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?

Why travellers are increasingly dreaming of a white Christmas – and the best places to experience one for yourself.

If the Euro summer has long been Australians’ defining holiday, the white Christmas may well be emerging as its frosty successor.

Booking data from APT Travel Group has revealed that Australians are planning long-haul travel further in advance and increasingly swapping summer at home for a white Christmas abroad.

Why more travellers are booking a white Christmas

tallinn winter — Find festive spirit in abundance in Tallinn, Estonia. (Credit: Unsplash/Dmitry Sumin)

Part of the shift is practical. With the Australian Government recently downgrading its travel warning for parts of the Middle East, travellers’ confidence in long-haul travel is returning as key transit hubs for Australians travelling to Europe reopen.

But accessibility alone isn’t the reason we’re seeing an incline in festive winter holiday bookings.

This year, Australia has experienced a particularly patchy start to the snow season, reminding travellers of how unpredictable winter has become and leading them to look overseas for their next wintry escape. At the same time, rising global temperatures are making reliable snowfall less certain across many parts of the world. Ironically, the rarer a classic white Christmas becomes, the more alluring it feels.

finland snow — Travellers are increasingly looking overseas for guaranteed snowy escapes. (Credit: Unsplash/Joni Kuusisto)

Behavioural psychologists have long observed what they call the ‘scarcity effect’: we tend to assign greater value and desirability to experiences that feel limited or increasingly out of reach. A white Christmas – once an annual tradition for many – has evolved into a bucket-list experience.

It’s also a novel antidote to the Australian festive season. Rather than scorching pavements and beachside barbecues, travellers want to experience the Christmas they’ve spent their whole lives watching in films: snow-dusted pines, chestnuts roasting over an open fire and streets glowing beneath tinsel garlands and fairy lights. Nostalgia sells, but even more so when we feel like it might not always be available to experience.

For decades, Australians have sought to escape winter in search of a European summer. Now, the pendulum is swinging the other way. Below are the top places to have yourself a very Merry Christmas in the snow.

The best places to have a white Christmas

Finland

best places for white christmas — Finland is one of the best destinations for a white Christmas. Credit: APT)

When you’re set on experiencing a blanket-white Christmas, your best bet is to go north. Thanks to its chilly temperatures and geographical proximity to the Arctic Circle (nearly one third of the country’s landmass lies within the Arctic region), travellers are guaranteed to see snow during Finland’s winter months. Plus, the possibility of witnessing the northern lights ribboning across the sky makes the experience all the more magical.

Tallinn, Estonia

tallinn old town — The city of Tallinn has a UNESCO-listed medieval town. (Credit: Unsplash/Ilya Orehov)

While places like Finland and Norway are coveted Christmas destinations, they certainly aren’t easy on the wallet. Estonia’s charming medieval capital of Tallinn is one of the best places to have a white Christmas on a budget, boasting Gothic spires, an intimate atmosphere and toasty market stalls selling everything from handicrafts to sugar-coated almonds. While snow over the Christmas period isn’t guaranteed these days, the country is further north and generally colder than Western European countries such as Germany and the Netherlands.

Canada

whistler christmas — Explore the Christmas lights of Whistler. (Credit: APT)

With its festive spirit, friendly locals and picturesque landscapes, Canada is a top contender for the best place for a white Christmas. Victoria in British Columbia has just about every Christmas tradition covered in one town: a main street of snow-frosted stores, a gingerbread competition, a visit to see the reindeer and horse-drawn trolley rides; while Alberta will see you embracing cosy holiday traditions with the spectacular Canadian Rockies as your backdrop.

If you can’t choose just one destination, the Twelve Days of Christmas tour by APT includes Christmas in Banff, sleigh rides at Lake Louise, Vancouver’s Canyon Lights and the Canadian Rockies. “It’s a relaxed, accessible way to get a proper white Christmas, snow guaranteed rather than hoped for,” says Sarah Latimore, international GM Product & Operations at APT.

New York, USA

new york winter — Central Park dusted with snow is all but magical. (Credit: Unsplash/Caitlyn Wilson)

Yes, films have been romanticising Christmas in New York for decades, but there’s a reason: the cool shift transforms the grand metropolis into what feels like a cinematic village where families glide over ice skating rinks in Central Park, dazzling displays illuminate the streets and carollers sing outside cosy bars with crackling fireplaces.

Germany

Browse bountiful Christmas markets in Regensburg. (Credit: APT)

Germany does Christmas with all the trimmings, especially the Christmas markets; there are hundreds (if not thousands) to choose between in picture-postcard historical towns across the country. Dresden has one of the oldest markets in the country, while Regensburg offers four fairy-light festooned markets within its UNESCO-listed medieval old town.

London, UK

london snow — Cosy up in London for the winter. (Credit: Unsplash/Zhang Kaiyv)

London is a prime place to celebrate a white Christmas with little people: Hamleys alone is worth getting on a plane for! Not only do many hotels offer holiday packages for families, but the sight of latticed snowflakes drifting from the sky on a rugged-up stroll along the Thames is nothing short of enchanting.

Prague, Czech Republic

prague snow — Escape to the charming city of Prague. (Credit: Unsplash/Lukas Konvica)

Offering Gothic architecture, charming cobbled streets and spiced pastries in spades, Prague is among the best places to spend a white Christmas. Come Advent season, when a dusting of snow may cover its ancient castle, and the smell of roasting ham rises from the market stalls, it becomes utterly unforgettable.

Niseko, Japan

niskeo skiing — Hit the slopes for a Christmas spent skiing in Niseko. (Credit: Unsplash/Kristian Klausen)

You don’t need to fly all the way to Europe to enjoy a wintry Christmas abroad. On Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido, Niseko is a wonderland for travellers wishing to spend the Christmas season carving up the ski slopes. Promising festive events such as fireworks and giant illuminated trees, as well as plenty of the fluffy white stuff, this ski resort town doesn’t disappoint.

Is Europe or Canada better for a white Christmas?

Europe and Canada are the two most popular destinations among Australian travellers booking wintry Christmas escapes. But which is right for you? Sarah Latimore, international GM Product & Operations at APT, says the answer hinges on your travel interests and preferences.

“Europe suits travellers who want depth, variety and a bit of indulgence, moving through centuries-old Christmas market traditions city by city,” Latimore says.

“Canada is for travellers chasing that classic, snow globe white Christmas. Think twinkling lights and decorations through Whistler and Banff, evenings by an open fire in a Fairmont hotel, and the kind of moments that define the season: dog sledding, sleigh rides, snow underfoot rather than sand.

“Neither is the ‘right’ choice universally; it comes down to matching the traveller. Someone chasing romance and heritage will lean Europe. Someone chasing a classic, white Christmas will lean Canada.”