Can You Guess the World City From Its Famous Landmark?
We all know each city has its own aesthetic. Paris has an architectural style that differs markedly from Tokyo. New York City doesn’t look the same as Los Angeles.
In every city, there is something that makes it quintessentially unique. Sometimes it’s a monument. In other places, it’s a statue. Some cities have particularly distinct buildings. Whatever it is, each major city in the world has one, and sometimes smaller lesser-known cities will have a unique feature of their own, as well! That’s why filmmakers often show these famous landmarks. Just seeing an image of it instantly transports us there. The famous landmarks conjure up associations of, not only just that individual city but sometimes the entire country also.
For this quiz, we picked 30 of our favorite cities from around the world and present an image of a famous landmark from that city. Can you guess which city the landmark is from? You shouldn’t have to be a well-seasoned traveler to know them all. But even if you don’t know of some of the landmarks or cities, you can now add them to your bucket list of travel destinations. So good luck and happy traveling along this short tour of the globe!
A Monumental Traffic Circle
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- Paris
- Brussels
- Zurich
- Stockholm
Paris, France!
The Arc de Triomphe might not be as well known as the Eiffel Tower, but it is a quintessentially Parisian sight! Plus, the Eiffel Tower would have been just too easy.
Have Dinner With a View
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- Auckland
- Toronto
- Berlin
- Paris
Toronto, Canada!
This former world record holder defines the Toronto skyline. In the “main pod” near the top of the tower is a restaurant with 360° views.
Is That Building Sailing?
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- Los Angeles
- Lisbon
- Yokohama
- Sydney
Sydney, Australia!
This famous Sydney, Australia landmark was actually designed by a Danish citizen, Jørn Utzon. He is said to have been inspired by shells, bird wings, clouds, and sails.
Forbidden No More
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- Seoul
- Jerusalem
- Beijing
- Buenos Aires
Beijing, China!
This imposing red structure isn’t Moscow’s Red Square. It’s the largest gate of Beijing’s famous Forbidden City, the former home of Chinese emperors.
Quirky, Colorful Church
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- Amsterdam
- Berlin
- Moscow
- Cape Town
Moscow, Russia!
Saint Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow’s Red Square stands out for its unique architecture and colorful exterior paint.
A Mountain with a Flat Top
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- Lisbon
- Cape Town
- Copenhagen
- Rio de Janiero
Cape Town, South Africa!
Cape Town’s Table Mountain is unique for its flat, 2-mile wide plateau at its top. It is often covered by clouds which locals call the “tablecloth.”
You Probably Know It By Its Nickname
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- Zurich
- New York City
- London
- Doha
London, England!
Big Ben in London is technically the name of the large bell inside the clock tower, but the nickname is now used for the whole structure. Its official name is actually Elizabeth Tower.
The Tallest Building in the World
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- Taipei
- Riyadh
- Chicago
- Dubai
Dubai, United Arab Emirates!
The world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, is located in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. It’s also the tallest free-standing structure in the world.
A Beautiful Burial Chamber
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- Agra
- Delhi
- Tokyo
- Moscow
Agra, India!
The Taj Mahal is famous worldwide for its incredible beauty. The city of Agra, where it’s located though, is only the 24th most populous city in the country.
A Colorfully Domed Cultural Center
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- Mexico City
- Madrid
- Napoli
- Shanghai
Mexico City, Mexico!
The Palacio de Bellas Artes, or Palace of Fine Arts, is also known as the “Cathedral of Art in Mexico.” As such, it is located in Mexico City, the capital.
Birthplace of Democracy
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- Naples
- Oslo
- Sydney
- Athens
Athens, Greece!
The Parthenon is a former temple dedicated to the goddess Athena on top of the Acropolis in Athens, Greece.
It's Still Unfinished With No End in Sight
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- Prague
- Barcelona
- Ottowa
- Beijing
Barcelona, Spain!
Sagrada Familia, the Basilica of the Holy Family, is a prominent sight on the Barcelona landscape, having been under construction since 1882.
A Mountaintop Escape
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- Addis Ababa
- Machu Picchu
- Auckland
- Sao Paulo
Machu Picchu, Peru!
Only 30 minutes outside of the capital of Peru is Machu Picchu, the Incan ruins of a city founded around 1450 and abandoned by 1572.
