Last reviewed: 2nd May 2024 | Next review due: 2nd May 2025
There are 41 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Northern Europe spread across four countries; Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. These countries, along with Iceland, make up Scandinavia.
Greece, a cradle of civilisation, boasts a remarkable 19 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Journey through time, from the mythical Mount Olympus to the ancient city of Olympia, birthplace of the Olympic Games. Explore architectural marvels like the Acropolis of Athens and the Byzantine monasteries of Meteora. Greece's UNESCO sites offer a captivating glimpse into its rich history, culture, and enduring legacy.
Cultural 17 | Natural 2 | Mixed 0
Temple of Apollo Epicurius at Bassae
Cultural, 1986 Peloponnese
This temple was the first Greek temple to be inscribed to UNESCO in 1986 because of its unusual features, many not traditionally in-keeping with other temples of similar age. It was home to many carvings, statues and friezes until their removal by the British in the 1800s - the Bassae Frieze is now housed in the British Museum, London though there are growing calls for the museum to return them along with other looted artefacts. The temple is fragile and currently sheltered under a tent while it undergoes vital conservation.
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Archeological site of Delphi
Cultural, 1987 Central Greece
The Archaeological Site of Delphi is an ancient sanctuary in Greece, famed for its Temple of Apollo and the Oracle of Delphi. Believed to be the center of the world in ancient times, Delphi was a religious and cultural center for centuries.
The Acropolis of Athens is a sprawling complex of ancient buildings perched atop a rocky hill in Athens. Dominating the city for millennia, it served as a religious and political center. The most famous structure is the Parthenon, a majestic temple dedicated to the goddess Athena, constructed in the 5th century BC during Athens' Golden Age. Other architectural gems include the Propylaea, a grand gateway, the Erechtheion, another temple with unique Caryatid statues, and the Temple of Athena Nike, a celebration of Athenian victory. The Acropolis is not only an archaeological treasure trove but also a powerful symbol of ancient Greece's artistic and cultural achievements.
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Mount Athos
Mixed, 1988 Monastic Republic of Mount Athos
An Orthodox spiritual centre since 1054, Mount Athos has enjoyed an autonomous statute since Byzantine times. Located on the easternmost peninsula of the Central Macedonia region, it is an autonomous monastic state which, although legally part of the EU, operates under special jurisdictions meaning it controls free movement of people and goods within the territory. In this aspect it is unique within the EU as it only grants entry to men who are over 18 years of age, members of the Eastern Orthodox Church and those who are monks or workers.
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Meteora
Mixed, 1988 Thessaly
Meteora is famous for its dramatic clifftop monasteries, built from the 14th century onwards by monks seeking a secluded religious life. Perched on sandstone pinnacles, some monasteries are accessible only by steps cut into the rock or by winch. Today, six of the monasteries are functioning as active religious communities, while the remaining ones are museums.The monasteries are known for their breathtaking views, stunning frescoes, and historical significance.
Paleochristian and Byzantine monuments of Thessaloniki
Cultural, 1988 Central Macedonia
Thessaloniki, a port city founded in ancient times, became an early Christian centre. It boasts beautiful churches built between the 4th and 15th centuries, showing the development of Christian architecture. These churches, along with amazing mosaics, are considered some of the best examples of early Christian art.
The Sanctuary of Asklepios, a healing center in Greece, began as a shrine to Apollo. Built around 600 BC, it became a major center for the worship of Asklepios, the god of medicine. The site includes temples, a famous theater, and hospital buildings, all dating from around 400 BC. It offers a glimpse into ancient Greek and Roman medical practices.
The Medieval City of Rhodes is a walled marvel built by the Knights of St. John between 1309 and 1523. This island capital in Greece boasts a 4km long wall, separating the high town (administrative centre) from the lower town. Gothic architecture, grand palaces, Byzantine churches, and Ottoman mosques reflect the city's rich history. It's a place where Crusaders, merchants, and different cultures left their mark, making it a stunning example of a medieval Mediterranean city.
Mystras, the 'wonder of the Morea', was built as an amphitheatre around the fortress erected in 1249 by the prince of Achaia, William of Villehardouin. Reconquered by the Byzantines, then occupied by the Turks and the Venetians, the city was abandoned in 1832, leaving only the breathtaking medieval ruins, standing in a beautiful landscape.
Olympia, home to the ancient Olympic Games, first held here in 776 BC and every four years after. It is also the centre of worship of Greek god of the sky and thunder, Zeus, who ruled over the king of the gods at Mount Olympus. The settlement was laid out to include sports venues, lodgings and other facilities such as baths and areas for socialising for participating athletes and temples for worshipping the gods. The symbolic Olympic Flame is still lit in Olympia, in a ceremony that reflects ancient Greek rituals. It is then carried via torch relay to the host city to mark the start of the games.
