In this article, you will learn about the top eight most visited cities in the world during the previous year. Join us on a journey through these bustling urban destinations that offer a diverse range of experiences, from historical monuments to cultural attractions. These cities have emerged as beacons of exploration and discovery, appealing to travelers seeking adventure, relaxation, or cultural immersion.
Explore the towering skyscrapers, historic districts, and vibrant neighborhoods that make these cities a melting pot of history, innovation, and diversity. Immerse yourself in the local hospitality and excitement of new experiences awaiting you in each of these captivating destinations.
Discover the enchanting allure of these world-renowned urban hubs, learn what draws tourists to them, find the best places to stay, must-visit attractions, and activities that are worth experiencing. This information will help you select a travel destination that aligns with your preferences, whether you seek an active, romantic, or family-oriente vacation.
Top 8 most popular cities in the world
According to data from Euromonitor, in 2023, the leading cities by the number of international arrivals were:
- Istanbul
- London
- Dubai
- Antalya
- Paris
- Hong Kong
- Bangkok
- New York
Let's take a virtual tour of each city to explore its attractions and unique offerings. Discover where to stay, what to do, and why these cities continue to captivate travelers worldwide.
1. Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul — is the city most visited in the world in 2023. It was visited by more than 20.2 million people. Tourists are attracted by the local oriental flavor combined with modern western features.
There are many masterpieces of architecture, historical monuments such as palaces and mosques, museums and a variety of entertainment for visitors. For example, Topkapi Palace, where Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent once lived and ruled. One of the mansions on the palace grounds has an observation deck where you can enjoy a stunning panoramic view of the city. Then you can go for a walk in Gulhane Park, which is located very close to the Topkapi Palace.
If you come here in April, you can visit the traditional annual tulip festival (about 24,000 flowers), and if you come here in summer, you will admire the blooming of an immense number of roses (80,000 rose bushes). Be sure to go to the park's observation deck for a view of the Bosphorus and the Sea of Marmara.
For a vacation with children, we recommend visiting the Istanbul Aquarium with an area of 23,000 m², the Toy Museum with about 4,000 exhibits from a private collection, or Miniaturk, the park of miniatures of all attractions of the country.
You can have a perfect date at the famous restaurant at the top of the Galata Tower. This is the tallest tower in the city and it offers a marvelous view of night Istanbul and the Golden Horn Bay.
Where to stay in Istanbul:
- a hostel close to the Galata Tower — Stay Inn Taksim Hostel, $18-75/night;
- quiet apartments close to the center — Seven Suites & Apart Sultanahmet, $81-222/night;
- 5-star hotel in the city center — Mula Hotel, 280-661 $/night.
In the most popular tourist cities in the world, there is a very high demand for accommodation and transportation. You need high-speed internet to make reservations in advance and quickly find free rooms or cafes nearby. When preparing for your trip, install Yesim eSIM for Istanbul on your smartphone and activate the "International eSIM" data plan.
2. London, UK
In 2023, the number of international arrivals in London was 18.8 million. Tourists are attracted by the opportunity to see the royal thrones, visit the royal halls and learn more about the history of the monarchs. You've probably heard of the famous Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, the Tower and Tower Bridge.
If you're looking for a romantic place, there's the opportunity to ride the 135-meter-high Ferris wheel called the London Eye. To make it not just a ride but a real date, book one of the pods for your own use with champagne and sweets.
And kids will probably love Hop-On Hop-Off London Bus Tours, a tour on the famous double-decker buses.
Where to stay in London — one of the most popular cities to visit in the world:
- youth hostel — Onefam Waterloo, $59-259/night;
- good location apartments — Red Lion Court by City2Stay, $324-384/night;
- 5-star hotel near Hyde Park — Royal Lancaster London, $325-1026/night.
Choose the best rate for your eSIM London virtual card and always stay in touch.
3. Dubai, UAE
In 2023, about 16.8 million visitors arrived in Dubai. This huge city is known for its skyscrapers, luxury shopping centers, artificial islands, luxury hotels and cultural attractions.Tourists love the Burj Khalifa skyscraper, where they can find spas, gyms, swimming pools, stores and the world's highest restaurant inside. And from the observation deck you can watch another attraction, the Dubai Musical Fountain.
If you travel with kids, you can go on an excursion to the Dubai Mall. There are a huge number of stores, cafes and restaurants, pastry stores, amusem*nt and movie theaters, slot machines, ice skating rink, aquarium, zoo, and the famous fountain with pearl divers. There is often live music in the building and it also hosts spectacular shows.
