As at 2024, there are 1,223 UNESCO World Heritage Sites dotted across the globe and something we often research when planning upcoming trips is which countries have the highest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world!
With 60 sites Italy takes the crown as the country with the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Europe dominates in the top 10 UNESCO countries with an impressive 252 sites across Italy (60), Germany (54), Spain (50), France (53) and the UK (35). In total, there are 15 countries with over 20 UNESCO sites so if, like us, you are on a mission to visit every UNESCO in the world these countries are a good place to start!
This list reflects the latest count of countries with the most UNESCO World Heritage sites. It includes the latest sites granted UNESCO World Heritage status in 2024.
Countries with the most UNESCO sites: while this list is only intended to cover the countries with the most UNESCO sites it is worth noting that there are smaller countries with a high concentration of sites. If your goal is to visit as many sites as possible in a short space of time we’ve managed to visit 13 in Belgium during a three day visit, 14 during a week long South Korea road trip and ticked off hundreds while exploring Europe on a series of road trips.
Which countries have the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites?
1 | Italy: 60 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Italy takes the crown as the country with the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world. As the birthplace of the Roman Empire and the Renaissance, Italy has an abundance of culture: 54 of its 60 sites are cultural and 6 are natural.
Italy shares a UNESCO, the great spa towns of Europe, with Austria, Belgium, Czechia, France, Germany and the UK. Italy is included for the development of Montecatini Terme around its natural mineral water springs.
July 2024: Italy had one site inscribed to the UNESCO World Heritage list in July 2024 with Via Appia. Regina Viarum (Appian Way) awarded UNESCO status.
Number of UNESCO sites we’ve visited in Italy: 30 of the 58 UNESCO Sites
Our favorite UNESCO sites in Italy: Venice, the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie which houses the Da Vinci masterpiece The Last Supper, the Colosseum, Val D’Orica and Pompeii.
UNESCO site we most want to visit in Italy: The Dolomites
2 | China: 59 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
A late starter to the UNESCO game, China has powered up the UNESCO ranks with 59 sites now listed. When excluding UNESCO sites shared with other countries, China is the country with the highest number of unique sites.
July 2024: China had two sites inscribed to the UNESCO World Heritage list in July 2024. The first is the Beijing Central Axis: A Set of Buildings Representing the Ideal Order of the Chinese Capital. The listing consists of ancient imperial palaces and gardens, sacrificial structures, and ceremonial and public buildings. The second, Badain Jaran Desert – Sand Towers and Lakes – is the third largest desert in China.
Number of UNESCO sites we’ve visited in China: 4 of the 56 UNESCO sites
Our favorite UNESCO sites in China: The Great Wall of China
UNESCO site we most want to visit in China: Wulingyuan
3 | Germany: 54 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Stunning monuments, parks, cities and palaces throughout Germany help secure its spot as one of the most UNESCO heavy countries in the world with 54 sites.
July 2024: Germany had one site inscribed to the UNESCO World Heritage list in July 2024. Schwerin Residence Ensemble.
Number of UNESCO sites we’ve visited in Germany: 14 of the 54 UNESCO sites
Our favorite UNESCO sites in Germany: Bamberg and Cologne Cathedral
UNESCO site we most want to visit in Germany: Hamburg Wadden Sea
4 | France: 53 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
History, culture and well-preserved sites make France number 4 in the list of countries with the most UNESCO sites. France has 53 sites: 44 cultural, 7 natural and two mixed.
July 2024: France had 1 site inscribed in 2024, Te Henua Enata – The Marquesas Islands which is located in the South Pacific Ocean.
Number of UNESCO sites we’ve visited in France: 25 of the 53 UNESCO sites
Our favourite UNESCO sites in France: Mont-Saint-Michel, Versailles, Vézelay, Champagne and Provins
UNESCO site we most want to visit in France: Gulf of Porto
4 | Spain: 50 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Europe still dominates the UNESCO listings with 5 of the top 10 countries with the most UNESCOs being based in Europe. Spain has a compelling mix of culture and a diverse range of stunning natural landscapes and boasts 50 UNESCOs.
Number of UNESCO sites we’ve visited in Spain: 21 of the 50 UNESCO sites
Our favorite UNESCO sites in Spain: Poblet Monastery, Santiago de Compostela, Works of Anton Gaudi, and Palau de la Música Catalana and Hospital de Sant Pau, Barcelona
UNESCO site we most want to visit in Spain: Ibiza
6 | India: 43 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
India has a rich culture and an abundance of art and architecture and it is home to 43 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the 6th most UNESCO listed country in the world and the UNESCO jewel of Asia.
July 2024: India had one site inscribed to the UNESCO World Heritage list in July 2024. Moidams – the Mound-Burial System of the Ahom Dynasty. It includes the contains the royal necropolis of the Tai-Ahom.
Number of UNESCO sites we’ve visited in India: 0 of the 43 UNESCO sites
UNESCO site we most want to visit in India: Taj Mahal
7 | Mexico: 35 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
A mix of nature and culture mean Mexico has been awarded 35 UNESCO World Heritage Site listings, the highest number in the Americas and the 7th in the world.
