When looking for destinations to add to their vacation bucket list, many people turn to the wisdom of crowds and consider some of the world’s most popular tourist attractions. After all, with millions of people traveling across the globe to see and experience these places for themselves, it only makes sense that they would be worth visiting.
If you’re in the process of planning your perfect trip, or you simply want a couple of inspirational ways to get some use out of your windproof travel umbrella, our list of some of the world’s most popular tourist attractions may be able to help.
1. New York City – Times Square
With an annual visitor traffic of around 50,000,000 people, New York’s Time Square has to be one of the most popular destinations in the globe. From flashing lights to Broadway shows and huge stores, it’s hard to ignore the vibrancy and appeal of this incredible urban place. For those who need a break from all the chaos, Time Square now has dedicated pedestrian areas where you can sit and relax, enjoy a cup of coffee, or simply regroup in the midst of a shopping spree.
2. Beijing – The Forbidden City
Though this location doesn’t have a street address, it was once considered to be the center of the known universe. Today, an annual visitor income of around 156,340,000 people swarm the walled compound of the Forbidden City in Beijing – exploring its various pavilions, gardens, and stunning halls. Since 2010, the attendance numbers in this particular tourist attraction have grown by around 2.5 million, and it takes around half a day to explore the grounds in full.
3. Tokyo Disneyland
If you’re looking for something a little different than the more typical Disneyland in Orlando, Florida, why not try the second most popular Disney theme park in the world? Easily one of the world’s most popular tourist attractions, the Tokyo branch of Disney is the second most-visited theme park in the world – hosting a range of incredible rides and attractions for people of all ages. No matter which walk of life you come from, the chances are you’ll love the experience you get from Tokyo, Disney.
4. Paris – Notre Dame Cathedral
Speaking of Disney – how about a location that you might know straight out of one of your favorite movies? With around 14,000,000 annual visitors, Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris is an artwork of Gothic architecture, perfect for people who love art, and culture. Notre Dame is brimming with crouching gargoyles, incredible buttresses, and amazing rose windows – making it one of the most iconic buildings ever created.
5. Italy – Vatican City
Finally, one of the most religious sites in the world, St. Peter’s in Vatican City is glimmering with amazing marble columns, ornate golden details, and stunning paintings of angels and cherubs. A quick exploration will fill your mind with iconic statues, works created by some of the greatest artists in Renaissance history, and some of the most spiritual sights you’ll ever be lucky enough to experience in person. For a small fee, you can even choose to climb the 320 steps to the top of Peter’s Basilica, and bask in the most famous panoramic view of Rome.
