16 Fascinating UNESCO Sites to Explore on Expedition

Cidade Velha, Cabo Verde

Located on the remote archipelago of Cabo Verde, Cidade Velha, the historic center of Ribeira Grande, was the first city built by the Portuguese in Africa and a key port in the trans-Atlantic slave trade. On a guided tour, you'll pass by the Pillory monument, a testament to Cabo Verde's dark history; learn about some notable figures, like Vasco da Gama and Christopher Columbus, who sailed into this essential port of call; and gain a deeper understanding of Europe’s first colonial outpost in the tropics.

See it on:
Exploring Cabo Verde, the Canary Islands and the Azores >
Roots of the Atlantic: Portugal, Morocco and the Canary Islands >

Rhine Gorge, Germany

Beginning in early 2026, National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions is introducing brand-new river voyages along Europe’s storied waterways. On one of these compelling new adventures aboard the new ship Connect, you’ll sail through the Rhine Gorge, a breathtaking stretch of the Rhine River that’s dotted with dramatic cliffs, regal castles, historic towns and terraced vineyards. Your expedition staff will bring centuries worth of history to life with expert narration while you soak in the scenery on a morning cruise. After two days of exploring the region’s idyllic towns and stunning landmarks, visit the romantic Rheinstein Castle and enjoy an exclusive champagne reception hosted by the castle’s lord.

See it on: Rhine River: Castles, Culture and Culinary Delights >

Historic District of Old Quebec, Canada

The only remaining walled city north of Mexico, Québec’s rich past comes to life amid the ramparts and ancient streets of its historic district. Built on a cliff, this sector of the city has remained the religious and administrative center, with its churches, convents and other monuments like the Dauphine Redoubt, the Citadel and the impressive Château Frontenac. Journey through 400 years of colonial history as you experience its European charm while strolling the lanes below the stately Citadel, keeping an eye out for the iconic realist murals and vibrant foliage that adorns the trees come fall.

See it on: Sailing the St. Lawrence Seaway and Canadian Maritimes >

City of Quito, Ecuador

Among the 12 sites inscribed in 1978 on the original UNESCO World Heritage list, Ecuador’s capital earned the number two slot, directly behind the Galápagos Islands. Founded in 1534 on the foundations of an Inca city set high in the Andes, Quito boasts the largest and best-preserved Spanish colonial city center in the Americas. On squares and checkerboard streets, the city’s monumental monasteries, dazzling churches, and stucco-covered homes preserve examples of skilled craftsmanship and thoughtful urban planning. As you explore many of the city’s religious structures, you’ll also encounter remarkable examples of the Baroque school of Quito which melds Spanish, Italian, Moorish, Flemish and indigenous art into one unique style.

See it on: Guests can explore Quito with hotel and excursion options before or after Galápagos. Or add a post-voyage optional extension to Quito and Otavalo.

Old and New Towns of Edinburgh, Scotland

The capital of Scotland since the 15th-century, Edinburgh is celebrated for its fascinating city center which showcases a juxtaposition of urban planning and architectural styles between its medieval Old Town and classical New Town. Walk the Old Town’s Royal Mile which connects the iconic Edinburgh Castle, a bastion of Scottish history, and the opulent Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence of the monarchy in Scotland. In between, you’ll find parliaments old and new, law houses and an energetic pace of life in the city's restaurants, shops, cafes and more.

See it on:
Coastal Norwegian Voyage: Between Tromsø and Edinburgh >
Norway, Sweden and Denmark: Nordic Flavors and Scenic Landscapes >
Ancient Isles: England, Ireland and Scotland >
North Atlantic Wonders: Iceland, Scotland and the Faroes >
Scotland’s Wild Isles: Shetlands, Orkneys and Inner Hebrides >
Scottish Highlands Pre-Voyage Extension >

Gyeongju, South Korea

The crown jewel of Korea’s cultural heritage is Gyeongju, the ancient capital of the Silla kingdom. Packed with the ruins of temples, pagodas and palaces dating back more than 1,000 years, the historic areas of the city include Bulguksa Temple, a masterpiece of Silla architecture originally built in A.D. 528. There are five areas with outstanding cultural treasures; the Mount Namsan Belt alone has 122 Buddhist temples, 53 stone statues, 64 pagodas, a fortress and a pavilion. At the Gyeongju National Museum, guests can examine jewelry, weapons and other priceless Silla artifacts. Choose to wander among towering royal burial mounds and see one of the world’s oldest surviving astronomical observatories, 7th-century Cheomseongdae.

See it on: Coastal Japan: Imperial Dynasties and Modern Culture >

Coiba Park and Special Zone of Marine Protection, Panama

Off the coast of Panama, this idyllic park and marine ecosystem includes an archipelago and surrounding waters protected for a high incidence of endemism and biodiversity. Guests of National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions spend the day on remote Isla Coiba, accessible only by special permit. Enter one of the last relics of tropical moist forest in Pacific Central America on the lookout for endemic species like the Coiba Island agouti and the mantled howler monkey, as well as for threatened birds like the crested eagle and scarlet macaw. Snorkelers might encounter four varieties of sea turtle in a marine habitat that has recorded 760 fish species, 33 species of sharks and 20 species of cetaceans.

See it on: Costa Rica and the Panama Canal >

Photo: Willy Alfaro

Ephesus, Turkey

Once the home of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Greek city of Ephesus has been a pilgrimage destination for millenia. Situated on the coast of what is now Türkiye, the city now stands as one massive, immersive archaeological site, where visitors can wander through what remains of the Library of Celsus, Roman terraced houses, the Great Theatre and the Temple of Hadrian. After exploring the ancient sites of Ephesus, National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions travelers will take in a mesmerizing performance by local whirling dervishes.

See it on: Crossroads of the Ancient World: Exploring Greece and Turkey >