Arab States
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Egypt
Egyptian World Heritage Sites · UNESCO sites in Egypt map · historical landmarks in Egypt
Egypt has 8 sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List — 7 cultural and 1 natural inscriptions, inscribed between 1979 and 2005. This map of UNESCO sites in Egypt 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.
Egyptian World Heritage Sites range from Abu Mena onwards; Abu Mena was the country's first inscription, added in 1979; Wadi Al-Hitan (Whale Valley) is the most recent, listed in 2005; recurring threads across the list include ancient civilizations, desert empires and wild places.
Start with Abu Mena, Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis and Historic Cairo, then use the map above to plan a route between the rest.
- Sites
- 8
- Cultural
- 7
- Natural
- 1
- First inscribed
- 1979
Sites on the map
Flying in
Airports closest to the most sites in this country.
- CAICairo2 sites
- SPXAl Jiza2 sites
- HBEAlexandria1 site
- LXRLuxor1 site
- ABSAbu Simbel1 site
- SSHSharm El Sheikh1 site
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All 8 sites in Egypt
List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Egypt
Every inscription with its year and category. Open a site for its story, map location and nearest airports.
| Site | Year | Type | What it is |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abu MenaThe church, baptistry, basilicas, public buildings, streets, monasteries, houses and workshops in this early Christian… | 1979 | Cultural | The church, baptistry, basilicas, public buildings, streets, monasteries, houses and workshops in this early Christian holy city were built. |
| Ancient Thebes with its NecropolisThebes, the city of the god Amon, was the capital of Egypt during the period of the Middle and New Kingdoms. | 1979 | Cultural | Thebes, the city of the god Amon, was the capital of Egypt during the period of the Middle and New Kingdoms. |
| Historic CairoTucked away amid the modern urban area of Cairo lies one of the world's oldest Islamic cities, with its famous mosques,. | 1979 | Cultural | Tucked away amid the modern urban area of Cairo lies one of the world's oldest Islamic cities, with its famous mosques,. |
| Memphis and its Necropolis – the Pyramid Fields from Giza to DahshurThe capital of the Old Kingdom of Egypt has some extraordinary funerary monuments, including rock tombs, ornate… | 1979 | Cultural | The capital of the Old Kingdom of Egypt has some extraordinary funerary monuments, including rock tombs, ornate mastabas, temples and pyrami. |
| Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to PhilaeThis outstanding archaeological area contains such magnificent monuments as the Temples of Ramses II at Abu Simbel and t. | 1979 | Cultural | This outstanding archaeological area contains such magnificent monuments as the Temples of Ramses II at Abu Simbel and t. |
| Pyramids of GizaLast wonder of the ancient world. | 1979 | Cultural | Last wonder of the ancient world. |
| Saint Catherine AreaThe Orthodox Monastery of St Catherine stands at the foot of Mount Horeb where, the Old Testament records, Moses receive. | 2002 | Cultural | The Orthodox Monastery of St Catherine stands at the foot of Mount Horeb where, the Old Testament records, Moses receive. |
| Wadi Al-Hitan (Whale Valley)Wadi Al-Hitan, Whale Valley, in the Western Desert of Egypt, contains invaluable fossil remains of the earlies. | 2005 | Natural | Wadi Al-Hitan, Whale Valley, in the Western Desert of Egypt, contains invaluable fossil remains of the earlies. |
Frequently asked questions about World Heritage in Egypt
- How many UNESCO World Heritage Sites are there in Egypt?
- Egypt has 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites: 7 cultural and 1 natural.
- What was the first World Heritage Site in Egypt?
- Abu Mena was inscribed in 1979. The church, baptistry, basilicas, public buildings, streets, monasteries, houses and workshops in this early Christian holy city were built.
- What is the newest World Heritage Site in Egypt?
- Wadi Al-Hitan (Whale Valley), inscribed in 2005. Wadi Al-Hitan, Whale Valley, in the Western Desert of Egypt, contains invaluable fossil remains of the earlies.
- Which sites in Egypt are natural World Heritage Sites?
- 1 of the 8 listings is natural: Wadi Al-Hitan (Whale Valley).
- Which UNESCO sites in Egypt 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 Egypt.
- What are the main historical sites and landmarks in Egypt?
- The 8 UNESCO-listed sites above are Egypt's internationally recognised historical sites and landmarks, starting with Abu Mena (1979). Each entry links to a full page with a map, photos and travel notes.
- Is there a map of Egyptian World Heritage Sites?
- Yes — the map on this page plots all 8 Egyptian UNESCO World Heritage Sites; click any marker to open that site's page.