Machu Picchu in Peru ranked number one landmark in the world in yesterday’s TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice with Australian war memorial named Australia’s most beloved landmark.
TripAdvisor® yesterday, announced the winners of its Travellers’ Choice™ awards for Landmarks.
Award winners were determined using an algorithm that took into account the quantity and quality of reviews and ratings for man-made landmarks worldwide, gathered over a 12-month period.
Peru’s Machu Picchu, with over 5,000 visitors a day during high season, has been recognised as number one landmark in the world.
Nabbing lead position from the Sydney Opera House (2015 South Pacific Travellers’ Choice Winning Landmark), the Australian War Memorial in the Australian Capital Territory has topped the Australian list for 2016.
“This award is fantastic, and a fitting recognition for one of Australia’s most significant attractions. A visit to the Australian War Memorial should be on everyone’s must-do list. This TripAdvisor award win comes off the back of record visitation to Canberra, with 4.4 million visitors to Australia’s capital in the year ending December 2015.”
Ian Hill, Director, VisitCanberra
TripAdvisor’s winning list of landmarks includes historically, architecturally or culturally significant attractions that are typically owned or run by a governmental or non-profit organisations. Registered national historic landmarks and UNESCO sites have also been included.
Top 10 Landmarks in the World:
1. Machu Picchu– Machu Picchu, Peru
Average bookable nightly accommodation rates in Machu Picchu: June: $80 July: $81 August: $81
The enigmatic Incan citadel of Machu Picchu is the most famous archaeological site in all of South America. Machu Picchu has never revealed all of its mysteries, including the secrets of its construction. Highlights include the ruined Temple of the Sun and the Sacred Plaza with its tremendous view across the Urubamba River Valley.
Discover this historic landmark with a day trip tour from Cusco, including an all-inclusive day trip to the breathtaking Machu Picchu as well as a scenic rail tour where you can see the world-famous Inca ruins and learn about the city, its history and the people who once lived there.
2. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center– Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Average bookable nightly accommodation rates Abu Dhabi: June: $154 July: $163 August: $165
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center rises majestically from Abu Dhabi and serves as the central place of worship for citizens of the emirate. The massive white structure can accommodate 40,000 people and is home to the world’s largest marble mosaic. This grand structure was built with white marble imported from 28 different countries, as well as chandeliers from Europe.
3. Angkor Wat– Siem Reap, Cambodia
Average bookable nightly accommodation rates in Siem Reap: June: $86 July: $86 August: $89
Angkor Wat in Cambodia is a true wonder, a magnificently mesmerising ancient temple site built in the 12th century. A Hindu temple eventually converted to a Buddhist temple and surrounded by a massive 650-foot wide moat, Angkor Wat was named a UNESCO World Heritage site and has become a symbol of Cambodia, appearing on the Cambodian national flag.
4. St. Peter’s Basilica– Vatican City, Italy
Average bookable nightly accommodation rates in Vatican City: June: $169 July: $148 August: $140
St. Peter’s Basilica is like no other church, with visitors finding themselves surrounded by significant artwork, including Michelangelo’s beautiful marble Pieta. Atop the basilica sits its famous dome, recognisable from across the city. Travellers who climb a staircase to the top are rewarded with a wonderful view over the piazza, Bernini’s enclosing colonnade below and Rome’s cityscape.
5. Taj Mahal– Agra, India
Average bookable nightly accommodation rates in Agra: June: $45 July: $47 August: $47
Considered one of the most iconic wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal is #2 on the Travellers’ Choice list of top landmarks for 2016. Increasing numbers of tourists from world over visit the Taj Mahal every year, to marvel at the grandeur, romance and history associated with this magnificent piece of architecture.
6. Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba– Cordoba, Spain
Average bookable nightly accommodation rates in Cordoba: June: $111 July: $86 August: $96
One of the largest Mosques in the world, the Great Mosque of Córdoba is one of the jewels of Islamic civilisation. The Mezquita (Mosque) dates back to the 10th century when Córdoba reached its zenith under a new emir, Abd ar-Rahman 111 who was one of the great rulers of Islamic history.
7. Church of the Savior on Spilt Blood– St. Petersburg, Russia
Average bookable nightly accommodation rates in St. Petersburg: June: $148 July: $111 August: $102
The phenomenal Russian-style church was built on the spot where Emperor Alexander II was assassinated in March 1881. Both the interior and exterior of the church is decorated with incredibly detailed mosaics, designed and created by the most prominent Russian artists of the day, V.M. Vasnetsov, M.V. Nesterov and M.A. Vrubel.
The most breathtaking view of the church can be seen from Nevsky Prospekt.
8. The Alhambra– Granada, Spain
Average bookable nightly accommodation rates in Granada: June: $114 July: $92 August: $97
Built between 1238 and 1358, the Alhambra is the palace and fortress of the Moorish monarchs of Granada, Spain. The name Alhambra, signifies ‘the red’ in Arabic, and is thought to have derived from the colour of the sun-dried tapia, bricks made of fine gravel and clay, of which the outer walls are built.
The Alhambra is a love letter to Moorish culture, a sanctuary where fountains trickle, leaves rustle, and ancient spirits seem to mysteriously linger.
9. Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool– Washington, D.C.
Average bookable nightly accommodation rates in Washington, D.C.: June: $421 July: $357 August: $310
Stretching approximately 534 metres end to end, the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool lies between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. Built in 1920 on marshland, the pool gradually sank, leaking into the surrounding land.
In 2012, the pool was reconstructed, and today holds nearly seven million gallons of water pulled from the nearby Tidal Basin.
10. Milan Cathedral (Duomo)– Milan, Italy
Average bookable nightly accommodation rates in Milan: June: $193 July: $185 August: $207
The Milan Cathedral is a much-loved symbol of the city and the most exuberant example of Northern Gothic architecture in Italy.
The exterior is an upwardly thrusting collection of pinnacles, elongated statues and buttresses, while the central spire is topped by a gilt statue of the Madonna. The view from the roof is the main highlight—on a clear day, the Italian Alps are visible.
Top 5 Landmarks in Australia:
1. Australian War Memorial– Australian Capital Territory
2. Sydney Opera House– Sydney
4. Sydney Harbour Bridge– Sydney
3. Shrine of Remembrance– Melbourne
5. Block Arcade– Melbourne
For the complete list of winners from the 2016 Travellers’ Choice Landmarks, as well as reviews and candid traveller photos, go to: www.tripadvisor.com.au/TravelersChoice-Landmarks.