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Delos
Cultural, 1990 South Aegean
Greek myth says Apollo was born on this small Cyclades island. Pilgrims flocked to his temple, making Delos a rich trading centre. With ruins from 3000 BC to early Christianity, Delos is a vast archaeological treasure showcasing a major Mediterranean port.
Monasteries of Daphni, Hosios Loukas and Nea Moni of Chios
Cultural, 1990 Central Greece, Attica, North Aegean
Although geographically distant from each other, these three monasteries belong to the same typological series and share the same aesthetic characteristics. The churches are built on a cross-in-square plan with a large dome supported by squinches defining an octagonal space. In the 11th and 12th centuries they were decorated with superb marble works as well as mosaics on a gold background, all characteristic of the 'second golden age of Byzantine art'.
Many civilizations have inhabited this small Aegean island, near Asia Minor, since the 3rd millennium B.C. The remains of Pythagoreion, an ancient fortified port with Greek and Roman monuments and a spectacular tunnel-aqueduct, as well as the Heraion, temple of the Samian Hera, can still be seen. The aqueduct runs for a total of 1,036m and is the second known tunnel in history to have been excavated from both ends. While the two ends did meet in the middle, as you would expect in the absence of modern technology, the route isn't exactly a perfect descent!
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Archaeological Site of Aigai
Cultural, 1996 Central Macedonia
In northern Greece, near the modern town of Vergina, sits the first capital of Macedonia region, discovered in the 19th century. The most important remains are the monumental palace, lavishly decorated with mosaics and painted stuccoes, and the burial ground with more than 300 tumuli, some of which date from the 11th century B.C. One of the royal tombs in the Great Tumulus is identified as that of Philip II, who conquered all the Greek cities, paving the way for his son Alexander and the expansion of the Hellenistic world.
The archaeological sites of Mycenae and Tiryns are the imposing ruins of the two greatest cities of the Mycenaean civilisation, which dominated the eastern Mediterranean world from the 15th to the 12th century B.C. and played a vital role in the development of classical Greek culture.
Monastery of Saint-John the Theologian and the Cave of the Apocalypse
Cultural, 1999 South Aegean
Full name: The Historic Centre with the Monastery of Saint-John the Theologian and the Cave of the Apocalypse on the Island of Pátmos
The small island of Pátmos, just off the coast of Turkey, is reputed to be where St John the Theologian wrote both his Gospel and the Apocalypse. A monastery dedicated to the ‘beloved disciple’ was founded there in the late 10th century and it has been a place of pilgrimage and Greek Orthodox learning ever since.
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Old Town of Corfu
Cultural, 2007 Ionian Islands
The Old Town of Corfu, on the Island of Corfu off the western coasts of Albania and Greece, is located in a strategic position at the entrance of the Adriatic Sea, and has its roots in the 8th century BC. The three forts of the town, designed by renowned Venetian engineers, were used for four centuries to defend the maritime trading interests of the Republic of Venice against the Ottoman Empire. The mainly neoclassical housing stock of the Old Town is partly from the Venetian period, partly of later construction, notably the 19th century. As a fortified Mediterranean port, Corfu’s urban and port ensemble is notable for its high level of integrity and authenticity.
The remains of this walled city lie at the foot of an acropolis in north-eastern Greece, on the ancient route linking Europe and Asia, the Via Egnatia. Founded in 356 BC by the Macedonian King Philip II, the city developed as a “small Rome” with the establishment of the Roman Empire in the decades following the Battle of Philippi, in 42 BCE. Later the city became a centre of the Christian faith following the visit of the Apostle Paul in 49-50 CE. The remains of its basilicas constitute an exceptional testimony to the early establishment of Christianity.
Located in a remote rural landscape in northwestern Greece, small stone villages known as Zagorochoria extend along the western slopes of the northern part of the Pindus mountain range. These traditional villages, typically organized around a central square containing a plane tree and surrounded by sacred forests maintained by local communities, showcase a traditional architecture adapted to the mountain topography.
Italy boasts the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites of any country on Earth. With 59 incredible places recognised for their cultural, historical, or natural significance, Italy offers a journey through time. Explore ancient ruins like Pompeii or the Colosseum, marvel at Renaissance masterpieces in Florence, or wander the breathtaking landscapes of the Dolomites and Cinque Terre.
Malta boasts a rich history, evident in its UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These sites span millennia, from the prehistoric Megalithic Temples, some of the oldest free-standing structures in the world, to the remarkably preserved 16th century City of Valletta, a testament to Renaissance design. Don't miss the haunting beauty of the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum, a subterranean complex used for burials and rituals by the temple builders.
