Top UNESCO World Heritage Sites That Deserve a Spot on Your Bucket List
What is UNESCO?
UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, is a specialized agency dedicated to strengthening our shared humanity through the promotion of education, science, culture, and communication.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites are chosen based on their "outstanding universal value," meaning they are globally significant and meet specific criteria. The selection process involves a nomination by the host country, evaluation by advisory bodies, and a final decision by the World Heritage Committee.
Established in 1945, UNESCO has identified a remarkable 1,223 (as of July 2024) World Heritage sites. These sites are spread across 168 countries. The list includes 952 cultural sites, 231 natural sites, and 40 mixed properties.
UNESCO has long been an invaluable, but often overlooked, guide for some of the world’s most incredible sites and attractions.
These are our top 10 must see UNESCO World Heritage Sites and why they need to be at the top of your travel bucket list:
Have you ever dreamed of stepping in to Jurassic Park?
This UNESCO World Heritage site will have you feeling like you have entered Jurassic World with its many native species dating back to prehistoric times, and expansive collection of flora and fauna seen nowhere else in the world.
The Galápagos Islands in Ecuador were the first-ever designated UNESCO World Heritage site, meeting all four criteria listed to be considered a UNESCO site. This stunning collection of Islands is among the top of our list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites to visit due to its unique landscape and truly magical experiences.
The experience all that this stunning site has to offer, check out this 7 Day Galápagos Island Hopping Tour
No trip to Cambodia is complete without visiting this incredible UNESCO World Heritage site spanning over 400 sq km (roughly 155 sq mi). Angkor holds hundreds of temple ruins aged over 1,000 years old and is a sight to behold.
Witnessing a sunrise through the ruins is truly a once in a lifetime experience you will remember forever.
Visiting the site itself offers a serene atmosphere of stoic French colonial architecture surrounded by peaceful rivers.
When planning your trip to Cambodia, be sure to book a Small Group Sunrise Tour to Angkor Wat.
Perhaps more commonly famed for being one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu has long been on the UNESCO World Heritage Site List.
Added to the list in 1983, UNESCO proclaimed this Peruvian wonder "a masterpiece of art, urbanism, architecture, and engineering" and "a unique testimony" of the Inca Civilization.
In addition to the remarkable history and architecture of this site, dating back to the 15th and 16th century, Machu Picchu’s setting offers awe inspiring views of the mountains and landscape in which it is built.
Grab your hiking boots and a camera and get ready for this adventure of your lifetime!
Also recognized as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, the Grand Canyon was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site List in 1979.
Perhaps the most recognizable UNESCO site in the US (along with Everglades National Park and Independence Hall), this natural wonder was carved by the Colorado River in Arizona.
The Grand Canyon spans 277 miles (446 km) long, up to 18 miles (29 km) wide and attains a depth of over a mile (6,093 feet or 1,857 meters) creating an enchanting display of Mother Nature’s workmanship.
For the ultimate Grand Canyon Experience, book this curated day trip.
Located just 40 minutes from Reykjavík, Þingvellir is a site of historical, cultural, and geological significance, and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Iceland.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the only place in the world where you can stand between two continental plates. It is also a distinctive geological landscape that changes every year, so a visit is truly a once in a lifetime experience.
Are you ready for the unparalleled experience of snorkeling between Tectonic plates? Take the plunge here.
Sri Lanka has been growing in popularity as a tourist destination over recent years, with the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kandy being a major draw for visitors.
Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988, the city of Kandy is the home of the Temple of the Tooth Relic, one of the most sacred places of worship in the Buddhist world. Some of our movie buffs may also recognize Kandy from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, which was filmed in and around Kandy in 1983.
While visiting Kandy, don’t miss the unique opportunity to take a Sigiriya Day Tour
Voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007, Petra has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985.
Dating to around 300 B.C, Petra contains tombs and temples carved into pink sandstone cliffs, earning its nickname, the "Rose City” and is Jordan’s most visited site.
This archaeological site is not only famed for it’s historical significance, but also for being featured in numerous major films includin "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" which has been credited for making Petra globally famous. Other notable films like "Lawrence of Arabia," "The Martian," "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen," and "Aladdin" have all been filmed at this UNESCO site.
Ready to feel like you are the leading character in a movie filmed in one of the most beautiful settings in the world? Book a tour today.
Boasting 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites including temples, shrines and castles, Kyoto, Japan is a wonderland of wonders for any traveler.
These 17 sites represent a significant collection of Japanese cultural heritage that will all leave you in awe of the historical, religious, and architectural significance of this Japanese city.
One of the most notable sites in Kyoto is Kiyomizu-dera Temple, which prides itself on being a “temple for all seasons” providing unique views as the seasons and landscape below change. Legend says the structure was a literal jumping-off point where leapers were convinced jumping the 43-ft cliff would grant all their wishes.
Luckily, visitors don’t need to risk the 43-ft leap to make their wish of you touring this UNESCO World Heritage city come true, they can just book here.
It is no wonder this Wonder of the World, a massive fortification system, stretching for thousands of kilometers along the historical northern borders of China is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It is recognized as one of the greatest structural feats of its time and it is estimated it would take 17 months to walk the expanse of it.
If you don’t have 17 months to commit to walking end to end of this extraordinary structure, don’t worry! There are several access points making it obtainable for all ages and abilities.
For a stress-free visit, book a guided tour here.
This city in Upper Egypt is home to numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the Karnak Temple, the Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, and the Valley of the Queens. Visit Luxor to bask in the centuries-old ruins, burial grounds, temples, and tombs.
In Luxor, you will also find the Temple of Hatshepsut and the famed Necropolis of Thebes, which are part of the UNESCO listing.
What better way to take in all the magic of Luxor than from a hot air balloon?
As you can see, there is a UNESCO site in every corner of the world. These extraordinary sites will leave you in wonderment for years to come and keep you wanting to check off more and more of these remarkable places.
With so many phenomenal options, choosing which to visit can be the hardest part, but planning your visit can be the easiest with the help of one of GWA Travel Collective’s knowledgeable and capable travel advisors.
Reach out to our team to start planning your perfect UNESCO Heritage Site visits today!
