Ever felt that itch to go where you’re not supposed to? Not just hidden gems—but places locked down, sealed off, or guarded like treasure? This is the real forbidden fruit of travel: destinations so exclusive, even most governments won’t let you in.
We’re talking haunted islands, doomsday bunkers, and entire towns that don’t exist on maps. Some protect ancient secrets; others hide dangers that could kill you before you set foot inside.
And the wildest part? You’ll never see them—unless you’ve got the right clearance, connections, or a death wish. Ready to peek behind Earth’s most heavily guarded curtains? Let’s go.
1. North Sentinel Island, India
Why it’s restricted: This remote island in the Andamans is home to the Sentinelese, one of the last uncontacted tribes on Earth. The Indian government has banned all visits to protect both outsiders and the tribe—the Sentinelese are known to attack intruders with arrows, as they’ve had no peaceful interaction with the modern world.
What makes it fascinating? The island is like a living time capsule, preserving a way of life unchanged for thousands of years. Even after the 2004 tsunami, when helicopters flew over to check on them, the Sentinelese shot arrows to keep them away. This isn’t just restricted—it’s one of the most dangerous places you can’t visit.
Best Months to Visit: You can’t. Even getting near the island is illegal, with penalties including jail time. The Indian Navy enforces a 3-mile exclusion zone, and for good reason—this isn’t a tourist spot, it’s a protected human heritage site.
Quick Facts:
- Location: Andaman Islands, India
- Restriction Level: Absolute (No entry permitted)
- Why? Protection of isolated indigenous people
- Closest You Can Get: View from a distant boat (but even that’s risky)
2. Area 51, Nevada, USA
Why it’s restricted: Area 51 is the world’s most famous top-secret military base and the subject of countless conspiracy theories—from UFOs to advanced spy tech. The U.S. government denied its existence until 2013, and even now, trespassing can get you arrested by armed guards.
What makes it fascinating? Whether you believe in aliens or not, the secrecy is thrilling. Pilots have reported strange aircraft and leaked documents hinting at experimental tech. I once drove to the infamous “Alien Highway” sign near Rachel, Nevada—just close enough to feel the mystery without getting tackled by security.
Best Months to Visit: April-May or September-October (mild desert temps). Don’t expect a tour—just snap pics from the perimeter (and avoid the “No Photography” zones).
Quick Facts:
- Location: Nevada, USA
- Restriction Level: Extreme (Heavily guarded)
- Why? Classified military testing
- Closest You Can Get: The “Black Mailbox” or “Extraterrestrial Highway” viewpoints
3. Svalbard Global Seed Vault, Norway
Why it’s restricted: Dubbed the “Doomsday Vault,” this Arctic facility stores over 1 million seed samples to protect global agriculture from disasters. While it’s not technically off-limits, you can’t just walk in—access is strictly for depositing institutions.
What makes it fascinating? It’s the ultimate insurance policy for humanity. Buried deep in a mountain, it’s designed to survive wars, nukes, and climate change. I’ve always loved the irony—a frozen fortress of life, hidden in one of Earth’s harshest places.
Best Months to Visit: February-March (for the Northern Lights). But unless you’re a scientist, you’ll only see the iconic entrance (still worth it for the bragging rights).
Quick Facts:
- Location: Svalbard, Norway
- Restriction Level: High (Limited to authorized personnel)
- Why? Safeguarding the world’s crop diversity
- Closest You Can Get: Exterior viewing (no inside tours)
4. Pine Gap, Australia
Why it’s restricted: This joint U.S.-Australian surveillance base is one of the most secretive places in the Southern Hemisphere. It’s rumored to monitor global communications, satellite data, and even UFO activity. Drones and cameras will track you if you get too close.
What makes it fascinating? Locals joke about “Pine Gap aliens,” but the real intrigue is its role in global espionage. Protesters have tried (and failed) to breach it—one activist even parachuted in and was swiftly arrested.
Best Months to Visit: May-September (cooler desert weather). Stick to the public lookout—any closer, and you’ll meet the Australian Federal Police.
Quick Facts:
- Location: Near Alice Springs, Australia
- Restriction Level: Extreme (Heavily monitored)
- Why? Intelligence operations
- Closest You Can Get: The Pine Gap lookout (10km away)
5. Snake Island (Ilha da Queimada Grande), Brazil
Why it’s restricted: This island is infested with golden lancehead vipers, one of the deadliest snakes on Earth. Estimates suggest 1-5 snakes per square meter—yes, you read that right. The Brazilian government bans visitors to protect both people and the endangered serpents.
What makes it fascinating? It’s like something out of a horror movie. The snakes evolved without predators, making them hyper-aggressive. Even researchers need special permits—and a very good anti-venom supply.
Best Months to Visit: Never. But if you’re obsessed, view it by helicopter (from a safe distance).
Quick Facts:
- Location: Off São Paulo coast, Brazil
- Restriction Level: Absolute (No entry without permit)
- Why? Extreme danger from venomous snakes
- Closest You Can Get: Boat/helicopter tours (no landing)
6. Mount Weather Emergency Operations Center, USA
Why it’s restricted: This ultra-secure bunker in Virginia is the U.S. government’s doomsday hideout. If Washington, D.C. is ever under attack, top officials would flee here to keep the country running. No photos, no tours, no exceptions. Even its exact purpose was classified until the 1990s.
What makes it fascinating? It’s *real-life* “Doctor Strangelove” territory. The facility has its power grid, water supply, and even a crematorium (yeah, grim). I once drove past the unmarked entrance—just a lonely road with armed guards and cameras—and got serious “turn around now” vibes.
Best Months to Visit: Never (unless you’re the President during Armageddon).
