Do you ever wonder which are the most visited countries in the world? If the answer is yes, then you’ll definitely enjoy this article. We went through years of data over the course of the last 15 years to present to you the 30 most popular countries to visit that most people dream of going to. We’ll do a countdown starting from the bottom (#30) and in the end, we’ll include a table of the top 50 most visited countries for the last year.
If you find this kind of research travel posts interesting, you may also want to check out our list of the least visited countries in the world and the least visited countries in Europe.
30. Ukraine- 14.2 million visitors
We’re starting off this list with Ukraine. Despite the unrest in the eastern part of the country in the last few years, the number of people who visit Kyiv, Lviv, and the Black Sea resorts is just enough to put Ukraine on the 30th spot on our list of the most visited countries in the world. Here are some of the most popular sights in Ukraine that most tourists visit:
–St. Sophia’s Cathedral (Kiev)
-The iconic golden-dome Kyiv Pechersk Lavra
-The picturesque conical-shape mountain peak of Hoverla
-The beautiful Bukovel Ski Resort
-The National Museum of Folk Architecture and Life of Ukraine (Kiev)
-The Lviv National Academic Opera and Ballet (Lviv)
-Lviv’s St. George’s Cathedral (Lviv)
-The Potemkin Stairs of Odessa
-Odessa’s Fine Arts Museum
-Arcadia Beach (Odessa)
29. Czech Republic – 14.3 million visitors
You might think that most of these visitors visit the Czech Republic because of Prague and that’s true; roughly 8 out of 14 million annual visitors head to the capital. Prague truly is an amazing place to visit with many historical sites and tourist attractions but also many non-touristy things to do for people who like getting off the beaten track. However, there are many other places in the Czech Republic that are worth visiting, including Karlštejn Castle (home to the former king of Bohemia), the historic towns of Kutna Hora and Cesky Krumlov, Brno (the second-largest city behind Prague), the beautiful city of Olomouc, and the magical (and often forgotten) Czech countryside.
Some of the most popular sights in the Czech Republic that most tourists visit include:
-Charles Bridge (Prague)
-Prague Astronomical Clock
-Wenceslas Square (Prague)
-The mysterious Sedlec Ossuary (Sedlec)
-Bohemian Switzerland National Park
-The Castle of Krumlov
-Shumava National Park
-The historic caves of Moravian Karst
28. Singapore – 15 million visitors
If we count by tourists/residents ratio, Singapore will probably be the most visited county in the world, as it has almost three times more annual visitors (15 million) than it has residents (5.7 million). The Lion City has just about anything you can think of, including luxury resorts, parks, and gardens, historic sites, off-the-beaten-track places, shopping centers, skyscrapers, countless entertainment options, etc. It’s also home to one of the busiest airports in the world which makes Singapore a great layover destination (for more info, check out our guide to Singapore in 24 hours).
Last but not least, here are some of the most visited sites in Singapore.
-Sentosa Island
-Singapore Botanic Gardens
-Singapore Flyer
-Jurong Bird Park
-National Museum of Singapore
-Pulau Ubin
-Fort Canning Park
27. Indonesia – 15.5 million visitors
Indonesia is a beautiful country with more than 18,000 islands, thousands of different languages and dialects, and one of the most liberal visa policies in the world. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that Indonesia is one of the most visited countries in the world. Out of 15 million+ visitors who come to Indonesia roughly half visit Bali, one of the country’s most popular islands.
But despite Bali’s off the beat attractions and the gorgeous Balinese beaches, there are a lot of other places in Indonesia that are worth visiting. In addition to beautiful beaches, diving sites, volcanoes, and tropical rainforests, Indonesia also has a lot to offer in terms of cultural and urban tourism. Here are some of the most visited tourist attractions in Indonesia.
-Gili Islands
–Uluwatu Temple (Bali)
–Borobudur Temple (Central Java)
-Sacred Monkey Forest (Ubud)
–Ulun Danu Beratan Temple (Bali)
-Volcanic Mountain of Bromo (East Java)
-Prambanan Temple (Yogakarta)
–Mount Rinjani (Lombok)
-Kelinking Beach, Nusa Penida
-National Monument (Jakarta)
-Bunaken National Marine Park
-Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (East Jakarta)
-Kelimutu (Flores Island)
26. UAE- 16 million visitors
Even though a relatively small country, The United Arab Emirates have become a haven for expats in the late 20th and 21st century. Interestingly, only 12% of the total population consists of local Emiratis while 88% are expats. If you’re thinking of becoming one of them, you may want to get proper insurance. Fortunately, there are companies like SafetyWing that cater to this market niche. For more information, you can check out our honest SafetyWing review.
