6 Lucky Places to Visit For Some Good Luck

Sometimes, life can throw a few too many curveballs our way. When that happens, why not try turning your fortunes around? Visit a place with a reputation for bestowing good luck! Around the world, fascinating locales are rumoured to cure ailments, grant wishes, or simply give you an extra boost of positivity. 

From amulet-shopping in Bangkok to a gargoyle challenge in Dubrovnik, these six spots prove that sometimes all you need is a bit of faith, a quirky ritual, and a willingness to have fun in order to believe in the power of good fortune. After all, it can’t hurt – and at the very least, you’ll return home with a great travel story or two.

Also read: 15 Strange Destinations Around the World That Don’t Seem Real

1. Lincoln Tomb – Springfield, Illinois, USA

Abraham Lincoln might just hold the record for the most monuments dedicated to one individual in American history. But his grand tomb in Springfield, Illinois, stands out for more than just its imposing granite tower and decorative bronze figures. Visitors come here in droves to rub Lincoln’s nose for good luck.

Yes, you read that correctly. At the foot of the enormous mausoleum, completed in 1874, a bronze replica of Lincoln’s head sits on a pedestal. With thousands of hands reaching for this “lucky nose” over the years, it’s now buffed to a shiny gold patina. No one knows precisely how this quirky practice began. Perhaps some enterprising tourist decided to rub the statue’s prominent nose ages ago, proclaiming a stroke of good fortune soon after. Today, that tradition persists, and it’s not uncommon to see a queue forming just for a quick pat.

While you’re there, you can wander inside the tomb and pay respects to the late president. Vaults below contain the remains of Lincoln, his wife Mary, and three of their sons. Legend has it that his body was once shuffled around quite a bit to thwart grave robbers. Eventually, he was buried deep below ground, secured in a wood box, wrapped in a steel cage, then encased in cement. But don’t let that spoil your chance to experience the tomb’s more light-hearted custom. Giving old Abe’s nose a friendly rub is just the sort of historical silliness one should indulge in now and then.

2. Dubrovnik Maskeron – Dubrovnik, Croatia

If you ever find yourself walking along the Stradun, Dubrovnik’s gleaming main street, keep your eyes peeled for a peculiar gargoyle head jutting from the wall near the Franciscan monastery. Known as the Dubrovnik Maskeron, it’s relatively small – only about half a metre off the ground and barely 15 centimetres protruding from the wall – but it’s gained a massive local legend. The top of this stone face is polished smooth, Meanwhile, the wall above it has a greasy sheen. This is attributed to centuries of curious hands.

Why is this odd little gargoyle so well-loved? Tradition says that if you manage to hop up onto it, balancing while facing the wall, and then remove your shirt (yes, that’s right! You’ve got to do this shirtless challenge in front of onlookers), you’ll be rewarded with good luck in love. The gargoyle is believed to represent an owl and once served as a spout for draining rainwater off the roof. Its mouth still gushes water during downpours! So if you time your visit when it’s raining, you’ll witness the gargoyle in its functional glory.

Testing your balancing skills might be daunting but that’s part of the fun. Many travellers try but fail spectacularly (often to the delight of the crowd). If you manage to succeed, you’ll be the proud owner of a unique travel tale. And hopefully, you’ll leave with a heart brimming with good fortune in romance!

3. Amulet Market – Bangkok, Thailand

In the bustling streets of Bangkok, you’ll find a place where spiritual traditions, commerce, and treasure-hunting collide: The city’s Amulet Market. This is where locals search out powerful talismans they believe can protect them from harm – be it mystical or mundane. However, it’s not just for those who risk their lives daily. Anyone, from devout believers to curious travellers, can be spotted rummaging through rows of tables piled high with trinkets.

These amulets come in all shapes and sizes. Think tiny Buddha statues, brass phalluses, fragments of bone, or medallions said to contain ashes from sacred temples. Some people claim the charms ward off illness. Others promise safer journeys, better luck in finance, or blessings on a new home. There’s no official ritual master on hand to guide you. So, you’re left to rely on instinct when deciding which amulet “calls” to you. Also, bargaining is the norm! Prices range from a handful of baht to considerable sums for rarer pieces said to possess stronger powers.

Even if you’re not in the market for a spiritual keepsake, the Amulet Market provides a wonderful opportunity for people-watching and absorbing the everyday mysticism that suffuses Thai culture. Duck into side alleys, snack at local food stalls, and chat with vendors to discover your own perfect talisman. After all, if you’re feeling down on your luck, it certainly can’t hurt to tuck one of these charms into your pocket, just in case.

