Experiences that will leave you breathless.

Lounging by the pool has its own charm, but what if your next trip calls for something a little more exciting?

For those looking for action and adventure, the world is full of experiences guaranteed to get your heart racing.

Whether it's jumping from dizzying heights, experiencing life on the sand dunes, or witnessing wild scenes of nature, we've ranked the 23 best adrenaline-fueled activities to satisfy even the most adventurous travelers.

Table of Contents

Experiences that will leave you breathless. 1

1.       Ride the world's fastest zipline, Bethesda, Wales, UK. 1

2.       Via Ferrata, Dolomites, Italy. 1

3.       Swim with Whale Sharks, Ningaloo Marine Park, Western Australia. 1

4.       Bungee Jumping, Queenstown, New Zealand. 1

5.       Diving, Silfra, Iceland. 2

6.       Ride the world's longest zipline, Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates. 2

7.       Freediving, Playa del Carmen, Mexico. 2

8.       Whitewater Rafting at the Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA. 2

9.       Wild Camping, Cairngorms, Scotland, United Kingdom.. 3

10.         Ice Climbing in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada. 3

11.         Mountain Biking on the Portal Trail, Utah, USA. 3

12.         Paragliding, Bavarian Alps, Germany. 3

13.         Volcano Jump, Thríhnúkagígur, Iceland. 3

14.         Abseiling, Cape Town, South Africa. 4

15.         Cage Diving with Great White Sharks, South Australia, Australia. 4

16.         Hang Gliding, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 4

17.         Bungee Jumping, Macau, China. 5

18.         Cliff Camping, Colorado, USA. 5

19.         Bobsleigh Ride, Eagles, Austria. 5

20.         Rock Climbing, Raleigh Beach, Thailand. 5

21.         Skydiving, Himalayas, Nepal. 5

22.         Drive the Pikes Peak Highway, Colorado, USA. 6

23.         Sloping on the Edge, New York. 6

1. Ride the world's fastest zipline, Bethesda, Wales, UK.

• Do you have the ability to tackle the world's fastest zipline? Velocity 2, which travels at speeds of over 100 mph, is located at Zip World Penrhyn Quarry in North Wales, a former slate mine now packed with thrilling activities, including a nearly mile-long zipline.
• You can also enjoy this experience with friends, as there are four parallel lines on two separate zip lines. In addition to the views of Snowdonia, you'll get a glimpse of Anglesey's beautiful coastline while you're up above, as long as you can't see down, of course.

2. Via Ferrata, Dolomites, Italy

• Literally translated as 'iron road,' a via ferrata is a steep climbing route with steel towers, cables, and bridges, mounted on cliffs. They originated during World War I to help soldiers travel safely through the Italian Dolomites. What better place to try it?
• Adventure seekers who want to tackle otherwise impenetrable cliffs and ledges can climb these routes with certified guides. The renovated routes are accessible to both climbers and non-climbers: some are relatively easy but equally rewarding.

3. Swim with Whale Sharks, Ningaloo Marine Park, Western Australia

• Swimming with the largest fish on the planet is an unparalleled thrill. Between March and April, whale sharks descend on Ningaloo, off the western coast of Australia, for the coral breeding season, making it the perfect time to get up close to these gentle giants.
• Several companies run tours to swim with whale sharks, which grow up to 60 feet long but pose no threat to humans. Before you go, learn how to observe these magnificent creatures responsibly and don't touch them.

4. Bungee Jumping, Queenstown, New Zealand

• Okay, there may be higher places to jump (read on to find out where), but it's hard to beat Queenstown for an outdoor adventure that will really get your heart racing. Set against a backdrop of rugged mountains and the shores of Lake Wakatipu, this action-packed New Zealand city is the birthplace of commercial bungee jumping. Home to the world's first and most famous jump, the Kawarau Bridge Bungee Jump, 140 feet above the Kawarau River. Since its opening in 1988, it has attracted thousands of thrill-seekers eager to jump and experience the ultimate adrenaline rush.

5. Diving, Silfra, Iceland

• If you're looking for an unforgettable diving experience, the Silfra Fissure in Iceland is truly unparalleled. Located in Þingvellir National Park, this extraordinary trench marks the divide between the Eurasian and North American continental plates, making it the only place on Earth where you can dive between two continents.
• The crystal-clear glacial water offers unparalleled visibility, allowing you to see almost the entire length of the 328-foot "Cathedral" section. As you walk through this otherworldly space, you'll see rocks covered in neon-green algae, affectionately known as "troll hair" by locals, creating a mesmerizing scene in one of the world's most remarkable geological wonders.