If you're planning a trip to the most popular city in the world with your loved one, try a cruise on the Bateaux Dubai. A romantic dinner and a panoramic view of the glittering night city will leave an unforgettable experience.
Where to stay in Dubai:
- hotel near the airport — Premier Inn Dubai International Airport, $46-$81/night;
- aparthotel near the beach — Royal Regency Suites Marina, $138-793/night;
- 5-star hotel overlooking the Burj Khalifa — Taj Dubai, $129-$5,636/night.
Take care of quality mobile internet with an eSIM travel card for Dubai.
4. Antalya, Turkey
In 2023, 16.5 million tourists visited Antalya. This resort city on the Mediterranean coast is known for its beautiful beaches, warm climate and colorful architecture.
There are many opportunities for active recreation: river rafting, hot air balloon flights, diving, safari and sightseeing tours to the ruins of ancient cities.
If you prefer a more relaxing vacation, you will love the beaches of Kaputas, Hecliman or Olympos. You can also take a walk in Ataturk Park or Karaalioglu Park, where there are many citrus trees and exotic plants.
The most visited cities in the world are usually famous for their rich history. For those who are fond of the culture of the past, we recommend visiting the Ataturk Museum, the Ethnographic Museum and the Archaeological Museum of Antalya.
Where to stay in Antalya:
- hostel near the beach — BE BOLD HOSTEL, $20-$59/night;
- apartments with city view — Sirena Apart & SPA, 74-116 $/night;
- 5-star hotel close to the center — Doubletree By Hilton Antalya City Centre, $139-366/night.
To buy tickets for excursions, pay for services online, you will need mobile internet. Thanks to the connection of a data plan on a virtual eSIM card in Antalya, you can avoid overpaying for roaming.
5. Paris, France
In 2023, the capital of France l welcomed 15.5 million visitors. Most people associate this city with the Eiffel Tower, croissants and romantic walks along the Seine embankment. It is a city of love, art and sophisticated lifestyle.
The Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame de Paris, Versailles, Luxembourg Gardens and Disneyland are also among the most famous sights in Paris. There are plenty of opportunities for romantic and family vacations in the French capital.
If you're particularly fond of the outdoor activities, we recommend a walk in the Forest of Vincennes. This huge green area is called "the lungs of Paris". Here you can have a picnic, go cycling, horse riding or boating (there are four lakes in the park). You can spend a whole day in the forest of Vincennes, because you can also find the flower park, the zoo, the arboretum, the Buddhist temple and the medieval fortress there.
Where to stay in Paris, one of the most popular tourist cities in the world:
- hostel near the Nation metro station — The People-Paris Nation, $43-$498/night;
- apartments in the center — Loft 1 Chambre Marais, Les Halles, Notre Dame, 255 $/night;
- hotel near the Eiffel Tower — Juliana Hotel Paris, 571-1556 $/night.
Each tourist can connect on his smartphone a virtual eSIM card for Paris with favorable conditions for using mobile Internet.
6. Hong Kong, China
In 2023, 14.7 million people visited this metropolis. Almost all areas of the city can be considered tourist. There are always lots of activities there, these can be events of global importance or authentic seasonal festivals. Hong Kong is renowned for its strong legal framework and highly developed world-class infrastructure with an excellent public transportation network.
Experienced tourists and local expats recommend a visit to the reconstructed Bauhaus-style Central Market. There are tons of restaurants, art and cultural exhibitions and plenty of stores. The Soho district is also considered a metropolitan landmark where you can get by the Central Escalator, one of the largest outer escalators in the world.
If you want to make a proposal in one of the most popular cities in the world, go to Victoria Peak. The views of skyscrapers and emerald green hills are breathtaking. Evenings, when the lighting comes on and all buildings begin to sparkle, is an especially right time to confess your love.If you have kids, you'll love Hong Kong Disneyland, located on Lantau Island, near the city's airport. There are restaurants and cafes serving Chinese cuisine in the park, also there are several hotels.
For those who enjoy ecotourism, there is a good opportunity to observe animals, fish, birds, reptiles and amphibians in their natural habitat in the wetland park. Do you want to see exotic pink dolphins? Then you should take a boat trip from Tsim Sha Tsui Pier in Kowloon.
