Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!
E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!
Places You Have to See Before You Die
15
items A curated collection of 15 iconic travel destinations around the globe that everyone should experience at least once. Featuring breathtaking highlights like the turquoise waters of Bora Bora, historic sights in Kyoto, and the majestic peaks of Banff....
Map
Sections
3
North America
Europe
Asia & Beyond
North America
A mix of vast natural wonders, dramatic mountain ranges, and iconic landscapes. Perfect for travelers seeking unforgettable outdoor adventures, scenic road trips, and world-famous bucket-list spots.
I highly recommend hitting Moraine Lake and Lake Louise right at sunrise. The glacier water looks completely unreal when the morning light hits, plus you avoid the nightmare parking situation. If you enjoy hiking, definitely tackle Sentinel Pass!
Banff
Don't just stay on the rim lookouts! I recommend hiking down a bit of the Bright Angel Trail so you can actually feel how massive the canyon is. Lipan Point is the absolute best spot to watch the sunset colors change across the rock walls.
Grand Canyon National Park
You have to do the Maid of the Mist boat tour! Go straight to the upper deck on the right side for the best photos, and definitely buy a waterproof phone case beforehand because you will get soaked.
Niagara Falls
Europe
A mix of ancient historical landmarks, romantic coastal views, and rich cultural capitals. Perfect for travelers seeking timeless architecture, picturesque back alleys, and iconic bucket-list experiences.
I suggest taking the local ferries between towns instead of trying to drive those crazy narrow cliff roads. It's way cheaper, faster, and gives you incredible views of Positano from the water. Stop for fresh lemon granita while walking around!
Amalfi Coast
My main advice here is to get lost on purpose. Ditch the main tourist paths between St. Mark's and the Rialto Bridge and explore the quiet back canals in Cannaregio for incredible local gelato without the crowds.
Venice
Definitely book the Arena Floor or Underground access tickets weeks in advance. Standing right where the gladiators walked gives you a completely different perspective than just looking down from the general seating area.
Colosseum
Skip the massive main line at the glass pyramid! Enter through the underground Carrousel du Louvre mall entrance instead to save hours. Pick 3 or 4 main wings you actually care about so you don't get overwhelmed.
Louvre Museum
If you want to catch the Northern Lights, visit between November and February. I recommend booking a dedicated aurora chase tour that drives out toward the Finnish border if it's cloudy locally—it gives you the absolute best chance of seeing them.
Tromsø | Where your Arctic adventure begins
Time your visit for about an hour before sunset. You get daytime views of Paris, the golden hour sunset over the Seine, and the full city lights at night. Hang out at the Champ de Mars park after to watch the tower sparkle on the hour!
Eiffel Tower
Asia & Beyond
A mix of vibrant futuristic cities, ancient mountain sanctuaries, and serene tropical escapes. Perfect for travelers seeking unique cultural hubs, breathtaking natural wonders, and once-in-a-lifetime adventures.
Book Circuit 1 or Circuit 2 entry tickets months ahead to make sure you get that iconic postcard viewpoint. Catch the early train from Ollantaytambo and drink plenty of water to handle the altitude.
Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu
If you do the Road to Hana, download an offline GPS audio tour before heading out since cell service completely drops. Make sure to reserve your spot for Waiʻanapanapa State Park in advance if you want to see the black sand beach!
Maui
I recommend booking a lagoon snorkeling tour out to the outer reef. Getting to swim with stingrays and harmless blacktip reef sharks in waist-deep turquoise water is a core memory experience.
Bora Bora
I strongly suggest hiring a trusted local guide to handle the camel rides and vendors smoothly. Walk out to the designated plateau lookout point for the absolute best panoramic shot with all three pyramids in the frame.
The Great Pyramid of Giza
Base yourself near a major Yamanote Line station like Shinjuku or Shibuya so getting around the city is seamless. Book tickets for teamLab Planets ahead of time—walking through the barefoot water light exhibits is unforgettable.
Tokyo
Get to Fushimi Inari Shrine by 6:00 AM before the crowds arrive. Walking through thousands of red torii gates in the quiet morning mist feels like stepping straight into another world.
Kyoto