30 Most Visited Countries in the World and their most visited places
11. Austria – 28.1 million visitors
Austria is a European country with a rich history. Castles, chateaux, fortresses, churches are quite common in Austria. What, however, attracts tourists even more, is their natural scenery. Especially the Austrian Alps are a sought-after destination every year, both in winter and summer.
Yachting in Balaton, Hungary - short 4k cinematic film
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The city of Vienna is the perfect place for a trip abroad, and its many museums and venues for the arts make it a popular tourist destination. There is also Hallstatt, which is home to the Salzwelten salt mine and Echern Valley. If you want to go on a skiing holiday, Innsbruck is a wonderful city to visit. The sheer beauty of this country’s landscape makes it well worth visiting at least once in your life.
Schonbrunn Palace, Austria, Most Visited Countries in the World by lapping / pixabay
Most visited places in Austria
1. Schonbrunn Palace
2. Hallstatt
3. Grossglockner Alpine Road
4. St Anton am Arlberg
5. Innsbruck Altstadt
- Innsbruck Altstadt, Austria by Allie_Caulfield / flickr.com
- Hallstatt, Austria by veronica111886 / pixabay
- Grossglockner Alpine Road, Austria by stux / pixabay
- Backcountry skiing in St. Anton am Arlberg, Austria by Johannes Gruber / flickr.com
Austria, with its rich history, stunning landscapes, and cultural treasures, offers a variety of places to visit. Here are some must-see destinations in Austria:
Vienna: The capital city is known for its imperial palaces, museums, and classical music heritage. Visit Schönbrunn Palace, Belvedere Palace, and explore the historic center with St. Stephen’s Cathedral.
Salzburg: Birthplace of Mozart, Salzburg is a charming city with a well-preserved historic center. Explore the Hohensalzburg Fortress, Mirabell Palace, and take a stroll through the Getreidegasse.
Innsbruck: Nestled in the Alps, Innsbruck is known for its winter sports and stunning landscapes. Visit the Golden Roof, the Imperial Palace, and enjoy outdoor activities in the surrounding mountains.
Hallstatt: A picturesque village situated by Hallstätter See, Hallstatt is known for its charming Alpine architecture and stunning lakeside views. Visit the salt mines and enjoy a boat ride on the lake.
Graz: Graz is a vibrant city with a mix of Renaissance and Baroque architecture. Explore the historic Old Town, climb the Schlossberg for panoramic views, and visit the Graz Art Museum.
Read more about the Best places to visit in Austria here!
Did you know you can even stay at Schonbrunn Palace?!
Schloß Schönbrunn Grand Suite is there waiting for you to stay at. Book a room and feel like a royal (regardless of your blood’s colour).Schloß Schönbrunn Grand Suite, Vienna
Most visitors come to Schonbrunn Palace usually for a day only! Give yourself an adventure of a lifetime and stay here for a night!
12. Malaysia – 26.8 million visitors
Malaysia has a number of fun attractions and beautiful scenery for those who want an unforgettable trip. Kota Kinabalu’s beaches and rainforests offer a spectacular landscape that you will take your breath away from. There is also Malacca City, which has many unique shops, restaurants, and historic sites to visit. George Town, which is the nation’s capital city, is a multicultural place with lots of beauty to offer.
Malaysia is a great choice for both beginners and experienced travelers! Transport is working well, prices are low, you can speak English with the locals without any problems. In Malaysia, you will get to know different cultures, religions, excellent gastronomy, beaches, forests, and tea plantations.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Most Visited Countries in the World by Walkerssk / pixabay
Most visited places in Malaysia
1. Mulu Caves
2. Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre
3. Perhentian Islands
4. Langkawi
5. Petronas Twin Towers
- Mulu Caves, Malaysia by Eric Lanning / flickr.com
- Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre, Malaysia by Pedro Alonso / flickr.com
- Perhentian Island Resort (PIR) Beach, Perhentian Besar, Malaysia by Achilli Family | Journeys / flickr.com
- Langkawi, Malaysia by lawyergaoge / pixabay
Malaysia is a diverse and vibrant country with a rich cultural tapestry, stunning landscapes, and a range of activities for visitors.
