There are over 500 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Europe, with Italy having the most in the world, totalling 60. These sites have been designated for their historical significance and beauty and offer the traveller an experience which is out of this world. In Europe, you will find a wide variety of sites ranging from ancient Roman amphitheatres to palaces to complete cities to natural wonders. The choice is so wide that it can make it difficult to choose which ones to visit. To help you make your choice, I have picked what I think are 20 of the most amazing sites. First, here is a table of countries in Europe with the most number of UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Contents
- 20 Of The Most Amazing UNESCO World Heritage Sites In Europe
- 1- Historic Centre Of Prague
- 2- Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia
- 3- Vatican City, Italy
- 4- Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland
- 5- Old And New Towns Of Edinburgh, Scotland
- 6- La Sagrada Familia, Spain
- 7- The Mediaeval City Of Rhodes, Greece
- 8- The Acropolis, Athens, Greece
- 9- Stonehenge, England
- 10- Kronborg Castle, Denmark
- 11- Alhambra Palace, Granada, Spain
- 12- Cinque Terre, Italy
- 13- Schonbrunn Palace, Austria
- 14- West Norwegian Fjords
- 15- Palace Of Diocletian, Croatia
- 16- Blenheim Palace, England
- 17- Rila Monastery, Bulgaria
- 18- Tower Of London, England
- 19- The Palace of Versailles, Paris, France
- 20- Pompeii, Italy
20 Of The Most Amazing UNESCO World Heritage Sites In Europe
| Country | Number of sites | Most visited site |
|---|---|---|
| Italy | 59 | The Colosseum, Rome |
| Germany | 52 | Cologne Cathedral |
| France | 49 | Mont Saint-Michel |
| Spain | 49 | Alhambra, Granada |
| United Kingdom | 33 | Tower of London |
| Russia | 30 | Kremlin and Red Square, Moscow |
| Turkey | 21 | Hagia Sophia, Istanbul |
| Greece | 19 | Acropolis of Athens |
| Poland | 17 | Wieliczka and Bochnia Royal Salt Mines |
| Portugal | 17 | Jeronimos Monastery, Lisbon |
| Czech Republic | 16 | Historic Centre of Prague |
| Sweden | 16 | Drottningholm Palace |
| Belgium | 13 | Grand Palace, Brussels |
| Switzerland | 13 | Old City of Bern |
| Netherlands | 12 | Canal Ring Area, Amsterdam |
| Austria | 12 | Schonbrunn Palace, Vienna |
| Hungary | 8 | Budapest |
| Romania | 8 | Danube Delta |
| Bulgaria | 7 | Rila Monastery |
| Croatia | 7 | Old City of Dubrovnik |
1- Historic Centre Of Prague
Prague, located on the Vltava River, is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and the historic centre was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992.
It is filled with narrow cobbled streets and an eclectic mix of architectural styles.
The city goes back to Mediaeval times, and you will find many buildings dating back to that era.
There are also Gothic buildings from the 14th and 15th centuries, High Baroque from the early part of the 18th century, and even modern buildings from the 20th century.
The historic centre comprises three sections, the Old Town, the Lesser Town, and the New Town.
In the Old Town, you will find Old Town Square, the Astronomical Clock, and Charles Bridge which was built in the 15th century and measures 13 metres (42 feet).
Prague Castle is in the Lesser Town and is one of the highlights of the city.
It was the seat of royal power for many years and is famed for its architectural beauty, which is a mix of Baroque and Mannerism styles.
Housed within the castle is the stunning Gothic cathedral, the Cathedral of St. Vitus which contains the tombs of Bohemian kings and Roman Emperors.
In the New Town you will find Wenceslas Square which had a significant role in the Velvet Revolution which ended Communist rule in the country in 1989.
Save time and avoid the long lines by booking your Prague: Old Town Hall Tower Entry Ticket.
2- Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia
Plitvice Lakes National Park is the largest national park in Croatia.
It became a park in 1949 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.
It covers 300 km2 (115.8 miles2) and includes 16 named and some unnamed lakes, each one cascading into the next.
The lakes end in spectacular waterfalls, the highest being the impressive Veliki Slap, also known as the Great Waterfall, which towers above the lakes at 78 metres (255.9 feet).
