UNESCO World Heritage Sites – Where I’ve Been

I once read a post on the wonderful Adventurous Kate’s travel blog about reaching her goal of visiting 100 UNESCO World Heritage Sites on her travels. It got me thinking – have I seen any? I’d never looked at the list before. So I headed over to the UNESCO website to see. Turns out I’ve been to a few, more than I would have thought, without ever realising it! Many of these were during my childhood, so memories are a little fuzzy, and photos non-existant, or not very good (hey, I didn’t know what a decent camera or editing programme was until a few years ago, alright?).

I’m going to keep updating this post as I travel. You can visit the UNESCO website to see how many you’ve been to!

Argentina

#303 Iguazú National Park. Right at the very northern tip of Argentina, this huge, powerful series of waterfalls sits on the border with Brazil. I loved seeing it from both sides, getting really different views. And the spray felt amazing in such hot weather!

Total: 1/11

Australia

#147 Kakadu National Park. With its landscapes and Aboriginal Rock Art, Kakadu was two days of wonder at the natural beauty and history that surrounded me.

#154 Great Barrier Reef. I scubadived for the first time in this world-famous area, and sailed around the gorgeous Whitsunday Islands in the heart of the reef. The Great Barrier is sadly dying because of human mismanagement, so thankfully I was able to experience it before it’s too late.

#166 Sydney Opera House. An iconic building known the world over, it was a big tick off the old bucket list when I finally saw it in March 2015. The shell-shaped building is set in a beautiful location, with a backdrop of the Harbour Bridge and the blue waters of Sydney Harbour.

#368 Gondwana Rainforests. I’ve only seen a tiny portion, in Springbrook National Park, but it was stunning. Its status as one of Australia’s UNESCO World Heritage sites gives these ancei great protection.

#447 Uluru-Kjata Tuta National Park. I can still barely describe this place, deep in the heart of Australia. The culture, unique beauty and remote wilderness is utterly unforgettable.

#486 Wet Tropics of Queensland. Driving north along the Queensland coast to the Daintree area, you see thick, lush rainforest reaching down to dip its toes into the sparkling ocean.

#578 Shark Bay. I spent a week volunteering with the famous dolphins of Monkey Mia at the tip of this gorgeous peninsula. Even just the drive there is stunning beyond belief. Beaches made entirely of shells, ancient stromatolites and colonies of dugongs are just some of its many attractions.

#630 Fraser Island. Dingos trotting along sandy beaches stretching for miles, a rusting shipwreck, whale spotting, stunning freshwater lakes…this island truly is paradise.

#917 Greater Blue Mountains Area. I spent a week in the Blue Mountains monitoring rock wallaby populations, and it was one of the most beautiful places I’ve been in Australia.

#1131 Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens, Melbourne. A gorgeous building in a gorgeous city. Carlton Gardens are the type of public place you see wedding shoots – which is exactly what I saw.

#1369 Ningaloo Coast. Home to stunning Turquoise Bay, turtle nesting sites and hikes along riverbeds to views over the entire peninsula, the Ningaloo Coast is one of the most unique places in Australia.

Total: 11/20

Austria

#786 Palace and Gardens of Schonbrunn. On a trip to Vienna with my mom about nine years ago, she took me to the Zoo set in the grounds; the oldest zoo in the world, in fact. Amazing architecture and beautiful gardens.

#1033 Historic Centre of Vienna. I was here in winter both times, with crisp white snow filling the suburbs while the city centre was adorned with lights and decorations.

Total: 2/10

Bosnia

#946 Old Bridge Area of the Old City of Mostar. It might have rained the entire two days I was in Mostar, but I could still see how beautiful this little city is. The Old Town is full of (slippery) cobbled streets on either side of the Old Bridge, full of souvenir shops, with restaurants perched on the edge of the vibrant blue river.

Total: 1/4

Brazil

#355 Iguaçu National Park. The other side of the waterfalls is a whole other UNESCO World Heritage Site, and has even better views than the Argentinian side, in my opinion. Even with a lower-than-usual water level, this u-shaped series of waterfalls was hugely impressive.

