Not all landmarks make it onto a tourist’s checklist because of calculated marketing or tourism campaigns. Some places step into the spotlight effortlessly through coincidence, history, or even human error, from forgotten cities to towns that captured travellers’ hearts organically with little to no strategic intent. Here are a few destinations that became famous simply by being themselves.
Chefchaouen - The Blue City
Situated in the Rif mountains of northern Morocco between Tetouan and Ouazzane, Chefchaouen is known for its blue-painted streets and buildings. The city holds up a unanimous colour, though different buildings are painted in varying shades of it. Founded in the 15th century as a defensive settlement, it later absorbed strong Andalusian Muslim and Jewish influences after the Reconquista. This distinctive use of blue, once symbolic and practical, unintentionally earned it the nickname the Blue City and turned it into one of Morocco’s most photographed destinations.
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Times Square - Global symbol of urban energy
Since 1904, Times Square began transforming after The New York Times shifted its headquarters there, demanding a name change and a shift in identity. What was once an ordinary carriage district and later criticised for its noise and large, glaring billboards, slowly turned into a crowd magnet. Over time, the very chaos that was once disliked evolved into Times Square’s defining character, making it a global symbol of urban energy.
Petra, Jordan - A forgotten land for centuries
Carved by the Nabataeans over 2,000 years ago, Petra was abandoned and was a forgotten land for centuries. Its rediscovery in 1812 by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt happened purely by accident. That moment brought Petra back into the global limelight, including UNESCO World Heritage recognition, eventually making it Jordan’s most visited site, all due to a mistaken trip.
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North Pole, Alaska, USA - Christmas all around the year
Originally developed for industrial use, the town was built near Fairbanks in the 1950s. A small children’s favourite toy shop called Santa Claus House, however, changed the entire narrative. When letters to Santa began arriving from around the world, the town embraced its Christmas identity. Today North Pole is famous worldwide for celebrating Christmas all year round, something that was never part of the founders’ original intent.
Pompeii, Italy - Window into ancient Roman life
Much like another forgotten land, Pompeii is now known for how it was preserved. When Mount Vesuvius erupted in AD 79, the city was buried under thick layers of ash and lost to time. Its accidental rediscovery in the 18th century revealed frozen moments of everyday Roman life, streets, homes and human traces, turning Pompeii into one of the world’s most important archaeological and historical sites.
