Google Street View: How to virtually find the world's most iconic landmarks

The locations of some landmarks may surprise you.
The locations of some landmarks may surprise you. Photo credit: Google Street View/Getty

There are dozens of landmarks dotted all around the world that people can instantly identify. Most of us could probably name the country or city they are located in, too.

But how about when you get to street level? Where exactly are some of our most photographed landmarks located, and how easy are they to get to?

Load up Street View in Google Maps on another tab and let's virtually travel the world right now.

Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower can be seen from just about everywhere in Paris, so its location is pretty easy to pin down - it's located at the top end of a park called Champ de Mars. 

Landmark or headpiece?
Landmark or headpiece? Photo credit: Dan Lake

Yes, it's the one you've seen a million times on Instagram, but it deserves to be so widely shared. The park perfectly frames the tower and its surroundings.

The opposite side of the tower is where you go if you want to get up the 324m to the top.

This side, located on Quai Jacques Chirac, is far more packed and at times quite intimidating, given the level of security.

Google Street View: How to virtually find the world's most iconic landmarks
Photo credit: Google Street View

Here's a lesser-known view of the Eiffel Tower from the intersection it sits next to.

Centrally located, it's very easy to get to.

Statue of Liberty

The Statue of Liberty is located 2.7km from Lower Manhattan on the Hudson River. While you can see it from Battery Park, you really will need to jump on a ferry to see it up close.

The statue is located on an island called Liberty Island, who would have thought?

Google Street View: How to virtually find the world's most iconic landmarks
Photo credit: Google Street View

When you arrive at the ferry terminal, this is what you will first see of the iconic statue.

While it does require a short ferry ride to see it, the Statue of Liberty is very accessible in terms of its location.

Great Pyramid of Giza 

The biggest surprise for me when I first looked into destinations in Egypt was how close the pyramids are to Giza and Cairo.

I'd had visions of long hot days in offroad vehicles - or even more fancifully, riding on the back of a camel.

Google Street View: How to virtually find the world's most iconic landmarks
Photo credit: Google Maps/Newshub

It turns out they are on the edges of suburban Giza, about just 8km from the city centre and next to a five star Marriott hotel and golf course.

Here's the view from Aswan Giza and Al Haram intersection.

Google Street View: How to virtually find the world's most iconic landmarks
Photo credit: Google Street View

Uluru

It takes a lot of zooming out on Google Maps until a familiar sounding town or city pops up.

Google Street View: How to virtually find the world's most iconic landmarks
Photo credit: Google Maps/Newshub

Alice Springs is a nearly five hour drive from the famous Australian location. Alice Springs itself is 1500km from Adelaide, 2700km from Sydney and 2600km from Brisbane.

In the shadow of Uluru is a place called Yulara. It's here you'd likely stay if you were planning to visit the historic site.

Google Street View: How to virtually find the world's most iconic landmarks
Photo credit: Google Street View

While we have seen dozens of glamour shots of Uluru for years, I find its unique shape and glory comes across more when the shots are 'unfiltered' such as this one.

Buckingham Palace

Last but by no means least, especially this year, is the official home of the Queen.

Located in the centre of London, or more accurately the City of Westminster, prime real estate doesn't even begin to describe how valuable this large piece of land would be worth.

My first time visiting the Queen.
My first time visiting the Queen. Photo credit: Dan Lake

Upon my first visit to London as a fan of the Royals I was surprised at how accessible the palace is, and even more surprised at how it can pop out of nowhere if you're unfamiliar with the area.  It has busy roads passing by almost all sides of it, and of course The Mall stretching through St James' Park all the way to Tesco. Well, the Tesco in Trafalgar Square.

It's located at the intersection of Constitution Hill, Spur Road and The Mall. The more regal sounding Buckingham Gate also passes nearby.

Walking along Constitution Hill, you'd be mistaken for being completely unaware that you were a stone's throw from royalty.

Google Street View: How to virtually find the world's most iconic landmarks
Photo credit: Google Street View

Is there a landmark or destination you've visited and been surprised by its actual location?

Let us know in the Newshub Travel Facebook group.