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UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Italy

Italian World Heritage Sites · UNESCO sites in Italy map · historical landmarks in Italy

Italy has 63 sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List — 57 cultural and 6 natural inscriptions, inscribed between 1979 and 2025. This map of UNESCO sites in Italy 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.

Italian World Heritage Sites range from 18th-Century Royal Palace at Caserta with the Park, the Aqueduct of Vanvitelli, and the San Leucio Complex onwards; Rock Drawings in Valcamonica was the country's first inscription, added in 1979; Funerary Tradition in the Prehistory of Sardinia – The domus de janas is the most recent, listed in 2025; recurring threads across the list include ancient civilizations and wild places.

6 inscriptions are transnational, shared with neighbouring countries: Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe, Historic Centre of Rome, the Properties of the Holy See in that City Enjoying Extraterritorial Rights and San Paolo Fuori le Mura and Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Alps. Start with 18th-Century Royal Palace at Caserta with the Park, the Aqueduct of Vanvitelli, and the San Leucio Complex, Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe and Arab-Norman Palermo and the Cathedral Churches of Cefalú and Monreale, then use the map above to plan a route between the rest.

Sites
63
Cultural
57
Natural
6
First inscribed
1979

Sites on the map

Inscriptions Italy 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.

  • CIARome5 sites
  • NAPNapoli4 sites
  • BLQBologna4 sites
  • FLRFirenze (FI)4 sites
  • CIYComiso3 sites
  • PEGPerugia (PG)3 sites

Prints from Italy

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Plan the trip

Top highlights & itineraries in Italy

Italy holds more World Heritage inscriptions than any other country, and they cluster tightly enough that a week of trains covers several. The classic triangle of Rome, Florence and Venice can be extended south to Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast.

  1. Rome & Colosseum heritage poster01

    Rome & Colosseum

    The Forum, Colosseum and Vatican properties in one inscription — two full days minimum.

  2. Historic Centre of Florence heritage poster02

    Historic Centre of Florence

    A Renaissance city centre small enough to cross on foot, with timed entry essential for the Uffizi and the Duomo.

  3. Venice & Lagoon heritage poster03

    Venice & Lagoon

    The city and its lagoon together; the outer islands are part of the inscription and far quieter.

  4. Archaeological Areas of Pompei, Herculaneum and Torre Annunziata heritage poster04

    Archaeological Areas of Pompei, Herculaneum and Torre Annunziata

    Pompeii, Herculaneum and Torre Annunziata sit on the same rail line south of Naples.

The Classic Triangle

8 days Rome, Florence and Venice

Three inscriptions, three high-speed trains, no rental car — the most efficient first visit to heritage Italy.

  1. Days 1–3

    Rome & Colosseum

    Forum and Palatine at opening, Vatican Museums on a late entry, Trastevere in the evening.

  2. Days 4–6

    Historic Centre of Florence

    90 minutes by train; book the Uffizi and Accademia in advance and climb the Duomo first thing.

  3. Days 7–8

    Venice & Lagoon

    Arrive late afternoon when day-trippers leave; keep one morning for Torcello and Burano in the lagoon.

UNESCO sites near Rome FCO

Naples, Pompeii & the Amalfi Coast

6 days Naples and Sorrento

Roman cities buried by Vesuvius, a Bourbon palace and a terraced coastline, all within an hour of Naples.

  1. Days 1–2

    Archaeological Areas of Pompei, Herculaneum and Torre Annunziata

    Enter at 09:00 with water and a hat; Herculaneum is smaller, better preserved and ideal for the second afternoon.

  2. Day 3

    18th-Century Royal Palace at Caserta with the Park, the Aqueduct of Vanvitelli, and the San Leucio Complex

    A 40-minute train from Naples; the park and aqueduct need as much time as the palace.

  3. Days 4–6

    Costiera Amalfitana

    Use the ferries rather than the coast road in summer, and stay in Amalfi or Atrani to avoid the Positano crush.

