These are the prettiest UNESCO World Heritage Sites to visit
Every year, UNESCO meets to determine the next round of places that will be added to the organisation’s coveted list of World Heritage Sites. To qualify, a place or structure must have great cultural, historical, and/or natural significance – say, Angkor Wat in Cambodia, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia or Machu Picchu in Peru. This year’s committee named 24 new spots, including the Frontiers of the Roman Empire in Romania, Nelson Mandela Legacy sites in South Africa, Sado Island Gold Mines in Japan and the Flow Country, spread across the Scottish Highlands in the UK. Below, find the full list of new places that have been added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site list for 2024 – plus, some more of the prettiest entries of all time. Each is as beautiful and diverse as the next, so get your passport ready.
The newest UNESCO world heritage sites for 2024
- Badain Jaran Desert - Towers of Sand and Lakes (China)
- Beijing Central Axis: A Building Ensemble Exhibiting the Ideal Order of the Chinese Capital (China)
- Brâncuși Monumental Ensemble of Târgu Jiu (Romania)
- Cultural Landscape of Kenozero Lake (Russian Federation)
- Frontiers of the Roman Empire - Dacia (Romania)
- Hegmataneh (Iran (Islamic Republic of))
- Human Rights, Liberation and Reconciliation: Nelson Mandela Legacy Sites (South Africa)
- Lençóis Maranhenses National Park (Brazil)
- Melka Kunture and Balchit: Archaeological and Palaeontological Sites in the Highland Area of Ethiopia (Ethiopia)
- Moidams – the Mound-Burial System of the Ahom Dynasty (India)
- Phu Phrabat, a testimony to the Sīma stone tradition of the Dvaravati period (Thailand)
- Royal Court of Tiébélé (Burkina Faso)
- Sado Island Gold Mines (Japan)
- Saint Hilarion Monastery/ Tell Umm Amer (State of Palestine)
- Schwerin Residence Ensemble (Germany)
- Te Henua Enata – The Marquesas Islands (France)
- The Archaeological Heritage of Niah National Park’s Caves Complex (Malaysia)
- The Cultural Landscape of Al-Faw Archaeological Area (Saudi Arabia)
- The Emergence of Modern Human Behaviour: The Pleistocene Occupation Sites of South Africa (South Africa)
- The Flow Country (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland)
- The Historic Town and Archaeological Site of Gedi (Kenya)
- Umm Al-Jimāl (Jordan)
- Via Appia. Regina Viarum (Italy)
- Vjetrenica Cave, Ravno (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
The prettiest UNESO World Heritage Sites in the world
Getty ImagesLençóis Maranhenses National Park, Brazil
This breathtaking landscape entered the list in 2024 thanks to its stunning lagoons, sugar-white dunes (the largest expanse in South America), rugged coastline and vast plains stretching as far as the eye can see. The lagoons are filled with rainwater – the area looks it's most beautiful after severe rainfall when the giant bores are full to the brim. The protected area is also known for its biodiversity conservation, with mangrove swamps and gateway towns nearby.
Getty ImagesVolcanoes and forests of Mount Pelée, Martinique
The Caribbean island of Martinique, between St Lucia and Dominica, is notorious for one of the most deadly volcanic eruptions of the 20th century. The Mount Pelée volcano last erupted in 1902, destroying the city of Saint Pierre. The area is home to several near-endangered species, including the Martinique Volcano Frog, the Lacépède’s Ground Snake, and the endemic Martinique Oriole.
Getty ImagesTr'ondëk-Klondike, Canada
In northwest Canada, Tr’ondëk-Klondike is an ancient site perched along the Yukon River. It's an area of land that belonged to the Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in – a First Nation government – and their response to colonisation at the end of the 19th century. Across the land, there are archaeological and historical sites that showcase the way in which the Indigenous people handled the Klondike Gold Rush.
Getty ImagesMaison Carrée, Nîmes, France
This ancient Roman temple was built more than 2,000 years ago, in 2 A.D. It was dedicated to the sons of Augustus (who both died at a young age) and it is one of the best-preserved temples built in the Roman Empire's territory.
Getty ImagesSacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas, India
A distinct form of architecture was established under the Hoysala Empire of India between the 10th and the 14th centuries and remains one of the main historical legacies of the period. The Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas are three examples of temples from the period, with incredible stone carvings, multi-tiered structures and sculptures adorning the building.
AlamyKuldiga, Latvia
This pretty eastern European town is set among Latvia's verdant landscape of lakes, woods and endless green. Its cobblestone streets wind along the shores of the Aleksupite River, there's a beach, and even a waterfall – the perfect starting point for a trip exploring the Baltic States.