At the base of the falls is the Korana River.
There are seven routes you can take to tour the park, all providing gentle hikes.
Bridges cross the lakes and pathways travel around the shores affording magnificent views.
There are also electric boats in some areas of the park and a panoramic train to take you round.
Save time and avoid the long lines by booking your Plitvice Lakes: National Park Official Entry Ticket.
3- Vatican City, Italy
Vatican City, which became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984, is the smallest country in the world with a population of less than 1,000 people.
Thousands of people visit each day to see St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums, particularly the Sistine Chapel.
St. Peter’s Basilica is one of the biggest churches in the world.
It was originally built in the 4th century but was rebuilt in the 14th century.
Climb St. Peter’s Dome for spectacular views of Rome and to see a different perspective of the inside of the basilica.
Visit the Vatican Grottoes which house the tombs of more than 90 popes as well as royalty and other significant historical figures.
The Vatican Museums house priceless pieces of art and historical artefacts.
The Sistine Chapel, built in the 15th century, is the highlight.
The artwork is stunning, in particular the frescoes on the ceiling which were painted by Michelangelo between 1508 and 1512.
They depict scenes from the Old Testament, such as the Last Judgement.
Save time and avoid the long lines by booking your Vatican: Museums & Sistine Chapel Entrance Ticket.
4- Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland
Located on the north coast of Northern Ireland, the Giant’s Causeway is made up of around 40,000 interlocking basalt columns which were created by a volcanic eruption 50 to 60 million years ago.
The Giant’s Causeway stretches for 6 km (4 miles) along a series of cliffs measuring around 100 metres (300 feet) high.
The columns are polygonal and are just 38 – 51 cm (15 – 20 inches) in diameter, but they are a massive 25 metres (82 feet) high.
Each has five to seven irregular sides, and they jut out of the cliffs resembling steps.
The region is uninhabited by people but is a haven for flora and fauna with 50 species of birds and 200 species of plants in the area.
It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986.
Recommended tour: Dublin: Giants Causeway, Dark Hedges, Dunluce & Belfast Tour
5- Old And New Towns Of Edinburgh, Scotland
A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995, Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, covers 4.5 km2 (1.73 miles2) and mixes Mediaeval history in the Old Town with the grandeur of the Georgian era in the New Town.
Edinburgh Castle in the Old Town towers above the city at the top of Castle Rock.
It was built in the 12th century and was used by the Scottish Royal family until 1603.
Take a tour of the castle to learn about its history and to see the Scottish Crown jewels.
You will also find a lovely 12th century chapel there, the Scottish National War Memorial, and the National War Museum.
The Royal Mile is situated in the Old Town and on this street, you will find many historic attractions as well as shopping opportunities.
Visit St. Giles Cathedral, the spectacular High Kirk of Scotland, which has watched over the city for more than 900 years.
You will also find the Palace of Holyrood House, which is the official residence of the British monarch when in Scotland.
The palace is open to visitors.
The main shopping street in Edinburgh, Princes Street, is in the New Town.
You will also find the Scottish National Portrait Gallery and the Scottish National Gallery which houses artwork from as far back as the Renaissance right up to the start of the 20th century.
Climb Jacob’s Ladder which is carved into Calton Hill for spectacular views of the city.
Recommended tour: Edinburgh Castle: Guided Tour with Live Guide
6- La Sagrada Familia, Spain
La Sagrada Familia became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.
It is a Roman Catholic Basilica in Barcelona designed by Antoni Gaudi.
Building began in 1882, and it is still going on today, making it the largest unfinished Catholic church in the world.
It looms over the city with eight towers.
However, when it is finished, it will have 18 towers, 12 to represent the apostles, four the evangelists, one the Virgin Mary, and the final one, Jesus Christ, which will be in the centre tower and the tallest.
It is planned that it will reach a height of 179 metres (557.7 feet).
The basilica has three facades, the Nativity facade, created by Gaudi, the Passion Facade, and the Glory Facade.
Each facade tells a story about the life of Jesus.
The sculptures are stunning and intricately detailed.
La Sagrada Familia houses the tomb of Gaudi who died after being hit by a tram.
