The 44 nations that make up the continent of Europe each have their own distinct historical sites, natural wonders, and cultural legacies. So, choosing just 20 from the many that have merited inclusion on UNESCO world heritage sites in Europe is no easy task.
Regardless, you'll find an equal selection of urban delights and natural wonders from nations that lie on all four compass directions here.
Budapest is a different city that exhibits an incredible diversity of architectural styles. Here, from the ancient Roman city of Aquincum to the Gothic Buda castle, are all the relics of Hungary's great historical eras. Budapest's setting on the banks of the Danube River guarantees that its natural beauty can stand up to its urban charm.
The historic capital of Poland is yet another architectural wonder of Europe with a certain mediaeval charm. The massive Rynek Gówny, Europe's biggest market square, lies at the centre of it all. This impressive Town Hall Tower and the lavishly ornamented St. Mary's Basilica surround the square on either side. Beyond this point, you can reach the famous Kazimierz Jewish district and the Wawel Royal Castle.
In Croatia, over a dozen cascading lakes can be found in the nation's biggest national park. For eight kilometres, each one flows into the next via little waterfalls, some of which have heights of almost 70 metres. Also, the nearby woodland changes colour with the seasons, but spring and summer are probably the most spectacular time to visit.
One of the most picturesque areas along the Adriatic coast is the Bay of Kotor. The bay's outline is traced by forested mountains, and the water's stunning azure blue waters glitter in the sunlight. Numerous well-preserved mediaeval villages with imposing cathedrals, red-roofed structures, and Venetian defences may be seen all around the natural harbour.
Norway has eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Bryggen, the old Bergen port. The structure of the town and the colourful wooden homes are typical of commerce centres in 15th-century Northern Europe. Also, Bergen is the ideal starting point for a fjord cruise as it is located in the centre of the fjord region.
The Rila Monastery is Bulgaria's most significant landmark; it was built by a hermit saint more than a thousand years ago. This monastery resembles a fortress and has been crucial in promoting Slavic cultural identity. Furthermore, Rila Monastery had a significant impact on the aesthetic traditions of the Eastern Orthodox world. There are still 60 resident monks there, and it is still a functioning monastery.
Spain is another nation that boasts a sizable number of UNESCO locations. One of the most impressive is Alhambra, a palace and castle complex near Granada. This old building is majestically perched atop a hill overlooking the city. The scenery is set against the rough Sierra Nevada. Additionally, within the walls of the 13th century are ornately carved ceilings, cleverly planned courtyards, and lovely gardens.
One of the first locations in Turkey to receive this designation was the Göreme valley with its rock-hewn troglodyte villages. It is a distinctive landscape that has been moulded by nature's power and further improved by human hands. It is also a historical location, with some structures reaching back to the fourth century.
The Acropolis in Greece's capital is a structure that epitomises civilisation as we know it. It has ruins of houses from the fifth century BC and is perched on a rocky ledge high above the city of Athens. The Parthenon, a former temple to the goddess Athena that later served as a treasury, is the most well-known of them all. Here, you can also see the colonnade of fluted, unsupported columns and its ornate sculptures.
Red Square is located in Moscow and serves as the city's physical, political, and historical centre. Red Square is surrounded by some of Moscow's most significant structures, including the Kremlin. Within the formidable walls of this fortified complex are palaces, cathedrals, an armoury, and recognisable towers.
The Swedes constructed the Suomenlinna stronghold in Finland in the middle of the 18th century. This maritime castle has served several sovereign powers over the years, but it now offers city residents and tourists from around the world an intriguing look at European military architecture. The area of the site where the fortified walls form the pointed shape of a star and conceal old bunkers, and guns attracts the most attention.
The horizon of Prague is dominated by churches and cathedrals with their Gothic spires and Baroque towers. Prague has a beauty that can surpass more well-known cities like Paris and Venice when you combine it with the maze of cobblestone alleys and secret gardens. In this regard, Prague Castle is the most impressive site of them all. The complex of this castle spans a stunning 70,000 square miles, so it’s worth visiting.
Vilnius is one of the largest still-existing mediaeval ancient towns in the region of Europe. This city is also home to a beautiful assortment of Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and classical structures, much like its contemporaneous neighbours. While strolling the cobblestone lanes, you might have thought you were in a bygone era where painters were hard at work in their customary studios.
