25 Popular Tourist Attractions You’ll Want To See For Yourself
We have already presented you with several posts with some of the lesser known but very interesting places that are definitely worth visitin...
We have already presented you with several posts with some of the lesser known but very interesting places that are definitely worth visiting such as these 25 Unique Travel Destinations Most Travelers Have No Clue Exist, these 25 Dark Tourism Sites You Won’t Want To Spend A Night At, or these 25 Of The Most Amazing Atolls In The World. Today, we will certainly please all of the backpackers who love to explore the most famous and iconic tourists attractions in the world. Introverts and those who do not like to be surrounded by crowds of people will probably stick to the places featured in some of the previous posts because these places are definitely going to be crowded. This list will show you 25 of the most visited tourist attractions from around the world. On the other hand, this kind of a bucket list is something that every traveler should be ticking off, no matter how introverted or extroverted he or she is. There are certain places and sites in the world that are simply must-sees, and there are no doubts these popular tourist attractions are among them. From the Eiffel Tower and the Sydney Opera House to the Colosseum and the Statue of Liberty, get ready to take a trip around 25 Popular Tourist Attractions You’ll Want To See For Yourself.
Featured image: en.wikipedia.org
Eiffel Tower, Paris, France
Source: en.wikipedia.org, image: commons.wikimedia.org
Let us kick off the list with one the most famous tourist attractions in the world. Built in 1899, the Eiffel Tower is the most-visited paid monument in the world. In 2015, the site was visited by almost 7 million people. During its construction, the Eiffel Tower surpassed the Washington Monument to become the tallest man-made structure in the world, a title it held for 41 years until the Chrysler Building in New York City was finished in 1930.
Sydney Opera House, Sydney, Australia
Source and image: en.wikipedia.org
A multi-venue performing arts center in Sydney, Australia, the Sydney Opera House attracts more than 8 million people each year with approximately 350,000 visitors taking a paid guided tour of the building. Constructed in 1973, this famous tourist attraction became a UNESCO World Heritage Site on 28 June 2007.
Prague Castle, Prague, Czech Republic
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Occupying an area of almost 70,000 sq m (17.3 ac), the Prague Castle is the largest ancient castle in the world according to the Guinness Book of Records. Every year, almost 2 million people pay for the guided tour around the castle, and more than 7.4 million visitors pass through the castle grounds. Dating back to the 9th century, the castle is now the seat of the president of the Czech Republic.
Angkor Wat, Angkor, Cambodia
Source: en.wikipedia.org, image: commons.wikimedia.org
Originally constructed as a Hindu temple for the Khmer Empire, the Angkor Wat is a temple complex in Cambodia. It is the largest religious monument in the world. Since the 1990’s, the site has become a major tourist destination. In 1993, there were only 7,650 visitors to the site, but just 19 years later in 2012, the Angkor Wat received well over 2 million visits, making it the most visited tourist attraction in the country.
Great Wall of China, China
Source: travelandleisure.com, image: en.wikipedia.org
Once used as a wartime defense, the Great Wall of China winds from eastern China to western, spanning thousands of miles. The estimates of the total length of the wall vary greatly, but it is believed that the entire wall with all of its branches can measure up to 21,196 km (13,171 mi). The iconic landmark of China is visited by almost 11 million tourists annually.
Magic Kingdom, Orlando, Florida, USA
Source and image: en.wikipedia.org
One of the four theme parks at the Walt Disney World Resort in Bay Lake, near Orlando, Florida, the Magic Kingdom is dedicated to fairy tales and Disney characters. In 2015, the park hosted 20.49 million visitors, making it the most visited theme park in the world for the tenth consecutive year and the most visited theme park in North America for at least the past 15 years.
Taj Mahal, Agra, India
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Built between 1632 and 1653, Taj Mahal is an ivory-white marble mausoleum in the Indian city of Agra. Regarded by many as the best example of Mughal architecture and a symbol of India’s rich history, the site attracts about 8 million visitors every year. In 2007, Taj Mahal was even declared a winner of the New7Wonders of the World (2000–2007) initiative.
Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain
Source and image: en.wikipedia.org
Despite being still incomplete, Sagrada Familia, a huge Roman Catholic church in Barcelona, Spain, has become one of the most famous and visited religious structures in the world. A masterpiece of renowned Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí, the church attracts more than 3 million visitors every year. The structure is planned to be completed in 2026 when it should reach an impressive height of 170 m (560 ft).
Ocean Park Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Source and image: en.wikipedia.org
Opened in 1977, the Ocean Park Hong Kong is a marine mammal park, oceanarium, animal theme park, and amusement park situated in the Southern District of Hong Kong. Covering an area of 91.5 ha (226 ac), the park receives about 8 million visitors, which makes it one of the most visited theme parks in Asia and in the world.
Milan Cathedral, Milan, Italy
Source: en.wikipedia.org, image: commons.wikimedia.org
It took almost six centuries (1386 – 1965) to complete the Milan Cathedral, but the effort definitely paid off. The most iconic landmark of Milan, the Gothic cathedral, ranks among the most beautiful, renowned and largest religious structures in the world. These days, about 6 million tourists visit the cathedral every year. The Milan Cathedral can hold up to incredible 40,000 people at a time.