Having this in mind, it should come as no surprise that the number of international tourists will be high too. The UAE are famous for being home to the world’s tallest building as well as the ultra-modern cities of Abu Dhabi in Dubai and most of tourism is focused on these two emirates but there are a few other unique things in the UAE that are worth checking out.
–Burj Khalifa (Dubai)
–Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (Abu Dhabi)
-Emirates Palace (Abu Dhabi)
–Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo
-Al Fahidi Historical District (Dubai)
-Qasr AlHosn (Abu Dhabi)
-Ajman Fort (Ajman)
-UAE’s oldest mosque- Al Badiyah (Fujairah)
-The National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah (Al Khaimah)
-the highest hilltop in the country and Dhayah Fort (Al Khaimah)
-Khor Fakkan Beach (Sharjah)
-The old town of Umm Al Quwain (Umm Al Quwain)
25. Hungary – 16.9 million visitors
Similar to the Czech Republic, Hungary owes most of its tourism reputation to its capital, the beautiful Budapest which welcomes more than 5 million visitors every year. However, Hungary has a lot more to offer than just its beautiful capital. Hungary is home to some fascinating historical sites, stunning castles, beautiful lakeside resorts, untouched forests, and more. Here are some of the most famous places in Hungary where tourists flock every year.
–Hungarian Parliament Building (Budapest)
–Buda Castle (Budapest)
-Fisherman’s Bastion (Budapest)
-Heroes’ Square (Budapest)
-Dohány Street Synagogue (Erzsébetváros)
-Hortobágyi National Park
-Király Thermal Bath
-Necropolis of Sopianae (Pecs)
-Votive Church (Szeged)
-Széchenyi Square (Gyor)
-Castle of Eger
24. Croatia – 17.4 million visitors
Covering a large part of the Adriatic Coast, Croatia combines the best from both, the Balkan and Mediterranean worlds. Here, you’ll find some of the most beautiful beaches and islands in Europe but also, amazing nature, towering mountains, historical sites, and delicious foods. You would be surprised just how many amazing places there are in such a small country. Some of the places in Croatia where you’ll find the biggest crowds of visitors include:
–Diocletian’s Palace (Split)
-Golden Horn Beach (Bol)
-Lokrum Island
–Pula Arena (Pula)
-Kornati National Park
-Cathedral of Zagreb
-St Mark’s Church (Zagreb)
-Telascica Park
-Klis Fortress (Split)
-Skradinski Buk waterfall
23. South Korea – 17.5 million visitors
South Korea is the first premier Far East destination on our list of most visited countries in the world. South Korea is visited by close to 18 million international tourists every year. This country is famous for its urban tourism, historical sites, beautiful sandy beaches, medical tourism (in the plastic surgery niche to be more specific), and of course- food. Here are some of the most sought-after attractions in Korea.
-Gyeongbokgung Palace (Seoul)
-Seoul Tower
-Bukchon Hanok Village
-Changdeokgung (Seoul)
-Nami Island (Chuncheon)
-Haeundae Beach (Busan
-Bulguksa and Mount Toham
-Haedong Yonggungsa Temple (Busan)
-Gamcheon Culture Village
-Suwon Hwaseong Fortress (Suwon)
-Korean Folk Village (Yongin)
-Gyeongju National Park
-Taejongdae Resort Park (Busan)
22. Vietnam- 18 million visitors
Vietnam’s tourism started developing after the war and it never really stopped. Tourism in Vietnam is booming and in the last few years of the decade, Vietnam has often been one of the most visited countries in the world and with all the attractions it offers, it’s no wonder. Even though on the map it looks like a small country, Vietnam covers more than 300,000 square kilometers that features beautiful beaches, dreamy resorts, scenic bays, tropical lowlands, hills, densely forested highlands, and many off-the-beaten-track places for adventure lovers.
Briefly, here are some of the most popular tourist sites in Vietnam.
–Cu Chi Tunnel (Saigon)
-Independence Palace (Saigon)
–War Remnants Museum (Saigon)
-Hoan Kiem Lake (Hanoi)
-Thang Long Imperial Citadel (Hanoi)
–Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (Hanoi)
–Old Town of Hoi An and the amazing countryside
-Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park
-My Son Temple
-Tràng An Scenic Landscape Complex (Ninh Binh)
21. India – 18 million visitors
You might have expected to find India higher on this list having in mind everything you can see and do there. I spent a year living in India (going through a lot of culture shock along the way) and even that wasn’t enough to cover most of the things that are worth visiting. Geographically, one could argue that India is a subcontinent on its own (technically, it covers the majority of the Indian subcontinent that also includes Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka) and in India, you can find many different climates (from mountains to tropical beaches), dozens of different religions, cultures, and cuisines.