Where to stay in the Hong Kong metropolis:
- Lantau hostel — YHA Ngong Ping SG Davis Youth Hostel, $54-$150/night;
- apartments with city view — Modena by Fraser Hong Kong, $198-283/night;
- Central District Hotel — Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong, $679-$1445/night.
If you want to stay in touch with friends, share fresh photos or go live at the most beautiful locations, install Yesim.app. The eSIM virtual card for Hong Kong allows you to use mobile internet in the most popular city in the world without roaming.
Read also: How to plan а Trip: 8 Steps
7. Bangkok, Thailand
In 2023, 12.2 million people visited Bangkok. The Thai capital is known for its contrasts: modern skyscrapers and golden temples, noisy nightclubs and quiet parks.
One of the most famous sights is the Grand Royal Palace, built in the late XVIII century.You can take fabulous photos against its background. If you are not afraid of noisy places, take a walk along Kaosan Street — where you can feel the urban flavor, taste traditional Thai cuisine and buy souvenirs.
Although Bangkok is more suitable for active youth vacation, it makes sense to come here with your family. For example, children can be taken to Siam Park- an amusem*nt park, where there are extreme attractions, the water park and the observation deck. You can also visit Siam Ocean World — the largest oceanarium in Southeast Asia, with an area of 10,000 m². But keep in mind that it is better to come here from November to March for a vacation with a child. At this time, the weather is more stable, so it is easier for children to acclimatize and endure long excursions. Also winter in Bangkok is the season of fresh fruits — try local watermelons and coconuts, sapodilla, langsat, pineapples and tangerines, papaya, guava and jackfruit.
Where to stay in Bangkok, which is one of the cities most visited in the world:
- a hostel near Kaosan Street — Rich8 Hostel, $10-$38/night;
- quiet apartments with a view of the city — Somerset Park Suanplu, $110-461/night;
- 5-star hotel — Eastin Grand Hotel Phayathai, $140-$613/night.
Find all the information you need while traveling by installing the Yesim mobile app and eSIM virtual card for Bangkok
8. New York, USA
The most popular city in America welcomed 11.7 million visitors last year.New York's landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, Plaza Hotel, Grand Central Station and Central Park are famous world-wide. You definitely saw many of the New York locations in movies. And you probably heard of Manhattan Island, one of the main neighborhoods of the city, which is famous for its skyscrapers.
New York has a place for every taste: the Museum of Modern Art or the Metropolitan Museum of Art for the creative mind, Coney Island for fun family entertainment, Bryant Park or the Botanical Gardens for lovers of nature, a trip on the Staten Island Ferry for romantic dates.
Where to stay in New York:
- hostel near Central Park — HI New York City Hostel, $59-$277/night;
- apartments near Bryant Park — Studios in New York, $438-500/night;
- deluxe hotel — Park Lane New York, $405-1169/night.
If you need to work remotely even when you're traveling, use an eSIM virtual card in New York. Thanks to unlimited internet, you will be able to hold conferences in Zoom without delays.
Read also: How to book a hotel yourself: a complete guide
Seamless mobile internet in 160+ countries –– at a cup of coffee price! Take away!Take away!Frequently asked questions about what city is the most visited in the world
What is the most popular city in Europe?
Istanbul, Turkey has emerged as the most popular European city in terms of international arrivals in 2023. Known for its rich history, stunning architecture, and unique blend of Eastern and Western influences, Istanbul continues to captivate travelers from around the world. With iconic landmarks such as the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Grand Bazaar, as well as a vibrant culinary scene and bustling markets, Istanbul offers a truly unforgettable experience for visitors seeking a dynamic and culturally rich destination in Europe.
What is the most visited city in the US?
New York City is widely considered to be the most visited city in the United States, attracting millions of tourists from around the world each year. As a global hub for culture, commerce, and entertainment, New York City offers a diverse range of attractions including iconic landmarks such as Times Square, Central Park, the Statue of Liberty, Broadway shows, world-class museums, and a thriving culinary scene. With its bustling energy, vibrant neighborhoods, and endless opportunities for exploration, New York City continues to be a top destination for travelers seeking a dynamic and unforgettable urban experience in the United States.
Is there any SIM card or eSIM available for tourists worldwide?
Yes, there are global eSIM cards available for tourists with coverage in multiple countries. One option is the Global Package eSIM offered by Yesim, which provides global coverage and allows travelers to stay connected without needing to switch out physical SIM cards.
