Search
Close this search box.

10 Hidden Gems Among UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Written by

Are you looking for more traveling destinations? Check out these must-see UNESCO World Heritage sites: 

Hello folks! Long time no read each other, but I am here to stay. If you’ve been around for a while, then you’re probably familiar with the USA Wanderers team, and I hope we live up to your expectations and that every article we write makes you happier, or at least brings a smile to your face. And if you also take into account what tips we’re giving away from our own experience, then that’s awesome!

Now, in today’s article, I am going to write a bucket list with some of the most beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Sites that blew me away when I saw them. I plan on visiting at least two this year, so if you are ready for this virtual tour, let’s start with the number one site.

UNESCO World Heritage sites
Photo by Margaret.Wiktor from Shutterstock
  • Yosemite National Park, USA

Of course, I was going to add the beautiful Yosemite National Park to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The 1,169-square-mile park has granite cliffs, enormous sequoia groves, lakes, and waterfalls, which include five of the tallest waterfalls in the world.

All of the sights you see in this national park weren’t achieved overnight, since nature loves to surprise us. The remarkable park that exists now was created over millions of years due to glacier erosion, according to UNESCO.

Everything is breathtaking here, and if you desire to travel to a place in which you might be able to hear your own thoughts away from the city crowds, Yosemite National Park is the perfect destination. Trust me, you won’t regret it!

  • Venice, Italy

If you are looking for an escape somewhere on an island that also has a bit of a city vibe and tons of museums to check out, Venice should be your go-to destination. Venice is a romantic destination straight out of a movie, complete with gondola rides, lovely street walks, and fog rising off the water’s surface.

Venice is often regarded as one of the most enchanted locations on earth, so it makes sense that so many artists and architects found inspiration there. So to be honest, looking at all the pictures from Venice you can easily find on the internet, it is easy to understand why it is among the best UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

  • Pyramids of Giza, Egypt

I remember seeing all those Egyptian pyramids on TV when I was a kid, and I was super fascinated by how imposing they looked. I swore I would do everything I could to visit them. And I did! It was breathtaking, and there are good reasons why the place is basically packed with tourists every month of the year.

Standing nearly 4,500 years old, the Great Pyramid is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The famous structures are part of Memphis’s pyramid fields, which are recognized by UNESCO for their historical and architectural significance. Memphis was the first capital of ancient Egypt.

  • Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou, Morocco

Among jaw-dropping destinations, Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou, located in Morocco, has gained popularity in the past decade. Even if it’s an old village, you won’t get bored here. At this UNESCO site, the traditional methods of building with mud have been fully conserved, providing a superb illustration of authentic Moroccan architecture. It’s a striking sight to see the crimson muck against the desert and sunset backdrop.

Since the weather is quite warm, make sure you pack light clothes and some hats.

  • Okavango Delta, Botswana

I don’t know how many people know the worth-visiting hidden gems from Botswana, but the Okavango Delta is certainly one of them. Being among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Okavango Delta is a 49-million-acre delta that looks so unreal it can be easily confused with heaven on Earth, where all animals roam freely.

The best time to visit Africa is during the winter (when it is summer for us) when the delta floods following the rains: Low grasses cover the savanna, but growth around streams draws a wide variety of species.

  • Machu Picchu, Peru

The entire experience of visiting Machu Picchu, including the travel there, is breathtakingly gorgeous, making it one of the new seven wonders of the world. Against the striking green backdrop of the mountains, see the sun’s rays as they hit the old Incan city.

You don’t believe me? You have to look it up yourself on Google. But if pictures have the same effect on you, you might end up looking for plane tickets which isn’t a bad thing.

UNESCO World Heritage sites
Photo by chrisontour84 from Shutterstock
  • Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland

Going on, the following location is in Iceland and is essentially a destination beneath subglacial volcanoes. It differs greatly from the places I described earlier. Because of the intense natural forces of magma and ice caps, the region is known locally as “The Land of Fire and Ice” due to the incredibly odd landscape formations such as aquamarine calderas, hyaloclastite ridges, and blue ice caves.

  • Komodo National Park, Indonesia

Have you ever watched documentaries about pink beaches? They’re real, and they’re located in Indonesia. The place is called Komodo National Park and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Pink sand, turquoise water, and cute animals are just three of the best things that may be found in the Komodo Islands’ splendor.

Indulge yourself in breathtaking scenery throughout the day, with waters so pure you’ll spend more time in the water than out. Pure fantasy, right? If I were you, I’d put this destination on my bucket list. It’s worth visiting at least once in a lifetime.

In the article, I couldn’t cover all the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, so if you are interested in finding out what the rest of them are, you can check out the Complete Guide to 1,031 UNESCO World Heritage Sites available on Amazon for $31. If you appreciate beautiful photography, trust me, you’re going to love the book! 

  • Redwood National and State Parks, United States

We’re back in the States, but this time with the Redwood National and State Parks. This famous forest in Northern California, on the Pacific coast, is home to some of the world’s tallest and oldest known trees.

With a maximum height of 350 feet, these magnificent trees serve as a link to the past because the oldest ones are almost 2,200 years old. Rare animals found in the Redwood parks include endangered California brown pelicans, Roosevelt elk, and bald eagles. If you are lucky enough to live in the area, go visit someday if you haven’t yet.

  • Petra, Jordan

You probably saw tons of commercials with Petra in the last year. That’s because it’s one of the best UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Only recently, almost 200 years ago, was this ancient city found rising out of rose-colored stone. This place still seems like you’ve stumbled across the best-kept secret in the world since much of it is hidden.

Which one of these destinations is the one that you dreamed of? Tell me in the comments section below. Until next time!

…Hey you! If you’re a local citizen and you’re looking forward to summer vacation, or you’re simply curious to discover new traveling destinations this article is for you 10 Beach Towns in the US That Are Shockingly Inexpensive

(Visited 122 times, 1 visits today)

Share:

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Follow us on:

Most Popular

Related Posts