Top 10 Destinations for History Buffs (2024)

1. Japan

Meet sumo wrestlers and learn about the sport's history and Shinto links. Observe taiko drumming and discuss its preservation. Talk with a geisha house madam and watch their traditional dance. Explore Kenrokuen Garden in Kanazawa and (optionally) visit Gokayama village. Step into feudal history at Nijo Castle. Visit the historic Todaiji and Senkoji temples, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

2. Sicily

Stop at the UNESCO-protected site of the Valley of Temples and explore the archaeological remains of Greek temples, each built between 510 and 430 BC. Learn the history of the Trapani tradition of salt production and refining before delving into the history of the small island of Mothya and visiting the island’s ancient fortress. Later, check out Catania’s local World War II Museum.

3. Morocco

Visit Rabat's Royal Palace and Mohammed V Mausoleum. Tour Fez's ancient medina, a UNESCO site. Visit (optionally) Roman Volubilis and Meknes. Experience Gnawa music in Khamlia. Learn about khatarat water systems and explore a Berber ksar. In Marrakesh, see Bahia Palace, Le Jardin Secret, and the medina. Admire Casablanca's Hassan II Mosque.

4. Egypt

Visit the Hallowed Valley of the Kings. Behold the great pyramids of Giza, including the 4,500-year-old Great Pyramid of Khufu—the only survivor of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Explore the temples of Karnak, Luxor, Khnum, Edfu, Gebel Silsila, Abu Simbel, and Philae.

5. Cambodia

Witness a Traditional Khmer performance where dancers will take you on a journey through Cambodian mythology, ancestral traditional, and village life. Spend an hour walking through the hallowed Killing Fields of Choeung Ek before visiting Tuol Sleng Prison Museum, where more than 10,000 prisoners were held before they were led to the Killing Fields—and get the chance to meet one of the seven survivors. Explore Angkor Wat, where you’ll have the chance to see the 12th-century Bayon temple, before exploring Ta Prohm.

6. Croatia

Stroll through Dubrovnik, a city renowned for its medieval walls and historic monuments. Also known by its Latin name, Ragusa, this was a fortress city that served as the base for a fleet of ships that carried trade between much of Europe and the Middle East. Visit the city’s War Museum and speak with an eyewitness about the Controversial Topic of the Homeland War of the Balkans and the impact it has had—and continues to have—on Dubrovnik, as well as the region.

7. Greece

Explore majestic ruins like the Parthenon, built in the mid-5th century BCE and dedicated to the Greek goddess Athena Parthenos. Visit the recently renovated Delphi Archaeological Museum—filled with masterpieces from the Archaic, Classical, and Roman periods—before discovering the famed archaeological site itself (including the Temple of Apollo).

8. Spain

Meet a local expert to learn about the Basque independence movement. Meet with an archaeologist and visit their laboratory to learn what the skeletal remains from the region of Ubidea can tell us about the past and the present. Discover the Camino de Santiago, one of Europe’s most important pilgrimage routes, before exploring Santiago de Compostela, the destination of so many Catholic pilgrims over the centuries.

9. Ireland

Have a conversation with three individuals who fought on opposing sides in the period of turmoil known as the Troubles. Join a museum volunteer for a conversation about the ongoing fight for justice after the 1972 “Bloody Sunday Massacre,” in which British soldiers shot and killed 14 unarmed Catholics—including members of the volunteers' own family. Have the option to visit Bunratty Castle and get insight into life in an old Irish village.

10. Turkey

Delve into the lively and historic Grand Bazaar market, a remarkable complex that dates back more than 550 years. Explore Göreme, one of Cappadocia’s geologic wonders: People have inhabited the region since ancient times, using hand tools to hollow out thousands of the freestanding tufa formations. Visit the tomb of Celaleddin Rumi, the founder of the Mevlevi order and one of the greatest literary and spiritual figures of all time.