We recently wrote an article on the world’s most visited countries, so we also wanted to cover the world’s most visited cities. Each one of these cities has some amazing attractions to entice visitors, and they have the millions of visitors to prove it. The following statistics are from the MasterCard Global Destination Cities Index and represent the number of international overnight visitors that each city received.
[Also see our travel article "The Ten Most Visited Countries in the World"]
10. Barcelona, Spain, with 8,410,000 international overnight visitors each year
[Also see our travel article "24 Hours in Barcelona" or see more awesome travel destinations in Spain]
In many ways Barcelona is the perfect travel destination. It has great beaches on the Mediterranean Sea, historic architecture in El Gotico, contemporary architecture in the works of Antoni Gaudi, an amazing football team, a nightlife that just doesn’t quit, more great tapas restaurants than one could count and some of the world’s best art museums. Did we mention that it’s very affordable too? Well, it’s very affordable too.
The exterior of Casa Batlló is covered in small pieces of glass to give it a mosaic look.
9. Hong Kong with 8,720,000 international overnight visitors each year
[Also see our travel article "Top Ten Reasons to Visit Hong Kong"]
The number of day trippers from neighboring Mainland China who visit Hong Kong far exceeds the number of overnight visitors the city receives, but Hong Kong is no slouch in that department either with eight million overnight visitors each year. Far from the business-minded concrete jungle that travelers expect when they visit, Hong Kong is actually a green city of rugged landscapes, beaches and hiking trails. Of course, there is also the skyline. We can’t forget about the skyline.
With a skyline like this who wouldn’t want to visit Hong Kong?
8. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with 9,200,000 international overnight visitors each year
[Also see our travel article "Travel Guide to Kuala Lumpur and its Attractions"]
Malaysia is the world’s 10th most visited nation, so it’s fitting that Kuala Lumpur makes it onto this list. KL, as it’s called by the locals, is a shining example of an Asian capital city. Its skyscrapers are iconic, its shopping malls are luxe and its food is incredible.
The sun glittering off the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur.
7. Dubai, UAE, with 9,890,000 international overnight visitors each year
[Also see our travel article "Travel Profiles on Dubai and Abu Dhabi"]
Dubai gets tons of visitors who come to this desert emirate to see its many excesses. Whether it’s the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, seven-star resorts, the Burj Al Arab, or offshore islands shaped like a map of the world, Dubai is not a modest travel destination. Travelers should come prepared both to spend and to be impressed.
The stunning architecture of the Burj Al Arab is only a tease of the wonders awaiting inside.
6. Istanbul, Turkey, with 10,370,000 international overnight visitors each year
[Also see our travel article "Four Distinct Travel Destinations in Turkey"]
Turkey is the world’s 6th most visited country and Istanbul, its capital city, receives approximately 30% of the visitors to the country. Istanbul is a city that dates back millennia, it was once known as Constantinople, and in addition to its historic sights the city also has a unique position as both a physical and cultural bridge between two continents, Europe and Asia.
Shoppers exploring the exciting halls of Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar. Photo credit Alexander Tolstykh.
See the top five most visited cities in the world!
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