This is a collaborative post.
Dreaming of a travel getaway that’ll allow you to embark on a journey of self-discovery? Here are six of the world’s most spiritual places to visit, from the Vatican City to Varanasi.
Looking for inspiration on the best spiritual places to visit? Read on to discover some of the most awe-inspiring spiritual destinations I’ve been to, alongside a few places I’m considering visiting for the first time once we can travel safely again.
Where do I go for spiritual enlightenment?
Varanasi – Utter Pradesh, India
Spending a day in Varanasi (or ‘Banarasi’, as it’s known by locals) makes for one of the most spiritually moving experiences you could ever hope to have. Crouched on the banks of the River Ganges in Utter Pradesh, north India, Varanasi is the spiritual capital of India. This bustling city is one of the seven holiest destinations in Hinduism and Jainism, commonly regarded as the birthplace of Buddhism.
Visiting Varanasi for the day, take a sunrise cruise along the River Ganges and enjoy a walking tour of the temples, mosques and ruins of North Varanasi (the ‘Old City’), stopping off at the Chowk (street market) to buy a silk saree. If you’ve got time, squeeze in a trip to South Varanasi to see see handlooms and weaving, Tulsi Ghat, Sankat Mochan temple and more. Before sunset (at around 6.45pm), head to the Dashashwamendh Ghat for the iconic Ganga Aarti ceremony.
Don’t be alarmed by the live cremations taking place on the ghats; while some find this unsettling, this is a very normal part of life in Varanasi. Hindus believe that if their body is cremated here and scattered in the River Ganges, they’ll achieve instant moksh (‘reincarnation’). Well, it certainly sounds more uplifting than sourcing headstone prices for your loved ones when they pass away…
Santiago de Compostela, Spain
One of the most significant Christian pilgrimage routes is the Camino de Santiago, leading to the shrine of Saint James in Santiago de Compostela, north-west Spain. Each year, thousands of pilgrims walk the “Way of St. James” not only for religious reasons, but also to reflect, reconnect with nature, and meet like-minded travellers. For Christians, it can also be a meaningful shared experience with a partner or someone new. You may even meet a fellow pilgrim through a dating app and decide to embark on the journey together – deepening your connection through a shared sense of purpose and faith.
Stonehenge – Wiltshire, England
Standing on the Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, England, the 5000-year-old Stonehenge became a World Heritage Site in 1986. It’s still regarded as one of the most ancient wonders of the world to this day, with scientists puzzled by exactly how and why this ring of 25 to 30-stone sarsen stones came to exist. If you’re not feeling up to travelling abroad this year, visiting the Stonehenge could make for a truly spiritual UK staycation.
A great time to visit the Stonehenge is on the summer or winter solstices (June 21st and December 21st) when wiccans, pagans and druids gather at these sacred stones to carry out spiritual rituals. While this may not go ahead this year for safety reasons, it could well be an option for 2022. In fact, I’ve always longed to spend my birthday at the Stonehenge on June 21st and as I’m hoping to pass my driving test this year, 2022 could be the year I finally do it!
Saint Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City
The largest church in the world, Saint Peter’s Basilica is located in the Vatican, an autonomous state and absolute monarchy at the heart of Rome, headed up by the Pope.
Designed by the world-famous artist, Michelangelo, it’s highly regarded as the finest example of Renaissance architecture in existence.
A popular pilgrimage destination for Catholics and Christians alike, the Vatican City is one of the best spiritual places to consider visiting if you’d like to feel closer to God.
That said, as this is such a well-known destination, it may be wise to postpone your visit until at least 2022, if not 2023. That said, last year saw the Pope deliver his first ever virtual service and live streamings can now be accessed online on a daily basis via the Vatican News Youtube channel and website.
Mount Kailash – Tibet, China
One of the tallest and most rugged regions of the Himalayas, the Kailash Range can be found in the autonomous region of Tibet, in south-west China.
These mountains are home to the highest-standing freshwater lake in the world, Lake Mapam, towering at almost 5,000 metres above sea level. Lying just to the north of this lake, Mount Kailash (known to Tibetans as Gang Tise) is the highest mountain in the region, neck-and-neck with the clouds at over 6,700 metres tall.
So, what makes Mount Kailash one of the most spiritual places in the world? Well, aside from its inspiring views, the mountain is seen as the paradise of Shiva for Hindus and the cosmic centre of the universe for Tibetan Buddhists, who call it Mount Sumeru. While access to Mount Kailash and Lake Mapam were restricted for pilgrims following the Tibetan Rising, today, it can be reached via the south from the high Lipulieke (Lipu Lekh) Pass on a Mount Kailash Tour.
Great Mosque of Mecca, Saudi Arabia
One of the most sacred sites within the Islamic faith, the cubic Kaaba and surrounding Masjid al-Haram (Great Mosque of Mecca) in Saudia Arabia are the most popular pilgrimage destinations in the world for Muslims.
According to Islam, Muslims should face the Kaaba (the holiest shrine) when they carry out their prayers five times per day. Every Muslim who is fit to do so is also expected to make the annual ‘Haji’ pilgrimage to Mecca to visit the Kaaba and Great Mosque at least once during their lifetime. In addition, many Muslims make the journey to Mecca for the Umrah pilgrimage, which can be undertaken at any time during the year.
In 2020, for the first time ever, Muslims residing outside Mecca were prevented from making the annual Haji pilgrimage in July due to the worldwide pandemic. Similarly, the Umrah pilgrimage was suspended until September 2020, when Mecca gradually began welcoming limited number of visitors to Saudi Arabia to make their pilgrimages.Now that travel restrictions have been lifted, Mecca is welcome pilgrims once again.
Do you have any spiritual places in mind to visit? Share your thoughts by jotting them down in the comment box below.
This is a collaborative post.
Wow some great places here, I have visited Stonehendge many times, there are even photos of me somewhere sitting on the stones when I was little and before it was roped off
Oh wow! That’s really cool. I’ve never been but I’d love to go for my birthday on summer solstice (probably won’t be possible this year though!)
A nice mixture of places here. I’ve been to the two closest ones Vatican City and Stonehenge, but when I took my fiance to Rome we didn’t make it into Vatican City so I’d love to go back again x
I’d love to visit the Vatican City too. I’m not religious but I’d love to see inside Saint Peter’s Basilica – it looks beautiful!
I have been to two of the 5 spiritual places you have included in your post, I hope to make it to Tibet, it is high on my list.
I’d love to go there too. The landscape looks spectacular, but it’s the food that really appeals to me.
Oh what brilliant places! We’ve been to Stonehenge so many times, it’s not too far from us.
Ooh, lucky you! I am really itching to get there 🙂
Haven’t been to any of these but Stonehenge is definitely on my list!
Same here – I need to do that at some point for sure!
Amazing guide and well explained
Thanks Peter, I’m glad you enjoyed the post 😀
I really like the Mt. Kailash part; it feels so mysterious and sacred to me. 2026, the Year of Horse would be a special year for the Kailash Parikrama. I hope to see more posts introducing it.
Thanks for your comment Amy – glad you enjoyed reading this post.