Top 50 Most Visited Tourist Attractions in the World — No. 1 Is in Turkey

By Rita

Despite the global economic downturn, actual surveys show that the tourism industry has not declined but has actually grown. According to a survey by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), international tourist arrivals in 2013 were 3% higher than in previous years. So, what are the most popular attractions in the world? To answer this question, the San Francisco Chronicle (SF Gate) collected data from government agencies, tourism reports, and reputable media sources, and published the “World’s Top 50 Most Popular Attractions,” which includes many world-famous historic cities and commercial centers.

According to this survey, Disneylands around the world have all made it into the top 50, making them popular travel destinations for tourists of all nationalities. Beijing’s Forbidden City in China is a favorite among many Americans; South Korea’s Lotte World and Everland also cracked the top 50, surpassing the Eiffel Tower in Paris (nearly 7 million annual visitors) and the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt (4 million annual visitors), attracting even more tourists.

Below are the top 10 global travel hotspots in 2013 along with their visitor numbers.

1. Turkey: Grand Bazaar
Annual Visitors: 91.25 million

▲ Grand Bazaar in Turkey (Image / Wikimedia Commons)

2. Mexico City: Plaza de la Constitución
Annual Visitors: 85 million

▲ Constitution Square in Mexico (Image / Wikimedia Commons)

3. New York: Times Square
Annual Visitors: 50 million

▲ Times Square in New York (Image / Wikimedia Commons)

4. New York: Central Park
Annual Visitors: 40 million

▲ Central Park in New York (Image / Wikimedia Commons)

5. Los Angeles: Union Station, tied for fourth with Central Park
Annual Visitors: 40 million

▲ Union Station in Los Angeles (Image / Wikimedia Commons)

6. Las Vegas: Las Vegas Strip
Annual Visitors: 30.5 million

▲ Las Vegas Strip (Image / Wikimedia Commons)

7. Tokyo: Meiji Jingu Shrine
Annual Visitors: 30 million

▲ Meiji Jingu Shrine in Tokyo (Image / Wikimedia Commons)

8. Tokyo: Sensoji Temple, tied for seventh with Meiji Jingu Shrine
Annual number of visitors: 30 million

▲ Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa, Tokyo (Photo / Wikipedia)

9. USA, Canada: Niagara Falls
Annual number of visitors: 22 million

▲ Niagara Falls in Canada (Photo / Wikipedia)

10. New York: Grand Central Terminal
Annual number of visitors: 21.6 million

▲ Grand Central Terminal in New York (Photo / Wikipedia)

In addition to the top 10, other globally renowned attractions among the top 50 most visited by tourists include

12 Florida Disney World, annual number of visitors: 18.58 million
14 Tokyo Disneyland, annual number of visitors: 17.21 million
15 California Disneyland, annual number of visitors: 16.2 million
16 Beijing’s Forbidden City, annual number of visitors: 15.34 million
25 Vatican St. Peter’s Basilica, annual number of visitors: 11 million
26 The Great Wall of China, annual number of visitors: 10.72 million
27 Sacré-Cœur Basilica in Paris, annual number of visitors: 10.5 million
31 Universal Studios Japan in Osaka, annual number of visitors: 10.1 million
35 The Louvre Museum in Paris, annual number of visitors: 9.33 million
38 Sydney Opera House, annual number of visitors: 8.2 million
40 Grand Palace in Bangkok, annual number of visitors: 8 million
44 Hong Kong Ocean Park, annual number of visitors: 7.47 million
47 Lotte World in Seoul, annual number of visitors: 7.4 million
50 Everland in South Korea, annual number of visitors: 7.3 million