places you not allowed to visit

17 Forbidden Places You Can't Visit

By michele debczak | jul 5, 2021.

From an island infested with snakes to a vault holding a very special secret recipe, check out a few of the many dangerous, mysterious, or otherwise forbidden places are off-limits to the general public, adapted from an episode of The List Show on YouTube.

1. Ilha da Queimada Grande

Ilha da Queimada Grande, or “Snake Island,” is an island off the coast of Brazil that’s home to a rare and incredibly deadly species of snake called the golden lancehead. According to some estimates, there are one to five snakes for every square meter of land on the 43-hectare island. (A population survey of the area indicated that those numbers are probably an exaggeration, but even so, there are definitely a lot of snakes on the island.)

The vipers mainly eat the migratory birds that visit the island, and they’ve evolved a venomous bite strong enough to take down their prey before they can fly away. The snakes are so dangerous that the Brazilian government has forbidden people from visiting the area. Rare exceptions are made, mostly for scientists studying the species, but they have to be accompanied by a doctor —just in case.

2. Lascaux Cave

Though not many people are eager to go to Snake Island, you may be sad to hear that you can’t visit Lascaux Cave in France. Discovered in 1940, the cavern contains some of the most iconic cave paintings ever studied. The sketches of horses, deer, and other animals date back to the Upper Paleolithic period, 15,000 to 17,000 years ago. The cave opened to the public in 1948 and closed permanently after just 15 years. The artificial lights installed there had been promoting algae growth on the cave walls and causing the painting’s colors to fade. (The microbes humans brought in with them apparently weren’t helping, either.) Lascaux Cave is now off-limits to visitors, but archaeology fans can check out a perfect replica of the site located right next door.

3. Ise Grand Shrine

The first iteration of this Shinto shrine in Japan was constructed around 2000 years ago, and since the late 7th century , it’s been torn down and rebuilt every two decades. This tradition symbolizes the Shinto concepts of death and rebirth, but it has practical purposes as well. Reconstructing the shrine about once a generation helps keep the traditional shinmei-zukuri architectural style alive. Wood also has a shorter lifespan than most building materials, so demolishing the shrine before it can rot is a way to beat nature at its own game.

When Ise Grand is rebuilt, every detail of the ornate design has to be replicated, making it one of the most expensive structures in the country. Reconstructing Ise Grand and its hundreds of secondary shrines costs the Japanese government $500 million each time, and most of that cost and effort ends up going unseen: While tourists can view it from the outside, the inside of the shrine is only accessible to the highest priestesses or priests.

4. The Svalbard Global Seed Vault

The Svalbard Global Seed Vault is located on the remote Arctic island of Spitsbergen in Norway. The 11,000-square-foot space houses more than 1 million seed samples native to places around the world. The vault acts as a sort of back-up drive of the world’s crops, preserving specimens in a safe place in case a disaster ever wipes them out in their natural environment. The facility is built to protect its contents from unwanted visitors along with everything else. It’s deep enough underground and high enough above sea level to withstand earthquakes, ocean rise, and nuclear attacks.

5. The Vatican's Secret Archives

Millions of people visit the Vatican in Rome each year, but there's at least one area in the tiny sovereign state that's strictly off-limits. Established in 1612 , the Vatican Apostolic Archive (formerly the Vatican’s Secret Archives) contains the personal documents of all the popes. The archives were completely classified until 1881, when Pope Leo XIII gave Catholic scholars special access to the materials. Today, the collection remains closed to everyone but certain accredited scholars. Researchers who are allowed inside can request up to five files a day, but they have to know exactly what they want because browsing is forbidden. Who knows what we’d find out if they let Tom Hanks run loose in there for a few hours.

6. Coca-Cola’s Vault

The World of Coca-Cola Museum in Atlanta, Georgia, is the site of a multi-million dollar vault that’s said to safe-guard Coke’s secret formula. Tourists can see it from the outside, but the interior is strictly limited to top executives. Though the vault itself is likely a publicity stunt, the formula is apparently a real, handwritten recipe that’s been in the company’s possession since at least the 1920s. It sat in a safe deposit box at an Atlanta bank for decades before moving to its current home at the World of Coca-Cola in 2011. Despite all that trouble, Coke’s secret formula may not be much of a secret at all. That same year, This American Life shared a recipe for Coke that had allegedly been passed down from a mysterious pharmacist. Coca-Cola, of course, denies that this formula is the same one they have locked away.

7. Uluru (Formerly Ayers Rock)

One of the world’s most famous forbidden places hasn't been forbidden for that long. In October 2019, Uluru , or the Australian landmark formerly known as Ayers Rock, closed to the public. Climbers had been trekking to the outback for decades just to scale the iconic rock formation. But long before it was a tourist attraction, Uluru was a sacred place to Indigenous groups. Following petitions from the Anangu people, the board of the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park finally announced plans in 2017 to ban hikers from the site for good. (You can still visit the area, but climbing the rock is forbidden.) In case that isn’t enough to keep people away, there are also rumors of a curse that targets disrespectful tourists. Visitors who have collected rocks from Uluru have reported streaks of bad luck, and enough of the cursed keepsakes have been mailed back to park rangers to earn them the nickname “sorry rocks.”

8. The Island of Surtsey

In the 1960s, an undersea volcanic eruption created a brand-new island off the coast of Iceland. It’s not every day that scientists get to study an island from the moment it emerges, so they decided to make the most of the opportunity. The island, named Surtsey, has become a case study for how ecosystems develop without any interference from humans. (Other than the ideally noninterventionist scientists who study the island, that is.) Some of the lifeforms that have found their way to Surtsey include molds, fungi, at least 89 bird species, and, supposedly, one plucky tomato plant.

In 1969, an Icelandic scientist named Ágúst Bjarnason was asked to make a trip to Surtsey to identify a mysterious plant, which he identified as a tomato. Bjarnason looked into the situation a bit further; as he later recalled, “Someone had done their business … and this beautiful tomato plant … had grown out of the feces.”

Fun fact: In Iceland, a euphemism for going no. 2, which Bjarnason used in relating his tale, can be roughly translated as “playing chess with the pope.”

9. Heard Island, the Home of Mawson Peak

Some islands are off-limits for the public’s own good. Heard Island in Antarctica is an Australian territory, and it’s one of the more dangerous places on Earth. A 9000-foot-tall volcano on the island named Mawson Peak has been active since at least 2000 , and wind speeds there average around 20 mph . While you could apply for a permit to visit the island, getting there wouldn’t be easy: Heard Island is at least a two-week’s journey by boat from Australia.

10. Montserrat’s Designated Exclusion Zone

Thankfully no one was around when Mawson Peak became active, but that wasn’t the case on the Caribbean island of Montserrat in the 1990s. When the Soufrière Hills volcano awoke from dormancy in 1995 , the nearby town of Plymouth was evacuated and eventually abandoned altogether as eruptions continued. Ash consumed the town, turning it in a modern-day Pompeii. While the volcano is not as destructive as it was a few decades ago, there’s a chance it could erupt again, which means more than half the island is still a designated exclusion zone .

11. Chernobyl Exclusion Zone

Following the meltdown at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine in 1986, a 18-mile radius exclusion zone was established around the site. Though it's still against the law to live there, you can take a day trip with a licensed guide. Most of the exclusion zone is now open to tourists, including the infamous Reactor 4 control room where the disaster took place. You'll need a hazmat suit to enter the control room, but you can get away with long-sleeved clothing outside the power plant.

12. Area 51

Area 51 is famously off-limits to the public. The government refused to acknowledge its existence until 2013 , when they finally admitted there was indeed a “flight testing facility” in the Nevada desert. Its restricted status didn’t stop people from planning a raid on Area 51 in September 2019. Though more than 2 million people RSVP’d to the “Storm Area 51” event on Facebook, only a few dozen showed up at the gates at the appointed time. The would-be stormers were quickly forced to leave by authorities, meaning the truth is still out there.

