UNESCO World Heritage Sites are a country’s way of flexing on the world stage. And why not? If you have it, you should flaunt it! World Heritage Sites are the best of the best the world has to offer, having been judged — to quote UNESCO — as containing “cultural and natural heritage considered to be of outstanding value to humanity.” They could be historically significant monuments, ancient ruins, grandiose palaces, tropical rainforests, towering waterfalls, walls, reefs, entire old towns… so pretty much anything, really.

To qualify, a country simply nominates a candidate site, and the all-powerful UNESCO World Heritage Committee decides which are deserving of the prestigious title. This UNESCO stamp of approval affords them legal protection from being despoiled or demolished by greedy developers in the name of industrial “progress.”

UNESCO Who?

UNESCO — also known under the somewhat less catchy title of “United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization” — was first formed in 1945. It all started when 50 countries worked together to relocate 20 statues in Southern Egypt to allow room for the building of a dam. The “International Campaign to Save the Monuments of Nubia” was such a hit that it went viral — or whatever the equivalent of that was back then — leading to the birth of the World Heritage Site system.

Now, there are 1,223 UNESCO World Heritage Sites spread across our planet. Of these, 952 are cultural treasures, 231 the work of Mother Nature herself, and 40 a confounding combination of both. Italy is the country with the most UNESCO Sites at an impressive 60, with China being a close second at 59.

Choosing the best of the bunch is a little like making a list of your favorite songs of all time — completely subjective — but these are our eight greatest hits. All of which are found within LGBTQ+ friendly countries and make for great visits during any gaycation.

Ha Long Bay (Vietnam)

Asia has many beautiful UNESCO sites that could have made the list, but Ha Long Bay in northeastern Vietnam is everything you imagine Vietnam to be. I mean, besides the bay’s emerald green waters, secluded beaches, and quaint floating fishing villages, it also has thousands of towering limestone islands topped with rainforests! Legends speak of dragons creating the bay, and if dragons did indeed exist, it's easy to imagine Ha Long Bay is where they would be. Visitors can explore the bay through boat tours, kayaking, and overnight cruises, immersing themselves in its mystical beauty.

Vietnam is one of the more progressive countries in Asia, especially in its big cities, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, which have active — and passive — gay scenes. Gay marriages may not be legally recognized — yet — but there is no ban against it, and attitudes are changing for the better.

The Great Barrier Reef (Australia)

Australia is a beaut of a country, to use the Aussie vernacular. There are many sites of natural beauty along its coasts and within the outback, but the Great Barrier Reef has to be Australia’s magnum opus. The ecological treasure, just off the northeastern coast of Queensland, is the world’s largest reef. So large, in fact, that it can even be seen from space! It’s a stunning myriad of colorful corals and home to thousands of species of marine life, including fish, turtles, and sharks, making it a diver/snorkeler's paradise.

Cairns is the closest city and the ideal base for reef expeditions. There’s not much going on in the gay scene up there, but Australia in general is an extremely progressive country. Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras just down the coast is an excellent excuse to visit in February.

City of Valletta (Malta)

It’s often Rome that gets cited as being “a living museum,” but Malta’s capital city, Valletta, certainly fits that title too, earning the UNESCO World Heritage Site title. The city was once a knights’ fortress, and due to its many conquerors over the years, has an eclectic mix of architecture ranging from Baroque to more modernistic styles. Golden limestone buildings and narrow streets tell stories of knights and sieges, in contrast to its modern cafes, galleries, and even oddities like Britain’s trademark red phone boxes. As well as the Grand Master's Palace and St. John’s Co-Cathedral, head to the gorgeous Upper Barrakka Gardens to be treated to spectacular views of the city and harbor below.

Malta has been in the news for all the right reasons for flexing its LGBTQ+ credibilities. In just the past couple of decades, LGBTQ+ rights and protections in the country have been elevated beyond even a lot of its European neighbors and led to them being the hosts of EuroPride in 2023. Its gay scene might be small, but it packs a punch with fun monthly parties across the island.

Vatnajökull National Park (Iceland)

Iceland feels like the edge of the world, where volcanoes pulse beneath glaciers, geysers burst forth, waterfalls tumble, and thermal pools… bubble.