Number of UNESCO sites we’ve visited in Mexico: 5 of the 35 UNESCO sites
Our favorite UNESCO sites in Mexico: Xochimilco, Teotihuacan, Chichen Itza, Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve
UNESCO site we most want to visit in Mexico: Campeche and Oaxaca
8 | UK: 35 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
The UK has an impressive 35 UNESCO World Heritage Sites with 31 located on the mainland and 3 in its overseas territories. The UK is home to some of the hardest to reach UNESCOs – Gough and Inaccessible Islands are part of the Tristian a Cunha archipelago, the most remote archipelago in the world. Henderson Island is part of the Pitcairn Islands in the South Pacific and is remote, only accessible by boat and requires explicit permission from the Pitcairn Island Council to visit.
July 2024: the UK had one site, the Flow Country in Northern Scotland added in 2024. It is considered the most outstanding example of an actively accumulating blanket bog landscape
Liverpool – Maritime Mercantile City, was previously removed from the UNESCO list due to what was described as ‘the irreversible loss of attributes conveying the outstanding universal value of the property’. The UK has also been warned that Stonehenge will also be at danger of losing its listing if the development of a proposed road tunnel goes ahead.
Number of UNESCO sites we’ve visited in the UK: 20 of the 35 UNESCO sites
Our favourite UNESCO sites in the UK: Giant’s Causeway, Bath, Blenheim Palace
UNESCO site we most want to visit in the UK: St Kilda
9 | Russia: 32 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Russia is number 9 with 32 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Its forests, mountains, volcanoes and lakes mean it has the fourth highest number of natural sites in the world with 11 natural sites and its intricate history has resulted in 21 fascinating cultural sights.
Number of UNESCO sites we’ve visited in Russia: 0 of the 29 UNESCO sites
10 | Iran: 28 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Iran has 26 cultural and 2 natural UNESCO World Heritage sites.
July 2024 Iran was awarded one new site in the 2024 UNESCO listings. The archaeological remains of ancient Hegmataneh, located in northwestern Iran, were included in the listings.
Number of UNESCO sites we’ve visited in Iran: 0 of the 26 UNESCO sites
UNESCO site we most want to visit in Iran: Soltaniyeh and Bam in Iran
10 | Iran: 28 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Iran has 26 cultural and 2 natural UNESCO World Heritage sites.
July 2024 Iran was awarded one new site in the 2024 UNESCO listings. The archaeological remains of ancient Hegmataneh, located in northwestern Iran, were included in the listings.
Number of UNESCO sites we’ve visited in Iran: 0 of the 26 UNESCO sites
UNESCO site we most want to visit in Iran: Soltaniyeh and Bam in Iran
US, Brazil, Turkey, Canada and Japan also have over 20 UNESCO each
The US and Japan boast 25 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Brazil has 24, Canada has 22 and Turkey has 21 UNESCO World Heritage Sites within their borders respectively making them a rich choice for UNESCO hunters.
Australia has 20 sites each.
Number of UNESCO sites we’ve visited in the USA: 8 of the 24 UNESCO sites
Our favorite UNESCO sites in the USA: The Grand Canyon and Yosemite
UNESCO site we most want to visit in the USA: Glacier Bay National Park
Number of UNESCO sites we’ve visited in Brazil and Japan: Japan 10 and Brazil 1 of the UNESCO sites in each country
Our Favorite UNESCO Brazil and Japan: Christ the Redeemer in Brazil and Shirakawa-go, Nikko and Mount Koya in Japan
UNESCO site we most want to visit in Brazil and Japan: the Ogasawara Islands in Japan and Iguazú Falls in Brazil
Number of UNESCO sites we’ve visited in Turkey: 12 UNESCO sites
Our Favorite UNESCO in Turkey: Ephesus and Cappadocia
Why don’t u want to come to India? Is there any problem?U western media never praise India for anything!
Hi Juber
We would love to visit India and it’s on our list of places to go! We have an 8month old so will likely wait until he is a little older and able to enjoy it.
Elaine
Where is sri lanka?? Unlike this
Hi Sasanka
Sri Lanka has 8 sights so doesn’t make this list! It’s still awesome and its UNESCOs are stunning!
Elaine
What about Egypt?
Hi Adham
We’ve visited Egypt a few years ago and managed to see some of the incredible UNESCOs.
Elaine
This is article does not outline concentration of world heritage sites . Of course larger countries have more sites – that is stating the obvious. Yet the largest concentration of world Heritage sites is tiny Malta -3 world heritage sites in an area no larger than a city suburb and has free standing buildings older than Stonehenge
Max?
if u want to talk about concentration of most UNESCO world heritage sites (7 to be exact), the capital of Nepal (Kathmandu Valley) has them in an area less than 665 square km.
Hi i am from iran (persia) . Why don’t you travel to Iran? It is a beautiful country with Kind and hospitable people. Don’t pay attention to the political news of the media. They are very different from the reality of Iran and Iranians(persians).
Please visit 🇮🇳 India 🇮🇳
There is nothing in the world like India