These Are 15 of the Most Spiritual Places on Earth to Discover Yourself

Montserrat, 50 kilometres northwest of Barcelona, anchors the Catalan identity amidst this distinctive mountainscape and unique rock formations. Here, there's a natural park and a Monastery that was established in the 11th century, nestled in the smooth, oblique cliff faces. A cable car carries you up to the monastery, but the acoustics alone will transport you, elsewhere. A serene, preternatural aura is offered due to the monastery’s location. Beyond, multiple trails encourage quiet contemplation, guiding you up to see the regal green landscape unfolding below.

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The Haida have lived on the Haida Gwaii archipelago for some 8,000 years. The village of S’Gang Gwaay, located in the south-west, is part of the Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and the Haida Heritage Site. Occupied by the Haida village until the 1880s, the captivating totem poles remain, slowly giving way to nature’s order. It is only accessible by boat and only about a dozen people are allowed to visit it at a time, guided by Haida Watchmen, who explain the significance of the totems.

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The centre of the Islamic world, Mecca is the birthplace of the prophet Muhammed and where the Word of God manifested. No matter where they are, Muslims the world over orient themselves in its direction when praying. The faith also requires each Muslim to make a ‘hajj’ at least once in their lifetime — a pilgrimage held in the final month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Some three million people from all over the world fulfill that call, and other pilgrims from all over visit throughout the year as well.

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It has been said of Japan that it’s hard to travel the country and find a spot where it isn’t spiritual in some way. Kyoto, specifically, is the heart of Japanese culture to this day and its former name, Heian-kyo, literally means “Capital of Peace and Tranquility”. The city is dotted with 90 Christian churches, 400 Shinto shrines and 1,660 Buddhist temples. The Fushimi Inari Shrine, with its bright red torii (gates), sits on a hill just outside of the city, offering fantastic scenic views of what lies inside.

The ‘leaping place of the spirits’ is an appropriately descriptive Maori name for the lush, green tip of the North Island, where the azure waters of Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean face off. There, ushering the deceased along on their journey to the “after”, is an ancient gnarled pohutukawa tree that, despite its precarious conditions, has survived for eons (it is said to help guide the spirits along on their journey). Sometimes called Cape Reinga, the spot is a critical connection for the Maori to their ancestors, who have moved on to join goddess Hinenuitepo.

Like its popular younger sibling, Stonehenge, Avebury is a captivating and enigmatic Neolithic henge monument. Consisting of three concentric rings, the Avebury site appears in the remote, southwestern English countryside, along with a giant man-made mound. While historians don’t have clear answers for the purpose of the site, it was likely a gathering spot for rituals. People still employ divining rods to search for ley lines — and touch the sandstone boulders in search of divine connection.

Located in western Tibet, Kalish rises up a majestic 6,714 metres. Buddhist, Hindus, Bons and Jains all consider the region sacred. Thought to be a ‘mandala’ — the navel or microcosm of the universe — it is the source of four rivers in Asia. Circling the mountain once in a pilgrimage (known as performing a ‘kora’ according to Buddhist tradition), absolves an individual of one lifetime of karma, while performing 108 of these leads to full enlightenment.

Sometimes called the Wailing Wall (though decreasingly so), Kotel, or the Buraq wall, the ancient Western Wall is a 488-metre long limestone structure in the Old City of Jerusalem. It serves as one of the most sacred sites in Judaism and was founded in 19th century BCE — it's also thought to be located near Solomon’s original temple. It draws spiritual people of all religions to pray or to write their prayers down on paper and leave them in one of the wall’s many crevices — whereafter they are collected and buried nearby to become an ‘eternal prayer’.

The original home of the Sinagua, Sedona is considered sacred because it is where multiple healing energy flows unite. The sheer serene beauty of its vastness and its red rock colours alone are thought to bring about regeneration, spiritual connectedness and creativity. The desert-like region has inspired many more New Age and alternative practitioners, and it’s easy to see why people of all belief systems are drawn to the place.

Majestic Chichen Itza was an ancient Mayan site dotted with intricate pyramids and cenotes (underground pools) — both of which were sometimes used for sacrificial offerings in attempts to appease the gods (i.e. when crops failed or when there were droughts). The Pyramid of Kukulcan (renamed El Castillo — the castle — by the Spaniards), was constructed so that when the light hit it at certain times during the Spring and Fall equinoxes, the shadow appears to move like a serpent, representing the respective god, Kukulcan. The local, naturally-occurring quartz and jade are also thought to hold and conduct special energies unique to the region.

Snaefellsjokull not only inspired Jules Verne to write “Journey to the Centre of the Earth” — but the glacier-capped “stratovolcano” (think of it as a volcano on ‘roids) is thought to be one of the world’s epicentres for the most potent energy flows. The site attracts UFO enthusiasts and others who claim its powers to connect us, but whether or not you believe that something is out there, its stark, imposing presence is undeniably awe-inspiring.

Revered by people practicing the Hindu religion, Varanasi is the at the centre of the Ganges valley in northern India, and remains one of the oldest cities in the world. The Ganges water is also considered sacred, and nearby temples and sacred places offer regal send-offs to the departed. Foreigners as well as locals bathe by the banks — after all, the whole city is a feast for the senses. Those seeking spiritual guidance, wholesome, flavourful vegetarian meals and meditation will find a home in Varanasi.

Batanes is located in the northeast part of the Philippines and is part of the Cagayan Valley region that features rolling green hills against the contrast of a deep blue sea. The dramatic vastness of the outlook, steep drop-offs and the lush foliage provide the kind of solitude that inspires introspection and inner peace.

There is no denying the awe-inspiring monolithic presence of Australia’s red Uluru rock. Thought to have formed some 550 million years ago, the 348 metre sandstone can appear to shift in colour, depending on the sunlight. Uluru is at the centre of Australia’s Aborigines culture and belief-system — and at the core of their origin stories. It is thought to hide ancient wisdom and diverse plant and animal life. You can observe it from afar or hike around the base — but respect its sacredness and do not attempt to climb it.

Built in over a period of more than 500 years (from AD 802-1431), the Khmer Empire’s greatest architectural feat is proportionally vast. In fact, it’s the largest spiritual centre in the world, spreading close to 400 kilometres. But more than just a series of structures, Angkor Wat was a spiritual base, first constructed as a Hindu temple for the god Vishnu, and then gradually transformed into a Buddhist temple in the 12th century. Many who visit the site also report a sense of increased awareness and sense of connectedness to something greater. Memo to the wise however, as it’s such a renown spot, do try to go during less busy times, as it’s hard to connect to anything when you have to wade through the crowd just to have a look.