Ilha da Queimada Grande, otherwise known as “Snake Island,” would be Indiana Jones’ worst nightmare. The island, which is located off the coast of Brazil, is positively crawling (or should we say, slithering) with endangered snakes. It’s closed to the public to protect both people and the snakes that inhabit it.
Situated in the Bay of Bengal is North Sentinel Island, home to the Sentinelese indigenous people. They are one of the last populations on earth who have yet to come into contact with the modern world and have been known to meet outsiders with violence. For this reason, it is strongly suggested that no one visits there.
Lascaux Caves in Montignac, France contain a stunning collection of cave paintings that were created over generations of early humans. Unfortunately everyone but researchers are forbidden from entering the cave, but you can visit Lascaux II, which is an exact replica located about 600 feet away from the original. Surely not quite as exhilarating as visiting the real thing, but it’s a very close second!
Svalbard Global Seed (or “Doomsday”) Vault is scientists’ answer to a potential future apocalypse. The purpose of the vault, which is located in Norway, is to store millions of seeds in case the human race ever needs to restore any vegetation. The vault is ready for practically any kind of apocalypse: it’s tucked away in the mountains above sea level, can withstand earthquakes and explosions, and is built to last about 200 years. It’s pretty clear why no one beside authorized people are allowed in the vault.
Iceland’s Surtsey Island formed during a volcanic eruption that lasted from 1963 to 1967, making it one of the youngest islands in the world. It is currently used for scientific research only with the goal of observing how ecosystems develop without human interference.
Italy’s Poveglia Island is the perfect place for those who love creepy stories – only, you can’t actually go there, so you’ll just have to settle for hearing about it. The island has been home to tens of thousands of quarantined plague victims throughout history, and was later converted to a mental hospital. It has since been closed off to the public, clearly for good reason.
This peculiar-looking sandstone monolith was once available for climbing on, but since October 2019, the people of the Anangu tribe have asked tourists not to do so anymore due to the erosion it was causing. And while you can’t climb on Uluru any longer, you can certainly still go see it!
Tomb of Qin Shi Huang, China
The tomb of Qin Shi Huang is inarguably one of the greatest historical finds to date. It was discovered during the unearthing of the Terracotta Army (which you can visit) in 1974 and has yet to be excavated out of respect for Chinese history and culture. Qin Shi Huang was the first emperor of imperial China and the founder of the Qin Dynasty in 221 BC.
Big Diomede Island, Russia
Along the Bering Strait are two islands that separate the US from Russia: Big Diomede and Little Diomede. Little Diomede on the American side is home to just over 100 people, while Big Diomede is not suitable for habitation and is used as a Russian weather station.
North Brother Island, New York City
North Brother Island is located in The Bronx in New York City and was once refuge to a thousand people after a passenger ship sank nearby. Later it became a hospital for people with infectious diseases, but nowadays it’s abandoned and functions as a bird sanctuary.
While Bhangarh Fort is open during the day, the general public is forbidden from entering from sunset to sunrise. No one knows what happens if you do try to visit after dark, because according to the locals, anyone who’s ever attempted has mysteriously disappeared.
Pravcicka Brana, Czech Republic
Pravcicka Brana is Europe’s largest natural sandstone arch, and the Czech Republic’s biggest attraction. But unfortunately no one has been allowed to visit since 1982 due to the constant foot traffic causing too much erosion, so we’ll all just have to settle for ogling at this beautiful landmark from afar.
This Hawaiian island, aptly nicknamed “Forbidden Island,” was purchased by Elizabeth Sinclair in 1864 and has been privately owned by her descendants ever since. Only 170 people inhabit the island presently.
Chapel of the Ark of the Covenant, Ethiopia
Legend has it that the Ark of the Covenant – which supposedly holds the written Ten Commandments – lies inside of an Ethiopian church called The Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion. Unfortunately none of us laypeople are allowed into the chapel – not even historians or researchers – so no one knows whether this is true or not. That privilege is reserved for the “guardian” of the ark.
Robins Island in Long Island, New York, was originally purchased by Louis Moore Bacon with the intent of becoming a private escape of vacation homes for his family. While it does operate as that, it also turned into a nature preserve to protect the endangered species of the region.
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