6. Ride the world's longest zipline, Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates.

• You'll have to prepare your nerves for this one. Jebel Jais, the highest mountain in the UAE, stands 6,345 feet above sea level. It's also home to the world's longest zipline, stretching 2.81 kilometers through the mountainous landscape.
• The entire experience takes about an hour, but you'll reach speeds of up to 99 mph while enjoying panoramic views of the desert floor, spectacular canyons, and dense peaks—a truly unique way to experience this breathtaking terrain.

7. Freediving, Playa del Carmen, Mexico

• Plunge in and discover the silent thrill of freediving beneath Mexico's turquoise waters. This ancient practice—diving on a single breath without using an oxygen tank—has been around for thousands of years and was made famous by the Ama pearl divers of Japan, who can stay underwater for up to two minutes at a time. Today, freediving has experienced a surge in popularity worldwide, and courses offer a safe and immersive way to explore the weightless beauty of the underwater world. Playa del Carmen, with its crystal-clear waters, thriving marine life, and nearby cenotes, is the perfect place to learn this meditative and energetic skill.

8. Whitewater Rafting at the Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA

• The Grand Canyon is one of the most famous sites in the U.S. and should be on every traveler's bucket list. But you can add adventure to your visit by traveling down the Colorado River in an inflatable raft.
• You'll need to hold on tight as you brave Class III (moderate) rapids with an expert guide at the helm. This is a chance to see the Grand Canyon from a unique and surprisingly exciting perspective.

9. Wild Camping, Cairngorms, Scotland, United Kingdom

• If you're looking for a true sense of freedom, wild camping is hard to beat. In Scotland, it's legal to stay away from certain spots in many areas, including the stunning Cairngorms National Park.
• Spending a night under a tarp here, surrounded by waterfalls and mountain views, offers solitude and a connection with nature. Consult the SW map in advance to find the perfect spot and make sure you don't leave any marks, keeping the landscape as pristine as you found it.

10. Ice Climbing in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada

• In Banff National Park, roughly halfway between Lake Louise and the town of Banff, lies Johnston Canyon. In winter, its stunning waterfalls freeze into blue-white curtains, perfect for ice climbing.
• Local experts come here to climb the frozen waterfalls, but thrill-seeking beginners can also try it with lessons from experienced instructors. Using crampons, ice axes, and safety ropes, you'll climb several ice walls, feeling positively exhilarated from the summit before retreating.

11. Mountain Biking on the Portal Trail, Utah, USA

• The two-mile Portal Trail appeals to adrenaline junkies thanks to its sheer cliffs, stunning views of the Moab Valley, and complete lack of guardrails. Part of the Magnificent Seven (Mag 7) trail network, this is a route reserved only for the most adventurous riders, starting from a ledge above the Colorado River.
• Due to its dangerous drops and notorious reputation, mountain bikers are strongly advised to dismount and hike the most treacherous sections to avoid accidents. Known as one of the deadliest and most exhilarating bike trails in the United States, the Portal Trail is not for the faint of heart.

12. Paragliding, Bavarian Alps, Germany

• For most people, getting a bird's-eye view of the mountains usually involves using a chairlift, an observation deck, or an airplane window. But it's not for thrill-seekers, who head to the Bavarian Alps to try paragliding.
• Pros can jump solo, but inexperienced pilots can choose to fly with an experienced pilot to enjoy the weightlessness of flight while admiring breathtaking views of the castles, lakes, and mountains below.

13. Volcano Jump, Thríhnúkagígur, Iceland

• Imagine descending 118 meters into the heart of a volcano... which is exactly what awaits you at Thríhnúkagígur, a (thankfully dormant) volcano located about 27 miles from Reykjavik. It's the only place in the world where you can enter a magma chamber, offering an experience as thrilling as it is exhilarating.
• Getting there requires courage and stamina, starting with a 45-minute hike through rugged lava fields. From there, a cable car takes you deep into the volcano, where the walls are adorned with mineral colors, creating an otherworldly view.

14. Abseiling, Cape Town, South Africa

• The most popular ways to descend Cape Town's famous Table Mountain are on foot or by cable car, but for those looking for an adrenaline rush, abseiling offers a far more exciting alternative. The cable car ride, with its panoramic views of the mountainside, is just a taste of the main event: plunging from the edge of a cliff into the void.
• Suspended 3,280 feet above sea level, you'll have breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean, Camps Bay, and the Twelve Apostles spread out below you. Then comes the most exciting moment: a controlled descent of 367 feet down a sheer cliff, providing an unforgettable experience in one of the most stunning environments in the world. 14. Rappelling, Cape Town, South Africa
• The most popular ways to descend Cape Town's famous Table Mountain are on foot or by cable car, but for those looking for an adrenaline rush, rappelling offers a much more exciting alternative. The cable car ride, with its panoramic views of the mountainside, is just a taste of the main event: jumping off the edge of a cliff into the void.
• Suspended 3,280 feet above sea level, you'll have breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean, Camps Bay, and the Twelve Apostles spread out below you. Then comes the most exciting moment: a controlled descent of 367 feet down a sheer cliff, providing an unforgettable experience in one of the most stunning environments in the world.

