When it comes to learning about the history of a new destination, travelers should look no further than its iconic buildings. Of course, there are other ways to discover the local culture, which can be reflected in the food , the textiles , and the dialects, but it’s the buildings that can reveal the most about a place. Local landmarks are—in essence— silent witnesses to past eras, kingdoms, and tastes, but they can also offer us clues to what the future holds (not to mention make for a great travel gram , too).

Consider this lineup to be a travel bucket list of sorts. These buildings are renowned for various reasons—some for their architectural charm, others for their historical significance, and some for a healthy mix of both. A fair amount of them are well-known, of course: Think Europe’s museums , churches, and other landmarks whose replicas live on in souvenir shops and countless photos. There are also, of course, a decent number on this list designed by famous architects like Frank Lloyd Wright, Le Corbusier, and Oscar Niemeyer too. And while some of these edifices exist off the beaten path, they’re just as important in their own right. Here, AD rounds up iconic buildings from around the world that you’ll be glad you’ve seen when you look back on your travels. It’s been said that travel is the only thing you can buy that makes you richer, and we couldn’t agree more.

1. Hagia Sophia — Istanbul, Turkey

2. The Guggenheim — New York City, USA

3. Taj Mahal — Agra, India

4. Dancing House — Prague, Czech Republic

5. Château de Chenonceau — Chenonceaux, France

6. Niterói Contemporary Art Museum — Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

7. The Pyramids of Giza — Giza, Egypt

8. Acropolis of Athens — Athens, Greece

9. Le Centre Pompidou — Paris, France

10. The Gateway Arch — St. Louis, Missouri, USA

11. Musée d’Orsay — Paris, France

12. The Gherkin — London, U.K.

13. Metropolitan Cathedral of Brasília — Brasília, Brazil

14. Mosque of Córdoba — Córdoba, Spain

15. Westminster Abbey — London, U.K.

16. Dresden Frauenkirche — Dresden, Germany

17. Château Frontenac — Québec, Canada

18. The Colosseum — Rome, Italy

19. One World Trade Center — New York City, USA

20. The Lotus Temple — New Delhi, India

21. St. Basil’s Cathedral — Moscow, Russia

22. Dome of the Rock — Jerusalem, Israel

23. Casa Milà — Barcelona, Spain

24. The White House — Washington, D.C., USA

25. Forbidden City — Beijing, China

26. Sagrada Família — Barcelona, Spain

27. Lincoln Center — New York City, USA

28. The Shard — London, UK

29. Le Mont-Saint-Michel — Normandy, France

30. Bran Castle — Bran, Romania

31. Angkor Wat — Siem Reap, Cambodia

32. Sultan Ahmed Mosque — Istanbul, Turkey

33. Konark Sun Tower — Konark, India

34. Chrysler Building — New York City, USA

35. Sacré-Coeur — Paris, France

36. Potala Palace — Lhasa, Tibet, China

37. Musée du Louvre — Paris, France

38. Sydney Opera House — Sydney, Australia

39. Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao — Bilbao, Spain

40. Fallingwater — Mill Run, Pennsylvania, USA

41. The Pantheon — Rome, Italy

42. Space Needle — Seattle, Washington, USA

43. Villa Savoye — Poissy, France

44. House of Parliament and Elizabeth Tower — London, U.K.

45. Burj Khalifa — Dubai, UAE

46. Leaning Tower of Pisa — Pisa, Italy

47. São Paulo Museum of Art — São Paulo, Brazil

48. The Flatiron Building — New York City, USA

49. The Sistine Chapel — Vatican City

50. Eiffel Tower — Paris, France