We profile some usual suspects plus one or two surprises in the top 12 most visited countries in the world<\/p>\n
Have you dreamed of a romantic kiss atop the Eiffel Tower? Perhaps you\u2019ve thrown a wish into the Trevi Fountain or stopped and stared at the Sistine Chapel. If so, you\u2019re certainly not alone.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n According to the last available figures, an estimated 1.1 billion international tourist arrivals<\/a> (overnight visitors) were recorded from January to September 2024 \u2013 roughly 11% more than in the same period of 2023. <\/p>\n These countries are the most visited for good reason \u2013 they offer everything from beach holidays and winter sun to destinations rich in enthralling history and vibrant culture. <\/p>\n With options for both short getaways and longer trips, Loveholidays<\/a> is currently running a sale on several of these destinations for UK holidaymakers. The site has a user-friendly and flexible platform for booking and comparing a wide range of accommodations, flights and holiday packages.<\/p>\n The below figures come from the 2024 edition of the UNWTO\u2019s World Tourism Barometer<\/a> report. Here\u2019s the complete list of the most visited countries in the world.<\/p>\n Arrivals: <\/strong>100 million<\/p>\n It\u2019s fair to say that there has been a long-standing rivalry between the French and the British, partly because we Brits think we\u2019re better than them (deep down, we know we\u2019re not).<\/p>\n In both joie de vivre <\/em>and savoire faire<\/em>, in culture, couture and cuisine, our Gallic cousins outclass us consistently \u2013 and why wouldn\u2019t they? Their impeccable taste coupled with a natural hauteur lends them an inimitable sophistication. It\u2019s this je ne se quois<\/em> perhaps that keeps tourists coming to this land of romance \u2013 a whopping 100 million of them a year.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Arrivals: <\/strong>85.2 million<\/p>\n Good food, good wine, amazing architecture and the ebullient nature of the natives are just some of the reasons why people flock to Spain<\/a> (and subsequently get exhausted by the Spaniards\u2026 did we mention they\u2019re ebullient?).<\/p>\n Spain is a popular destination not only for all the above but also as a place of worship. Camino de Santiago, a network of paths leading to the shrine of the apostle Saint James the Great in the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, is popular not only with pilgrims but also with hikers, cyclists and organised tour groups.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Arrivals: <\/strong>66.5 million<\/p>\n Despite the lowest increase in tourist arrivals year on year, the US<\/a> holds strong as the third most visited country in the world. It has more famous cities than arguably any other country in the world \u2013 New York, LA, San Francisco, Miami and Chicago being just some of them.<\/p>\n There\u2019s plenty for culture vultures (New Orleans, Austin, Boston) and nature lovers too: Yosemite, Grand Prismatic Spring and Grand Canyon are just a few of the many national parks<\/a> full of weird and wonderful things<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Arrivals: <\/strong>57.2 million<\/p>\n Ah, Rome, the place where legends are born, legacies shorn and gelato grants entry to heaven.<\/p>\n And that\u2019s just the beginning. There\u2019s charming Verona, iconic Venice and the heart-stoppingly stunning Dolomites. If you have to be unoriginal, be unoriginal in Italy<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Arrivals: <\/strong>55.2 million<\/p>\n Interestingly, T\u00fcrkiye<\/a> has had the biggest year-on-year increase on the list: 11.9% to be specific. This might be a sign that its fortunes are continuing to improve. During our visit back in 2016, we were told of slowing trade caused by local conflict. In fact, a day and a half after we left<\/a>, there was a bombing in the glorious city of Istanbul.<\/p>\n Currently, T\u00fcrkiye is almost entirely trouble-free<\/a> and the hope is that it continues to stay safe and open. If you\u2019re considering a holiday to the Anatolian Peninsula, it\u2019s worth double-checking the things you need to visit T\u00fcrkiye<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Arrivals: <\/strong>42.2 million<\/p>\n In past years, Mexico<\/a> has jostled with Thailand and Russia for a place on the list of the world\u2019s most visited countries. This year, it sits comfortably mid-list with over 42 million tourist arrivals. <\/p>\n Home to Frida Kahlo, the dazzling Day of the Dead celebrations and a Wonder of the World<\/a> in the form of Chichen Itza, Mexico is only set to grow in popularity.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Arrivals: <\/strong>37.2 million <\/p>\n And so we come to our homeland of Britain, a green and pleasant land full of sedate sights like Stonehenge set to a backdrop of gloomy skies and seemingly endless drizzle. Still, there\u2019s plenty here to draw tourists.<\/p>\n World-class museums, dramatic forts and castles, charming countryside villages and a cheese-rolling competition<\/a> have all helped the UK<\/a> sneak into the top 10 most visited countries in the world.