Top 10 most visited city in the world. The best European cities to visit

The world of tourism has its own trends, the formation of which depends on many factors. Recently, a lot of people go to more exotic countries, unexplored corners of the world where no foreigner has set foot, there are no luxury hotels and very often even roads! Below is a list of the ten most visited cities in the world by tourists.

Paris remains a favorite place for couples in love and ordinary tourists who prefer European landscapes, cozy cafes, French chansonniers and delicious pastries. Over a year the capital of France is visited by more than 9 million human. After all, of course, in Paris there is always and will be something to see! A huge number of exhibitions, theaters, museums, antique shops, as well as parks and attractions.

Antalya is a rapidly developing resort city in southern Turkey. It is visited annually by about 10 million human. A lot of Russian tourists, visiting this city, choose it for permanent residence.

New York is the political, economic, cultural and tourist center of the United States, one of the most big cities east coast. New York has a very diverse character, which attracts great amount travelers. It is visited annually by more than 11 million tourists.

This city is located in the south of China in the province of Guangdong, bordering on Hong Kong. It is in the top five in terms of population growth. Shenzhen, one of the most developing cities in China, attracts more and more investors and tourists every year (approx. 12 million in year).

Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia. One of the most modern and dynamic cities in Asia. It is the seat of many financial and commercial corporations. It is also the main industrial center of the country. Every year it tastes more 13 million tourists.

Macau is a city in southern China, a former Portuguese colony rich in sights from the colonial era. It is often called the "eastern Monte Carlo" since the gambling business brings almost 50% of all revenues to the city budget. Annually Macau visits about 13 million person from all over the world.

It's hard not to remember this city. He, like Paris, will forever remain a favorite point on the map for tourists. London continues to develop and does not lose popularity in tourism business probably because he's special. It is tasted annually by about 15 million human.

Bangkok is the capital and The largest city Thailand, one of the leading financial and economic centers South-East Asia. It is located on the Chao Phraya River, not far from the coast of the Gulf of Thailand. Every year Bangkok is visited by more than 15 million tourists.

The second place in our ranking is occupied by Singapore, with an indicator of more than 21 million person per year. This is a very exotic city-state, it consists of 63 islands, 4 religions coexist here at the same time. According to The Economist, it is the most expensive city in the world.

The leader of the list is Hong Kong! It is cultural, economic, political as well as Finance center Asia and the world, firmly occupying a leading position in the ranking of the most convenient cities for shopping. He visits every year 23 million human.

An experienced traveler tries to choose an interesting and original place for each new trip, but everyone was once a beginner. When I first started traveling, like most ordinary tourists, I first of all visited those countries that I heard and knew the most about. So what are the most visited countries today? Where are the crowds of tourists?

No. 10. Mexico - 29.1 million visitors per year

Mexico is the 10th most visited country in the world. In the ranking of countries on the continent of America, Mexico ranks second in terms of attendance after the United States, even ahead of Canada! The number of visitors to Mexico in a year is greater than the number of visitors in all Caribbean(22.8 million people per year). The most visited region in Mexico is the Yucatan Peninsula. People come here for the magnificent beaches, ancient Mayan ruins, lush rainforests and bustling nightlife.

No. 9. Russia - 29.8 million visitors per year

In recent years, Russia has been in the top 10 most visited countries in the world, only slightly behind the UK. There are 26 sites in Russia that are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Lake Baikal, the volcanoes and geysers of Kamchatka, the Black Sea coast, the snowy mountains of Altai are just a few of the thousands famous places for visiting.

Russia is rich not only natural objects but also cultural attractions. The main cultural centers - Moscow, St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk, Novgorod, Kazan, etc. - are famous for their numerous churches, museums, historical buildings, theaters, palaces, fortifications and other objects with a rich centuries-old history.
The popularity of Russia as a country to visit is growing every year. About a million people in Russian Federation work in the tourism sector.

No. 8. United Kingdom - 32.6 million visitors per year

The tourism business annually brings $ 17.2 billion to the state treasury. Most of the UK tourists are Europeans, the second largest group of tourists comes to the UK from the USA and Canada. London is the most visited city in the United Kingdom and the Tower is the most visited place.

No. 7. Germany - 33.0 million visitors per year

Germany is considered one of the safest tourist countries in the world. Tourism is developed in Germany both for its own citizens and for foreign ones. According to statistics, 30% of Germans prefer to rest within the country.