Total: 1/23

Bulgaria

#42 Boyana Church. I always imagined UNESCO World Heritage Sites to be big, grand monuments over large areas. So it was a surprise to find Boyana Church is actually a tiny chapel in a tree-filled garden. It’s so small they only allow eight people inside at any one time, but the frescos inside are absolutely stunning.

#216 Rila Monastery. High up in the mountains to the south of Sofia sits this large monastery, with its medieval guard tower, striped walls and arches and a church so covered in paintings inside and out, your eyes can’t decide where to look first.

#217 Historic Centre of Nessebar. The beautiful Old Town sits on on its own little island joined to the New Town on the mainland by a small bridge. The 18th century streets are built around a series of much older churches, culminating in the ruins of the Basilica right in the centre.

Total: 3/10

Canada

#300 Historic District of Old Québec. This city is seriously stunning. With its European charm and iconic chateau on top of the hill, Québec is one place you cannot miss in Canada. Definitely one of the prettier UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world.

#304 Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks. Comprising four national parks and three provincial parks across two provinces, this is one of the most beautiful parts of Canada. I spent a winter in Banff and was so lucky to explore this amazing area.

#741 Old Town Lunenburg. A pretty but fairly boring town, Lunenburg has a beautiful harbour and colourful buildings. It is the best surviving example of a planned British colonial settlement in North America.

#1221 Rideau Canal. This 19th century canal between Ottawa and Kingston is 202km long and is the only canal from this time still fully operational. The Ottawa section is seriously pretty, with Parliament on one side and the Fairmont Chateau Laurier on the other.

#1497 Mistaken Point. Taking a guided tour of the Ecological Reserve gives you a unique chance to see the oldest known fossils in the world. Reaching down and touching 565 million-year old fossils with my bare hands is an experience I won’t forget.

Total: 5/20

Cape Verde

#1310 Cidade Velha, Historic Centre of Ribeira Grande. A hot and dusty afternoon well-spent strolling around the original capital  city of Cape Verde. Cathedral ruins, adorable white-washed houses, overlooked by a reconstructed Portuguese fort.

Total: 1/1

Croatia

#95 Old City of Dubrovnik. The most popular destination in Croatia, and I can see why. The colour of the water surrounding the Old City is gorgeous. The walls are expensive, but I just couldn’t visit without walking the 2km around the top of them and taking in the amazing views.

#97 Historical Complex of Split with the Palace of Diocletian. Wow, is all I can say. I didn’t realise until just before I arrived that Diocletian’s Palace wasn’t just a historical ruin, but the entire Old Town section of the city. Medieval and Renaissance buildings were built surrounded by Roman columns, walls and arches. It’s really amazing.

#98 Plitvice Lakes National Park. The park’s limestone and chalk bedrock have been carved by the river to create a stunning series of waterfalls, pools, dams and caves. Though busy, the walk from one end of the main gorge to the other is unforgettable.

#810 Historic City of Trogir. Just 30 minutes from Split, it only took me about that long to walk what felt like the entire city! It’s very pretty, with a lovely waterfront, a historic fortress at one end of the island and cathedral at the other.

#963 The Cathedral of St. James in Šibenik. Though it may look like any other historical cathedral, St. James’ in Croatia is architecturally one of the most important in the world. The interior was under construction when I visited in 2022, so I only got a quick glimpse inside.

#1240 Stari Grad Plain. The island of Hvar is a lovely day trip from Split, though the plain itself doesn’t attract too many visitors. The 6km long stretch of plain is made up of 2000-year old walled plots of land that are still farmed using the same techniques created by the Greeks. Ancient ruins dot the landscape too.

#1533 Venetian Works of Defence between 15th and 17th centuries: Stato da Terra – western Stato da Mar. That is a mouthful of a title. This is actually six different locations: 3 in Italy, 2 in Croatia and 1 in Montenegro. The two sites I’ve visited are Zadar in Croatia and Kotor in Montenegro, both absolutely beautiful cities in their own right.

Total: 7/10

Czechia

#616 Historic Centre of Prague. Interrailing with my friends three years ago took us through ten countries in three weeks, including the beautiful Prague, my second time in the city. I loved waiting in the main square with the gathering crowds to watch the famous clock display.

