The 39 Most Beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Sites
There are 1,199 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, with more properties being added to the list every couple of years. In 2023 alone, there were a total of 42 new properties inscribed by the organization. All have been determined to represent outstanding cultural or natural value to humanity.
Those criteria make for some breathtaking sites around the world, from medieval walled cities in Europe and Incan ruins in South America to ancient temples in Asia and African savannas teeming with wildlife.
In fact, there are World Heritage Sites on every continent (except Antarctica) as well as some of the most remote areas of the globe (think: isolated islands and the farther reaches of the Polar Region). Each one is magnificent in its own way—many have unique ecosystems that are home to rare species or contain an important link to the first iterations of human history. Although, scenery-wise, some sites simply outshine the rest.
If you're looking to plan an entire trip around one of these iconic places—and we highly recommend it—we pulled together the most beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Sites as a bit of inspiration.
This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
GettyMachu Picchu, Peru
While the intricate stone ruins of Machu Picchu are the work of 15th-century Inca rulers, not Mother Nature, it's the site's natural setting that makes it so alluring. Perched atop the flattened peak of a mountain, the ancient Wonder of the World benefits from the famous backdrop of Huayna Picchu, lush green surfaces, and a barrier of Andean peaks that, despite the landmark's fame, makes you feel like you've stumbled upon a secret.
Date of Inscription: 1983
GettyBagan, Myanmar
One of the most recognizable sacred sites on earth, Bagan features an exceptional range of Buddhist art and architecture, including temples, monasteries, frescoes, and sculptures. Don't forget to visit Shwesandaw Pagoda (one of the most famous of the more than 2,000 ancient temples and shrines that remain) to take in the views of the sunset.
Date of Inscription: 2019
GettyWorks of Antoni Gaudí, Spain
Antoni Gaudí may not have been from Barcelona by birth (he was actually from Reus, about an hour and a half away), but his buildings put the city on the map: the otherworldly towers of La Sagrada Familia, the color-splattered mosaics of Park Güell, and the impressionist-like florals of Casa Batlló (pictured).
Date of Inscription: 1984
GettyAngkor Wat, Cambodia
Angkor Archaeological Park comprises 12 main temples and scores of smaller structures, but the biggest and most important temple, the 12th-century Angkor Wat, is the star due to its trove of art and immense size: an area of nearly 99,000 acres, including forests.
Date of Inscription: 1992
Mlenny/GettyBelize Barrier Reef
Offering some of the best scuba diving in the world, the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System is an important habitat for scores of threatened marine species, including the West Indian manatee and several varieties of sea turtles, as well as rare endemic and migratory birds that reproduce in its coastal areas.
Date of Inscription: 1996
GettyBwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda
One of the world's best places for gorilla trekking, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park occupies 124 square miles in southwestern Uganda. As the name suggests, hacking through the park's tangled undergrowth and thick tree canopy isn't an easy day's work—but it'll feel like you have the jungle pretty much to yourself.
Date of Inscription: 1994
GettyBudapest (Banks of the Danube), Hungary
The central stretch of Budapest illustrates great periods of Hungarian history via stunning architecture, including such masterpieces as the Parliament (pictured), Opera House, the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, and the Market Hall.
Date of Inscription: 1987
GettyCanadian Rocky Mountain Parks, Canada
Consisting of national parks Banff, Jasper, Kootenay, and Yoho, the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks showcase both the country's scenic beauty and ecological importance (you'll find some important fossil sites here). The region's 8,877 square miles are studded with mountain peaks, glaciers, lakes, waterfalls, canyons, and limestone caves.
Date of Inscription: 1984
- Archive Photos/Getty Images
The Fortified City of Carcassonne, France
To visit the medieval city of Carcassonne is to walk into the pages of a storybook. The walled hilltop city has ramparts, towers, and turrets befitting a castle from a fairytale. Along with the chateaux of the Old Town, tourists will also find plenty of charming cafés within the historic city's walls.
Date of Inscription: 1997
GettyDanxia Landform, China
These striped, colorful mountains are Mother Nature's answer to Photoshop. Red sandstone and mineral deposits have been building up in China's Danxia Landform Geological Park for more than 20 million years, causing the surreal layered effect.
Date of Inscription: 2010
GettyOld City of Dubrovnik, Croatia
Whether you know it as King's Landing or simply one of the world's most beautiful cities, there's no denying the appeal of Dubrovnik. We suggest getting on top of the surrounding walls to take in the city—they stretch completely around the Old Town, and you can walk their entire 1.2-mile length.
Date of Inscription: 1979
GettyGalápagos Islands, Ecuador
Do we really have to explain the allure of the Galápagos? If you can, make your next travel goal to visit this of-another-time stretch of Ecuador, with dinosaur-like giant tortoises lumbering through the tall grass and real-life blue-footed boobies.
