The Ultimate Travel Bucket List: 100 Magical Experiences Around The World

I’ve loved the idea of making travel bucket lists ever since I was a teenager. I remember posting my very first one on Tumblr. Back then, my bucket list was grandiose and wildly unrealistic, filled with dreams like “publish a novel,” “buy an old-timer car,” or vague, notebook-inspired romantic quests like “kiss in the rain.” I know, it’s all a bit cringey, but I was 18 years old and fully immersed in the art of romanticizing life.

I’d love to tell you that I’ve since become a completely level-headed, practical adult. And while that’s partly true, my bucket lists still tend to reach for the stars. However, this list isn’t about ticking off every single item. It’s about having fun, dreaming big, and letting your imagination run wild. Here are 100 incredible travel bucket list experiences from around the world!

FYI, this isn’t a static travel bucket list, I’ll be updating it as I cross off adventures or as my interests evolve.

~ The Ultimate Travel Bucket List ~

1. Drive along the Pacific Coast Highway in California

2. See the Grand Canyon

3. Ride a gondola in Venice, Italy ✓

4. Stroll the streets of Paris & see the Eiffel Tower ✓

5. Hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in Peru

Ages ago, I read a book about Peru and the climb to Machu Picchu, and for some reason, it ingited something in me. Ever since, hiking the Inca Trail and witnessing Machu Picchu has been on every bucket list I’ve ever crafted. I’ve always been fascinated by indigenous cultures like the Incas, and it would be insane to marvel at some of its remains in person.

6. Stargaze in Chili

7. Walk on a salt flat in Bolivia or Argentina

8. Dance salsa in Cuba

9. Climb a mountain ✓

Not the highest of peaks, but a mountain nonetheless, and a pretty steep one at that. I pretty much winged it, with no prior training or experience, and although it was exhausting at times, I was rewarded with a breathtaking golden hour view. It was so peaceful and quiet up there.

10. Gasp at the views in Santorini ✓

11. See the Northern lights

12. Spend autumn in New York

13. Visit the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona ✓

While I’d passed by the Sagrada Familia countless times during my time living in Barcelona, I never really considered buying tickets to see all of it, mostly because the queues were always ridiculously long. It wasn’t until five years later that I thought, ‘fxck it, let’s see what the fuss is all about’. Aaand, I was completely blown away. The kaleidoscope of colored light streaming through the stained glass, the surreal shapes, the sheer scale of it all. A true architectural marvel.

14. Go on safari in Africa

15. Soak in a hot spring in Costa Rica ✓

Floating in a wild jungle river as warm as bathwater, on a rainy humid day with tropical birds all around, was one of the most magical experiences of my life.

16. Swim with dolphins

17. Explore Hawaii

18. Set foot on a deserted island ✓

19. See the pyramids in Egypt

20. Island hop in Greece ✓

21. Sleep in an overwater bungalow

22. Ride a camel in the desert

23. Take a spin on the London Eye ✓

24. Admire Moscow’s Saint Basil’s Cathedral

25. Swim in the Caribbean Sea ✓

26. Witness the release of baby turtles into the ocean ✓

27. See the Angel Falls in Venezuela, the world’s highest waterfalls

28. Ride a hot air balloon in Cappadocia, Turkey

29. Eat ramen in Japan

30. Live abroad ✓

After high school, I spent some time living in London and Barcelona, which is still one of the most awesome, crazy, and enriching experiences of my life. At that age, life can feel small and contained, and there’s nothing more freeing than breaking out of that bubble and discovering new places and cultures.

31. Walk on the Great Wall of China

32. Visit Tibet

33. Go on a train ride through Switzerland

34. Explore Cinque Terre, Italy

Like many people, I was instantly charmed by the picturesque setting of Cinque Terre the minute I saw it, probably while scrolling on Pinterest.

35. Volunteer ✓

36. Camp in the wild

37. Witness Australia’s pink lake

38. Drink Guinness in Dublin ✓

39. Relax in the infinity pool of Singapore’s most iconic hotel

40. Float in the Dead Sea

41. Visit the Taj Mahal in India

42. Learn a new language ✓

43. Wander around in Chefchaouen, Morocco’s Blue City

44. Photograph the colourful houses at Nyhavn harbour, Copenhagen ✓

45. Cross Russia with the Trans Siberian Train

46. Eat street food in Hong Kong

47. Go scuba diving

48. Take silly pictures at the Tower of Pisa in Italy

49. Try dog sledding in Finland

50. Backpack through Southeast Asia

51. Behold an active volcano ✓

52. Stroll through the picturesque town of Bruges in Belgium ✓

Having grown up in Belgium, I’ve been to Bruges many times. To me, it’s less of a world-famous tourist destination and more of a charming little town close to home. That said, I totally get the appeal, it’s very romantic and picturesque.

53. Run through lavender fields in the Provence, France ✓

54. Unwind in the Blue Lagoon in Iceland

55. Kayak on bioluminiscent waters

56. Visit Nueschwanstein castle in Germany

Ever since my parents moved to Germany — not too far from Neuschwanstein — visiting this fairytale castle has become quite an obtainable goal. Hopefully I’ll get to cross it off my list in the next few years!

57. Listen to jazz in New Orleans

58. Drive down Route 66

59. Celebrate carnaval in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

60. Witness penguins chilling on a South African beach

61. Discover the fjords of Norway

62. Visit a famous filming location ✓

63. See the Plitvice lakes in Croatia

64. Go clubbing in Ibiza

65. Go on a yoga retreat

66. Stand on the top of the Table Mountain in South-Africa

67. Search for the Loch Ness monster in Scotland

68. Attend the Lantern Festival in Thailand

69. Hike in Tasmania

70. Gamble in Las Vegas

71. Iceskate on the Weissensee in Austria

72. Get close to the Hollywood sign

73. Explore the fascinating glow worm caves in New Zealand

74. Attend a Christmas market in Europe ✓

75. Explore the Italian Dolomites

76. Shop at the souks in Marrakesh

77. Walk along the canals of Amsterdam ✓

78. Stay in a tree house ✓

79. Chill in a thermal bath in Budapest

80. Visit the Lost City of Petra, Jordan

81. Travel through Bali & Nusa Penida

82. Explore the Phi Phi Islands

83. See the cherry trees & Mount Fuji in Japan

84. Admire Stonehenge

85. Visit Chichen Itza & one of the gorgeous cenotes in Mexico

86. Take a boat tour around Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

87. Go paragliding

88. Visit the Colloseum in Rome ✓

89. Cruise through rice terraces in the Philippines

90. Explore Banff National Park in Canada

91. Watch the sunset in Bagan, Myanmar

92. Discover the ancient Roman city of Pompeii or “City of Ashes” ✓

93. Spend the day near Lake Bled in Slovenia

94. Go to Disneyland

95. Road trip through Ireland & see the Cliffs of Moher

96. Visit Prague during winter ✓

97. Get a view of Mount Everest

98. Eat italian food & go on a wine tasting in Sicily ✓

99. Visit the Isle of Skye

I never really thought much about the Isle of Skye, until I discovered one of my favourite YouTubers, Niahm Mackinnon. She’s a local, and through her videos, I’ve sort of fallen in love with the island and their way of life. I can’t wait to explore the island’s otherworldly landscapes one day.

100. Relax at a luxury spa ✓

I hope this inspires you to create your own travel bucket list, because sometimes all it takes is a little nudge to embark on your next epic adventure. Let me know in the comments what your top 3 bucket list items are, I’d love to know! 🙂