Top 10 Most Iconic Buildings in the World

Gustave Eiffel's wrought-iron lattice tower, built for the 1889 World's Fair, was initially derided by Parisian intellectuals but became the most visited paid monument in the world. Standing at 330 metres, it receives approximately 7 million visitors a year and is repainted every seven years using 60 tonnes of paint.

Jorn Utzon's sail-shaped masterpiece on Sydney Harbour is one of the 20th century's most distinctive buildings and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Completed in 1973 after 14 years of construction, it hosts over 1,500 performances annually and took a decade longer than planned and cost 14 times the original budget.

The Colosseum, completed in 80 AD under Emperor Titus, is the world's largest ancient amphitheatre and one of the greatest architectural achievements of antiquity. Capable of seating up to 80,000 spectators, it held gladiatorial contests and public spectacles for over 400 years and remains the most recognisable symbol of Rome.

Emperor Shah Jahan's ivory-white marble mausoleum, built between 1631 and 1653 for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, is considered the finest example of Mughal architecture and one of the most beautiful buildings ever constructed. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it draws approximately 7 to 8 million visitors annually.

Completed in 1931 in just 410 days during the Great Depression, the Empire State Building was the world's tallest skyscraper for 40 years. The Art Deco tower standing at 443 metres received nearly 4 million visitors to its observation deck annually and remains the most recognisable element of the New York skyline.

Antoni Gaudi's unfinished Catholic basilica in Barcelona has been under construction since 1882 and is expected to be completed by 2026 — marking 100 years since Gaudi's death. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is the most visited monument in Spain with over 4.5 million annual visitors. Its organic forms and intricate facades are unlike any other building on Earth.

The Elizabeth Tower, housing the Great Bell known as Big Ben, has stood at the north end of the Palace of Westminster since 1859 and is the world's most accurate four-faced chiming clock. Undergoing a major restoration completed in 2022, it is the most photographed structure in the United Kingdom and an enduring symbol of British democracy.

Cesar Pelli's Petronas Twin Towers held the title of world's tallest buildings from 1998 to 2004 at 452 metres each. Connected by a sky bridge on the 41st and 42nd floors, these Malaysian landmarks were built in just six years and remain the tallest twin towers in the world, attracting over 1 million visitors annually.

Notre-Dame de Paris, begun in 1163 and largely completed by 1345, is one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture and the symbolic heart of France. The devastating 2019 fire that destroyed its spire shocked the world, but a remarkable restoration was completed in December 2024, and the rebuilt cathedral reopened to global acclaim.

Gustave Eiffel's wrought-iron lattice tower, built for the 1889 World's Fair, was initially derided by Parisian intellectuals but became the most visited paid monument in the world. Standing at 330 metres, it receives approximately 7 million visitors a year and is repainted every seven years using 60 tonnes of paint.

Jorn Utzon's sail-shaped masterpiece on Sydney Harbour is one of the 20th century's most distinctive buildings and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Completed in 1973 after 14 years of construction, it hosts over 1,500 performances annually and took a decade longer than planned and cost 14 times the original budget.

The Colosseum, completed in 80 AD under Emperor Titus, is the world's largest ancient amphitheatre and one of the greatest architectural achievements of antiquity. Capable of seating up to 80,000 spectators, it held gladiatorial contests and public spectacles for over 400 years and remains the most recognisable symbol of Rome.

Emperor Shah Jahan's ivory-white marble mausoleum, built between 1631 and 1653 for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, is considered the finest example of Mughal architecture and one of the most beautiful buildings ever constructed. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it draws approximately 7 to 8 million visitors annually.

Completed in 1931 in just 410 days during the Great Depression, the Empire State Building was the world's tallest skyscraper for 40 years. The Art Deco tower standing at 443 metres received nearly 4 million visitors to its observation deck annually and remains the most recognisable element of the New York skyline.

Antoni Gaudi's unfinished Catholic basilica in Barcelona has been under construction since 1882 and is expected to be completed by 2026 — marking 100 years since Gaudi's death. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is the most visited monument in Spain with over 4.5 million annual visitors. Its organic forms and intricate facades are unlike any other building on Earth.

The Elizabeth Tower, housing the Great Bell known as Big Ben, has stood at the north end of the Palace of Westminster since 1859 and is the world's most accurate four-faced chiming clock. Undergoing a major restoration completed in 2022, it is the most photographed structure in the United Kingdom and an enduring symbol of British democracy.

Cesar Pelli's Petronas Twin Towers held the title of world's tallest buildings from 1998 to 2004 at 452 metres each. Connected by a sky bridge on the 41st and 42nd floors, these Malaysian landmarks were built in just six years and remain the tallest twin towers in the world, attracting over 1 million visitors annually.

Notre-Dame de Paris, begun in 1163 and largely completed by 1345, is one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture and the symbolic heart of France. The devastating 2019 fire that destroyed its spire shocked the world, but a remarkable restoration was completed in December 2024, and the rebuilt cathedral reopened to global acclaim.