THE TOP UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES IN EUROPE YOU NEED TO VISIT
Europe is full of beautiful, incredible and fascinating UNESCO World Heritage Site's. These globally recognised sites are educational, cultural, scientifically or physically important and therefore are considered the world’s most intriguing sites to visit.
Here's our top pick of the must see UNESCO World Heritage Site's in all of Europe.
10. Dorset Coast, England
The 95 miles of coastline stretching along the coast of England is world renowned as the Jurassic Coast. This coastline was England's first natural UNESCO World Heritage Site and for good reason. The area has outstanding geology, with parts dating back over 185 million years, therefore it is a hot bed for fossil hunting with hundreds of specimens having been unearthed from the cliffs and beaches
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9. Český Krumlov, Czech Republic
Situated on the banks of the Vltava river, the small town of Český Krumlov was built around a 13th-century castle with Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque elements. It is stunning example of a small central European medieval town whose architectural heritage has remained intact thanks to its peaceful evolution over more than five centuries.
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8. Pompei, Italy
When Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD, it engulfed the two flourishing Roman towns of Pompei and Herculaneum. These have since been excavated and made accessible to the public since the mid-18th century.
This area became a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to the impressive remains of the two towns due to being buried by the eruption of Vesuvius, providing a complete and vivid picture of society and daily life at a specific moment in the past which can't be found anywhere in the world - this place truly gives you a once in a life time experience!
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7. Acropolis, Greece
The Acropolis of Athens is located in an ancient citadel and is known to be the most important acropolis in Greece. The Parthenon, the most impressive sight here, is an ancient temple that was dedicated to Athena Parthenos, the goddess of wisdom and the patron goddess of Athens. It was constructed in the year 432 BC, and much of its architectural beauty is still intact. Other sights that can not be missed are the Erechtheum, the Temple of Athena Nike and the Propylaea, and together these four masterpieces represent the beginning of democracy.
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6. The Palace of Versailles, France
The Palace of Versailles, which has been on UNESCO’s World Heritage List for 30 years, is one of the most beautiful achievements of 18th-century French art and possibly one of the most well known palaces in the world. Even though it stood through 3 kings and a revolution, the beauty and magnificence of the palace and its gardens remain intact.
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5. Stonehenge, England
Stonehenge is an extremely popular monument in Europe that dates back to the Neolithic and Bronze Age, making it over 4000 years old. It is spread over 2000 acres in Salisbury Plains, England, and is known to contain a number of ancient structures that are famous for being some of the most archaeologically-rich attractions in Europe.
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4. Jungfrau Region, Switzerland
This area is the most glaciated of Europe's Alps and is named after the 4,150m peak of Jungfrau, one of the premier trekking and climbing destinations in Europe. We are sure that the Swiss Alps was already on your list of must visit places here in Europe, just ensure you check out the Jungfrau Region while you're there.
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3. Giant Causeway, Northern Ireland
The Giant Causeway lies at the foot of the basalt cliffs in Northern Ireland. It is made up of over 40,000 massive black basalt columns sticking out of the sea. The dramatic sight has inspired legends of giants striding over the sea to Scotland. Geological studies of these formations have found that this striking landscape was caused by volcanic activity during the Tertiary, some 50–60 million years ago.
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2. Wetsern Fjords, Norway
Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord are considered the most beautiful and scenic fjord landscapes in the world, therefore giving it it's UNESCO title. The fjords gets its natural beauty from their narrow and steep-sided crystalline rock walls that rise up to 1,400m from the Norwegian Sea and extend 500m below sea level creating a dramatic landscape that must be seen in person.
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1. Cinque Terre, Italy
We are sure you’ve seen the pictures, they’re as pretty as a postcard… so how could they be real!? Well they are! We just recently visited Cinque Terre and the 5 towns along Italy's coast are just as colourful and beautiful in person.
The Cinque Terre is a string of centuries-old seaside villages on the rugged Italian Riviera coastline. In each of the 5 towns, colourful houses and ancient vineyards cling to steep terraces making for one of the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites you can see here in Europe.
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Now on to you - what UNESCO site do you believe can not be missed here in Europe?
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