spooky, and surprising graveyards.

Around the World in 10 Sandwiches

A food everyone loves is also a dish almost every culture has made their own.

10 Places to Visit If You Believe in Bigfoot

Even if you’re not convinced cryptids exist, these spots will offer fascinating looks into the minds of those who are.

10 Roadside Attractions Worth a Road Trip

These places offer way more than a pit stop.

9 Unusual Ways to Explore Maine’s Food Scene

From a blueberry museum to popovers in a national park, Maine has something for every appetite.

7 Places to Discover Maine’s Rich Maritime History

How to explore the legacy of this historic coast.

Offbeat Roadside Sculptures

Unveiling the Art Along the Highways.

WANDER THE WORLD WITH DELTA PREMIUM SELECT

10 Roadside Attractions to Discover

Ready for a quirky adventure? Hit the road and dive into 10 Unbelievable Roadside Wonders!

Travel with Atlas Obscura

Ready for an adventure? Join one of our small-group tours and see the world's most remarkable places.

Atlas Obscura Travel Guide 12+

Discover hidden wonders, atlas obscura, inc.

• 4.8 • 364 Ratings

iPhone Screenshots

Description.

Find your adventurous spirit, get off the beaten path and discover unique places to experience near and far, all contributed by Atlas Obscura’s global community of explorers. --- EXPLORE THE MAP We’ve plotted the entire Atlas Obscura database in a single map, allowing you to easily find unique places nearby or to help plan your next trip. GET THE BACKSTORY Learn what makes each place so unique. Each entry has detailed information, photos, and tips from the community. PLAN & TRACK YOUR ADVENTURES Create custom lists to organize your itinerary or bucket list. Also, use the “Been There” feature to track your progress exploring the wondrous world of Atlas Obscura. ADD YOUR DISCOVERIES Contribute new places to be published in Atlas Obscura, and share photos and tips from your travels with the community. BROWSE BY INTEREST Explore Atlas Obscura by whatever fascinates you. From history and architecture to art and natural wonders, get lost in the never-ending collection of off-the-beaten-path places. If you’re enjoying our app, please take a moment to rate us in the app store. For bug reports or suggestions, reach out at [email protected], or visit us on Twitter at @atlasobscura where we’ll report any major issues. Stay curious, Atlas Obscura

Version 1.6.4

- Bug Fixes

Ratings and Reviews

364 Ratings

Fantastic App!

I wish I had used this App years ago! It flags up so many places of interest that would otherwise be missed. I now need to revisit many of the areas I have visited previously to see places I have missed! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Disappointed

I’ve used the Atlas for a long time and was excited when the app was launched. The concept is perfect but the implementation is very buggy and getting worse. It takes a very long time to display where you’ve been and where you want to go, which is kind of the whole point. Lately the location feature is broken too. Such a disappointment.

Developer Response ,

Hi there, we're working on a fix for both of these things! Could you please reach out to [email protected] with any other details so we can better assess the issue and keep you updated on when a fix is ready? Appreciate your support as a long time community member!

I’ve waited months for this app to be released and now thankfully it is 😊 it’s going to be so much easier finding places around me with this app!

App Privacy

The developer, Atlas Obscura, Inc , indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .

Data Linked to You

The following data may be collected and linked to your identity:

• Contact Info
• User Content
• Identifiers

Data Not Linked to You

The following data may be collected but it is not linked to your identity:

• Search History
• Diagnostics

Privacy practices may vary based on, for example, the features you use or your age. Learn More

Information

• App Support
• Privacy Policy

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Find Wonder, Wherever You Go

Explore our guide to over 24,000 curious and unexpected places, right from your mobile device.

Easily Explore the Globe

The entire Atlas Obscura database is now on a single map.

Get the Backstory

Each entry has detailed information, photos, and tips from the community.

Plan & Track Your Adventure

Create custom lists to organize your itinerary or bucket list.

Add Your Discoveries

Contribute new places and share photos and tips from your travels.

©2023 Atlas Obscura