The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has made a significant contribution to safeguarding places of public interest with historical value. Around the world, the organisation has 11 Associate members and 193 members who seek to protect and preserve their natural and cultural heritage. There are 1223 properties listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites across the globe.
This year, set out to explore the popular UNESCO sites, dive into their rich cultural heritage and witness stunning architecture amidst picturesque scenery. In this blog, you will learn about the popular UNESCO sites you can visit this year. Check out the details below to learn more about these sites.
20 Must-See UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Here are the 20 must-see UNESCO World Heritage Sites where you can travel this year to spend an amazing vacation.
Taj Mahal
The symbol of love, the Taj Mahal, situated by the bank of the river Yamuna, is a popular UNESCO Heritage Site in India, where both domestic and foreign tourists visit every year. Mughal emperor Shah Jahan built this monument in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It is spread over 17 hectares, having beautiful gardens and buildings, where one can spot Quranic inscriptions in Arabic script engraved in the gates of the Taj Mahal. It is also considered to be an architectural achievement of Indo-Islamic architecture.
Best Time to Visit: December
Facts:
YEAR OF ORIGIN | Between 1631 AD and 1648 AD |
LOCATION | Agra District, Uttar Pradesh, India |
NUMBER OF VISITORS EVERY YEAR | 125.1 million (as of 2024) |
UNESCO LISTED | 1983 |
History Sanctuary of Machu Picchu
Studded at an elevation of 2430 meters above sea level, you will find intriguing stone ruins of the 15th century, an ancient wonder made by the Inca rulers. The natural setting of the rock escarpments on the eastern slopes of the Andes, surrounded by a vivid panorama, offers you relief from the bustling chores of city life. This heritage site is spread over 32,592 hectares of land, housing about 200 structures of agricultural, astronomical, ceremonial and religious beliefs. To this date, this site is wrapped in a mystery setting of the Inca civilisation.
Best Time to Visit: June to August
Facts:
YEAR OF ORIGIN | Around 1450 AD |
LOCATION | Machu Picchu District, Urubamba Province, Cusco Region, Peru |
NUMBER OF VISITORS EVERY YEAR | 950,000 (as of 2023) |
UNESCO LISTED | 1983 |
Great Wall of China
Stretching over a length of 21,196 km, the Great Wall of China is the longest military defence project that starts from Hebei province in the east to Gansu province in the west. It took over 2000 years to build this magnificent wall to safeguard the nation’s interest. The initiation of joining the earlier fortifications into one, were done under the order of Qin Shi Huang. It is also believed that the construction workers who died during the building of this wall were buried in its under sections.
Best Time to Visit: March to May; September to November
Facts:
YEAR OF ORIGIN | Between 3rd Century BC and 7th century AD |
LOCATION | Huairou District, China |
NUMBER OF VISITORS EVERY YEAR | Approximately 132 million (as of 2024) |
UNESCO LISTED | 1987 |
Galapagos Islands
Travel to this alluring UNESCO Heritage site, near the stretch of Ecuador and situated at the confluence of three ocean currents that showcases evolution.127 islets, rocks and islands. This archipelago is formed with You get to spot some of the exotic species like giant tortoises, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies and unusual vegetation, enriching the mystic setting of the Galapagos Island. You also get to explore underwater life, offering diverse marine lifeforms surrounded by geomorphological forms.
Best Time to Visit: December to May
Facts:
YEAR OF ORIGIN | 1535 AD (Officially discovered) |
LOCATION | Province of Galapagos, San Cristobal, Ecuador, South America |
NUMBER OF VISITORS EVERY YEAR | Approximately 329,475 (as of 2024) |
UNESCO LISTED | 1978 |
Great Barrier Reef
Welcome to the mesmerizing realm of the Great Barrier Reef, situated on the north-east coast of Australia. Within this reef, there are 2500 individual reefs that have different depths and the reef occupies an area of 384,000 square kilometres. You get to witness the largest collection of coral reefs of 400 different types, 4000 types of molluscs and 1500 species of fish in this UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can also spot exotic species like green sea turtles and dugongs, which are on the verge of extinction.