Total: 1/14

Ecuador

#1 Galápagos Islands. the original, the OG, the one that started it all. It doesn’t take long to understand just why these islands were the first place in the world to be inscribed as World Heritage. The wildlife alone is worth the effort of getting there, but there’s also the snorkelling, the scenery and the fascinating history as well.

#2 City of Quito. Ecuador managed to get both the #1 and the #2 spots on the list. The capital city’s historic centre is the best-preserved in Latin America, dating back to its founding in the 16th century.

#863 Historic Centre of Santa Ana de los Ríos de Cuenca. Thankfully this beautiful city’s mouthful of a name can be shortened to simply Cuenca. With a gorgeous large cathedral, rooftop views and a famous flower market, Cuenca is a worthy addition to any Ecuador bucket list.

Total: 3/5

France

#600 Banks of the Seine. Paris, the city of love (or is it lights?). On a school trip here at the age of seventeen one of the activites was an afternoon boat ride along the river. Seeing the beautiful architecture and the famous Notre Dame Cathedral was unforgettable.

Total: 1/45

Holy See

#91 Historic Centre of Rome, the Properties of the Holy See in that City Enjoying Extraterritorial Rights and Sao Paulo Fuori le Mura (shared with Italy). It’s Rome, what more can I say?

#286 Vatican City. The world’s smallest country, you can spend just a few hours here and see almost everything there is to see. But it’ll take more than a few hours to get this fascinating place out of your system. The only UNESCO World Heritage site that encompasses an entire country.

Total: 2/2

Hungary

#400 Budapest. This city has a wonderful atmosphere, but is absolutely huge. Prepare for sore feet after a day of exploring! Parliament Building and the castle on the hill are definite highlights.

Total: 1/8

Indonesia

#592 Borobudur Temple Compounds. The largest Buddhist complex in the world, Borobodur is awe-inspiring, if often crowded. The detailed carvings covering the huge pyramid structure will keep you occupied for hours.

#609 Komodo National Park. Famous for its giant reptiles, the Komodo Dragons, who certainly earn their name. Tropical islands surrounded by deep blue waters, this park comprises both marine and land elements.

#642 Prambanan Temple Compounds. Borobudur’s Hindu counterpart. There are several temple complexes in the park, some in better repair than others. The unique architecture was like nothing I’d ever seen before.

#1194 Cultural Landscape of Bali Province: the Subak System as a Manifestation of the Tri Hita Karana Philosophy. One of the most famous aspects of Bali is its many rice terraces. The entire system of farming and using water resources this way is an ancient part of the Balinese culture.

#1671 The Cosmological Axis of Yogyakarta and its Historic Landmarks. This wasn’t listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site when I visited the city, but has been recognised since for its embodiment of key Javanese beliefs about the cosmos and the cycles of life.

Total: 5/10

Ireland

#659 Brú Na Bóinne. The famous passage tombs of Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth. With the wealth of history we have, I think it’s criminal there are only two UNESCO World Heritage sites in Ireland (the other being Sceilig Michil, a dream destination of mine).

Total: 1/2

Italy

#91 Historic Centre of Rome, the Properties of the Holy See in that City Enjoying Extraterritorial Rights and Sao Paulo Fuori le Mura (shared with Holy See). Again, it’s Rome. City of a thousand movies, it lives up to every expectation.

#174 Historic Centre of Florence. Italy had long been a dream of mine, so I couldn’t believe it when I was actually there. It still looks exactly as it did five hundred years ago (except for the tourists taking selfies, of course).

#394 Venice and her Lagoon. Canals, the narrowest alleys you’ve ever seen, tiny bridges and amazing architecture make this water-borne city the best place to get lost in.

#717 Historic Centre of Siena. Another city suspended in time. If you can, go there in time for the legendary Palio horse race. Unfortunately, I wasn’t there at the right time, but this is an amazing day trip from Florence nonetheless.

#797 City of Verona. The home of Romeo and Juliet, it’s the ultimate romantic destination. See the balcony at Casa di Giulietta, wander the ancient Arena and watch the many buskers and street performers before finding a tiny, vine-covered pizzaria for dinner.

