The Most Visited City in the World

While Paris boasts jambon-beurre and London is known for its double-decker buses, Istanbul leads in tourist numbers: Türkiye’s cultural and economic hub ranks first in the global market research firm Euromonitor International’s list of Top 10 Cities in International Arrivals for 2023, as part of its Top 100 City Destinations Index.

In 2023, Istanbul emerged as the world’s most popular city, attracting 20.2 million international travelers. This figure is expected to rise in 2024, especially after Türkiye eliminated visa requirements for visitors from the United States and Canada on January 1.

Istanbul’s appeal as a tourist destination is no surprise, with renowned attractions such as the Grand Bazaar, the Hagia Sophia mosque, and the stunning tile and mosaic corridors of the Topkapı Palace. As Anya von Bremzen noted for Dinogo in 2019, taking a ferry ride across the strait separating Istanbul’s European and Asian sides is also essential:

“I've experienced this ferry ride countless times, yet it never loses its charm. It offers one of the most enchanting public transport journeys, following a path once taken by Jason and the Argonauts in search of the Golden Fleece, all for under a dollar today. The Bosphorus was my inspiration for buying an apartment here in Istanbul back in 2007. My boyfriend, Barry, and I still find ourselves mesmerized for hours at our large windows, watching the ever-changing light and seasons transform the waterway, captivated by the sounds of foghorns and the fog that sometimes rolls in like fluffy glaciers.”

London secured the second spot on the list of the most visited cities, attracting 18.8 million tourists. Following closely are Dubai with 16.8 million, Antalya in Türkiye with 16.5 million, and Paris with 15.5 million, completing the top five. New York is the only U.S. city to make the top 10, coming in at eighth place with 11.7 million visitors.

The index also highlights the recovery of international travel post-coronavirus pandemic, showing a 38 percent increase in global arrivals from 2022 to 2023. While Istanbul experienced a 26 percent rise in visitors during this period, Hong Kong saw a remarkable increase of 2,495 percent, and Bangkok enjoyed a 142 percent growth, as they were among the last destinations to reopen at the end of 2022.

Below is the list of the world’s most visited cities based on international arrivals:

1. Istanbul, Türkiye: 20.2 million
2. London, U.K: 18.8 million
3. Dubai, U.A.E.: 16.8 million
4. Antalya, Türkiye: 16.5 million
5. Paris, France: 15.5 million
6. Hong Kong: 14.7 million
7. Bangkok, Thailand: 12.2 million
8. New York City: 11.7 million
9. Cancún, Mexico: 10.8 million
10. Mecca, Saudi Arabia: 10.8 million

This article was initially published in 2019 and was revised on January 30, 2024, to include the latest information.