The wide world of The Witcher 3 has more than enough content to keep players busy, but odds are, you haven't explored everything there is. It might feel daunting to try! After all, who has a hundred hours just to wander without any reward? So rather than wander aimlessly through the grand landscapes of all of the regions in search of the good stuff, this list will help guide you in the right direction.
This list contains a mix of aesthetic treasures, loot locations, and lore bombs for those who might not have gone off the beaten path to find them. There's something for every kind of player -- even if you're in the post-game.
10 The Skellige Isles
The title of this section might be a little vague because almost all of Skellige is isles, but hear us out. There are carvings in the ground that you might not have noticed while trekking from place to place. If you find a peculiar collection of white stones or some oddly straight non-road areas, try getting up higher!
It turns out that a lot of these areas are shapes carved out of the landscape. They echo the Hill Figures in Britain and the Nazca Lines of Peru. While this discovery doesn't reward you anything specific in terms of gameplay, it's a nice piece of worldbuilding that often goes overlooked.
9 Underwater Caves
If you're looking for items and the previous entry didn't do it for you, you might want to try looking down. Underwater caves provide the player with some beautifully ominous scenery that is eerily quiet -- even in The Witcher terms.
These areas are visually stunning, deeply diverse in their locations and the prizes you get from exploring them. So if you're looking to bulk up Geralt with some powerful weaponry or you need more money, go searching for little openings in the rocks near water sources.
8 Hindarsfjall Island
This island is the smallest in the Skellige Archipelago region and it deserves its own spot on this list for its particularly beautiful design and unique quest opportunities. Specifically, Freyja's Garden in the sacred grove of Hindar. The green vines climbing up the ancient stone, the rounded yet grand architecture, and the general mystical woodsy vibes work to make Hindarsfjall a setting of note.
Also, there's one particular sidequest that centers here and offers the player a moral decision and a lot of different loot options depending on the choice. So, if you're looking for lore or loot, you'll find it in Hindarsfjall.
7 The Caves In Kaer Morhen
While on the way out of Kaer Morhen, you may think about veering off the path. There's one cave on the northwest side where we get to see Geralt soften just a bit and remember his experience growing up and training to be a Witcher.
His Trial of Grasses took place in that cave and he has some intriguing and kind of heartbreaking things to say about it. It's a nice reminder that the Geralt we know who can slice through almost anything was once just a child -- one who endured great suffering in order to become what he is.
6 The Village Of Lurtch
Oh Lurtch, a.k.a. the village of easter eggs. The small town in Velen doesn't have too much to offer in terms of special loot, but for those who love finding in-game references, this is the place to be.
The town itself shares its name with the beloved butler from The Addams Family and the landlord's wife has a name eerily familiar to Morticia. There's also a quest that starts with that familiar line from the Fallout franchise and has absolutely nothing to do with war much to the Witcher world's surprise.
5 Lindenvale (Don't Blink)
If you want to find some chests, light some candles, and get a spook, Lindenvale might be worth the visit. There's a church a bit out of the way -- an eerie thing on its own -- but there are also angel statues at the entrance of the church.
If you go into the church, claim your prizes, then exit the church, you might feel a pair of eyes on you. The statues have moved and yet, Geralt seems unbothered. He's seen weirder, but still, if you haven't seen the angels or gotten this chest, you should probably head over there just to see it for yourself. Or not see it. Because you don't actually see them move. Doctor Who fans get it.
4 Kaer Morhen Memorial Altar
On a quiet hill, away from the ruins of Kaer Morhen, there's a particularly sad moment to be shared if you find it. Geralt once knew a Witcher boy, Leo, who wanted to train under him because of his status as a successful hunter. Unfortunately, Leo died when Kaer Morhen was attacked and Geralt has never forgotten this.
Leo's altar has no body beneath it. Geralt takes a moment to remember the boy and is once again ambushed by his own regrets and anger. This is a nuanced moment that makes the open world of the Witcher so deep and keeps the player emotionally invested.
3 Benek With Big, Sharp, Pointy Teeth
You're not the only adventurer to trail through these lands, but lucky for you, the previous ones were a little less vigilant than Geralt. Outside of an area cave is a conspicuous white rabbit, playfully hopping about in some blood puddles.
Clearly, this rabbit has taken its fair share of victims in its days...specifically, King Arthur's troupe from Monty Python and The Holy Grail. This is another one of those areas that doesn't offer any sort of gameplay advantage, but it is hilarious to see the mighty Geralt come face to face with such a bad bunny.
2 Just...All Of The Ocean
It's hard to pinpoint exactly where in the vast ocean to go because the events you should witness are rare and ever-moving (because you know, it's the ocean). However, this doesn't mean you shouldn't try. With so much of the action taking place on landmasses, going out onto the dark and unforgiving seas has its rewards.
A ghost ship sails in the late night and, if you're feeling like you need a dip in the water, there is a rare opportunity to swim with some of the whales that breach around the map. It might feel like you're aimlessly sailing, but once you experience these special events, it'll be worth it! Maybe you'll get lucky and find them on your way to the Isle of Mists.
1 A Lake In Toussaint
We won't tell you exactly which one, but there's a lake in Toussaint that's worth your time if you're trying to collect really cool armor. This armor is beautiful and strong -- like Yennefer and Geralt.
It is only available during the "Beyond Hill & Dale" quest in the Blood and Wine DLC. This one is incredibly specific, but who doesn't want to add some armor to their collection?