2026 Edition: Top 50 'World Heritage Sites You Want to Visit After Studying' Revealed!

When you study World Heritage sites, you actually want to visit them. The World Heritage Academy conducted a questionnaire among examinees of the '62nd Test' held in November-December 2025, asking about 'World Heritage sites they wanted to visit after studying.' Which World Heritage sites did the examinees want to visit after their studies? Following previous years, we announce the results again this year! Looking at the Top 10, while there are many regulars, there are four sites that were outside the top 10 last year, showing some changes in the rankings. The Top 3, which had been immovable for the past two years, has also seen changes, so please pay attention. Also, below the Top 10, there are sites that have significantly increased their ranking, such as 'Lençóis Maranhenses National Park'. Please be sure to check the Top 50 list as well. Enjoy seeing where your favorite heritage site ranks, how many sites you didn't know about, and what changes have occurred since last year's ranking. This year, as a spin-off, we will introduce the rankings for World Heritage sites 'You wanted to tell people about' and 'You were glad you went to' in the latter half. The latter is the first ranking where we ask about 'experiences'! *In the official website version, comments from examinees are also posted, and the heritage names in the list link to explanatory articles on the World Heritage Navi [pamon] website operated by the World Heritage Academy. Please take a look. Top 10 World Heritage Sites You Want to Visit After Studying [1st] Mont Saint-Michel and its Bay This year again, Mont Saint-Michel pulled away from the others, ranking 1st for the third consecutive year! Its fantastic appearance, seemingly floating on the sea, attracts many people, but learning its history seems to make them want to go even more. Multiple comments mentioned hearing stories from family or acquaintances. [2nd] Yakushima Yakushima ranked 2nd, the same as last year. Many voices expressed a desire to experience the value of its natural beauty (registration criteria: vii), the only one recognized among Japanese heritage sites. The fact that plants are distributed vertically on a small island also seems to be a point of interest. [3rd] Samarkand – Crossroad of Cultures Known for 'Samarkand Blue', this heritage site jumped up significantly from last year to enter at 3rd place! High exposure, such as being the main visual for the 62nd test and the host city for last year's UNESCO General Conference, seems to be a factor. [4th] Yellowstone National Park Although it dropped one spot from last year, Yellowstone National Park boasts deep-rooted popularity. Beyond its scenic beauty, more comments than usual cited the reason that it was the 'first registered World Heritage site'. [5th] Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu Machu Picchu remains at 5th, the same as last year. It boasts stable popularity. Even if the initial interest is the scenery or the impact of the name, as they study, they seem to want to delve deeper into the mysteries of the Inca civilization and its value as a mixed heritage. [6th] Works of Antoni Gaudí 2026 is a memorial year marking the 100th anniversary of Gaudi's death. It will be a year of focus, with events such as a ceremony celebrating the completion of the 'Tower of Jesus Christ' at the Sagrada Familia expiatory church. It is also the main visual for the 64th test. [7th] Venice and its Lagoon Italy's popular tourist destination ranked 7th. Many comments expressed concern that they might not be able to visit in the near future due to tourism issues like overtourism and sinking due to land subsidence. [8th] Cologne Cathedral Germany's proud Gothic architectural masterpiece rose in rank from last year to enter at 8th. Many people seem to want to see with their own eyes the overwhelming sense of scale, both in the more than 600 years it took to build and its size. [9th] Wieliczka and Bochnia Royal Salt Mines This also ranked up from last year. It seems to have attracted interest as one of the first 12 registered sites.