Cultural heritage sites are usually worth visiting because they offer insights into the local culture and history of the country or locality we’re traveling to.
UNESCO has declared over 1,000 World Heritage Sites, each with its unique offering and always worth the time. We’ve decided to compile a few interesting ones you should explore whenever you’re in town.
1. Works of Antoni Gaudi, Spain
You may have heard of the infamous Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. The architect and designer is the beloved Antoni Gaudi, but the Sagrada Familia is not his only contribution to the world.
You would be remiss if you didn’t visit Parque Guell, Palacio Guell, Casa Vicens, Casa Mila, and Casa Batllo. Each building features intricate mosaics or colorful Impressionist paintings.
2. Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela, Ethiopia
In the small town of Lalibela, Ethiopia, there are 11 medieval churches carved from rock. These monolithic structures include catacombs, trenches, and ceremonial passages.
The legend goes that these churches were carved out of rock with the help of angels. Despite its age, the place is still alive with activity from devoted pilgrims who go to worship and chant.
3. Bagan, Myanmar
Bagan is one of the most well-recognized and preserved places for Buddhist architecture and art. Bagan has monasteries, temples, sculptures, and frescoes dedicated to Buddhism and its practices.
One of the town’s ancient pagodas holds 2,000 temples and shrines that remain perfectly intact. If you’re interested in Buddhism and intricate detailing, this is a place to visit.
4. Tsodilo Hills, Botswana
Safari lovers would have already ventured to Botswana for its fantastic wildlife that roams free. However, it is also home to a fascinating array of rock art. Tsodilo Hills is home to over 4,500 rock art paintings in its various caves and rock shelters.
The rock art is preserved for its religious and spiritual significance and a rare record of early human settlement.
5. Meteora, Greece
Not only does it paint a pretty picture, but these isolated monasteries in Meteora, Greece, have existed since the 15th century. There are 24 monasteries built into the sandstone peaks of the mountain, but only six remain accessible today.
There are stairs carved out of the side of the mountain for people to reach these Eastern Orthodox monasteries, but it’s a precarious climb.
6. Potala Palace, Tibet
This massive palace has existed since the 17th century and is now a state museum. The Potala Palace was once home to the Dalai Lama, and you can visit it if you’re willing to climb 12,000 feet.
The trek is worth it to see all the murals, bejeweled stupas, ancient shrines, thousands of rooms, and tombs of previous Dalai Lamas.
7. Mont Saint-Michel, France
Just a glance at Mont Saint-Michel will leave you awestruck. The small island looms tall off the northwestern coast of Normandy. The village features a quaint atmosphere and winding roads.
The centerpiece is the Abbey of Mont Saint-Michel, constructed around 708 A.D., which towers over every building on the island.
8. Valletta, Malta
Valletta is one of the most concentrated historic areas in the world. It’s been ruled by Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, the Order of the Knights of St John, and Carthaginians.
As such, it holds layers of history and monuments on every corner with varying influences. Take a traditional boat to sightsee around the dazzling city.
9. Vatnajokull National Park, Iceland
A place where ice and fire come together is a marvel everyone should witness at least once in their lifetime. At Vatnajokull National Park, Iceland, you’ll witness the effects of subglacial volcanoes on the ice caps, creating unique formations on the land.
The blue ice caves, aquamarine calderas, hyaloclastite ridges, lagoons, and more will blow your mind. Plus, they offer recreational activities for all to enjoy.
10. Machu Picchu, Peru
You’ve probably heard of Machu Picchu before; it’s a famous landmark often portrayed in movies, cartoons, and TV shows. Hearing about it is one thing, but witnessing it is a whole other experience.
The stone ruins of Machu Picchu sit on a flattened mountain peak, with Huayna Picchu and the Andean peaks looming behind it. Getting to the location is a journey, but uncovering the Incan world is definitely worth it.
11. Gough and Inaccessible Islands
Here’s a site you won’t be able to visit, but we’d like to talk about it anyway. Gough and Inaccessible Islands in the South Atlantic Ocean are two uninhabited and undisturbed islands. The island’s unique biodiversity has not been touched by any invasive species throughout the years.
The area has rich marine life and seabird colonies that thrive off their cliffs. As such, they play an essential part in our conservation and research.
12. Sambor Prei Kuk, Cambodia
Over 100 temples are in the forested area of Sambor Prei Kuk, which predates the renowned Angkor Wat. The area used to be the capital of the Chenla Empire, which inspired the Khmer architecture for which Angkor Wat is famous.
The site’s mix of ruined buildings swallowed by the jungle, sandstone carvings, and temples makes it feel ancient and mythical.
13. Historic Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul is a cultural melting pot with an incomparable skyline formed over thousands of years by Byzantine and Ottoman architects.
Some of the buildings you should consider visiting are the Hippodrome of Constantine, Hagia Sophia, and the 16th-century Suleymaniye Mosque. You can find a lot of history, color, and detail in every area of these ancient buildings.
14. Early Christian Monuments of Ravenna, Italy
Italy has one of the most UNESCO-protected heritage sites in the world, and the Early Christian Monuments of Ravenna are a must-visit.
Eight buildings dating from the 15th and 16th centuries house a unique collection of early Christian paintings and mosaics. These were created with a blend of Graeco-Roman influences and Christian iconography in various styles.
