Virtual Attractions Around the World to Visit Right Now

Push the boundaries of travel by walking through UNESCO sites, exploring the world's most prestigious palaces, and venturing to far-flung ancient citadels—all from home.

4 min read•May 01, 2020•By Zoë Smith

Machu Picchu as seen from above on a moody day

Hi, I'm Zoë!

Zoë Smith is a British travel writer, editor, and digital content creator who has lived, worked, and traveled over six continents, and is currently based near Nantes, France. She has written for Rough Guides, CNN, and Culture Trip, and is digital editor at FrenchEntrée.

Travel might be temporarily off the table, but the world’s natural wonders, museum masterpieces, and attractions are still right at your fingertips. Visit Versailles, summit Everest, or browse the Met without leaving your couch, using virtual tours and VR technology to get even closer to the action.

Last updated: January 13, 2021

Palace of Versailles, Paris

Visitors tour the Palace of Versailles courtyard in Paris.

Travelers explore a marble-floored courtyard at the Palace of Versailles. | Photo Credit: Anthony Cruz / Viator

A behind-the-scenes VR tour of Louis XIV’s glorious palace.

Tour the Palace of Versailles’ extensive online exhibitions—or take a virtual walk through the halls. VersaillesVR lets you freely explore rooms such as the King’s and Queen’s State Apartments, the Royal Chapel, and the Hall of Mirrors, while a guided virtual reality tour grants you an even more immersive experience.

Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland

Travelers taking photos on the rock columns at Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland.

The Giant's Causeway on the north coast of Northern Ireland was caused by an ancient volcanic fissure eruption. | Photo Credit: Nick St.Oegger / Viator

Take a walk in the footsteps of giants.

The National Trust provides four Giant's Causeway virtual tours that take you from the Aird Snout headland to the Grand Causeway and the Giant’s Port. Admire the views from all angles with panoramic videos and experience the natural wonder at sunrise and sunset.

Visit the Causeway

Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel, Rome

A small-group of travelers tour the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican Museum in Rome.

Travelers inside the Sistine Chapel before it opens on the Waking Up the Vatican VIP tour. | Photo Credit: Eustacio Humphrey / Viator

A rare chance to explore the museums without the crowds.

Strap on a VR headset and lose yourself in Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling with a 360-degree virtual experience. Or join a guided virtual tour of the Vatican Museums for extra insight into its masterpieces.

Mt. Everest

A mountain climber taking in the view from Mt. Everest base camp. | Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Experience the thrill of summiting Everest virtually.

Cutting edge VR technology whisks you away on a frostbite-free journey to the world’s highest peak. Set out from Everest base camp, trek past Khumbu Icefalls, scale the Hillary Step, and brave the perilous climb to the summit. There’s even a ‘God Mode’ that affords a mesmerizing VR diorama.

Climb Everest

Robben Island, South Africa

A view of Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela—and some 3,000 other political prisoners—served time during the fight to end apartheid, in South Africa.

Robben Island is an essential stop for most visitors to Cape Town. | Photo Credit: Grant Durr / Unsplash

Hear the prison's history from a former inmate.

Visit Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela—and some 3,000 other political prisoners—served time during the fight to end apartheid, on a virtual experience guided by a former prisoner, Vusumsi Mcongo.

Explore Robben Island

Buckingham Palace, London

People picnicking outside Buckingham Palace, the Queen's official residence. | Photo Credit: Annapurna Mellor / Viator

A virtual visit to the home of Her Majesty The Queen.

Virtual tours of Buckingham Palace’s State Rooms grant you access to the White Drawing Room, Throne Room, and Grand Staircase, with 360-degree views and interactive elements. Once you’ve seen how the other half live, check out the priceless art and royal heirlooms of the Royal Collection.

Enter the palace

Mt. Fuji and Hakone, Japan

A woman looks at Mt. Fuji from Lake Ashi in Japan.

A traveler explores Lake Ashi where Mt. Fuji can be seen. | Photo Credit: Andrew Faulk / Viator

Go halfway up UNESCO-listed Mt. Fuji on this virtual trip.

Visit Mt. Fuji's 5th Station, ride the Hakone Ropeway, cruise Lake Ashi, and visit Odawara Castle on this immersive virtual experience. Bonus: A taiko drum show, bullet train ride, and scenery as seen from the non-virtual trip's bus window are all included.

Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam

Interior of the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.

One of Van Gogh's famous self-portraits blown up on the wall at the artist's namesake museum in Amsterdam. | Photo Credit: Maximilian Mann / Viator

The world’s largest Van Gogh collection is now online.

Amsterdam’s most visited museum might have temporarily closed its doors, but in the meantime, take a peek at masterpieces such as “Sunflowers” and “Almond Blossoms” in the online collections, or enjoy a virtual tour via Google Arts & Culture.

See the collection

Machu Picchu, Peru

Guide Fransisco Quispe giving a tour of the ancient Inca citadel on an all-inclusive day trip from Cusco. | Photo Credit: Antonio Franco / Viator

An audio-guided virtual tour of the ancient Inca city.

More than 2,500 people visit Machu Picchu each day, but a virtual tour lets you skip the crowds, the high altitude, and the plane fare to Peru. Explore the mountaintop ruins through interactive 360-degree images and video footage, or pop on your [VR headset]((http://www.machupicchu360vr.com) for full immersion.

Get the VR experience

Great Wall of China, Beijing

Travelers climb the stairs of the Great Wall of China.

Travelers along the lesser-visited Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China on a day trip from Beijing. | Photo Credit: Giulia Marchi / Viator

A virtual hike along the UNESCO-listed monument.

A virtual hike along the Great Wall of China comes a close second to checking this world wonder off your bucket list for real. Click your way along the 6.5-mile (10.5-kilometer) section between Jinshanling and Simatai, with epic 360-degree views at each step.

Hike the wall

Grand Canyon, United States

Peopls visit the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.

Travelers on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. | Photo Credit: Viator

Virtually hike or fly over the world wonder.

There's more than one way to discover the Grand Canyon from your living room. You can hike through Blacktail Canyon and along the South Rim on a virtual field trip, or enjoy an aerial view via Google Earth VR.

Take a virtual field trip