4. Sėkmės Pilvas – Vilnius, Lithuania

Situated on a busy pedestrian street in Vilnius, you might notice a quirky brass sculpture protruding from a wall – A great, round belly that absolutely begs to be patted. This bulging artwork is known as ‘Sėkmės Pilvas’, or the “Lucky Belly,” and it’s said to grant good fortune to anyone who gives it a friendly rub. A small plaque even encourages passers-by to do just that.

Local lore attributes the inspiration for this playful piece to a story involving a mother who, despite not being wealthy, raised two successful sons. When asked how she’d managed the feat, she reportedly said, “What you stroke, grows.” She claimed that each morning she’d stroke one son’s arms and the other son’s belly. Perhaps the moral is that simple kindness and a bit of symbolic encouragement can lead to big outcomes. The sculpture’s creator, Lithuanian artist Romas Kvintas, jokingly admitted he used his own midriff as a reference. If you fancy giving your luck (and your sense of humour) a boost, give that gleaming tummy a pat.

5. The Sweating Column – Istanbul, Turkey

The Hagia Sophia in Istanbul is already a bucket-list wonder for its breathtaking architecture and centuries-spanning history – having shifted from a Byzantine basilica to an imperial mosque and ultimately to a museum (and mosque once again). But hidden among its marble pillars and shimmering mosaics is one very specific curiosity: the Sweating Column. The crowd of people lining up to press their thumbs into the column makes the Sweating Column easy to spot.

Legend insists that if you place your thumb into the hole, rotate your hand in a full circle, and discover your finger comes out damp, you’ve got a wish about to come true. Some say the moisture is a miraculous healing liquid. Allegedly, this liquid sprang forth when Saint Gregory the Miracle Worker appeared in the 13th century. Others believe it “cries” because of a sultan’s pity. More practical explanations suggest condensation has formed behind the thick walls, seeping through to the column’s surface. Regardless of the true origin, the ritual itself is half the fun. There’s a thrill in lining up to test your fate in such an illustrious place! If you do happen to feel a bit of dampness, consider it a sign. Fortune might just be smiling on you!

6. The Charles Bridge – Prague, Czech Republic

Few places are as spellbindingly photogenic as Charles Bridge in Prague. Built under the watchful eye of Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV in 1357, it connects the Old Town (Staré Město) to Malá Strana and the castle district. It took 45 years to complete, and legend says the Emperor was so invested in numerology that the foundation stone was laid exactly at 5:31 am on 9 July 1357, forming the perfect palindrome 1357 9/7 5:31 – Supposedly for extra luck and strength against the mighty Vltava River’s frequent floods.

Thirty Baroque statues line the bridge’s edges. Bohemia’s finest sculptors installed most of these statues between 1683 and 1714. Today, the original statues are protected indoors in the National Museum, while their replicas charm visitors on the bridge itself. Among these figures is St John of Nepomuk, a priest who was thrown from the bridge.

His statue has become a focal point for all sorts of travellers’ superstitions. Beneath his effigy, you’ll see two bronze plaques. One depicts the moment of John’s execution by drowning, and the other features a knight and his faithful dog. Rubbing the drowning scene is said to ensure a return to Prague. Meanwhile, rubbing the knight-and-dog plaque promises loyalty and good luck – particularly in relationships. Both are polished to a glimmering shine, evidence of millions of hopeful hands. A bit further along, you’ll spot a small bronze cross marking the spot where John was supposedly launched into the river. Legend says rubbing this cross while making a wish can make your dreams come true within a year and a day.

Where Will You Find Your Luck?

From the solemn grandeur of Lincoln’s Tomb to the playful mischief of balancing on Dubrovnik’s gargoyle, the world is filled with peculiar rituals inviting you to believe in something beyond the ordinary. These six places show just how creative (and sometimes downright silly) we humans can be in our pursuit of serendipity. Yet often, that’s what travel is all about: stepping outside your comfort zone, embracing local customs, and indulging in a bit of magic. 

Also read: 5 Unique Places in Singapore That Even Some Locals Don’t Know About

If you’re down on your luck, why not give one of these lucky spots a try? Whether you end up with genuine good fortune or simply a memorable adventure, there’s something undeniably uplifting about hoping for the best in a faraway place. Safe travels and may fate smile upon you!