There are many historical locations around the world that are on everyone’s bucket lists. If you are looking for additional world heritage sites to visit, there are plenty around the globe that offer their own unique experiences. This includes some of the most majestic and sacred places in the world that also fall under the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) World Heritage site list. Some of these sites are some of the most popular in the entire world while others are treasures that many are still discovering.  Check out some of these great places around the world and plan your next trip to see some of the world’s greatest beauties.

What is a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

The United Nations, in an effort to bring appreciation and notice to some of the most fabulous and culturally rich world heritage sites in the world, created the UNESCO classification. The sites on the UNESCO list are some of the oldest and historically renowned locations on the planet. Each one tells its own story and leaves visitors immersed in its story and sometimes even wanting to know more. For anyone who is interested in learning more about the World Heritage Sites and UNESCO, there is an interactive UNESCO world heritage site map, that helps locate these sites even easier.

Top 10 World Heritage Sites

1. Taj Mahal

Located outside of Delhi, India, the Taj Mahal is one of the most recognizable UNESCO world heritage sites on this list. It’s also one of the oldest sites on the list, having been built by Shah Jahan in 1648 as a way to honor his wife after she died in 1631. Both the tombs of Shah and his wife Mumtaz Mahal are inside the Taj Mahal.  The gorgeous white, marble site is listed as one of the Seven Wonders of the World and is truly one of a kind. The marble will showcase different colors depending on the colors of both the sun and the moon, creating an even more iconic look to this world heritage site.

2. The Pyramids of Giza

The Pyramids of Giza are another world heritage site that is not only listed on the UNESCO world heritage site list but also one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The Pyramids of Giza are so well celebrated mainly due to the fact that they are one of the only world heritage sites of ancient times still intact. Located in Egypt, the Pyramids of Giza not only offer an aesthetic history lesson but also an inside glimpse of what the ancient artifacts actually look like inside and learn about the history of the creation of the pyramids while touring them inside.

3. The Colosseum (Historic Center of Rome, Italy)

For visitors looking to visit a world heritage site that involves the stories of mythology, then the Colosseum located in the Historic Center of Rome is just where you will want to visit. Dating back to what many believe is 750 B.C., the Colosseum offers visitors a trip through time while walking through the open-air theater and re-living the events that happened according to the tales of mythology. The Historic Center of Rome is easily accessible from the Rome airport and is a great day trip while visiting the area.

4. Machu Picchu

When one thinks about a trip to Peru, Machu Picchu is typically one of their top destinations. Machu Picchu is one of the world’s most majestic sites in the entire world. Machu Picchu became a UNESCO world heritage site in 1983 and consists of Inca ruins that attract visitors looking to learn more and experience its beauty. Located in Southern Peru, Machu Picchu, the trip to this historical and heritage site is not for the faint of heart. Visitors must prepare to first take a short train ride from the city of Cuzco and then make the 1,600-foot incline to the top, which involves a hike through the Inca Trail. Which provides breathtaking views along the way.

5. Vatican City

For visitors looking for a religious experience, Vatican City is a must-visit. Many don’t realize that Vatican City is not only a world heritage and religious location, but also its own city, in fact, its petite 100-acre size makes it the smallest country on the globe. Vatican City is the home of the Catholic Church and the residence of the Pope. St. Peter’s Basilica is the famous church on site and the Catholic roots span back to the 1500s.

6. Great Wall of China

Visiting the Great Wall of China requires a commitment of time and energy to journey along the wall and take in the sights and sounds of the history that it represents. The 13,000-mile wall was originally built in the third century B.C.  but was expanded by the Ming Dynasty in the 1300s.

7. The Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos Islands were named the very first world heritage site on the UNESCO list. Located in Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands were an integral part of the theory of evolution and the research led by Charles Darwin. The animals that have made the Galapagos Islands home are some of the rarest in the entire world. A trip to the Galapagos Islands is considered a once in a lifetime opportunity and truly a bucket list destination.

8. Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park is a picturesque destination for not only Americans who look to make it a fun summer vacation spot, but also for those from outside the United States who want to take in the first ever national park in the world.  In 1978, Yellowstone National Park was added to the UNESCO list, one of the first world heritage sites to be recognized.

The rise in popularity of the television show, Yellowstone, has also added to the attractiveness of visiting the national park. Between the beautiful views and hot springs, there is truly something for everyone to enjoy at Yellowstone National Park.

9. Stonehenge

Located in Wiltshire, England, Stonehenge was created at or about 3000 B.C. It is one of the only still standing prehistoric world heritage sites in the entire world leading to Stonehenge being added to the UNESCO list in 1986. Some of the stones at the Stonehenge Monument stand as high as 13 feet tall. Its setting being directed toward the summer solstice makes it a top destination in the early summer for visitors.

10. The Parthenon

In recent years, Greece has become a top travel destination for visitors from around the world. One of the main reasons for that is the Parthenon. In 447 B.C., the Parthenon was once a temple and considered one of the most sacred locations to the Greek heritage. This world heritage site is listed on the UNESCO list as a must-see location. The Parthenon looks over Athens and appears as the center of the city with its iconic architecture.

11. The Madain Saleh in Saudi Arabia

The Hegra also known as the Mada’in Salih is the largest conserved site of the civilization of the Nabataeans south of Petra in Jordan. It features well-preserved monumental tombs with decorated facades dating from the 1st century BC to the 1st century AD.

12. The Grand Site of Chichén Itzá

The Gran Museo de Chichen Itza was conceived and created for the conservation and exhibition of Mayan cultural wealth. It is also designed to offer an educational and accessible experience for visitors to gain a deeper understanding of the history and legacy of this civilization.

This museum features more than 800 archaeological pieces that have never been exhibited before, offering a more detailed view of the early years of the Mayan civilization. Each of these pieces has been found in the most recent excavations, meaning that only in this museum will you have the opportunity to see them. Among them are serpent heads, the Chac Mool sculpture, and more.

Conclusion

No emergency plan exists for the site and there is no long term monitoring of the state of conservation, due to lack of personnel. This puts the site at risk from natural and anthropogenic disasters, as well as from longer term degradation. Threats like fire and limestone erosion have been highlighted. Sustainable implementation of the defined planning tools and the allocation of resources to conservation and management are necessary means to ensure the conservation of the Outstanding Universal Value of the property in the long term.

FAQ’s

Q: Will there be more world heritage sites added to the UNESCO list?

A: yes, according to the official UNESCO website, there is a list of tentative additions from around the world that are being considered. The UNESCO board meets every two years to discuss additional sites to the list.

Q: How many UNESCO sites are there in the United States?

A: There are 25 world heritage sites in the United States.

Q: When was the first world heritage site added to the UNESCO list?

A: The list was officially announced and created in 1972, with the Galapagos Islands, being the first world heritage site being the first location.

Q: Are there benefits to being named to the UNESCO list?

A: Being named to the world heritage list as one of the UNESCO sites allows the sites to obtain international funding and the ability to continue to preserve the locations as the sacred places that they are and allow generations to come to enjoy them.