In the north, you’ll find towering mountains (the highest one being Kangchenjunga with 8586 meters above sea level), in the northwest, you’ll find large, scenic deserts while along the center-to-south-west, you can enjoy the Indian Ocean Coast. The eastern part of India features some of the most sacred sites in India but also some of the most scenic untouched stretches of greenery while the south is home to some of the most pristine mangrove forests (and hidden backwater resorts) but also some of the most humid and moist places on Earth.
As you can see, if you’re planning to visit India, you’ll have a difficult time choosing where to go but we’ll do our best to give you a few suggestions.
–Taj Mahal (Agra)
–Agra Fort (Agra)
-Amber Palace (Jaipur)
-Hawa Mahal (Jaipur)
-Red Fort (New Delhi)
– Sri Harmandir Sahib (Amritsar)
-Kaziranga National Park
– Mehrangarh Museum and Trust (Jodhpur)
-Gateway of India (Mumbai)
– Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (Mumbai)
-Valley of Flowers National Park
–Hampi (Karnataka)
– Khajuraho (Chhatarpur)
– Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park
-Konark (Odisha)
– Mahabalipuram (Tamil Nadu)
– Great Living Chola Temples (Tamil Nadu)
– Great Himalayan National Park
20. Netherlands- 20 million visitors
This number for the Netherlands is so high mainly due to the fact that more than 10 million people visit Amsterdam every year and with more than 2 billion EUR of tourist revenues, Amsterdam is one of the most popular destinations in the old continent. In addition to this, the Netherlands Board of Tourism has continuously tried to put other locations in the country on the map and they’ve been doing a good job as local tourism in other cities is increasing too in recent years.
Here are some of the most popular places in the Netherlands.
–Rijksmuseum (Amsterdam)
–Van Gogh Museum (Amsterdam)
-Anna Frank House (Amsterdam)
-Keukenhof Gardens (Lisse)
-Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen (Rotterdam)
–Mauritshuis (Hague)
–Madurodam (Scheveningen)
-Erasmusbrug (Rotterdam)
-Market Hall (Rotterdam)
-Castle De Haar (Uttrecht)
-Hoge Veluwe National Park
-Kunstmuseum (Den Haag)
-Zaanse Schans (Zaandam)
19. Canada- 22 million visitors
Personally, I’m surprised how Canada isn’t higher on this list. It’s one of the most sought-after destinations by immigrants, it has some of the best ski resorts in Whistler and Banff, it has stunning national parks and probably the largest area of untouched unexplored nature in the world (in its Northern territories), it’s home to some amazing vibrant cities like Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Quebec, etc., one of the seven wonders of the world in Niagara Falls, and unlike what you might think, there are beautiful beaches too. Here are some of the most visited places in Canada.
-CN Tower (Toronto)
–Stanley Park (British Columbia)
-Royal Ontario Museum (Ontario)
–Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
-Jasper National Park
-Whistler Blackcomb
-Toronto Island
-Notre-Dame Basilica (Montreal)
-Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
-Lake Louis (Alberta)
-Bruce Peninsula National Park
18. Poland- 22 million visitors
Most people wouldn’t expect to see Poland on a list of the most visited countries in the world but that just shows just how underrated Poland is when it comes to tourism. Poland is home to 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, some of the most incredible castles in Europe, impressive cathedrals, vibrant cities, and of course- a lot of historic sites that are worth visiting, including some of Europe’s largest and most infamous concentrations camps.
Here are some of Poland’s most popular attractions.
