How many UNESCO World Heritage Sites are there? After the World Heritage Committee met in Busan, South Korea, in July 2026, the answer is 1,273, spread across 173 countries. This guide answers how many UNESCO World Heritage Sites are there in 2026, which countries have the most, the 25 new sites added this year and which sites are in danger. If you are planning a trip, see our pick of the 20 best UNESCO World Heritage Sites to visit.
- 1,273 World Heritage Sites in 173 countries (after July 2026).
- 25 new sites were added in 2026: 19 cultural, 5 natural and 1 mixed.
- Most sites: Italy (62), China (61), France (56), Germany (55), Spain (50).
- 23 countries that signed the World Heritage Convention still have no site.
- Good news: Vienna's historic centre was removed from the In Danger list in 2026.
How many UNESCO World Heritage Sites are there in 2026?
There are 1,273 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2026. The list grows every year at the summer meeting of the World Heritage Committee, which decides which nominations are of “outstanding universal value”. At its 48th session in Busan in July 2026, the committee added 25 new sites, up from 1,248 the year before.
Sites fall into three types: cultural (cities, monuments, archaeological sites), natural (national parks, reefs, mountains) and mixed (both). Most are cultural. Some sites are shared by two or more countries, such as the Wadden Sea or the Struve Geodetic Arc, which is why country totals add up to more than 1,273.
196 countries have signed the World Heritage Convention, and 173 of them now have at least one site.
How many UNESCO World Heritage Sites are there in each country?
| Rank | Country | Sites (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Italy | 62 |
| 2 |  China | 61 |
| 3 |  France | 56 |
| 4 |  Germany | 55 |
| 5 |  Spain | 50 |
| 6 |  India | 45 |
| 7 |  Mexico | 36 |
| 8 |  United Kingdom | 35 |
| 9 |  Russia | 33 |
| 10 |  Iran | 30 |
| 11= |  Japan | 27 |
| 11= |  United States | 27 |
| 13 |  Brazil | 26 |
| 14= |  Canada | 22 |
| 14= |  Türkiye | 22 |
Italy has the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites, just ahead of China. In Central Europe, Czechia has 17, including Prague's historic centre and Kutná Hora. Shared (transboundary) sites are counted for each country involved.
The 25 new UNESCO World Heritage Sites of 2026
| Site | Country | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Aalto Works | Finland | Cultural |
| Alamūt Castle and Related Fortifications | Iran | Cultural |
| Amazonia Theaters | Brazil | Cultural |
| Ancient Buddhist Site of Sarnath | India | Cultural |
| Ancient Capitals of Asuka and Fujiwara | Japan | Cultural |
| Beaches of the D-Day Landings, Normandy, 1944 | France | Cultural |
| Royal Capetian Fortresses of Languedoc | France | Cultural |
| Gdynia Modernist City Centre | Poland | Cultural |
| Jingdezhen Handicraft Porcelain Industry Sites | China | Cultural |
| Mount Amel Castles | Lebanon | Cultural |
| Rock Mosques and Sacred Sites of Mangystau | Kazakhstan | Cultural |
| Sebastia | State of Palestine | Cultural |
| Tashkent Modernist Architecture | Uzbekistan | Cultural |
| Cemetery Complexes of the Xiongnu Nobility | Mongolia | Cultural |
| Medinas of the Historic Sultanates of the Comoros | Comoros | Cultural |
| Roças of São Tomé and Príncipe | São Tomé and Príncipe | Cultural |
| Italian-style Condominio Theatres | Italy | Cultural |
| Village of Sidi Bou Saïd | Tunisia | Cultural |
| Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan | Thailand | Cultural |
| Aqaba Marine Reserve | Jordan | Natural |
| Boma-Badingilo Migratory Landscape | South Sudan | Natural |
| Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge | United States | Natural |
| Bony Fish Fossils of the Western Limfjord | Denmark | Natural |
| Wadi Wurayah | United Arab Emirates | Natural |
| The wider area of Mount Olympus | Greece | Mixed |
Highlights include the D-Day beaches of Normandy, Greece's Mount Olympus and the vast wildlife migrations of Boma-Badingilo in South Sudan. The Comoros and São Tomé and Príncipe gained their first-ever World Heritage Sites.
How many UNESCO World Heritage Sites are there in danger?
Alongside the main list, UNESCO keeps a List of World Heritage in Danger for sites threatened by conflict, development, climate change or neglect. In 2026 six sites were added to it, including three new sites placed on both lists at once because of conflict: Boma-Badingilo (South Sudan), Mount Amel Castles (Lebanon) and Sebastia (Palestine).
There was good news too: the Historic Centre of Vienna was removed from the In Danger list after years of concern about high-rise development. Planning a Christmas trip there? Read Vienna vs Budapest.
Sites can also lose their status. Only three have ever been removed from the World Heritage List: Oman's Arabian Oryx Sanctuary (2007), Germany's Dresden Elbe Valley (2009) and Liverpool's waterfront in the UK (2021).
How to visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Our 20 best UNESCO World Heritage Sites to visit covers icons like Machu Picchu, Petra and the Great Barrier Reef.
Popular sites limit daily visitors and sell timed tickets weeks in advance.
Visit in spring or autumn for smaller crowds and better prices.
Stay on paths, follow photo rules and support local guides.
❓ Frequently asked questions
How many UNESCO World Heritage Sites are there in 2026?
There are 1,273 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 173 countries after the World Heritage Committee added 25 new sites in July 2026.
Which country has the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites?
Italy has the most, with 62 sites in 2026, followed by China with 61 and France with 56.
How many UNESCO World Heritage Sites are there that are new in 2026?
Twenty-five: 19 cultural, 5 natural and 1 mixed site, decided at the 48th session in Busan, South Korea.
How many countries have no UNESCO World Heritage Sites?
23 of the 196 countries that have signed the World Heritage Convention still have no site on the list.
Can a site lose its World Heritage status?
Yes. Three sites have been delisted: Oman's Arabian Oryx Sanctuary, Germany's Dresden Elbe Valley and Liverpool's waterfront.
How many UNESCO World Heritage Sites are there in Czechia?
Czechia has 17 World Heritage Sites, including the historic centres of Prague and Český Krumlov and Kutná Hora.
🏛️ Ready to see them for yourself?
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