What are the most iconic buildings around the world?
The question will almost certainly elicit different responses if you ask an architect vs. the average traveler.
As architects, we could probably rattle off a list of more than 50 of the most historically significant buildings on the spot. But that wouldn't be fun. So we thought we'd "ask" the public.
After some digging, cross-referencing (and asking Google – what do you want from us?), here are the 50 most popular buildings in the world in the eyes of the public – based purely on the volume of photos taken.
The 50 Most Photographed Buildings in the World
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1. Eiffel Tower, Paris, France
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2. Burj Khalifa, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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The Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world, standing at 828 meters tall with 160 floors. It features the world's highest observation deck, located on the 148th floor.
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3. Taj Mahal, Agra, India
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4. Sydney Opera House, Sydney, Australia
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5. Colosseum, Rome, Italy
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6. Tower Bridge, London, United Kingdom
7. Machu Picchu, Cusco Region, Peru
8. Great Wall of China, China
9. Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain
The Sagrada Familia is a stunning Roman Catholic basilica designed by Antoni Gaudi in the late 19th century. It is still under construction and is estimated to be completed in 2026.
10. Big Ben, London, United Kingdom
11. Statue of Liberty, New York City, USA
12. Leaning Tower of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
13. Acropolis, Athens, Greece
14. Notre-Dame Cathedral, Paris, France
15. Brandenburg Gate, Berlin, Germany
The Brandenburg Gate, originally built in 1791, is an iconic landmark of Berlin and a symbol of German reunification. During the Cold War, the Gate was located in the no-man's land between East and West Berlin and was inaccessible to both sides.
16. Palace of Versailles, Versailles, France
The Palace of Versailles was the seat of French royal power for over a century and served as the political and cultural center of France until the French Revolution. It is known for its opulent architecture, extensive gardens, and notable historical events, such as the signing of the Treaty of Versailles.
17. Neuschwanstein Castle, Bavaria, Germany
18. Forbidden City, Beijing, China
19. Buckingham Palace, London, United Kingdom
20. Tokyo Skytree, Tokyo, Japan
21. The Shard, London, United Kingdom
22. The Louvre, Paris, France
23. Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
24. Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
The Petronas Twin Towers, completed in 1998, were once the tallest buildings in the world and remain the tallest twin towers. The towers are connected by a skybridge on the 41st and 42nd floors, offering a panoramic view of Kuala Lumpur.
25. Osaka Castle, Osaka, Japan
26. Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney, Australia
27. Taipei 101, Taipei, Taiwan
28. Empire State Building, New York City, USA
29. St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, Italy
30. CN Tower, Toronto, Canada
The CN Tower, completed in 1976, is a communications and observation tower and for 30 years was the tallest freestanding structure in the world, until the Burj Khalifa was finished in 2007. The tower attracts more than 2 million visitors annually.
31. Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, USA
32. Grand Palace, Bangkok, Thailand
The Grand Palace, built in 1782, was the official residence of the Kings of Siam and later Thailand until the 20th century. The palace complex is known for its intricate architecture, decorative details, and the sacred Temple of the Emerald Buddha.
33. St. Basil's Cathedral, Moscow, Russia
34. The White House, Washington D.C., USA
35. Arc de Triomphe, Paris, France
36. Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul, South Korea
37. The Great Pyramid of Giza, Giza, Egypt
38. The Alhambra, Granada, Spain
39. Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Edinburgh Castle, dating back to the 12th century, is one of the most iconic landmarks of Scotland and a symbol of Scottish independence. The castle has served as a royal residence, military fortress, and a national museum, housing the Scottish Crown Jewels and the Stone of Destiny.
40. Milan Cathedral, Milan, Italy
41. Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower), Chicago, USA
42. The Golden Temple, Amritsar, India
43. The Blue Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey
The Blue Mosque, built in the early 17th century, is a masterpiece of Ottoman architecture. The mosque is known for its six minarets and its interior decoration, including thousands of handmade ceramic tiles, which give it a unique blue hue.
44. Space Needle, Seattle, USA
45. Brooklyn Bridge, New York, USA
46. Angkor Wat, Cambodia
47. Florence Cathedral, Florence, Italy
48. One World Trade Center, New York, USA
One World Trade Center, also known as the Freedom Tower, was built in 2014 on the site of the former World Trade Center complex, destroyed during the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The skyscraper is the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, standing at a height of 1,776 feet, and features an observation deck on the 100th floor.
49. The Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai, China
50. The Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco, USA
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Sources:
https://www.berlin.de/en/attractions-and-sights/3560109-3104052-alexanderplatz.en.html
https://en.chateauversailles.fr/discover/history/palace
https://www.petronastwintowers.com.my/the-stories/
https://www.cntower.ca/
https://grandpalacebangkok.com/
https://www.edinburghcastle.scot/history-and-stories/history/
https://bluemosque.co/mostbet-aviator/
https://www.onewtc.com/
https://www.burjkhalifa.ae/en/index.aspx
https://www.sagradafamilia.org/en/history-of-the-temple