13. North Korea’s Room 39

North Korea's version of Area 51 is Room 39, but instead of military secrets, it's said to hide things like black market Viagra . The name refers to the secret department as a whole, but it’s also believed to be the name of a real office in the Workers Party building in the North Korean capital of Pyongyang. According to some defectors , it keeps foreign cash flowing into the pockets of elite officials. Illegal activities coming out of Room 39, such as counterfeiting, insurance scams, and drug production, along with some legal endeavors, are estimated to make the country between $500 million and $2 billion USD. Of course, the country’s notorious secrecy makes all of this hard to confirm.

14. The Island of Poveglia

Poveglia in Italy is deserted today, but it’s been said that over the years, 160,000 people have lived, and died, there. The Venetian island became a quarantine station in 1793, and for two decades it was a place for potential victims of the bubonic plague. So many people died there that up to 50 percent of the island’s soil is said to contain human remains. The quarantine station closed in 1814, but Poveglia’s dark history didn’t end there. A mental hospital opened at the site in the 1920s, and it quickly developed a reputation for its inhumane treatment of patients . The hospital closed after a few decades, and today the overgrown island is largely closed off to visitors—except for the occasional ghost hunters .

15. North Brother Island

New York City is also home to an abandoned quarantine island. In the late 19th century, North Brother Island on the East River became the site of a hospital for patients with contagious diseases. Its most famous patient was Typhoid Mary , America’s first known asymptomatic carrier of the bacterium responsible for typhoid fever. Mary Mallon unknowingly got dozens of people sick while working as a cook in the early 1900s. She spent three years quarantined on North Brother Island after the first outbreak she caused, and when she was eventually released, she went back to cooking and infected even more people. Mary was sent back to the hospital against her will in 1915 and lived there until her death in 1938. The deserted island now serves a much happier purpose as a bird sanctuary . It’s inaccessible to the general public, but the city does make some exceptions for visitors with “compelling academic and scientific” reasons to visit.

16. Heart Reef

Heart Reef, which is part of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, is a serious candidate for “world’s most photogenic location.” As the name suggests, the reef is shaped like a heart, and it’s been the subject of countless Instagram posts and tourism campaigns . It may be iconic, but you can’t actually see the landmark up close. Divers and snorkelers have been banned from the spot to protect it from damage. So if you want to snap that perfect vacation pic without hurting a delicate ecosystem, you’ll need to pay for a helicopter ride.

17. The Ethiopian Church That Claims to Hold the Ark of the Covenant

Ethiopia claims that it’s home to the Ark of the Covenant. It’s kept in a church in the city of Aksum that’s so closely guarded, even Indiana Jones would have trouble getting in. According to legend, the monks who guard the treasure have been trained to kill with their bare hands . By some accounts, only the monk who is designated as guardian is able to see the Ark, and after assuming his role he isn’t allowed to leave the church grounds for the remainder of his life. The secrecy and potential myth-making means that archaeologists haven’t been able to confirm the Ark’s legitimacy. A British historian who claimed to have seen it during World War II said that it’s actually a medieval-era replica .

BONUS: Maya Bay

Maya Bay in Thailand was also shut down to protect its environment from visitors, but the closure is only temporary. Following the release of the Leonardo DiCaprio movie The Beach in 2000, Maya Bay became a popular tourist destination. The beach was attracting millions of people a year at its peak, which wiped out a lot of the coral native to the area. Thailand made the decision to close Maya Bay in June 2018 to give the ecosystem a chance to recover. The beach officially reopened in January 2022 with new rules for visitors .

A version of this story ran in 2021; it has been updated to reflect the fact that Maya Beach has reopened.

15 Secret places you're NOT allowed to Visit in the U.S.A

Explore the top 15 secret and off-limits locations across the U.S., from Area 51 to hidden NSA spy hubs. Perfect for travelers intrigued by America's most secretive spots.

Secret Places, Restricted Areas & Closed Cities in the U.S.A

There is nothing which sparks curiosity more than secret places and restricted areas...especially in the US.

The United States of America is a hub of secret and restricted places from  Area 51, closed U.S Cities such as Mercury, Nevada   and even  NSA Spy hubs  dotted around many U.S states from  Los Angeles  and  New York City , to even  Dallas  and  Seattle !

Is there an NSA spy hub in your state?  Read on and you will find out later in this article.

• What have they got to hide?

These secret and restricted places are the talk of many conspiracy theorists, with the same questions always being asked.

• Why can't I go?
• Why is the place so secretive?

Then due to the lack of answers or contradicting answers given by the Government or officials, people start to make up there own theories, using the little evidence which can be gathered. " maybe it's Aliens" , "maybe its a UFO" , "is it a secret area for the rich & powerful?".

To help ease your curiosity here at Town and Tourist we have put a list of the 15 most secretive places and restricted areas across the U.S. As a bonus we have also included a section on the U.S.A's last "closed town" Mercury, Nevada.

1. Area 51, Nevada U.S.A

Area 51 has been the source of conspiracy theories for many decades now in the U.S.A.

It is one of the most  Secretive places on earth  and according to many conspiracy theorists the source of many cover ups! Officially ,the site is an Air Force Facility in the Nevada desert. However, it took the  CIA  till  2013  to publicly acknowledge it's existence!

Another name for Area 51 is  Groom Lake,  it was believed to have been originally setup to test & research top secret aircraft and advanced weapons technologies for the CIA back in  1955.

The official purpose or mission of the base is still covert and highly classified.

The secrecy which surrounds Area 51 has made many theorists believe a  UFO or Aliens were once captured there!

Area 51 aerial shot. [Secret places] Photo by popularmechanics.com (Restricted Areas USA)

Area 51 is officially off limits with the area around the Groom lake area, controlled by Surveillance, security and even motion sensors.

The area above area 51 is a no fly zone for commercial and civilian aircraft.

On all government U.S maps it officially does not exist and is a secret place with no registered roads leading up to it.

Can you visit Area 51?

If you really want to get as close as you can to Area 51, head to the nearby town of  Rachel, on the famous "Extraterrestrial highway" .

This area is pretty close to Area 51 and popular for tourists, Conspiracy theorists and UFO enthusiasts.

Area 51 sign 2019, No drones allowed! (Restricted Areas USA)

2. Coca Cola Vault, Georgia, U.S.A

What is more heavily guarded the some of the most prized jewels in the world?  Only Coca Cola's secret recipe for immense success.

Some call it the " Billion Dollar Formula " and it's the secret to Coca Colas unique flavor and blend, which can not be found in nature.

Many have tried to replicate it over the years but it is never quite the same.

The closely guarded formula is one of the most highly regarded industry secrets and housed inside the  Coca Cola Vault  in the  Word of Coca Cola Museum in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A.

Coca Cola Vault which houses the secret formula of Coca Cola. (Secret Places). Photo by: Documentary Tube. (Restricted Areas USA)

Can I visit the Coca Cola Vault?

Coca Cola is an Iconic beverage with a timeless flavor...with the recipe closely guarded. However, this article has made your curiosity start to bubble you can still take a tour of the Coca Cola Vault inside the World of the Coca Cola Vault...you can even see the door!

However, be aware that it is restricted to enter inside the vault for anybody with high security surrounding the heavy duty vault.

3. Dulce Base, New Mexico, US

Dulce a small town Northern New Mexico, close to the Colorado border. The secret town of Dulce houses around 2,600 people, (mostly Native American).

However, this hidden little town is believed to hold many strange secrets.

Some people believe that  Dulce , is home to  Dulce Base  a Giant underground facility, where weird experiments are done and advanced biological technologies were developed.

Dulce Base Aerial Shot. Photo by Huffpost.com (Secret Places) (Restricted Areas USA)

According a  Huffington Post report . a former U.S government employed explosive engineer (With High level security clearance) named  Philip Schneider  took part in building a " Secret Underground Base " in 1979 at Dulce, New Mexico.

Schneider alleged he was suspicious of the standard engineering operation.

