Last reviewed: 2nd May 2024 | Next review due: 2nd May 2025
There are over 180 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Northern Europe spread across eights; Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, the UK, Switzerland.
From the stunning Baroque beauty of Schönbrunn Palace to the medieval streets of Salzburg, these sites offer a glimpse into Austria's artistic heritage and natural wonders. Explore the vineyards of the Wachau Valley or marvel at the engineering marvel of the Semmering Railway. Austria's UNESCO sites promise a diverse and unforgettable travel experience.
Cultural 11 | Natural 1 | Mixed 0
Historic Centre of the City of Salzburg
Cultural, 1996 Salzburg
Salzburg has managed to preserve its rich and vibrant historic centre in a way that many other cities haven't. Situated on the left and right banks of the Salzach River, the old town is home to many of Salzburg's historic attractions including Mozart's birthplace and home, Salzburg Cathedral and museums such as the Christmas museum.
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Palace and Gardens of Schönbrunn
Cultural, 1996 Vienna
From the 18th century to 1918, Schönbrunn was the residence of the Habsburg emperors. Together with its gardens, the site of the world’s first zoo in 1752, it is a remarkable Baroque ensemble.
Hallstatt–Dachstein / Salzkammergut Cultural Landscape
Cultural, 1997 Salzkammergut
Human activity in the magnificent natural landscape of the Salzkammergut began in prehistoric times, with the salt deposits being exploited as early as the 2nd millennium BC. This resource formed the basis of the area’s prosperity up to the middle of the 20th century, a prosperity that is reflected in the fine architecture of the town of Hallstatt.
The Semmering Railway, built over 41 km of mountainous terrain between 1848 and 1854, is one of the greatest feats of civil engineering from this pioneering phase of railway building. The high standard of the tunnels, viaducts and other works has ensured the continuous use of the line up to the present day. It runs through a spectacular mountain landscape and there are many fine buildings designed for leisure activities along the way, built when the area was opened up due to the advent of the railway.
City of Graz – Historic Centre and Schloss Eggenberg
Cultural, 1999 Graz
The historic centre of Graz and Schloss Eggenberg bear witness to an exemplary model of the living heritage of a central European urban complex influenced by the secular presence of the Habsburgs. They embody a diversified and highly comprehensive ensemble of architectural, decorative and landscape examples of the many neighbouring regions of Central and Mediterranean Europe.
The Wachau is a stretch of the Danube Valley between Melk and Krems, a landscape of high visual quality. Along its route, many preserved structures (monasteries, castles, ruins), towns and villages, and agriculture land can be found, including areas dedicated to the cultivation of vines.
The Fertö/Neusiedler Lake area has been the meeting place of different cultures for eight millennia. This is graphically demonstrated by its varied landscape. The remarkable rural architecture of the villages surrounding the lake and several 18th- and 19th-century palaces adds to the area’s considerable cultural interest.
Vienna's old town was once surrounded by city walls, now however, it is clearly marked out by the grand, tree-lined Ringstraße. Traditionally it was divided into four quarters, each named after the four compass gates used to enter the centre. Now it is home to Vienna's main attractions including the Vienna State Opera, the Hofburg Imperial Palace, the Parliament Building, St Stephen's Cathedral and many museums, theatres and cafes, as well as being the city's main shopping district.
In 2017, this site was added to UNESCO list of sites in danger due to planned new high-rise buildings.
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Common Sites
Prehistoric pile dwellings around the Alps Cultural, 2011 Attersee, Keutschach, Mondsee, Seewalchen am Attersee (shared with France, Germany, Italy, Slovenia, Switzerland)
Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe Natural, 2017 Dürrenstein, Kalkalpen (shared with Albania, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgarin, Croatia, Czechia, France, Germany, Italy, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Ukraine)
Great Spa Towns of Europe Cultural, 2021 Baden bei Wien (shared with Belgium, Czechia, France, Germany, Italy, UK)
In 2021, the spa town of Baden bei Wien became part of the UNESCO-listed Great Spa Towns of Europe, a group of towns across the continents that shared one mutual feature; they were all developed around natural mineral water springs and developed a spa and bathing culture. Baden bei Wien dates back to Roman times, some Roman ruins can be seen but it wasn't until the town was rebuilt in the early 1800s that it became a popular destination for bathers.
