UNESCO World Heritage Sites Taj Mahal Agra India

13 UNESCO World Heritage Sites To Visit in Your Lifetime

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The ​​United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization – or UNESCO – doesn’t take things lightly. If a destination is listed as a World Heritage Site, you know it has something special to offer. From ancient cities to natural landscapes, read on to discover 12 of the top sites to visit during your time on planet Earth. 

The Acropolis, Athens, Greece

UNESCO World Heritage Sites The Acropolis Athens Greece
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The Acropolis is an ancient citadel perched on a flat-topped limestone hill in Athens. It’s around 150 meters above sea level and is an important historical and archeological site. The Parthenon is the most significant of the site’s structures, and the Acropolis dates back to the 5th century BC. It’s truly awe-inspiring, not least due to how much of it still stands. 

Read also: Famous Landmarks in Greece

Old Havana, Cuba

UNESCO World Heritage Sites Old Havana Cuba
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Old Havana is UNESCO-listed due to being the Caribbean’s most impressive city center. It’s packed with attractive, historic architecture, and the fact that it has remained faithful to its original layout also makes it stand out. The Cuban capital stands out with a unique fortification system, Baroque and Neoclassical buildings, and streets lined with classic cars.

Read also: Caribbean Destinations Without Visa

Machu Picchu, Peru

UNESCO World Heritage Sites Machu Picchu Peru
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Trekking up to Machu Picchu, at over 2,400 meters above sea level, is the stuff that traveler legends are made of. It’s remarkable not only because of Inca culture but also because of the diversity of flora and fauna inhabiting the elevated area. The structures here also seem completely at one with the land they occupy.

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Grand Place, Brussels, Belgium

UNESCO World Heritage Sites Grand Place Brussels Belgium
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The Grand Place in Brussels is a UNESCO marvel, one of Europe’s most beautiful squares. The square is framed by decorated guild halls, the majestic Town Hall, and the King’s House, all showing the grandeur of Baroque architecture. Known for hosting the spectacular Flower Carpet event, the Grand Place was beautifully restored after its near destruction in 1695.

Read also: Top Things To Do in Brussels

Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia

UNESCO World Heritage Sites Great Barrier Reef Queensland Australia
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The Great Barrier Reef off Queensland’s northeast coast is the world’s biggest and best-known reef site. Around 2,500 smaller reefs comprise the Great Barrier, with over 900 islands. The species diversity includes thousands of types of fish, corals, mollusks, seabirds, and other marine creatures. 

Read also: Top Tropical Destinations for Your Bucket List

Easter Island, Chile

UNESCO World Heritage Sites Easter Island Chile
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Easter Island, or Rapa Nui National Park, is a Chilean territory famed for its moai. These are angular, human-like stone statues with oversized heads. The island is around 2,300 miles off Chile’s coast and is the world’s remotest populated island.

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The Great Wall of China

UNESCO World Heritage Sites The Great Wall of China
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It might be difficult to believe that the Great Wall of China only made it onto the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1987. The wall was built more than 2,000 years ago, for defensive purposes. It was meant to protect the Silk Road trade and guard China against invasion. 

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Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

UNESCO World Heritage Sites Serengeti National Park Tanzania
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If there’s one place in the world to view wildlife in their natural habitat, then the Serengeti has to be it. The National Park is famous for the annual migration of zebras, gazelles, and wildebeests, so book early if you want to witness this phenomenon. Endangered species in the park include black rhinoceros, cheetahs, elephants, and wild dogs. 

Read also: Hidden Beaches Around the Globe

Taj Mahal, Agra, India

UNESCO World Heritage Sites Taj Mahal Agra India
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Though the entrance might be incongruously tucked away down a dusty side street, that’s soon forgotten once you catch sight of this magnificent mausoleum. It was built between 1632 and 1648 in memory of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan’s wife. Though it looks fairly plain from a distance, the intricacy of the artwork can make it even more attractive when viewed at close quarters. 

Read also: Cheap Warm February Getaways

Dubrovnik, Croatia

UNESCO World Heritage Sites Dubrovnik Croatia
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Dubrovnik is fast becoming a bucket list city break destination, and it’s easy to see why. You can admire the stunning setting by the ocean from the city walls. Old terracotta-roofed buildings dotted with fine examples of Baroque, Gothic, and Renaissance architecture characterize the charming old town. 

Read also: Most Charming Towns in Europe

Kyoto, Japan

UNESCO World Heritage Sites Kyoto Japan
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Officially listed by UNESCO as the “Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto,” this Japanese city is rich in culture and tradition. Classic Japanese architecture and landscaped gardens can be found throughout. With almost 200 buildings, including religious and wooden structures, Kyoto is the number one place to get to grips with Japanese history.

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Angkor Wat, Cambodia

UNESCO World Heritage Sites Angkor Wat Cambodia
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Angkor Wat is considered the largest religious monument on the planet. It’s located in the city of Angkor, an ancient Khmer capital. The entire Angkor Archaeological Park complex covers an astonishing 150 square miles, including forested terrain. It’s one of Southeast Asia’s most significant archaeological sites and particularly interesting to Buddhists. 

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Pamukkale, Turkey

UNESCO World Heritage Sites Pamukkale Turkey
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Pamukkale translates as Cotton Palace, and the series of terraced pools are the color of freshly washed white linen. Natural springs from a 200-meter cliff feed the pools rich in calcite. It’s not only about the pools, though. You can also see the remains of a thermal spa, plus other monuments and temples at the site. 

Read also: Coastal Drives Around the World

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