When he noticed the presence of  Green Berets  and Special Forces operatives.

He alleges that while drilling he actually came face to face with a 7 foot grey, slimy alien and shot it dead!

Dulce Base Diagram Image by Skeptoid.com (Secret Places)

But wait it gets even crazier, according to reports from the engineers there was an underground battle, with 60 people losing their life!

Although this sounds like science fiction, many have pointed out that Philip Schneider, as an outspoken critic of the U.S government on their alleged Alien cover up,

faced an untimely death due to a Suicide...coincidence or did he see something down there.

Dulce Base, Underground drilling.

Photo by Subversiveelement.com

(Secret places) (Restricted Areas USA)

Overall, this gigantic subterranean facility is believed to house, all sorts of weird gene mixing and splicing tests. From human clone creation to Freakish human-alien hybrids.Either way the Dulce Base is one of the  U.S.A's most secret places.

4. Mount Weather, Virginia, US

A secret underground Military base, embedded inside a Mountain! No this isan't something from a James Bond Movie, it's in fact a real place! Mount weather is located just  74km or 46 miles  from  Washington DC .

Dubbed as a " Emergency Operations Center" , this heavy duty fortress is used to house all the highest levels of U.S government should there be a national disaster.

Built during the Cold War era,  Mount Weather  is ran by the  Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)  for the purpose of protecting not just high level American politicians, but also some of the US's national treasures, such as the art currently in the National Gallery.

This is not your standard security bunker, with a vast array of facilities from hospitals and Cafeterias to power plants and event a mass transit station to allow communication to the nation should there be an emergency.

Mount Weather (Hidden Places) Photo by: nbcwashington.com (Restricted Areas USA)

Mount Weather has been called the " Perfect place to go if there was an Apocalypse " .

As you have everything you need, security, food and advanced communication technologies at the highest level.

It was actually used during the  9/11 attacks  with government officials being airlifted to the facility when the disaster struck.

Can I go if there is an Emergency?

Unfortunately, you can't just knock on the door during the next zombie apocalypse...the fortress has a perimeter set up with the most secure technology in the world, a host of armed guards and of course razor wire cladded fences! So you will struggle to find out whats inside this secret place.

5. Club 33, California

Located in  Anaheim, California, Club 33 is a secret place inside Disneyland for the exclusive elite...with no kids allowed.

An an "Invitation Only private club" you need someone inside the club to get you an invite...oh and then I forgot to mention you have to pay  $100,000 !

Now that's "Mickey Mouse Money" as they say in the U.K.

Located at the intersection of Royal Street & Orleans Street in New Orleans Square, this club was setup in 1967 as a place to host investors, dignitaries and celebrities.

Club 33 Secret Place in DisneyLand.

Photo by Pete Hottelet. (thedrinksbusiness.com) (Restricted Areas USA)

This design of Club 33 was done by Mr Walt Disney himself as a perfect place for him to entertain business associates.

It is quite a secret as to what the inside of Club 33 is like, however we do know it's the only place in Disney to serve alcohol courtesy of the 1901 lounge...so at least thats something for the  $100,000 price tag . Oh and after the initial cost members pay  $30,000  per year to maintain the membership.

Membership perks at Club 33?

Apart from the Alcohol as a member of this secret place, you will have access to two fine dining halls, valet parking, vip card and even a jazz lounge called the Le Salon Nouveau.

However, i think the real reason many will join the hidden place, is for the valuable business connections and subsequent business deals to be made here by the rich and powerful of the U.S.A.

6. North Brother Island, New York, US

North Brother island is one of the most infamous and secretive places in the U.S.A.

Located on New York City's East River, this abandoned & secret place has a dark past, which results in it being a forbidden area today.

What happened on the North Brother Island?

While, the state of New York purchased the island in  1885  as a place to build  Riverside hospital .

This was a specialist hospital designed to house people with very contagious diseases like tuberculosis, typhus, yellow fever & even smallpox.

North Brother Island and the abandoned Riverside hospital. Photo by AbandonedNY. (Restricted Areas USA)

A famous patient at this hospital was "Typhoid Mary", the first american officially diagnosed with typhoid fever.

During World War 2, this quarantine facility was setup to help military veterans. After that it was setup as a rehab facility for heroin addicts!

These days it is a officially a "bird sanctuary" and the state of New York city has officially FORBIDDEN anyone from visiting!

What has North Brother Island got to hide?

This has sparked many questions from people wondering what have they got to hide?

Is there still patients in the Hospital? Is the ghost of "Typhoid Mary" on the Island?   Some people say it's what the movie " Shutter Island " was inspired by with Leonardo Dicaprio.

Despite the urges to keep away by New York State, many people have tried to sneak on the secret island just to take one last glimpse of the hidden and infamous  Riverside hospital !

7. Fort Knox - U.S.A

Fort Knox is dubbed the most secure place in U.S.A and even the world! As the largest gold Bullion depository in the United States, this place is a restricted fortress!  So what is stored in Fort Knox?

Apart from precious metals, such as gold and silver (it is estimated that 2% of the worlds mined metals are stored here)...what other hidden treasures are here.

According to many sources, Fort Knox once held the royal crown of Hungary and even copies of the Magna Carta! Some theorists even believe Fort Knox is holding the holy grail of Mary Madelene for the Knights Templar! For more on this read the Da Vinci code by Darren brown!

Fort Knox - The a very secure and secret place. photo by the event chronicle (Restricted Areas USA)

As Fort Knox is the most secure place in the world it's pretty difficult to really know what secrete treasures are in there. For aspiring thief's, Fort Knox would be the ultimate haul.

However, with the building made up of 4200 cubic yards of concrete, 16,000 cubic feet of granite and 750 tonnes of reinforced solid steel...this would not be an easy "job".

This is not even accounted the security surrounding the actual vault...with some theorists stating they would have lasers, armed drones and even land mines!

8. Bohemian Grove, California.

An exclusive club for the elite, rich and powerful which controls america..

Bohemian Grove has been around for over 150 years.  Nestled on 2,700 acres of California redwoods.

The secret club is believed to be a right wing hub of control for the elites of the U.S.A.

They are believed to have influence over everything from politics to industry and even trade...meeting two weeks every year.

How to become a member of Bohemian Grove?

To become a member of this secret club you have to be someone of the elite and of significance.

Then you need to be invited by a current member and then you must pay  $25,000 plus annual fees.

Prominent members include Republican Presidents, high up politicians, business mogul's and even a few popular artists.

Notable Members of this Secret Place:

Presidents Ronald Reagan and Richard Nixon were both members of Bohemian Grove. (A Secret place or an American institution, you decide Photo by

Wikipedia Commons.

(Restricted Areas USA)

9. Robins Island, New York

Robins Island is a 435 acre private island. Located off the coast of New Suffolk, New York. It is forbidden for public to enter Robin Island and is a restricted area.

Robins island has been plagued with many stories of failed ventures and many owners...it's quite a mystery.

Today it is officially a  nature reserve and Sanctuary.

The owner  "Mr Louis Bacon"  has spent lots on rebuilding the natural eco system of the island, bringing in mature oak trees and improving the wildlife.

As he does not want to see it destroyed by Commercialization.

There is a chance this could open in the future to public so keep your ears open for  Robins Island - the jewel of the Peconic

Dmadeo | Wikimedia Commons

Fun Fact: Robbins Island has the healthiest population of turtles, in the state of New York.

10. NSA Hidden Spy Hubs Across the U.S.A

The nsa's most secret places to spy on you.

Is the NSA spying on you??  This is a question which is on the minds of many US citizens these days, with the recent scandals and data protection laws being addressed, it can be a worry for many.

The truth lies behind the fortified walls of certain windowless skyscrapers all over many U.S states.

These fortress like buildings are  restricted, secret  and build to withstand terrorist attacks and even natural disasters.

You may walk past one of these buildings every day and not even notice it.

These are the  NSA Spy Hubs .  Is there one in your state?