In Germany, 2 million people work in the tourism sector, and the share of tourism in the country's GDP is 4.5%. Cultural tourist centers Germany is Berlin, Munich and Hamburg, they are also the most visited cities in the country. Of the natural attractions in Germany, the most famous are: national park Saxon Switzerland, Western Pomeranian Lagoon National Park, Jasmund National Park. These parks are visited by millions of tourists every year.

No. 6. Turkey - 39.8 million visitors per year

Turkey is in 6th place in terms of attendance. This country is known for its rich cultural heritage and ethnic diversity. Turkey has a large number of historical, cultural and archaeological monuments, and in addition to this, charming seaside resorts along the Mediterranean and Aegean coasts. Istanbul is the most visited city in Turkey.

In 2015, the tourism industry in Turkey suffered losses due to a number of accidents related to the activities of terrorist groups. Turkey has lost a third of the entire flow of tourists.

No. 5. Italy - 48.6 million visitors per year

Visiting Italy is a dream of many people. 50 objects world heritage UNESCO, countless cultural artifacts, archaeological sites from the Roman Empire and the Renaissance, the Mediterranean coast and much more! Italy rightfully occupies the 5th place in terms of attendance.

The most visited cities in Italy: Rome, Venice, Florence, Milan. 48.6 million tourists a year bring huge funds to the country's treasury.

No. 4. China - 55.6 million visitors per year

The Great Wall of China, the Sacred Mountains of China, the Shaolin Monastery, Huangguoshu Waterfall, the Forbidden City, the Three Gorges Power Plant and many other attractions make China one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. According to the World Trade Organization, by 2020, China will take the first place in the world among the countries in terms of attendance.

No. 3. Spain - 65.0 million visitors per year

Tourism is the main industry in Spain. The share of tourism is 11% of the country's GDP. People go to Spain to visit Barcelona and Madrid, to the resorts of the Mediterranean Sea, to participate in Carnivals and Ensierro (Spanish national custom, which consists in running away from bulls, cows or calves specially released from the corral).

15 national parks attract nature lovers. Spain is also famous for its ski resorts. 13 Spanish cities are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and attract tourists from all over the world.

No. 2. USA - 74.8 million visitors per year

The huge country of the USA can surprise both beginners and experienced travelers. In cities such as New York, Los Angeles and Las Vegas, the flow of tourists does not stop all year round. Of the natural attractions of the United States: the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone National Park, the wonderful landscapes of Alaska, the beaches of Hawaii and much more. In 29 US states, tourism is the main industry that brings a lot of money to the treasury.

In the United States, the largest flows of tourists come from Mexico, Canada, and the UK. According to statistics, by 2025 the US will earn $2.5 trillion. dollars for tourism.

No. 1. France - 83.7 million visitors per year

For the most part, people are attracted by the local color and special atmosphere, in addition, France is famous for its fine cuisine and wines.

Paris is one of the most visited cities in the world thanks to eiffel tower. In addition to Paris, people go to Lyon, Strasbourg and other cities. France is famous for its great ski resorts, Alpine mountains, beaches, picturesque French villages, beautiful gardens and parks and much more.

TRAVELERS’ CHOICE AWARD is the most important tourist rating of the year, compiled by TripAdvisor.com, the largest travel service in the world. The winners were selected using an algorithm that takes into account millions of online user reviews and ratings of thousands of attractions, hotels and restaurants around the world over the past 12 months. Want to know which cities won? See the top 25 best travel destinations in the world.

25 PHOTOS

The material was prepared with the support of the online lighting store Svetilnik-Online, which offers to find out the cost of Array chandeliers and buy them. Stylish Belgian-made Massive chandeliers will organically fit into the interior of your room. A rich selection of 1500 models of chandeliers, floor lamps and sconces will allow you to find your own lamp.