Getty ImagesForest Massif, Congo
This rainforest, in Congo's Odzala-Kokoua, is known for being one of the world's most diverse ecological hotspots. It is also one of the most important strongholds for forest elephants in Central Africa. Recently, the delicate ecosystem has faced many challenges thanks to forest fires and deforestation over the recent years.
AlamyEise Eisinga Planetarium, Franeker, Netherlands
The world's oldest working planetarium has just been added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site list. Dating back to the 18th century (around 1780), with a royal blue orrery and a model of the solar system.
Getty ImagesDeer Stone Monuments and related Bronze Age sites, Mongolia
Dotted around Mongolia, deer stones are mysterious ancient artwork dating back to the Bronze Age. Thought to be used as a form of gravestone, the stones are often placed in circles, and so potentially were used for rituals, too.
Getty ImagesZagori cultural landscape, Greece
Greece is not short of spectacularly pretty villages, but in the country's northwest corner there is a landscape home to a series of small villages called Zagorochoria. They are placed at various locations around the Pindus mountain range, and showcase how ancient communities would create settlements in tricky terrains.
GettySítio Roberto Burle Marx, Brazil
Located in western Rio de Janeiro, Sítio Roberto Burle Marx is a botanical garden that boasts more than 3,500 species of plants. Developed over the course of 40 years by landscape architect and artist Roberto Burle Marx, the site is the first modern tropical garden to be inscribed on the World Heritage List.
GettyThe works of Jože Plečnik in Ljubljana, Slovenia
It's hard to turn a corner in Ljubljana without running into a structure designed by architect Jože Plečnik. (His influence is similar to that of Gaudí’s in Barcelona.) In the years between World War I and World War II, Plečnik contributed to the new, proudly Slovenian identity of the city with a series of new public spaces, buildings and green areas. Notable examples of his work include the Triple Bridge, Žale Cemetery, National and University Library and covered market buildings along the Ljubljanica River.
GettyCordouan Lighthouse, France
The Lighthouse of Cordouan is hard to miss. Jutting out of the Gironde estuary in southwest France, the white limestone structure (complete with gargoyles) was built at the end of the 16th century – and it’s amazingly still active today. Organised boat trips are available from the commune of Royan, allowing visitors to see the architectural details up close. When there’s a low tide, you can even walk up to the lighthouse via a sandbar.
GettyQuanzhou, China
Encompassing 22 historical sites and monuments, Quanzhou was one of the most important Chinese ports along the Maritime Silk Roads from the 10th to 14th centuries AD. Merchants and explorers (including Marco Polo) flocked here from all over the world, and evidence of the coexistence among religions and cultures can be seen throughout the city. Notable landmarks include Islamic tombs, Taoist statues and Buddhist temples.
GettyThe Great Spa Towns of Europe
This listing is comprised of 11 towns, located in seven European countries: Baden bei Wien (Austria); Spa (Belgium); Františkovy Lázně (Czech Republic); Karlovy Vary (Czech Republic); Mariánské Lázně (Czech Republic); Vichy (France); Bad Ems (Germany); Baden-Baden (Germany); Bad Kissingen (Germany); Montecatini Terme (Italy); and the City of Bath (United Kingdom). All of these cities developed around natural mineral water springs and are indicative of the European spa culture that developed from the early 18th century to the 1930s.
GettyRamappa Temple, India
Rudreshwara (more commonly known as Ramappa Temple) is located in the village of Palampet about 124 miles north-east of Hyderabad. Built in the 13th century, the temple ruins feature decorative pillars, carved ceilings and sculptures of dancers and musicians. But its main claim to fame are the ‘floating bricks’ that make up the roof structure. Composed of clay and wood, these bricks have a density lower than water, which puts less strain on the temple and reduces the chance of collapse.
GettyAs-Salt, Jordan
Thought to be inhabited since the Iron Age, the city of As-Salt was a major trading hub on the East Bank of the Jordan River. The town particularly thrived during the end of the Ottoman period, when craftsmen and farmers from neighbouring countries moved here and transformed the rural settlement into a robust town. The site’s urban core includes around 650 significant historic buildings and farmers still use its fertile soil to harvest grapes and olives to this day.
GettySouthern Islands, Japan
Encompassing 165 square miles in southwestern Japan, Amami-Oshima Island, Tokunoshima Island, the northern part of Okinawa Island and Iriomote Island are among the newest UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The parts of the islands included in the listing are entirely uninhabited by humans, which means its biodiversity value is off the charts. Its collection of endangered mammals, reptiles and birds – and endemic plants, of course – will certainly benefit from this added layer of global protection.