His tomb is in the underground crypt in the chapel allocated to the Virgin of El Carmen.
Save time and avoid the long lines by booking your Barcelona: Sagrada Familia Entry Ticket with Audio Guide.
7- The Mediaeval City Of Rhodes, Greece
Rhodes was built back in the Middle Ages but has Ottoman influences as the Ottoman Empire conquered the city in 1522.
It is surrounded by walls, and is filled with narrow cobbled lanes, squares, and historic buildings.
The highlight is the Palace of the Grand Masters which is at the highest point of the Old Town along the Street of the Knights.
The palace was built by the Knights of St. John who ruled Rhodes from 1309 until the Ottomans took over and is impressive with its towers and ramparts.
It became dilapidated when Rhodes was conquered by the Ottomans, but it was restored by the Italians in the 1930s.
It is well worth visiting even though just 20 of the 150 rooms are open to visitors.
You can still see the spectacular halls on the first floor with their beautiful pebble floor mosaics and a collection of historical artefacts.
There are exhibitions on the ground floor telling you about the city of Rhodes.
Other things to see in the city are the Archaeological Museum and the Roloi Clock Tower which you can climb for fantastic views of the city.
Take a walk along the ramparts surrounding the city. They are 4 km (2.48 miles) long and have impressive towers, a dry moat, and artillery firing posts along the way.
Recommended tour: Rhodes: Discover the Medieval City on a Segway
8- The Acropolis, Athens, Greece
Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, the Acropolis, which means high city in Greek, towers over the city of Athens.
The buildings and monuments here were mainly built in the 5th century BC and were temples and statues dedicated to the ancient Greek gods.
The highlight of the Acropolis is the Parthenon which was built to honour Athena, goddess of wisdom and warfare and the guardian of the city.
It is an enormous Doric-style temple which housed a stunning statue of the goddess.
Another beautiful temple is the Erechtheion which is made from marble and has a porch with six statues of Caryatid maiden statues.
The ones you see here are replicas. Five of the originals are in the Acropolis Museum and the sixth in the British Museum.
It is worth visiting the Acropolis Museum as it houses around 4,000 artefacts, most found at the site.
The highlight is the Parthenon Marbles which came from the Temple of Athena Nike.
Only some of them are here as the rest are controversially housed in the British Museum in London.
Recommended tour: Athens: Acropolis, Parthenon & Acropolis Museum Guided Tour
9- Stonehenge, England
Stonehenge is a set of giant stones resting on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire.
Work began in around 3000 BC, but the circle wasn’t completed until 1500 BC.
It is fascinating to imagine how these stones were erected at a time without modern machinery.
It is thought that the stones were put on rafts and carried to the building site where they were pulled by oxen and wooden sledges.
Then the stones were lifted with ropes, put in ditches and secured with rocks.
Nobody is sure why Stonehenge was built although there are plenty of theories.
A possible reason is that it was used for religious ceremonies, such as funerals.
Another possibility is that people went there to recover from illnesses.
It could also have been used as a ceremonial site and it is thought that the ancient Britons went there to celebrate Midsummer’s Day and Midwinter’s Day.
To this day, people flock to Stonehenge to celebrate the longest day of the year.
Stonehenge became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in1986.
Save time and avoid the long lines by booking your Stonehenge Admission Ticket.
10- Kronborg Castle, Denmark
This castle became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000 and overlooks the Sound and Sweden.
It holds the distinction of being the inspiration for William Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet.
If you visit in the summer, you may be lucky to be there when the Shakespeare Festival is on.
You will be able to see some of his plays performed by both Danish and international companies, including the Royal Shakespeare Company from England.
The castle was built in 1574 and took over 10 years to construct.
A fire caused a considerable amount of damage in 1629, but it was restored to its former glory.
Inside the castle you will see intricate tapestries, beautifully painted ceilings, and an extravagant throne room.
There is also a maritime museum.
Recommended tour: Copenhagen: Kronborg, Frederiksborg Castle and Roskilde Tour
11- Alhambra Palace, Granada, Spain
Alhambra Palace in Granada was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984 and is, in fact, a complex of palaces.
It has a history spanning 1,000 years, beginning as a Muslim fortification.
