TOP 10 MOST POPULAR TOURIST DESTINATIONS IN THE WORLD

 06 JUN 2013   

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There’s a reason some destinations become overrun with tourists: they’re awesome. Based on the UN World Tourism Organizations report of the most popular tourist destinations, the following list features highlights and must-see attractions in each of the world’s ten most-visited countries.

1. France

For decades, France has remained a top tourist destination. In 2011 alone, almost 80 million visitors arrived in Europe’s third-largest country.

  

·                       Paris. The Louvre, the Palace of Versailles, and the Eiffel Tower continue to top must-see lists for visitors to the City of Light.

·                       The French Riviera. The resorts, sea-side towns, and casinos (the Monte Carlo, anyone?) along this 70-mile stretch of Mediterranean coastline have drawn aristocrats and the well-heeled for hundreds of years.

2. U.S.

        

Thousands of miles lay between the biggest destinations in the U.S., but flights between each destination are frequent and relatively affordable. 

·                       New York. Popular attractions for visitors to America’s largest and most densely-populated city include Time Square, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Statue of Liberty.
     

·                       San Francisco. The Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, and Fisherman’s Wharf are the most-visited sites in the city on the bay.

        

·                       Orlando. Growing up out of the Florida swamp, Orlando serves as a base for visitors to theWalt Disney World and Universal Orlando theme parks.

3. China

Like the U.S., China is a vast country with thousands of noteworthy sites, but two of the most-visited places in China are less than a hundred miles apart.

·                       The Great Wall. The Great Wall stretches over 13,000 miles, but most Beijing-based visitors will probably walk the wall at Jinshanling, located about 90 miles outside of Beijing.

  

·                       Beijing. The most popular attractions in China’s capitol city include the Forbidden City, theSummer Palace, and the Temple of Heaven.

·                       Xi’an. This ancient-but-growing city on the eastern terminus of the Silk Road is home to a well-preserved city wall, the terracotta army, and other ancient ruins.

4. Spain

        

Between clubs that stay open until 7am, festivals like Seville Fair, The Running of the Bulls, LaTomatina, and the islands of Ibiza and Majorca, Spain knows how to party. However, Spain’s two most-visited cities still offer plenty for cultural sightseers

·                       Madrid. Puerta del Sol, the Prado Museum, and the Plaza Mayor make up the most popular sites in Spain’s largest city.

      

·                       Barcelona. The capitol of Catalonia is home to Sagrada Familia (under construction since  1882), Parc Güell, and the labyrinthine backstreets of the Barri Gotic.

     

5. Italy

  

Italy is home to 47 UN World Heritage Sites, the most of any country in the world…and with good reason: Italy’s political and artistic history shaped western civilization.

·                       Rome. Millions of visitors per year arrive in Rome to marvel at the Coliseum, the Vatican Museum, St. Peter’s Basilica, and hundreds of other sites throughout the city.

 

·                       Florence. Tourists visit the birthplace of the European Renaissance for its artistic (the Uffizi and the Accademia) and architectural (the Duomo, the Palazzo Vecchio) treasures.

   

·                       Venice. After a gondolier ride down the Grand Canal, sightseers in Venice usually end up atPiazza San Marco.

  

6. Turkey

From the ruins of Ephesus to beaches of the Turkish Riviera to the unique geological formations atCappadocia, Turkey is a rich, diverse, and ancient country with a lot to offer modern tourists.

·                       Istanbul. Former seat of the Ottoman and Byzantine Empires, the Hagia Sofia, Blue Mosque, and Grand Bazaar have drawn travelers to Istanbul for centuries.

 

·                       Antalya. The world’s fourth most-visited city, this international sea resort is home to an old quarter (Kaleiçi), ancient monuments like Hadrian’s Gate, and popular beaches (Konyaalti,Lara)

 

7. United Kingdom

Over 29 million international visitors arrived in the U.K. in 2011. Of these, most end up in one of two cities.

·                       London. London’s most popular sites include The Tower of London, The British Museum, Tate Modern, and Trafalgar Square

 

·                       Manchester. The Lowry Gallery and Theatre and the Museum of Science and Industry are Manchester’s main draws, though its list of popular musicians is just as impressive.

 

·                       Stonehenge. Stonehenge is the U.K.’s best-known (and most mysterious) Neolithic site.

8. Germany

If you can’t make it to Munich’s Oktoberfest or Carnival Cologne, never fear. There’s still plenty to see in Germany’s most popular destinations.

·                       Berlin. Must-visit sites in Germany’s affordable capitol include the Reichstag, Alexanderplatz,Checkpoint Charlie, and the Holocaust Memorial.

 

·                       Cologne. The gothic spires of the Cologne Cathedral are Cologne’s best-known feature, but theRomano-Germanic Museum, Museum Ludwig, and the medieval City Hall all deserve a visit.

 

9. Malaysia

The only Southeast Asian country to make the U.N.’s list of ten most-visited countries (sadly), Malaysia has thousands of miles of coastline, and vibrant, modern cities.

·                       Kuala Lumpur. Nearly nine million tourists visit Malaysia’s capitol annually to shop, eat, and visit the Petronas Twin Towers, Merdeka Square, National Museum, and the Jamek Mosque.

 

·                       Islands and beaches. White sand, blue waters, and world-class snorkeling and diving are the main draws at Langkawi, Redang Island, and Tioman Island.

 

10. Mexico

Though the ongoing drug cartel violence has killed tens of thousands of people, tourists are rarely targeted, and Mexico remains popular with international visitors.

·                       Mexico City. Top sites in Mexico’s mile-high capitol include El Zócalo, the Museuo Nacional de Antropología, and the Palacio de Bellas Artes, as well as nearby Teotihuacan.

 

·                       Resort beaches. Cancún, Acupulco, and Cabo San Lucas  are among Mexico’s most popular beaches.

 

·                       Meso-American ruins. In Southern Mexico, visitors to ruins like Palenque, Chichen Itza, andMonte Alban can pay homage to fallen pre-Columbian civilizations.