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UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Ecuador
World Heritage Ecuador · UNESCO sites in Ecuador map · historical landmarks in Ecuador
Ecuador has 5 sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List — 3 cultural and 2 natural inscriptions, inscribed between 1978 and 2014. This map of UNESCO sites in Ecuador 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.
City of Quito was the country's first inscription, added in 1978; Qhapaq Ñan, Andean Road System is the most recent, listed in 2014; recurring threads across the list include volcanoes nature.
One inscription is transnational, shared with neighbouring countries: Qhapaq Ñan, Andean Road System. Start with City of Quito, Galápagos Islands and Historic Centre of Santa Ana de los Ríos de Cuenca, then use the map above to plan a route between the rest.
- Sites
- 5
- Cultural
- 3
- Natural
- 2
- First inscribed
- 1978
Sites on the map
Inscriptions Ecuador shares with other countries are not plotted here — you will find them in the list below.
Flying in
Airports closest to the most sites in this country.
- UIOQuito1 site
- GPSIsla Baltra1 site
- CUECuenca1 site
- AYPAyacucho1 site
- XMSMacas1 site
Keep exploring
All 5 sites in Ecuador
List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Ecuador
Every inscription with its year and category. Open a site for its story, map location and nearest airports.
| Site | Year | Type | What it is |
|---|---|---|---|
| City of QuitoQuito, the capital of Ecuador, was founded in the 16th century on the ruins of an Inca city and stands at an altitude of. | 1978 | Cultural | Quito, the capital of Ecuador, was founded in the 16th century on the ruins of an Inca city and stands at an altitude of. |
| Galápagos IslandsLiving laboratory of evolution. | 1978 | Natural | Living laboratory of evolution. |
| Historic Centre of Santa Ana de los Ríos de CuencaSanta Ana de los Ríos de Cuenca is set in a valley surrounded by the Andean mountains in the south of Ecuador. | 1999 | Cultural | Santa Ana de los Ríos de Cuenca is set in a valley surrounded by the Andean mountains in the south of Ecuador. |
| Qhapaq Ñan, Andean Road SystemThis site is an extensive Inca communication, trade and defence network of roads covering 30,000 km. | 2014 | Cultural | This site is an extensive Inca communication, trade and defence network of roads covering 30,000 km. |
| Sangay National ParkWith its outstanding natural beauty and two active volcanoes, the park illustrates the entire spectrum of ecosystems, ra. | 1983 | Natural | With its outstanding natural beauty and two active volcanoes, the park illustrates the entire spectrum of ecosystems, ra. |
Frequently asked questions about World Heritage in Ecuador
- How many UNESCO World Heritage Sites are there in Ecuador?
- Ecuador has 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites: 3 cultural and 2 natural.
- What was the first World Heritage Site in Ecuador?
- City of Quito was inscribed in 1978. Quito, the capital of Ecuador, was founded in the 16th century on the ruins of an Inca city and stands at an altitude of.
- What is the newest World Heritage Site in Ecuador?
- Qhapaq Ñan, Andean Road System, inscribed in 2014. This site is an extensive Inca communication, trade and defence network of roads covering 30,000 km. Constructed by the Incas over several centuries and partly.
- Which sites in Ecuador are natural World Heritage Sites?
- 2 of the 5 listings are natural: Galápagos Islands and Sangay National Park.
- Which UNESCO sites in Ecuador 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 Ecuador.
- What are the main historical sites and landmarks in Ecuador?
- The 5 UNESCO-listed sites above are Ecuador's internationally recognised historical sites and landmarks, starting with City of Quito (1978). Each entry links to a full page with a map, photos and travel notes.