#829 Archaeological Areas of Pompeii, Herculaneum and Torre Annunziata. A dream since childhood, Pompeii is one of those places you have to keep pinching yourself that it’s actually real.

Total: 6/58

Luxembourg

#699 City of Luxembourg: its Old Quarters and Fortifications. A place that was never on my radar, but I’m so happy I went and experienced all that this tiny, quaint city has to offer. Which only takes 24 hours!

Total: 1/1

Malaysia

#1223 Melaka and George Town, Historic Cities of the Straits of Malacca. I loved both cities, with their old world Colonial architecture, wonderful street art and rich culture.

#1013 Gunung Mulu National Park. This park holds a special place in my heart, with its epic caves home to millions of bats and the thick rainforest surrounding you.

Total: 2/4

Malta

#131 City of Valletta. Because of its small size and intense history, Malta’s capital has over 300 monuments spanning hundreds of years in just a few streets. It’s also one of the prettiest capitals I’ve ever been to.

#132 Megalithic Temples of Malta. Comprised of seven temples dotted around Malta’s two main islands, I was able to visit three of them in my short stay. They are some of the earliest free-standing stone buildings in the world and each one has a unique setting and architectural style.

Total: 2/3

Mexico

#482 Historic Town of Guanajuato and Adjacent Mines. One of the most colourful towns I’ve ever been in, every building was painted a different bright, vibrant colour. Beautiful churches and winding cobblestone alleys kept me entertained for hours.

#483 Pre-Hispanic City of Chichen Itza. One of the greatest Mayan cities, this place has been on my bucket list since FOREVER. The El Castillo pyramid is iconic, and being one of the New7 Wonders of the World, it sees thousands of visitors every year.

#585 Historic Centre of Morelia. With its huge pink cathedral and beautiful architecture, this city a few hours from the capital is not as often visited as other places in Mexico, but like the others it certainly has its charms.

#791 Pre-Hispanic Town of Uxmal. Almost as popular as Chichen Itza, Uxmal deserves a visit too. Less crowded, but just as impressive, it has pyramids and ruins waiting to be explored.

#815 Hospicio Cabañas, Guadalajara. I visited this place expecting a historical building. But it’s so much more than that, with modern art exhibitions and a large chapel covered in 20th century murals that are considered the masterpieces of Mexico’s pre-eminent muralist.

#1209 Agave Landscape and Industrial Facilities of Tequila. As someone who no longer drinks alcohol, it seemed strange to visit a town dedicated to a drink. But driving past the blue agave fields, wandering the pretty town centre and seeing the large tequila distilleries was more than enough to make the journey worth it.

#1274 Protective town of San Miguel and the Sanctuary of Jesús Nazareno de Atotonilco. This World Heritage Site is not one, but two places. Both the town of San Miguel de Allende and the nearby village containing the Sanctuary are worth a visit, with a stunning church to be found in both.

Total: 7/35

Montenegro

#100 Durmitor National Park. I visited in late April hoping for wildflowers and arrived to find a thick layer of snow still gripping the area. But it’s beautiful either way, with some great hiking trails and lakes.

#125 Natural and Culturo-Historical Region of Kotor. The view from the fortress overlooking the city was one of the best I’ve seen in a very long time. The Old City is easily walkable and the bay just begging to be explored by boat.

#1533 Venetian Works of Defence between 15th and 17th centuries: Stato da Terra – western Stato da Mar. Shared with five other locations in Italy and Croatia, the Montenegrin location is Kotor, which means that gorgeous town is actually two UNESCO World Heritage Sites for the price of one!

Total: 3/4

The Netherlands

#1349 17th Century Canal Ring Area of Amsterdam. A single day was all I got in Amsterdam, so it was a race to see as much as I could. Having been to Venice two weeks previously, I loved seeing another city of canals.

Total: 1/12

New Zealand

#421 Tongariro National Park. The famous Tongariro Alpine Crossing is considered one of, if not the best day hike in New Zealand. Volcanos, craters, sulphur-filled lakes… it’s no wonder the Park was chosen to represent the desolate land of Mordor in the Lord of the Rings films.