Cultural 3 | Natural 0 | Mixed 0
Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum
Cultural, 1980 Paola
The Hypogeum is a giant subterranean temple built around 2500 BC. Carved from coralline limestone, it is thought it was used as a sanctuary, later becoming a necropolis.
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City of Valletta
Cultural, 1980 Valletta
The smallest capital city in the European Union, Valletta is noted for its fortifications and its extensive Baroque palaces, gardens and churches. After the Second World War, large swathes of Valletta were damaged; its Royal Opera House was razed to the ground. Malta voluntarily became part of the British Empire in 1800, and remained under British rule until 1964, so much of its architecture, whilst influenced by European styles, was designed by British architects.
Seven megalithic temples are found on the islands of Malta and Gozo, each the result of an individual development. The two temples of Ggantija on the island of Gozo are notable for their gigantic Bronze Age structures. On the island of Malta, the temples of Hagar Qim, Mnajdra and Tarxien are unique architectural masterpieces, given the limited resources available to their builders. The Ta'Hagrat and Skorba complexes show how the tradition of temple-building was handed down in Malta.
Portugal boasts a remarkable 17 World Heritage Sites, showcasing the country's culture and natural beauty. From the architectural marvels of Lisbon's Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower to the enchanting Cultural Landscape of Sintra, these sites whisper tales of Portugal's maritime prowess, artistic heritage, and deep connection to the land.
Cultural 16 | Natural 1 | Mixed 0
Central Zone of the Town of Angra do Heroismo in the Azores
Cultural, 1983 Terceira Island
Situated on one of the islands in the Azores archipelago, this was an obligatory port of call from the 15th century until the advent of the steamship in the 19th century. The 400-year-old San Sebastião and San João Baptista fortifications are unique examples of military architecture. Rocked by an earthquake in 1980, the damage was repaired and rebuilt within four years.
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Monastery of the Hieronymites and Tower of Belém in Lisbon
Cultural, 1983 Lisbon
Standing at the entrance to Lisbon harbour, the Monastery of the Hieronymites – construction of which began in 1502 – exemplifies Portuguese art at its best. The nearby Tower of Belém, built to commemorate Vasco da Gama's expedition, is a reminder of the great maritime discoveries that laid the foundations of the modern world.
The Monastery of the Dominicans of Batalha was built to commemorate the victory of the Portuguese over the Castilians at the battle of Aljubarrota in 1385. It was to be the Portuguese monarchy's main building project for the next two centuries. Here a highly original, national Gothic style evolved, profoundly influenced by Manueline art, as demonstrated by its masterpiece, the Royal Cloister.
Originally designed as a monument symbolising the Reconquest, the Convent came to symbolise the opposite during the Manueline period – the opening up of Portugal to other civilisations.
This museum-city, whose roots go back to Roman times, reached its golden age in the 15th century, when it became the residence of the Portuguese kings. Its unique quality stems from the whitewashed houses decorated with azulejos (a North African style of mosaics)and wrought-iron balconies dating from the 16th to the 18th century.
The Monastery of Santa Maria d'Alcobaça, north of Lisbon, was founded in the 12th century by King Alfonso I. Its size, the purity of its architectural style, the beauty of the materials and the care with which it was built make this a masterpiece of Cistercian Gothic art.
In the 19th century Sintra became the first centre of European Romantic architecture. Ferdinand II turned a ruined monastery into a castle where this new style was displayed in the use of Gothic, Egyptian, Moorish and Renaissance elements and in the creation of a park blending local and exotic species of trees. Other fine dwellings, built along the same lines in the surrounding serra, created a unique combination of parks and gardens which influenced the development of landscape architecture throughout Europe.
Historic Centre of Oporto, Luiz I Bridge and Monastery of Serra do Pilar
Cultural, 1996 Porto
The city of Oporto, built along the hillsides overlooking the mouth of the Douro river, is an outstanding urban landscape with a 2,000-year history. Its continuous growth, linked to the sea, can be seen in the many and varied monuments, from the cathedral with its Romanesque choir, to the neoclassical Stock Exchange and the typically Portuguese Manueline-style Church of Santa Clara.
Prehistoric Rock Art Sites in the Côa Valley and Siega Verde
Cultural, 1998 Douro region
The two Prehistoric Rock Art Sites in the Côa Valley (Portugal) and Siega Verde (Spain) are located on the banks of the rivers Agueda and Côa, tributaries of the river Douro, documenting continuous human occupation from the end of the Palaeolithic Age. Hundreds of panels with thousands of animal figures were carved over several millennia, representing the most remarkable open-air ensemble of Palaeolithic art on the Iberian Peninsula.