Ligurian Coast & Sicilian Temples

9 days Cinque Terre and Agrigento

Two ends of the country, linked by one flight: terraced fishing villages in the north, Greek temples in the south.

  1. Days 1–3

    Portovenere, Cinque Terre, and the Islands (Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto)

    Walk the coastal path between villages early, and buy the train-and-trail card at the first station.

  2. Days 4–6

    Archaeological Area of Agrigento

    The Valley of the Temples is best at opening or in the last hour, when the sandstone turns gold.

  3. Days 7–9

    Arab-Norman Palermo and the Cathedral Churches of Cefalú and Monreale

    Palermo, Monreale and Cefalù form one inscription; the mosaics reward an unhurried day each.

All 63 sites in Italy

List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Italy

Every inscription with its year and category. Open a site for its story, map location and nearest airports.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Italy with inscription year and category
SiteYearType
18th-Century Royal Palace at Caserta with the Park, the Aqueduct of Vanvitelli, and the San Leucio ComplexThe monumental complex at Caserta, created by the Bourbon king Charles III in the mid-18th century to rival Versailles…1997Cultural
Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of EuropeThis transnational property includes 93 component parts in 18 countries.2007Natural
Arab-Norman Palermo and the Cathedral Churches of Cefalú and MonrealeLocated on the northern coast of Sicily, Arab-Norman Palermo includes a series of nine civil and religious structures…2015Cultural
Archaeological Area and the Patriarchal Basilica of AquileiaAquileia (in Friuli-Venezia Giulia), one of the largest and wealthiest cities of the Early Roman Empire, was destroyed…1998Cultural
Archaeological Area of AgrigentoFounded as a Greek colony in the 6th century B.C., Agrigento became one of the leading cities in the Mediterranean…1997Cultural
Archaeological Areas of Pompei, Herculaneum and Torre AnnunziataWhen Vesuvius erupted on 24 August AD 79, it engulfed the two flourishing Roman towns of Pompei and Herculaneum, as well.1997Cultural
Assisi, the Basilica of San Francesco and Other Franciscan SitesAssisi, the Basilica of San Francesco and Other Franciscan Sites — UNESCO World Heritage Site.2000Cultural
Botanical Garden (Orto Botanico), PaduaBotanical Garden (Orto Botanico), Padua — UNESCO World Heritage Site.1997Cultural
Castel del MonteCastel del Monte — UNESCO World Heritage Site.1996Cultural
Cathedral, Torre Civica and Piazza Grande, ModenaCathedral, Torre Civica and Piazza Grande, Modena — UNESCO World Heritage Site.1997Cultural
Church and Dominican Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie with “The Last Supper” by Leonardo da VinciThe refectory of the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie forms an integral part of this architectural complex, begun in…1980Cultural
Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park with the Archeological Sites of Paestum and Velia, and the Certosa di PadulaThe Cilento is an outstanding cultural landscape.1998Cultural
City of VeronaThe historic city of Verona was founded in the 1st century B.2000Cultural
City of Vicenza and the Palladian Villas of the VenetoCity of Vicenza and the Palladian Villas of the Veneto — UNESCO World Heritage Site.1994Cultural
Costiera AmalfitanaThe Amalfi coast is an area of great physical beauty and natural diversity.1997Cultural
Crespi d'AddaCrespi d'Adda — UNESCO World Heritage Site.1995Cultural
Early Christian Monuments of RavennaEarly Christian Monuments of Ravenna — UNESCO World Heritage Site.1996Cultural
Etruscan Necropolises of Cerveteri and TarquiniaEtruscan Necropolises of Cerveteri and Tarquinia — UNESCO World Heritage Site.2004Cultural
Evaporitic Karst and Caves of Northern ApenninesEvaporitic Karst and Caves of Northern Apennines — UNESCO World Heritage Site.2023Natural
Ferrara, City of the Renaissance, and its Po DeltaFerrara, City of the Renaissance, and its Po Delta — UNESCO World Heritage Site.1995Cultural
Funerary Tradition in the Prehistory of Sardinia – The domus de janasFunerary Tradition in the Prehistory of Sardinia – <em>The domus de janas</em> — UNESCO World Heritage Site.2025Cultural
Genoa: Le Strade Nuove and the system of the Palazzi dei RolliGenoa: <i>Le Strade Nuove</i> and the system of the<i> Palazzi dei Rolli</i> — UNESCO World Heritage Site.2006Cultural
Historic Centre of FlorenceBuilt on the site of an Etruscan settlement, Florence, the symbol of the Renaissance, rose to economic and cultural pre-.1982Cultural
Historic Centre of NaplesHistoric Centre of Naples — UNESCO World Heritage Site.1995Cultural
Historic Centre of Rome, the Properties of the Holy See in that City Enjoying Extraterritorial Rights and San Paolo Fuori le MuraFounded, according to legend, by Romulus and Remus in 753 BC, Rome was first the centre of the Roman Republic, then of…1980Cultural