1. Marrakesh in Morocco was ranked #1 on TripAdvisor.com's Best Travel Destinations. “Amazing bustling old market in the city center” is the most attractive place in the city, according to portal users. (Photo: CNN).
2. Siem Reap in Cambodia is number 2 in the ranking of the best travel destinations. The sunrise over the Angkor Wat temple causes a special delight among tourists, because it is not for nothing that it is considered one of the seven new wonders of the world. (Photo: CNN).
3. Istanbul in Turkey is a city full of contrasts. A trip to Istanbul is a fantastic journey through different eras, styles, religions, tastes and aromas. (Photo: CNN).
4. Hanoi in Vietnam. Users call it a lively, interesting and chaotic, in the good sense of the word, city. (Photo: CNN).
5. "Beautiful and charming" Czech Prague. Here on every corner you can stumble upon "strange shops" that will pleasantly surprise you. (Photo: CNN).
6. "Eclectic" London is a mixture of lifestyles, people and history. (Photo: CNN).
7. Rome, Italy "Such a huge piece of history in one city." (Photo: CNN).
8. Buenos Aires, Argentina “Cool, trendy, absolutely delightful city.” (Photo: CNN).
9. Paris, France Nowhere else in the world will you find such an amazing atmosphere as in Montmartre, a beautiful and colorful area with its small shops, art galleries and charming cafes. (Photo: CNN).
10. Cape Town, South Africa. One of the main attractions of Cape Town is Botanical Garden Kirstenbosch, about which users write only admiring reviews. (Photo: CNN).
11. New York, USA. According to TripAdvisor.com users, the city's top must-see attraction is Times Square. (Photo: CNN).
12. Zermatt, Switzerland “Once you get to the top of the Matterhorn Glacier, you will feel like you are standing on the roof of the world.” (Photo: CNN).
13. Barcelona, Spain. “In some corners of this city, you will feel like you have traveled back in time… 500 years into the past!” (Photo: CNN).
14. Gorem, Turkey. "This is the most unusual and surreal landscape in the world!" (Photo: CNN).
15. Ubud, Indonesia. it the best place for those who love SPA: massage, acupuncture, reflexology, aromatherapy - here you can try absolutely everything. (Photo: CNN).
16. Cusco, Peru “It is a wonderful city with charming cobbled streets, very hospitable people and good restaurants". (Photo: CNN).
17. St. Petersburg, Russia. One of its main attractions is St. Isaac's Cathedral, which offers a breathtaking view of the entire city. And the beauty of the interior of the cathedral makes tourists "goosebumps!". In the photo: Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ on Blood. (Photo: CNN).
18. Bangkok, Thailand. Khao San Street is "the heart and soul of Bangkok, the best place for all travelers, with its lively streets and bars at every turn." (Photo: CNN).
19. Kathmandu, Nepal. Kathmandu is primarily a city of Buddhist temples, unique monuments worth visiting. (Photo: CNN).
20. Athens, Greece. The hallmark of this city is the "exciting" Acropolis. (Photo: CNN).
21. Budapest, the capital of Hungary, has been dubbed the "Queen of the Danube" by internet users. (Photo: CNN).
22. Queenstown ( New Zealand) is the best place for lovers of sports and amazing nature. (Photo: CNN).
23. Hong Kong (China) is the only city of its kind that features floating restaurants serving delicious dim sum (Chinese dumplings). (Photo: CNN).
24. Dubai (UAE) - A cosmopolitan oasis with futuristic cityscapes that rises above the Arabian Desert. (Photo: CNN).
25. Sydney (Australia) is a city that will appeal to both lovers of history and modernity. Business card city is the opera house (Sydney Opera House), which looks like a sailboat floating peacefully in the harbor. (Photo: CNN).

The global payment system Mastercard once again found out where the world's tourist flows will rush in 2015. The ranking of the most visited cities by tourists has been created annually for the past seven years. The forecast is made on the basis of an analysis of data on the number of citizens who arrived and the amount of money they spent.

7499

Mastercard estimates that there will be 383 million trips between 132 cities this year. General spending foreign tourists will amount to 360 billion dollars. The company's press release notes that "The Global Destinations Cities Index does more than simply reflect the destinations of tourism, it provides a deeper understanding of how people move around the world, highlighting the important role of cities as places of residence, visited centers and engines of economic activity." According to Mastercard largest number tourists will be in the next ten cities.

1. London, UK

18 million 820 thousand tourists

2. Bangkok, Thailand

18 million 240 thousand tourists

3. Paris, France

16 million 60 thousand tourists

4. Dubai, UAE

14 million 260 thousand tourists

5. Istanbul, Turkey

12 million 560 thousand tourists

6. New York, USA

12 million 270 thousand tourists

7. Singapore

11 million 880 thousand tourists

8. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

11 million 120 thousand tourists

9. Seoul, South Korea

10 million 350 thousand tourists

10. Hong Kong, China

8 million 660 thousand tourists

Moscow, October 15 - Vesti.Ekonomika. Mastercard has released its annual Global Destination Cities Index, which examines tourism and travel trends in 162 cities around the world.

As part of this study, experts calculated the number of visitors to the cities of the world, and also made a forecast for the next year.

Below we will tell you about the most visited cities in 2018 according to the Mastercard rating.