Date of Inscription: 1978
GettyPyramids of Giza, Egypt
There’s a reason tourists swarm the Giza pyramid complex in Egypt: The Great Pyramid is ranked as one of Seven Wonders of the World, and dates back 4,500 years. The iconic monuments are part of the pyramid fields of Memphis (the first Capital of Ancient Egypt), which UNESCO recognizes for its political and architectural significance.
Date of Inscription: 1979
GettyGreat Barrier Reef, Australia
Although the Great Barrier Reef—the largest living thing on Earth—can be seen from space, the best vantage point belongs to the avid snorkelers and scuba divers who visit each year. If you must resurface, do it at the Whitsundays—namely Whitehaven Beach, often considered to be one of the world's most beautiful beaches.
Date of Inscription: 1981
GettyHa Long Bay, Vietnam
Ha Long Bay, located in northeast Vietnam, is beloved for its blue waters and spread of limestone islands, all occupied by tropical trees and wildlife. Board a boat to experience the beauty—and associated myths and stories—of the mist-shrouded emerald basin for yourself.
Date of Inscription: 1994
GettyOld Havana, Cuba
This central neighborhood, known for its historic plazas and narrow cobblestone streets that date back more than 500 years, is what most people picture when they think of Cuba. Its array of colorful buildings—with facades painted in Caribbean blues, pinks, and yellows—display a mix of architectural styles, including Neoclassical and Art Deco.
Date of Inscription: 1982
GettyHuanglong Scenic Area, China
Situated in northwest Sichuan's Minshan mountain range, the Huanglong Scenic Area offers striking views of snowy mountain peaks set against forests, waterfalls, and hot springs. But its best known for its ultra-blue travertine lakes, created by the region's breathtaking limestone formations, that UNESCO says are unique in all of Asia.
Date of Inscription: 1992
GettyIguazu National Park, Argentina
On the Argentina-Brazil border, Iguazú Falls in the subtropical north consists of 200 falls reaching heights of 200 feet, making it one of the most stunning sites in the world, both visually and acoustically (those waters are loud).
Date of Inscription: 1984
GettyHistoric Areas of Istanbul, Turkey
UNESCO lauds Istanbul for its “incomparable skyline,” formed by the genius of Byzantine and Ottoman architects over the past 2,000 years. Don't miss the massive domes, colored mosaics, minarets, and Islamic calligraphy at such sites as the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia (pictured).
Date of Inscription: 1985
GettyJaipur City, India
Rajasthan's capital, a.k.a. the Pink City, isn't the kind of place to hide its true colors. The city’s maharaja, Sawai Ram Singh II, ordered the buildings be painted an orangey-pink color in 1876 for a royal visit from Prince Albert and Queen Victoria; many buildings in the city’s old town remain painted this color today.
Date of Inscription: 2019
GettyHistoric Center of Krakow, Poland
It seems like every European city boasts a beautiful central square, but we'd argue that Krakow's Rynek Glówny ranks among the best. The square is defined by its 15th-century town hall tower (which you can, and should, climb), with the UNESCO-listed Wawel Castle just a short walk away.
Date of Inscription: 1978
GettyLake Nakuru, Kenya
Part of the Kenya Lake System in the Great Rift Valley, Lake Nakuru is known for attracting lions, leopards, and swarms of feeding flamingos. Although rising water levels over the past few years have caused the number of pink birds to drop, the protected area is still a sight to behold, due to the diversity of wildlife it attracts.
Date of Inscription: 2011
GettyRock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela, Ethiopia
In northern Ethiopia, the small town of Lalibela is renowned for its 11 medieval churches carved out of monolithic rock. The structures, complete with catacombs and ceremonial passages, are fascinating; the House of St. George, or Biete Ghiorgis (pictured), is particularly famous for its cross-shaped design and network of trenches, which connects it to the other churches.
Date of Inscription: 1978
GettyMeteora, Greece
As if still-standing monasteries from the 15th century weren't impressive enough, the buildings of Meteora are famously situated on almost inaccessible sandstone peaks in central Greece. Brave travelers can pay a visit to the Monastery of the Holy Trinity—one of six monasteries that are still standing—via a 140-step staircase cut into the side of the cliff.
Date of Inscription: 1988
GettyMont Saint-Michel, France
Rising up from vast sandbanks and powerful tides, the rocky island of Mont Saint-Michel gives off an otherworldly appearance in its position off France's northwestern coast in Normandy. A small medieval village, complete with winding streets and tiny houses, sits on the island, but the crown jewel is undoubtedly the Abbey of Mont Saint-Michel, built in 708 A.D.
Date of Inscription: 1979
GettyMount Fuji, Japan
Mount Fuji is easily one of most beautiful places in Japan. Whether you see it framed with cherry blossoms in the spring or capped with snow and mist in the winter, the 12,388-foot mountain will absolutely leave an impression.
