The New UNESCO World Heritage Sites For 2024

From breathtaking deserts to ancient cultural treasures, these newly-minted UNESCO sites will inspire your next great adventure.

The UNESCO World Heritage Committee has revealed its latest list of World Heritage-listed sites for 2024. Spanning continents and centuries, these 24 sites reflect humanity’s greatest achievements and the planet’s most remarkable natural wonders.

1. Beijing Central Axis, China

The Beijing Central Axis is the historical spine of Beijing, stretching from the Yongding Gate to the Bell and Drum Towers. Showcasing the grand city planning of ancient China, connecting palaces, temples and vibrant marketplaces, you’ll see 15 major landmarks along the way.

2. Brâncuși Monumental Ensemble of Târgu Jiu, Romania

sculptures by Constantin Brancusi — These sculptures are a homage to the Romanian heroes of the First World War. (Image: Getty Images/Alexander Gabriel)

A tribute to Romania’s celebrated sculptor Constantin Brâncuși, the Brâncuși Monumental Ensemble of Târgu Jiu features his masterpieces that fuse modernist creativity with local cultural motifs.

3. Cultural Landscape of Kenozero Lake, Russia

Surrounded by serene forests and dotted with historic chapels, Kenozero Lake’s landscape is a window into Russia’s traditional rural life.

4. Frontiers of the Roman Empire, Dacian Limes, Romania

Unveiling remnants of ancient Rome’s expansive borders, these forts and roads capture the might of the empire in Eastern Europe.

5. Hegmataneh, Iran

Once the summer capital of the Medes, Hegmataneh’s ruins reveal layers of Iran’s ancient history through its urban layout and archaeological finds.

6. Nelson Mandela Legacy Sites, South Africa

Soweto Towers in Johannesburg — The Orlando Towers are iconic to Soweto, South Africa’s oldest and largest township. (Image: Getty Images/Thegift777)

From Robben Island to the Qunu homestead, these locations in South Africa honour Nelson Mandela’s journey and the fight for justice and equality.

7. Melka Kunture and Balchit, Ethiopia

An extraordinary archaeological site featuring early human tools and remains, Melka Kunture and Balchit offer insights into humanity’s origins in Africa.

8. Moidams, India

Moidams in India — The property contains the royal necropolis of the Tai-Ahom. (Image: Directorate of Archaeology, Government of Assam)

These sacred burial mounds of the Ahom dynasty in Assam merge historical grandeur with spiritual reverence.

9. Phu Phrabat Historical Park, Thailand

Phru Phra Bat Historical Park — The most impressive rock formation in the park is called Ho Nang Usa. (Image: Getty Images: Mai111)

A stunning blend of natural rock formations and ancient art, Phu Phrabat Historical Park in Thailand highlights millennia of human creativity and belief systems.

10. Royal Court of Tiébélé, Burkina Faso

Royal court of Tiebele in Burkina Fas — The earthen architectural complex was established in the 16th century. (Image: Getty Images/Alexander Bee)

The intricately painted houses of Tiébélé reflect the artistic heritage and communal traditions of the Kassena people.

11. Sado Island Gold Mines, Japan

A pit in a gold mine on Sado Island — A pit in an abandoned gold mine on Sado Island. (Image: Getty Images/Tokio Marine Life)

A fascinating glimpse into Japan’s gold-mining history, the Sado Island Gold Mines showcase Edo-period engineering and the island’s natural beauty.

12. Tell Umm Amer, Palestine

Saint Hilarion Monastery — The ruins of Tell Umm Amer represent one of the earliest monastic sites in the Middle East. (Image: UNESCO Ramallah Office)

An archaeological marvel in the Gaza Strip, the remains of the Monastery of Saint Hilarion reveal the cultural crossroads of Byzantine and early Islamic civilisations.

13. Schwerin Residence Ensemble, Germany

Schwerin Residence in northeast Germany — Schwerin Castle is a 19th-century castle. (Wolfgang Weiser/Unsplash)

A jewel of Northern European architecture, this palace complex blends Baroque and Gothic styles in a lakeside setting in Germany.

14. Niah Caves, Malaysia

Niah Caves entrance in Malaysia — Niah Caves is the oldest recorded human settlement in East Malaysia. (Image: Getty Images/Lillitve)

Home to prehistoric human remains, the Archaeological Heritage of Niah National Park’s Caves Complex in Malaysia chronicles over 40,000 years of human history and biodiversity.

15. Al-Faw, Saudi Arabia

Al-Faw Archaeological Area — Al-Faw showcases human habitation from prehistoric times to the 5th century. (Image: Thomas Creissen)

A desert city of ancient Arabia, the Cultural Landscape of Al-Faw unveils ruins that tell stories of trade, religion and early urban life.

16. Pleistocene Occupation Sites, South Africa

This series of archaeological sites showcases evidence of early human settlement and technological advancements.

17. Gedi, Kenya

Ruins of Gedi, Kenya — The abandoned city of Gedi was one of the most important Swahili cities from the 10th to 17th centuries. (Image: Getty Images/MariusLtu)

Ruins of a Swahili coastal town, the Historic Town and Archaeological Site of Gedi is a hauntingly beautiful testament to the region’s trade and cultural networks.

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18. Umm Al-Jimāl, Jordan

Umm Al-Jimal in Jordan — The property preserves the vestiges of a rural settlement that developed organically on the site. (Image: Dietmar Rauscher)

Known as the “black oasis," this ancient city features basalt architecture and insights into Nabataean and Roman history.

19. Via Appia, Italy

Ancient Roman road called Appian way — This Roman road served as an important access road into the city. (Image: Getty Images/Renata Tyburczy)

One of the Roman Empire’s oldest roads built in 312 BCE, the Via Appia (The Appian Way) connects history and nature through its ancient cobblestones and rural surroundings.

20. Badain Jaran Desert, China

With towering sand dunes and hidden lakes, this mesmerising desert is one of China’s most unique natural landscapes.

21. Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, Brazil

Lencois Park in Brazil — The park is home to four endangered species. (Image: Getty Images/Andre Luis Michelon)

Famed for its otherworldly sand dunes and crystalline lagoons, Lençóis Maranhenses National Park in Brazil is a must-visit natural wonder.

22. The Flow Country, Scotland, UK

The Flow Country in Scotland — UK’s newest World Heritage site is known for its actively accumulating blanket bog landscape. (Image: Getty Images/Chunyip Wong)

Europe’s largest expanse of blanket bog, this Scottish site is a vital habitat for wildlife and a critical carbon sink.

23. Vjetrenica Cave, Bosnia and Herzegovina

With 7.6 kilometres of passages, the intricate Vjetrenica Cave system houses rare species and awe-inspiring stalactites, a hidden gem for nature lovers.

24. The Marquesas Islands, France

The Marquesas in France — The Marquesas are a beautiful, remote stretch of islands in French Polynesia. (Image: Getty Images/Florian Ruess)

A cultural and natural marvel in French Polynesia, Te Henua Enata (The Marquesas Islands) celebrates Polynesian heritage amid striking volcanic landscapes.

Which new UNESCO World Heritage site will you explore first?

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.

These are the 24 new UNESCO World Heritage sites for 2024