14 Mesmerizing Mazes and Labyrinths

Since antiquity, mazes and labyrinths have been places of spiritual reflection and deep contemplation. The famous Egyptian Labyrinth at Hawara was built around 1860 BCE during the reign of Pharaoh Amenemhat III, though 2D depictions of the classic seven-circuit design appear as early as 2000 BCE in clay tablets from the Mediterranean. Mazes, too, have origins in ancient Egypt, primarily serving to keep looters away from the tombs of the important and wealthy.

Over hundreds of centuries, these structures have persisted in our cultural consciousness, embraced across the globe by bands of Vikings in Scandinavia, aristocrats in 18th-century Spain, eccentric elites in 1970s England, and bar owners in modern-day Vietnam. Whether you seek a mental challenge or simply a quiet place to retreat from the world, these mazes and labyrinths around the world are well worth a visit. A labyrinth consists of one winding, curved passage that ultimately leads to a central point.

While it may take a while to walk through, you will arrive at the center without getting lost or needing to backtrack. A maze, meanwhile, is designed as a puzzle, with multiple pathways and dead-ends that may require you to retrace your steps. Note: At some of the places featured in this list, the terms labyrinth and maze have historically been used interchangeably.

An Explorer's Guide to the Hidden Wonders of the United States Introducing Our Newest Book: _America Obscura_. Available Nov 10, 2026 | **Maze or Labyrinth** | **Type** | **Location** | **Distinguishing feature** | | Longleat Hedge Maze | Hedge maze | Warminster, England | World’s longest maze, with more than 16,000 English yews across 1.48 acres | | Magowan’s Infinite Mirror Maze | Mirror maze | San Francisco, California | Psychedelic, multi-sensory maze with mirrors, black lights, neon, and music | | Tasmazia and the Village of Lower Crackpot | Hedge maze complex | Promised Land, Australia | Maze complex containing a Great Maze and several themed mazes | | Bara Imambara | Architectural labyrinth | Lucknow, India | The bhulbhulaiya, a network of interconnected passageways above the central hall | | Knossos | Ancient labyrinth site | Heraklion, Greece | Associated with the Greek myth of King Minos, Daedalus, and the Minotaur | | Labyrinten vid Tibble | Stone labyrinth | Hökåsen-Badelunda, Sweden | Approximately 2,000 years old and made from around 3,000 stones | | Bolshoi Zayatsky Island | Stone labyrinths | Solovetskiy, Russia | Dozens of ancient labyrinths dating to 30,000 BCE | | 100 Roofs Cafe | Multistory maze | Đà Lạt, Vietnam | Maze featuring staircases, tunnels, dead ends, and multiple levels | | Labirinto della Masone | Bamboo labyrinth | Fontanellato, Italy | World’s largest bamboo labyrinth, made from 20 species of bamboo | | Peace Maze of Northern Ireland | Hedge maze | Castlewellan, Northern Ireland | Built to commemorate peace and reconciliation following the Troubles | | Cherry Point Farm and Market Lavender Labyrinth | Garden labyrinth | Shelby, Michigan | Lavender labyrinth incorporating a kaleidoscopic herb garden and sacred geometry | | Labyrint Drielandenpunt | Hedge maze | Vaals, Netherlands | 17,000 hornbeam shrubs at the meeting point of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany | | Puzzling World | 3D maze | Wanaka, New Zealand | Early maze incorporating overbridges to create a three-dimensional experience | | Labyrinth Park of Horta | Historic hedge maze | Barcelona, Spain | Hedge maze dating to 1791 with more than 2,000 feet of paths and a statue of Eros | The maze contains six raised bridges that surround a central tower. Niki Odolphie from Frome, England, CC BY 2.0 In 1975, this impressive maze was added to the grounds of the stately Longleat House, the home of the Marquesses of Bath since 1541.

While it is not not the world’s largest hedge maze, it _is_ the world’s longest, composed of more than 16,000 English yews and stretching across 1.48 acres. The entire Longleat property is full of equally unusual features, including the very first drive-through safari park, opened to the public in 1966 and home to over 500 animals. A daily dose of hidden gems to visit, extraordinary places to eat and wondrous stories from around the world.

Your newsletter subscriptions with us are subject to Atlas Obscura's Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions. Before his passing in 2020, the Seventh Marquess of Bath, Alexander Thynn, added to the great maze and commissioned three other smaller ones: the Lunar Labyrinth, the Sun Maze, King Arthur’s Maze, and the Love Labyrinth. Today, the house, gardens, mazes, and safari park are all open to the public—the perfect place for a full day of whimsical exploration.