10 Most Famous Prisons to Visit on your Travels

Visit these famous prisons in the world and learn the stories, escapes, & infamous inmates that made them legendary.

Visiting prisons while traveling is a fascinating experience. You can witness locations filled with history and countless individual stories of renowned convicts. Some prisons are ancient, retaining even their architecture. 

If you plan to visit some famous historic prisons worldwide while traveling, here are the top 5 best prisons to visit and why they are worth it! 

Most Famous Prisons in the World

1. Devil’s Island

The Devil’s Island, French Guiana, was a hellish prison for anyone who ended up there. Constructed under the order of Napoleon III in the 1850s, the colony, which expanded on three islands, housed tens of thousands of inmates for over a century.

They all served their sentence by hard labor, including constructing their own cells. They would also build roads, clear the jungle, and escape was almost impossible. This is because sharks surround the islands, the terrain is unforgivable, tropical diseases run rampant, and the strong cross-water currents swept any hope of an escape.

The most famous prisoner that escaped from here, Henri Charriere, accomplished this by building a raft out of coconuts. Leaving behind an autobiography of his deeds, he inspired the 1973 movie Papillon.

To visit the islands, visitors can take an hour-long bus from the capital city Cayenne to Kourou town, and from the docks there, boat companies offer daylong tours of Devil’s Island.

2. Alcatraz

Alcatraz is among the most famous and notorious U.S. prisons in San Francisco. Even the name sounds threatening. However, Isla de Los Alcatraces means Isle of the Pelicans. Spanish explorer Juan Manuel de Ayala named it.

But don’t let the name fool you, as this prison hosted some famous names such as Al Capone, George Machine Gun Kelly, or Robert Stroud. Inmates were treated inhumanely, and escape was thwarted due to the area’s seclusion and the cold waters of San Francisco Bay.

The maximum-security prison functioned from the 1850s to 1963. In 1962, three prisoners escaped by using a raft made out of raincoats. However, their fate remains unknown. To visit the island, you have to contact Alcatraz Cruises in advance to visit the island as tickets sell out quickly.

A two-hour tour is more than enough to fully explore the island. Both day and night tours are available, just go to Pier 33 in San Francisco and get your ride!

3. Robben Island

Situated off the coast of Cape Town, South Africa, Robben Island acted as a military base, leper hospital, and a maximum-security prison. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site, where famous people such as Nelson Mandela served 18 years, apart from other political prisoners. 

Now, the island is home to a colony of endangered African penguins. To visit the island by boat, travellers must go to Cape Town and catch one of the three daily rides.

4. Old Melbourne Gaol

The Old Melbourne Gaol, Australia, is another interesting prison to visit. From 1842 to 1929, the prison hosted some of Australia’s most notorious criminals, such as Ned Kelly and Frederick Bailey Deeming.

Around 133 prisoners were executed here and buried in unmarked graves while the prison was active. Executed prisoners had their heads shaved and plaster applied to their faces to create death masks. Before 1864, women, children, and men were housed together.

To visit this macabre prison, you can take public transit. You should plan a trip for around two hours to explore the location in its entirety.

5. Elmina Castle 

Elmina Castle, Ghana, is among the oldest still standing European buildings outside Europe. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was built in 1482 by the Portuguese on the Gulf of Guinea.

Many believe this site to be the first location where Europeans first met with sub-Saharan Africans. It was a major stop in the transatlantic slave trade where many Africans were detained and then loaded onto slave ships.

To visit this historical place, you need to take a taxi from the city of Cape Coast in central Ghana. The museum there is open from 9 a.m to 4:30 p.m. daily.

6. The Tower of London, England

The historic Tower of London has served many roles over nearly 1,000 years, including palace, fortress, and prison. During the Tudor period, it became infamous for holding high-profile prisoners such as Anne Boleyn, who was later executed there and is now a must on your UK bucket list.

Though it was never a traditional prison, the Tower’s dark history of political imprisonment and executions has made it one of the most legendary detention sites in the world. Today it is one of London’s top attractions, home to the Crown Jewels and fascinating historical exhibits.

7. Eastern State Penitentiary, USA

Located in Philadelphia, Eastern State Penitentiary was once the most expensive and innovative prison in the United States.

Built in 1829, it introduced the radical idea of solitary confinement, where prisoners were kept in complete isolation to encourage reflection and repentance. The prison later held famous criminals like Al Capone. Today the abandoned complex is a museum known for its haunting architecture and popular Halloween events.

8. Kilmainham Gaol, Ireland

Kilmainham Gaol is one of Ireland’s most significant historical landmarks. Opened in 1796, the prison held many Irish revolutionaries who fought for independence from Britain.

Several leaders of the Easter Rising were imprisoned and executed here, making it a powerful symbol of Irish nationalism. Today the beautifully restored building operates as a museum, where guided tours reveal the emotional stories behind Ireland’s struggle for independence.

9. Tuol Sleng Prison (S-21), Cambodia

During the brutal rule of the Khmer Rouge, the former school known as Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum was turned into a secret prison and interrogation center. Thousands of prisoners were detained, tortured, and later executed during the Cambodian genocide.

Today the site serves as a powerful museum and memorial that preserves the evidence of what happened and honors the victims of the regime.

10. Château d’If, France

The island fortress Château d’If sits in the Mediterranean Sea just off the coast of Marseille. Built in the 16th century, it served as a prison for political and religious prisoners.

The site gained worldwide fame thanks to Alexandre Dumas and his novel The Count of Monte Cristo, which tells the story of a man imprisoned there who later escapes. Today visitors can tour the fortress, explore the cells, and enjoy spectacular views of the coastline.

Tips for Visiting these most famous prisons

Even if these prisons worth visiting aren’t hosting any dangerous inmates anymore, you should still be careful while traveling. Here are some safety tips that you should consider before going anywhere!

Research the Area Beforehand

There is no guarantee that the country you want to visit is stable on your current vacation time. Thus, you have to do some online research about the places you wish to visit beforehand. Check for any political unrest that might affect the country.

See which are the most common crimes there, and read the reviews of other travelers who’ve been there before. Watching some videos about your intended destination might better prepare you for what’s about to come.

Use a VPN Service

Though you have to be mindful of your belongings while traveling, digital threats are perhaps even more dangerous in our era. Public WiFis are generally unsafe since your information can be stolen without you even knowing it.

To avoid this, consider using a VPN service. A VPN will encrypt your online information regardless of whether you connect to a trusted or untrusted network. It will also allow you to do some research since you can switch your geo-location.

By doing this, you can read the news from other countries that might not be available to you while you are at home. Censored information becomes available at one click away with a proper VPN provider.

Have a Backup Plan

You should use a cheaper phone while traveling, especially in poorer countries. This way, you won’t attract too much attention. Use your smartphone only when you are by yourself or with people you trust.

Let other people always know where you are and where you want to go next if you go with a group. Don’t take all your money with you, as you might lose it. Store some cash away, or leave it readily available on your credit card.

Most Famous Prisons You Can Visit FAQ