10 Forbidden Places on Earth You Are Not Allowed to Visit
- Why does the Brazilian Navy categorize Snake Island as one of the most forbidden places on Earth?
- What secrets are locked inside the Vatican Archives that history books don’t show?
- Is North Sentinel Island truly the most dangerous no-go zone for modern travelers?
We live in an era of global tourism, but there are specific forbidden places on Earth where no amount of money can buy you entry. These locations are shielded by strict government laws, deadly ecosystems, or military-grade security. Attempting to visit these restricted zones is not just illegal; it is life-threatening.
From islands infested with vipers to high-security vaults near the North Pole, we have compiled the ultimate list of 10 forbidden places that remain off-limits to the public in 2026.
1. North Sentinel Island, India
Located in the Bay of Bengal, North Sentinel Island is home to the Sentinelese, an uncontacted tribe that has rejected modern civilization for 60,000 years. The Indian Ministry of Tribal Affairs enforces a strict exclusion zone of 3 nautical miles to protect both the tribe from diseases and outsiders from violence. It is widely considered one of the most dangerous forbidden places on Earth.
Shock Fact: The tribe has survived the 2004 Tsunami and attacks any approaching boat with lethal arrows.
2. Ilha da Queimada Grande, Brazil (Snake Island)
Just off the coast of São Paulo, this island is notoriously known as Snake Island. It is the only natural habitat of the Golden Lancehead Viper. Due to the extreme danger, the Brazilian Navy (Marinha do Brasil) strictly prohibits civilians from landing. Only authorized researchers with a doctor present are granted rare access.
3. Area 51, USA
Perhaps the most famous of all forbidden places, Area 51 in Nevada is a highly classified United States Air Force facility. While the CIA officially acknowledged its existence in 2013, the perimeter is still guarded by private contractors authorized to use deadly force. Signs warning “Use of Deadly Force Authorized” deter curiosity seekers from crossing the line.
4. Svalbard Global Seed Vault, Norway
Buried deep inside a mountain in the Arctic, this vault is the ultimate insurance policy for humanity’s food supply. Managed in partnership with the Norwegian Government, it stores millions of seed samples. It is one of the few forbidden places designed not to keep secrets, but to save the future.
5. Lascaux Caves, France
These prehistoric caves contain some of the finest Paleolithic art in existence. To preserve the 17,000-year-old paintings from mold and carbon dioxide damage, the UNESCO World Heritage Centre lists them as protected, and the site has been closed to the public since 1963.
6. Vatican Secret Archives, Vatican City
The Archivum Secretum Apostolicum Vaticanum contains 53 miles of shelving with state papers dating back centuries. While not entirely “secret” to scholars, it remains one of the strictest forbidden places for the general public. Access requires a rigorous application process approved by the Holy See.
7. Ise Grand Shrine, Japan
Dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu, the Ise Grand Shrine is the holiest site in the Shinto religion. Access to the inner sanctums is restricted solely to members of the Japanese Imperial Family and high-ranking priests, making it a spiritual forbidden place for commoners.
8. Room 39, North Korea
Located within the Workers’ Party building in Pyongyang, Room 39 is a secretive organization suspected of managing the regime’s slush funds. Intelligence reports from the U.S. Department of the Treasury have linked it to illicit activities, ensuring it remains totally inaccessible to outsiders.
9. Poveglia Island, Italy
Often cited as the most haunted place in the world, Poveglia served as a plague quarantine station and an asylum. The Italian state owns the island and strictly forbids tourism due to its crumbling infrastructure and dark history, adding it to the list of Europe’s forbidden places.
10. Surtsey Island, Iceland
Formed by a volcanic eruption in the 1960s, Surtsey is a pristine natural laboratory. The Environment Agency of Iceland restricts access to a handful of scientists to study how life colonizes new land without human interference.
Explore More Shocktrail Mysteries
Dive deeper into our network of forbidden places and dark history:
| Extreme Travel | Dark History | Weird Science & Legends |
|---|---|---|
| 10 Most Dangerous Roads | 10 Ancient Discoveries | 10 Deep Sea Creatures |
| You Are Here: 10 Forbidden Places | 5 Lost Civilizations | 5 FBI Unsolved Mysteries |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the most forbidden places on Earth?
The list includes North Sentinel Island (India), Snake Island (Brazil), and Area 51 (USA). These forbidden places are restricted due to danger or national security.
Why is Snake Island considered a forbidden place?
The Brazilian Navy classifies it as forbidden to protect the public from the Golden Lancehead Viper, which has venom capable of melting human flesh.
Are there any forbidden places that store seeds?
Yes, the Svalbard Global Seed Vault in Norway is a restricted facility designed to protect global crop diversity from doomsday scenarios.