The Fortress like and secretive  NSA spy hubs  are all over the United states, here are just some of the states which have being confirmed according to a  source.  States/cities with a confirmed NSA spy hub include:   Atlanta, Dallas, Chicago, Los Angles, New York City, San Francisco, Seattle and of course Washington D.C.

NSA and AT&T Spying Partnership:

These NSA spy hubs, are part of the controversial National Security Agency Surveillance program and an Integral part of one of the worlds largest largest telecommunications networks. (AT&T) .

This basically means that the NSA has access to every piece of data transmitted by it's citizens, across the United States.

The  NSA  regards  AT&T  to be one of its most trusted partners and has spoke previously of the company’s  “extreme willingness to help" .

Many people have concerns about the ethics surrounding this spying and the secret power that the NSA has.

Due to the NSA's unique relationship with phone and internet providers across the U.S.A, you can be assured that they leverage this communications infrastructure and the Spying hubs across the U.S.A to  monitors billions of emails, phone calls and even online chats!

According to our source  (the intercept)  , they have revealed a body of evidence including  classified NSA documents, public records, and interviews with former AT&T employees which indicates that the secret buildings are central to an NSA spying initiative!

Full list of Restricted Access NSA Spy Hubs:

As you might of guessed these building have restricted access and what goes on inside is officially top secret. However, here are some of the exact addresses of the NSA spy hubs.

• Seattle, Washington. 1122 3rd Avenue.
• San Francisco, California, 611 Folsom Street
• Chicago, Illinois, 10 South Canal Street
• 420 South Grand Avenue, Los Angles, California.
• 4211 Bryan Street, Dallas, Texas
• 51 Peachtree centre avenue, Atlanta, Georgia.
• 30E Street, Southwest, Washington D.C,
• 811 10T, New York.

11. Niihau, USA

This Hawaiian Island is a secret place, which acts sanctuary for many rare animal species and houses just  130 local residents .

With tourists having restricted access, it's no wonder that this place has been nicknamed the  Forbidden island

Aerial view of Niʻihau Island in Hawaiʻi, looking southwestward from the north. Taken by Christopher P. Becker (polihale.com) on 25 Sep 2007 from a helicopter. Via

Wiki Creative Commons

12. Diego Garcia, Indian Ocean, U.S.A occupied.

Legend has it that diego garcia has a secret prison and is even the landing place of the mh370.

Diego Garcia is a small Island in the Indian Ocean and is technically an overseas territory of Great Britain.

However, in 1966, the United States were given rights to use the island in return for cancelling a $14million debt owed by Great Britain.

As a restricted area and U.S military base it has been the subject of a wide range of conspiracy theories, from it housing a secret prison to the landing place of the MH370.

Diego Garcia (U.S.A Secret Places) Source:

USGS/NASA Landsat data/Gallo Images/Getty images. (A secret place with alot of controversy) (Restricted Areas USA)

It is public knowledge that Diego Garcia is a launching point for military flights to Afghanistan & Iraq.

It is also a ground station for the Global Positioning System (GPS) ran by the United States Air Force.

The actual base of Diego Garcia is home to  654 buildings  and around  4,000 military personnel.

The secrecy of what really goes on at this military base was brought to light in 2009, with the United States military evicting several thousand of the islands local residents!

There was outcry by many, but the United states Military did not respond on the specific reason for the mass eviction...it's all top secret.

13. The Marshall Islands - Pacific Proving Grounds, U.S.A

Bikini Atoll - The Secret US Nuclear Testing Island.

The  Pacific Proving Grounds  was the name given by  the United States  government for number of sites in the Marshall  Islands   and the Pacific Ocean, which it conducted  nuclear testing  between  1946-1962  .

During this time the United States conducted 67 nuclear tests on the Marshall Islands, with the first on nuclear weapon test (codename able) launched on Bikini Atoll in  1946.

If the Nuclear power of all these tests were combined and then averaged out over that historically period it would be equal to  1.6 Hiroshima sized explosions per day!

The largest ever American Nuclear weapons test( 15 mega tonnes ) was detonated 280 miles northwest from  Bikini Atoll .

As you can imagine, the fallout from such intense nuclear testing was immense, with  radioactive fallout even detected on cattle in Tennessee!

“ We located the one spot on Earth that hadn’t been touched by the war and blew it to hell, ” Bob Hope reportedly once said.

Bikini Islanders Exiled?

During the Nuclear testing phase Bikini islanders were exiled and forbidden from the islands. In 1970's they were allowed to return, however then they were  removed again in 1978 !

The reason this time was it was noticed that the islanders had been ingesting dangerously high levels of radiation from eating foods, which were grown on the former nuclear testing site.

This forgotten ground zero, with never been the same and although the local islanders can return, many still worry about the radiation and other fallout from this dark period in history. Sources.  Washington Post       Guardian News

14. Menwith Hill Royal Air force Station - U.K [Leased to U.S.A]

Menwith Hill  is a Royal Air Force Base located in the United Kingdom.

This is one of the most secretive places in U.K and thus subject to a vast array of conspiracy theories.

Back in 1954, the British War Office purchased 550 acres of land and leased it to the United States Military.

What goes on in Menwith Royal Air Force Base?

So what goes on in  Menwith Royal Air Force Station?

While what goes on at  Menwith Hill  is top secret, it is thought that it was originally setup during the Cold war for spying and intelligence gathering.

These days on NSA and Echelon spies can enter the base, with what they are working on kept very secret.

This has even led to protests from the locals demanding what is going on so close to their homes...the battle continues, but for now whatever is going on will remain restricted.

Vyacheslav Argenberg | Wikimedia Commons

15. Closed Cities, Hidden towns? Mecury, Nevada.

Are there any closed cities still in the u.s.a.

One such type of area which is kept secret, restricted and closed of from the rest of society are U.S closed cities!  So what is a "Closed city"?

It's like a normal city with people working and living there lives but it's closed off from other parts of society.

The first closed city ever built was in  Washington State.  T

he city was restricted and closed with the closest thing to it being a high security military base.

But it get's even more secret and restricting...not only is no one allowed to enter,  but no one is allowed to leave!

Why create a closed City?

Usually, the first question on everyones mind is...why?

The official government report on closed cities such as this in the U.S.A was that it was closed off and a restricted area to prevent " sensitive military secrets and research being leaked out".

The train of thought is that the majority of these closed U.S Cities were created for the top secret "Manhattan Project", which main goal was to develop the first Nuclear Bomb.

Popular areas such as  Los Alamos, Oak Ridge, Tennessee  and  New Mexico  were closed to outsiders, made restricted areas and placed under control of the U.S.A military.

According to

In January 2019 a Man was shot after he led Police on a Chase into the closed Town and Restricted Area of Mercury, Nevada. Photo by SOURCE: Ken Lund/Wikimedia Commons (Secret Places USA)

Back in  1941,  the town of Dugway, Utah was made a closed city by the US Government. This was to be the hub research for biological and chemical warfare testing.

The idea of the town was to act as a place to house all the researchers, and their families.

This has three benefits, the first is the researchers are close to the testing facilities, the second is that is area is restricted and secret so that "No one comes in or out" without government approval.

This prevents secrets & sensitive military information being leaked out.

The third one and probably the most sinister, is that if there was a terrible accident and dangerous contamination via a biological or chemical weapon, then the area would be effectively quarantined.

From a common sense perspective this makes sense, however it's quite likely that the researchers and families who were worked in the secret restricted areas would also not be allowed to leave should such an accident occur.

Mercury, Nevada - The U.S.A's most closed, hidden and restricted town.

Although the majority of these historic closed cities are now no longer closed, there are still a few left in the U.S.A.

The first is the town of  Mercury, Nevada. This was a thriving hub in the 1950's with a population of 10,000.

It was the home to everything a normal town has, schools, bars, restaurants.

However, it was also home to the scientists who tested the first ever nuclear bombs!

Mercury, Nevada Today?

These days it has restricted access and you are forbidden to head into the town without government clearance.

