Hidden UNESCO World Heritage Sites You Need to Visit – They’re More Amazing Than You Think!

12 Hidden UNESCO World Heritage Sites You Need to Visit – They’re More Amazing Than You Think!

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You may think of the Great Wall of China or the Pyramids of Giza as UNESCO World Heritage sites. Did you know that there are over 1,100 UNESCO sites around the globe(Earth.Org), some of which are pretty hyped up, but others remain a little bit of a secret and don’t get nearly as much attention?

Not only are these hidden gems stunning in the views they provide, but they’re also filled with ancient history and culture without the legions of tourists.

From a focal point in your guide, check out this list of 12 extraordinary world heritage sites that adventurous travelers simply cant skip. These destinations are perfect if you’re a history buff, backpacker, or want to go off the beaten track.

Rapa Nui National Park, Chile

Hidden UNESCO World Heritage Sites You Need to Visit – They’re More Amazing Than You Think!
Image Credit: Dennis G. Jarvis/Wikimedia Commons

Do you think Easter Island is only about giant stone heads? This remote island where the Rapa Nui people carved Moai statues between the 10th and 16th centuries tells powerful tales of a vanishing civilization.

What is most magical about this isolated piece of land in the Pacific is that it has a spiritual element of energy embedded into it. Unless you count its iconic statues, few travelers spend time exploring the island’s volcanic craters and ancient petroglyphs or discovering how its people managed so little in so many ways.

A 2022 UNESCO report revealed fewer than 100,000 annual visitors to this enigmatic site. Imagine having such marvels all to yourself.

Shirakawa-go and Gokayama, Japan

Hidden UNESCO World Heritage Sites You Need to Visit – They’re More Amazing Than You Think!
Image Credit: 雷太/Wikimedia Commons

Nestled in the Japanese Alps, these tiny villages are home to “Gassho-zukuri” farmhouses, a unique architectural style designed to withstand heavy snow. Their steeply thatched roofs, built about 250 years ago, resemble hands in prayer.

Visiting Shirakawa-go feels like stepping backward in time. It’s one of Japan’s best-preserved rural secrets, with over 2 million visitors yearly compared to Kyoto’s tens of millions

Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela, Ethiopia

Hidden UNESCO World Heritage Sites You Need to Visit – They’re More Amazing Than You Think!
Image Credit: Chuck Moravec/Wikimedia Commons

Imagine churches carved straight into volcanic rock over 900 years ago and still in use today. Lalibela’s 11 rock-hewn churches replicate Jerusalem, creating a one-of-a-kind spiritual experience.

Lalibela has been astonishingly underexplored by most travelers who concentrate on seeing other natural wonders of Ethiopia. International flights have increased accessibility recently, so it’s time to add this to your list before the rest of the world catches on.

Ruins of Nan Madol, Micronesia

Hidden UNESCO World Heritage Sites You Need to Visit – They’re More Amazing Than You Think!
Image Credit: CT Snow/Wikimedia Commons

Dubbed the “Venice of the Pacific,” Nan Madol is a city of over 90 artificial islets built with basalt stones and coral. Around the year 1200, ancient rulers in political and religious movements ruled the area.

This mysterious site is often hidden in a fog. Until now, historians have been piecing together how ancient civilizations moved stones weighing up to 50 tons without modern tools.

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Berat and Gjirokastra, Albania

Hidden UNESCO World Heritage Sites You Need to Visit – They’re More Amazing Than You Think!
Image Credit: Anastasia Tzigounaki/Wikimedia Commons

Known as the “City of a Thousand Windows,” Berat, alongside Gjirokastra, showcases stunning Ottoman-era architecture combined with ancient castles perched on mountaintops.

Albania remains one of Europe’s most underrated destinations. Overpriced cappuccinos in Paris? Forget it! Here, you’ll appreciate local wines and unspoiled history at a fraction of the cost.

Tsingy de Bemaraha, Madagascar

Hidden UNESCO World Heritage Sites You Need to Visit – They’re More Amazing Than You Think!
Image Credit: Olivier Lejade/Wikimedia Commons

Tsingy means “where one cannot walk barefoot.” This limestone forest lives up to its name. Its razor-sharp peaks form a surreal network of canyons, caves, and hanging bridges. However, those who climb Madagascar’s top are in the minority. Sculpted out of natural erosion over millions of years, it feels otherworldly.

Ciudad Perdida, Colombia

Hidden UNESCO World Heritage Sites You Need to Visit – They’re More Amazing Than You Think!
Image Credit: Julianruizp/Wikimedia Commons

Known as Colombia’s “Lost City,” Ciudad Perdida predates Machu Picchu by 650 years. The Tayrona Empire’s heart was its terraces and ceremonial rings. The climb is a four-day trek through a lush jungle that deters casual tourists, making it rewarding for intrepid travelers seeking solitude amidst ancient ruins.

Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, Canada

Hidden UNESCO World Heritage Sites You Need to Visit – They’re More Amazing Than You Think!
Image Credit: David Stanley/Wikimedia Commons

This Alberta archaeological site dates back over 6,000 years, when Indigenous peoples used it as a hunting ground to drive buffalo over the edge of cliffs. You’ll have quiet trails and a richer knowledge of First Nations traditions and ingenuity instead of tourist crowds.

Ilulissat Icefjord, Greenland

Hidden UNESCO World Heritage Sites You Need to Visit – They’re More Amazing Than You Think!
Image Credit: Christoph Strässler/Wikimedia Commons

Greenland’s glaciers are retreating, but you can witness surreal, towering icebergs breaking apart into the sea at Ilulissat. The fjord is a haunting reminder of our planet’s fragility. With 76,477 annual visitors, Greenland makes for an awe-inspiring connection to nature without the crowds.

Hampi, India

Hidden UNESCO World Heritage Sites You Need to Visit – They’re More Amazing Than You Think!
Image Credit: Vyacheslav Argenberg/Wikimedia Commons

Hampi was once the heart of the Vijayanagar Empire, in ruins near the striking boulder-strewn landscapes. This site is mystique, from intricately carved temples to elephant stables.

There are 42 UNESCO sites in India, but most travelers tend to explore the Taj Mahal. Hampi’s softer spotlight means you can appreciate its serenity with a sliver-faced mirror instead.

Taos Pueblo, USA

Hidden UNESCO World Heritage Sites You Need to Visit – They’re More Amazing Than You Think!
Image Credit: MARELBU/Wikimedia Commons

This is one of North America’s oldest continuously inhabited Native American communities in New Mexico. Its multileveled adobe homes are still in use today. Taos offers an escape into Native American heritage with fewer visitors than sites such as Mesa Verde. Taos Bakery might have the best fried bread you’ve ever tasted.

Leptis Magna, Libya

Hidden UNESCO World Heritage Sites You Need to Visit – They’re More Amazing Than You Think!
Image Credit: joepyrek/Wikimedia Commons

Equal parts Roman opulence and desert mystery, Leptis Magna’s ancient theaters, temples, and marketplace are jaw-dropping yet oddly empty compared to other Roman ruins. Post-conflict Libya is starting to see travelers return, but tourism remains sparse. Be among the first to rediscover this monumental city.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.

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