After learning about the top 10 most popular countries in Europe to travel to, you will surely want to visit. So let’s get into full swing. Citizens of the world are traveling more than ever before. The latest data released by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) shows that international tourist arrivals increased by 6% in 2018, to a total of 1.4 billion, which was forecast to reach only in 2020.
Europe alone registered 710 million international tourist arrivals or almost half of the total. Southern and Mediterranean Europe led the growth; However, Western and Central European countries are not only the most visited in Europe but also the top tourist destinations in the world.
Top 10 most popular countries in Europe
1. France – 9 million viewers
The most visited country in the world, France, is nothing about the Eiffel Tower, museums and wine. For more than a decade now, the country has attracted the largest number of visitors, more than any other European or world country. The reason for this is not less. The country has such a variety of tourist attractions that one year will not be enough to see and experience everything it has to offer.
France is well known for its numerous magnificent and grand palaces, castles and cathedrals across the country. The huge popular Palace of Versailles and Castle of Chambord & Notre-Dame Cathedral also are some of the famous ones.
Medieval villages such as coastal villages, snowy mountains, beautiful beaches and huge open-air markets put France on their must-see list. More than 9 crore visitors visited the country alone in 2018 and the number is expected to be much higher in 2018. France appears to be the world’s top destination since 1995 when the country received more than 60 million visitors.
2. Spain – 8.3 million tourists
Located mostly on the Iberian Peninsula, Spain is the second most visited country in Europe. Some 82.3 million travelers set foot in Spain in 2018 alone, 1 million more than the previous year.
Spain has 47 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, countless beaches on the Atlantic and Mediterranean, and numerous festivals that bring people together from all over the world. Many have compared Spain’s coastline to a tropical island.
The variety of food, especially tortilla española, pisto, paella, paella and other traditional dishes add value to a trip to Spain. Its football teams are the most famous in the world. It is estimated that the Copa del Rey championship attracts thousands of spectators a year.
3. Italy – 6 million 21 million tourists
Home to some of the world’s most famous buildings, such as the Colosseum and the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy is the third most visited country in the old continent of Europe. 52.4 million visitors entered the country in 2016, 58.3 million in 2017 and 62.1 million in 2018. Home to numerous castles and palaces and cathedrals and vineyards & beaches, the country is also known for its influential art and architecture & culture.
known Another attraction for many is the Vatican Museums located in the heart of Rome. Florence, Venice, Milan and Naples are also among the most visited cities in Italy city & although Italian cuisine has spread worldwide, eating pasta and pizza in Italy is a must for many.
4. Türkiye – 4.57 million tourists
Istanbul is probably every traveler’s dream. A meeting place of Western and Eastern cultures, Istanbul was founded in 660 BC and was known as Constantinople before the Ottomans conquered the city. No traveler to Turkey should skip Istanbul. The city has a unique blend of Byzantine and Ottoman architecture, delicious Middle Eastern food, wonderful weather, and plenty of friendly cats and dogs roaming freely throughout the city.
Turkey received 45.7 million in 2018, while it counted a total of 37.6 million tourists in 2017. Travelers interested in history especially visit the ancient Greek city of Ephesus, the rock valleys of Cappadocia, the pure white travertine terraces of Pamukkale, the ruins of the former Armenian capital of Ani, and more.
A large proportion of annual tourists to Turkey spend their holidays there in one of the numerous luxury hotels that you can find in most major cities.
5. Germany – 3.88 million tourists
One of the world’s strongest economies also has a very strong tourism industry. A good portion of the German budget comes from tourism. Visitors rarely travel across Europe without stopping in Germany. In 2018, Germany had approx. 39 million tourists, while in 2017, its approx 38 million visitors entered the country.
It shares borders with Denmark to the north and Poland and the Czech Republic to the east / Austria and Switzerland to the south / France to the southwest. Travelers from any of these countries can easily enter Germany by train or plane If you travel to Germany at the right time, you can experience events like Oktoberfest, Cologne Carnival, Berlinale Film Festival or Unity Day.
6. United Kingdom – 3.63 million visitors
The modern-day Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland consists of four countries: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The forts, palaces, churches and other buildings built during different periods of history remain standing and attract millions of visitors annually. Stonehenge, Roman Bath and Georgian City of Bath, Canterbury Cathedral, Cotswolds, Warwick Castle and Stirling Castle are the most visited.
37.7 million travelers entered the country in 2017, 1.9 million more than the previous year and 6 million less than 2018. Tourist numbers are high especially during bank holidays and summer months.
7. Austria – 3.8 million visitors
30.8 million tourists visited Austria in 2018 Whether you are passionate about art or nature, Austria can offer you both With its stunning castles, most of which were built during the Habsburg reign, baroque castles and gardens, ruins and monuments from the Middle Ages, a few days or even weeks will not be enough to cover a peak of famous Austrian buildings. .
The Austrian Alps are well known as winter sports attractions. Innsbruck is a must visit for those who are interested in skiing or those who want to get away from the busy city life.
8. Greece – about 3 million visitors
The cradle of Western civilization, the Hellenic Republic of Greece hosts millions of visitors each year. It has been a tourist attraction since ancient times. 27.2 million people visited the country in 2017, after 24.8 million visitors the previous year. The number increased to 30.1 million tourists in 2018.
The most famous spots for visitors include the Acropolis, Monastery of Meteora, ruins of the mysterious Delphi, Temple of Hephaestus and many more. There are over 200 Greek islands you can visit, each more beautiful than the other. Food in Greece is a unique experience in itself. It is a blend of traditional Greek cuisine influenced by Turkish and Italian cuisine.
9. Russia – 2.45 million viewers
The world’s largest country is the ninth most visited continent in Europe. 24.5 million tourists visited Russia in 2018. There is so much to explore and see in Russia. St. Basil’s Cathedral looks like something out of a fairy tale. The Hermitage Museum and the Kremlin also look like a fairytale. Imperial Russian buildings such as the Bolshoi Theater, Kazan Cathedral and the Singer House are also stunning. There are many natural wonders such as Lake Baikal, Kizhi Island, Giza Valley or Mount Elbrus. Russian ski resorts are especially famous among Europeans.
10. Portugal – 2.28 million visitors
22.8 million people visited Portugal in 2018, mostly visiting the capital Lisbon, the city of Porto, Odemira, Faro and Sintra. From visiting old castles and palaces to surfing in the sea, there are many things to do in Portugal. The old village of Sortelha, the Pena Palace, the castle of the Moors, and the historic fishing town of Cascais and the waterfalls of the Azores are must-sees if you travel to Portugal.
Portugal has 1,794 km of coastline and shares a border only with Spain. It has stunning beaches, crowded ones and other hidden ones. It is also known for awarding world-renowned football players, who won the UEFA European Championship in 2016.
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