15. Cage Diving with Great White Sharks, South Australia, Australia

• If the idea of ​​seeing a great white shark up close excites you, Port Lincoln belongs on your travel list. Located on the west coast of South Australia, it's the only place in the country where you can experience commercial cage diving with these large marine predators, which can grow up to 20 feet long.
• There are strict regulations surrounding baited shark dives, so it's important to choose a reputable dive company. While you're in the water, you can also spot seals, dolphins, and seabirds, making this a truly unforgettable ocean adventure.

16. Hang Gliding, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

• Most tourists love to take in Rio de Janeiro's stunning landmarks, mountains, and beaches from land. But for thrill seekers, there's a better way to see the city.
• Hang gliding is an exhilarating way to travel, and those brave enough to jump from a ramp within the picturesque Tijuca Forest National Park will enjoy a unique aerial view of Rio's most famous natural landmarks, including Sugarloaf Mountain and Copacabana Beach.

17. Bungee Jumping, Macau, China

• How about launching yourself off a building from the world's tallest commercial bungee jump? At 764 feet tall, the Macau Tower is not for the faint of heart.
• If bungee jumping isn't enough, other nerve-testing activities include hanging out on the platform or climbing the tower's exterior. For a less extreme option, you can simply take the elevator to the observation deck and admire the intrepid adventurers launching themselves into the void below.

18. Cliff Camping, Colorado, USA

• If you love heights, rock climbing, and the thrill of solitude, cliff camping could be the ultimate adventure for you. This daring experience involves sleeping on a small platform suspended from a sheer rock face, high above the ground.
• Although originally an exercise for experienced climbers, the trend gained widespread attention after Kevin Jorgensen and Tommy Caldwell's historic ascent of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park in 2015. Today, you can book overnight stays in places like Estes Park, Colorado, for a thrilling, high-altitude camping experience.

19. Bobsleigh Ride, Eagles, Austria.

• Want to 'feel the rhythm, feel the rhyme' like the cast of Cool Runnings? Then, spring up for a bobsleigh ride.
• Not only will you carve tracks like the stars of the beloved film, but you'll also zip down a snowy path at speeds of up to 75 miles per hour. You can try it in several locations around the world, including the Olympic bobsleigh track in Igls, just outside Innsbruck, which offers guided tours with professional drivers in winter.

20. Rock Climbing, Raleigh Beach, Thailand

• Giant karst limestone pillars draw tourists to Thailand's Rayalee Beach, a peninsula in Krabi Province. And while most people are content to admire them from the soft, sugary sand, thrill seekers decide to climb them.
• Raleigh currently has more than 700 climbing routes, from beginners to advanced. The deepest waters of Ton Sai Bay offer solitude, where expert climbers scale the highest cliffs above the deep waters without ropes.

21. Skydiving, Himalayas, Nepal.

• Climbing Everest, the highest mountain on Earth, is a difficult challenge,
• but skydiving takes courage to a whole new level. Thrill-seekers are taken by helicopter to an altitude of 23,000 feet before jumping into a snowy expanse above the snow-capped Himalayas.
• As the world's highest drop zone, it's an experience like no other, but this extreme adventure demands more than just bravery and physical fitness: it also comes with a hefty price tag of around $25,000.

22. Drive the Pikes Peak Highway, Colorado, USA

• Motoring enthusiasts won't want to miss this. Located just west of Colorado Springs, the Pikes Peak Highway boasts 19 of the most beautiful and exhilarating miles you'll ever travel.
• The road, built in 1915, features more than 150 hairpin bends and switchbacks over 6,700 feet to the mountain's summit. Every year it hosts the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, considered one of the most dangerous races in the United States, where professional drivers compete to reach the summit.

23. Sloping on the Edge, New York

• City Climb at the Edge. This unique experience allows visitors to soar over the prospect.
• City Climb is a 100th-floor outdoor building climb located in the heart of the city from 1,200 feet above the ground, making it the tallest outdoor building climb in the world.
• In short: Since opening in 2020 on the 100th floor of 30 Hudson Yards on the west side of Midtown Manhattan, City Climb has been pushing thrill searchers to the limit, offering unparalleled views and an exhilarating moment they'll never forget.

Note:

These are the 23 best places that will make your heart stop. There are many other similar places available around the world.