20. Bali, Indonesia - 8.43 million foreign tourists

Tourism is the main source of income for the island.

The airport has been reconstructed, luxury hotels and modest cheap hotels to cover the entire social spectrum of travel enthusiasts.

Rice fields are being drained and aqueducts are being built in the most arid regions.

Inexpensive has been replaced by elite tourism. Now world famous stars come to Sanur for their wedding ceremonies, and European ministers spend their holidays at the "Mediterranean Club" in Nusa Dua.

19. Osaka, Japan - 8.78 million foreign tourists

Osaka is the third most populated city in Japan. Osaka is served by 2 airports. international Airport Kansai receives most of the scheduled international flights.

Osaka is often referred to as the city of food. Local delicacies include udon noodles, takoyaki octopus dumplings and okonomiyaki pie.

18. Barcelona, Spain - 9.06 million foreign tourists

Barcelona is the capital of the autonomous region of Catalonia and the province of Barcelona, and is one of the most important tourist destinations on European itineraries.

Barcelona is a unique European city that successfully combines both cultural and historical tourism and resort tourism.

There are practically no similar analogues in Europe. A 5-kilometer sandy beach stretches along the city, free for visiting. Here are located famous beaches Barcelona like Barceloneta, San Sebastian and others.

Thanks to richest history city and region, Barcelona is a paradise for lovers of architecture and art. Dozens of museums, art galleries and incredible attractions.

17. Hong Kong - 9.11 million foreign tourists

Hong Kong is often described as the place where East meets West, which is reflected in its economic infrastructure, architecture, education and urban culture.

On one street you can find traditional Chinese shops selling Chinese medicines, Buddhist incense or shark fin soup.

But just around the corner you can see the cinema, which is the latest Hollywood blockbuster, an English pub, a Catholic church or McDonald's.

The official languages of the Territory are Chinese and English, and bilingual signs are found throughout Hong Kong.

16. Milan, Italy - 9.19 million foreign tourists

Milan has a reputation as the financial and economic capital of the country and one of the world's fashion capitals. Refers to global cities.

Two symbols of the city: the white marble Duomo, located on the main city square next to the royal palace, and the Sforza Castle, which may have served as a model for the Lombard architects who erected the walls of the Moscow Kremlin at the end of the 15th century. The tomb of the medieval and Renaissance rulers of Milan was the Carthusian monastery located outside the city.

From ancient times, fragments of the amphitheater and the great basilicas rebuilt in the Middle Ages have been preserved: Ambrosian (with the sarcophagus of Stilicho) and Laurentian. The Monastery of Santa Maria delle Grazie has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The fresco by Leonardo da Vinci located in it " The Last Supper attracts crowds of tourists from all over the world.

15. Palma de Mallorca - 9.3 million foreign tourists

Palma de Mallorca - main city and a port of the Spanish Autonomous Community of the Balearic Islands.

Members of the Spanish royal family spend their holidays at the Mariventa Palace, near Palma.

On the land surrounding the Cathedral of Palma, there used to be an Arab city, known in the Muslim world under the name of Medina Mayurka. Of his buildings, only the arch on Almudena Street and the Arab baths on Serra Street remained. Not far from the cathedral are ancient churches and rich houses that belonged to the nobility and merchants.

14. Pattaya, Thailand - 9.56 million foreign tourists

Pattaya - popular resort in Thailand, which concentrates numerous types of entertainment that are in demand by vacationers.

Almost the entire coastal strip is occupied by beaches.

The accommodation infrastructure includes more than 250 hotels and over 400 guest houses.

There are two paid water parks at the Pattaya Park and Centara Grand Mirage hotels, the Khao Kheo open zoo, the Si Racha tiger zoo, and the Pattaya Dolphins dolphinarium.

13. Mecca, Saudi Arabia - 9.73 million foreign tourists

Mecca is a center of pilgrimage for Muslims. Non-Muslims are prohibited from entering Mecca by the law of the country.

Mecca - holy city Muslims.

In the center of Mecca is the main and largest mosque in the world, Al-Haram, in the courtyard of which is the main shrine of Islam - the Kaaba.

By 2011, the world's most massive complex of skyscraper towers, Abraj al-Beit, was built in Mecca; his most high building- The Royal Tower - is the third tallest building in the world and has the largest and tallest clock in the world.

12. Phuket, Thailand - 10.08 million foreign tourists

Today, the province receives most of its income from the huge tourist popularity of the island as a seaside resort.