-Historic Centre of Kraków
–Wawel Royal Castle (Kraków)
-Historic Centre of Warsaw
-Auschwitz Birkenau, German Nazi Concentration and Extermination Camp
– Castle of the Teutonic Order (Malbork)
– Medieval Town of Toruń
– Wooden Churches of Southern Lesser Poland
– Centennial Hall (Wroclaw)
– Tarnowskie Góry
-Morskie Oko Lake
17. Hong Kong- 24 million visitors
Even though Hong Kong is officially known as an administrative region of the People’s Republic of China, but since its executive, legislative, and judicial powers are separated from China’s central government, Hong Kong has all elements of a sovereign country and is, therefore, included on this list. The country is known for the large number of skyscrapers (almost 500 on a territory of only 1100 square kilometers), but also for being home to the world’s longest rail suspension ridge (2,160 meters), but also, many interesting temples, historic sites, trekking routes, beaches, and hidden gems, including:
-Ocean Par
-Cheung Chau Island
– Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple
-Avenue of Stars
-Lan Kwai Fong District
-Hong Kong Wetland Park
– Tai Kwun – Centre for Heritage and Arts
16. Russia – 24.4 million visitors
Let’s not forget, Russia is the largest country in the world, and there are a lot of exciting things to see and do there. The most visited cities are obviously, St. Petersburg and Moscow but there are many holiday destinations outside of these two cities that are worth your while. Russia is home to some incredible Orthodox cathedrals, important museums like The Hermitage, closed cities that no one is allowed to visit, historic sites like the Kremlin, and some natural wonders, such as Mount Elbrus, Lake Baikal, Kizhi Island, and the Valley of Geysers. Some other notable attractions in Russia that are always flooded by tourists include:
– Savior on the Spilled Blood (St. Petersburg)
– Bolshoi Theatre (Moscow)
– Kurshskaya Kosa (Kaliningrad)
–Kazan Cathedral (Kazan)
– Church on Blood in Honour of All Saints Resplendent in the Russian Land (Yekaterinburg)
-Take the longest train ride in the world, from Moscow to Vladivostok
-Sochi National Park (Sochi)
–Kazan Kremlin (Kazan)
-The Motherland Calls Monument (Volgograd)
-Wrangel Island
-Virgin Komi Forests (the Urals)
-Veliky Novgorod Oldtown
-Golden Mountains of Altai
-Solovetsky Monastery (Solovetsky Island)
-Kamchatka Peninsula
15. Portugal – 24.6 million visitors
Blessed with perfect Mediterranean weather, beautiful beaches, and incredible cuisine, Portugal always has been one of Europe’s most popular holiday destinations. The two most popular destinations in Portugal are the capital, Lisbon (which is also one of Europe’s oldest cities) and Porto but there are also a lot of destinations that keep gaining popularity, such as Lagos, Sintra, Guimaraes, Coimbra, and Braga. I’m sure that wherever you choose to go, you won’t make a wrong choice but here are some of the places in Portugal that are favorites among tourists.
– Pena Palace (Sintra)
– Belém Tower (Lisbon)
– Castelo de S. Jorge (Lisbon)
– Livraria Lello (Porto)
– Quinta da Regaleira (Sintra)
– Portugal dos Pequenitos (miniature park in Coimbra)
– Bom Jesus do Monte (Braga)
– Ponta da Piedade (Lagos)
– Praia do Camilo (Lagos)
-Porto Cathedral
-Pico Island
14. Malaysia- 26 million visitors
Malaysia is a part of the big 4 Asian countries when it comes to tourism and it’s the second-most visited country in Southeast Asia. The country is famous for its lush rainforests, national parks, wildlife galore, and of course, the surreal beaches and remote islands. In addition to this, Malaysia’s weather ranges between 68 and 86 degrees throughout the year which means there really isn’t a bad season to visit Malaysia. Combine this with the country’s liberal visa policy and natural beauties and you get one of the most visited countries in the world. Here are some of the sites tourists are after when visiting Malaysia.
–Petronas Twin Towers (Kuala Lumpur)
-Batu Caves (Selangor)
-Mount Kinabalu
-Perhentian Islands
–Sunway Lagoon (Selangor)
-Taman Negara National Park
-Gunung Mulu National Park
-Kek Lok Si Temple (Penang)
-Bako National Park
–National Mosque of Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur)
– Jonker Street Night Market (Malacca City
– Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre (Sandakan)
-Penang National Park
-Underwater World (Langkawi)
-Kellie’s Castle (Perak)
-National Palace (Kuala Lumpur)
13. Greece – 31 million visitors
As you probably may know, Greece is often dotted as the “cradle of western civilization”. As you’re exploring some of the country’s spectacular historical sites, you’ll surely understand why that’s the case. In addition to this, Greece has a pleasant Mediterranean climate throughout most of the year and is home to some of the most beautiful beaches and islands in Europe. The fact that its coastline has access to three different seas (Aegean, Ionian, and Mediterranean) is, of course, a plus. Here are some of the most sought-after tourist attractions in Greece.
–Parthenon (Athens)
-Navagio (Zakynthos)
– Temple of Olympian Zeus (Athens)
– Archaeological site of Mycenae (Peloponnese)
-Elafonisi Island (Crete)
-Balos Beach (Chania)
–Melissani Cave (Kefalonia)
-Archaeological Site of Sounion (Lavrio)
-Porto Katsiki (Lefkada)
-Akrotiri (Santorini)
–Monastery of Arkadi (Greece)
-White Tower (Thessaloniki)
– Old Venetian Fortress (Corfu)
– Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights (Rhodes)
12. Austria – 32 million visitors
Not only is Austria located in the heart of Europe (making it very easy to just hop there for a day or two from Berlin, Prague, or Budapest) but it also has a lot in store for you as a tourist. If you’re an architecture lover, you’ll find many beautiful castles and historic buildings. If you like art and history, you’ll find some of the finest museums and galleries in Europe, and if you like nature and getting off the beaten path, Austria has that too. Here are some of the most popular destinations in Austria.