Best Time to Visit: May to October
Facts:
YEAR OF ORIGIN | 1522 AD (Officially discovered) |
LOCATION | Coral Sea, Australia |
NUMBER OF VISITORS EVERY YEAR | 2.25 million (approximately) (as of 2024) |
UNESCO LISTED | 1981 |
Yellowstone National Park
Situated in the north-west region of the United States, this protected area showcases geological processes and phenomena on an area of approximately 900,000 hectares. It also boasts a rich ecological environment, characterized by its diverse flora and fauna and remains one of the large intact ecosystems and home to some of the endangered and rare species on the planet. Explore the national park to witness magnificent views, over 300 geysers and wildlife like wolves, grizzly bears and the largest bison herd of America.
Best Time to Visit: June
Facts:
YEAR OF ORIGIN | 1872 AD |
LOCATION | Wyoming, United States |
NUMBER OF VISITORS EVERY YEAR | 4,744,352 (as of 2024) |
UNESCO LISTED | 1978 |
Castel del Monte
Built back in the 13th century by Emperor Frederick II, this astounding structure reflects the astronomical and mathematical precision of the octagonal shape from all directions. Dominating the green countryside, this medieval architecture reflects the cultural and educational vision of the founder. This spectacular building was built as a symbol of the kingdom back then. Explore the fascinating interior of this UNESCO Heritage Site and catch a blend of Western, Eastern and Mediterranean traditions.
Best Time to Visit: July and August
Facts:
YEAR OF ORIGIN | 1240 AD |
LOCATION | Andria, Puglia, Italy |
NUMBER OF VISITORS EVERY YEAR | 250,000 (approximately) annually |
UNESCO LISTED | 1996 |
Yosemite National Park
Step inside the heart of California and explore Yosemite National Park, boasting its U-shaped valleys, moraines, polished homes, beautiful lakes, waterfalls and hanging valleys. You also get to witness a diverse range of flora and fauna between the elevation of 600 and 4000 meters above the sea level. Spread across an area of 3,027 square kilometers, this incredible park features Yosemite Valley, giant sequoia groves and five of the world’s highest waterfalls. The stunning backdrop of the park will leave you in a state of awe, portraying the effects of glaciation on the granite mountain walls.
Best Time to Visit: May and June
Facts:
YEAR OF ORIGIN | 1890 AD |
LOCATION | California, USA |
NUMBER OF VISITORS EVERY YEAR | 4,121,807 (as of 2024) |
UNESCO LISTED | 1984 |
Komodo National Park
Planning on spotting a world’s largest lizard, then head to the only island in the planet to spot this creature, Komodo Island. The island has been named after this enormous lizard, called Komodo Dragons. Travel to Komodo National Park to find these mighty beasts, accounting to 5700 lizards in the total area of 219,322 hectares. You also get to spot some other species like Timor deer, orange footed scrub fowl and others.
Best Time to Visit: April to June
Facts:
YEAR OF ORIGIN | 1980 AD |
LOCATION | East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia |
NUMBER OF VISITORS EVERY YEAR | 300,488 (as of 2023) |
UNESCO LISTED | 1991 |
Serengeti National Park
Travel to a treasure trove of wilderness with around 15,000 square kilometres of savannah, offering you one of the largest animal migrations in the world. Encounter the migration of zebras, gazelles and wildebeests followed by their predator, lions and leopards, hyenas and others. Some of the endangered species you will encounter in this park are cheetahs, wild dogs, elephants and black rhinoceros. Immerse yourself into the wilderness of Serengeti National Park and enjoy the safari-watching and live encounters with the wild animals.
