13 UNESCO World Heritage Sites To Visit in Your Lifetime

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.

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15 Iconic Places in the World for Your Bucket List

Acropolis, Greece 1/5

UNESCO World Heritage Sites Taj Mahal Agra India

Taj Mahal, India 2/5

UNESCO World Heritage Sites Angkor Wat Cambodia

Angkor Wat, Cambodia 3/5

UNESCO World Heritage Sites Machu Picchu Peru

Machu Picchu, Peru 4/5

Great Wall, China 5/5

Results

Acropolis, Greece

17 3

Taj Mahal, India

11 9

Angkor Wat, Cambodia

10 10

Machu Picchu, Peru

10 10

Great Wall, China

10 10

The Acropolis, Athens, Greece

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.

Wear comfortable shoes: The paths around the Acropolis can be uneven and slippery, so sturdy footwear is essential.
Bring sun protection: There’s little shade on the hill, so wear a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen, especially during warmer months.
Acropolis Museum Admission: The entry fee is 20€ (22$) for adults, with reduced rates for students and seniors. It is open every day from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, except on Mondays when it opens at 8:00 AM and closes at 4:00 PM. Ensure to buy tickets online in advance to avoid long lines.

Old Havana, Cuba

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.

Café El Dandy: After soaking in the historical sights, grab a bite at Café El Dandy, located in Plaza del Cristo. This café is well-known for its excellent coffee and Cuban tapas. It’s a cozy spot with a laid-back atmosphere, making it perfect for a mid-tour break.
Carry cash: Many places in Old Havana don’t accept credit cards, so bring Cuban pesos for purchases.

Machu Picchu, Peru

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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Acclimate to the altitude: Spend a couple of days in Cusco or the Sacred Valley before visiting to avoid altitude sickness.
Entry Tickets: The entry fee to Machu Picchu varies but generally costs around 152 S/. (40$) for adults. It’s important to book your tickets well in advance, as daily visitor numbers are limited to preserve the site.

Grand Place, Brussels, Belgium

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.

Entry to Grand Place: The Grand Place itself is open to the public and free to visit at any time. However, if you want to visit the Museum of the City of Brussels (King’s House), entry fees apply. The Museum ticket costs around 10€ (11$).
Try local delicacies: Nearby, you can enjoy Belgian waffles, chocolates, and famous fries.

Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia

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.

Choose eco-friendly tours: Opt for reef-friendly operators that follow sustainable practices to help protect this fragile ecosystem.
Wear reef-safe sunscreen: Use biodegradable, non-toxic sunscreen to prevent harmful chemicals from damaging the coral.
Booking Reef Cruise: Plan your reef trip by booking a tour from a popular departure point such as Cairns. Prices for this reef cruise are 270 AU$ (171 $).

Easter Island, Chile

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.

Entry to Rapa Nui National Park: To visit the iconic moai statues and other attractions in Easter Island, you need to purchase an entry ticket for Rapa Nui National Park. The ticket costs around 80$ for adults.
Respect the heritage: Avoid touching or climbing the moai, as they are sacred and protected cultural artifacts.

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.

Choose the right section: Mutianyu is less crowded than Badaling and offers stunning views, while Jiankou is great for adventurous hikers.
Dress for the terrain: Wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for steep climbs, as some sections of the wall are rugged and uneven.

Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

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.

Operating Hours and Entry Fees: Serengeti National Park is open daily from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Entry fees are 70$ per adult per day, with additional fees for vehicles (starting at 40$).
Go on multiple safaris: Early morning and late afternoon game drives offer the best wildlife sightings, as animals are most active during these times.

Taj Mahal, Agra, India

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.

Operating Hours and Entry Fees: The Taj Mahal is open daily (except Fridays) from 6:00 AM to 6:30 PM. Entry fees are 1,100₹ (13$) for foreign tourists.
Visit Mehtab Bagh: For a stunning, crowd-free view of the Taj Mahal, head to Mehtab Bagh, a garden complex across the Yamuna River, perfect for photography at sunset.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

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.

Old Town Dining: Try a meal at Proto, a renowned seafood restaurant in the Old Town, known for its fresh catch and traditional Croatian dishes. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak travel seasons.
City Walls Entry and Hours: The Dubrovnik City Walls are open daily, usually from 8:00 AM to 6:30 PM (hours vary by season). Entry costs 40€ (44$).

Kyoto, Japan

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.

Local Cuisine: Try kaiseki dining (multi-course Japanese meals) or Kyoto specialties like yudofu (boiled tofu) and matcha desserts, available at local restaurants and teahouses. Visit Nishiki Market for a variety of Kyoto street food and delicacies.
Try a traditional ryokan stay: Experience Kyoto’s history firsthand by staying in a ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn with tatami floors, futon beds, and kaiseki dining.

Angkor Wat, Cambodia

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.

Operating Hours and Entry Fees: Angkor Wat is open daily from 4:30AM to 5:30 PM. A one-day pass to the Angkor Archaeological Park costs $37$. Tickets can be purchased only at the official Angkor Ticket Office.
Dress respectfully: As a sacred site, visitors should cover their shoulders and knees. Wearing light, breathable clothing is ideal for the tropical heat.

Pamukkale, Turkey

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.

Operating Hours: Pamukkale is open daily from 6:30 AM to 9:00 PM during the summer season and until 6:00 PM in the winter.
Pack a swimsuit: The thermal waters are not just for sightseeing! Bring a swimsuit to take a dip in the famous Cleopatra’s Pool, a warm, mineral-rich pool filled with submerged ancient ruins.