Kuala Lumpur: Explore the capital city, Kuala Lumpur. Visit iconic landmarks like the Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur Tower, and the vibrant street markets. Don’t forget to explore the diverse neighborhoods like Chinatown and Little India.
Penang: Discover the UNESCO World Heritage city of George Town in Penang. Explore the vibrant street art, visit historical sites like Fort Cornwallis, and indulge in Penang’s renowned street food.
Langkawi: Relax on the beaches of Langkawi, a beautiful archipelago with pristine sands and clear waters. Take a cable car ride for panoramic views, explore the Langkawi Sky Bridge, and visit the Kilim Karst Geoforest Park.
Malacca (Melaka): Immerse yourself in the historical charm of Malacca, known for its well-preserved colonial architecture, Jonker Street night market, and cultural attractions like St. Paul’s Church.
Taman Negara National Park: Experience the oldest rainforest in the world at Taman Negara National Park. Go on canopy walks, river cruises, and jungle treks to explore the rich biodiversity.
Find more best places to visit in Malaysia!
Kunang Kunang Heritage Villas, Malaysia
13. Hong Kong – 26.6 million visitors
Hong Kong is filled with amusement parks, interesting museums, and restaurants with some of the best food you have ever tasted. There are a lot of fascinating attractions in this area, including Hong Kong Disneyland. This is actually the perfect destination for a family vacation abroad. You’ll also find that there are lots of historic sites to visit as well.
Head to the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade in the evening and wait for all the skyscrapers on Hong Kong Island to light up. Hong Kong is a diverse city combining Chinese and Western culture, a city of renowned restaurants, a lively nightlife, and a city with a never-ending pulse.
Hong Kong, Most Visited Countries in the World by MK817 / pixabay
Most visited places in Hong Kong
1. The Peak
2. Hong Kong Disneyland
3. Ladies’ Market
4. Ocean Park Hong Kong
5. Temple Street Night Market
- Hong Kong Disneyland by nextvoyage / pixabay
- Ladies’ Market, Hong Kong by Mark Lehmkuhler / flickr.com
- Ocean Park Hong Kong by hhyunma / pixabay
- Temple Street Night Market Hong Kong by Matthias Süßen / wikipedia.org
Hong Kong is a vibrant and dynamic destination that offers a unique blend of East and West, modernity and tradition.
Skyline and Architecture: Hong Kong boasts one of the most iconic skylines in the world. The cityscape, with its towering skyscrapers and neon lights, is particularly stunning at night. Don’t miss the view from Victoria Peak.
Cultural Diversity: Experience a rich blend of Chinese and Western cultures. Hong Kong’s history as a former British colony has left its mark on the city, creating a unique cultural fusion.
Delicious Cuisine: Hong Kong is a paradise for food lovers. From Michelin-starred restaurants to local street markets, you can savor a diverse range of culinary delights, including dim sum, roast duck, and traditional Hong Kong-style tea.
Shopping Paradise: Hong Kong is a shopper’s haven with a wide range of markets and malls. Explore street markets like Temple Street Night Market and shop for luxury goods in districts like Central and Causeway Bay.
Lively Street Markets: Dive into the bustling street markets, such as Ladies’ Market and Mong Kok’s markets, where you can shop for everything from clothing and accessories to souvenirs and electronics.
Check this for the best places to visit in Hong Kong!
Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong
14. Greece – 24.8 million visitors
Greece has a long and fascinating history, and many of the ancient historical landmarks still stand today. The ancient city of Athens attracts many tourists each year, and it’s well worth visiting.
There is also Mykonos, which has some of the most spectacular beaches in the world. Rhodes is another area of this country that is filled with beautiful beaches that you’ll be sure to love.
Greece is known as the cradle of European civilization and the centre of education. The legacy of the ancient Greek civilization is still alive, and many magnificent monuments have been preserved. These monuments, as well as the charming nature and pleasant climate of the south of Europe, attract huge numbers of tourists from all over the world every year.