GettyNice, France
Probably the most recognisable addition this year is the French Mediterranean city of Nice, which UNESCO has dubbed the ‘Winter Resort Town of the Riviera.’ The city became a popular vacation spot for English and Russian aristocrats at the beginning of the 19th century, offering delightfully warm weather during the winter months. The UNESCO inscription means that urban development will be strictly controlled along the Promenade des Anglais and the old town of Nice, ensuring the city’s heritage will stay well-preserved.
GettyKaeng Krachan Forest Complex, Thailand
The Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex is a massive forest area on the Thailand-Myanmar border. Aside from containing a wide array of tropical vegetation, the site is home to endangered animal species such as the Siamese Crocodile, Asian Elephant, Asian Giant Tortoise and Asiatic Wild Dog. You can also find eight wild cat species here, including several species of leopards and tigers.
GettyChurch of Atlántida, Uruguay
Located about 30 miles east of Montevideo, the Church of Atlántida was designed by Uruguayan engineer Eladio Dieste in 1960. The church complex is a marvel of brick architecture, from the undulating outer walls to the inner spiral staircase. UNESCO notes that the church provides a remarkable example of modern architecture in Latin America during the second part of the 20th century.
GettyChankillo Archaeoastronomical Complex, Peru
Built more than 2,300 years ago, the Chankillo Archaeoastronomical Complex of northern Peru is the earliest known astronomical observatory in the Americas. The site includes 13 towers made from cut stone, flanked by two observation points which were used to track the sun’s movement throughout the year. The construction and placement of the structures are so precise, inhabitants were able to determine the date with an error margin of 1 to 2 days.
GettyIvindo National Park, Gabon
Situated on the equator in northern Gabon, the 740,000-acre Ivindo National Park is now Gabon’s second UNESCO World Heritage Site. (The other is Lope Park, inscribed in 2007.) The national park features waterfalls and rapids, rainforests and rivers and a huge population of diverse animals: think crocodiles, elephants, leopards and gorillas.
GettyFrescoes of Padua, Italy
Italy is filled with beautiful artwork, but UNESCO decided to specifically honour the 14th-century frescoes in the historic city of Padua. The listing is composed of eight religious and secular building complexes, with fresco cycles (a series of frescoes about a particular subject) painted between 1302 and 1397. The collection of cycles represents how fresco art developed as a creative expression during the 14th century.
Getty ImagesParaty and Ilha Grand, Brazil
The coastal town of Paraty and nearby island of Ilha Grande are our go-tos for exploring beyond Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo (Paraty is smack in the middle of the two major cities, about four hours from each). The two offer pretty different experiences: Paraty is a charming, 17th-century colonial-style town, with white-washed buildings decorated with colourful trim, while Ilha Grande is a minimally developed, car-free island. But both offer incredible biodiversity: a visit to this UNESCO World Heritage Site is likely to include howler monkey, sloth, jaguar, caiman and peccary sightings.
Getty ImagesBagan, Myanmar
The capital of the ancient Burmese empire, Bagan is Myanmar’s version of Angkor Wat – with a fraction of the tourists. Filled with 13th- and 15th-century Buddhist temples, monasteries and stupas, it offers a glimpse of the once powerful Bagan empire. Today, you can get the best views at sunrise in one of the hot air balloons that float over the area. And if the few tourists are still too much for you, head to Kyaukgu Umin, a nearby monument that’s stunning and much quieter.
Getty ImagesBom Jesus do Braga Sanctuary, Braga, Portugal
Less than an hour from Porto, Portugal’s most creative city, sits Braga, home to one of the most iconic examples of 17th-century Baroque architecture. The hike up the 577 steps to the cathedral at the top (a feat some pilgrims complete on their knees) includes lots of stops, as the architects placed small chapels on different terraces along the way depicting the Passion of Christ. The church itself is beautiful, but it’s the zig-zagging steps – known as the Via Crucis – that UNESCO is recognising.
Getty ImagesJaipur, India
Jaipur is one of the most colourful cities in the world, hands down – and it’s not just the peachy pink that coats most buildings’ exteriors that makes it so. The interiors of the shops, restaurants and hotels in the city are a kaleidoscope of colours, too. But it’s the city planning, grid layout and large public squares, or chaupars, that put Jaipur on UNESCO’s map. ‘The grid plan is a model that prevails in the West, while the organisation of the different districts refers to traditional Hindu concepts,’ UNESCO says of the city’s addition.
Getty ImagesRisco Caido and the Sacred Mountains of Gran Canaria, Spain
Located on Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands, the Risco Caido area is being recognised for the work of its pre-Hispanic cave dwellers. In the centre of the island, those that lived there before the 15th century created granaries, cisterns and homes in the mountains themselves. The real draw is the two sacred temples in giant mountain cavities where the inhabitants held star-centred ceremonies.
