A national heritage site is location that includes a building, monument, archeological, geographical, natural or topological feature having a value that has been registered by a governmental agency as of national importance to a particular country. Usually such sites are listed in a national heritage register that is open to the public, and many are actively advertised by national visitor bureaus as tourist attractions.

Each country has its own individual history of national heritage lists and naming conventions. Items can be added to a list, only to be removed and perhaps destroyed later for economic or other reasons. The concept of protecting and taking pride in cultural heritage is something that goes back to the Seven Wonders of the World, but usually it is only after destruction, especially mass destruction in times of war, that new lists are drawn up or revisited. Many countries acknowledge UNESCO in their designation of objects considered to be worthy of listing as world heritage. They often also acknowledge the need for a separate list of objects they judge part of their own unique cultural heritage. The concept of a national heritage site can be split into many types, each type having its own unique list holder, which is often the same agency responsible for monitoring and protection. In the case of a national heritage site in a populated area, monitoring and protection may be under the jurisdiction of a fire department or local police department, whereas more remote sites may be under the protection of a central conservation agency.