What are the most visited cities in Europe, despite the fact that there are about 746 million foreign visitors there annually? The most well-known cities in Europe are listed in this book because they make a wonderful place to start when organizing a trip, especially if you wish to visit several towns.
This ranking of the top European cities for tourism is based on research conducted in 2019 by Euromonitor International and the regional tourism bureau for each city. As these figures are from before the pandemic, it will probably take some time for tourism to pick up to its pre-pandemic levels.
1. London, United King: 19.6 million tourists yearly.
For many years, London has been the most visited city in Europe; in fact, it is one of the most visited cities in the entire globe. One of my favorite cities is London, which is a great starting point for many tourists for a variety of reasons.
First off, there are many main airports in London. Thus there are many flights to/from London, and they often have the cheapest ticket costs. Second, there is no language barrier in London, making it a fantastic place for first-time visitors to ease into traveling abroad. Finally, there is just so much to do, see, and eat in London. It truly is a world-class city. There are plenty of things to do here to keep you busy for a week or longer.
2. Paris, France: 19.1 million tourists yearly.
Paris has always been a popular travel destination, and for a good reason. In fact, Paris has been closing up on London for years, and many experts predict that in a few years, Paris will surpass London as the most visited city in Europe. France is also the most traveled nation in all of Europe.
Paris is my favorite city since it is so full of well-known landmarks, museums, nightlife, and culture. Paris also offers a first-rate Metro system, making transportation swift and simple. Along with having a large selection of hotels and hostels, Paris also has the most vacation rental flats.
3. Istanbul, Turkey: 14.7 million tourists yearly.
Istanbul has long been plagued by political unrest and security issues, but in recent years, the situation has significantly improved. Due to this, tourism in Istanbul has increased dramatically, and the city is now among the most popular tourist destinations worldwide, especially among Europeans who wish to experience Istanbul’s “East meets West” ambiance.
4. Rome, Italy: 10.3 million tourists yearly.
Rome is regarded as the “second most historically, educationally, and culturally intriguing and attractive city in the world,” so it should come as no surprise that it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. Another popular tourist location that may easily fill a week (or longer) of travel in Rome.
Rome is a fantastic starting point for visiting the rest of this incredible country because it is connected to so many of Italy’s great towns and regions.
5. Amsterdam, Netherlands: 8.8 million tourists yearly.
Amsterdam is a popular tourist destination in Europe despite its modest size because of its stunning architecture, charming canals, and liberal social policies. Moreover, it frequently ranks as one of the top cities in Europe to live in.
Amsterdam is undoubtedly one of Europe’s most costly cities, particularly when it comes to lodging (which tends to happen when small cities receive millions of visitors). Amsterdam suffers from overtourism, so if you want to avoid some of the crowds, I suggest going in the off-season.
6. Barcelona, Spain: 7 million tourists yearly.
Barcelona appears on the majority of vacation plans, and with good reason. This Spanish country boasts some of the best nightlife in Europe, a thriving food scene, an abundance of distinctive ancient buildings, wonderful Mediterranean weather, magnificent beaches, and (many consider it the top nightlife destination in the world).
7. Prague, Czech Republic: 6.8 million tourists yearly.
Prague really does feel like a “fairy tale” city if you take the majority of the visitors out of the picture, which is cliche to say. Moreover, Prague is still fairly affordable compared to other cities on this list, even though it isn’t as affordable as it once was (especially for food and alcohol). If you want to avoid the crowds, go during one of the other seasons of the year as opposed to the summer.
8. Vienna, Austria: 6.6 million tourists yearly.
Vienna is a popular tourist destination since it is consistently ranked as one of the best cities to live in in Europe. Vienna is one of the most attractive cities in the world due to its combination of Art Nouveau, Gothic, and Baroque architecture.
And a trip to Vienna wouldn’t be complete without a few hours spent sipping coffee and eating traditional treats at one of the numerous authentic coffee shops.
9. Milan, Italy: 6.5 million tourists yearly.
Milan is Italy’s financial and business hub as well as the fashion capital of Europe. It clearly has a more formal air than the rest of Italy, and it wouldn’t be my #1 Italian vacation spot, but if you’ve already seen the country’s other highlights, it’s still a great city.
10. Athens, Greece: 6.3 million tourists yearly.
Athens is frequently used as a starting point for trips to the well-known Greek Islands, but it is also the historical center of Europe and the cradle of democracy, the arts, science, and Western civilization’s philosophy. Of course, the Acropolis and Parthenon are located in Athens.
Athens is safe, but it’s not your usual “beautiful European city,” as many people picture it to be. The city is kind of drab and grimy overall.