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Belgium
Belgium, a nation steeped in history and innovation, boasts an impressive collection of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. From the medieval grandeur of Bruges and the iconic Grand Place in Brussels to the innovative architecture of Le Corbusier and the prehistoric Neolithic Flint Mines at Spiennes.
Cultural 15 | Natural 1 | Mixed 0
Flemish Béguinages
Cultural, 1998 Flanders
The Béguines were women who dedicated their lives to God without retiring from the world. In the 13th century they founded the béguinages , enclosed communities designed to meet their spiritual and material needs. The Flemish béguinages are architectural ensembles composed of houses, churches, ancillary buildings and green spaces, with a layout of either urban or rural origin and built in styles specific to the Flemish cultural region. They are a fascinating reminder of the tradition of the Béguines that developed in north-western Europe in the Middle Ages.
The four hydraulic boat-lifts on this short stretch of the historic Canal du Centre are industrial monuments of the highest quality. Together with the canal itself and its associated structures, they constitute a remarkably well-preserved and complete example of a late-19th-century industrial landscape.
The flamboyant Town Hall, surrounded by the Baroque guildhalls of Brussels dominate the city's central square. Construction of the complex began in the 11th century and was largely complete by the 17th although it was destroyed in 1695 during the Nine Years' War, only the facade and tower of the Town Hall were left standing. The entire square was rebuilt and, in 1998, the complex was granted UNESCO status.
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Historic Centre of Bruges
Cultural, 2000 Bruges, West Flanders
Brugge is an outstanding example of a medieval historic settlement, which has maintained its historic fabric as this has evolved over the centuries, and where original Gothic constructions form part of the town's identity.
This site consists of four houses in Brussels, designed by Victor Horta, a pioneering architect known for his Art Nouveau styles. His Hôtel Tassel is considered to be the first true Art Nouveau building in the world. Hôtel Solvay (pictured below) was completed in 1900, every detail, including all fittings and furniture was designed by Horta. It opened as a museum in 2021.
The Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Tournai was built in the first half of the 12th century. It is especially distinguished by a Romanesque nave of extraordinary dimensions, a wealth of sculpture on its capitals and a transept topped by five towers, all precursors of the Gothic style. The choir, rebuilt in the 13th century, is in the pure Gothic style.
The Plantin-Moretus Museum is a printing plant and publishing house dating from the Renaissance and Baroque periods. Situated in Antwerp, one of the three leading cities of early European printing along with Paris and Venice, it is associated with the history of the invention and spread of typography.
Built between 1905 and 1911, the grand mansion is considered a crossover of two styles; the earlier Art Nouveau and the succeeding Art Deco with features from both working hand in hand effortlessly. Designed by Austrian architect Josef Hoffman for Belgium financier Adolphe Stoclet, it is often thought to be one of the most luxurious private residences of the twentieth century. The interior is decorated with marble panelling and artwork including that of Gustav Klimt.
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Major Mining Sites of Wallonia
Cultural, 2012 Wallonia
The four sites of the property consist of the best-preserved 19th- and 20th-century coal-mining sites in the country. They features examples of the utopian architecture from the early periods of the industrial era and one of Europe’s oldest collieries dating back to the late 17th century. While Wallonia had hundreds of collieries, most have lost their infrastructure.
Belfries of Belgium and France Cultural, 1999 Several sites (shared with France)
Built between the 11th and 17th centuries, they showcase the Roman, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles of architecture. They are highly significant tokens of the winning of civil liberties. While Italian, German and English towns mainly opted to build town halls, in part of north-western Europe, greater emphasis was placed on building belfries. Compared with the keep (symbol of the seigneurs) and the bell-tower (symbol of the Church), the belfry, the third tower in the urban landscape, symbolises the power of the aldermen. Over the centuries, they came to represent the influence and wealth of the towns.
Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe Natural, 2007 Brussels, Flanders and Wallonia (shared with Albania, Austria, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, France, Germany, Italy, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Ukraine)
The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier Cultural, 2016 Antwerp (shared with Argentina, France, Germany, India, Japan, Switzerland)
Chosen from the work of Le Corbusier, the 17 sites comprising this transnational serial property are spread over seven countries and are a testimonial to the invention of a new architectural language that made a break with the past. The Complexe du Capitole in Chandigarh (India), the National Museum of Western Art, Tokyo (Japan), the House of Dr Curutchet in La Plata (Argentina) and the Unité d’habitation in Marseille (France) reflect the solutions that the Modern Movement sought to apply during the 20th century to the challenges of inventing new architectural techniques to respond to the needs of society. These masterpieces of creative genius also attest to the internationalisation of architectural practice across the planet.
Colonies of Benevolence Cultural, 2021 Wortel, Antwerp (shared with the Netherlands)
These cultural landscapes demonstrate an innovative, highly influential 19th-century model of pauper relief and of settler colonialism, which today is known as an agricultural domestic colony. The property encompasses four Colonies of Benevolence, which together, bear witness to a 19th century experiment in social reform, an effort to alleviate urban poverty by establishing agricultural colonies in remote locations.
Funerary and memory sites of the First World War (Western Front) Cultural, 2023 Several sites (shared with France)
Along the Western Front of the First World War, which stretched for some 700 km from the North Sea to the Franco-Swiss border, a series of 139 funerary and memorial sites bear witness to the common desire of various parties involved in the conflict to honour their children who fell. This objective takes the form of individual graves and/or memorials listing the names of the missing. Places dedicated to meditation, remembrance and tributes are specially created. Beyond the diversity in size, location and design, there is a clear desire to create spaces that are worthy of the sacrifice made.
With 49 inscribed sites, France ranks among the nations with the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites. From prehistoric cave paintings to Roman cities and Renaissance palaces, France's UNESCO sites offer a comprehensive exploration of the country's profound contribution to human history and artistic expression.
With over 50 sites to discover, Germany offers a thrilling journey through its history, art, and environment. From the architectural marvels of Cologne Cathedral and Aachen Cathedral to the serene beauty of the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, these sites stand as testaments to human achievement and the power of nature. Explore the artistic legacy of Bauhaus design, delve into the pivotal role of Luther memorials, or marvel at the prehistoric treasures found in the Caves of the Swabian Jura.
Ireland boasts a wealth of cultural heritage and natural beauty though only two sites are recognised by UNESCO. A further seven sit on its tentative list, including the Historic City of Dublin, Early Medieval Monastic Sites, and the Royal Sites of Ireland.
Cultural 2 | Natural 0 | Mixed 0
Brú na Bóinne
Cultural, 1993 Meath
The three main prehistoric sites of the Brú na Bóinne Complex, Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth, are situated on the north bank of the River Boyne 50 km north of Dublin. This is Europe's largest and most important concentration of prehistoric megalithic art.
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Sceilg Mhichíl
Cultural, 1996 Kerry
Sceilg Mhichíl is an outstanding, and in many respects unique, example of an early religious settlement deliberately sited on a pyramidal rock in the ocean, preserved because of a remarkable environment.
The Netherlands boasts an impressive collection of World Heritage Sites, showcasing the country's rich history and innovative spirit, from the iconic canals of Amsterdam to the powerful Dutch water defences. Explore windmills like those at Kinderdijk, marvel at the engineering marvel of the Beemster Polder, or step back in time at the Van Nelle Factory.
Cultural 12 | Natural 1 | Mixed 0
Schokland and Surroundings
Cultural, 1995 Noordoostpolder, Flevoland
Schokland was a peninsula that by the 15th century had become an island. Occupied and then abandoned as the sea encroached, it had to be evacuated in 1859. But following the draining of the Zuider Zee, it has formed part of the land reclaimed from the sea. It symbolises the heroic, age-old struggle of the people of the Netherlands against the encroachment of the waters.
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Dutch Water Defence Lines
Cultural, 1996 North Holland and Utrecht
The Dutch Water Defence Lines represents a defence system extending over 200 km along the edge of the administrative heartland of Holland. It is comprised of the New Dutch Waterline and the Defence Line of Amsterdam. Built between 1815 and 1940, the system consists of a network of forts, dikes, sluices, pumping stations and canals, working in concert to protect the Netherlands.
