UNESCO world heritage sites that deserve to be on your bucket list!

Posted by leelindsey on August 24th, 2022

The UNESCO list of world heritage sites includes the names of 1121 monuments spread across 167 countries. So, if you are planning an international trip, now that the quarantine rules have been uplifted, check out these destinations. Here you go!

1. Galapagos Island:

Located 600 miles from the coast of Ecuador is every tourist's dream destination, the Galapagos Islands. The place is forged of lava and known for its fearless wildlife. It is one of the most volcanically active areas around the world and is situated atop a hotspot in Western Pacific. The story goes that Charles Darwin landed on the shores of this Island in 1835, which gave him the inspiration for his theory of evolution.

Why visit this place: 

The destination deserves to be on your bucket list because here, tourists can get a chance to snorkel with sea lions, green sea turtles, iguanas, and graceful stingrays. Besides, Galapagos also has a rich and fascinating history, making it a must-visit tourist destination for history buffs.

Best time to visit: November to December.

2. Stonehenge:

A prehistoric monument in Wiltshire, England, Stonehenge lies at the centre of a rich archaeological landscape. It is a part of the only surviving lintelled stone circle in the world and is listed as a UNESCO world heritage site. The place has several origins and purpose stories. Some of these suggest that Stonehenge served as a coronation place for Danish kings, was an astronomical computer to predict eclipses, and operated as a sacred space for worshipping ancestors. The monument is an icon of the past and presents an awe-inspiring picture of the achievements of ancient people.

Why visit this place:

Stonehenge is a unique tourist destination with a stunning landscape. The monument is not isolated but stands as a part of the early Neolithic, late Neolithic, and early bronze age monuments. History-lovers can better understand the regional and international contacts from the 4th to 2nd millennia BC after checking out this tourist destination.

Best time to visit: June to September.

3. Machu Picchu:

Situated 2,430 meters above sea level, Machu Pichhu was built in the 15th century by the Incas. Its name was derived from Quechua and meant Old Mountain in English. Believed to have been abandoned around the time of the Spanish conquest in the 1530s, the site is also addressed as the Lost City of Incas by many. It is one of the most important heritage sites in the world, but there is a mystery around the actual function Machu Pichu served. While some believe it was a university, others speculate it was an estate of Inca Pachacutec (the founder of Tawantinsuyo).

Why visit this place:

Machu Picchu is a UNESCO world heritage site and one of the seven wonders of the modern world. It is a must-visit for travel-lovers before they turn 40 because of its fascinating history and extraordinary architecture. Besides, the place also boasts of spectacular scenery as it is straddled between two mountains and surrounded by Urubamba River Valley.

Best time to visit: May and September

 So, these are a few UNESCO world heritage sites that you must visit on your next vacation.