Don’t Travel To These Forbidden Places – You Might As Well Leave These Off Your Bucket List

With the world becoming smaller and more intertwined, traveling has never been simpler! It’s so easy to want to see as much of the world as possible and do as much as you can while doing it from strolling across the Great Wall of China to holding hands with kangaroos in Australia and all things in between.

There are still some locations in the world that you cannot go to, and whilst they may be stunning there is no point in even attempting!

So here are some off-limits places in the world to remove from your bucket list!

1. North Sentinel Island – India

This is one that’s come out in the headlines recently, since an American missionary by the name of John Allen Chau was murdered there at the end of last year.

It’s against the law to visit the island so the isolated tribe living on the island are not exposed to foreign diseases their immune systems cannot resist.

They are an uncontacted, non-civilized tribe that attack invaders with axes and arrows so do your best to avoid the island!

2. Lascaux Caves – France

You were once able to enter the Lascaux Caves until 1963 when they were brought near to the public after a fungus was infecting them.

So why are these caves so remarkable you ask? Well, they contain the oldest and biggest cave paintings in the world, dating from about 20,000 years ago and featuring a 5.2m bull.

If you’d like to view the drawings though don’t worry! You can go to a replica cave built specifically close by the real cave that was designed to assist in preserving the wonderful history that is found in the original.

3. Surtsey – Iceland

An island near the coast of Iceland, Surtsey formed following a sub-sea volcanic eruption that continued for 3.5 years.

Scientists can travel to the island to observe its ecology, but the public have never been permitted to step onto this geographic wonder.

4. Svalbard Global Seed Vault – Norway

Typically referred to as “the Island of Snakes”, it’s estimated that one snake exists per square meter of ground on the island.

Only inhabiting the Island of Snake, these snakes are venomous enough to consume human flesh and lead to death within an hour.

There are tales of the destiny of those on or near the island, like a fisherman who was discovered in a puddle of his own blood littered with snake bites, or of a lighthouse keeper and his family who were murdered by snakes that had slithered in through the windows. Avoid it!

5. Queiamda Granda – Brazil

Usually known by the name “the Island of Snakes”, it’s estimated that there is one snake per square meter of land on the island.

The only place where the Golden Lancehead Viper is found, these snakes are so venomous that they can eat human flesh and cause death within an hour.

There are stories of the fate of people around the island, such as a fisherman who was found in a pool of his own blood covered in snake bites, or of a lighthouse keeper and his family who were killed by snakes that came in through the windows. Stay away!

6. Mezhgorye – Russia

With a population of more than 17,000, Mezhgorye isn’t closed to all, but only to outsiders.

It is common knowledge that there is a secret military base and/or nuclear facility at Mezhgorye and Mount Yamantu nearby, but little else is known except that you cannot visit!

7. Heard Island – Australia

Technically under the Australian umbrella, Heard Island is closer to Madagascar and Australia.

The home of Australia’s sole active volcanoes, if you wish to gain access to this island you must be a part of an expedition that has a good scientific reason, something most of us are unable to do!

8. Pravcicka Brana – Czech Republic

The largest natural sandstone arch in the world, tourists used to be allowed on the arch but have since been banned in an effort to reduce erosion.

The arch will eventually collapse, but the Czech government are doing their best to preserve it for as long as possible.

Measuring over 26m wide and 16m high, the arch looks bigger than expected, especially when you’re close to it.

You can still visit the area surrounding the arch, so you can still marvel at this stunning work of nature.

9. Poveglia Island – Italy

Easily referred to as the world’s most haunted island, it’s little wonder that the Italian government don’t wish for anyone to visit the island.

Originally an island where victims of the bubonic plague were sent to quarantine away from the rest of the population and ultimately perish, it was converted into a mental institution in the early 20th century.

There are accounts of the experimentation and torture that was carried out on the island during this period. No wonder you can’t go to a location with such an unpleasant and dark history.

10. Bhangarh Fort – India

A fascinating addition to the list, you may enter the Bhangarh Fort, but during daylight only, so strong is the legend around the purported ghosts said to inhabit it.

That’s not advice, though – after dark, it is illegal to enter. There is a supposed curse on the fort going back centuries, and locals claim that anyone who has disobeyed this law has never been seen again. Spooky.

11. Diego Garcia – British Overseas Territory

From far away, looking at this lovely island you would have no idea that it’s a military base, but exactly because of that, you are prohibited from visiting.
The original natives of the island were removed in the early 1970’s and since then, the island is inhabited solely by some 4000 British and American soldiers.

12. Vatican Secret Archives – Italy

With more than 12 centuries of documents, some of the holdings in the Vatican Archives are the stuff of legend.

The archives are not so much a secret as a private repository, and while it has become somewhat easier to gain access to the archives in recent years, there remains a rigorous vetting process that will more likely result in disappointment for the common person!

13. Ise Grand Shrine – Japan

Dating back to the third century, this is Japan’s most venerated place. The Grand Shrine itself is in fact a complex of more than 120 smaller shrines.

You are permitted into the smaller, outer shrines, but the principal shrines are reserved for the Japanese imperial family only, with no exception.

14. Spy Museum – China

Off-limits to foreign visitors, the Chinese government would like to keep secrets of their communist regime just that. Secret.

Anyone with a Western appearance is sent away at the entrance immediately, not permitted to view exhibits that allegedly contain items such as guns made to look like fountain pens and maps concealed as a pack of cards.

15. Bohemian Grove – USA

A conspiracy theorist’s paradise, the only way to gain entry to Bohemian Grove is by being a member, or by invitation from a member.

Both avenues of entry have a rigorous screening procedure, and it’s said that all Republican presidents since the inception of the camp have been a member, and the Manhattan Project plans were even conceived there!

Sources:

List25 – 25 Forbidden Places You Are Not Allowed To Visit
Express – Forbidden Places You Can\’t Visit
Living It – Euronews – 11 Famous Places You Are Not Allowed To Visit
Far and Wide – Forbidden Destinations
The Culture Trip  – Its Illegal To Visit These 11 Places In The World And Heres Why