Must-See Underrated Ruins Around the World

Have you been taking family vacations for years? Have you seen many of the must-see family destinations? If you have, it may be time to go off the beaten path! During your next family vacation, consider checking out one of the underrated ruins around the world. There are so many ruins to see. Machu Picchu and Petra are normally at the top of many travelers’ lists. But they come with massive crowds. So, if you really want to WOW your family this year, and stay away from thousands of people, I recommend visiting one of my favorite underrated ruins.

Must-See Underrated Ruins Around the World

Chan Chan in Peru

Up in Northern Peru, you will find a hidden gem at Chan Chan. This used to be one of the largest cities in the Americas. It was also the capital of the Chimu civilization. This was way back from 850 to 1470 AD. More than 60,000 people lived within 10,000 structures in the capital city.

You can still see some of the ornate palaces and temples today. Although, the intense rains in recent years have threatened to erase these underrated ruins. You don’t want to postpone a visit to Chan Chan. Doing so may have them deteriorated even further by the time you do plan a family vacation there.

Copan in Honduras

Copan is an ancient Mayan site. The ball court there is similar to Mexico’s Chichen Itza. However, hardly anyone on vacation in Honduras takes the time to appreciate these beautiful ruins. Instead, travelers spend their time at the ports after arriving on different cruise ships.

This is excellent news for you, because that means you get to see the columns of stone and staircases without the crowds. Imagine what attending a game would have felt like during your visit. Well, if you can draw yourself away from the hieroglyphs that line the stairs!

Great Zimbabwe in Zimbabwe

Great Zimbabwe was once an ancient capital. This area was abandoned during the 15th century. It is currently on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Yet less than 80,000 people travel there each year to see these underrated ruins.

Historians are uncertain, but they believe these ruins were once a royal palace. Stone walls surround the once upon a time palace. If your family is interested in history and ruins around the world, this is one destination that should be at the top of your list.

Meroe Pyramids in Sudan

You may have never heard of the Meroe Pyramids. Most people haven’t, despite the fact they are just as fascinating as the Pyramids of Giza. Although, these pyramids are a little smaller. They are also more narrow and quite steep.

When you arrive in this old capital of what was once the Kingdom of Kush, you will find almost 200 pyramids. That’s a lot of pyramids to check out with your family!

Ancient City of Vijayanagara in Hampi, India

The underrated ruins of the ancient city of Vijayanagara are amazing! This was once one of the richest cities in all of India. Of course, this was back in the early 16th century.

When the Vijayanagara Empire fell, the city was destroyed. What remains is still there though. And it all looks beautiful surrounded by palm trees, paddy fields, and plantations.

The Ggantija Temple in Gozo, Malta

The temples in Malta attract travelers from all around the world. However, the two Ggantija temples do not get as many visitors as all the other ruins around the world. In fact, these two temples were all but forgotten until the 19th century.

The local story states these temples were constructed by giants. You may not believe it. However, once you see the limestone blocks up close, you may begin to. Some of those blocks weigh more than 50 tons.

Koh Ker in Cambodia

Koh Ker is one of the most underrated ruins in Cambodia. This is surprising since more than 6 million travelers arrive in Cambodia to see the different temples. Those travelers stick to the more popular temples that include Angkor Wat, the Bayon, and Ta Prohm.

If you are ready to get off the beaten path with your family, you must venture over to Koh Ker. It is a seven-tiered pyramid from the 10th century. It was constructed to be used as the state temple for Jayavarman IV. During your visit, your family will want to embrace the tranquility that surrounds these ancient ruins.

These are the must-see underrated ruins around the world that your family should visit during your next vacation. I know it can be difficult to choose just one. As a travel advisor, I can help you choose, while ensuring your family gets everything they want during this time away from home.

So, are you ready to book a family vacation to see one of these underrated ruins around the world?

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