When you talk about your hometown, one of the most interesting topics is its landmarks.
Landmarks are important places that stand out.
They can be historical buildings, famous statues, natural wonders, or modern attractions. Learning how to describe them in English will help you speak with more confidence and give others a clear picture of where you’re from.
In this guide, I want to show you how to describe landmarks, and introduce useful vocabulary, common phrases, and example sentences you can use in English speaking, conversations, presentations, or writing.
Are you ready to begin? Let’s get started!
What Is A Landmark?
We need to start with the basics.
A landmark is a well-known building or place that is easily recognized and has importance.
Landmarks can be:
Natural—mountains, rivers, waterfalls, cliffs
Man-made—monuments, towers, temples, bridges, palaces
Some examples of famous landmarks around the world:
- The Eiffel Tower (Paris)
- The Statue of Liberty (New York)
- The Great Wall of China (China)
- Mount Fuji (Japan)
You probably have one or more in your own hometown.
Try to think of two or three examples of famous landmarks in your hometown right now.
They can be a combination of natural or man-made landmarks.
Vocabulary To Describe Landmarks
When describing a landmark, you want to use the right adjectives and nouns.
Here’s a list of words that can help:
Adjectives
Famous—widely known
Historic / Historical—related to history
Ancient—very old
Modern—new, not old-fashioned
Massive—very large
Iconic—well-known and symbolic
Breathtaking—very beautiful or impressive
Scenic—has beautiful views
Majestic—grand or impressive
Peaceful / Quiet—calm and relaxing
Nouns
Temple—a place of worship
Statue—a carved or cast figure
Bridge—a structure connecting two places
Tower—a tall building or structure
Fortress / Castle—strong old buildings used for protection
Square / Plaza—an open area in a town or city
Park—green area with trees, benches, etc.
Monument—a structure built to remember a person or event
Do you have any of the above kinds of landmarks in your hometown?
What adjectives would you use to describe these landmarks?
Useful Sentence Starters And Phrases
To describe landmarks, it helps to have ready-made phrases.
These can help you start your thoughts clearly:
Introducing the Landmark
“One of the most famous landmarks in my hometown is…”
“If you ever visit my city, you must see…”
“Our city is well-known for…”
“A popular tourist spot in my area is…”
Giving More Details
“It was built in the year…”
“It stands at the centre of the city.”
“This place has great cultural/historical value.”
“It attracts thousands of tourists every year.”
“The architecture is really impressive.”
Sharing Personal Feelings
“I love going there because…”
“It reminds me of my childhood.”
“Whenever I feel stressed, I go there to relax.”
“It’s a great place to take photos.”
Talking About the History or Significance
“It was originally built as a…”
“It played an important role during…”
“It represents our national pride.”
“Many local festivals are celebrated here.”
Try to use some of these phrases to talk about or introduce one of the landmarks in your hometown.
Step-by-Step Guide: How To Describe A Landmark
Here’s a simple structure you can follow when talking or writing about a landmark:
1. Introduce the Landmark
Give the name and location.
In my hometown of Jaipur, one of the most famous landmarks is the Hawa Mahal, or ‘Palace of Winds.’ It’s located right in the city centre.
2. Describe Its Appearance
Talk about what it looks like.
It’s a pink sandstone building with hundreds of small windows. It’s five stories tall but very thin.
Use colour, shape, size, and design details.
3. Share Some History
Mention when it was built, who built it, and why.
It was built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh to allow royal ladies to observe the street below without being seen.
4. Explain Its Importance
Say why people visit it or what it means to the town.
Today, it’s one of the top tourist attractions and a symbol of our city.
5. Add a Personal Connection
Make it real and interesting by adding your own thoughts.
I used to pass by it every day on my way to school. It always made me feel proud to be from Jaipur.
Now try to do the same with one of the landmarks you thought of earlier.
Go through the above steps and create your own description of one of your own hometown landmarks.
Example Description (Model Answer)
Let’s look at a complete example you could use or adapt:
In my hometown of Barcelona, one of the most famous landmarks is the Sagrada Familia. It’s a large Roman Catholic church designed by the architect Antoni Gaudí. Construction started in 1882 and is still ongoing. The building is known for its unique design, with tall towers and detailed carvings. It looks like something from a fantasy world. The inside is filled with colourful stained glass that changes the light during the day. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and attracts millions of visitors every year. I visited it on a school trip, and I was amazed by how artistic and spiritual the place felt. It really shows the creativity of our culture.
Read the above example out loud.
Now try to write your own description of one of the landmarks in your hometown.
If you are in a class, you can take it in turns to read your descriptions out loud as a kind of presentation. Show a picture in the class too!
Practice Questions
To help you practice, try answering these questions about a landmark in your hometown:
What is the name of the landmark?
Where is it located?
What does it look like?
When was it built?
Why is it important?
What can visitors do or see there?
How do you feel about it?
In pairs, ask and answer these questions about a famous landmark in your hometown.
Phrases for Comparing Landmarks
Sometimes, you may want to compare landmarks from your hometown to others:
It’s not as tall as the Eiffel Tower, but it’s more detailed.
Unlike modern buildings, this landmark has a lot of traditional features.
It reminds me of the Colosseum in Rome, but smaller in size.
It’s one of a kind—you won’t find anything like it anywhere else.
Bonus: Talking About Landmarks In Conversation
Here’s an example of a short dialogue between two people:
A: “What’s the most famous place in your hometown?”
B: “That would be the Old Clock Tower. It’s over 100 years old.”
A: “Oh really? What’s special about it?”
B: “It’s in the middle of the main market and has a huge bell that rings every hour. People gather around it, especially in the evenings.”
A: “Sounds cool. Is it a good place to take photos?”
B: “Definitely. It looks amazing at sunset.”
The above is just an example I wrote for this guide.
Get in pairs and try to write a dialogue about a real landmark in your hometown.
Practice the dialogue and then speak it out loud in front of your class.
Conclusion
Use clear and simple language, especially if your audience is also learning English.
Practice out loud. Speaking about a familiar place helps build fluency.
Try describing more than one landmark to improve your range.
Learn 5–10 useful phrases and make them part of your regular vocabulary.
Talking about landmarks is a great way to share your culture and improve your English.
Whether you’re giving a presentation, writing a description, or just chatting with friends, this topic gives you many opportunities to use interesting vocabulary and expressions.
So, think about the landmarks in your hometown.
- What do they look like?
- Why are they important?
- And what do they mean to you?
Now you’re ready to talk about them—with confidence.
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