UNESCO Just Added New Destinations to Its World Heritage Sites—See the Full List

There are more global wonders to explore.

From Denmark to Mozambique, UNESCO recently inscribed several new global heritage sites and extended the status for two more current sites. The group detailed the news in a series of Facebook posts.

The latest additions to the popular tourist list including unique sites that may be unfamiliar to even the most frequent of travelers, like Møns Klint in Denmark, which features white chalk cliffs spilling into the Baltic Sea dating back 70 million years. Travelers can explore the site’s natural beauty from both land and sea, enjoying the clear water or combing the beach for ancient fossils. 

“Hike along the cliffs, spot peregrine falcons, or simply take in the spectacular views,” VisitDenmark’s tourism website wrote about the newly-recognized World Heritage site. “It’s the kind of place that Danes move to and never leave.”

Another new update to the World Heritage list was the Peruaçu River Canyon in Minas Gerais, Brazil, a stunning canyon with natural flora as well as impressive rock formations. The canyon is also popular among hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, and was recognized as one of the best trails in the region by AllTrails. 

UNESCO also designated the Minoan Palatial Centres in Crete as a World Heritage site. The famed ruins date as far back as 1900 BC, according to the group.

In the Caribbean, Jamaica’s Port Royal town—a historical district dating back to the 17th century—was also added to the list. The port was home to many famous pirates back in the day, and faced a series of extreme weather and other natural disasters.

“Much of the old city, described in the 17th century as the ‘wickedest city in the west’, lies underwater beside the town,” Jamaica’s tourism website shared. 

Sierra Leone received its first World Heritage site recognition thanks to the forests of the Gola-Tiwai Complex, which are home to “more than 1,000 plant species (113 endemic), 55 mammals (19 globally threatened), and key species like the African Forest Elephant and Pygmy Hippopotamus,” according to UNESCO.

The final additions included the coastal region of Guinea-Bissau—also in West Africa—and Mount Kumgang in North Korea.

UNESCO’s goal is to promote “quality education and lifelong learning for all to build a better future.” The group regularly updates and maintains its World Heritage list. 

Beyond the new additions, popular locations on the list include the Taj Mahal, Yosemite National Park, and the Pyramid Fields in Egypt. In total, there are 1,248 designated World Heritage sites.