Santorini, Greece, Most Visited Countries in the World by Russell_Yan / pixabay
Most visited places in Greece
1. Greek Islands such as Santorini
2. Athens
3. Crete
4. Meteora
5. Delphi
- Athens, Greece by dipphotos / flickr.com
- Crete, Greece by jarekgrafik / pixabay
- Meteora, Greece by Athena24 / pixabay
- Delphi, Greece by Walkerssk / pixabay
Greece is a beautiful and culturally rich destination with a plethora of activities for visitors.
Visit Athens: Explore the capital city, Athens, and its ancient landmarks. Visit the Acropolis and the Parthenon, delve into the history at the Acropolis Museum, and stroll through the historic Plaka neighborhood.
Santorini: Enjoy the stunning views and picturesque white-washed buildings of Santorini. Visit the villages of Oia and Fira, relax on beautiful beaches, and witness the famous Santorini sunset.
Delphi: Visit the archaeological site of Delphi, once considered the center of the world in ancient Greek mythology. Explore the Temple of Apollo and the theater with its panoramic views.
Crete: Discover the largest Greek island, Crete. Visit the ancient Minoan Palace of Knossos, hike the Samaria Gorge, and relax on the beautiful beaches of Elafonissi and Balos.
Meteora Monasteries: Marvel at the unique monasteries perched on top of towering rock formations in Meteora. Explore these monastic complexes and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
Read more about 30 Best Places to Visit in Greece – cities, islands, mountains! and if you just looking for some beaches read this: Greece Beaches – 20 Best beaches in Greece and top tourist attractions around them
Santonero – The Philoxenia Project
15. Russia – 24.6 million visitors
Russia has many different cities that can make for a very fun tourist destination. Moscow is the capital city of Russia and home to the famous Kremlin.
There is Lake Baikal, which is a massive Siberian lake for hiking and wildlife. Whether you want an exciting night in the city or peaceful seclusion in a beautiful rural area, this country has it all.
Being the largest country in the world, Russia has eleven time zones. It is also a country full of natural beauty, architectural jewels, historical monuments and modern architecture.
Moscow, Russia, Most Visited Countries in the World by designerpoint / pixabay
Most visited places in Russia
1. Saint Basil’s Cathedral and Kremlin in Moscow
2. Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg
3. Mount Elbrus
4. Lake Baikal
5. Trans-Siberian Railway
- The State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia by kuhnmi / flickr.com
- Mount Elbrus, Russia by Konstantin Malanchev
- Lake Baikal, Russia by Natalia_Kollegova / pixabay
- Trans-Siberian Railway, Russia by Simon Pielow
Russia is a vast and diverse country with a rich cultural heritage, historic landmarks, and stunning natural landscapes.
Moscow: Explore the capital city and visit iconic landmarks such as the Kremlin, Red Square, St. Basil’s Cathedral, and the State Tretyakov Gallery. Experience the grandeur of the Moscow Metro and enjoy the vibrant cultural scene.
St. Petersburg: Marvel at the architectural wonders of St. Petersburg, including the Winter Palace (Hermitage Museum), the Peter and Paul Fortress, and the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood. Take a stroll along the Neva River and enjoy the city’s cultural richness.
Golden Ring: Discover the historic towns of the Golden Ring, such as Suzdal, Yaroslavl, and Sergiev Posad. These charming towns are known for their well-preserved architecture, churches, and traditional crafts.
Trans-Siberian Railway: Embark on the epic Trans-Siberian Railway journey, one of the longest train journeys in the world. Experience the vastness of Siberia and witness diverse landscapes.
Kazan: Explore the capital of Tatarstan, Kazan, known for its unique blend of Russian and Islamic culture. Visit the Kazan Kremlin, the Kul Sharif Mosque, and the Kazan Federal University.
For more great tips on what to see and visit in Russia, read this article: Best Places to Visit in Russia – 30 amazing cities, mountains and other tourist attractions
Hi. Your label and image for Singapore’s Botanic Gardens are wrongly paired. The image is rightfully Gardens by the Bay and not Botanic Gardens. Botanic Gardens does not have Supertrees.
Fascinating facts. Have you been to all these countries? I’d be interested in your personal view, especially of the UK which is where I am from. I do always wonder why certain places seem to be so much of an attraction – Stonehenge is fascinating, but you can’t get very close to the stones themselves and we have other sites where you can have a better user experience in my view (Avebury for example). What do you think?
