People travel for a wide range of reasons. Some travel to explore, some for business, and some for personal reasons. There are hundreds of thousands of international travel globally. The reasons for the number of visitors vary from aesthetics and attractions to cuisine and history. You have more reasons to visit some countries than others. But what about the most visited countries in the world?
Top 10 most visited countries
At the time of this writing, the most visited country in the world is France, with around 90 million tourists/ visitors per annum. The second place for the most visited nations in the world is pretty close, with Spain having 83.7 million visitors per annum.
But what about the rest of the nations? Keep reading to find out the 10 most visited nations worldwide and the reasons behind them.
Side note: If you want to know about the most visited religious places, we have a list for that too!
1) France
- Total Visitors Per Annum: 90.0 Million
- Total Population: 65.6 Million
- Attractions:
- Eiffel Tower
- Cuisine
- Muse Du Louvre
- Place of Versailles
- Cathedral of Notre Dame
- Cote D’Azure
- Mont Saint Michel
Yes, France has a lower innate population than the total number of visitors it gets yearly. But there is a very good reason why this nation gets many such visitors. This nation is called the land of love, after all. Along with the reputation of being the holy land for a lover, this country also has the Eiffel tower, Mont Saint-Michel, the Cathedral of Notre Dame, and more. Furthermore, you can also enjoy authentic French cuisine while surrounded by this nation’s aesthetic architecture. France is undoubtedly a good country to visit if you love architecture and food.
2) Spain
- Total Visitors Per Annum: 83.7 Million
- Total Population: 47.6 Million
- Attractions:
- La Sagrada Familia
- Alhambra
- Park Guell
- Guggenheim Museum
- Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba
In 2018, news outlets reported that Barcelona was having somewhat of an issue with extreme over-tourism as per world tourism organization. This was expected since over 8 million people were visiting this city that year. The same can be said for the rest of the nation because Spain has an estimated annual visitors of over 83 million tourists at the time of this writing. This number of visitors is roughly twice that of the native Spanish population. With Gothic Spanish Architecture, delicious cuisine, and many tourist attractions, Spain has a good reason to be one of the most visited nations and among the best popular countries to visit in the world.
3) United States of America
- Total Visitors Per Annum: 79.6 Million
- Total Population: 332.4 Million
- Attractions
- New York
- Los Angles
- Chicago
- National Parks
- Mountain Ranges
- Diverse Natural Attractions
Is anyone surprised to see the United States of America (USA) on this list? Nope! The United States is one of the most expected entries on this list, given that we all know why people visit this nation. The USA is well known for its diverse natural attractions ranging from mountain peaks and grassy plains to deserts. Along with the natural attractions, we can also find a mix of cultures. This nation is about diversity and a hot pot of cultures and people.
4) China
- Total Visitors Per Annum: 1.4 Billion
- Total Population: 65.7 Million
- Attractions:
- Great Wall of China
- Potala Palace
- Emperor Qinshinuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum
- Terracotta Army
- Village Life
China is another obvious entry in this list of the most visited nations in the world. With global attractions like the Terracotta Army, the Great Wall of China (one of the ancient wonders of the world and a UNESCO world heritage site), and Potala Palace, it is no surprise that China has such a large number of visitors. Along with the global attractions, the cuisine and architecture of this nation are unique and aesthetically pleasing. On top of all these, China also has a volunteer program where you can interact with Pandas closely.
5) Italy
- Total Visitors Per Annum: 64.5 Million
- Total Population: 60.2 Million
- Attractions:
- Colosseum
- Trevi Fountain
- Cathedral of Santa Maria Del Fiore
- Pantheon
- Vineyard
- Leaning Tower of Pisa
- Venice
Italy is a nation of food, wine, and architectural marvels. This nation is popular with tourists who love recreational trips. The campsites and tourist villagers received roughly 10.5 million tourists in 2022 alone, with over half of these visitors being foreigners as per the world tourism organization. Also, popular attractions like the Roman Colosseum and Leaning Towers of Pisa attract millions of foreign tourists each year. The countryside is perfect for all wine lovers, along with the vineyard. The tourists can also spend the day visiting local cuisines while admiring Roman architecture.