The exact numbers on the amount of people who still live there is classified, although it is rumoured that around 500 people live there still who are mostly researchers.

Closed cities like Mercury, Nevada are not too common in the U.S these days, however in places like Russia and North Korea there are many and even North Korea as a whole is very restricted area.

• If your plan on road tripping to these secret spots check out:  Ultimate Car Rental Travel Hacks!
• For the best hotel prices, check out this post:  How to find the Best Hotel Deals??

Don’t have time to plan??

Planning a vacation can be really time consuming and even stressful at times!!

If you would like a fully organised,  bespoke tour  or  vacation plan , including everything you need  Flights ,  Hotels, Accommodation and activities!

Check out this page here:  Which are the Best travel Tours?

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33 Forbidden Places You Can Never Visit

Considering the staggering rates of global expansion and technology development, it’s impossible to imagine that there is even a sliver of this planet that remains undiscovered or unexplored. So, there’s a certain comfort in knowing that, even today, there are mysteries that remain unexplored.

From human-made, guarded structures to natural enigmas protected by environmental science, a slew of spots across the globe are entirely forbidden to outside travelers. Picture islands teeming with vipers, extraterrestrial secrets, locked mysteries of religion, virgin wildlife and entire societies that have never made contact with the outside world. Many of these locations are still shrouded in intrigue, with their goings-on staying behind closed doors. Other locations are better understood, though still off-limits due to a variety of safety, scientific or governmental regulations.

While the allure of the taboo is undeniable, you’d be hard-pressed to swindle your way into these forbidden destinations — and in many cases, you probably wouldn’t want to. Still, in a world full of places you can discover, it’s intriguing to consider the places you can’t .

Lascaux Caves, France

In the quest to discover the history of the human race, there is one spectacular place that provides enormous insight. The Lascaux Caves in southwestern France are home to a series of stunning Paleolithic paintings, estimated to be up to 20,000 years old . The paintings, which plaster the walls of the cave, are hauntingly vivid, depicting stags, cattle, bison, cats and more. But the most incredible of all the paintings can be found in the Hall of the Bulls, which is known for its four bull murals, one of which is 17 feet long.

Sadly, the caves have been banned to the public since the 1960s, as they have been invaded by fungi and black mold, both detrimental to human health. Plus, human presence is considered destructive to the works of art.

Fortunately, though, you can experience the next best thing: There's now a museum and cave replica  right next to the real deal opened to the public.

Did You Know?

Area 51, United States

A conspiracy theorist's playground, Area 51 has stumped the public for decades. The hidden military base in the Nevada desert has kept its purpose a secret for quite some time, though many like to believe it's kept for alien testing.

One thing is for sure — attempting to access the forbidden area would be highly irresponsible, as the grounds are protected by mines and other defenses.

North Sentinel Island, India

On North Sentinel Island, a small island in the Andaman chain in the Bay of Bengal, natives have long been opposed to the influences of the modern world. In fact, the Sentinelese people who live on the island refuse communication with any outsiders and are willing to get violent to protect their isolation. Following the 2004 tsunami, when the Indian Coast Guard flew a reconnaissance mission over the island, men reportedly emerged from the forests to shoot arrows at the helicopter, which did not land. 

The Sentinelese have lived on the island for some 60,000 years, and with the protection of the Indian government — which prohibits visitors of any kind — it has successfully resisted anthropologists, authorities and tourists. 

Bohemian Grove, United States

Talk about a boys' club. This 2,700-acre campground in Monte Rio, California, is the ultimate playground for men. Each July, the Grove hosts a two-week bacchanalian blowout for VIPs around the world . Past and present members include U.S. presidents, government members, business leaders, artists and musicians.

The event comes with a saying, "Weaving Spiders Come Not Here," which means there is to be no business wheeling-and-dealing while on the grounds. Most infamously, there are rumors that Bohemian Grove hosted a Manhattan Project planning meeting in 1942, which resulted in the atomic bomb, though this cannot be proven.

Membership is highly exclusive. Translation: You won't be accepted. (Assuming you’d even want to be.) And the goings-on are highly top secret.

Ise Grand Shrine, Japan

Japan has shrine culture down pat. There is estimated to be upwards of 80,000 shrines in the island nation. But none is more important than the Ise Grand Shrine, an intricate temple that happens to be one of the most expensive in the country due to the detail of its architecture.

The shrine is rebuilt every 20 years (at a million-dollar price tag), in order to symbolize the Shinto tradition of death and renewal of nature. The current iteration was built in 2013. And unless you're a member of the Japanese imperial family, there's no chance you'll be entering the hallowed halls of this ancient, significant representation of Japanese culture.

Heard Island, Australia

There's the ends of the Earth and then there's Heard Island. One of the most remote islands in the world, Heard Island technically belongs to Australia but can be found somewhere between Madagascar and Antarctica.

The island is known for its two active volcanoes, but for the most part, it's thoroughly blanketed in ice. Inhabitants include seals, birds and four types of penguins. Humans, however, are not permitted to visit, though landings to the nearby McDonald Islands are allowed solely for "compelling scientific reasons."

Poveglia, Italy

Twisted doesn't begin to describe the history of Poveglia Island, a small island between Venice and Lido in Northern Italy. For centuries, the small island has been prime real estate for dumping the dead. The island became a quarantine colony in the 1700s for victims of the Bubonic Plague. In the early 20th century, Poveglia became an asylum for the area's mentally ill, where it was rumored that a cruel doctor performed experiments on the patients.

Today, the island is abandoned, save for the ghosts of the tortured souls that once lived there. Tourists and locals are banned from visiting, unless you want to undergo a lengthy paperwork process. But as this is considered the most haunted place in Italy , that’s likely for the best.

Vatican Apostolic Archive, Vatican City

The secrets of religion are some of the most heavily guarded in the world...and none more so than the Vatican Apostolic Archive (previously the Vatican Secret Archive). Centuries of secrets remain a mystery within the vaults of the Vatican, from state papers to accounting to letters. Speculation on what lies beneath include evidence of demons, extraterrestrials and even the Church's alleged contribution to the fascism of the mid-20th century.

Today, only the highest qualified scholars and educators are allowed in the vault and only after stringent review. Those looking to simply take a peek will sadly never know what sits between these storied pages.

Tomb of Qin Shi Huang, China

The Terra-Cotta Warriors at Xi'an is one of the most important discoveries of all time. Thousands of unique, one-of-a-kind lifelike statues depicting ancient Chinese warriors filled underground caverns of the burial complex of China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang. But while the site is one of China's most prominent tourist attractions, the tomb itself still remains a guarded mystery.

The tomb will likely remain sealed for the foreseeable future, as it is rumored that there are booby traps protecting it from invaders. There is also a high concentration of mercury within the tomb that would be deadly to anyone who entered without the proper precautions. The only glimpse we have into this treasure are the 2,000 warriors that are exposed to the public. Still, it is said another 6,000 remain within the tomb, along with myriad other treasures.

Surtsey Island, Iceland

When ticking UNESCO World Heritage Sites off your bucket list, Surtsey Island is one that might have to go unchecked . This volcanic island lies about 20 miles off the coast of Iceland and has existed as a natural laboratory since its inception in the 1960s. Scientists have explored the island as a microcosm of natural development, gathering information on plant and animal life, tracking the arrival of seeds and monitoring the appearance of molds, bacteria and fungi.

Today, the island is home to a variety of species of lichen, fungi and birds, as well as 335 species of invertebrates. But in order to minimize human disruption, only a select few vetted scientists are allowed on the island to behold its natural wonder.

North Brother Island, United States

Tragically beautiful North Brother Island is one of the many mysteries of New York City. Located on the East River between the Bronx and Riker's Island, this abandoned island used to be the home of Riverside Hospital in the 19th century when patients suffering from diseases like tuberculosis, yellow fever and small pox were quarantined.

Later, the hospital was used after World War II to house veterans and then as a treatment facility for heroin addicts. In the early 1960s, the hospital closed its doors and it has since been left to crumble by the forces of nature.

