The Total Number of UNESCO Sites in Italy (And the Best Ones to Visit)

How Many UNESCO World Heritage Sites Does Italy Have?

Despite its small size, Italy is known to have the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world. For a while, Italy and China were tied at 55. While China managed to get two more added to the list, China ended up still in second place. As of 2024, Italy is on top with 59.

Out of those 59 locations, only six out of the total number are natural. The others are all cultural. It’s not likely that Italy will stay at 59 either. Many more sites could potentially turn into UNESCO Sites down the line.

The Best UNESCO World Heritage Sites You Must Visit in Italy

There are so many UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Italy that it’s hard to determine which ones are the best to visit. This list provides you with some of the ones you definitely don’t want to miss while you’re visiting the country.

1. Pompeii

Most people have heard about Pompeii and the tragic tale that comes with it. However, you may not be aware that Pompeii is only thirty minutes from Naples. The ruined city also helped to explain more about Ancient Rome than historians knew leading up to that point.

2. Santa Maria delle Grazie

Located in Milan, the Santa Maria delle Grazie is a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to not only its beautiful architecture but also artwork from Leonardo da Vinci. This church is home to one of his more famous pieces.

3. Verona

If you’ve read Romeo and Juliet, you’ve likely heard about Verona. What you might not know is that it’s a real city that stands even to this day. Verona dates back to the 1st century BCE.

4. Dolomite Mountains

18 different peaks make up the Dolomite Mountains. Glaciers from ice ages long past helped to create the beautiful shapes and formations of the mountain.

5. Mount Etna

This mountain is full of flora and fauna endemic to the area. It’s the mountain that heavily influenced Sicily’s landscape.

6. The Colline del Prosecco di Conegliano e Valdobbiadene

This is a bit of a mouthful but it is definitely worth visiting. This is the home of vineyards used to make Prosecco. It’s also a breathtaking location thanks to its scenery.

7. Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre looks like a place you’d find in a storybook or a postcard. Five villages make up the site, Corniglia, Vernazza, Manarola, Monterosso al Mare, and Riomaggiore.

8. Herculaneum

This site often gets wrapped up with Pompeii, but it deserves its own mention. It was once a coastal town also affected by Mount Vesuvius, though it’s not mentioned nearly as much.

9. Alberobello

Alberobello is a place where traditions still live on. The buildings are all Trulli, and do an excellent job of keeping homes in ideal temperatures. It’s a pretty amazing place to check out.

10. Valley of the Temples

Not to be confused with the Valley of the Temples in Hawaii, these temples in Italy have a rich history. They are some of the most significant sites that demonstrate Ancient Greece’s passion for art and culture.

Summary of the Best UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Italy to Visit

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