These 12 UNESCO Sites in Europe Almost Make History Class Worth It

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Europe certainly has no shortage of culture, art, history, and natural beauty, and you can find all of them around nearly every corner. Some historical, natural, and cultural sites have more significance than others, though, and that’s where the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) comes in to help preserve them.

There are so many amazing cultural heritage sites in Europe that 12 doesn’t even scratch the surface. There are currently 1,199 UNESCO World Heritage sites in Europe. These 12 sites do give you a glimpse of all of the amazing history, art, and natural beauty that you can find if you know where to look.

Acropolis, Athens Greece

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The Acropolis in Athens, Greece, is known as the birthplace of democracy. It isn’t just one building; it’s a collection of temples and monuments. It was built in the 5th century BC as a fortified citadel, looking over the city from the top of the Hill of Muses.

The Acropolis was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 because of its historical significance artistically, culturally, and historically. The Acropolis sees as many as three million visitors a year, with up to 23,000 visitors per day. However, as part of a preservation effort, this has been capped to 20,000 visitors daily.

Palace of Versailles

The Palace of Versailles and its gardens were built in the 17th and 18th centuries, and kings Louis IV through the XIV lived inside its walls. The palace has more than 2,000 rooms, including the opera, Hall of Battles, and Hall of Mirrors, spread out over 2,000 acres. If you want to see everything, it will take quite some time.

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The palace and gardens are among the most famous landmarks in all of Europe, and it sees 15 million visitors each year. The palace became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979 because of its historical and artistic importance.

Vatican City

Vatican City, one of the smallest countries in the world, has a lot to offer for being so small in size. The Sistine Chapel, St Peter’s Basilica, and St. Peter’s Square are all here, not to mention countless pieces of famous art.

Vatican City was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1984 because of its history, art, and architecture. The city is free to enter, and you are even welcome to attend mass, but some of the museums do charge an admission fee.

Tower of London

European City to Visit London, England — © Sborisov / Adobe Stock

The Tower of London is not just where the crown jewels of British royalty are kept; it’s also one of England’s most recognizable monuments around the world. The Tower of London was built in 1066 by William the Conqueror.

The Tower of London served as both a castle and a fortress, and both Henry III and Edward I expanded upon what William had built. The Tower was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1988, and there is something to see around every corner. Can you imagine if these walls could talk?

Piazza del Duomo, Pisa

Overrated Tourist Traps Leaning Tower of Pisa — © romanslavik.com / Adobe Stock

The Piazza del Duomo, also known as Piazza dei Miracoli, is home to four medieval monuments built between the 11th and 14th centuries. These monuments include the Pisa Cathedral, the Baptistry of Saint John, the Cemetery, and the Campanile or bell tower, also known as the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

Piazza del Duomo, and the Leaning Tower in particular average 5 million visitors every year, and it became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987. In a single square you can find more than 700 years of history, art, and beauty.

Stonehenge

Ruins in Europe Stonehedge, England — © The Walker / Adobe Stock

One of the most mysterious and unique sites in Europe is Stonehenge. Located in Wiltshire, England, this prehistoric monument was built somewhere between 3000 BC and 2000 BC.

To this day the intended purpose of these two stone circles is unknown, and they have a million visitors every year. Stonehenge has been protected by the British government since 1882 and received its UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 1986.

Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia

Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia is an absolutely stunning natural beauty. Here you will find lakes, caves, waterfalls, meadows, and forests all waiting to be explored and admired. Sixteen lakes and hundreds of waterfalls, including Croatia’s largest waterfall, Veliki Slap, are all interconnected.

The park was added to the UNESCO World Heritage site list in 1979, not only for its scenic beauty and universal value but also for its tufa creation. The tufa creates natural barriers by forming limestone barriers that are simultaneously hard, porous, and fragile in a way that is not seen elsewhere.

Kronborg Castle, Denmark

Safest Countries To Travel_Denmark — © f11photo / Shutterstock

Kronborg Castle is also known as Hamlet’s Castle because it is the actual castle Elsinore in Shakespeare’s Hamlet. The castle is strategically located overlooking the Sound and Sweden so that dues could be collected from passing ships. This Renaissance castle was built as a symbol of wealth, power, and luxury.

Kronberg Castle became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000 because of its historical value and importance. Not only can you tour and explore the castle today, but you may also have the opportunity to see a Shakespearean play during your visit as well.

Cinque Terre, Italy

Cinque Terre is a unique collection of five centuries-old Italian villages built on cliffs overlooking the Ligurian Sea. These colorful homes are built very close together and appear to cling to the rocks of the cliffs.

Each of these villages has its own personality, culture, and cuisine. Visitors enjoy the slower pace and relaxed lifestyle as well as the stunning views of the Riviera. Cinque Terre became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997 when it was recognized as a “cultural landscape of extraordinary value.”

Mont-Saint-Michel

Mont-saint-Michel, or Saint Michael’s Mount, is a tidal island in Normandy, France. Here you will find a Benedictine abbey dedicated to the archangel St. Michael and a small village. The abbey sits atop the mountain, visible from quite a distance, and receives more than 3 million visitors each year.

Construction began in 966, and you can still see elements of Romanesque architecture today, but Gothic architecture is much more prominent. The monastery has been a place of learning, worship, and even a prison. In 1979 Mont-Saint-Michel and the bay that surround it were added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites for its natural beauty, importance to Catholic history, and unique location.

Giants Causeway, Northern Island

European Countries With the Most Beautiful Nature Ireland — © aitormmfoto / Adobe Stock

Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland is a natural wonder, and people come from around the globe to see it. The causeway consists of 40,000 interlocking basalt columns sticking up out of the sea after a volcanic fissure eruption. The columns look a lot like stepping stones, and it seems as though you can walk across them to Scotland—fun fact: You can’t!

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In 1986 it was recognized as a World Heritage Site because of its exceptional natural beauty and as an example of Earth’s historical and ongoing geological processes. In addition to being beautiful, there are quite a few interesting myths about how the causeway came to be.

Old City of Dubrovnik

Picturesque European Beach Towns Dubrovnik, Croatia — © SCStock / Adobe Stock

The Old City of Dubrovnik is located in what was formerly known as the Republic of Ragusa, a wealthy Mediterranean port town established in the 13th century. The ancient 82-foot city walls, built to defend from invaders, still stand around the city today.

The city suffered a powerful earthquake in 1667, but many structures were preserved, including baroque churches, a 13th-century pharmacy that still operates today, palaces, fountains, and monasteries. The city was damaged again in the 1990s during an armed conflict which caused UNESCO to help preserve and restore this amazing city.