24 New World Heritage Sites Have Just Been Announced
The UNESCO World Heritage sites are places of “outstanding universal value” for humanity’s shared heritage. These famed destinations are always of cultural significance, be they an ancient ruin, an architectural marvel, a unique natural landscape and so on. This year, 24 world heritage sites have been added to the prestigious list. With these new additions, UNESCO continues its mission to protect and celebrate places of profound importance, ensuring that they endure for generations to come.
This year’s new additions include a cave in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is “one of the world’s most important biodiversity hotspots for cave-dwelling fauna”, and an earthen royal court from the 16th century in Burkina Faso. UNESCO also added Italy’s Via Appia, one of the great roads built by the ancient Roman Empire, which conencted its many cities and facilitated trade and conquest.
The 24 New World Heritage Sites added in 2024
- Beijing Central Axis, China
- Brâncuși Monumental Ensemble of Târgu Jiu, Romania
- Cultural Landscape of Kenozero Lake, Russia
- Frontiers of the Roman Empire, Romania
- Hegmataneh, Iran
- Nelson Mandela Legacy sites, South Africa
- Melka Kunture and Balchit, Ethiopia
- Moidams, India
- Phu Phrabat Bat Historical Park, Thailand
- Royal Court of Tiébélé, Burkina Faso
- Sado Island Gold Mines, Japan
- Saint Hilarion Monastery / Tell Umm Amer, Palestine
- Schwerin Residence Ensemble, Germany
- Archaeological Heritage of Niah National Park’s Caves Complex, Malaysia
- Cultural Landscape of Al-Faw Archaeological Area, Saudi Arabia
- Pleistocene Occupation Sites, South Africa
- Historic Town and Archeological Site of Gedi, Kenya
- Umm Al-Jimāl, Jordan
- Via Appia, Italy
- Badain Jaran Desert, China
- Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, Brazil
- The Flow Country, UK
- Vjetrenica Cave, Ravno, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Te Henua Enata, The Marquesas Islands, France
The country with the most world heritage sites is Italy with 60.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites you can visit with Insight Vacations
Salamanca, Spain
The Old City of Salamanca in Spain has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1988. Its university is one of the oldest in Europe, and in the old town you’ll find monuments from several eras in history: Moorish, Gothic, Romanesque, Baroque and more. Its grand Plaza Mayor is its cultural center, considered the heart of Salamanca and one of the most beautiful plazas in Spain. As you walk through the city’s golden-hued streets you’ll no doubt feel the weight of centuries of scholarly pursuit and cultural achievement.
On Day 7 of Amazing Spain and Portugal, we’ll head to Salamanca and take a personalized tour through the historic university city. This is just one stop of many on a 9-day adventure through Iberia’s most beautiful sights, like Toledo, Granada, Seville, Lisbon, Fátima and more.
Pompeii, Italy
Frozen in time by the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, Pompeii gives us an extraordinary glimpse into ancient Roman life. As you wander through its remarkably preserved streets, homes, and temples, you can almost hear the echoes of a once-thriving city. This UNESCO site is not just a window into the past, but a powerful reminder of nature’s unpredictable force.
Discover Pompeii on Treasures of Italy, where you’ll walk along its cobbled streets with a Local Expert while learning fascinating insights about this ill-fated town.
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Machu Picchu, Peru
Perched high in the Andes, Machu Picchu in Peru is an enigmatic masterpiece of Incan architecture. Not only is it a UNESCO World Heritage site, but it was crowned one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Often shrouded in mist, it has a mystical atmosphere which truly cannot be put into words. Exploring its terraces, temples, and palaces, you’ll marvel at the ingenuity of a civilization that built this awe-inspiring city in such a remote and rugged landscape.
As you roam through the ancient cobblestones of Machu Picchu on your guided tour, you’ll be thankful you have a knowledgable guide there to help explain and uncover the mysteries of the Incan citadel.