Historic Centre of San GimignanoHistoric Centre of San Gimignano — UNESCO World Heritage Site.1990Cultural
Historic Centre of SienaSiena is the embodiment of a medieval city.1995Cultural
Historic Centre of the City of PienzaHistoric Centre of the City of Pienza — UNESCO World Heritage Site.1996Cultural
Historic Centre of UrbinoHistoric Centre of Urbino — UNESCO World Heritage Site.1998Cultural
Isole Eolie (Aeolian Islands)Isole Eolie (Aeolian Islands) — UNESCO World Heritage Site.2000Natural
Ivrea, industrial city of the 20th centuryIvrea, industrial city of the 20th century — UNESCO World Heritage Site.2018Cultural
Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto (South-Eastern Sicily)Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto (South-Eastern Sicily) — UNESCO World Heritage Site.2002Cultural
Le Colline del Prosecco di Conegliano e ValdobbiadeneLe Colline del Prosecco di Conegliano e Valdobbiadene — UNESCO World Heritage Site.2019Cultural
Longobards in Italy. Places of the Power (568-774 A.D.)Longobards in Italy. Places of the Power (568-774 A.D.) — UNESCO World Heritage Site.2011Cultural
Mantua and SabbionetaMantua and Sabbioneta — UNESCO World Heritage Site.2008Cultural
Medici Villas and Gardens in TuscanyMedici Villas and Gardens in Tuscany — UNESCO World Heritage Site.2013Cultural
Monte San GiorgioThe pyramid-shaped, wooded mountain of Monte San Giorgio beside Lake Lugano is regarded as the best fossil rec.2003Natural
Mount EtnaMount Etna — UNESCO World Heritage Site.2013Natural
Padua’s fourteenth-century fresco cyclesPadua’s fourteenth-century fresco cycles — UNESCO World Heritage Site.2021Cultural
Piazza del Duomo, PisaStanding in a large green expanse, Piazza del Duomo houses a group of monuments known the world over.1987Cultural
Portovenere, Cinque Terre, and the Islands (Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto)The Ligurian coast between Cinque Terre and Portovenere is a cultural landscape of great scenic and cultural value.1997Cultural
Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the AlpsThis serial property of 111 small individual sites encompasses the remains of prehistoric pile-dwelling (or stilt…2011Cultural
Residences of the Royal House of SavoyResidences of the Royal House of Savoy — UNESCO World Heritage Site.1997Cultural
Rhaetian Railway in the Albula / Bernina LandscapesRhaetian Railway in the Albula / Bernina Landscapes, brings together two historic railway lines that cross the Swiss…2008Cultural
Rock Drawings in ValcamonicaValcamonica, situated in the Lombardy plain, has one of the world's greatest collections of prehistoric petroglyphs –…1979Cultural
Rome & ColosseumEternal city of emperors and popes.1980Cultural
Sacri Monti of Piedmont and Lombardy<I>Sacri Monti</I> of Piedmont and Lombardy — UNESCO World Heritage Site.2003Cultural
Su Nuraxi di BaruminiSu Nuraxi di Barumini — UNESCO World Heritage Site.1997Cultural
Syracuse and the Rocky Necropolis of PantalicaSyracuse and the Rocky Necropolis of Pantalica — UNESCO World Heritage Site.2005Cultural
The DolomitesThe site of the Dolomites comprises a mountain range in the northern Italian Alps, numbering 18 peaks which rise to abov.2009Natural
The Great Spa Towns of EuropeThis transnational serial property comprises eleven spa towns, located in seven European countries: Baden bei Wien…2021Cultural
The Porticoes of BolognaThe Porticoes of Bologna — UNESCO World Heritage Site.2021Cultural
The Sassi and the Park of the Rupestrian Churches of MateraThis is the most outstanding, intact example of a troglodyte settlement in the Mediterranean region, perfectly adapted t.1993Cultural
The Trulli of AlberobelloThe <I>Trulli</I> of Alberobello — UNESCO World Heritage Site.1996Cultural
Val d'OrciaThe landscape of Val d’Orcia is part of the agricultural hinterland of Siena, redrawn and developed when it was integrat.2004Cultural
Venetian Works of Defence between the 16th and 17th Centuries: Stato da Terra – Western Stato da MarThis property consists of 6 components of defence works in Italy, Croatia and Montenegro, spanning more than 1,000 km…2017Cultural
Venice & LagoonA city built on water.1987Cultural
Venice and its LagoonVenice and its Lagoon — UNESCO World Heritage Site.1987Cultural
Via Appia. Regina ViarumVia Appia. <em>Regina Viarum</em> — UNESCO World Heritage Site.2024Cultural
Villa Adriana (Tivoli)Villa Adriana (Tivoli) — UNESCO World Heritage Site.1999Cultural
Villa d'Este, TivoliVilla d'Este, Tivoli — UNESCO World Heritage Site.2001Cultural
Villa Romana del CasaleVilla Romana del Casale — UNESCO World Heritage Site.1997Cultural
Vineyard Landscape of Piedmont: Langhe-Roero and MonferratoVineyard Landscape of Piedmont: Langhe-Roero and Monferrato — UNESCO World Heritage Site.2014Cultural

