Arab States
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Yemen
World Heritage Yemen · UNESCO sites in Yemen map · historical landmarks in Yemen
Yemen has 6 sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List — 4 cultural and 2 natural inscriptions, inscribed between 1982 and 2023. This map of UNESCO sites in Yemen 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.
Old Walled City of Shibam was the country's first inscription, added in 1982; Landmarks of the Ancient Kingdom of Saba, Marib is the most recent, listed in 2023; recurring threads across the list include ancient civilizations and volcanoes nature.
Start with Historic Town of Zabid, Landmarks of the Ancient Kingdom of Saba, Marib and Old City of Sana'a, then use the map above to plan a route between the rest.
- Sites
- 6
- Cultural
- 4
- Natural
- 2
- First inscribed
- 1982
Sites on the map
Flying in
Airports closest to the most sites in this country.
- SAHSanaa2 sites
- SCTMori2 sites
- TAITaiz1 site
- GXFSeiyun1 site
Keep exploring
All 6 sites in Yemen
List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Yemen
Every inscription with its year and category. Open a site for its story, map location and nearest airports.
| Site | Year | Type | What it is |
|---|---|---|---|
| Historic Town of ZabidZabid's domestic and military architecture and its urban plan make it an outstanding archaeological and histor. | 1993 | Cultural | Zabid's domestic and military architecture and its urban plan make it an outstanding archaeological and histor. |
| Landmarks of the Ancient Kingdom of Saba, MaribThe Landmarks of the Ancient Kingdom of Saba, Marib, is a serial property comprising seven archaeological sites that… | 2023 | Cultural | The Landmarks of the Ancient Kingdom of Saba, Marib, is a serial property comprising seven archaeological sites that bear witness to the rich Kingdom… |
| Old City of Sana'aSituated in a mountain valley at an altitude of 2,200 m, Sana’a has been inhabited for more than 2,500 years. | 1986 | Cultural | Situated in a mountain valley at an altitude of 2,200 m, Sana’a has been inhabited for more than 2,500 years. |
| Old Walled City of ShibamSurrounded by a fortified wall, the 16th-century city of Shibam is one of the oldest and best examples of urban planning. | 1982 | Cultural | Surrounded by a fortified wall, the 16th-century city of Shibam is one of the oldest and best examples of urban planning. |
| SocotraAn island of dragon's blood trees. | 2008 | Natural | An island of dragon's blood trees. |
| Socotra ArchipelagoSocotra Archipelago, in the northwest Indian Ocean near the Gulf of Aden, is 250 km long and comprises four islands and… | 2008 | Natural | Socotra Archipelago, in the northwest Indian Ocean near the Gulf of Aden, is 250 km long and comprises four islands and two rocky islets which appear… |
Frequently asked questions about World Heritage in Yemen
- How many UNESCO World Heritage Sites are there in Yemen?
- Yemen has 6 UNESCO World Heritage Sites: 4 cultural and 2 natural.
- What was the first World Heritage Site in Yemen?
- Old Walled City of Shibam was inscribed in 1982. Surrounded by a fortified wall, the 16th-century city of Shibam is one of the oldest and best examples of urban planning.
- What is the newest World Heritage Site in Yemen?
- Landmarks of the Ancient Kingdom of Saba, Marib, inscribed in 2023. The Landmarks of the Ancient Kingdom of Saba, Marib, is a serial property comprising seven archaeological sites that bear witness to the rich Kingdom of Saba…
- Which sites in Yemen are natural World Heritage Sites?
- 2 of the 6 listings are natural: Socotra and Socotra Archipelago.
- Which UNESCO sites in Yemen 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 Yemen.
- What are the main historical sites and landmarks in Yemen?
- The 6 UNESCO-listed sites above are Yemen's internationally recognised historical sites and landmarks, starting with Old Walled City of Shibam (1982). Each entry links to a full page with a map, photos and travel notes.