–Schönbrunn Palace (Vienna)
-St. Stephen’s Cathedral (Vienna)
-The Hofburg (Vienna)
–Belvedere Palace (Vienna)
–Fortress Hohensalzburg (Salzburg)
-Grossglockner High Alpine Road
-Wachau Valley
-Mirabell Palace (Salzburg)
-Mozart’s Birthplace (Salzburg)
–Schloßberg (Graz)
-Uhrturm (Graz)
-The New Cathedral (Linz)
-Golden Roof (Innsbruck)
-Ambras Castle (Innsbruck)
11. Japan – 32.3 million visitors
Even though its location is quite remote making it very far for people coming from Europe and North America, the Land of the Rising Sun is always one of the most popular countries to visit. Japan is home to 10% of the active volcanoes in the world (more than 200 in total), most of which are hidden on some of Japan’s picturesque mountains that cover roughly 70% of the country.
You can also expect to find a lot of mesmerizing temples, unique architecture, and a myriad of things you can find only in Japan and nowhere else, including bizarre festivals, unusual food, unusual TV shows, and some of the world’s most creative vending machines. Oh, and did we mention that Japan has some beautiful islands and beaches too?
–Himeji Castle (Himeji)
–Atomic Bomb Dome (Hiroshima)
-Historic Villages of Shirakawa-gō and Gokayama
–Itsukushima Shrine (Itsukushima)
–Kinkaku-Ji (Kyoto)
–Tōdai-Ji (Nara)
-Senso Ji (Tokyo)
-Tokyo Skytree
–Fushimi Inari Taisha (Kyoto)
–Osaka Castle (Osaka)
-Dotonbori (Osaka)
-Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse (Yokohama)
–Nagoya Castle (Nagoya)
-Honshu Island
-Okinawa Island
10. United Kingdom – 39 million visitors
We start the top 10 with the United Kingdom. One might argue that England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland should be on this list separately but since most major publications share statistics for tourism in the UK, we decided to put the whole kingdom on our list of most visited countries in the world.
Most of the international tourists in the UK end up in London (more than half actually) as close to 20 million international tourists visit the capital. Some other popular holiday destinations in the UK feature Edinburgh, Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool, Cornwall, and the popular Lake District. Here’s what most tourists are up to when visiting the UK.
–The British Museum (London)
–Buckingham Palace (London)
-London Eye
–Stonehenge (Wiltshire)
–Giant’s Causeway (Antrim)
-Peak District National Park
-Snowdonia District National Park
–Blenheim Palace (Oxfordshire)
–The Roman Baths (Bath)
-Loch Ness
-Dartmoor National Park
–The Ridgeway (Britain’s oldest road)
-Royal Albert Dock (Liverpool)
-Science and Industry Museum (Manchester)
-Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery
-Jurrasic Coast
-Canterbury Cathedral
9. Germany – 39.5 million visitors
Germany might not have beautiful beaches like the Mediterranean countries, it may not have ski centers like Switzerland, and its museums might not be as appealing as the ones you can find in Paris and London, for example, but as a country, Germany has a great all-around offer, it can be visited on a budget, and the country’s investment in local tourism is certainly paying off.
Unlike most other countries on this list, Germany’s tourism isn’t driven mostly by one city and its top 5 visited cities have the smallest difference of the number of international tourists between each other, compared to the other countries on this list. Here are some of the most visited tourist sites in Germany.
–Neuschwanstein Castle (Neuschwanstein)
–Brandenburg Gate (Berlin)
-Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe (Berlin)
-Europa Park (Rust)
–Cologne Cathedral (Cologne)
-East Side Gallery (Berlin)
–Checkpoint Charlie (Berlin)
-Nymphenburg Palace (Munich)
-October Fest (Munich)
-English Garden (Munich)
-Eltz Castle (Koblenz)
–Marienplatz (Munich)
–Charlottenburg Palace (Charlottenburg)
-Heidelberg Palace
–Deutsches Museum (Munich)
-Hohenzollern Castle (Hohenzollern)
-Frauenkirche (Dresden)
-Miniatur Wunderland (Hamburg)
-Impreial Castle of Nurenbeg
-Rhine Gorge
Thinking of traveling to Germany? Then you may want to check out our list of things to know before visiting Germany.
8. Thailand – 40 million visitors
Tourism in Thailand is arguably the biggest driver of economic growth in Thailand. The country has a much better tourist infrastructure than most neighboring countries and honestly, a lot more to offer. Therefore, it’s no surprise that the number of visitors just keeps increasing and Thailand is regularly one of the top 10 most visited countries in the world. The most visited city is Bangkok, but Chiang Mai and Phuket don’t fall behind a lot. Also, the islands in Thailand are getting more attention than ever, a trend that’s likely to keep increasing.