The Catholic monarchs took it over in 1492 and in the 16th century, the Palace of King Charles V was built there.
The highlights of the complex are Charles V’s Palace, the Nasrid Palace, the Alcazaba, and the Generalife Gardens.
The Alcazaba was the fort in the times of Muslim rule, and it is an imposing building with ramparts and towers which you can climb.
Charles V’s palace was built in the Renaissance style so looks a little out of place among the Moorish buildings.
Nevertheless, it is still an impressive building.
The Nasrid Palace is the highlight of the complex.
All the walls and ceilings in the rooms have been decorated with ceramic tiles, calligraphy, and filigree.
The Courtyard of the Myrtles is stunning.
Just beyond the walls is Generalife Gardens which was the summer palace complex.
It is surrounded by amazing gardens which you can explore.
Recommended tour: Granada: Alhambra & Nasrid Palaces Tour with Tickets
12- Cinque Terre, Italy
Cinque Terre is a collection of five beautiful villages on the coastline of Liguria, Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore.
They became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.
The houses are colourful and the streets narrow.
There are old churches and fortresses to explore, and each village has its own personality.
For example, Vernazza has a beautiful harbour with colourful boats while Corniglia offers peace and quiet.
All of the villages, however, offer delicious food with fresh seafood on the menu.
The area is also famous for its wine, in particular the sweet dessert wine, Sciacchetra.
While here, you can take a tour of wine cellars and vineyards.
You can visit Cinque Terre by boat, stopping at a couple of the villages and swimming in the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea.
Recommended tour: La Spezia: Cinque Terre Tour by Boat
13- Schonbrunn Palace, Austria
Schonbrunn Palace in Vienna was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996 and is a beautiful palace built in the Baroque style.
It was first built in the 17th century and redesigned for the Hapsburg family in 1743.
The house is stunning, and you can take a tour of either 22 of the rooms or 45.
Highlights include the stunning Grand Gallery which is filled with mirrors, chandeliers, and frescoes, the room where Napoleon slept, and the Hall of Mirrors which is filled with crystal mirrors and white rococo decorations.
Make time to explore the gardens where you will see beautifully laid out gardens such as the Orangery Garden, as well as a maze, the Palm House, and the Imperial Carriage Museum.
Also in the grounds is Schonbrunn Zoo which is the oldest zoo in the world.
Save time and avoid the long lines by booking your Vienna: Skip-the-Line Schonbrunn Palace and Gardens Tour.
14- West Norwegian Fjords
A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2005, the fjords of Naeroyfjord and Geiranger make up this site in southwestern Norway.
They are 120 km (74.56 miles apart) and are two of the longest and deepest fjords in the world.
The fjords are beautiful with steep and narrow crystalline rock walls rising to a height of 1,400 metres (4,593 feet) from the sea and descending 500 metres (1,640 feet) below sea level.
The landscape here is stunning with waterfalls, forests, glacial lakes, glaciers, and mountains.
Between April and September, you can cruise the fjords.
Recommended tour: Eidfjord: 1-Hour Fjord RIB Tour
15- Palace Of Diocletian, Croatia
The Roman Emperor Diocletian had this palace built for his retirement and it was constructed between 293 and 303 AD.
It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.
It was an impressive building with apartments, three temples, and a ceremonial court called the Peristil.
The palace was used until the 6th century when it developed into a town when shops and houses were built within its walls.
It has been merged into the modern town of Split and it can be a little difficult to distinguish where one begins and the other ends.
However, you can still see some impressive ruins, including the fortification gates, the Temple of Jupiter, the underground passageways, and the Peristil.
Recommended tour: Split: Old Town and Diocletian Palace Walking Tour
16- Blenheim Palace, England
Blenheim Palace is a massive palace which has been owned by the Dukes of Marlborough for 300 years.
It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987.
You can take a free 45-minute guided tour of the palace. It has been designed in the Baroque style and the inside is lavish.
It is filled with paintings by famous English artists such as George Romney, Anthony Van Dyke, Joshua Reynolds, and John Singer Sargent.
There are intricate tapestries, statues, and period furniture to admire.
The highlight is the Great Hall which covers 278.7 meters2 (3000 feet2).