Today, the island is closed to the public, as it serves as a nesting colony for black-crowned night herons.

Mezhgorye, Russia

Exclusive communities are one thing, but in Russia, there is an entire town that is closed to the public. Mezhgorye sits in the Ural Mountains, about 120 miles from Ufa, the capital of the Republic of Bashkortostan.

Founded in 1979, this small town is said to be home to a nuclear missile site. Though unconfirmed, it is believed that the site contains automatic missiles that can be activated remotely. The town is guarded by two battalions that prevent any outsider from visiting. The only information we have on Mezhgorye is taken from satellite images and The Kremlin claims that the site is used for mining, an emergency bunker for Russian leaders and a vault for the nation's treasures.

The world may never know, and if it is a nuclear site, let's hope we don't have the opportunity to find out.

The Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem

One of the holiest sites in the world is, without a doubt, the Temple Mount. The holiest site for Jewish believers , this temple dates back to the first century BC. It is also the third holiest site for Sunni Muslims after Mecca and Medina. But within the Temple Mount is an even more holy and exclusive site — The Dome of the Rock.

This gold-topped Islamic shrine is iconic in the city of Jerusalem. There are already stringent rules in place for visits to the Temple Mount, but the Dome of the Rock's entry is reserved strictly for those who practice Islam. Non-Muslims are not permitted within the holy walls.

Niihau, United States

Hawaiian island-hopping is a beloved pastime for travelers. But if you think you’ve hit all of the islands, think again.

One mysterious island, Niihau, is nicknamed “ The Forbidden Island ,” and that is not an exaggeration. Even its visibility remains elusive, as the only way to catch a glimpse of it is as the sun sets over Kauai’s Kekaha Beach, when its silhouette emerges. The island has been owned by a single family for more than 150 years and has been kept off-limits to the outside world.

The only people who can enjoy the island's splendor are its residents, all of whom are descendants of those who lived there before the island was purchased in the 1860s.

Snake Island, Brazil

About 93 miles off the coast of Sao Paulo, Brazil is Ilha da Queimada Granda, also known as Snake Island. To what does it owe this title? Researchers estimate there are between one and five snakes here per 10 square feet .

The snakes, specifically golden lanceheads, are known for their poison, which literally disintegrates flesh around their bites. So, maybe it’s not such a bad thing that you’re not allowed to visit Snake Island…

The Queen’s Bedroom, U.K.

Buckingham Palace is one of the top attractions in not only the U.K., but also the world. The palace is the Queen's official London residence and has been the home of Britain's monarchy since 1837. But while there are public tours available of many of the rooms and grounds of the palace, one room remains strictly forbidden: The Queen's Bedroom, where her Majesty often stays.

That is, of course, unless your name is Michael Fagan, who was able to break into the Queen's Bedroom in the 1980s in one of the greatest security breaches of all time. The act involved him scaling a 20-foot wall and hoisting himself up a drainpipe — all so he could win a bet with some friends.

Coca-Cola Recipe Vault, United States

Forget finding Jimmy Hoffa or who killed JFK. The real great American secret can be found in a can of Coca-Cola. The legendary mystery formula is secured under lock and key in a purpose-built vault in Atlanta . The map to the world-famous elixir is kept in a metal box inside a 6.6-foot-high step vault, which is in turn protected by a barrier. The area has surveillance with armed guards, and the door can only be opened via keypad with hand scanner.

Getting your hands on the Declaration of Independence might be easier than finding out what makes Coke taste so good.

U.N. Buffer Zone, Cyprus

In 1974, Turkish troops invaded Cyprus, escalating a civil war between the split Greek and Turkish residents. The U.N. took control of a " Buffer Zone " in the capital, Nicosia, after the fighting ended in a ceasefire.

This historic no-man's land is surrounded by walls separating the Turkish community from the Greek community. Inside the walls are abandoned homes, businesses and a small airport that, as The Atlantic put it, have remained “frozen in time” for decades.

Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion, Ethiopia

Though some scholars are dubious, this church is allegedly the final resting place of the Ark of the Covenant , also known as the ornate chest that houses the Ten Commandments. And there is only one person allowed to view the Ark: a special guardian monk anointed by a predecessor.

The church dates back to the 4th century AD, and the grounds also include the remains of Tekle Giyorgis I, former Emperor of Ethiopia.

Svalbard Global Seed Vault, Norway

Located on the remote island of Spitsbergen, this subterranean seed storage facility was carefully built 400 feet into a mountainside. The complex houses approximately 840,000 samples of 4,000 different species of seeds from all over the world. The bank operates like a safety deposit box, allowing governments to leave seed samples for safekeeping in the event of a major global or regional event that would wipe out major food supplies.

Only official “depositers” are allowed inside what is ominously described as “the final back up.”

Robins Island, United States

This privately owned, 435-acre island off the coast of New Suffolk, New York, has been the subject of controversy throughout its history. Transfers of ownership over the years led to it becoming a nature preserve and sanctuary, created by current owner Louis Bacon. It is also home to one of the largest populations of turtles in the state.

Other than Mr. Bacon and the turtles, however, it is off-limits to the public. He has spent quite a bit of money rebuilding the ecosystem and believes that commercialization will lead to the destruction of what he has been trying to build.

Moscow Metro-2, Russia

A world of secret tunnels and phantom trains sounds like something out of Harry Potter — unless, of course, you've heard of the Moscow Metro-2 .

In preparation for a nuclear catastrophe, the KGB built a secret metro system that mirrored the public Moscow metro, except that it’s larger and buried about 600-feet underground. Four lines connect government buildings like the Kremlin with the Federal Security Service headquarters, the government airport and several other important locations.

Next time you see a manhole in Moscow, you might want to give it a second thought.

Mount Weather Emergency Operations Center, United States

Not to be alarmists, but what do you have planned in the event of an apocalypse? Washington, D.C., is certainly prepared. Mount Weather Emergency Operations Center in Virginia — designed to be the safest place in the world in the event of global destruction — is the escape plan for U.S. government officials.

Built during the Cold War and now operated by FEMA, the center is designed to protect not only American government members but treasures of the nation, like the art in the National Gallery. Without the shiny seal of approval from the United States government, this souped-up bomb shelter is strictly off-limits.

Fort Knox, United States

"Harder to get into than Fort Knox" is a saying for a reason. Impossible to get into, this Kentucky military base has served many purposes throughout history, but today it is known as the safeguard for America's gold .

The fort has been opened once for news media and Congress in 1974 and never again since. Obstacles you'd have to overcome to get your hands on America's gold include minefields, barbed wire, electric fences, armed guards and cameras. Oh, and all of the army units based there have Apache helicopters ready for the “Go” signal.

Chernobyl’s Exclusion Zone, Ukraine

Thirty years ago, disaster struck nuclear reactor No. 4 in Chernobyl, sending radioactive clouds billowing into the air. Evacuations began immediately, but as the extent of the damage became clear, Soviet military officials declared an Exclusion Zone within a roughly 18-mile radius of the plant, turning the city into a veritable ghost town. Today, the Zone covers an area of about 1,000 square miles and still remains completely off-limits.

Tourists can get special permission to go, but it's near impossible to do so. With a radiation level that is still highly dangerous, it might be a better use of time to scratch other destinations off your bucket list anyway.

Pine Gap, Australia

Hidden somewhere in the Australian Outback is a top-secret military base operated by the U.S. government. Known as the Joint Defense Facility Pine Gap, it is used to control satellites that collect intel on airstrikes around the world.

The facility was opened during the Cold War in 1966 under the guise of a space research facility but was actually operated by the CIA. There is no way to access Pine Gap without clearance — unless, of course, you are flying over it or hiking the MacDonnell Ranges that surround it.

Mormon Church Secret Vault, United States

Very few things are as mysterious as a vault inside of a granite mountain. But that’s exactly what the Mormon Church’s Secret Vault is — mysterious and inside Granite Mountain.