Thailand has some of the world’s most beautiful beaches and divine tropical islands but you’ll also find a lot of important historical sites and some of the most fascinating temples in Asia. In addition to this, Thailand is one of the most budget-friendly countries to visit having value-for-money in mind. Here are some of Thailand’s most spectacular attractions.
–Grand Palace (Bangkok)
-Wat Phra Chetuphon (Bangkok)
-Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchaworamahawihan (Bangkok)
-Railay Beach (Krabi)
–Wat Rong Khun (Chiang Rai)
-Khao Sok National Park
–Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
-Nong Nooch Tropical Garden (Chonburi)
-The Big Buddha (Phuket)
–Ancient town of Ayutthaya (remains of what was once a great Siamese Kingdom)
-Sanctuary of Truth (Pattaya)
–Doi Inthanon (Chiang Mai)
-Wat Phra Singh Woramahawihan (Chiang Mai)
-Wat Chedi Luang (Chiang Mai)
-Singha Park (Chiang Rai)
-Wat Huay Pla Kang (Chiang Rai)
-Sunday Walking Street (Phuket)
-Maya Bey (Krabi)
–Mu Koh Angthong National Marine Park (Koh Samui)
-Erawan National Park (Kanchanaburi)
-Death Railway Museum (Kanchanaburi)
-Sukhothai Historical Park
7. Mexico – 45 million visitors
Even though it’s the second-most-visited country in America, Mexico is arguably the most popular holiday destination in this part of the world. With countless beautiful beaches and holiday resorts, 35 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and more than 40 million visitors per year, Mexico is regularly one of the most visited countries in the world. Here are some of the most visited places in Mexico.
–Chichén Itzá (Tinum)
–Museo Nacional de Antropología (Mexico City)
-Frida Kahlo Museum (Mexico City)
-Xcaret Park (Maya Rivera)
–Palacio de Bellas Artes (Mexico City)
-Palenque Archaeological Zone
–Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve (Tulum)
-Dos Ojos Cenote (Tulum)
-Xel-Há Park (Quintana Roo)
-Muyil Archaeological zone
-Templo Mayor Museum (Mexico City)
-Ek Balam Archaeological Zone
–Ik Kil Cenote (Tinum)
-El Castillo (Yucatan)
6. Turkey – 51 million visitors
Sitting at the crossroad of Western and Eastern civilization, being one of only a few transcontinental countries in the world, Turkey is always a popular tourist destination. In Turkey, you’ll find some very important historic monuments significant for both, the western and eastern civilizations, but you’ll also find beautiful nature, blue-flag beaches, incredible cuisine, towering mountains, and of course- incredible food that brings the best from both worlds.
A large part of the number of visitors comes from Istanbul (that’s also home to one of the world’s largest airports) but there are other destinations that constantly get an increased number of tourists every year like Antalya, Izmir, Capadoccia, etc.
In addition to this, despite its sometimes notorious reputation, Turkey is a great place for solo travelers and the country’s medical tourism is also booming and both of these factors help increase the number of people visiting Turkey every year. Here are some of the most popular destinations people visit in Turkey.
–Hagia Sophia (Istanbul)
–Blue Mosque (Istanbul)
-Topkapi Palace Museum (Istanbul)
–Grand Bazaar (Istanbul)
-Basilica Cistern (Istanbul)
–Galata Tower (Istanbul)
-Bosphorus (Istanbul)
–The Temple of Artemis (Izmir)
-Mausoleum at Halicarnassus (Bodrum)
-Mount Nemrut
–Gobekli Tepe (the oldest confirmed religious site in the world)
-Butterfly Valley (Mugla)
-Celsus Library (Ephesus)
-Patara Beach (Patara)
–Soumela Monastery (Karadag)
-Kekova Island (Antalya)
-Saklikent National Park
-Kaputas Beach
-Bodrum Castle (Bodrum)
-Iztuzu Beach (Dalyan)
-Uludag (Bursa)
-Phaselis (Tekirova)
-Antalya Museum (Antalya)
-Museum of Anatolian Civilizations (Ankara)
-Uzungöl (Trabzon)
-Kleopatra Beach (Alanya)
–Mevlana Museum (Konya)
-Alanya Castle (Alanya)
5. Italy – 64 million visitors
Italy is the country with the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites (58) and personally, my favorite country on this list. Planning a holiday to Italy is actually a very difficult thing to do because most people have limited time but there are so many amazing places to visit in Italy. You can explore Rome, see the best of Florence, you can relax in Sicily, venture into Puglia, cover some small towns, or discover hidden gems, or relax at one of the many beautiful beaches. The list is practically endless…
Not to mention that you’d need months to properly explore the north of the country that’s absolutely stacked with historical landmarks and tourist attractions (Milan, Venice, Turin, Como, Bologna, Bergamo, Tuscany, Verona, Genoa, etc.). It will be difficult but in the next paragraph, we’ll try to summarize the most popular landmarks in Italy.