Vatnajökull National Park is a natural UNESCO site that showcases the raw, dramatic landscapes of the country. It’s home to Europe’s largest glacier, Vatnajökull, covering 8% of the country, and features massive ice caps, glacial lagoons, and powerful waterfalls like Svartifoss and Dettifoss. It’s a cliché in Iceland to use the old “Land of Fire and Ice” phrase, but you can see why through the diverse landscapes in the park, which include volcanic areas, black sand plains, and ice caves. All of this makes it the perfect hub for adventure activities like glacier hiking, ice climbing, and cave exploration.

Iceland is a top destination for LGBTQ+ travelers, known for its progressive laws and open-minded culture. Same-sex marriage has been legal since 2010, and Reykjavik hosts a rather wild Pride festival.

The Colosseum (Italy)

The Colosseum might seem an obvious choice — being one of the world’s most iconic landmarks, period — but the ancient amphitheater in Rome really is as spectacular as they say. Built from travertine limestone and concrete, the structure is a testament to Roman engineering with arches and tiered seating. Despite centuries of damage from earthquakes and looting, much of the Colosseum has somehow remained intact, as resilient as the sweaty gladiators themselves had to be. Completed in 80 AD, it once held around 50,000 spectators for gladiatorial contests, public spectacles, and dramatic performances. Visitors can buy two types of entrance tickets: one will take you up into the spectator area, and the other into the Colosseum itself. The latter provides the best experience, as walking through its lower gates really makes you feel like a gladiator of old, wanting to bang your imaginary spear against your imaginary shield to rile up an imaginary crowd.

Italy has had its trials and tribulations regarding LGBTQ+ rights under both conservative governments and the disapproving eye of the Vatican, yet it still boasts huge gay scenes and generally open-minded attitudes. Milan is the “gay capital” of Italy, but Rome is no slouch, and its big “gay street” is conveniently placed right underneath the Colosseum itself.

Old Havana (Cuba)

If you visit, half of your heart will indeed be left in Havana …Havana, oh na na. The entire old town of Cuba’s capital is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is known for its colorful colonial architecture, cobblestone streets, and fiery vibrancy of Cuban culture. The historic center is where you’ll find the classic 1950s cars Cuba is known for and hear street musicians playing traditional Cuban rhythms. Rich in history, it reflects Cuba’s Spanish colonial past with landmarks like El Capitolio, Castillo de la Real Fuerza, and Plaza de la Catedral, while embracing modern creativity through art galleries and cafes.

Cuba has made strides in LGBTQ+ rights, including anti-discrimination protections and the legalization of same-sex marriage in 2022. Havana has a rather popular gay beach nearby, and Axel Hotels even added to its hetero-friendly hotel empire recently by building an establishment within Havana. It is worth noting, however, that the country’s politics have led to poverty in many areas within the city, meaning visitors are best served staying in the center.

Iguazu Falls (Argentina/Brazil)

Everyone loves a good waterfall, and Iguazu Falls is one of the largest and most spectacular in the world. Consisting of around 275 individual cascades, it stretches over 2.7 kilometers and plunges dramatically into the Iguazu River. Surrounded by lush rainforest, the falls are part of two national parks, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites, rich in wildlife like toucans, jaguars, and capuchin monkeys.

It takes two to tango, and Iguazu Falls is shared by Argentina and Brazil, being right on the border. It’s a tough call as to which side has the better view — you can’t really go wrong either way — but it’s the Argentinian side that gets up closer and personal to the thundering water within the “Devil’s Throat.”

Both Argentina and Brazil have progressive laws and are top destinations for LGBTQ+ travelers. Buenos Aires offers inclusive bars and tango nights, while Rio de Janeiro boasts world-famous Pride events and LGBTQ+-friendly beaches. Either requires a flight to visit the falls but can be done as a weekend trip.

The Statue of Liberty (USA)

Is there a more powerful symbol of democracy and freedom within the world than Lady Liberty herself? It is hard to imagine, and thus our number one UNESCO World Heritage Site can be none other than New York’s Statue of Liberty. As the kids say, she is the “GOAT.”

Gifted by France in 1886, the neoclassical statue on Liberty Island in New York Harbor, designed by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, stands 93 meters tall, including its pedestal. The figure of Lady Liberty holds a torch and a tablet inscribed with the date of American independence, July 4, 1776. It greeted millions of immigrants arriving in the U.S. and continues to inspire as a beacon of hope — and the world could surely do with some hope right now.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites represent the best of our planet, and as the world evolves around us in this chaotic digital age of AI and social media, protecting the priceless relics of our past becomes even more important. So, whether it's old towns or coral reefs, humanity deserves to give itself a collective pat on the back for what we've accomplished and preserved throughout the ages.