In Little Cottonwood Canyon outside of Salt Lake City sits this sprawling, ironclad vault. Built in 1965, the vault was created to preserve records of importance to the church. Today, it holds more than 3.5 billion images on microfilm and digital media. For security reasons, there is no public access to the vault.

Disney Club 33, United States

It might be the happiest place on earth for the masses, but Disney also has a secret that is reserved for only the elite.

Disney Club 33 is by far the most exclusive place in the Disney empire. Walt Disney himself created the club as a lounge to entertain business associates but never actually got to enjoy it, as he passed away before it could open. But open it did (with a liquor license, to boot — the only place in the parks that serves alcohol).

Access is invitation only, but an invite doesn't necessarily guarantee entry. You also need to fork over about $100,000 to solidify your membership and then annual dues are about $30,000 per year. Or you could just stick to the It's A Small World ride and learn to find joy in that.

Royal Air Force Menwith Hill, U.K.

This Royal Air Force station's ultimate modern-day purpose still remains a mystery to the public, but this secretive piece of land was originally used for espionage and intelligence gathering during the Cold War. It sits on 550 acres and, as far as we know, is only used by ECHELON spies and NSA.

The site was opened in 1954, and over the years, conspiracy theorists have gone crazy trying to figure out what goes on behind the barbed wire inside the Epcot-esque spheres that make up the base.

Diego Garcia, Indian Ocean

This island in the Indian Ocean, which used to be part of the United Kingdom, was used as a pawn to settle a $14 million debt owed to the United States. Today, it is used as a U.S. military base , but no one is allowed to visit.

According to reports, there are 654 buildings on the island and about 4,000 military personnel, but their activity is strictly top secret. There are theories, of course, as there always are with all things secret. Some people believe that there is a secret military prison.

The only thing that is known for sure is that Diego Garcia was the launch place for military flights into Afghanistan and Iraq.

Woomera Test Range, Australia

Imagine if the entire country of Portugal was a test-firing range. Well, that's the size of the Woomera Test Range in Australia. The massive (47,100-square-mile) range site is used for testing weapons, like bombs and missiles.

Because of this, visitors are understandably not permitted on the site. It wouldn't exactly make for a stress-free vacation.

Mariana Trench, Pacific Ocean

Near Japan, just east of the 14 Mariana Islands archipelago, lies a sea canyon considered to be the deepest site in the entire world. The trench is more than 7-miles deep and has vents that bubble up liquid sulfur and carbon dioxide; the pressure on the floor is more than 8 tons per square inch, which is equivalent to having 50 jumbo jets sitting on top of you.

So, it's probably a good thing that you can't actually go there. (There have, however, been four successful submarine descents into its depths, including one led by director James Cameron.)

White’s Gentleman's Club, U.K.

Technically this London club isn’t forbidden, but getting in will cost you more than you probably make in a year. The exclusive society was founded in the 17th century as a hot chocolate shop, but its sweet side quickly deteriorated into seedy as patrons preferred it to become a gambling gentleman's club.

Today, it boasts the reputation as the most private and expensive club in the world — and it has to be to guard the secrets of what goes on behind closed doors. Membership costs $112,000 per year. Not only do you have to have deep pockets, but you also have to have gone to school at Eton followed by Cambridge or Oxford. And, even then, applications still might take years to be approved.

20 Forbidden Places Around The World We Can Never Set Foot In

It's hard to imagine that there are such places in our world, yet there are a number of them.

Read update

Mysterious or forbidden places have capture the imaginations of travel lovers for centuries. As such, we have updated some of the info and resources on this article to reflect their ever present fascinating histories.

We're used to hearing a lot of interesting things about the places that we can visit. And when a location fascinates us, we think, "Oh, that's cool! I should add this place to my Bucket List and visit it someday!". But what about the places that we can decidedly leave off our Bucket Lists? What about those forbidden locations we aren't allowed to enter?

It's hard to imagine that there are such places in our world, yet there are a number of them. To name a few, there are military bases that want only their staff members to access. There are historical sites that are so fragile that they can be seriously damaged by the human presence. And there are also dangerous places that none of us would ever want to visit. Yet many of these places intrigue us, like a forbidden fruit that immediately becomes so desirable. They attract some curious travelers like magnets, making them strive to explore the unknown lands. And still, it's better not to even try to visit these places, for the sake of your own life.

UPDATE: 2022/07/05 15:53 EST BY KATHIA BELLO

So let's take a look at some of the most interesting places in the world that people can't (legally) visit unless they are researchers, scientists, military men, or daredevils.

20 Vatican Secret Archive, Vatican

The Vatican Secret Archive, known as the Vatican Apostolic Archive since 2019 serve as a storage space for numerous documents relating to the Catholic Church. Some of these documents date as far back as the 8th century. Among others, there is said to be papal account books, a letter from Michelangelo to Pope Julius II, a letter from Mary Queen of Scots written before her execution, and Martin Luther's excommunication document.

Most of the archive is located underground, and it has 85 kilometers (53 miles) of shelves. It's forbidden to enter it for anyone, except for researchers with special permits to access. But even for them, there are multiple limitations to what documents they can view.

19 North Brother Island, New York, USA

Located in New York City's East River, in between Bronx and Riker's Island, North Brother Island is a 13-acre piece of land that became the last refuge to over one thousand people, whose passenger ship sank in its waters. Later it became home to a hospital for people with contagious diseases. The most well-known resident of it was Mary Mallon, aka Typhoid Mary. She was the first documented person in the country to have typhoid fever, and it's estimated that she infected over 50 people with it, 3 of whom passed.

Now the island is abandoned, and it's home to a bird sanctuary and off-limits to the public, though special access for scientific purposes can be granted.

18 Bhangarh Fort, Rajasthan, India

Technically, the Bhangarh Fort isn't completely banned to access, because tourists can visit it in the daylight and see this marvelous example of Rajasthani architecture. However, from sunset to sunrise, there is a strict ban to enter this place. Generally regarded as the "most haunted place in India" , this 16th-century fort is full of legends about ghosts and curses. Hearing some of them will certainly send shivers down your spine.

You might be wondering what happens to those who dare to visit the Bhangarh Fort at night. In fact, no one knows, because, according to locals, whoever tried to break the rule mysteriously disappeared after it.

17 Heard And McDonald Island, Australia

One of the most remote territories in the world, Heard Island is considered an Australian territory, even though it's located between Madagascar and Antarctica. It's home to a wide range of animals, such as seals, penguins, and marine birds, as well as more than 40 glaciers.

There were a few reasons for closing the island to public. First, in 2000, researchers noticed a huge lava flow coming from the island's massive volcano called Mawson's Peak. Second, Heard Island is known for its poor weather conditions. And third, it's too remote to be safe. Judge it by yourself - it's located in a minimum two-week sail to the closest major landmass.

16 Lascaux Caves, France

Not all UNESCO World Heritage sites are open to the public. For example, the Lascaux Caves in France, which feature invaluable cave art thought to date back 17,000 years ago, have been banned to enter since 1963; that is because they were threatened by a series of fungal invasions due to a large number of visitors. This occasion revealed that any human presence is destructive to the caves. So to preserve 900 examples of prehistoric art dating back to the Paleolithic era, tourists can't come in there anymore, but replicas have been put in place for public viewing.

Related: Here’s The Story Of The Island Of The Dolls, And Why People Go To Mexico Just To Visit

15 Ilha Da Queimada Grande, Brazil

Better known as Snake Island, Ilha da Queimada Grande is home to a huge population of snakes . According to some estimates, there's one snake in each square meter of the island. And they aren't just some harmless grass snakes that only frighten you with their look but can't cause you any damage. The snakes living in this island are world's most dangerous species. Among them is the golden lancehead viper whose venom melts flesh around the bite. Yikes!

So it's logical why the Brazilian government closed the island for visitors. Only qualified researchers from or authorized by ICMBio (Chico Mendes Institute of Biodiversity Conservation), who know how to deal with snakes, and can only enter under the condition that they have a doctor in their team.