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Arrivals:\u00a0<\/strong>35.3 million<\/p>\n Kia recently<\/a> visited China<\/a>, a behemoth on the world stage in size, population and economic strength. However, the country has still not bounced back from pre-pandemic numbers even though it has resumed issuing all types of visas, including tourist visas, and has reinstated visa-free policies.<\/p>\n The world\u2019s oldest continuous civilisation offers gleaming monuments to progress countered by rich threads of antiquity. Mist-shrouded mountains, sleepy water towns, archaeological wonders and world-class cuisine are just a few of the myriad reasons why over 60 million tourists flock to this country each year.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Arrivals: <\/strong>34.8 million<\/p>\n Germany<\/a> was named<\/a> by Lonely Planet as one of the best countries to visit in 2019, during the 100th anniversary of Bauhaus, a school of design that still today influences art, architecture, graphic design, interior design, industrial design and typography.<\/p>\n Beyond Bauhaus, there is plenty to do and see. The Reichstag, Brandenburger Gate and Berlin Wall are just some of the world-famous sights in the capital city. Further afield, the stunning Black Forest and its collection of fairytale castles are a major draw for international tourists.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Arrivals: <\/strong>32.7million<\/p>\n Greece<\/a> remains a dream destination for many travellers, offering a perfect blend of natural beauty, rich history and vibrant culture that appeal to European holidaymakers looking for sun, sea and cocktails as well as visitors from further afield keen to immerse themselves in Greece\u2019s ancient history.<\/p>\n Its iconic islands, such as Santorini, Mykonos and Crete, boast stunning beaches with crystal-clear waters, rugged landscapes and picturesque white-washed villages. Whether you\u2019re exploring ancient ruins like the Acropolis in Athens or wandering through narrow, cobblestone streets lined with white-washed houses, Greece rarely never to charm its millions of annual visitors.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Arrivals: <\/strong>30.9\u00a0million<\/p>\n From the snow-capped peaks of the Alps to the serene beauty of its glacial lakes, Austria<\/a> offers breathtaking landscapes for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether it\u2019s hiking in summer or skiing in winter, the country\u2019s diverse terrain caters to all types of adventurers. Austria\u2019s charming small towns \u2013 such as Hallstatt and Innsbruck \u2013 are steeped in history, with picturesque architecture and a relaxed pace of life that visitors love.<\/p>\n For those seeking more cosmopolitan experiences, Vienna, Geneva and Salzburg boast world-class museums, classical music performances and opulent palaces, providing a deep dive into Europe\u2019s history and artistic legacy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Arrivals:\u00a0<\/strong>28.2 million<\/p>\n Thailand<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 love it or hate it, it repeatedly appears on the list of the world\u2019s most visited countries. A mainstay of the backpacker route through southeast Asia, Thailand benefits from strong tourist infrastructure, lashes of natural beauty and of course exquisite cuisine.<\/p>\n The iconic Maya Bay on Ko Phi Phi \u2013 made famous by the 2000 film starring Leonardo DiCaprio \u2013 has experienced a sustained explosion in tourism. In 2018, it was\u00a0announced<\/a>\u00a0that the beach would be closed indefinitely to allow it to recover from tourist damage, a cautionary tale perhaps for the countries hoping to one day join this list.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re visiting Thailand, we recommend using\u00a0SiamTickets<\/a>\u00a0to arrange your travels around the country.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n12 most visited countries in the world<\/h2>\n
1. France\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/h4>\n
2. Spain<\/h4>\n
3. USA \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n
4. Italy<\/h4>\n
5. T\u00fcrkiye\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/h4>\n
6. Mexico<\/h4>\n
7. United Kingdom<\/h4>\n
8. China<\/h4>\n
![\"China](\"https:\/\/www.atlasandboots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Most-visited-countries-in-the-world-5-1024x683.jpg\"\/)
![\"China](\"https:\/\/www.atlasandboots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Most-visited-countries-in-the-world-5-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/a>9. Germany\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/h4>\n
10. Greece\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/h4>\n
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<\/a>11. Austria\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/h4>\n
![\"Stunning](\"https:\/\/www.atlasandboots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Austria-one-of-the-most-visited-countries.jpg\"\/)
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<\/a>12. Thailand<\/h4>\n
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