Travel inspiration

UNESCO World Heritage: Explore 5 breathtaking places in the world

12 October 2023
Adelina Bünte

Every year, millions of people from around the world visit UNESCO World Heritage sites to be awed by their timeless beauty and impressive cultural history. From the mighty rock city of Petra in Jordan to the breathtaking Machu Picchu in Peru, these amazing places tell the stories and traditions that have shaped our world. In this article, we'll take you to five of the best UNESCO World Heritage sites so you can experience their breathtaking beauty and unique cultural significance firsthand. Be enchanted by these extraordinary places and experience the fascination that our world has to offer.

1. rock city Petra, Jordan

The rock city of Petra in Jordan is one of the most famous and fascinating sights of the country. It is a historical site consisting of many burial chambers, temples and monumental buildings. Petra is also one of the new seven wonders of the world.

The town is located in a gorge and is surrounded by cliffs and mountains. Access is through a narrow gorge called Al Siq, which is almost a kilometer long and lined with meter-high rock walls. As a visitor it is hardly possible not to be impressed when the narrow valley opens up and you suddenly encounter the most famous structure of Petra: the 45 m high temple Khazne al-Firaun, also called the treasure house. This ornately carved reddish building, which once served as a burial place, is an absolute masterpiece of architectural beauty.

Petra was built 2000 years ago and was the capital of the Nabataeans. It was also an important city on the trade route between the Mediterranean and the Red Sea. Over the centuries, different cultures and peoples have shaped the city and decisively shaped its history.

Despite the fact that Petra has long been abandoned and many of its structures have fallen into disrepair, it still remains one of the masterpieces of ancient architecture in this world.

UNESCO World Heritage since: 1985

2. Machu Picchu, Peru

The ruined city of Machu Picchu is undoubtedly one of the most impressive sights Peru's and the world. The historic site is located on a ridge and offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding valley. The city was built in the mid-15th century by the Inca king Pachacútec. The ruined city hides at an altitude of 2450 meters and was overlooked even by the Spanish when they conquered the region.

One of the fascinating features of Machu Picchu is its unique architecture. The Inca builders used the natural terrain and large stone blocks to build the entire city. Although they had no modern tools, they managed to set precisely cut stones in a perfect fit without mortar. The city was equipped with a complex irrigation system and also had several terraces and fields to grow crops and vegetables.

Machu Picchu was recovered in the last century when a US archaeologist rediscovered the abandoned city in 1911. Previously, the city had remained undiscovered for centuries.

UNESCO World Heritage since: 1983

3. Komodo National Park, Indonesia

The Komodo Islands are located in the province of East Nusa Tenggara, between the islands of Sumbawa and Flores in Indonesia. The archipelago includes three main islands: Komodo, Rinca and Padar, as well as numerous smaller islands, many of which are uninhabited.

The Komodo Islands are known worldwide for their unique wildlife, especially the Komodo dragon, the largest lizard in the world, which is found only on these islands. There are also a variety of other animal species on the islands, such as water buffalo, snakes, monkeys and numerous species of birds.

The landscapes of the Komodo Islands are breathtaking, with pristine beaches, crystal clear waters, stunning mountain scenery and lush vegetation. The islands are ideal for hiking, snorkeling and diving.

The KomodoNational Park is an important protected area. It has been designated a World Heritage Site explained.

UNESCO World Heritage since: 1991

4. ayutthaya, thailand

Ayutthaya was the capital of the Kingdom of Siam from 1351 to 1767, which covered most of Thailand and some neighboring countries. It was one of the most powerful and influential cities in Southeast Asia and an important trading hub between India, China and Europe.

Already in 1357 the first temple complex of the city was built.

The city was known for its impressive temples and palaces built in a combination of Thai, Khmer and Hindu architecture. There were also canals and other waterways that crisscrossed the city, giving it the nickname of Venice of the East brought in.

Ayutthaya was conquered and destroyed by the Burmese in the 18th century, with many of the temples and palaces destroyed or looted. Today, however, many of the ruins have been restored and can be visited!

UNESCO World Heritage since: 1991

5. iguazú national park, argentina

The Iguazú National Park is a nature reserve in the north Argentina, on the border with Brazil, famous for its breathtaking waterfalls, which are among the largest and most impressive in the world.

The national park is surrounded by lush rainforest and is home to a variety of animal species such as ocelots, jaguars, tapirs and several species of monkeys. There are also a large number of bird species, including hummingbirds and toucans.

The Iguazú Waterfalls are the heart of the national park and consist of 275 individual waterfalls that plunge into the Iguazú River over a length of almost 3 kilometers. The most famous of these is the Devil's throat (Garganta del Diablo), a precipice 80 meters deep and 150 meters wide, which is the spectacular highlight of the park.

As a visitor to the national park, you can experience the falls from different perspectives. There are hiking trails that lead through the rainforest and offer you a panoramic view of the falls. There are also boat trips that take you to the falls and bring you in contact with the spray of the falls. Another option is the Helicopter flightwhere you can see the immense scale of the waterfalls from the air.

UNESCO World Heritage since: 1984