The 10 Most-Visited Counties in the World

The world saw 1.47 billion international tourist arrivals in 2024, an impressive 12.4% increase from the previous year. One pattern is clear: Over and over again, travelers return to lauded destinations, making sure that France’s chateau-dotted countryside, Japan’s lantern- and neon-lit streets, and Italy’s piazza-filled cities remain as popular as ever. Take a closer look at the world’s 10 most-visited countries, according to the U.N. World Tourism Organization’s latest available data from 2024. 

10. Greece

International tourist arrivals in 2024: 36 million

As the 10th-most-visited country in the world, Greece lures travelers with its fascinating blend of ancient landmarks, idyllic islands, and Mediterranean charm. Athens is a popular starting point for adventures in Greece; it’s where the Acropolis and Parthenon overlook streets buzzing with tavernas and local vendors. Beyond the capital, Meteora dazzles with clifftop monasteries, while Thessaloniki offers stunning beaches alongside Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman landmarks. 

Many tourists come for the islands, of which there are around 6,000 in Greece (227 of which are inhabited). From the whitewashed buildings in the villages of Mykonos and Santorini to towns that mix history, nightlife, and watersports on Crete, travelers can’t go wrong with whichever island they choose. 

9. Japan

International tourist arrivals in 2024: 36.9 million

In Japan, international tourist arrivals in 2024 rose by a whopping 47% from the previous year, the largest increase on this list. Much of the tourism boom was due to a weakened Japanese yen, which made discovering the country’s fascinating mix of ancient culture and modern lifestyles somewhat of a bargain for many travelers. 

Highlights in the Land of the Rising Sun include Honshu island’s bustling cities (like Tokyo and Osaka), mystical bamboo forests in Arashiyama, and Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines in Kyoto. Japan’s second-largest island, Hokkaido, invites visitors to discover world-class ski and hot spring resorts, while beach lovers can kick back along the tropical shorelines of the country’s southernmost island, Okinawa. 

8. Germany

International tourist arrivals in 2024: 37.5 million

Europe’s seventh-largest country by area, Germany packs in a huge variety of attractions. Travelers head to Berlin for its captivating history, world-class museums, and famous nightlife scene, and to Munich for its centuries-old Old Town and Oktoberfest. One city that flies under the radar as a cheaper alternative to the big hitters is Dresden, often called “Florence on the River” for its arts and architecture. 

Germany offers much more than historic cities, though. In the Rhine Gorge, mighty castles rise above half-timbered towns and steep vineyards. Meanwhile, the Black Forest offers hiking and skiing, and the North and Baltic Sea coastlines enchant visitors with their windswept beaches.

7. United Kingdom

International tourist arrivals in 2024: 42.6 million 

The U.K. is four countries in one, squeezed into an area around the same size as Wyoming. Visitors are drawn to its rolling hills and sprawling countryside, which spills down into picture-perfect villages, iconic cities, and dramatic coastlines. In 2024, the British Museum and the Natural History Museum in London each welcomed over 6 million visitors, placing them among the world’s most-visited museums. 

Other popular destinations in the U.K. include the cozy Cotswolds, the remote coastline of the Scottish Highlands, and the mountains of Wales. Literature enthusiasts can discover the life of Shakespeare in Stratford-upon-Avon or Jane Austen in Bath, while music fans can discover rock ’n’ roll heritage in Manchester and Liverpool. There’s ancient mythology to uncover, too, especially at Northern Ireland’s Giant’s Causeway and Scotland’s Loch Ness. 

6. Mexico

International tourist arrivals in 2024: 45 million

With 7.4% more tourist arrivals than the previous year, Mexico surpassed its pre-pandemic tourist numbers for the first time in 2024. It’s easy to see the appeal: Urban centers like Mexico City and Guadalajara channel centuries of history into world-class museums and food scenes that often influence global trends. 

