UNESCO World Heritage Sites mark a few of the most breathtaking put on Earth … even those that don’t usually make the front page of manuals.
Our experts at Enchanting Journeys have invested years exploring a few of the world’s lesser-known– however no less awesome– wonders, and now we’re delighted to share their favorites with you.
1 India: The Lost City of Hampi
UNESCO World Heritage Site given that 1986
Roaming through the boulder-strewn landscape of Hampi feels practically otherworldly. Scattered across the banks of the Tungabhadra River in Karnataka are thousands of ancient structures– forts, temples, and royal complexes– that inform the story of a magnificent empire.
Between the 14th and 16th centuries, Hampi was the heart of the last terrific Hindu kingdom in South India and one of the largest cities in the middle ages world. Strolling a little over a mile along the river will take you past the detailed stone carvings of Vittala Temple, along with Virupaksha Temple which was built in the 7th century and still serves as a prayer site today.
Be sure to time your see with the sunset. Just a brief walk from Virupaksha Temple, you’ll find that Sundown Point on Hemakuta Hill uses a breathtaking view of the surrounding landscape. Bathed in warm, golden light, it’s a minute that is absolutely nothing except wonderful.
2 Brazil: The Pantanal Wetland
UNESCO World Heritage Website since 2000
Covering an area almost half the size of Germany, the Pantanal is among the world’s largest inland wetlands. And while that may not sound extremely appealing, it’s a natural paradise bursting with biodiversity. Jaguars, caimans, howler monkeys, huge otters, and more than 650 different kinds of birds call it home.
In reality, sightings here can be much more frequent and intimate than on many African safaris. For professional photographers and wildlife lovers alike, the Pantanal offers extraordinary encounters in among the planet’s wealthiest environments.
3 France: Mont-Saint-Michel & Its Bay
UNESCO World Heritage Website considering that 1979
Rising from tidal flats off the Normandy coast, Mont-Saint-Michel looks like something out of a fairytale. Crowned by a skyrocketing Gothic abbey overlooking a bay, this tiny island village is one of France’s most enchanting and best-preserved landmarks.
As you wander its cobbled lanes, previous stone houses and peaceful courtyards, it’s simple to think of the world as it was centuries ago. The village’s middle ages character has actually been thoroughly secured and restored for many years, bringing the past to life for those who cross the footbridge that connects the island to the rest of France.
And in the summer, the bay surrounding Mont-Saint-Michel comes to life in a totally various method. Dolphins are often spotted gliding through the warm waters, periodically swimming along with regional fishing boats with surprising familiarity. Their playful existence adds a touch of wonder to a currently extraordinary setting where nature, history, and legend link.
4 The historical villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama
UNESCO World Heritage Website considering that 1996
Covert deep in the Shōgawa River Valley are the mountain towns of Ogimachi, Ainokura, and Suganuma. These tranquil, secluded websites are maybe best understood for their conventional architecture. Performed in a 19th century style called “gassho,” your homes feature steep, thatched roofings formed like hands in prayer.
Developed without nails and created to endure heavy snowfalls, some of these 19th century homes now serve as conventional minshuku inns. Visitors are welcome to invest the night with a regional family, delighting in home-cooked favorites, hearing stories passed down through the generations, and immersing themselves in rural Japanese life.
5 Cambodia: Koh Ker, the Lost City of Lingapura
UNESCO World Heritage Site given that 2023
The ancient city of Lingapura was as soon as the political and spiritual heart of the Khmer Empire, just to be swallowed by the jungle. It stayed lost to time up until the mid-19th century, when explorers rediscovered the ruins of this previous capital.
Today, the archaeological site known as Koh Ker consists of temples, sculptures, and murals. The majority of striking is Prasat Thom, a stepped pyramid over 100 feet tall that calls to mind Chichén Itzá half a world away.
Due to its current classification as a World Heritage Website, Koh Ker remains uncrowded. Visitors here have an opportunity to check out Cambodia’s ancient past in solitude, only a few hours far from Angkor Wat.
6 Kenya: The Old Town of Lamu
UNESCO World Heritage Site because 2001
Established in 1350, the island town of Lamu is the earliest and best-preserved Swahili settlement in the world. Though it sits just off the coast of Kenya, today it feels a world apart. There are no cars of any kind in the old town. Rather, products are still moved by donkey through narrow streets lined with whitewashed coralstone homes.
Together with reverence for the past, the spirit of community runs deep here too. You’ll see it in the design of the town with wide verandas (daka), public event areas, and seafront benches (baraza) all encouraging connection and discussion. In Lamu, the rhythm of life is a gentle one and custom is discovered around every corner.
7 Morocco: The Medina of Tétouan
UNESCO World Heritage Website since 1997
While Moroccan cities like Marrakesh and others often take the top area on tourist’s desire lists, the medina( the core of the old city) of Tétouan deserves the detour. Settled by Andalusian refugees around 500 years earlier, their tradition is still alive today in the city’s music, buildings, and cuisine. Unlike the medinas of its larger equivalents, Tétouan’s remains mainly untouched by modern developments.
For a deeper exploration of the city’s history, we likewise advise a check out to the nearby Ensanche district. Developed throughout Tétouan’s time as the capital of the Spanish protectorate, this neighborhood, with its neoclassical touches and leafy plazas, was contributed to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List in 2024.
8 South Africa: Sites of Nelson Mandela’s Legacy
UNESCO World Heritage Website given that 2024
Constitution Hill in Johannesburg A year ago, 14 areas crucial in the defend liberty against apartheid were acknowledged as part of our world heritage. Together they tell the story not only of the great Nelson Mandela, however of his country’s guts and change.
Found across the country, these sites consist of the Waaihoek Wesleyan Church in Bloemfontein (where the African National Congress was established), Constitution Hill in Johannesburg (home to South Africa’s Constitutional Court), and the Union Buildings in Pretoria, which is now the seat of government and site of Mandela’s inauguration.
9 Uganda: Bwindi National Park
UNESCO World Heritage Site considering that 1994
Hidden in the misty highlands of southwestern Uganda, this is among the last staying sanctuaries for the critically threatened mountain gorilla. Approximately 1,000 remain in the wild, and nearly half of them call this Park home.
Finding gorillas in this dense, tropical forest is no easy job. Visitors must trek over muddy tracks and high hillsides, but folks who persevere may find themselves rewarded with the sight of these gentle giants– and their families– up close.
10 India: Le Corbusier’s Capitol Complex in Chandigarh
UNESCO World Heritage Site given that 2016
And lastly we close our list in the same nation where we started, however in a different location. Created in the 1950s by the Swiss-French designer Le Corbusier, this planned city was developed as a sign of progress. At its heart sits the Capitol Complex, which is home to striking modernist government buildings like the High Court and Legislative Assembly.
Nicknamed the “City Beautiful,” Chandigarh balances its orderly design with rich gardens, relaxing lakes, and a relaxing pace of life. Best of all, in addition to its draw as an architectural expedition site, it’s likewise the perfect base for checking out the close-by Himalayas or the vibrant culture in Punjab.
The World is Waiting
From covert villages to middle ages alleys, we hope these 10 sites have given you a glimpse of the marvels that wait in unanticipated places. Whether you’re drawn to quiet appeal, living history, or wild landscapes, there’s something powerful about stepping off the beaten course. And if any of these have actually stimulated your interest, we ‘d love to help plan a trip that leads you there and brings them to life.