Cultural, 1997 Alblasserdam and Nieuw-Lekkerland, South Holland
Construction of hydraulic works for the drainage of land for agriculture and settlement began in the Middle Ages and have continued uninterruptedly to the present day. The site illustrates all the typical features associated with this technology – dykes, reservoirs, pumping stations, administrative buildings and a series of beautifully preserved windmills.
The Wouda Pumping Station is the world's largest, still-operational, steam-powered pumping station located in the north of the country. It was opened in 1920 by Queen Wilhelmina and was designed to shift excess water out of the Friesland province. Originally run on coal, it was converted to heavy fuel oil in the late 1960s and still operates today.
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Droogmakerij de Beemster (Beemster Polder)
Cultural, 1999 Beemster, North Holland
The Beemster Polder, dating from the early 17th century, is is an exceptional example of reclaimed land in the Netherlands. It has preserved intact its well-ordered landscape of fields, roads, canals, dykes and settlements, laid out in accordance with classical and Renaissance planning principles.
The Rietveld Schröder House in Utrecht was commissioned by Ms Truus Schröder-Schräder, designed by the architect Gerrit Thomas Rietveld, and built in 1924. This small family house, with its interior, the flexible spatial arrangement, and the visual qualities, was a manifesto of the ideals of the De Stijl group of artists and architects in the Netherlands in the 1920s, and has since been considered one of the icons of the Modern Movement in architecture.
Seventeenth-century canal ring area of Amsterdam inside the Singelgracht
Cultural, 2010 Amsterdam, North Holland
The historic urban ensemble of the canal district of Amsterdam was a project for a new ‘port city’ built at the end of the 16th century. It was a long-term programme that involved extending the city by draining the swampland, using a system of canals in concentric arcs and filling in the intermediate spaces. This urban extension was the largest of its time and is considered a model of large-scale town planning.
Designed and built for the Van Nelle Company in 1931, the factory is considered a prime example of International Style architecture, with elements of Soviet Constructivism design. It was described as "the most beautiful spectacle of the modern age" by Swiss/French architect Le Corbusier and "a poem in steel and glass" by American-born British architect Howard Robertson.
During its operational years, the factory was processing tea, coffee and tobacco, and later chewing gum and instant puddings. It closed in 1996 and is now used as office and events space, and houses a museum.
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Eisinga Planetarium in Franeker
Cultural, 2023 Franeker, Friesland
Built between 1774 and 1781, the Eisinga Planetarium is a moving mechanical scale model of the solar system as it was known at the time. Conceived and built by Eise Eisinga, the model is built into the ceiling of the former living room/bedroom of its creator. Powered by a single pendulum clock, it provides a realistic image of the positions of the sun, moon, earth and five other planets (Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn). The planets revolve around the sun in real time and the distance between the planets is at scale. The model fills the entire ceiling of the room, making it one of the earliest predecessors of the ceiling and projection planetariums of the 20th and 21st centuries.
Frontiers of the Roman Empire – The Lower German Limes Cultural, 2021 Several sites (shared with Germany)
The property comprises military and civilian sites and infrastructure that marked the edge of Lower Germany from the 1st to 5th centuries CE. Archaeological remains in the property include legionary fortresses, forts, fortlets, towers, temporary camps, roads, harbours, a fleet base, a canal and an aqueduct, as well as civilian settlements, towns, cemeteries, sanctuaries, an amphitheatre, and a palace.
Switzerland boasts 13 UNESCO World Heritage Sites including Bern's old town, the breathtaking Jungfrau-Aletsch glaciers, innovative watchmaking towns, prehistoric settlements, and dramatic mountain landscapes, all recognised for their outstanding universal value.
Cultural 9 | Natural 4 | Mixed 0
Old City of Berne
Cultural, 1983 Bern
Founded in the 12th century on a hill site surrounded by the Aare River, Berne developed over the centuries in line with an exceptionally coherent planning concept. The buildings in the Old City, dating from a variety of periods, include 15th-century arcades and 16th-century fountains. Most of the medieval town was restored in the 18th century but it has retained its original character.