Apart from beach holiday, tourists are attracted to the island by cultural and historical sights, the opportunity to make inexpensive purchases, rich underwater world Andaman Sea, world-class golf courses, and officially banned sex tourism

11. Seoul, South Korea - 10.13 million foreign tourists

Seoul is one of the largest industrial and financial centers in the world. The headquarters of Samsung, LG, Hyundai, Kia and SK corporations are located here. About 20 thousand enterprises operate in Seoul.

The entertainment complex COEX is very popular. It contains a huge number of various eateries and restaurants, cinemas and shops, as well as a large underground aquarium.

In the neighboring area of Songpa-gu, Lotte World amusement park is also a very popular place in the city.

10. Antalya, Turkey - 11.27 million foreign tourists

Antalya is a resort and port city in southern Turkey on the coast mediterranean sea, the capital of Antalya Province.

The recreational and general tourism potential of the city is huge, and continues to grow every day. Antalya has a huge modern airport, its two international terminal considered one of the best on the entire Mediterranean coast.

The coastal zone consists of beaches (many of which are awarded for the high level of comfort and cleanliness), children's attractions, water activities and small beach cafe-restaurants.

9. Tokyo, Japan - 12.12 million foreign tourists

Tokyo is the capital of Japan, its administrative, financial, industrial and political center.

Edo Castle is the main decoration of the capital, a special monument of history and culture.

The first, second and third castle courtyards are reserved for the Tokyo imperial palace, and the northern courtyard has been transformed into a park. Along the perimeter of the castle are ancient towers, stone walls and deep ditches.

Among historical monuments- Manor of the Matsudaira clan, Old palace park Hama - the former estate of the shogun Tokugawa Ienobu, Koishikawa Korakuen Garden - the former estate of the Tokugawa family from the principality of Mito.

8. Istanbul, Turkey - 12.8 million foreign tourists

Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey, the main commercial, industrial and cultural center, the main port of the country. It is located on the banks of the Bosphorus Strait, which divides it into the European (main) and Asian parts, connected by bridges and tunnels.

Istanbul is an extremely popular tourism destination.

Main tourist sites located in the European part of the city. About 90% of hotels are located here.

There are seventy museums in the city, of which only the Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia bring $ 30 million in net income per year.

In total, there are 17 palaces, 64 mosques and 49 historical churches, as well as many other ancient sights (columns, fortresses, underground cisterns, etc.)

7. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - 13.53 million foreign tourists

Kuala Lumpur has a rich variety of architectural styles.

The main ensemble of buildings (former Main Post Office, former Supreme Court, the building of the city theater and the building of Sultan Abdul-Samad) is located on Independence Square, which served as a cricket field during the colonial rule.

Next to the square are National Museum textiles and Jamek Mosque.

South of the square, on the street of Sultan Khisamuddin, opposite each other are the Old Train Station and Headquarters of the Malaysian railways. All buildings were erected during the late XIX - early XX centuries.

6. New York, USA - 13.67 million foreign tourists

New York is the largest city in the United States, one of the largest agglomerations in the world.

The main attractions are located in Manhattan.

Among them: historical skyscrapers (Empire State Building, Chrysler Building), Rockefeller Center, Woolworth Building, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Metropolitan Opera, Solomon Guggenheim Museum (painting), American Museum natural history(dinosaur skeletons and planetarium), the legendary Chelsea Hotel, UN Headquarters, Harlem.

New York is an important global financial, political, economic and cultural center

5. Singapore - 14.47 million foreign tourists

Singapore attracts tourists with ecological cleanliness, programs for the preservation of cultural and historical heritage. The country has one of the lowest crime rates in the world.

Here English is the dominant among the four official languages, which makes it easier for tourists to communicate.

The country's tourist attractions are popular - Singapore Zoo, night safari, Jurong Bird Park. For tourists in Singapore, several beach resorts with tourist attractions. On the islands are historical Museum, a large aquarium with marine life.

4. Dubai, UAE - 16.66 million foreign tourists

Dubai is the largest city in the United United Arab Emirates and deep sea sea port, the administrative center of the emirate of Dubai, the most important commercial and financial center of the UAE.

One of the city's most famous landmarks is the Burj Khalifa, a skyscraper resembling a stalagmite in shape.

Since May 19, 2008 - the tallest structure in the world that has ever existed. The skyscraper was officially opened on January 4, 2010. Its height is 828 m, 163 floors. More than 50 elevators are expected to operate, with a lifting speed of 18 m/s.