14 Area 51, Nevada, USA

Area 51 isn't only one of the most well-known forbidden places in the United States, it's also one of the most mysterious locations in the US. According to many of them, an alien spaceship crashed there, while according to others authorities use this place to examine the spaceship that, allegedly, crashed in Roswell, New Mexico (another super-mysterious place) .

The official version states that Area 51 is the site used by the U.S. Air Force and CIA as a testing territory due to its remote location. If it's true (and it probably is), it's logical why the place is banned to enter for public.

13 Pravcicka Brana, Czech Republic

Europe's largest natural sandstone arch, Pravcicka Brana is one of the most well-known attractions of the Czech Republic. Well, at least it used to be until 1982, because in that year it was forbidden to visit for tourists. The reason of the ban is simple: the more visitors come to the area, the more likely it is to collapse one day. So to reduce erosion of this beautiful landmark, tourists can now see it from afar, but not climb onto it.

Unfortunately, the erosion process continues even without "the help" of visitors and, according to geologists, the arch can still collapse in the future. But at least the ban decelerates the process and gives us more time to admire it.

12 Morgan Island, South Carolina, USA

A colony of approximately 4 thousand rhesus monkeys lives on Morgan Island, South Carolina, due to which it was nicknamed as Monkey Island. But, despite what you might think, the population of primates isn't native to the island. They were relocated there from Puerto Rico due to the spreading of herpes virus B infection. Before it happened, the island was uninhabited.

These days, people are prohibited by law to visit the island for their own safety, as well as for the safety of the monkeys. Only a handful of researchers from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) can go there.

11 Mausoleum Of Qin Shi Huang, China

Although the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang was discovered upon unearthing the Terracotta Army in 1974 , it hasn't been excavated yet. According to the opponents of excavation of the tomb, modern technologies can't prevent its destruction. For this reason, the access to it is still forbidden by the Chinese government that strives to preserve their cultural heritage and pays respect to the man buried there.

All we know about the mausoleum now is that it consists of a complex network of caverns underground, filled with the objects that, according to those who buried him, the emperor could have needed in the afterlife. Among others, it holds the reproduction of his army, known as the Terracotta Army, made of clay.

Related: Plum Island: The Truth Behind The 'Area 51' Of The East Coast

10 Svalbard Global Seed Vault, Norway

Sometimes referred to as "the Doomsday Vault", the Global Seed Vault in Norway is actually a very important place for all of us. It stores 100 million seeds from all over the world to restore the plant kingdom in case something really, really bad happens to our planet's vegetation. Opened in 2008, the vault was built to last about 200 years and it can withstand explosions and earthquakes. Besides, since it was placed on the side of a mountain, it will still be above sea level, even if all ice on the planet melts.

It's interesting that the vault knows no politics: even North Korea has given its seeds for storage there.

9 North Sentinel Island, India

North Sentinel Island is a small landmass in the Bay of Bengal. Its indigenous population, known as the Sentinelese, rejects any contact with the outside world and remains one of the few peoples that remain untouched by our civilization. How do they keep outsiders away from their island? They simply shoot arrows at them. For this reason, it's impossible to approach the island and survive the encounter.

Here's an interesting fact: when researchers were assessing the damage after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, even their helicopters were attacked by the Sentinelese for approaching the island. None of them were hurt, of course, but this example shows how fiercely the island's population is protecting their territory.

8 Mezhgorye, Russia

Being the largest country in the world, Russia is certainly full of surprises. It has a lot of mysterious sites, ghost towns, and other special places. Like, for example, Mezhgorya in the Republic of Bashkortostan. It's a closed town hidden somewhere in the Southern Ural Mountains. To keep off anyone who wants to penetrate into the town or even come close to it, it's encircled by two battalions.

It's not 100% clear that this area is and why it's surrounded by this kind of secrecy. According the most believable reports, it's a nuclear missile site that allegedly has automatic missiles that can be controlled remotely. But, since government officials don't comment anything on it, we still can't be sure what Mezhgorya is.

7 Grand Shrine Of Ise, Japan

The Grand Shrine of Ise in Japan is a very important place for the Shinto religion, because it was built to honor Amaterasu, a goddess of the sun and the universe. Interestingly, the Inner Shrine, Naiku, was constructed without a single nail. Even more interestingly, this temple is rebuilt every 20 years, according to the Shinto idea of death and rebirth (most recently, it took place in 2013). And every time they reconstruct the shrine anew, they keep on using the wood joining technique and never utilize nails.

To keep the place holy, only priests and members of the imperial family of Japan can go there. Everyone else can gaze at the temple from the outside, through wooden fences.

6 Surtsey, Iceland

Surtsey, one of the youngest islands in the world, appeared due to a volcanic eruption that lasted from 1963 to 1967. These days, it is only used for scientific purposes. Any visitors, except for research groups, are forbidden to visit this island, because on its example scientists want to understand how ecosystems form without any human influence.

One of the main rules for the scientists was to avoid bringing any seeds to the island. However, some of them disregarded it and brought tomato seeds there in their own colon (in other words, someone pooped there and a tomato plant sprouted up). As soon as scientists realized the origin of this plant, they removed it to continue their spotless research.

Related: Toniná: Guide To Mexico’s Lesser-Visited Mayan Ruins

5 Chichen Itza Pyramid, Mexico

You might be surprised to see Chichen Itza in this list, because it's considered one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world. And you're right about it - millions of tourists come to this site every year to marvel at the beautiful Mayan pyramid . However, even though you can come there, since recently it's strictly forbidden to climb it.

The ban was issued after a woman tumbled off the pyramid on her descent in 2006. This event had a tragic ending and, to avoid anything similar from happening in the future, it became closed to the public to the disappointment of multiple tourists, striving to reach the top of Chichen Itza.

4 Niihau Island, Hawaii, USA

Also known as the Forbidden Island, Niihau was purchased by Elizabeth Sinclair, a Scottish farmer and plantation owner, back in 1864 and since then it's privately owned by her descendants.

In 1952, the Hawaiian islands faced a polio epidemic and, as an attempt to avoid the spreading of the disease, a ban to leave or enter the island was issued. Luckily, no one got sick on Niihau and now it houses a population of only around 170 people. To enter it, one has to get a special permission, which is quite difficult not only for us, average people, but also for the rich and popular.

3 Poveglia, Italy

Poveglia is a small island located between Venice and Lido. In the past, it used to be a plague quarantine station and hosted more than 160 thousands infected people, who were living their last days and hours there. According to some reports , 50% of the island's soil consists of human remains. And, as if this tragedy wasn't enough, the island later became home to a mental hospital that had a very sinister reputation. After some time it was closed and now Poveglia is strictly forbidden to enter for anyone.

As if someone in their right mind would want to come to this creepy place...

2 Pluto’s Gate, Turkey

Back in the ancient times, people didn't dare to come into Pluto's Gate in Hierapolis, Turkey, because they believed it to be a very dangerous place. According to the ancient historian Strabo, no one could survive there . After visiting this place, he wrote that he "threw in sparrows and they immediately breathed their last and fell."

To everyone's surprise, Pluto Gate's reputation was confirmed by scientists in 1965. After measuring the CO2 concentration they found out that at night, when the temperature decreases and CO2 becomes heavier than air, it forms some kind of a lake on the bottom of the Gate. At dawn the concentration reaches its peak and any living being risks their life by getting there. However, at daytime the site becomes safer, because the sun dissipates the gas.

1 Fort Knox, Kentucky, USA

Being home to the bigger half of the U.S. gold reserves, the Fort Knox is frequently referred to as the most heavily guarded place in the world. It has quite a few security measures that can blow anyone's mind.

The most interesting thing is that even none of the staff members can have an access to the vault. To gain access to it, they need to know several combinations, but each staff member knows only one of them, so they can only enter the vault with the help of their colleagues. Besides, since the building is made of concrete-lined granite and reinforced by steel, it can withstand any attack from the outside world.

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