I’ve kept travel bucket lists for years, and there’s one organization that has served as a major guiding source for inspiring my adventures: UNESCO.
UNESCO, which stands for The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, is a group that seeks to encourage the identification, protection, and preservation of global cultural and natural heritage sites considered to be of outstanding value to humanity. Their list is full of culturally significant destinations, some of which are well-known “must sees” and others that would’ve otherwise completely slipped under my radar.
Each year, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee meets to review nominations and determine which properties are inscribed.
To date, the World Heritage List includes 1,273 sites across 173 countries, including 25 locales added at their session in Busan.
I’ve visited over a hundred of that total count, from the historic center of Salzburg to Argentina’s Iguazu Falls and The Great Wall in China. That said, I’m very excited about the newest class.
While any are worth traveling for, newly inscribed sites are particularly compelling to visit before greater recognition brings more attention (i.e., crowds) their way.
From an 8th century monastery to an expansive wildlife refuge, these five destinations are topping my list.
In this article
Beaches of the D-Day Landings in Normandy, France
A UNESCO “serial property” is any World Heritage property that consists of two or more areas which are physically unconnected but related. The beaches of the D-Day landings are one of them.
This historically rich landscape stretches across the Normandy coastline in France and includes Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword Beaches, as well as Pointe du Hoc.
All six were sites of Allied landings or assaults that happened on June 6, 1944, which marked the opening phase of Operation Overlord and the beginning of the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi occupation during the Second World War.
Now, the coastline is known for its vast views and enduring history, where visitors can see remains of the German Atlantic Wall, battlefield traces, original wartime equipment, and commemorative landscapes.
Getting to the Beaches of the D-Day Landings:
Take a 2.5-hour train from Paris to either Bayeux or Caen. From there, you’ll need to take a regional bus, sign up for a guided tour, or rent a car. I personally think an organized tour is your best bet here since it’ll ensure you see and learn about all the biggest draws across the six beaches.
Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan in Thailand
This new UNESCO site is one of the oldest on the list, dating all the way back to the 8th century.
Located in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province in Peninsular Thailand between the Pacific and Indian oceans, Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan remains an active Buddhist monastery, and has served as a major regional Buddhist center since its founding.
It was recognized by UNESCO for its longstanding artistic and architectural traditions, which reflect centuries of cultural exchange across South and Southeast Asia.
Religious and architectural influences from Brahmanism, Hinduism, Mahayana Buddhism, and Theravada Buddhism (made through connections with northeastern India, central Java, Sri Lanka, and the Mon region of southern Myanmar) have been integrated into its religious buildings, rituals, and cultural traditions.
Getting to Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan:
It’s reachable by tuk-tuk or car from Nakhon Si Thammarat city center. The area isn’t a big tourist draw itself, but this culturally significant monastery is a great detour if you’re already exploring southern Thailand. Entry is free and you can explore the temple complex and its distinctive Great Reliquary. Just keep in mind that respectful dress is expected.
Gdynia Modernist City Centre in Poland
I’m excited to see this one added to the UNESCO sites. I actually had a trip planned here during the summer of 2020, but we all know how that went. (Now I have even more reason to re-plan!)
For those unfamiliar, Gdynia is situated along the Baltic Sea. Unlike other European cities that evolved over centuries, Gdynia developed rapidly as a Polish port city between the first and second World Wars, shaped by interwar modernist architecture.
UNESCO recognized Gdynia for the large-scale application of modernist ideas across its compact city center, where carefully planned blocks, geometric buildings, and residential architecture on Kamienna Góra hill reflect a decisive break from the historic styles that came before.
Getting to Gdynia:
Start by heading to Gdańsk (another big draw), which is a 2.5-hour high-speed train ride from Warsaw. Once there, Gdynia is part of Poland's Tricity (Trójmiasto) along with Gdańsk and Sopot. This trio is connected via the country’s SKM commuter railway, and Gdynia is roughly a 30-minute train ride from Gdańsk with frequent services offered.
Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in the United States
Out of the 1,273 UNESCO destinations, just 27 are located in the United States.
The newest addition is Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, a nature site that spans southeastern Georgia and northeastern Florida.
It protects the Okefenokee Swamp, the world’s largest lowland freshwater peatland in the subtropics, along with a diverse collection of wetlands, savannas, and forests.
The refuge supports high biodiversity with 856 plant species, 48 mammal species, 238 bird species, 39 fish species, and 90 reptile and amphibian species. It also provides an important habitat for migratory birds, threatened species, and a large population of American alligators.
Getting to Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge:
The easiest way to get there is by heading to the main entrance near Folkston, Georgia. Here, you can sign up for a guided boat tour, paddle, hike, or follow the 7.2-mile Swamp Island Drive. The refuge is open daily 30 minutes before sunrise to 7:30 p.m. March through October, and 30 minutes before sunrise to 5:30 p.m. from November through February.
Aalto Works in Finland
Alvar Aalto was a famous Finnish architect and designer, and the aptly named Aalto Works, which consists of 13 modern buildings and ensembles in Finland, are all associated with him and his collaborators.
Together, they represent the creativity of Aalto himself, along with Aino Marsio‑Aalto, Elissa Aalto, the Aalto studio, and their design partners.
Built from 1928 through 1988, the 13 structures reflect the 20th‑century Modern Movement and include civic, community, and residential structures with a human‑centered, site‑specific, and empathetic vision.
They’re another serial inscription on UNESCO’s list, and Paimio Sanatorium, one of the sites, has offered guests the chance to stay overnight in the past. Currently, however, accommodation is only available for larger groups, in the Mäntylä Nurses’ House and the sanatorium’s former patient rooms in the main building.
Getting to Aalto Works:
Five of the 13 components are located right in Helsinki. The Aalto House, Studio Aalto (Aalto Atelier), Finlandia Hall, and the House of Culture are all open to the public with tours available.
The Shortcut
The UNESCO World Heritage Committee meets annually to inscribe new sites, and 25 were recently added across the entire world.
The U.S. picked up one site this round, located in southern Georgia and northern Florida. It’s a natural inscription and the easiest new one on the list for American travelers to reach.
Other sites require an ocean crossing for U.S. travelers, but once you’re in the destination some are surprisingly easy to visit, including destinations in Poland, France, and Finland.
Next Up: The Amalfi Coast Gets All the Attention That Puglia Deserves (and Puglia is home to several UNESCO sites).
