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UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Brazil
Brazilian World Heritage Sites · UNESCO sites in Brazil map · historical landmarks in Brazil
Brazil has 23 sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List — 13 cultural, 9 natural and 1 mixed inscriptions, inscribed between 1980 and 2025. This map of UNESCO sites in Brazil covers every listing, with a short description, the inscription year and the nearest airports — the fastest way to see the country's most important historical sites and landmarks in one place.
Brazilian World Heritage Sites range from Atlantic Forest South-East Reserves onwards; Historic Town of Ouro Preto was the country's first inscription, added in 1980; Peruaçu River Canyon is the most recent, listed in 2025; recurring threads across the list include ancient civilizations and wild places.
One inscription is transnational, shared with neighbouring countries: Jesuit Missions of the Guaranis: San Ignacio Mini, Santa Ana, Nuestra Señora de Loreto and Santa Maria Mayor (Argentina), Ruins of Sao Miguel das Missoes (Brazil). Start with Atlantic Forest South-East Reserves, Brasilia and Brazilian Atlantic Islands: Fernando de Noronha and Atol das Rocas Reserves, then use the map above to plan a route between the rest.
- Sites
- 23
- Cultural
- 13
- Natural
- 9
- Mixed
- 1
- First inscribed
- 1980
Sites on the map
Inscriptions Brazil shares with other countries are not plotted here — you will find them in the list below.
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Flying in
Airports closest to the most sites in this country.
- CNFBelo Horizonte3 sites
- SLZSão Luís2 sites
- SDURio de Janeiro2 sites
- CWBCuritiba1 site
- BSBBrasília1 site
- FENFernando de Noronha1 site
Keep exploring
All 23 sites in Brazil
List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Brazil
Every inscription with its year and category. Open a site for its story, map location and nearest airports.
| Site | Year | Type | What it is |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic Forest South-East ReservesThe Atlantic Forest South-East Reserves, in the states of Paraná and São Paulo, contain some of the best and m. | 1999 | Natural | The Atlantic Forest South-East Reserves, in the states of Paraná and São Paulo, contain some of the best and m. |
| BrasiliaBrasilia, a capital created ex nihilo in the centre of the country in 1956, was a landmark in the history of town planni. | 1987 | Cultural | Brasilia, a capital created ex nihilo in the centre of the country in 1956, was a landmark in the history of town planni. |
| Brazilian Atlantic Islands: Fernando de Noronha and Atol das Rocas ReservesPeaks of the Southern Atlantic submarine ridge form the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago and Rocas Atoll off the coast… | 2001 | Natural | Peaks of the Southern Atlantic submarine ridge form the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago and Rocas Atoll off the coast of Brazil. |
| Central Amazon Conservation ComplexThe Central Amazon Conservation Complex makes up the largest protected area in the Amazon Basin and is one of the planet. | 2000 | Natural | The Central Amazon Conservation Complex makes up the largest protected area in the Amazon Basin and is one of the planet. |
| Cerrado Protected Areas: Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas National ParksThe two sites included in the designation contain flora and fauna and key habitats that characterize the Cerrado – one… | 2001 | Natural | The two sites included in the designation contain flora and fauna and key habitats that characterize the Cerrado – one of the world’s oldest and most… |
| Discovery Coast Atlantic Forest ReservesThe Discovery Coast Atlantic Forest Reserves, in the states of Bahia and Espírito Santo, consist of eight separate… | 1999 | Natural | The Discovery Coast Atlantic Forest Reserves, in the states of Bahia and Espírito Santo, consist of eight separate protected areas containing 112,000… |
| Historic Centre of Salvador de BahiaAs the first capital of Brazil, from 1549 to 1763, Salvador de Bahia witnessed the blending of European, African and Ame. | 1985 | Cultural | As the first capital of Brazil, from 1549 to 1763, Salvador de Bahia witnessed the blending of European, African and Ame. |
| Historic Centre of São LuísThe late 17th-century core of this historic town, founded by the French and occupied by the Dutch before coming under… | 1997 | Cultural | The late 17th-century core of this historic town, founded by the French and occupied by the Dutch before coming under Portuguese rule, has preserved… |
| Historic Centre of the Town of OlindaFounded in the 16th century by the Portuguese, the town’s history is linked to the sugar-cane industry. | 1982 | Cultural | Founded in the 16th century by the Portuguese, the town’s history is linked to the sugar-cane industry. Rebuilt after being looted by the Du. |
| Historic Town of Ouro PretoFounded at the end of the 17th century, Ouro Preto (Black Gold) was the focal point of the gold rush and Brazil’s golden. | 1980 | Cultural | Founded at the end of the 17th century, Ouro Preto (Black Gold) was the focal point of the gold rush and Brazil’s golden. |
| Iguaçu National ParkThe park shares with Iguazú National Park in Argentina one of the world’s largest and most impressive waterfalls… | 1986 | Natural | The park shares with Iguazú National Park in Argentina one of the world’s largest and most impressive waterfalls, extending over some 2,700 m. |