#551 Te Wahipounamu. This huge site covers 10% of New Zealand’s surface. The most inaccessible, rugged 10% that is. One part of Te Wahipounamu is Fjordland, with the stunningly beautiful Milford Sound. I took a cruise through the steep, waterfall-filled sound last year.

Total: 2/3

Peru

#273 City of Cuzco. The prettiest city is Peru, and the one that had me in bed for a day and a half with altitude sickness. It was worth it though, for the views, and all the amazing day trips you can take from the city.

#274 Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. The most famous Incan ruins in South America, the most popular attraction in Peru, and for good reason. I didn’t have the time (or money, or energy, lol) to do the full 4-day Inca Trail hike, but even a day trip is worth it for that classic view (even if I had to wait two hours in the rain for the thick fog to clear!).

#500 Historic Centre of Lima. Usually overlooked for Peru’s other attractions, the country’s capital has a few different neighbourhoods that are worth checking out. I particularly loved the street art and cafes of Barranco and the ocean views.

#700 Lines and Geoglyphs of Nasca and Pampas de Jumana. Taking a 30-minute flight over the lines is a bit of a splurge, but it’s the only way to really see the lines and different shapes (known as one of the greatest archaeological mysteries in the world), as they are hard to get a real sense of from the ground.

#1016 Historical Centre of the City of Arequipa. Another city that’s often overlooked by backpackers making their way through Peru, I really thought it was a lovely stop. The Santa Catalina Monastery is particularly beautiful.

Total: 5/13

Philippines

#652 Peurto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park. The world’s longest navigable underground river, the journey to get there is much longer than the time spent on the river, but it’s entirely worth it to see the cave features and hear nothing but the quiet lapping of water in the dark.

Total: 1/6

Poland

#29 Historic Centre of Krakow. Another stop on our Interrail trip, Krakow is a compact little city with beautiful architecture. I loved the main square with the long market in the centre.

#30 Historic Centre of Warsaw. The city didn’t gain its UNESCO World Heritage status because of its historical authenticity, but because of its dedication to the restoration of this authenticity. 90% of the Old Town was destroyed during World War II. Most of the historical area is only a few decades old, but you’d never know that by walking around.

#31 Auschwitz Birkenau. How to describe such a historic place? Haunting, affecting and a little bit creepy, to be honest. Very interesting with a lot of respect for the history. Not so respectful are the tourists taking selfies.

Total: 3/17

Portugal

#361 Historic Centre of Évora. Within five minutes of stepping onto the white-and-yellow painted streets, I was in love. The gorgeous architecture couple with historic buildings spanning from Roman to modern times is something I’ll never forget.

#263 Monastery of the Hieronymites and Tower of Belém in Lisbon. While the ridiculous queue into the Tower may have dented the experience a bit, the monastery was a highlight of my time in Lisbon. Absolutely stunning.

#723 Cultural Landscape of Sintra. This place is like a fairytale on steroids. Multiple castles of every style imaginable, hidden grottos, thick forests covering sheer mountainsides…I want to go back over and over again.

#755 Historic Centre of Oporto. I remember very little of this city, but I know I was there. A family holiday to a small town nearby, we took a day trip into the city. My mom didn’t like it at all, but I can’t really comment!

Total: 4/17

Romania

#596 Villages with Fortified Churches in Transylvania. There are seven separate churches that make up this entry, and while I only visited one, it gave me a real sense of the scale of these monuments. Saschiz is only twenty minutes from Sighişoara. It’s church sits next to an ancient tower, all overlooked by the ruins of a castle high up on the hill.

#902 Historic Centre of Sighişoara. My favourite place in Romania. The birth place of Vlad Dracula, home to pretty pastel houses, medieval towers and a beautiful church and graveyard on the top of the hill, this town is tiny but definitely worth visiting.

Total: 2/9

Slovenia

#1643 The works of Jože Plečnik in Ljubljana – Human Centred Urban Design. Ljubljana, for its small, walkable size and beautiful architecture beside the meandering river, is one of my favourite cities in Europe.