Getty ImagesThe 20th-century architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright, USA
Crediting his open floor plans, innovative style and ‘unprecedented use of materials such as steel and concrete,’ UNESCO chose eight buildings designed by renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright to be recognised this year. You’ll find the Robie House and the Unity Temple in Chicago, Taliesin and the Herbert and Katherine Jacobs House in Wisconsin and Taliesin West in Scottsdale, Arizona on the list. The Solomon R Guggenheim Museum in New York City and Los Angeles’s Hollyhock House complete the tally.
Getty ImagesHyrcanian Forests, Iran
By far the oldest of UNESCO’s new additions, Iran’s Hyrcanian forests along the Caspian Sea date back 25 to 50 million years. Filled with maple, ash and elm trees, the forests cover about 7 per cent of Iran – but house more than 40 per cent of the country’s plant life, according to UNESCO. Some, but not all, of the area is protected by the government, like Golestan National Park, home to the Persian leopard. More than 180 species of birds also call these forests home – here’s why you should become an amateur birdwatcher and seek them out.
Getty ImagesBabylon, Iraq
Nearly 3,000 years ago, these palace and temple ruins near Baghdad were the site of one of the most important cities in the ancient world. Once ruled by Nebuchadnezzar (of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego fame in Christianity and Judaism), the city isn’t quite its shining self any more, with many of its ruins left unexcavated and those existing damaged by the region’s conflicts. That said, the UNESCO World Heritage distinction comes with a dose of hope for the sites, including aid in restoration should it be further damaged in the future.
Getty ImagesVatnajökull National Park, Iceland
Home to one of the largest glaciers in the world, Vatnajökull National Park is one of our favourite places to explore ice caves. But there’s more than just frozen ice rivers to see at Vatnajökull, which covers much of Iceland’s eastern half. It holds two of the island’s most active volcanoes, herds of reindeer around Mt Snæfell and a number of breathtaking waterfalls, including Svartifoss, Dettifoss and Selfoss. (It also served as a filming location for some beyond-the-Wall scenes in Game of Thrones’ early series.)
Getty ImagesLe Colline del Prosecco di Conegliano e Valdobbiadene, Italy
Yes, this is that Prosecco, the region of Italy that grows grapes for sparkling wine just north of Venice. Because the area is so hilly, Italians in the 17th century took advantage of what they could, planting small plots of vines on the hills’ terraces, creating a lush, green, chequerboard pattern over the terrain.
Getty ImagesHistoric centre and Khan Palace, Seki, Azerbaijan
This addition to the UNESCO list is split into two parts: the historic city centre of Sheki and the nearby Khan’s Palace. Almost the entire city was rebuilt in the 18th century after mudslides demolished what had existed before, so much of the historic centre is in the same architectural style, with high, gabled roofs covered in brownish-red tiles. A four-hour drive from Azerbaijan’s up-and-coming capital, Baku, the Khan’s Palace was built around the same time, though the craftsmen’s masterpiece has its own design features, including stunning stained-glass windows and an almost completely tiled colourful exterior.
Getty ImagesMigratory bird sanctuaries, China
No, those are not extra-large birds in this photo of China’s intertidal mudflats and marshes on the coast of the Yellow Sea and Gulf of Bohai. They’re the deer that have also made this area their home, alongside the huge number of endangered bird species that fly through the area on their way through the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, which stretches from Alaska to Australia. Spoon-billed sandpipers, red-crowned cranes and more nest, molt or winter in the area.
Getty ImagesMozu-Furuichi Kofun Group, Japan
You probably haven’t noticed the kofun, or ancient tombs, scattered throughout Osaka Prefecture, because honestly, from street-level, they look like lush parks. But from the sky, these keyhole-shaped burial mounds show off their true size: enormous, acres-large spaces with their own moats (sometimes two), which date back to the third century. UNESCO chose just 49 of the 160,000 kofun across Japan for their exceptional offerings, including pottery, weapons and jewels the dead were buried with.
AlamyBudj Bim Cultural Landscape, Australia
This sweeping region on Australia’s southwest coast, about four hours from Melbourne, is the ancestral homeland of the Gunditjmara. (It’s also the first Aborigine site recognised by UNESCO.) At 6,000 years old, the freshwater aquaculture system that traps eels in Budj Bim is older than Stonehenge – and is vital to the area’s Aborigine culture and economic success. The UNESCO site also includes the extinct Budj Bim Volcano and 300 stone huts nearby, the only existing permanent houses built by indigenous people in the country.