| Jesuit Missions of the Guaranis: San Ignacio Mini, Santa Ana, Nuestra Señora de Loreto and Santa Maria Mayor (Argentina), Ruins of Sao Miguel das Missoes (Brazil)The ruins of São Miguel das Missões in Brazil, and those of San Ignacio Miní, Santa Ana, Nuestra Señora de Loreto and… | 1983 | Cultural | The ruins of São Miguel das Missões in Brazil, and those of San Ignacio Miní, Santa Ana, Nuestra Señora de Loreto and Santa María la Mayor in… |
| Lençóis Maranhenses National ParkThe property is located in northeastern Brazil, on the east coast of Maranhão, in a transition zone between three… | 2024 | Natural | The property is located in northeastern Brazil, on the east coast of Maranhão, in a transition zone between three Brazilian biomes: Cerrado, Caatinga… |
| Pampulha Modern EnsembleThe Pampulha Modern Ensemble was the centre of a visionary garden city project created in 1940 at Belo Horizonte, the… | 2016 | Cultural | The Pampulha Modern Ensemble was the centre of a visionary garden city project created in 1940 at Belo Horizonte, the capital of Minas Gerais State. |
| Pantanal Conservation AreaThe Pantanal Conservation Area consists of a cluster of four protected areas with a total area of 187,818 ha. | 2000 | Natural | The Pantanal Conservation Area consists of a cluster of four protected areas with a total area of 187,818 ha. |
| Paraty and Ilha Grande – Culture and BiodiversityThis natural-cultural landscape encompasses the historic centre of Paraty, one of Brazil's best-preserved coastal towns,. | 2019 | Mixed | This natural-cultural landscape encompasses the historic centre of Paraty, one of Brazil's best-preserved coastal towns,. |
| Peruaçu River CanyonLocated in northern Minas Gerais and featuring dramatic karst landscapes, vast caves, and rich biodiversity, the park’s… | 2025 | Natural | Located in northern Minas Gerais and featuring dramatic karst landscapes, vast caves, and rich biodiversity, the park’s horizontal cave systems… |
| Rio de Janeiro: Carioca Landscapes between the Mountain and the SeaThe site consists of an exceptional urban setting encompassing the key natural elements that have shaped and inspired th. | 2012 | Cultural | The site consists of an exceptional urban setting encompassing the key natural elements that have shaped and inspired th. |
| Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do CongonhasThis sanctuary in Minais Gerais, south of Belo Horizonte was built in the second half of the 18th century. | 1985 | Cultural | This sanctuary in Minais Gerais, south of Belo Horizonte was built in the second half of the 18th century. |
| São Francisco Square in the Town of São CristóvãoSão Francisco Square, in the town of São Cristovão, is a quadrilateral open space surrounded by substantial early… | 2010 | Cultural | São Francisco Square, in the town of São Cristovão, is a quadrilateral open space surrounded by substantial early buildings such as São Francisco… |
| Serra da Capivara National ParkMany of the numerous rock shelters in the Serra da Capivara National Park are decorated with cave paintings, s. | 1991 | Cultural | Many of the numerous rock shelters in the Serra da Capivara National Park are decorated with cave paintings, s. |
| Sítio Roberto Burle MarxSituated in the western region of Rio de Janeiro, the property embodies a successful project developed over more than… | 2021 | Cultural | Situated in the western region of Rio de Janeiro, the property embodies a successful project developed over more than 40 years by landscape architect… |
| Valongo Wharf Archaeological SiteValongo Wharf Archaeological Site is located in central Rio de Janeiro and encompasses the entirety of Jornal do… | 2017 | Cultural | Valongo Wharf Archaeological Site is located in central Rio de Janeiro and encompasses the entirety of Jornal do Comércio Square. |
Frequently asked questions about World Heritage in Brazil
- How many UNESCO World Heritage Sites are there in Brazil?
- Brazil has 23 UNESCO World Heritage Sites: 13 cultural, 9 natural and 1 mixed.
- What was the first World Heritage Site in Brazil?
- Historic Town of Ouro Preto was inscribed in 1980. Founded at the end of the 17th century, Ouro Preto (Black Gold) was the focal point of the gold rush and Brazil’s golden.
- What is the newest World Heritage Site in Brazil?
- Peruaçu River Canyon, inscribed in 2025. Located in northern Minas Gerais and featuring dramatic karst landscapes, vast caves, and rich biodiversity, the park’s horizontal cave systems, formed in carbo.
- Which sites in Brazil are natural World Heritage Sites?
- 9 of the 23 listings are natural: Atlantic Forest South-East Reserves, Brazilian Atlantic Islands: Fernando de Noronha and Atol das Rocas Reserves, Central Amazon Conservation Complex, Cerrado Protected Areas: Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas National Parks, Discovery Coast Atlantic Forest Reserves and Iguaçu National Park.
- Which UNESCO sites in Brazil are easiest to reach?
- Each site page lists the closest airports with distance, so you can pick the gateway city first and work outwards. The "Flying in" panel on this page shows the main gateways for Brazil.
- What are the main historical sites and landmarks in Brazil?
- The 23 UNESCO-listed sites above are Brazil's internationally recognised historical sites and landmarks, starting with Historic Town of Ouro Preto (1980). Each entry links to a full page with a map, photos and travel notes.
- Is there a map of Brazilian World Heritage Sites?
- Yes — the map on this page plots all 23 Brazilian UNESCO World Heritage Sites; click any marker to open that site's page.