Severely restricted

These are some of the hardest places to visit in the world

Different destinations around the world are more or less difficult to visit, but some places are nearly impossible, at least for the average layperson. The reasons behind it vary: religious customs, geographical isolation, security issues, or cultural differences. Here are 10 places that are extremely hard to access.

If you want to enter America’s most famous (alleged) alien facility, your only option is to join the U.S. Air Force. Even then, your chances are quite slim, as only authorized personnel can access the site. As a common citizen, your only option is to drive up to the facility’s perimeter, about 150 miles north of Las Vegas, and enjoy the alien-themed shops in the area.

Are tourists allowed to visit this Central Asian country? Yes, but only if they are invited to do so. Independent travel is restricted in Turkmenistan, so your best chance of experiencing the country is by securing an official letter of invitation through a licensed tourism agency, which in turn allows you to apply for a visa. Once you are allowed into the country, you can explore Ashgabat, the capital city, on your own, but traveling through the rest of the country can only be done with a registered driver and an official tour guide.

While some parts of Antarctica are restricted due to the presence of military bases, most of inland Antarctica is difficult to visit because it requires specialized gear, costly flights, and severe cold survival training. Tourist flights into Antarctica depart from a few locations across the Southern Hemisphere, and they are considered dangerous due to weather conditions.

This small South Asian nation takes pride in safeguarding its wonderful Himalayan landscapes and its culture, and travel restrictions play an important part in this. On top of restricting independent tourism and requiring pre-booked licensed tours, Bhutan charges foreign visitors a daily Sustainable Development Fee (about USD $100), and requires licensed guides to accompany tourists in certain areas of the country.

The sacred city of Mecca has two levels of restrictions when it comes to visitors. The first level is religious, as the city can only be accessed by Muslims. On a second level, Muslims around the world who wish to perform Hajj —the annual pilgrimage to Mecca— have to obtain a specialized visa, go through security checkpoints where their Muslim faith is verified, and follow strict traditions and rules throughout their stay.

The least visited nation in the world, this isolated Pacific island nation receives only about 200 visitors annually. The reason behind this? In addition to strict visa requirements, the island is served by very limited flight routes and possesses a very limited tourism infrastructure.

A millennia-old Greek Orthodox monastery, access to Mount Athos is severely restricted. Dedicated to the Mother of God, no other woman is allowed to enter, a ban that also extends to female animals, with the exception of female cats for pest control. But male visitors can’t enter at will either (especially if they aren’t Orthodox Greek), as they need to apply for a special permit called diamonitirion, with limited daily numbers available.

Popularly known as the "Isle of the cobras", this Brazilian island is not only difficult to access, but it’s also mainly inhabited by extremely venomous snakes. The only visitors allowed are members of the Brazilian Navy and scientists carrying a special government permit.

The alleged resting place of Genghis Khan, who died in 1227, the Mongolian mountain of Burkhan Khaldun is not only difficult to access, but has also been a restricted area for centuries. Visitors wanting to pay respects and observe religious traditions need to apply for a special permit, be accompanied by a guide, and respect strict local customs.

Visiting New Zealand’s Subantarctic Islands is difficult for two reasons. First, the islands can only be visited from November to March, as weather conditions outside that time window render the islands inaccessible. In addition to this, the islands are a natural sanctuary, so the number of visitors allowed is limited, and the islands can only be accessed through authorized tours.

Priceless yet affordable

10 cheapest places to visit in the U.S. (that still feel like a million bucks)

You don't need a fat wallet to see something beautiful in this country. With a little planning and a moderate budget, you can put together a trip that you'll be talking about for years. Take Asheville, North Carolina, where mountain views and famous mansion gardens cost next to nothing, or New Orleans, where the music spills out onto the street for free. These ten towns prove that "affordable" and "unforgettable" can absolutely be the same vacation.

Asheville sits right in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and a lot of the best stuff here costs nothing at all. Stroll the Biltmore Village shops, hike a section of the Blue Ridge Parkway, or wander through art galleries and watch street musicians downtown.

If you want the famous Biltmore Estate experience, tickets start around $80 per person, which sounds steep but covers the mansion, gardens, and winery for the whole day. Pair that one splurge with free mountain views, and you've got a trip that feels fancy without draining your savings.

Walking through the French Quarter is basically a free concert. Jazz drifts out of doorways, street performers juggle and dance, and just people-watching on Jackson Square is entertainment enough. Add in beignets from a corner shop for a sweet breakfast, and you've had a great morning for under ten bucks.

For something deeper, the National WWII Museum tickets start at $26, and it’s genuinely worth the afternoon. Or skip paid attractions entirely and ride the historic streetcar for a few dollars, soaking in the colorful houses and Spanish moss the whole way.

The San Antonio River Walk is free to wander day or night, lined with palm trees, restaurants, and twinkling lights. The Alamo itself, right downtown, charges no admission to walk the grounds and see where Texas history was made.

For a quieter day, the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is also completely free, since it's run by the National Park Service.

Pittsburgh's three rivers and dramatic hills make for some of the best skyline views in America, and Mount Washington's overlook is free to reach by car or on foot. The city's many bridges and riverside trails are perfect for an easy, no-cost stroll.

For a small thrill, ride the Duquesne Incline, a 19th-century cable car up the hillside, for around $5 round trip: at the top, the entire city spreads out below you.

Beale Street is loud, colorful, and free to walk, with blues music tumbling out of nearly every doorway. Even if you never step inside a club, the atmosphere alone makes for a memorable evening out.

If you want a more structured visit, Sun Studio, where Elvis and Johnny Cash got their starts, offers tours for about $18. Combine that with a free walk along the Mississippi riverfront at sunset, and you've packed a lot of soul into one cheap day.

Tucson is surrounded by desert beauty, and Saguaro National Park lets you drive or hike among giant cacti for a modest $25 per vehicle, good for a full week. The desert sunsets here are something else entirely, and they don't cost a cent to watch.

Downtown, the historic Barrio neighborhoods and colorful murals are free to explore on foot. Stop at a local taco stand for lunch, like El Tacoson on 6^th Avenue, and you'll understand why so many retirees fall in love with this town.

Louisville's downtown waterfront park is free and lovely, with walking paths along the Ohio River and great people-watching on a sunny afternoon. The historic neighborhoods nearby are equally pleasant just to wander.

History buffs should budget about $16-$24 for the Louisville Slugger Museum, where you can watch real baseball bats being made. Bourbon drinkers can also explore the Urban Bourbon Trail, where many stops offer free or cheap tastings.

Branson is famous for its music shows, and yes, those tickets cost money, often $30 to $50 each. But the surrounding Ozark Mountains offer plenty of free hiking, lake views, and scenic drives.

Table Rock Lake State Park has free access for swimming, picnicking, and watching boats glide by.

Savannah's historic squares, shaded by ancient oak trees dripping with Spanish moss, are completely free to wander and arguably the prettiest part of the whole city. Just walking from square to square feels like stepping into another century.

If you prefer a guided approach, several historic home tours run around $15 to $20, including the famous Mercer-Williams House. Otherwise, a self-guided walk with a coffee in hand costs you nothing but time.

Duluth sits on the shore of Lake Superior, and the Lakewalk, a scenic path along the water, is free and gorgeous in any season. Watching the massive cargo ships glide beneath the Aerial Lift Bridge is a local pastime.

For a peek into Gilded Age wealth, the Glensheen Mansion offers tours for about $20. Pair that with a free walk along the rocky shoreline, and you'll leave Duluth wondering why more people overlook this lakeside gem.