Best Time to Visit: January and February
Facts:
YEAR OF ORIGIN | 1951 AD |
LOCATION | Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania |
NUMBER OF VISITORS EVERY YEAR | 589,300 (as of 2024) |
UNESCO LISTED | 1981 |
Old Havana
Whenever a person hears the name Old Havana, it primarily evokes an image of people in leisure and colorful vintage cars in their mind. But Old Havana also offers you the timeless elegance of the cobblestone streets and historic plazas dating back over 500 years. Explore the neoclassical and baroque style monuments and other points of interest around the city.
Best Time to Visit: Between November and April
Facts:
YEAR OF ORIGIN | 1519 AD (Officially discovered) |
LOCATION | Province of Ciudad de la Havana, Cuba |
NUMBER OF VISITORS EVERY YEAR | 2.2 million (approximately) (as of 2024) |
UNESCO LISTED | 1982 |
Pyramids of Giza
Cited as one of the seven wonders of the world, the Pyramids of Giza date back 4,500 years and hold great architectural, spiritual, and political significance. Their mystic setting attracts millions of visitors from different corners of the world. The iconic monuments in the field of Memphis are considered sacred to the Gods. Surrounded by a blanket of mystery, the pyramids hold some secrets yet to be discovered.
Best Time to Visit: October to March
Facts:
YEAR OF ORIGIN | Around 2780 BCE |
LOCATION | Giza, Greater Cairo, Egypt |
NUMBER OF VISITORS EVERY YEAR | 15.78 million (approximately) (as of 2024) |
UNESCO LISTED | 1979 |
Stonehenge
One of the renowned groups of megaliths around the globe, Stonehenge has been a long-debated topic due to its origin and purpose. Several researchers have posed their own theories about its origin, formation, rock placement, purpose, and transportation. A bird’ s-eye view of this place will offer you two concentric circles made of 80 bluestone pillars, each weighing around 4 tons. Explore the majestic beauty of this wonder amidst the lush green pasture of land and open blue sky.
Best Time to Visit: June to August
Facts:
YEAR OF ORIGIN | Around 2500 BC |
LOCATION | Wiltshire, England |
NUMBER OF VISITORS EVERY YEAR | Over 1.3 million (as of 2023) |
UNESCO LISTED | 1986 |
Canadian Rocky Mountains Parks
The Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks comprise Mt Assiniboine, Mt Robson, Hamber provincial parks, Yoho, Kootenay, Jasper and Banff national parks. This park boasts a rich ecological environment characterised by its mountain landscape, limestone caves, canyons, waterfalls, lakes and glaciers. You also get to explore Burgess Shale, one of the diverse marine fossil sites, accounting to a period of over 540 million years ago.
Best Time to Visit: June to August
Facts:
YEAR OF ORIGIN | 1984 |
LOCATION | Canada |
NUMBER OF VISITORS EVERY YEAR | 4,154,349 (as of 2024) |
UNESCO LISTED | 1984 |
Pamukkale
The calcite-laden waters have attracted visitors from across the world to help them replenish their health system by bathing in the water of Pamukkale. It is believed to hold spiritual healing powers and is situated amidst green vegetation and a stunning waterfall. This water basin is formed from this spring, falling from a height of 200 meters. This place has 17 mineral-rich thermal waters that offer healing properties for treating some heart diseases, as well as the nervous, skin, and musculoskeletal systems.
Best Time to Visit: September to October
Facts:
YEAR OF ORIGIN | 2nd century BC |
LOCATION | Denizli Province, Turkey |
NUMBER OF VISITORS EVERY YEAR | 1.7 million (approximately) (as of 2024) |
UNESCO LISTED | 1988 |
Read Also: Holiday Destinations in Turkey
Valletta
An ideal late Renaissance destination, Valletta, the capital of Malta, has remained unchanged since the Knights of St John departed. Explore the city’s rich history and heritage, offering a glimpse of ancient and modern signs, as it is considered to be one of the most concentrated historic areas around the globe. You can spot 320 monuments that signify aspects of military, artistic, religious and civil aspects.