It has an elaborate ceiling painted by James Thornhill and marble busts and statues of British historical figures.
The palace hosts exhibitions such as one about Winston Churchill who was born here.
Take some time to explore the gardens which house several formal gardens such as The Rose Garden and Churchill’s Memorial Garden.
In the grounds you will also find a butterfly house, a maze, and a playground.
Save time and avoid the long lines by booking your Blenheim Palace Admission Ticket.
17- Rila Monastery, Bulgaria
A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983, Rila Monastery is the most important monastery in the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.
It was built in the 10th century and then rebuilt in the 14th century.
It has been named after Saint Ivan of Rila who lived here in the 10th century.
It is an impressive building with the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption in the middle containing Saint Ivan’s relics.
Alongside this is the oldest part of the monastery, Hrelyu Tower, standing at 23 metres (75.45 feet).
You will find a chapel here and some beautiful frescoes.
In the outer cloisters is a museum which tells you about the history of the monastery and displays Mediaeval art and artefacts.
A pathway of 4 km (2.48 miles) takes you to the cave of Saint Ivan where he was supposed to have lived.
Recommended tour: From Sofia: Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Group Tour
18- Tower Of London, England
The Tower of London, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988, is in the heart of the city of London, England.
Building began in 1066 on the commission of William the Conqueror.
Not only has it served as a royal palace, but it has been a jail for political prisoners.
The highlight of the Tower of London is the display of the Crown Jewels.
However, there are plenty of other things to see and you will probably need to spend the day there.
The heart of the complex is the White Tower which stands at a towering height of 27.43 metres (90 feet).
Visit the Bloody Tower which is thought to have been where Edward V and his brother, the Duke of York were murdered.
Learn about the prisoners kept at the Tower at the Torture at the Tower exhibition and find out more about the history of the tower from the yeoman guards.
You shouldn’t miss the raven area where you will find out how these resident birds have influenced the history of the Tower of London.
Save time and avoid the long lines by booking your London: Tower of London and Crown Jewels Exhibition Ticket.
19- The Palace of Versailles, Paris, France
The Palace of Versailles was built in the 17th century and was the home of the French Royal family until the Revolution.
It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979.
It is massive, with 2,300 rooms and the palace and grounds together cover 63,154 metres2 (679,783 feet2).
Highlights of the palace include the Hall of Mirrors which is filled with 357 mirrors as well as beautiful chandeliers, the natural light making the room seem illuminated.
The Gallery of Battles is also impressive.
Here you will see magnificent paintings depicting French military successes.
You mustn’t leave the Palace without taking a walk around the gardens.
They took 40 years to create and are replanted every 100 years to keep them looking fresh.
There are some beautiful fountains in the garden including the Neptune Fountain which shoots water out of 99 jets.
It got its name from the statue of Neptune which has been placed there.
Save time and avoid the long lines by booking your Paris: Versailles Palace and Gardens Full Access Ticket.
20- Pompeii, Italy
Pompeii, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997, was a Roman city founded around the 6th century BC.
It was destroyed by the eruption of the volcano, Mount Vesuvius, in 79 AD and was buried seven metres (23 feet) below ground.
It wasn’t rediscovered until 1748 and there are still artefacts being found.
Because the volcanic ash instantly covered the city, Pompeii was frozen in time and has been well-preserved.
Over 1,000 body casts have been found of people who didn’t manage to escape, their faces frozen in fear.
It can take a day to see everything as the buildings are spread out.
Highlights include the amphitheatre which housed up to 20,0000 people, the Forum, which was the commercial centre, the Forum Baths, and the Temple of Apollo.
Also to be seen are many houses which are still in excellent condition and decorated with beautiful frescoes, as well as shops, and even a brothel.
Recommended tour: Pompeii: Entry Ticket and Guided Tour with an Archaeologist
For more UNESCO World Heritage sites read:
- 20 UNESCO World Heritage Sites To See Before You Die!
- 20 UNESCO World Heritage Sites In USA
- 20 UNESCO World Heritage Sites In Europe
- 20 UNESCO World Heritage Sites In Asia
- 20 UNESCO World Heritage Sites In South America
- 20 UNESCO World Heritage Sites In Mexico
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