Stand at a World Heritage Site

Standing at a World Heritage Site means visiting a place UNESCO has listed for its "outstanding universal value" under the 1972 World Heritage Convention: temples and old towns, reefs and rainforests, places judged to matter to everyone, not just the country they're in. The list spans most of the world's countries, so most travelers are closer to one than they think.

Where to do it

Angkor, Cambodia

The temple city near Siem Reap, with Angkor Wat, the faces of the Bayon and the tree-wrapped ruins of Ta Prohm. Passes come for one, three or seven days, and three is about right. In Cambodia's heat, start before sunrise and rest at midday.

Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto, Japan

Seventeen temples, shrines and a castle across Kyoto, including Kiyomizu-dera and Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion. The most famous fill with tour groups by mid-morning, so go at opening. In Japan, cherry blossom and autumn leaf weeks are the busiest of all.

Old City of Dubrovnik, Croatia

A walled town of white stone on the Adriatic, with a walk around the top of its walls. Cruise ships and summer crowds pack the lanes at midday, and the city now limits ship arrivals. Walk the walls when they open, and stay overnight in Croatia to see it empty in the evening.

Works of Antoni Gaudí, Spain

Seven buildings in and near Barcelona, including the Sagrada Família, Park Güell, Casa Batlló and Casa Milà. Each sells timed tickets, and the Sagrada Família sells out days ahead in Spain's summer. Book online, and go inside: the light through the stained glass is the point.

Historic Centre of Prague, Czech Republic

Castle, cathedral, Charles Bridge and the Old Town Square, all within walking distance. Charles Bridge is crowded from mid-morning; at dawn it's nearly yours. The side streets of Czech Republic's capital are quieter than the main route between the sights.

Hallstatt-Dachstein Salzkammergut, Austria

A lake village squeezed between mountains and water, with a salt mine people have worked for thousands of years. Day-trip buses crowd the village, and locals ask visitors to keep noise down and stay out of private gardens. Stay in a nearby village in Austria and come early.

Rila Monastery, Bulgaria

A painted monastery in a forested valley in the Rila Mountains, an easy day trip from Sofia. The frescoed church and striped arcades are striking in any light. In Bulgaria, as at most religious sites, cover shoulders and knees.

Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

Among the first sites ever listed, in 1978, and a natural site, not a cultural one: islands where wildlife shows little fear of people. Most visitor sites need a licensed guide. It's a splurge in Ecuador, so see our wild animals line for how to plan it.

How to make it happen

• Find the ones near you. UNESCO's website has the full list and a map; many people find a site within a few hours of home.
• Go early or late. The light is softer, the crowds thinner, and many sites are calmer in the last hour before closing.
• Buy from the official ticket office or website, and book timed entry where it exists.
• Respect the rules. No climbing on ruins, no drones without permission, modest dress at religious sites, and stay on paths in natural sites.
• Take the photo inside the site with camera location on, not from a viewpoint across the valley.

For the eight sites the world voted its wonders, see one of the world's wonders.