Frequently asked questions about World Heritage in Italy

How many UNESCO World Heritage Sites are there in Italy?
Italy has 63 UNESCO World Heritage Sites: 57 cultural and 6 natural.
What was the first World Heritage Site in Italy?
Rock Drawings in Valcamonica was inscribed in 1979. Valcamonica, situated in the Lombardy plain, has one of the world's greatest collections of prehistoric petroglyphs – more than 140,000 symb.
What is the newest World Heritage Site in Italy?
Funerary Tradition in the Prehistory of Sardinia – The domus de janas, inscribed in 2025. Funerary Tradition in the Prehistory of Sardinia – <em>The domus de janas</em> — UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Which sites in Italy are natural World Heritage Sites?
6 of the 63 listings are natural: Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe, Evaporitic Karst and Caves of Northern Apennines, Isole Eolie (Aeolian Islands), Monte San Giorgio, Mount Etna and The Dolomites.
Which UNESCO sites in Italy 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 Italy.
What are the main historical sites and landmarks in Italy?
The 63 UNESCO-listed sites above are Italy's internationally recognised historical sites and landmarks, starting with Rock Drawings in Valcamonica (1979). Each entry links to a full page with a map, photos and travel notes.
Is there a map of Italian World Heritage Sites?
Yes — the map on this page plots all 63 Italian UNESCO World Heritage Sites; click any marker to open that site's page.

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