Edinburgh, Scotland
Edinburgh is a city of contrasts. In the Old Town, you’ll find a medieval fortress and gothic buildings harking back to the 15th Century, when it was crowned Scotland’s capital. In the neoclassical New Town, progressive building projects from the 18th Century onwards influenced a whole generation of urban planning in Europe. On Elegance of Great Britain, you’ll see Edinburgh’s top sights with a Local Expert: The Palace of Holyroodhouse, Scotland’s Crown Jewels, and on select departures you’ll even attend The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo — a colorful mix of pipes and drums, dance and display, set against the floodlit backdrop of Edinburgh Castle. Whether you’re exploring the famous Royal Mile or visiting the iconic Edinburgh Castle, the city’s unique blend of old and new is sure to captivate you.
Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland
The Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland is a natural wonder of over 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, created by volcanic activity millions of years ago. This UNESCO World Heritage site is steeped in myth and legend, with its unique formation inspiring tales of giants and ancient battles. The dramatic coastal scenery and the site’s geological significance make it a fascinating destination for nature lovers and adventurers alike.
On Country Roads of Ireland you’ll visit the legendary Giant’s Causeway on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience which supports UNSD Goal 15: Life on Land. You’ll learn about efforts to protect biodiversity and ecosystems at the National Trust visitor center, and see how they’ve been replanting seed mixes at nearby Innisfree Farm. This is just one stop of many on a wonderful itinerary that takes through the iconic spots and backroads of the island of Ireland.
Stonehenge, England
Stonehenge, one of the world’s most famous prehistoric monuments, is full of mystery and intrigue. Experts today still disagree on the source of this mystical megalithic structure. This UNESCO site in Wiltshire consists of a ring of standing stones, each weighing several tons, arranged in a pattern that aligns with the movements of the sun. Its true purpose is still a subject of speculation, but its significance as a symbol of ancient human ingenuity is undeniable. Discover the Best of Britain where you’ll stop by Stonehenge as well as other classic places of British intrigue like Dartmoor, Bath Spa, Lake Windermere and Hadrian’s Wall.
Grand Canyon, USA
The Grand Canyon, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a breathtaking natural wonder that showcases the power of geological processes over millennia. Carved by the Colorado River, its vast and colorful landscapes offer awe-inspiring views that stretch as far as the eye can see. Did you know that this National Park is so vast, it’s even bigger than the US State of Rhode Island? On Enchanting Canyonlands, take a stroll along its rim and gaze out at the vast expanse, before meeting local Navajo guides and marveling at great mesas.
Évora, Portugal
The Historic Center of Évora is a UNESCO World Heritage site in Portugal, and stretches as far back as the Roman Empire. Its heyday was the 15th century, when it was the seat of power for the Portuguese kings. It was during this time that a lot of convents and royal palaces were built, like the Convento de Santa Clara, Convento de São Francisco and Convento dos Loios. Évora’s well-preserved medieval walls, Roman ruins, and Manueline-style buildings offer a fascinating journey through time, making the city feel like a living museum.
Bend of the Boyne, Ireland
The Bend of the Boyne, also known as Brú na Bóinne, is a UNESCO World Heritage site in Ireland that boasts some of the most important prehistoric monuments in Europe. This ancient complex includes the famous passage tombs of Newgrange, Knowth, and Dowth, which are even older than the pyramids of Egypt. These structures, aligned with the movements of the sun, offer profound insights into the spiritual and astronomical knowledge of the ancient people who built them.
Carioca Landscapes, Brazil
Rio de Janeiro is a unique city in between mountain and sea, with dramatic landscapes of pacific lagoons and forested hills looming over the city.From the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue perched atop Corcovado Mountain to the lush Tijuca Forest and the stunning beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, this area is a celebration of the harmonious relationship between urban development and the natural environment. UNESCO decided to immortalize this landscape by deeming it a World Heritage Site in 2015. When you explore the Carioca Landscapes on one of our Brazil tours, you’re sure to see why.
About Jason Brasier
I'm Jay – born in Italy, raised in South London. Having French sisters and Hungarian ancestors, I've always been fascinated with the world and its cultures, and I carry this curiosity into my writing for Insightful. My favourite destinations I've traveled to so far have been Italy, Peru, France and Brazil.
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