According to the UN World Tourism Organization, Europe boasts 12 of the 20 most visited countries. France is the world’s number-one tourist destination, drawing over 90 million visitors in 2017. At the bottom of the list is the United Kingdom receiving over 39.4 million visitors a year.
Before you decide on the country of your next trip, you may want to check these top 10 tourist attracting countries in the world:
1. France | 90 Million Tourists
France is one of the most popular countries for tourists in Europe. Paris is the most popular city in the country, and it is also one of the most popular in the world for foreign visitors as well.
People visit France to see the beautiful attractions in Paris, as well as the rest of the country, which is known for its many beautiful beaches and countryside.
These tourist attractions include the Paris Opera House, the Palace of Versailles, the Eiffel Tower, and many other great landmarks.
Popular tourist destinations in France:
1. Paris & Versailles.
2. The Charming Countryside of Provence.
3. The Côte d’Azur.
4. Mont Saint-Michel in Normandy.
5. The Châteaux of the Loire Valley.
6. Reims & its Magnificent Gothic Cathedral.
7. Fishing Villages, Historic Ports & Beaches in Brittany.
8. Biarritz & Saint-Jean-de-Luz.
9. Joan of Arc Monuments in Chinon, Rouen & Orléans.
10. The Alsace Region.
2. Spain | 83.5 Million Tourists
Known for its great beaches and food, many people choose Spain as a vacation destination. Madrid is especially popular among tourists, and its ancient cities, such as Barcelona, are also a popular choice among those looking to visit this country.
Ten Popular Tourist Destinations in Spain:
1. The Balearic and Canary Islands.
2. Costa Brava & Costa del Maresme.
3. Costa Blanca.
3. The Costa del Sol.
4. Cordoba.
5. Madrid & the Spanish Steps.
6. Toledo.
7. The Basque Country.
8. Santiago de Compostela.
9. Galicia.
10. The Picos de Europa.
3. The United States | 79.3 Million Tourists
The United States is one of the top tourist destinations in the world, and the country is especially popular among Europeans. New York City is one of the most visited cities in the world and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the US.
Ten Popular Tourist Destinations in the U.S:
1. The Grand Canyon.
2. Niagara Falls.
3. The Statue of Liberty.
4. Mount Rushmore.
5. Hollywood.
6. Yosemite.
7. Las Vegas.
8. New York City.
9. Yellowstone National Park.
10. Disney World/Universal Studios Orlando.
4. China | 65.7 Million Tourists
China receives a lot of tourists each year, and many people visit this country to see the Great Wall of China. Hong Kong is one of the most visited cities in the world, and Shanghai is also a popular destination in this country.
Ten Popular tourist destinations in China:
1. The Great Wall.
2. Terracotta Army.
3. Yellow Mountains.
4. Yangtze River.
5. Three Gorges.
6. Great Buddha in Leshan.
7. West Lake in Hangzhou.
8. The Summer Palace.
9. Potala Palace in Lhasa.
10. Beijing Olympic Stadium.
5. Italy | 64.5 Million Tourists
Italy is one of the most visited countries in the world, with Rome, Florence, and Venice all being popular tourist destinations in this country. This country is also home to many other cities and towns that are visited by tourists all over the world.
Ten Popular Tourist Destinations in Italy:
1. Rome
2. The Amalfi Coast
3. Venice
4. Lake Como
5. Naples & the Amalfi Coast
6. The Italian Riviera
7. Florence
8. The Chianti region
9. Leaning Tower of Pisa
10. The Cinque Terre
6. Turkey | 51.2 Million Tourists
Turkey is a favorite destination among Europeans, and many people from throughout the world visit this country for its rich history and beautiful scenery. Istanbul is the most visited city in Turkey, and the country also has other popular cities, such as Antalya and Selcuk.
Ten Popular tourist attractions in Turkey:
1. Hagia Sophia.
2. Topkapı Palace.
3. The Valley of the Kings.
4. Blue Mosque.
3. The Basilica Cistern.
5. Hippodrome of Constantinople.
6. The Aqueduct of Valens.
7. Basilica of St. John.
8. The Archaeological Museum.
9. The Grand Bazaar.
10. Obelisk of Theodosius.
7. Mexico | 45 Million Tourists
Mexico attracts many tourists each year, thanks to its beautiful beaches and ancient cities. While the majority of tourists come here to relax and enjoy the sun, Mexico also offers a wide range of activities and adventures.
Such activities include visits to the Great Mayan ruins, outdoor activities such as zip-lining, and relaxing at a very popular destination known as The Riviera Maya.
8. Thailand | 39.8 Million Tourists
Thailand is one of the most visited countries in the world, and Bangkok is the most visited city in the country. The beaches in Thailand are also a huge draw for tourists, and the country is home to many other popular cities, such as Chiang Mai and Pattaya.
Ten Tourist Attractions in Thailand:
1. Bangkok
2. The Great Temples of Angkor
3. The Countryside in Chiang Mai Province
4. Phuket Island
3. Phang Nga Bay
4. Ko Samui
5. Ko Pha Ngan
6.Thai-Burmese Border
7. Thai-Cambodian Border
8. The Thai-Lao Border
9. Thai-Malay Border
10. The Thai-Myanmar Border
9. Germany | 39.6 Million Tourists
Germany is known for its beer, chocolate, and cars, which are all popular tourist draws. As Germany is considered the most popular tourist destination in the world, it has one of the world’s most advanced transportation systems, making it easy for tourists to reach various parts of the country.
Tourist destinations in Germany include cities such as Berlin, Dresden, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Munich, Nuremberg, and Stuttgart. Tourists also visit the historical Berlin Wall, the Cologne Cathedral, the Dresden Castle, the Hohenzollern Bridge, the Munich Residenz.
Popular Tourist Destinations in Germany:
1. Berlin.
2. Munich.
3. Frankfurt.
4. The Rhine Valley & the Romantic Road.
5. Dresden & the Marienbrücke.
6. Bavarian Resorts along the Romantic Road.
7. Dresden’s Baroque Architecture.
8. Lübeck’s Holsteins & St. Mary’s Cathedral.
9. Hamburg’s Speicherstadt.
10. The Black Forest & the Fairy Tale Road.
The United Kingdom | 39.4 Million Tourists
The United Kingdom is one of the most popular countries for tourists in Europe. London is the most popular city in the country, and it is also one of the most popular in the world for foreign visitors as well.
People visit the UK to see the many famous attractions in London, as well as the rest of the country, which is known for its many beautiful castles, beaches, cities, and countryside.
These tourist attractions include the London Eye, Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, and many other great landmarks.
Popular Tourist attractions in the United Kingdom:
1. Westminster Abbey & Palace.
2. The Tower of London.
3. Windsor Castle.
4. Stonehenge.
5. Oxford & Cambridge.
6. Stratford-upon-Avon.
7. Canterbury.
8. Warwick Castle.
9. Edinburgh.
10. The Lake District.