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Inspiration


THE 39 MOST BEAUTIFUL UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES

The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization has more
than 1,100 locations on its prestigious World Heritage list.
By Caitlin Morton and Jessica Puckett
October 23, 2023
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All products and listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently
selected by our editors. If you purchase something through our links, we may
earn an affiliate commission.

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.

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   MACHU 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
   
   
   
   
   
   Watch This
   
   Miami's Best New Restaurant Serves a Peruvian Grandma’s Recipes
   
   
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   BAGAN, 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
   
   
   



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   WORKS 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
   
   
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   ANGKOR 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
   
   

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   BELIZE 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
   
   
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   BWINDI 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
   
   

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   BUDAPEST (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
   
   
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   CANADIAN 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
   
   

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   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
   
   
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   DANXIA 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
   
   

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   OLD 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
   
   
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   DC_Colombia/Getty
   
   
   GALÁPAGOS 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
   
   

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   PYRAMIDS 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
   
   
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   mevans/Getty
   
   
   GREAT 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
   
   

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   HA 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
   
   
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   OLD 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
   
   

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   HUANGLONG 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
   
   
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   IGUAZU 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
   
   

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   HISTORIC 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
   
   
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   JAIPUR 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
   
   

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   HISTORIC 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
   
   
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   LAKE 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
   
   

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   ROCK-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
   
   
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   METEORA, 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
   
   

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   MONT 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
   
   
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   MOUNT 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
   
   

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   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
   
   
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   Getty
   
   
   OKAVANGO 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
   
   

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   PETRA, 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
   
   
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   POTALA 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
   
   

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   MOSCOW'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
   
   
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   Zetong Li/Unsplash
   
   
   REDWOOD 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
   
   

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   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
   
   
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   SAMARKAND, 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
   
   

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   SOCOTRA, 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
   
   
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   TONGARIRO 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
   
   

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   ‘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
   
   
 *  * Pinterest
   
   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
   
   

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   Getty
   
   
   YOSEMITE 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
   
   





Caitlin Morton has been writing about travel for nearly a decade, with bylines
in Vogue, Travel + Leisure, AFAR, TripSavvy, Real Simple, and more. She enjoys
baked goods, Ireland, orange nail polish, and horror movies. One time she held
the door open for Ian McKellen, which is as close to... Read more
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 * Instagram

Jessica Puckett is an Emmy Award-winning journalist who covers transportation
and travel news for Condé Nast Traveler. She has previously covered travel news
at The Points Guy and domestic and foreign affairs at ABC News.
Senior Editor, Transportation and Travel News
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