15 Forbidden Places Around The World That You Can Never Visit

It is hard to imagine that there are a lot of forbidden places in the world that people are prohibited from exploring and visiting. The fact that people are not allowed to go to these forbidden places (unless they are (depending on the place) researchers, scientists, or military officers) adds another layer of mystery to them.

Among the reasons why these locations are labeled are “Forbidden Places” include the areas being just too dangerous, too protected, or maybe too special to visit, to name a few. Two other reasons include some areas being the home of societies who have never made contact with the outside world and/or forbidden due to being “haunted”. All of the forbidden places covered in this article will be locations around the world and in The United States.

Now, with all of that being said, take a look down below and check out 15 Forbidden Places Around The World That You Can Never Visit:

1. North Sentinel Island, India:

Located in the Bay of Bengal, North Sentinel Island is a small, heavily forested island completely encircled by a coral reef, making it hard to reach by boat. However, this is not the reason why North Sentinel Island is one of the many forbidden places in the world that people cannot go to and visit.

North Sentinel Island is one of the most famous forbidden places in the world due to The Sentinelese, an indigenous group of people residing on the island. For those of you not familiar, The Sentinelese are known for rejecting contact with the outside world, making them one of the world’s last communities to remain untouched by modern civilization.

The Sentinelese are very dangerous and keep outsiders away from North Sentinel Island by shooting arrows at them. For example, after the 2004 Tsunami, research helicopters assessing the damage in the area were attacked by the Sentinelese, who shot arrows and threw stones as the aircraft flew over the coastline. Luckily, no one got hurt. However, in 2006, two fishermnan weren’t so lucky. The Sentinelese reportedly killed the two fishermen after their boat accidentally drifted too close to the island.

The two incidents above make North Sentinel Island one of the most dangerous and forbidden places in the world. Check out the video below to get a better understanding of the history of North Sentinel Island and The Sentinelese.

2. Snake Island, Brasil:

Another one of the most famous forbidden places in the world is Snake Island, also known as Ilha da Queimada Grande. Snake Island is approximately 20 miles from the Sao Paulo shore. Like its’ name implies, the island is extremely dangerous as it is the home of a huge snake population (there’s reportedly more than 4,000 of them on the island). It is also home to one of the world’s most deadly snakes: The Golden Lancehead Viper, who’s venom can eat right through flesh!

It makes sense as to why the Brazilian Government bans people from visiting the island. However, every few years, the Brazilian Government will grant a handful of scientists a permit to visit the island to study snakes.

3. Mezhgorye, Russia:

Given the fact that Russia is the largest country in the world, there’s bound to plenty of forbidden places, mysterious sites, ghost towns, and other special places. One of those locations includes Mezhgorye, a closed town situated somewhere in the Southern Ural Mountains.

To keep those who get too close or want to catch a glimpse of what Mezhgorye looks like, the entire town is encircled by two battalions. It not 100 percent clear as to why Mezhgorye is closed off and why it is surrounded by much secrecy.

4. Area 51, United States:

Located in Nevada, Area 51 is one of the most famous forbidden places in both the entire world and in the United States! Like most of the forbidden places included in this article, Area 51 is always wrapped in conspiracy theories.

While official reports state that Area 51 is used by the U.S. Air Force and CIA as a testing site for aircraft and weapons, conspiracy theorists believe that base is where the U.S. government examines and stores a crashed alien spacecraft and the alien occupants. It is off-limits to the public.

5. Svalbard Global Seed Vault, Norway:

Also known as “The Doomsday Vault”, the Svalbard Global Seed Vault is situated on the remote Norwegian island of Spitsbergen. It is built in 2008 and stores over 100 million seeds from all over the world to restore plant life in the event of an apocalypse or global crisis.

The Svalbard Global Seed Vault was built to last about 200 years and it can withstand explosions and earthquakes. It is also protected by highly advanced security systems and access is limited to only a handful of employees.

6. Poveglia, Italy:

This small Italian Island is situated between Venice and Lindo. In the past, Poveglia was used as a quarantine station for those suffering from the plague and other infectious diseases. In 1922, the island became home to a mental institution that didn’t have the best reputation. In 1968, the mental institution closed. Many people are convinced that Poveglia is haunted and that’s why the island is one of the forbidden places in the world that people cannot visit ever.

7. Pravcicka Brana, Czech Republic:

One of the Czech Republic’s most well-known tourist attractions, Pravcicka Brana is Europe’s largest natural sandstone arch. No visitors have been allowed to visit Pravcicka Brana since 1982 due to fears that the structure might eventually collapse one day if two many people come to the area. Tourists are allowed to see Pravcicka Brana from afar but are prohibited from climbing on it.

8. Chichen Itza Pyramid, Mexico:

Chichen Itza Pyramid is one of the Seven Wonders of The World and draws millions of tourists who marvel at the beautiful Mayan pyramid. Although people are allowed to visit, what makes the Chichen Itza Pyramid one of the world’s forbidden places is the fact that tourists are banned from climbing the Mayan pyramid! The ban was installed after a woman tumbled off the pyramid to her death in 2006.

9. Chapel of the Tablet, Ethiopia:

Only the guardian of the Chapel of The Tablet in Axum, Ethiopia, can enter. The Chapel reportedly holds The Ark of The Covenant.

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10. Lascaux Caves, France:

The Lascaux Caves in France are a treasure trove for archaeologists around the globe as they contain pre-historic paintings that are over 17,300 years old. It is even included in UNESCO World Heritage sites.

However, the caves have been closed off the public since 1963 after being threatened by a series of fungal invasions due to a large number of visitors. The fungus problem is still ongoing and only a small number of scientists are allowed to enter The Lascaux Caves for just a few days a month in order to study the paintings.

11. North Brother Island, United States:

Although New York City draws millions of tourists each year, North Brother Island is the one place in the Big Apple that tourists are prohibited from visiting. This 13-acre island is in New York City’s East River between the Bronx and Riker’s Island. It used to be home to the Riverside Hospital during the 19th century and patients suffering from yellow fever, tuberculosis, and smallpox were quarantined there. North Brother Island was eventually abandoned during the 1960s and serves today as a bird sanctuary.

12. Surtsey Island, Iceland:

Huge volcanic eruptions that lasted for three years resulted in the formation of Surtsey Island. This destination is one of those Forbidden Places around the world that only grants access to scientists. Surtsey Island doesn’t allow tourists to visit as it is believed that human interference will interrupt the ecological succession taking place on the island.

13. Niihau Island, United States:

Also known as The Forbidden Island, the only people allowed on Niihau Island are the descendants of Elizabeth Sinclair. In 1964, the Scottish farmer and plantation owner purchased the Hawaiian Island and one needs special permission in order to be allowed to enter Niihau.

14. Ise Grand Shrine, Japan:

The Ise Grand Shrine is another one of the most famous forbidden places in the world that everyday people can never enter. The only people allowed inside are the priests and family members of the Imperial House of Japan. The Ise Grand Shrine is an extremely important place for the Shinto religion, as it was built to honor Amaterasu, a goddess of the sun and the universe.

15. Morgan Island (“Monkey Island”), United States:

This island is located in South Carolina and earned its’ nickname “Monkey Island” due to a colony of 4,0000 rhesus monkeys residing on Morgan Island. These monkeys were relocated from Puerto Rico to Morgan Island due to the spreading of herpes virus B infection.

Given the circumstances mentioned above, it makes sense as to why Morgan Island is one of the forbidden places in the world that people can never visit. It is for the safety of both the people and the monkeys. The only group of people allowed to enter Morgan Island are researchers from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).