UNESCO Heritage Sites are a common go-to tourist attraction when travelling to another country. Because they’re iconic.

However, people usually only go to the most popular ones. The Eiffel Tower, the Great Wall, Machu Picchu, etc. 

Today, I’d like to share what I think are underrated UNESCO sites. Places that might make you go, “Wait—what? That’s a heritage site?!”

There are a whopping 1223 heritage sites in the world, and more are added every year, so I can only pick those I’ve been to and that are my favorites. Hopefully, you might consider them for your next trip!

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Harar Jugol – Ethiopia

Harar Jugol is an ancient walled city nestled in the hills of eastern Ethiopia. It is small but also incredibly religious: It’s known as “The City of Saints” in Arabic, is considered to be the fourth holiest city in Islam, and houses hundreds of mosques and shrines in its tiny 1 square kilometer area. 

However, it was also a major trade hub where Arabian, African, and Asian merchants converged. Today, it’s not much different: its maze-like alleys are still home to colorful, vibrant markets, and Christians share the city with their Muslim neighbours. There was even a Hyena feeding site!

Inside its towering ramparts, you’ll really feel like you’re travelling back in time. 

The Churches of Moldavia – Romania

Sticking to religious sites—but this time, Christian. The Churches of Moldavia became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993, collectively comprising eight buildings in the Moldavian region. 

What makes these churches unique is that, while they aren’t as large as many iconic grand cathedrals, their outdoor and indoor walls are covered top to bottom with colorful religious artwork. 

The churches are in different cities, so I’ve personally only been to one, which was the St. Nicholas Monastery in Probota. 

It is absolutely breathtaking in person. The best part? There were barely other tourists there (at least when I was there). 

The Rock-Drawing Sites of the Acacus Mountains- Libya

If you’re a fan of ancient history, then the Rock-Drawing Sites at the Acacus Mountains in Libya are well worth the visit.

Here, you’ll see thousands of cave drawings of animals such as giraffes and elephants, and people hunting and dancing. They’re estimated to be as old as 14,000 years old. 

This might sound cheesy, but I got somewhat emotional seeing these prehistoric drawings. It’s chilling to think about how families and communities who used to live in caves, not just trying to survive but to make sense of and depict the harsh, undiscovered landscape around them. 

It’s not too different from how I blog about my travels. 

Seeing that our ancient ancestors weren’t that different from us at their core, seeking meaning, making art, and cherishing memories made me feel more human. If you want an existential crisis (in a good way), I highly recommend this. 

The Fossil Hominid Sites – South Africa

For even more ancient history, visit Sterkfontein in South Africa for the Fossil Hominid Sites. Aptly named “The Cradle of Humankind”, this archaeological site has the largest prehistoric human remains on the entire planet. Around a third of all hominid fossils have been found here. 

It’s home to the iconic “Mrs. Ples,” a skull fossil over 2.3 million years old. Just like the Rock-Drawing Sites in Libya, visiting here is truly humbling and grounding. Excavations continue to this day, though. While you can’t go to the actual excavation sites, there are plenty of things to read and appreciate at the museum. 

Old Town of Coro and its Port – Venezuela

Wind-swept adobe houses in warm shades of ochre and pink, narrow streets that whisper colonial history, and a port that’s seen centuries of trade—Coro is another city that feels frozen in time. 

The city is the capital of the state of Falcón, and the Spanish-Caribbean-Dutch architecture here is preserved immaculately. Over 600 historical buildings are to be visited, each with its own charming (or disturbing) history. 

However, in 2005, UNESCO listed it as a World Heritage Site in Danger since its mud-brick buildings cannot withstand the increased rains brought on by climate change. While improvements have been made, and they stood strong when I visited them a few years ago, it’s sad to think that such special places are so vulnerable. 

Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve, Madagascar

One good look at Tsingy in person and you’ll go, “Damn, nature is wild.” 

Over 800 square kilometers of sharp, dramatic limestone formations that can easily cut through flesh. Unsurprisingly, “Tsingy” apparently means “a place where one cannot walk barefoot.” It’s almost uneasy looking at them. 

You’ll even spot the lemurs hopping effortlessly from one spike to the next if you’re lucky. If only we humans could do it too, huh? Now that would be an adventure. 

Tips for Visiting

Most of these sites, especially the nature ones, are far from city centers. So if you want to visit, you’ll likely have to center your itinerary around them. They’re usually not DIY trips, so you’ll have to book a travel agency. 

Since these places aren’t the most popular tourist destinations, it might also be difficult to find information about them online. What you can do is download iOS VPN apps ahead of time so you can access local sites for research.

FAQs

Q: What is a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a culturally, historically, or naturally important landmark as deemed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). It is considered invaluable to all of humanity and deserves meticulous preservation. 

Q: What are the top 10 UNESCO World Heritage Sites?

There is no official ranking of the best sites. It’s really up to personal preference.

However, fan favorites often include Machu Picchu, the Great Wall of China, the Pyramids of Giza, the Taj Mahal, and the Galápagos Islands.

Q: How many UNESCO sites in USA are there?

The US has over 20 UNESCO sites. Some of the most popular ones include Yellowstone National Park, the Statue of Liberty, Mesa Verde, and the Grand Canyon.

Q: Which country has the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites?

Italy holds the record, having over 60 sites! They range from Roman ruins to Renaissance masterpieces. But remember that new places are always being added to the list!

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