–Colosseum (Rome)
–Pantheon (Rome)
-Trevi Fountain (Rome)
–Uffizi Gallery (Florence)
-Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (Florence)
–Roman Forum (Rome)
–Leaning Tower of Pisa (Pisa)
–Duomo di Milano (Milan)
-Rialto Bridge (Venice)
–Saint Mark’s Basilica (Venice)
–Mount Vesuvius (Naples)
-Sforzesco Castle (Milan)
-Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II (Milan)
-Burano (Torcello)
–Stromboli (Sicily), also known as the Lighthouse of Europe;
-Villa del Balbianello (Lenno)
–Verona Arena (Verona)
-Baths of Caracalla
-Blue Grotto (Capri)
–Juliet’s House (Verona)
-Pragser Wildsee (South Tyroll)
-Valley of the Temples (Agrigento)
-Naples National Archaeological Museum
-Piazza Maggiore (Bologna)
-Royal Palace Museum (Genoa)
–Alberobello (Puglia)
4. China – 65 million visitors
There are many things about China that you won’t find anywhere else on this planet. Add China’s unique culture, famous landmarks, and 56 UNESCO World Heritage Sites (second in the world only behind Italy) and it’s not hard to see why China is always one of the most popular countries to visit. More than 60 million people visit China every year and even though tourism has taken a hit after the pandemic, China is still a very attractive destination year-round.
Here are some of the most visited sites in China…
–Forbidden City (Beijing)
-Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum (Xi’an)
–Temple of Heaven (Beijing)
-Summer Palace (Beijing)
-Potala Palace (Lhasa)
-Tiananmen Square (Beijing)
-Yu Garden (Shanghai)
-Mount Kailash
-Jiuzhai Valley National Park
-Shanghai Tower
–Leshan Giant Buddha (Sichuan)
-Shanghai Museum
-Tiger Leaping Gorge
-Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding (Chengdu)
-Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
-Jokhang Temple (Lhasa)
–Giant Wild Goose Pagoda (Xi’an)
-Mount Hua
-Shishapangma Mountain
-Reed Flute Cave (Guilin)
-Mogao Caves (Dunhuang)
-Dazu Rock Carvings
3. United States – 79 million visitors
The USA might not have a history as rich as some other countries on this list but in terms of tourism, it’s a country that has a lot to offer. Here, you’ll find some of the world’s most bustling metropolises like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, San Diego, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Atlanta, etc. but also some of the world’s largest and most spectacular national parks (that are filled with hidden gems) like Yellowstone, Zion, Yosemite, Glacier, Grand Teton, Grand Canyon, etc. To round things up, you’ll also find some beautiful beaches in California, Florida, South Carolina, and Hawaii.
Having all this in mind, it’s no wonder that close to 80 million people visit the United States every year. Here are some of the most popular tourist attractions in the US.
–Golden Gate Bridge (San Francisco)
–Statue of Liberty, New York City
-Las Vegas Strip
-Walt Disney World (Orlando)
–French Quarter (New Orleans)
-The White House (Washington D.C.)
–Times Square (New York City)
-Central Park (New York City)
-Great Smoky Mountains
–Navy Pier (Chicago)
-Alcatraz Island (San Francisco)
–Mount Rushmore (South Dakota)
–American Falls (Niagara Falls)
-Freedom Trail (Boston)
–Santa Monica Pier (Los Angeles)
-Universal Studios (Los Angeles)
-South Beach (Miami)
-Florida Keys
-The Alamo (San Antonio)
2. Spain – 83 million visitors
Offering a perfect combination of history, nature, Mediterranean climate, remote destinations, and incredible cuisine, Spain has something in store for everyone. The country is home to 49 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and at least 10 cities that receive more than one million visitors per year. (but there are also a ton of underrated destinations) The most visited city in Spain is Barcelona, followed by Madrid, Seville, Palma de Mallorca, Granada, and Valencia.
If you’re planning to visit Spain, you might have a hard time choosing where to go. That’s why our suggestion is to divide your trip into exploring one region at a time. Fortunately, we have some itineraries that you can use as inspiration to make the most out of your trip to Spain; we have an itinerary for Northern Spain, Southern Spain, and last but not least, an itinerary for the east coast. Here are some of the most visited sites in Spain.
