Spain, with 50 World Heritage sites, leader in the Spanish-speaking world
13 August, 2025Spain retains its position as the Spanish-speaking country with the highest number of World Heritage sites, thanks to the 50 properties recognised by UNESCO. This puts it in fifth place globally, behind Italy (61), China (60), Germany (56) and France (54), according to the updated World Heritage List 2025.
The most recent Spanish site to be added was Talaiotic Menorca, added in 2023, a prehistoric site reflecting the archaeological richness of the Balearic archipelago. This inclusion reinforces the diversity of Spain’s heritage, ranging from historic monuments and medieval towns to nature parks and cultural routes.
In total, UNESCO has recognised 1,199 sites in 170 countries, with 26 new sites representing cultural, spiritual and ecological values added this year. These include West African settlements such as the Gola Rainforest and Tiwai Island, Sierra Leone’s debut on the list.
Spain, together with Mexico (36 sites), heads the representation of the Hispanic world. The classification reinforces the value of heritage as a tourist attraction and a driver for international cooperation in conservation.