A Strangely Beautiful Trip Awaits
When we think of peaceful vacations, we don’t usually think of cemeteries and mausoleums—but don’t ignore them so easily. Though most consider them far too morbid to warrant a trip, other tourists can’t wait to respectfully pay a visit, and after reading this list, it’s easy to see why.
1. Waverley Cemetery (Australia)
It’s odd to say that a resting place boasts oceanside views, but Waverley Cemetery in Australia does. That stunning blue provides an idyllic backdrop for the ground’s lily-white statues and monuments, making it a phenomenal sight for any tourist.
2. Okunoin Cemetery (Japan)
Historic mausoleums and cobblestone streets make this a perfect spot for any tourist. Stunning trees surround the cemetery itself, but its interior is truly special—cultural monuments like Jizō statues and ten thousand lanterns in Tōrō-dō draw crowds every year. It’s also the oldest known cemetery in Japan.
3. Père Lachaise Cemetery (France)
Established in the 1800s, this cemetery is the most-visited one in the world. Outside of its gorgeous greenery, millions flock each year to set foot in the final resting place of many famous names. Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, Marcel Proust, and Frédéric Chopin are all buried here, just to name a few.
4. Arlington National Cemetery (USA)
Nestled in Virginia, the Arlington National Cemetery is one of the largest in America. Among the 400,000 laid to rest there, it’s a well-known spot for several significant figures including John F. Kennedy, William Howard Taft, and Joe Louis Barrow. It's also famously known for holding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Arlington National Cemetery on Wikimedia
5. La Recoleta Cemetery (Argentina)
This Argentinian cemetery is no stranger to recognition—both CNN and the BBC once hailed it as an impressive site and tourists continue to visit each year. It’s easy to see why; La Recoleta Cemetery is the final resting place of Eva Perón, José Hernández, and several presidents of Argentina. To top it off, tourists can witness thousands of additional statues and catacombs.
6. Greyfriars Kirkyard (Scotland)
Greyfriars Kirkyard is one of the most famous cemeteries in the world. With names dating back to the late 16th century, tourists are treated to gothic architecture and historic churches on all sides. They can also listen to the story of Sir George MacKenzie’s gravesite desecration and the supposed hauntings currently occurring there.
7. Protestant Cemetery (Italy)
As the final resting place of Percy Shelley, Karl Briullov, and John Keats, it’s easy to see why so many tourists visit each year. Along with such prominent figures, its hauntingly beautiful statues also captivate people, with dozens of incredible carvings and massive stone angels guarding the site.
Giovanni Dall'Orto on Wikimedia
8. Merry Cemetery (Romania)
Romania’s Merry Cemetery earned its name for a reason! Filled with color, funny epitaphs, and wonderful naïve paintings, tourists often get a kick out of everything there is to see. With over 600 graves, people can witness the end’s brighter side.
9. St. Louis Cemetery (USA)
This cemetery actually isn’t one place but three—built in the 1700s, most graves remain above ground and house several impressive names like Ernest N. Morial and renowned Voodoo priestess Marie Laveau. Nicolas Cage also purchased a plot, stating he wanted to be buried there when he passed.
10. Xoxocotlán Pantheon (Mexico)
We’ve all seen magnificent Day of the Dead celebrations, but nothing captures its essence like first-hand experience. It’s the ultimate celebration of loved ones, and tourists can admire the flower garlands, altars, and candles left for the departed.
11. Hill of Crosses (Lithuania)
It’s not the kind of cemetery you’re thinking of, but Lithuania’s Hill of Crosses remains a popular site for Catholics. It’s estimated that nearly 100,000 crosses, crucifixes, and statutes sit atop the hill in Šiauliai, with the first ones traced back to the 1800s.
12. Catacombs of Paris (France)
You’ve seen it in horror movies, you’ve undoubtedly heard about it in passing—the Catacombs of Paris remain a popular ossuary for tourists. Built in the 1800s, the catacombs are a confusing tangle of pathways and six million Parisians laid to rest. The only way to safely navigate it is on a guided tour.
13. Neptune Memorial Reef (USA)
Florida’s Neptune Memorial Reef holds two impressive titles: home of the largest manmade reef and the world’s only underwater cemetery. Loved ones’ ashes are made into statues and placed underwater, and tourists can visit the site for free.
Todd Murray from Bloomington, MN, USA on Wikimedia
14. Cemetery of Punta Arenas (Chile)
CNN once labeled it one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the world and tourists likely agree with the sentiment. This resting place in Chile contains dozens of statues and marble mausoleums, all tucked away among beautiful cypress trees. Historic Chilean figures are also buried here.
15. Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery (USA)
This Californian cemetery doesn’t boast the same foliage or number of statues as other resting grounds, but that doesn’t make it any less incredible. As a military cemetery, tourists can walk among a seemingly endless line of headstones on a well-kept property overlooking the water. It’s a peaceful place to reflect.
16. Valley of the Kings (Egypt)
Tourists might not see an everyday headstone, but the Valley of the Kings still has plenty to take in. Most of the tombs aren’t open to the general public, however, you can still get lost in the breathtaking artwork and hieroglyphics that adorn the walls.
17. Calvary Cemetery (USA)
On grounds that big in a city that spectacular, it’s no surprise so many notable figures remain at Calvary Cemetery. Tourists can peruse the site to try and spot Tony Bennett, Willie Keeler, or Claude McKay among the three million burials there. Dozens of renowned politicians and criminals rest there too.
Original photo taken by Plowboylifestyle at en.wikipedia on Wikimedia
18. Old Jewish Cemetery (Czech Republic)
Established in the 15th century, the Old Jewish Cemetery in Prague has a lot of historic and cultural significance. As a predominantly Jewish cemetery, it’s one of the largest of its kind in the city and has many rabbis and notable figures there.
19. Highgate Cemetery (England)
Highgate Cemetery’s not only a resting place but also a nature reserve, making the grounds truly unique for tourists. Authors, historians, artists, and actors all lay peacefully among trees and wildflowers, though several woodland creatures also roam around.
20. Forest Lawn Memorial Park (USA)
Of course, England isn’t the only country with pristine grounds and idyllic statues. Forest Lawn Memorial Park sits in Glendale, California and houses nearly 250,000 souls—including famous names like Walt Disney, Michael Jackson, Sammy Davis Jr., Nat King Cole, and Sam Cooke.
