There can be little doubt that technology has changed the way we see our world, and Google Earth is a perfect illustration. This free‑to‑download tool from earth.google.com lets you swoop around the globe, zoom in on distant corners, and explore places you’ve only ever seen in pictures. In this guide we’ll walk you through 10 interesting places you can visit instantly on Google Earth. Simply paste the coordinates into the search bar and hit Enter to be whisked away. These spots are listed in no particular order.
One quick tip: consider turning off the Geographic Web layer in the sidebar. Otherwise, for a few of these locations you’ll only see tiny blue boxes that represent user‑submitted photos, which can block the view of the actual landmark.
There are countless more wonders to discover on Google Earth, and if this roundup proves popular I’ll put together another list featuring even more famous sites.
10 Krakatoa
Coordinates: 6.102°S 105.423°E
On August 27, 1883, after weeks of rumbling and smaller eruptions, the island of Krakatoa erupted in a cataclysmic series of four explosions. The blasts were so immense they were heard over 3,000 miles away, disrupted global weather patterns for years, and sent a shockwave that circled the planet seven times. The original island was largely destroyed, but a new volcano, Anak Krakatau (“Son of Krakatoa”), has risen from the sea floor and remains active, steadily building up since the 1950s. Will the next massive eruption happen soon? Only time will reveal the answer.
9 Meteor Crater
Coordinates: 35°1′38″N 111°1′21″W
Located about 43 miles east of Flagstaff, Arizona, Meteor Crater stretches roughly 4,000 feet across and plunges 570 feet deep. Formed around 40,000 years ago by a meteor estimated to be 54 yards wide, it was initially mistaken for a volcanic crater until mining engineer Daniel Barringer championed the impact theory in 1903. In a dramatic episode on August 8, 1964, Capt. John L. Kidd and pilot Gary Chapin crash‑landed a Cessna 150 inside the crater after a loss of lift. They circled the rim until fuel ran out, survived the landing, and today their aircraft remnants remain on display.
8 Vredefort Crater
Coordinates: 27°0′0″S 27°30′0″E
When it comes to meteor impact sites, the Vredefort Crater in South Africa steals the show as the largest verified crater on Earth. To truly appreciate its magnitude you’ll need to zoom out considerably: an asteroid roughly six miles wide struck here, carving a basin up to 186 miles in diameter. The impact dates back more than two billion years, making it a geological marvel that dwarfs many other known craters.
7 Great Pyramid of Giza
Coordinates: 29°58′34″N 31°07′58″E
The Great Pyramid of Giza stands as the sole survivor among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Constructed in the 23rd century BC, it served as a tomb for the pharaoh Khufu and may align with the “Belt of Orion.” From the central pyramid, a short trek southeast reveals the enigmatic Great Sphinx, completing the iconic Giza plateau that continues to fascinate scholars and travelers alike.
6 Burj Khalifa
Coordinates: 25°11′49.7″N 55°16′26.8″E
Burj Khalifa, formerly Burj Dubai, pierces the Dubai skyline at an astonishing 2,717 feet, making it the tallest man‑made structure on the planet. While the tower itself is a needle in the sky, its colossal shadow is unmistakable from orbit on Google Earth. The skyscraper boasts 14 world records, including the fastest elevator (40 mph) and the highest swimming pool perched on the 76th floor. Its construction cost roughly $1.5 billion USD.
5 Sydney Opera House
Coordinates: 33°51′25″S 151°12′53″E
Conceived by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, the Sydney Opera House was completed in 1973 after construction began in 1959, at a cost of $102 million. Its iconic sail‑like shells house a Concert Hall that seats 2,678 and contains the world’s largest mechanical tracker‑action organ with over 10,000 pipes. Additional venues include the Opera Theatre (1,507 seats), the Drama Theatre (544 seats), the Playhouse (398 seats), plus flexible‑seating studios ranging from 210 to 400 patrons.
4 Stonehenge
Coordinates: 51°10′43.84″N 1°49′34.28″W
Erected around 2,500 BC, Stonehenge served as a Bronze‑Age burial ground, yet its true purpose remains a mystery. The lack of written records has sparked countless theories, from a primitive astronomical observatory to a sacred worship site. From Google Earth you can spot the Heelstone to the northeast of the main circle and glimpse remnants of two additional henges to the southwest.
3 Spring Temple Buddha
Coordinates: 33.775150°N 112.451016°E
The Spring Temple Buddha in China claims the title of tallest statue on the planet, standing 502 feet tall when measured from the base of its supporting structure. Completed in 2002 at a cost of $55 million, it depicts Vairocana Buddha, the embodiment of emptiness (shunyata). Prior to its construction, the world’s largest standing Buddhas were the Bamyan Buddhas in Afghanistan, which were tragically destroyed by the Taliban in 2001.
2 Christ the Redeemer
Coordinates: 22°57′6″S 43°12′39″W
Rising 130 feet above Rio de Janeiro’s Corcovado Mountain, the Christ the Redeemer statue has become an iconic symbol of Brazil. Construction began in 1922 and concluded in 1931. In July 2007 it was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. A chapel beneath the statue, consecrated in October 2006 for the statue’s 75th anniversary, allows for baptisms and weddings, adding a spiritual dimension to the landmark.
1 Statue of Liberty
Coordinates: 40°41′38″N 74°2′37″W
The Statue of Liberty greets visitors in New York Harbor as a gift from France in 1886. Standing 151 feet tall (305 feet including its pedestal), its official name is “Liberty Enlightening the World.” The copper‑clad figure holds a tablet inscribed with July 4, 1776 and a broken chain at her feet symbolizes freedom. From 1886 to 1902 the torch functioned as a lighthouse, though it was later discontinued due to bird‑collision concerns. Over the decades the copper has developed a distinctive blue‑green patina, yet the statue remains a timeless emblem of the United States.