Wow, what an amazing list of incredible countries! I am happy to have been to 12 of them so far, with many others on the list! It’s great to see the top attractions in each country – it has given me so much food for thought for my bucket list! Istanbul and Dubrovnik are the top hitters for me.
Wow. What a list you have compiled. As I read through the post, it was great to see how many places we have visited but I realized how many places I still want to see. Germany, Turkey, Poland, Malaysia and the Ukraine are countries we have not even touched. But in many of the others, there are still so many other sites to visit. Thanks for putting a few new ones on my long list!
This is a great list and I’ve been to 15 of them with plans to visit at least 3 more next year. How many of these countries have you visited? Do you have a favorite or favorites? As an American. I’m curious how that number of visitors to the U.S. has changed in the last 2 years??
this is soooo wrong…where did you put Portugal?!?!?!
What an absolutely fascinating post to read, of course we know these countries are popular but to see the hard visitor numbers, and broken down by sites, is very interesting. Of the top five, I need to explore more of Spain and China is near the top of my wishlist to visit.
What a fun read. I have been to 22 of them, so just another 8 to go 🙂 It’s really interesting just how many people visit these countries. I can’t believe how many people visit Saudi, but I guess that has to do with pilgrims visiting Mecca. I wonder what those annual figures are?
I am surprised Ibiza island beats out Barcelona for Spain’s Top 5 list. Also surprised Mexico is #8. It was fun to compare my tastes to the rest of the world, they are quite different!
Mexico is actually number 6 now according to the Tourism World Organization beating Germany and the Uk But don’t know why you are surprised.
I usually try to avoid mega popular places as I hate crowds but I’m really surprised France is the most popular country to visit! I guess it’s pretty big so doesn’t always seem that crowded unless you’re in Paris or on the south coast beaches in summer!!
A few surprises here! I knew France got lots of visitors but didn’t think it would be number one. Spain is another surprise. I do agree that it’s the natural beauty of Austria, my home country, that attracts visitors here.
for me Istanbul and Antalya are awesome that you should see it at least once
Are these figures representing the real number of different visitors or the total number of visits that can be the same visitors ? How did Malaysia get its figures ? Malaysia benefited many tourists who stop by for transit on their way to Thailand but it still don’t deserve to be no. 12. Just check Malaysia’s number of hotel rooms from those hotel booking websites. I think they count in those Singaporeans who are the same people who crossed over for just day trips during the weekends as well as the number of foreign workers.
India is best
india is suck
thank you so much for making this page. now i can do my studies!!
Italy and Maldives and has the most visited number of tourists as stated by the global tourism department and they will be continuing to rise in next years. The beauty of these two nations is preserved best and provide top accommodation and facilitation to their clients. Must see priser till maldiverna here.
Where is Portugal, literally the 17th most visited country in the world?
I think I have to make some update of this article. It is 2 years old already and some places have changed since then. Thanks for the comment!
As from my point of view the most visited place which everyone wants to visit is France because of its beauty and tall Eiffel tower which makes it most visiting places for tourists all over there are more places which you may consider as your second option for visiting in vacations.
Did you know Portugal existed? It should be the nr 20 or 19
Whole world are very beautiful place
Enjoy our life
That’s definitely true! I fully agree!
Thanks for giving the best info who want to travel the world. This article is too useful to choose our best place to visit.
Nepal is called the Amazon of Asia. The hidden treasure of its rich biodiversity. Don’t forget to include Nepal this small country every year millions of travelers visit around the world.
This is so wrong…where did you put Portugal?!?!?!
It is fascinating to know that there are so much to explore in this world. I still have a lot in my bucket list just trying to take some inspiration from you Julius.
amazing information about world travel destinations to visit. Thank you for your contribution
Regards:
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India is medium the most visited is china
I read it all in one breath. It is a wonderful travel and culture article.
Nepal is a land of contrasts, from the bustling streets of Kathmandu to the serene beauty of the Annapurna range. It’s a place where adventure meets spirituality, where traditions thrive amidst modernity, and where every corner offers something new to discover.
France is the best tourist destination in the world which i have ever travelled.
It’s really informative. They are really nice article shared! Thanks a lot for taking the time to share with us.