Venturing outside Mexico’s cities, don’t miss the Pueblos Magicos (“Magic Towns”), a group of 177 towns and small cities recognized for retaining their authentic culture. Of course, Mexico’s beaches are spectacular, too — namely the white sands of Tulum and surf breaks of Puerto Escondido. And no visit is complete without seeing the Aztec pyramids of Teotihuacán and Maya ruins of Chichén Itzá.

5. Italy

International tourist arrivals in 2024: 57.7 million

From the Alps to the Mediterranean, Italy is all about variety. See: the glacier-cut valleys of the Dolomites, the vineyards of Tuscany, and volcanic islands with thousands of years of history. Travelers from all over the world come for iconic sights like Rome’s Colosseum, Florence’s Renaissance galleries, Venice’s canals, and Cinque Terre’s cliffside beach towns. 

From regional pasta traditions and slow-cooked sauces to morning cappuccinos and evening Chiantis, food and drink shapes the rhythm of daily life in Italy. Beyond tourism, the country attracts those looking to relocate abroad with its “Case 1 Euro” program, an initiative designed to revive rural towns and welcome new residents looking to buy their ideal home for just 1 euro. 

4. Türkiye

International tourist arrivals in 2024: 60.6 million

Türkiye (formerly known as Turkey) is home to two of the most-visited cities around the globe. In 2024, Istanbul and Antalya ranked second and sixth with 23 million and 19.3 million arrivals, respectively. Sitting at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Istanbul is a city of compelling history and contrasts, from the iconic Hagia Sophia to endless shopping in the Grand Bazaar. 

Don’t miss the opportunity to travel into Cappadocia to spot “fairy chimneys” on a hot air balloon ride and sleep in underground hotel rooms. Add in the beaches of Antalya and Bodrum, plus culinary delights like baklava and kebabs, and you have all the makings of a memorable getaway.  

3. United States

International tourist arrivals in 2024: 72.4 million

Though visitor numbers declined in 2025, the United States remained a tourism powerhouse in 2024 thanks to its sheer scale and diversity of attractions. For international visitors, favorites include New York City’s multicultural boroughs, California’s surfer-friendly beaches, Florida’s theme parks, and Colorado’s ski resorts. 

Across America, natural wonders were a huge draw, with over 330 million recreational visits recorded at the country’s national parks. From hiking the Appalachian wilderness of Great Smoky Mountains National Park to escaping the crowds while snorkeling at Dry Tortugas National Park, each park has a unique charm. The U.S. is also a paradise for road-trippers, with scenic and historical routes covering the length and breadth of the country. For those who prefer train travel, Amtrak runs 30 cross-country routes that pass through breathtaking landscapes. 

2. Spain

International tourist arrivals in 2024: 93.8 million

Spain is one of those places that effortlessly surprises travelers. One day, you’ll be standing beneath the Alhambra’s intricate arches, while the next you’ll be discovering Barcelona’s Gaudí landmarks, walking the ancient Camino de Santiago in Galicia, or soaking up art and culture in the capital, Madrid, famous for the Prado Museum, regal palaces, and chic tapas bars.

Off the mainland, Spain’s Balearic Islands, such as Mallorca and Ibiza, offer sun-kissed beaches, medieval towns, and energetic nightlife. Further afield, on Africa’s northwest coast, the volcanic Canary Islands (which are part of Spain) boast some of Europe’s most dramatic landscapes. 

1. France

International tourist arrivals in 2024: 102 million

France might be synonymous with cheese, wine, and the Eiffel Tower, but its appeal runs far deeper for the more than 100 million people who visited in 2024. From the sidewalk cafés and iconic art museums of Paris to the Route des Vins d’Alsace wine route and rugged cliffs of Normandy, France blends art, food, history, and nature in a way few places can match. 

There are over 50 UNESCO World Heritage Sites here, including popular attractions like Mont-Saint-Michel and the Palace of Versailles. Elsewhere in France, you’ll find alpine adventures in Méribel, world-famous surfing in Biarritz, and seaside glamour in Saint-Tropez. Aside from being the most popular country in the world for international tourism, France also has the most Michelin-starred restaurants globally (641 in 2025), cementing itself as a preeminent capital of culinary excellence.