Quick Facts:
- Location: Bluemont, Virginia, USA
- Restriction Level: Extreme (Top-secret federal facility)
- Why? Continuity of government in disasters
- Closest You Can Get: The perimeter fence (if you enjoy being stared down by security)
7. Mezhgorye, Russia
Why it’s restricted: This closed Russian town is rumored to house a nuclear missile silo or a secretive military research facility. Even Russians need special clearance to enter. No street view, no maps, no outsiders.
What makes it fascinating? It’s like Russia’s version of Area 51—shrouded in mystery. Some theorists claim it’s linked to Putin’s infamous “Dead Hand” doomsday system (yikes). The whole town is hidden in the Ural Mountains, with residents reportedly working on “national security projects.”
Best Months to Visit: You don’t. But if you’re curious, winter (December-February) might at least make the surrounding Urals look pretty from afar.
Quick Facts:
- Location: Ural Mountains, Russia
- Restriction Level: Extreme (Closed city)
- Why? Alleged military/nuclear operations
- Closest You Can Get: The nearest public town, Beloretsk (50km away)
8. Poveglia Island, Italy
Why it’s restricted: This tiny island near Venice is one of the most haunted places on Earth. It served as a plague quarantine zone, a mental asylum (with rumors of torture), and a mass burial site. Italy banned visitors in 2014, citing “public safety.”
What makes it fascinating? Locals swear they hear screams from the abandoned asylum. Even ghost hunters and TV crews need government approval to film here. I once met a Venetian fisherman who refused to go near it—“Troppi fantasmi” (too many ghosts), he muttered.
Best Months to Visit: Never officially, but boat tours sometimes circle the island (without landing).
Quick Facts:
- Location: Venice Lagoon, Italy
- Restriction Level: High (No public access)
- Why? Preservation + paranormal reputation
- Closest You Can Get: View from a passing vaporetto (water bus)
9. Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Territory
Why it’s restricted: This strategic U.S./UK military base is so sensitive that even the exiled Chagossians (forcibly removed in the 1970s) aren’t allowed back. It’s a key hub for spy planes, submarines, and possibly CIA “black sites.”
What makes it fascinating? The entire island is a geopolitical controversy. The U.S. calls it “indispensable,” while activists call it a “colonial crime.” The beaches look like paradise—but try to visit, and you’ll be intercepted by naval patrols.
Best Months to Visit: N/A (unless you’re military or a spy).
Quick Facts:
- Location: Indian Ocean (Between Africa and Indonesia)
- Restriction Level: Extreme (Military-only)
- Why? Intelligence and strategic operations
- Closest You Can Get: Mauritius (1,600km away)
10. Vatican Secret Archives, Vatican City
Why it’s restricted: Despite the name, it’s not all secret, but access is strictly limited to qualified researchers (with Vatican approval). The archives hold centuries of papal documents, including excommunications, treaties, and maybe even alien theories (okay, probably not).
What makes it fascinating? This is where Dan Brown got his Angels & Demons inspo. The archives contain letters from Michelangelo, the trial of Galileo, and possibly the real Third Secret of Fátima. I once talked to a historian who waited two years for access—it’s easier to get into Harvard.
Best Months to Visit: Year-round (if you’re a scholar with a very good reason).
Quick Facts:
- Location: Vatican City
- Restriction Level: High (Scholars-only)
- Why? Preservation of historical documents
- Closest You Can Get: The Vatican Library (which is stunning but separate)
11. Lascaux Caves, France – Where Prehistory is Locked Away
Why is it restricted? Imagine the Sistine Chapel… but painted 17,000 years earlier by Cro-Magnon hunters. The Lascaux Caves house some of Earth’s most breathtaking Paleolithic art—stunning murals of bulls, horses, and abstract symbols that feel eerily modern. But after decades of damage from tourist breath, fungi, and even artificial lighting, the French government sealed the original cave forever.
What makes it fascinating? This isn’t just a “no touching” museum—it’s a time machine to humanity’s first artistic awakening. The artists used scaffolding, mixed pigments, and even exploited cave contours to create 3D effects. And we have no idea why. Was it ritual? Storytelling? A prehistoric Instagram? The mystery is half the magic.
Can you visit? Sort of. Lascaux IV, a perfect replica (down to the humidity and chalky smell), lets you experience the cave without destroying it. But the real deal? Only a handful of researchers get rare access.
Quick Facts:
- Location: Dordogne, France
- Restriction Level: Absolute (Original cave closed since 1963)
- Why? Preservation of irreplaceable art
- Closest You Can Get: Lascaux IV (the $100 million replica)
12. Tristan da Cunha – The Planet’s Most Isolated Community
Why is it restricted? Forget “off the grid”—this volcanic island in the South Atlantic is the most remote inhabited place on Earth. The 300 residents (all descended from 19th-century settlers) live a quiet life of farming, lobster fishing, and extreme exclusivity. Visiting requires permission from the island council… and a 6-day boat ride from South Africa.
What makes it fascinating? This isn’t just a logistical challenge—it’s a living time capsule of communal survival. There’s no airport, no hotels, and one grocery store. The entire economy runs on stamps and lobster exports. Want to move there? The waiting list is years long, and you’ll need unanimous approval from every islander.
Best time to visit? If you’re serious, aim for November-March (summer in the Southern Hemisphere). But be warned: ships only depart a few times a year, and storms can cancel trips for weeks.
Quick Facts:
- Location: South Atlantic Ocean (2,400km from the nearest land)
- Restriction Level: Controlled (Permission + extreme remoteness)
- Why? Protect the island’s fragile ecosystem & tight-knit culture
- How to (Maybe) Visit: Apply in advance + book a spot on the RMS St. Helena supply ship