Date of Inscription: 2013
- Space Frontiers/Getty Images
Namib Sand Sea, Namibia
The constantly changing conditions of the Namib Sand Sea render it a “landscape of exceptional beauty,” according to UNESCO. As fog rolls over this coastal desert region, ephemeral rivers spring up, creating astounding dunes and a unique ecosystem for the endemic mammals and reptiles that call the area home.
Date of Inscription: 2013
GettyOkavango Delta, Botswana
The lush Okavango Delta—a 49-million acre river delta in northern Botswana—is like a real-world eden, where cheetahs, zebras, buffalo, and rhinos roam freely. Visit during Africa's winter (our summer), after the rains when the delta floods: The savanna’s grasses are low, while growth along the waterways attracts tons of wildlife.
Date of Inscription: 2014
GettyPetra, Jordan
This unfathomable 147-foot-tall facade chiseled into Jordan's mountainside is all the more remarkable when you learn that it dates back to the first century B.C. The site is one of the world's richest and largest archaeological sites, all set in a dominating red sandstone landscape.
Date of Inscription: 1985
GettyPotala Palace, Tibet
Once the home to the Dalai Lama, this towering 17th-century structure now functions as a state museum. The massive palace has 13 stories and more than 1,000 rooms, as well as centuries-old shrines. For those willing to ascend the 12,000-foot climb, the main payoff will be the complex's otherworldly Red Palace, filled with murals, bejeweled stupas, and tombs of past Dalai Lamas.
Date of Inscription: 1994
GettyMoscow's Red Square, Russia
Aside from being linked to the most important historical events in Russia since the 13th century, Moscow's Red Square features a stunning array of Russian Orthodox architecture. Cases in point: the candy-colored domes of St. Basil's Basilica, red-brick facade of the State Historical Museum, and towering spires of the Kremlin.
Date of Inscription: 1990
Zetong Li/UnsplashRedwood National and State parks, United States
Some of the tallest and oldest known trees in the world are found in this iconic Northern Californian forest, located on the Pacific coast. Reaching up to 350 feet, the spectacular trees are a link to the past, as the oldest among them date back more than 2,200 years. The Redwood parks are also home to rare wildlife, including bald eagles, Roosevelt elk, and the endangered California brown pelican.
Date of Inscription: 1980
- Benjamin Lowy/Getty Images
Rock Islands Southern Lagoon, Palau
These mushroom-shaped islands look like a magical, lush garden springing out of Palau's turquoise lagoon. Now uninhabited, the limestone isles were once home to small communities for three millennia—and the ruins of their villages can still be viewed today.
But the lagoon's beauty isn't just on the surface: Below the waterline is a complex reef system with more than 385 different species of coral, as well as marine lakes where new species are still being discovered.
Date of Inscription: 2012
GettySamarkand, Uzbekistan
Founded in the 7th century B.C., the historic town of Samarkand features such monuments as the Registan Mosque, Bibi-Khanum Mosque, and Ulugh-Beg Observatory—all showcasing the detailed mosaics and Arabic calligraphy that have gone on to define Islamic architecture.
Date of Inscription: 2001
GettySocotra, Yemen
Nearly 350 miles off the southern coast of Yemen, Socotra has both the remoteness and surrealism of some strange, distant planet. The UFO-like dragon's blood trees are the island's most notable feature—we dare you to find those in your friendly neighborhood park.
Date of Inscription: 2001
GettyTongariro National Park, New Zealand
Tongariro National Park on New Zealand’s North Island has earned two UNESCO World Heritage designations (geological and ecological) and is also the oldest national park in the country. Within the park lies the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, a 12-mile hiking route that takes you past the Emerald Lakes of Mt. Tongariro, which get their gorgeous green color from the dissolved volcanic minerals in the water.
Date of Inscription: 1990
Getty Images‘Uruq Bani Ma’arid, Saudi Arabia
One look at these tall, undulating dunes and it's not hard to understand why ‘Uruq Bani Ma’arid is sometimes called a sand sea. Located in the western area of Saudi Arabia's Ar-Rub' al-Khali desert, the mounds of reddish sand contrast spectacularly with the blue sky and the endemic wildlife, like the rare Arabian Oryx and its bright white fur. The windblown dunes are constantly shape-shifting, creating ever-changing formations to behold.
Date of Inscription: 2023
- Getty
Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland
The numerous subglacial volcanoes found throughout this massive nature reserve are the impetus behind Iceland's nickname, “The Land of Fire and Ice.” The combination of the extreme natural forces of magma and ice caps have created ultra-unique land formations, including blue ice caves, rugged hyaloclastite ridges, and aquamarine calderas.
Date of Inscription: 2019
GettyYosemite National Park, United States
This widely visited national park in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains contains alpine meadows, five of the world's highest waterfalls, giant sequoia groves, and the spectacular, half-mile-deep Yosemite Valley. And all that beauty didn't happen overnight—UNESCO cites glacial erosion over millions of years as the cause for the spectacular park you see today.
Date of Inscription: 1984