Total: 1/5

Spain

#313 Historic Centre of Córdoba. The centrepiece of the city is no doubt its famous Mezquita, with its red and white candy striped arches. Immediately surrounding it is a labyrinth of narrow streets, with some of the most colourful houses I’ve ever seen – greens, pinks, blues and yellows abound.

#314 Alhambra, Generalife and Albayzín, Granada. These three sites are top of anyone’s buckets lists for Granada, and it’s no wonder the Alhambra is the most visited site in all of Spain. While my weekend in Granada saw plenty of rain, I was lucky enough to find a little bit of sunshine at the top of the hill, exploring castles and palaces that are so deeply ingrained in the city’s identity.

#320 Works of Antoni Gaudi in Barcelona. One day in Barcelona wasn’t nearly enough. I would have loved to explore the streets a bit more, though the crazy, unique buildings designed by the artist are easy to spot. Even more impressive is the Sagrada Familia, the still-unfinished cathedral that took so long to design that one half represents the young Gaudi’s style while the other side represents his evolved style as an older man.

#383 Cathedral, Alcázar and Archivo de Indias in Seville. The largest Gothic cathedral in the world, the oldest royal palace still in use in Europe and a collection documenting every major Spanish exploration of the New World. Seville sure knows how to serve up a healthy dose of wow.

#685 Doñana National Park. The national park can be difficult to access, so I was extremely lucky to get to see a small portion of it during my internship in Seville. The flat wetlands are a haven for bird life; I’ve never seen so many species in one place before.

Total: 5/49

Switzerland

#267 Old City of Berne. What I remember from this city is the old bear fighting pit (no longer any bear fighting, thankfully), some real bears in not particularly large enclosures nearby (not so nice), lovely cobbled squares and cool graffiti on some corners. Another city which could use a revisit, I think.

Total: 1/13

Turkey

#357 Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia. While I may have missed out on the world-famous sunrise balloon-ride over the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia (damn you, spring weather), I did at least get to take a lovely horse trek through the valleys instead.

#356 Historic Areas of Istanbul. What an interesting city. Stunning mosques seemingly around every corner, the smell of corn and roasting chestnuts wafting from the carts perched on the street, narrow, cobbled streets – the perfect combination for a few days of city exploring.

Total: 2/19

United Kingdom

#369 The Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland. A childhood trip, so I barely remember it, but I was definitely there with my family. Must visit again sometime. According to legend, it was a bridge built by giants between Ireland and Scotland that was destroyed when the Scottish giant fled home after being tricked by the Irish one, Fionn Mac Cumhaill, into thinking he was too big to fight. I love Irish myths, they’re so much more fun than the reality!

#373 Stonehenge. Photos make it appear as though Stonehenge lies in the middle of nowhere, when in reality it is approximately 100 metres from the highway. I saw Stonehenge in passing, through the fence (although they did slow the car down enough to grab a photo). Hey, I’m counting it.

#422 The English Lake District. A day trip on a scout summer camp as a teenager gave me a quick glimpse at how beautiful this area is. One day I’ll have to return to give it the attention it deserves.

#488 Tower of London. During a quick visit to the city, I wandered inside. So much history in one place, though I didn’t bother to queue to see the Crown Jewels after seeing how long the line was!

#728 Old and New Towns of Edinburgh. Such a beautiful city. Would love to wander the meandering, cobbled streets again, with the magnificent castle perched high above.

Total: 5/33

United States of America

#307 Statue of Liberty. Although I haven’t stepped foot on Liberty Island due to time constraints, we did take the Staten Island Ferry past the Statue. A grey, drizzly day, but it was nonetheless exciting to see the iconic lady in fabulous New York.

#308 Yosemite National Park. One of the most well-known national parks in the world, it was a dream come true to visit the Yosemite Valley. Full of waterfalls, huge rock faces and epic dome structures, it was worth the long day-trip from San Francisco.

Total: 2/24

UNESCO World Heritage Sites Grand Total (as of April 2022): 99/1199. Not too shabby, but so much more to see.

What UNESCO World Heritage sites have you visited? Any I simply cannot miss on my travels? Tell me in the comments below!

Keep track of your own UNESCO World Heritage sites and pin this post!