The dissolved abbey of St Gall is a Catholic religious complex dating back to 719 AD. It is home to the Abbey Library of St Gall, the oldest monastic library in the world, holding almost 160,000 volumes, some dating back to the 8th century. The main building became a cathedral in 1848.
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Benedictine Convent of St John at Müstair
Cultural, 1983 Grisons
The Convent of Müstair, which stands in a valley in the Grisons, is a good example of Christian monastic renovation during the Carolingian period. It has Switzerland's greatest series of figurative murals, painted c. A.D. 800, along with Romanesque frescoes and stuccoes.
Three Castles, Defensive Wall and Ramparts of the Market-Town of Bellinzona
Cultural, 2001 Ticino
The Bellinzona site consists of a group of fortifications grouped around the castle of Castelgrande, which stands on a rocky peak looking out over the entire Ticino valley.
This site provides an outstanding example of the formation of the High Alps, including the most glaciated part of the mountain range and the largest glacier in Eurasia.
The Lavaux Vineyard Terraces, stretching for about 30 km along the south-facing northern shores of Lake Geneva from the Chateau de Chillon to the eastern outskirts of Lausanne in the Vaud region, cover the lower slopes of the mountainside between the villages and the lake. Although there is some evidence that vines were grown in the area in Roman times, the present vine terraces can be traced back to the 11th century, when Benedictine and Cistercian monasteries controlled the area. It is an outstanding example of a centuries-long interaction between people and their environment
The Swiss Tectonic Arena Sardona in the north-eastern part of the country covers a mountainous area of 32,850 ha which features seven peaks that rise above 3,000 m. The area displays an exceptional example of mountain building through continental collision and features excellent geological sections through tectonic thrust.
La Chaux-de-Fonds / Le Locle, Watchmaking Town Planning
Cultural, 2009 Neuchâtel
The site of La Chaux-de-Fonds / Le Locle watchmaking town-planning consists of two towns situated close to one another in a remote environment in the Swiss Jura mountains, on land ill-suited to farming. Their planning and buildings reflect watchmakers’ need of rational organisation. Planned in the early 19th century, after extensive fires, the towns owed their existence to this single industry.
Monte San Giorgio Natural, 2003 Ticino (shared with Italy)
The pyramid-shaped, wooded mountain of Monte San Giorgio beside Lake Lugano is regarded as the best fossil record of marine life from the Triassic Period (245–230 million years ago). The sequence records life in a tropical lagoon environment, sheltered and partially separated from the open sea by an offshore reef. Diverse marine life flourished within this lagoon, including reptiles, fish, bivalves, ammonites, echinoderms and crustaceans. Because the lagoon was near land, the remains also include land-based fossils of reptiles, insects and plants, resulting in an extremely rich source of fossils.
Rhaetian Railway in the Albula / Bernina Landscapes Cultural, 2008 Grisons (shared with Italy)
Rhaetian Railway in the Albula / Bernina Landscapes, brings together two historic railway lines that cross the Swiss Alps through two passes. Opened in 1904, the Albula line is 67 km long and features an impressive set of structures including 42 tunnels and covered galleries and 144 viaducts and bridges. The 61 km Bernina pass line features 13 tunnels and galleries and 52 viaducts and bridges. The property is exemplary of the use of the railway to overcome the isolation of settlements in the Central Alps early in the 20th century, with a major and lasting socio-economic impact on life in the mountains.
Prehistoric pile dwellings around the Alps Cultural, 2011 Several sites (shared with Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Slovenia)
This serial property of 111 small individual sites encompasses the remains of prehistoric pile-dwelling (or stilt house) settlements in and around the Alps built from around 5000 to 500 B.C. on the edges of lakes, rivers or wetlands.
The United Kingdom boasts 29 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, showcasing the nation's grand palaces, dramatic coastlines, and innovative industrial landscapes. From awe-inspiring prehistoric monuments like Stonehenge to the Roman legacies of Hadrian's Wall and Bath, these sites offer a glimpse into Britain's past.
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.
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.
Europe is home to over 450 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and Southern Europe alone has over 130. We'll be journeying through Greece, Vatican City, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Malta this week, so hold on tight!
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.