–La Sagrada Familia (Barcelona)
–Park Guell (Barcelona)
–Alhambra (Granada)
–Museo Nacional del Prado (Madrid)
-Casa Batlló
-La Rambla (Barcelona)
–Guggenheim Museum (Bilbao)
-Royal Palace (Madrid)
-Plaza de España (Seville)
-El Retiro Park (Madrid)
-Mount Teide
–City of Arts and Sciences (Valencia)
-La Giralda (Seville)
-Timanfaya National Park
-Siam Park (Tenerife)
–Alcazaba (Malaga)
-Catedral-Basílica de Santa María de Mallorca
-La Concha Beach (Basque)
–Caminito del Rey (Malaga)
-Puerto Banus (Marbella)
-Ses Illetes Beach (Ibiza)
–Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela
-Playa de las Americas (Tenerife)
-Royal Seat of San Lorenzo (El Escorial)
–Valencia Cathedral (Valencia)
1. France – 89 million visitors
Finally, we round up this list of the most visited countries in the world with France which has consistently been the most popular country to visit for years. Tourism in France is traditionally driven by Paris. Even though some people think Paris is overrated, with more than 30 million visitors per year, Paris is consistently the world’s most visited city. However, France has much more to offer than its charming capital.
France also has charming countryside, a lot of other cities that are worth visiting (i.e. Lyon, Nice, Marseille, Bordeaux, etc.), river canal tourism is also rapidly expanding, France also has a beautiful coastline, and believe it or not, you can pull a trip to France on a budget too.
Here are some of the places in France that can be deemed as tourist’ favorites.
–Eiffel Tower (Paris)
–Louvre Museum (Paris)
–Notre Dame Cathedral (Paris)
–Versailles Palace (Versailles)
-Sacré-Cœur (Paris)
–Château de Chenonceau (Chenonceau)
-Pont du Gard (Gard)
-Val Thorens Ski Resort
-Alpe d’Huez
–Promenade des Anglais (Nice)
-Musée Matisse (Nice)
-Notre-Dame de la Garde (Marseille)
-Museum of Civilizations of Europe and the Mediterranean (Marseille)
-Parc de la Tête d’Or (Lyon)
-Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière (Lyon)
-Place de la Bourse (Bordeaux)
-Canal du Midi (Toulouse)
-Basilica of St. Sernin (Toulouse), the largest Romanesque basilica in Europe
–The Machines of the Isle (Nantes)
-Notre Dame de Strasbourg
-Chartres Cathedral
Finally, to round up this article, here are the top 50 most visited countries in the world according to World Population Review.
| Country | International Tourist Arrivals |
| France | 89.4 Million |
| Spain | 83.7 Million |
| United States | 79.3 Million |
| China | 65.7 Million |
| Italy | 64.5 Million |
| Turkey | 51.2 Million |
| Mexico | 45 Million |
| Thailand | 39.8 Million |
| Germany | 39.6 Million |
| United Kingdom | 39.4 Million |
| Japan | 32.3 Million |
| Austria | 31.9 Million |
| Greece | 31.3 Million |
| Malaysia | 26.1 Million |
| Portugal | 24.6 Million |
| Russia | 24.4 Million |
| Hong Kong | 23.8 Million |
| Poland | 22.1 Million |
| Canada | 22.1 Million |
| Netherlands | 20.1 Million |
| Vietnam | 18 Million |
| India | 17.9 Million |
| South Korea | 17.5 Million |
| Croatia | 17.4 Million |
| Hungary | 16.9 Million |
| United Arab Emirates | 16.7 Million |
| Indonesia | 15.5 Million |
| Singapore | 15.1 Million |
| Czech Republic | 14.3 Million |
| Ukraine | 14.2 Million |
| Saudi Arabia | 13.6 Million |
| Denmark | 13.3 Million |
| Morocco | 12.9 Million |
| Taiwan | 11.9 Million |
| Switzerland | 11.8 Million |
| Egypt | 11.3 Million |
| Ireland | 10.9 Million |
| South Africa | 10.2 Million |
| Australia | 9.5 Million |
| Tunisia | 9.4 Million |
| Bulgaria | 9.3 Million |
| Belgium | 9.3 Million |
| Philippines | 8.3 Million |
| Sweden | 7.4 Million |
| Argentina | 7.4 Million |
| Iran | 7.3 Million |
| Kyrgyzstan | 6.9 Million |
| Uzbekistan | 6.7 Million |
| Cambodia | 6.6 Million |
How did you like this post? Were any of these countries are a surprise? Do you think there are some other countries that should be on the list of the most visited countries in the world but are not (yet)? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!
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