6) Turkey
- Total Visitors Per Annum: 51.2 Million
- Total Population: 86.5 Million
- Attractions:
- Hagia Sophia
- The Blue Mosque
- Topkapi Palace Museum
- Galata Tower
- Cappadocia
Turkey is a nation filled with color, cuisine, and architecture. As a hub of many historical sites, breathtaking natural sceneries, architecture, a wide range of cuisines, and many places to discover, travelers can fill their hearts and enjoy themselves to their satisfaction. Travelers can also take a trip through the colorful bazaar, experience the east-meets-west culture, and take a journey through the old town of Antalya, filled with Ottoman mosques and Roman Towers. Turkey is definitely one of the most popular tourist countries in the world and with extremely good reasons as well.
7) Mexico
- Total Visitors Per Annum: 45.0 Million
- Total Population: 132.2 Million
- Attractions:
- Chichen Itza
- Museo Nacional de Antropologia
- Tulum Archaeological Zone
- Palacio De Bellas Artes
- Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral
- Zona Arqueological Palenque
- The Arch of Cabo San Lucas
If you are surprised by seeing Mexico on this list of most visited countries in the world, then you would not be the only one. With how this nation is portrayed in the media, it would be fair to think so. But Mexico is not that yellowish nation at all. This nation is filled with historical sitese such as remnants of Aztec and Mayan Civilizations and is home to delicious cuisine and picturesque beaches.
Side Note* Mexico has a reputation for being a dangerous country to visit – but as long as you are aware of your surroundings, you should be safe.
8) Thailand
- Total Visitors Per Annum: 39.8 Million
- Total Population: 70.22 Million
- Attractions:
- The Grand Palace
- Khao Yai National Park
- Wat Phra Chetuphon
- Wat Chedi Luang
- Phi Phi Islands
Thailand is popular for its stunning beaches, warm people, and royal massage. In addition, there are that globally popular Thai massage and calming resorts as well. On top of all these, this nation is extremely popular for its nightlife and cost. You can exchange $1 for 34 Thai Baht, and you can get a lot for a few Dollars in this nation. This nation offers luxurious resorts and breathtaking views at low prices.
9) Germany
- Total Visitors Per Annum: 35.7 Million
- Total Population: 84.4 Million
- Attractions:
- Brandenburg Castle
- Cologne Cathedral
- Marienplatz
- Frauenkirche Dresden
- Sanssouci Palace
- Miniatur Wunderland
Germany is a nation of Castles, beer gardens, history, modern cities, and classical philosophy. This country is one of the most loved nations among Europeans, particularly among beer lovers. Besides the food and drink, Germany also attracts visitors that love history, culture, industry, and philosophy. Travelers can enjoy bread and sausages with their beer as they enjoy historical sites included in UNESCO World Heritage sites and carnivals. With over 35 million visitors each year, this nation has all the reasons to be one of the most visited countries in the world.
10) United Kingdom
- Total Visitors Per Annum: 35.7 Million
- Total Population: 26.7 Million
- Attractions:
- Tower of London
- Stonehenge
- British Museum
- Windsor Castle
- Big Ben
- Edinburgh Castle
The United Kingdom being one of the world’s most visited nations, should not surprise anyone. The UK is one of those nations with many places worth visiting. This nation is filled with Victorian-era architecture, local delicacies, and many tourist attractions. You have Big Ben, Tons of Castles, and many museums. Also, travelers can witness the calm farmlands, lovely lakes, and picturesque hills.
In the end,
The nations in this list are just the top 10 of the most visited countries in the world. Every country on this list has something worth travelling to and is worth the effort and price. Some nations on this list are popular for their nature, some for history, and some for their cuisine.
But regardless of the reason, if you are looking for a nation worth visiting, the ones on this list should be at the top of your bucket list.
We hope you found this interesting. And as always, thank you for reading till the end.
FAQ
Q: What are the top 10 most visited countries?
A: Some of the most visited countries in the world are:
- France
- Spain
- United States of America
- China
- Italy
- Turkey
- Mexico
- Thailand
- Germany
- United Kingdom
Q: What is the least visited country?
A: Nauru is the least visited country in the world, with an average annual visitor count of only 200 people.
Q: What is the number 1 visited country in the world?
A: At the time of this writing, the most popular country to visit in the world is France.