I Am Spartacus
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- Tunis
- Rome
- Baghdad
- Prague
Rome, Italy!
Nearing almost 2,000 years old, the Colosseum in Rome is just as popular with visitors now as it was when it was originally built.
Church, Mosque, Museum
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- Istanbul
- St. Petersburg
- Los Angeles
- Tehran
Istanbul, Turkiye
The Hagia Sophia perfectly embodies the European-Asian crossroads of Istanbul, Turkey. First, it was a Christian church, then it was a Muslim mosque. Now, it’s a museum.
Not a Viking Fort
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- Dublin
- Reykjavik
- Anchorage
- Beirut
Reykjavik, Iceland!
This imposing structure is actually a church for the Church of Iceland. It’s the tallest building in downtown Reykjavík and the second tallest building in the country.
A Flying Saucer
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- Munich
- Manchester
- Seoul
- Seattle
Seattle, Washington!
Built for the 1962 World’s Fair in Seattle, the Space Needle is a perfect example of 60s Futurist architecture.
Major Religious Center
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- Jerusalem
- Amsterdam
- Milan
- Tiblisi
Jerusalem!
The Dome of the Rock, in Old City Jerusalem, is located on the Temple Mount where Jewish temples once stood. Currently, it is a Muslim mosque, and the area is sacred to both Muslims and Jews.
Oldest Wonder of the Ancient World
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- Giza
- London
- Jersusalem
- Giza
Giza, Egypt!
The pyramid complex is technically in Giza, the 3rd-largest city in Egypt and located just outside of the capital Cairo. The Great Pyramid is over 4,500 years old!
Tear Down This Wall
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- Vienna
- Berlin
- Moscow
- Canberra
Berlin, Germany!
Though it is much older (completed in 1791), the Brandenburg Gate is known more recently for being the site of celebrations of the Berlin Wall’s demise in 1989.
A Late Celebration of the Millennium
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- Kansas City
- Los Angeles
- Chicago
- Orlando
Chicago, Illinois!
Millennium Park in Chicago was conceived to celebrate the year 2000. It opened 4 years late, however. “The Bean” is one of its most famous sculptures!
A Dizzy Descent
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- Portland
- San Francisco
- Las Vegas
- San Antonio
San Francisco, California!
Crooked, winding Lombard Street (situated among San Francisco’s many hills) is one of the steepest streets in the world for regular traffic.
An American Pastime
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- Boston
- Cleveland
- Washington, D.C.
- Seattle
Boston, Massachusetts!
Fenway Park is the oldest and most famous baseball stadium in Major League Baseball. It’s, of course, home to the Boston Red Sox.
A Famous Water Show
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- Las Vegas
- Rome
- Venice
- Mexico City
Las Vegas, Nevada!
It may be inspired by Lake Como in Italy, but the Bellagio fountains are a famous Las Vegas Strip landmark that offers a free show.
New Year's Eve Central
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- London
- Austin
- New York City
- Philadelphia
New York City!
Times Square is in the heart of New York City. It welcomes so many tourists each day that the city made portions of the area off limits to cars beginning in 2009.
A Famous Crack
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- Washington, D.C.
- Phoenix
- Chicago
- Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania!
The Liberty Bell, and other important items related to America’s founding, can be found in Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love.
An Architectural Mishap
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- Pisa
- Madrid
- Tehran
- Osaska
Pisa, Italy!
The city name is in the name of the monument! The Leaning Tower of Pisa has been stabilized…for now, at least.
An Unusual Skyscraper Design
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- Shanghai
- Berlin
- Melbourne
- Johannesburg
Shanghai, China!
The Oriental Pearl Tower in Shanghai has, perhaps, some of the most distinctive architectural stylings of any building, large or small!
With Arms Wide Open
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- Santiago
- Panama City
- Rio de Janiero
- Alexandria
Rio de Janiero, Brazil!
If you watched any coverage of the 2016 Summer Olympics, you’ll know that the famous Christ the Redeemer statue overlooks the city of Rio de Janiero in Brazil.
A Rush Hour Nightmare
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- Beijing
- Ulaanbaatar
- Vladivostok
- Tokyo
Tokyo, Japan!
Shibuya Crossing puts Times Square to shame. It’s the most crowded intersection in the world. During rush hour, 2,500 pedestrians cross the crosswalks…with every light change!
