World Heritage Sites in Spain
Introduction
In Spain, it's not all about sun and beach. Cultural tourism, the second most important segment internationally, attracts millions of travelers from all over the globe each year. In fact, in recent years, the number of tourists visiting some of the historical, cultural, and natural sites in the country has increased significantly, according to the Ministry of Culture. If you enjoy exploring the footprints of the past and are planning a getaway with your loved ones across Spain, you cannot miss visiting some of the 46 sites in Spain declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.
From the remote times of Atapuerca to the originality of Catalan modernism, passing through the biodiversity of Doñana National Park or the historic city of Toledo, the assets and places declared World Heritage allow us to take a journey through the history of our territory, highlighting the most outstanding elements produced. Therefore, it's no surprise today that both public and private organizations dedicate time and money to protect, restore, and promote them.
Additionally, there is no doubt that Spain is a global powerhouse in terms of the number of World Heritage Sites, ranking third, just behind Italy with 53 and China with 52.
The close relationship between the national territory and UNESCO began in 1984 when the committee responsible for granting titles included the Alhambra, the Generalife, and the Albaicín neighborhood of Granada, the Cathedral of Burgos, the historic center of Córdoba, the Monastery of El Escorial in Madrid, and the works of Antoni Gaudí in Barcelona, in the famous listing.
At the other end, we find the beech forests of Guadalajara, Madrid, and Navarre, which recently joined the list of World Heritage Sites. Included on July 7 of this year, it was an ambitious proposal in which Spain participated alongside nine other European countries: Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Slovenia, Italy, and Romania.