Ancient Architecture – The 6 best countries for history buffs

Whatever floats your boat when you’re traveling, you’ll find that many people will still be keen to visit the world’s ancient and historic sites, regardless of the reason for the trip in the first place. Even if you’re enjoying an adventure holiday, you’ll most likely still feel a pull towards local points of interest, especially if there’s something like the Machu Picchu in the neighborhood. You’d be mad to miss such spectacles, even if you’re not that interested in history!

But those that are will actively seek out the best destinations to get their history fix. And while most countries boast their own unique attractions, some are certainly more famous than others for the sheer number of fascinating sites you can visit – all in one trip. Global travelers and bloggers Agness and Cez have been to a fair few places since giving up their day-jobs back in 2011, so it’s a pretty good bet they can tell you the best places to visit if you’re a history buff. lLet’s step back in time with them!

Italy

Admit it, when reading the opening paragraphs of this article Italy was likely to be the first country that sprung to mind, most notably because of the Roman empire. Founded in 27 BC, it’s basically the first thing you learn about in school, and anyone with even the slightest bit of interest in history will one day want to visit.

All roads lead to Rome after all, but the whole country is littered with ancient sights and attractions, so much so you’ll need several trips to see them all. Don’t miss the treasures of the Vatican City while you’re here either, and swing by Florence to visit Michelangelo’s David. Never mind the Colosseum, everyone needs to see that masterpiece at least once in their lifetime.

United Kingdom

Having a country with one of the oldest monarchies in the world certainly doesn’t hurt your tourist industry, and with this year’s Royal wedding visitors to the UK have gone through the roof. However, it’s not just all about Lizzy and Co, as every corner of this relatively small island has points of historic interest and world-class museums to boot!

From the ancient monoliths of Stonehenge to the birthplace of Shakespeare, to the dramatic castles of Scotland, the fame and variety of the UK’s attractions make it one of the most frequented countries on earth. London is obviously the most popular city to visit as it’s more or less an open-air museum. But get out of “the big smoke” and try visiting the likes of Oxford, York, and Edinburgh for some of the most beautiful cities you’re ever likely to see, all steeped in ancient history and overflowing with memorable attractions.

Greece

Not to be outdone, the Greeks are famous for their own empire, firmly putting themselves on the map and giving the world so much in terms of language and learning. In fact, Greece is often referred to as the cradle of Western civilisation, so perhaps you should visit here before you visit Italy.

The capital of Athens boasts many notable sights, none more so than the iconic Acropolis which sits in a commanding position overlooking the city. Visiting Mount Olympus and discovering the myths and legends of the Greek gods is also highly recommended, and don’t even get us started on exploring the islands. There’s so many to choose from, each with their own charm and history. You’re going to be here for a very long time.

China

Our first entry out of Europe, China has a history as ancient as they come, estimated to date back to 1250 BC. Over the course of thousands of years, China has been ruled over by dynasties, each making their own distinctive mark on the country, creating a rich tapestry of art, culture, architecture, and language.

The Chinese were among the first to develop reading and writing, as well as successful commerce and trade, with the historic and mystery of the silk road culminating here. Sights like the Great Wall and the Forbidden City need little introduction, but Chinese history is palatable in every corner of this great land.

Iran

The Persians also boast one the world’s oldest civilisations, as well as an empire that spread across much of what is now the Middle East and Central Asia. Iran might not be at the forefront of your mind when it comes to a holiday destination, but aside from having some incredible ancient sites and historic attractions, it’s also one of the friendliest places on earth.

The city of Shiraz in the south of the country is stunning, home to the beautiful Nasir-ol-molk Mosque, and within a short drive of the ancient ruins of Persepolis. But that’s barely scratching the surface of what’s on offer in Iran – and the food is sensational too!

Mexico

We were hard-pressed to choose one location in Latin America, given the abundance of stunning historical sites such as Machu Picchu in Peru and the mystery of the Amazon basin. There’s probably some ancient lost city in the jungle still to be discovered. But Mexico has more than its fair share history buff catnip, including the Pyramid of the Sun and the world famous Chichen Itza.

This vast Mayan city attracts 2.6 million visitors annually and is dominated by the iconic “El Castillo” temple. Mexico City itself also has some wonderful attractions, but archaeological sites are in generous supply across the whole country. You’ll never run out of things to see and do here.

Not an Easy List!

There might be one or two raised eyebrows due to some notable omissions, but it certainly wasn’t an easy short list to make. We’ll leave it up to you when it comes to which destinations we should have included (and which we should have left out as a result). See! Not so easy now is it?!

Over to you guys – which country or countries should we have included and why? Let us know!

Written by ETRAMPING