A wavelength conversion element according to an aspect of the invention includes a first wavelength conversion layer that has a first light incident surface on which excitation light is incident and a first light exiting surface facing away from the first light incident surface and emits first fluorescence, a second wavelength conversion layer that has a second light incident surface on which at least the first fluorescence is incident and emits second fluorescence, and a substrate that has a first surface and a second surface facing away from the first surface and includes a light transmitting portion that transmits at least the first fluorescence. The first wavelength conversion layer is so provided that the first light exiting surface faces the first surface of the substrate, and the second wavelength conversion layer is so provided that the second light incident surface faces the second surface of the substrate.