12 Photos of UNESCO’s Most Spectacular Sites
Written by Kelsey KnoedlerUNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) was created in 1945 to build solidarity between the nations of the world. Since 1972, UNESCO has been building a list of World Heritage Sites to encourage the identification, protection, and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the world.
To be a World Heritage Site, the place must be of “outstanding universal value” and “special cultural or physical significance.” It’s hard to imagine narrowing all the beauty of the world down to a single, inclusive list—and even harder to narrow it down to our top 12 most beautiful destinations. We’ve sifted through UNESCO’s picks across the globe, landing on 12 photos of the most beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Sites to feed your wanderlust.
Alhambra | Granada, Andalucía, Spain
For anyone visiting Andalucía, we recommend spending time in Granada’s narrow, winding, medieval streets and visiting the UNESCO-listed Alhambra Palace. The Alhambra, a fortress and palace that was constructed in the 13th century, is a stunning example of Moorish architecture. The Generalife gardens (Moorish Summer palace) can be found in the same complex.
Book a spot on our Andalucía Bike Tour and visit the Alhambra before or after your tour!
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Cinque Terre | Liguria, Italy
Travel to the stunning Italian Riviera to experience the unmatched beauty of the Cinque Terre. Cinque Terre, or “five lands,” is a collection of five multi-colored villages built into the rugged Ligurian coast, including Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. We recommend staying in nearby La Spezia and taking the train that runs between the villages during your visit.
You can also hike the Cinque Terre or cycle these lovely villages as part of DuVine’s Cinque Terre Bike Tour.
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Dubrovnik | Dalmatian Coast, Croatia
Explore the stone-gated medieval city of Dubrovnik, nicknamed “The Pearl of the Adriatic.” Meander through the narrow streets of the 16th-century Old Town, exploring the Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture, and take in views of the sparkling Adriatic.
Join DuVine on a Croatia Bike Tour to explore this stunning city.
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Saint-Émilion | Aquitaine, France
Visit Saint-Émilion for an incredible dive into the depths of this world-renowned wine region. Guests who visit Saint-Émilion to climb its cobblestone steps marvel at the town’s many churches, monasteries, and other buildings, built from the 11th century onwards. Visit our friend Benoit at Ets Martin wine sellers for a private tasting of some of the region’s best wines.
Experience the romantic charm of a nighttime walk through Saint-Émilion on our Bordeaux Bike Tour.
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Mont Saint-Michel | Normandy, France
The island of Mont Saint-Michel is what fairytales are made of. Visit this island commune in Normandy, France, accessible by foot at low tide or by boat or bridge when water levels are higher. The ancient island is home to the Gothic-style Benedictine Mont Saint-Michel Abbey and surrounding village with a population of just 44 inhabitants.
Take a trip to Mont Saint-Michel before or after your Normandy Bike Tour.
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Prague | Czech Republic
Prague is the capital city of the Czech Republic and is perched on the Vltava River. It was founded during the Romanesque era (between the 11th and 18th centuries) and was once the capital of the Holy Roman Empire. Before your cycling tour, visit historical sites like Prague Castle, take a photo at the Charles Bridge, and wander around the Old Town Square with its medieval astronomical clock and Gothic architecture.
Cycle from Prague to Vienna on DuVine’s Czech Republic Bike Tour to experience this incredible UNESCO city.
Val di Noto | Sicily, Italy
Visit the Val di Noto in Sicily to explore the valley’s various late Baroque towns, all of which are part of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. The eight towns include: Caltagirone, Militello Val di Catania, Catania, Modica, Noto, Palazzolo, Ragusa, and Scicli. These towns were all rebuilt after the earthquake of 1693 and exist today as stunning examples of Sicilian Baroque-style architecture.
Explore these cities with us on our Sicily Bike Tour.
![](https://cdn.duvine.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/17095410/Slides_7-Noto-cathedral_FOR-WEB.jpg)
Strasbourg | Alsace, France
The city of Strasbourg is the capital of the Alsace region and is located just two miles from France’s border with Germany. Its historic city center, known as the Grande Île (Grand Island), became the first city to be selected as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1988. Visit this charming storybook city to see the blend of Franco-German culture and architecture and see the Grande Île’s 15th-century Gothic cathedral.
Alberobello | Puglia, Italy
Visit the small town of Alberobello in the Puglia region of Southern Italy to marvel at the village’s unique and iconic trulli buildlings, known for their conical roofs and whitewashed stone. The trulli were built in the 19th century as storehouses, temporary dwellings, and permanent homes using limestone boulders from neighboring fields.
Take in the unique beauty of the trulli of Alberobello on our Puglia Bike Tour.
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Wachau Valley | Austria
The picturesque landscape formed by the Danube River between the cities of Melk and Krems in Lower Austria is known as the Wachau Valley. The region is well known for its wine-growing tradition. Visit the small wine town of Dürnstein and the region’s ancient monasteries, castles, and ruins like Melk Abbey, Göttweig Abbey, and Dürnstein Castle.
Cycle through the Wachau Valley on DuVine’s Czech Republic + Austria Bike Tour.
![](https://cdn.duvine.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/17095401/Slides_Wachau_FOR-WEB.jpg)
Edinburgh | Scotland
Edinburgh has been the capital of Scotland since the 15th century. Visit this bustling city to explore Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace, and the city’s historic churches, or wander around the medieval Old Town and Georgian New Town of Edinburgh’s city center.
Another option: join DuVine for a Scotland Bike Tour and spend time in Edinburgh before or after your cycling vacation.
Val d'Orcia | Tuscany, Italy
Deep in the hills of Tuscany, between the villages of Siena and Monte Amiata, lie the medieval villages and picturesque landscapes of the Val d’Orcia. Between its gently rolling hills and stunning hilltowns like Pienza and Montalcino, the region was made famous for its depictions in Renaissance paintings. The Val d’Orcia is also known for the Sangiovese and Trebbiano grapes that make up the world-renowned Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano wines of the region.
This landscape is what many people dream of when they think of cycling in Europe. Make that dream a reality on one of DuVine’s Tuscany Bike Tours.
![](https://cdn.duvine.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/17095402/Slides_Tuscany_FOR-WEB.jpg)