Best Time to Visit: Between June and September
Facts:
YEAR OF ORIGIN | 1566 AD |
LOCATION | Malta |
NUMBER OF VISITORS EVERY YEAR | 3.56 million (approximately) (as of 2024) |
UNESCO LISTED | 1980 |
Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Lady Liberty, also called the Statue of Liberty, represents a sign of opportunity and hope for persons seeking a better life in the US. Gustave Eiffel and Frederic Bartholdi constructed this spectacular marvel back in the 19th century, and it was presented as a gift from France to America after their independence in 1876. Visit the destination and climb at the top on an elevator or stairs to its crown to capture mesmerising views of New York.
Best Time to Visit: June to August
Facts:
YEAR OF ORIGIN | 1886 AD |
LOCATION | Liberty Island, New York |
NUMBER OF VISITORS EVERY YEAR | 3.74 million (approximately) (as of 2023) |
UNESCO LISTED | 1984 |
Hoi An
Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of history and culture at Hoi An, a countryside town in Vietnam. This outstanding, well-preserved town captures the essence of a trading port from the 15th to 19th century. It was a trading hub for both East Asia and Southeast countries. Despite being a trading port and reflecting a fusion of foreign cultures, Hoi An has never lost its Vietnamese charm, which attracts visitors more.
Best Time to Visit: Between January to March
Facts:
YEAR OF ORIGIN | 1527 AD |
LOCATION | Quang Nam Province, Vietnam |
NUMBER OF VISITORS EVERY YEAR | 4.4 million (approximately) (as of 2024) |
UNESCO LISTED | 1999 |
Venice
The city is formed with 118 small islands that have the artistic touch left by world-renowned artists like Veronese, Tintoretto, Titian, Giorgione, and many more. The lagoons surrounding Venice, covering an area of 70176.4 hectares, are also considered heritage sites by UNESCO. Wander the streets of Venice and marvel at the stunning architecture, monuments and unique network of canals, where you can also take a boat ride.
Best Time to Visit: April, May and September
Facts:
YEAR OF ORIGIN | 421 AD |
LOCATION | Veneto Region, Province of Venezia, Italy |
NUMBER OF VISITORS EVERY YEAR | 700,000 (approximately) (as of 2024) |
UNESCO LISTED | 1987 |
Historic Centre of Rome
Step into the city that offers an amazing blend of history and culture and unfurl a tapestry of experience. The city of Rome was believed to be founded by Remus and Romulus, as per legend. Some of the iconic places within the walls of the city are the Column of Marcus Aurelius, Trajan’s Column, Pantheon and many more. You can also spot sculptures, paintings and architecture belonging to the Neoclassical, Baroque and Renaissance periods.
Best Time to Visit: April to June; September and October
Facts:
YEAR OF ORIGIN | 753 BC |
LOCATION | Piazza in Campo Marzio, Rome, Italy |
NUMBER OF VISITORS EVERY YEAR | 51.4 million (approximately) (as of 2024) |
UNESCO LISTED | 1980 |
Conclusion
Tourists around the globe travel to their ideal UNESCO sites that are rich in culture, history and heritage. Marvel at the impressive architecture and timeless elegance of the sites. Take a walk around the sites that hold whispers of history and unfurl a tapestry of experience. It will be hard to visit all the UNESCO sites in one visit, so you are bound to return and explore the rest or travel to a new destination to explore the rich culture and heritage of the sites.
To truly appreciate a location’s diversity and depth, one must travel to one of the above-mentioned destinations. Perfect Holidays offers attractive deals and packages to UNESCO sites. You can also contact our travel expert to help you prepare your own itinerary based on your budget and preferences.
FAQs
What is the most beautiful UNESCO heritage site?
The most beautiful UNESCO heritage site is the Taj Mahal.
What is the world's most visited UNESCO site?
The most visited UNESCO site in the world is Banks of the Seine in Paris.
What is the oldest UNESCO World Heritage Site?
The Galapagos Island is the oldest UNESCO World Heritage Site.