The Laurisilva of Madeira is an outstanding relic of a previously widespread laurel forest type. It is the largest surviving area of laurel forest and is believed to be 90% primary forest. It contains a unique suite of plants and animals, including many endemic species.
The historic town of Guimarães is associated with the emergence of the Portuguese national identity in the 12th century. An exceptionally well-preserved and authentic example of the evolution of a medieval settlement into a modern town, its rich building typology exemplifies the specific development of Portuguese architecture from the 15th to 19th century through the consistent use of traditional building materials and techniques. The property includes two monastic complexes and an industrial area.
Cultural, 2001 Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro Province
Wine has been produced by traditional landholders in the Alto Douro region for some 2,000 years. Since the 18th century, its main product, port wine, has been world famous for its quality.
The 987-ha site on the volcanic island of Pico, the second largest in the Azores archipelago, consists of a remarkable pattern of spaced-out, long linear walls running inland from, and parallel to, the rocky shore. The walls were built to protect the thousands of small, contiguous, rectangular plots (currais) from wind and seawater.
Garrison Border Town of Elvas and its Fortifications
Cultural, 2012 Elvas
The site, extensively fortified from the 17th to 19th centuries, represents the largest fortified dry-ditch system in the world. Within its walls, the town contains military buildings, churches and monasteries dating from between the 10th century and when Portugal regained independence in 1640.
University of Coimbra is public university in the city of Coimbra first established in 1290 making it one of the oldest universities that has continuously operated since its founding. The institution relocated to Alcaçova Palace, its current location, in 1537, having acquired the building from the Portuguese Royal Family.
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Royal Building of Mafra – Palace, Basilica, Convent, Cerco Garden and Hunting Park
Cultural, 2019 Mafra
Ordered by King João V in 1711, the Royal Mafra Building is a grand palace complex with a church, monastery, library, gardens and hunting grounds, situated about 30km northwest of Lisbon. The buildings are in the Italian Baroque style, reflecting the power of Portugal's empire at the time.
The Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga is a pilgrimage site with a long, elaborate Baroque stairway leading up a hill. The stairway is lined with fountains, statues, and chapels depicting the Stations of the Cross. At the top sits a beautiful Neoclassical church. Construction began in the 1700s and the site is a remarkable example of a European sacred mount.
Spain boasts an impressive collection of UNESCO Sites, ranking among the top five countries in the world. Discover the architectural marvels of Gaudí in Barcelona, explore the prehistoric cave paintings of Altamira, marvel at ancient Roman cities, walk among stunning natural parks, stroll through medieval towns, and venture to exquisite palaces
Vatican City, the world's smallest country, holds an outsized place in cultural history. This religious centre is home to UNESCO World Heritage Sites that embody artistic and architectural mastery.
Cultural 2 | Natural 0 | Mixed 0
Historic Centre of Rome & the Properties of the Holy See
Cultural, 1980 Rome, Vatican City
Founded, according to legend, by Romulus and Remus in 753 BC, Rome was first the centre of the Roman Republic, then of the Roman Empire, and it became the capital of the Christian world in the 4th century. The World Heritage site, extended in 1990 to the walls of Urban VIII, includes some of the major monuments of antiquity such as the Forums, the Mausoleum of Augustus, the Mausoleum of Hadrian, the Pantheon, Trajan’s Column and the Column of Marcus Aurelius, as well as the religious and public buildings of papal Rome.
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Vatican City
Cultural, 1984 Vatican City
Vatican City, one of the most sacred places in Christendom, is packed with history, art, and architecture. St. Peter's Basilica, the biggest church in the world, stands at its center. This giant basilica is decorated by famous artists like Michelangelo and was built where Saint Peter is buried.
Ben deals with all things design, working on the visual design of our annual guides, Destinations magazine, information leaflets, social media and email campaigns, and much more across the Alan Rogers, Rallies and Worldwide brands. He also produces written content for our blogs alongside our other contributors.
Western Europe is home to Europe's powerhouse nations; Germany, France and the United Kingdom. Together they host over 120 UNESCO sites between them, the remaining sites are scattered across Austria, Belgium, Ireland, the Netherlands and Switzerland.
We will be covering over 450 of Europe's UNESCO sites over four blogs; sorted into northern, southern, western and central/eastern Europe starting with the northern states. We hope to inspire more people to visit more UNESCO sites when travelling.
We will be covering over 450 of Europe's UNESCO sites over four blogs; sorted into northern, southern, western and central and eastern Europe starting with the northern states. We hope to inspire more people to visit more UNESCO sites when travelling.