Cinque Terre, a rugged coastal region, tops the list of UNESCO sites in Italy for its breathtaking scenery, quaint mediaeval towns, and astounding cliffside architecture. Moreover, as cars are not allowed in this area, the best ways to get around are on foot or by train, which further enhances Cinque Terre's allure.
The Latvian capital's mediaeval centre, which is designated by UNESCO, is a reflection of the city's illustrious past. The city was a significant commercial hub between the 13th and the 15th century. The cobblestone lanes that make up the city's core are lined with craftsman-style homes, guild halls, and cathedrals.
In Tallinn, you can see grand cathedrals with glittering spires soaring in all directions that can be found beside exquisite merchant homes that are now boutique hotels. Tallinn's majestic mediaeval walls and fortified towers that enclose the Old Town play a significant role in its charm. Besides those, the old Toompea Castle is standout and worth visiting.
Douro Valley's scenery in northern Portugal perfectly amalgams both human and natural forces. Through mountains that have been farmed with terraces and vineyards, the River Douro winds its way. It also has a rich history, and with more than 2,000 years of wine-making history, it claims to be among the oldest wine districts in the world.
The Ilulissat ice fjord is a 40 km long Arctic gallery of towering icebergs that have developed as pieces of glacial ice have broken off. Glacial calving is a phenomenon that can be observed, and it is an experience in and of itself. Also, it is accompanied by the sounds of booms, and cracks are frequently present.
Iceland's Thingvellir National Park is a landscape that the natural forces of nature have moulded. The Mid-Atlantic Ridge's tectonic plate borders, where the national park is located, have caused striking surface fissures. The region's significant historical background is also worth knowing.
The Neretva River flows past the ancient city of Mostar, which is surrounded by mountains covered with lush vegetation. The city's picture-perfect architecture of traditional Turkish homes and Austro-Hungarian structures reflects its diverse cultural background. One of the most recognisable sights in the nation and the focal point of Mostar is the Old Bridge.
Balaton Uplands cultural landscapes are spread over a vast land and consist of six landscapes protection areas which include the Keszthely Hills, the Small-Balaton, the Kali Basin, the Tihany Peninsula, the Tapolca Basin, and the Pecsely Basin. This area undergoes a complete geological, biological, and diversified landscape and showcases immense cultural heritage.
Gdynia, located on the Baltic Sea, hosts the Modernist Centre which is uniquely constructed to form a newly designed city or urban complex. The centre houses multiple types of public buildings as well as residential complexes and showcases astounding infrastructural brilliance. It is a complete cityscape consisting of all the public amenities like City Hall, hospitals, hotels, sacred buildings, schools, and many more. Being built in the port city of Gdynia, this town has become a heritage site for its European structural masterpiece.
The Hadrianic City of Italica in Spain is on the tentative list for its cultural brilliance and represents the modern municipality of Santiponce. This urban planning project has been declared a Property of Cultural Interest by the Archeological Ensemble, Regional Government of Andalusia. This cityscape depicts a vivid specimen of Middle Age Spain's industrial construction.
Siguenza and Atienza's Sweet and Salty Landscape highlights the cultural landscape of the preindustrial era. This area hosts several small villages and serves as a classic touristic medieval town in Spain. The historical and artistic landscapes in Siguenza and Atienza Sweet and Salty landscapes attract tourists from all over the world.
The Samaria National Park stands as a symbol of Crete Island and holds significant Cretan, Greek, and Mediterranean history. Depicting the immaterial and material textural formation, this national park has stunning rock formations and breathtaking views of the Libyan Sea. For adventure lovers, the Gorge of Samaria National Park is a paradise for hiking and exploring.
The Complex of Voskresensky Copper Smeltery was built in the year 1740 and houses 12 objects. This entire complex is located in the Meleuzovsky district of the Republic of Bashkortostan and is famous for its picturesque landscapes. Upon visiting this complex, one will be able to discover the beauty of large industrial facilities, historical sites, and uncommon museums.
The UNESCO Committee looks for the following cultural and natural parameters to list a place as a World Heritage Site. It includes:
So make sure to see some of these historic sites that are part of the cultural legacy when you next travel to Europe. These UNESCO world heritage sites in Europe are undoubtedly some of the most beautiful locations in all of Europe, if not the entire world.
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