20 Must-See Destinations That Are Disappearing Right Before Our Eyes

If you’re holding off on vacationing yet another year, we suggest you plan it now. Many of the world’s most famous attractions are changing fast, and not in a good way. Climate change and overcrowding are causing serious damage, and some places no longer look the way they did just a few years ago. Don’t wait too long—these beautiful destinations might not be the same forever. Here are some breathtaking spots you should visit before it’s too late.

Venice, Italy

While Venice’s waterborne allure has delighted tourists for decades, it’s the very thing that threatens the city’s safety. Rising sea levels are increasing the risk of flooding, which means the city won’t be suitable for touring or living. It has already become difficult for the city to cope with crowds of tourists visiting every day.

Great Barrier Reef, Australia

The Great Barrier Reef is one of the most unique attractions of Australia, but unfortunately, it is slowly losing its charm because of ocean acidification, contributing to coral bleaching. Tourists who want to see the colorful underwater brigade should do it now before it’s too late.

The Dead Sea, Jordan

The Dead Sea is a popular tourist attraction because it is the lowest point on earth and essentially unsinkable. Unfortunately, climate change is rapidly drying it out and harming its ecosystem, so it’s possible that tourists will not be able to visit the Dead Sea in the future.

Seychelles, South Africa

Known for its alluring turquoise-tinted beaches, Seychelles is slowly losing its charm because of coastal erosion, drastically affecting the country’s appearance. The beaches are already losing attraction, so it’s best to visit the country before it is too late and unreachable.

Kenya, East Africa

Kenya is home to the world’s last white rhinos, Najin and Fatu, living at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy. The duo has no male left to mate with, so their death will lead to the extinction of species. If you hope to catch a glimpse, you shouldn’t wait to admire them in person before they are gone.

Magdalen Islands, Canada

Sitting at the Gulf of Saint Laurent, Canada’s most stunning archipelago, the Magdalen Islands risk losing their charm due to global warming, which is already starting to affect its tourism and residence. The shores have already been eroded and will continue to do so more in the coming years.

Maldives, South Asia

Maldives is the lowest-lying country in the world and lies dangerously close to the ocean surface. Sea levels around Maldives have been rising rapidly for the past few years. It is believed that the country and its attractions will eventually no longer be safe to visit.

Patagonia, Chile

Patagonia, unfortunately, is also a victim of climate change. Chilean ice and glacial areas near Patagonia are rapidly declining because of global warming. The area, a popular winter tourist attraction, is already suffering record-high temperatures, threatening its tourism and environment.

Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

Tanzania’s most popular tourist attraction, this snowy-peaked mountain, is experiencing the brunt of climate change and subsequently losing its glacial attractions, which researchers estimate will completely vanish by 2050. This is extremely saddening to know and hence, tourists are advised to visit the area to admire before it’s gone.

Great Wall of China, China

This epic historic landmark has been the target of brick theft for a few years. The Great Wall of China is also crumbling due to soil erosion, gradually losing a significant portion of its endless reign. Additionally, the crowds of tourists pose a danger to its already fragile structure.

Glacier National Park, Montana

The United States’ prized Glacier National Park was once home to over 150 glaciers, but only 25 glaciers remain. However, they are also at risk of melting due to increasing temperatures. Global warming is slowly destroying the area’s glaciers and frequently causing fires, threatening its natural charm.

Borneo, Southeast Asia

This stunning island is home to incredible animals like the Bornean orangutan, Proboscis monkey, spotted leopard, and other unique species, but it has lost its majority habitat because of deforestation. Numerous conservation efforts are in place to protect the rainforests and the species.

Antarctica

Rapid ice loss in Antarctica is threatening its unique wildlife and ecosystems. Since the 1950s, there has been an increase in temperature by 3 degrees Celcius, which is a loss of 25,000 km2 of the ice shelf. This ice loss has been impacting wildlife and marine life in Antarctica, and in the future, the area will be at risk of increased sea levels.

Athabasca Glacier, Canada

Over the past 125 years, the Athabasca Glacier has been significantly affected by climate change, resulting in a significant loss of its volume. It has retreated more than 1.5 kilometers, leaving behind a barren landscape of rocky moraines where ice once stood. Those who want to visit this part of Canada should do it as soon as possible before it’s all gone as a result of drastic climate change.

Madagascar’s Rainforests

Madagascar’s rainforests are full of wildlife you won’t find anywhere else on the planet, but they’re disappearing fast due to deforestation and illegal logging. The impact isn’t just on the incredible animals that call this place home; it’s also devastating for the local communities. If you ever wanted to see this one-of-a-kind biodiversity, now’s the time to go before it’s lost forever.

Lake Como, Italy

Lake Como is one of the most beautiful and popular destinations in the world but climate change has already put it in danger due to surrounding melting glaciers. In addition to that, the influx of tourists is affecting its beauty and environment, leading to the city introducing a daytripper fee to reduce the number of visitors per day.

The Alps, Europe

The Alps are a favorite vacation spot, but they’re suffering from climate change and mass tourism. Each year, more of the European Alps thaw, threatening the mountains themselves. Warming here is happening faster, and it is predicted to only get worse in the coming years.

Joshua Tree National Park, USA

Rising temperatures and droughts are putting the iconic Joshua trees at risk. These unique trees, which give the park its name and character, are having a tough time coping with climate change. The direct killing of trees by developers for construction purposes is also pushing them to extinction.

Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

The Galapagos Islands are famous for their incredible wildlife and breathtaking landscapes, but they’re facing real challenges from climate change and too much tourism. The fragile ecosystems are struggling with pollution and illegal fishing, which are taking a toll on them. If you’ve ever dreamed of seeing these amazing islands, now is the time to go, but be mindful of the environment to avoid any harm.

The Amazon Rainforest, South America

Lastly, the Amazon Rainforest, unfortunately, is facing serious threats from deforestation, illegal logging, and climate change. Visiting this incredible place lets you explore its vast biodiversity, meet indigenous communities, and see its majestic beauty firsthand. It’s a unique ecosystem that needs our protection, so experiencing it now is both a privilege and a call to action.