Some corners of the world are so mysterious or dangerous that they’re completely off-limits to travelers. From isolated tribes to sacred vaults, these five forbidden spots have captivating reasons why no one can visit. Whether it’s to protect people or preserve something precious, these places are locked away, sparking curiosity about what lies within.
North Sentinel Island, nestled in the Indian Ocean’s Andaman chain, is home to a tribe that shuns the outside world. With up to 500 members, the Sentinelese have stayed isolated, violently defending their land. In 2018, they killed American missionary John Allen Chau when he tried to approach them. To respect their wishes and ensure safety, the island is strictly off-limits to all visitors (2024 Maxar Technologies/Getty Images).
The Vatican Apostolic Archive in Rome holds centuries of private papal records. Founded in the 17th century and once called the Vatican Secret Archive, it was closed to everyone until 1881, when Pope Leo XIII allowed a few Catholic scholars access. Today, it remains tightly restricted, keeping its historical secrets out of reach for most (Stefano Bianchetti/Corbis via Getty Images).
The Svalbard Global Seed Vault in Norway, known as the Doomsday Vault, stores over 1.3 million crop and plant seeds to safeguard food supplies in case of global crises. Built deep inside a mountain to withstand disasters like earthquakes or nuclear strikes, it’s sealed to prevent contamination, meaning no visitors can enter (LISE ASERUD/NTB Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images).
Off Brazil’s coast, Ilha da Queimada Grande, or Snake Island, is teeming with deadly golden lancehead vipers, whose venom can kill in hours. Isolated 11,000 years ago, the island’s snakes became uniquely dangerous. A tale says a lighthouse keeper and his family died from bites in the 1920s. Only researchers with medical support can visit, as Brazil bans everyone else (9 News).
In Ethiopia, the Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion is believed to hold a replica of the Ark of the Covenant, a sacred relic. Only a chosen guardian can enter the chapel where it’s kept, making it inaccessible to the public. This holy site, tied to biblical legend, remains a mystery to all but a select few (Getty Stock Image/Rudolf Ernst).