Grand Central Terminal, New York City, New York, USA
Source and image: en.wikipedia.org
Located at 42nd Street and Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, the Grand Central Terminal is a commuter and rapid transit railroad terminal. Apart from being the world’s largest railroad terminal in terms of number of platforms (44), the GCT is also one of the world’s most visited tourist attractions, with almost 22 million visitors in 2013.
Louvre, Paris, France
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Originally built as a fortress in the late 12th century, the Louvre Museum with its very distinctive shape is currently the second most visited museum in the world and one of the prime landmarks of Paris. In 2014, the museum received 9.26 million visits. Containing more than 380,000 objects and 35,000 works of art, the Louvre offers its visitors a unique insight into human development from prehistory to present.
Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California, USA
Source and image: en.wikipedia.org
Connecting San Francisco to California’s northern counties, the Golden Gate Bridge is sometimes described as “possibly the most beautiful, certainly the most photographed bridge in the world.” Boasting an impressive length of 1,300 m (4,200 ft), the bridge has become one of the most famous and visited tourist attractions in the US, currently attracting more than 10 million visitors annually.
Parthenon, Athens, Greece
Source and image: en.wikipedia.org
The most important surviving building of Classical Greece Architecture, the Parthenon is a former temple located on the Athenian Acropolis. Constructed between 447 and 432 BC, the structure is one of the most popular and visited tourist attractions in Greece as well as in Europe. Regarded as an enduring symbol of Ancient Greece, Athenian democracy and western civilization, the Parthenon is visited by an estimated 8 million people every year.
Basilica of Guadalupe, Mexico City, Mexico
Source: en.wikipedia.org, image: commons.wikimedia.org
A Roman Catholic church, basilica, and National shrine of Mexico in the north of Mexico City, the Basilica of Guadalupe was built near the hill of Tepeyac where Our Lady of Guadalupe, a form of Virgin Mary, is believed to have appeared. One of the most important pilgrimage sites of Catholicism, the basilica is visited by over 12 million people every year, with most of them coming around 12 December, Our Lady of Guadalupe’s Feast Day.
Tokyo Disney Sea, Tokyo, Japan
Source and image: en.wikipedia.org
Located in Urayasu, just outside Tokyo, the Tokyo Disney Sea is a 176-acre (71.22 ha) fun park with nautical theme. Opened in 2001, the park was the fastest theme park in the world to reach the milestone of 10 million guests, having done so in just 307 days after its grand opening. Now, it is one of the most visited theme parks in the world with about 14 million visitors annually.
Colosseum, Rome, Italy
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Also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, the Colosseum is an oval amphitheatre in the centre of the city of Rome, Italy. The largest amphitheatre ever built, the Colosseum could hold between 50,000 and 80,000 spectators who used to gather there to watch gladiator contests, animals hunts, executions, dramas etc. These days, the Colosseum is the most visited site in Rome, attracting 4 million tourists a year.
Palace of Versailles, Versailles, France
Source and image: en.wikipedia.org
The Palace of Versailles is a royal chateau situated in the town of Versailles, Central France. Known for its stunning gardens, museums, and art galleries, the palace is one of the most popular and visited tourist attractions in France and in Europe. In 2008, official Versailles figures stated that nearly 5 million people visit the chateau, and up to 10 million walk in the gardens every year.
Tower of London, London, UK
Source and image: en.wikipedia.org
The Tower of London is a historic castle located on the north bank of the River Thames in central London. With its origin dating back to as early as the 11th century, the castle is now one of the country’s most popular tourist attractions and a prominent World Heritage Site. In 2015, the Tower of London was visited by over 2.7 million people.
Forbidden City, Beijing, China
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Located in the centre of Beijing, China, the Forbidden City is a Chinese imperial palace from the Ming dynasty that served as the home of emperors and their households as well as the ceremonial and political centre of Chinese government for almost 500 years. Consisting of 980 buildings, the palace is now home to the Palace Museum. With over 14 million annual visitors, the Palace Museum is currently the most visited museum in the world.
Times Square, New York City, New York, USA
Source and image: en.wikipedia.org
A major commercial intersection and neighborhood in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, Times Square is one of the world’s most visited tourist attractions, drawing an estimated 50 million visitors annually. Brightly adorned with billboards and advertisements, Times Square is sometimes referred to as “the crossroads of the world,” “the center of the universe,” or “the heart of the world.”
Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Located at the peak of the 700 m (2,300 ft) Corcovado Mountain in the Tijuca Forest National Park in Rio de Janeiro, the famous Art Deco statue of Jesus Christ is 30 m (98 ft) tall (not including its 8 m (26 ft) pedestal), and its arms stretch 28 m (92 ft) wide. A symbol of Christianity across the world, the statue has also become a cultural icon of both Rio de Janeiro and Brazil, attracting about 2 million visitors every year.
St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican
Source and image: en.wikipedia.org
St. Peter’s Basilica is an Italian Renaissance church in Vatican City, the papal enclave within the city of Rome. The church is the most renowned work of Renaissance architecture and one of the largest churches in the world. Referred to as “the greatest of all churches of Christendom,” the church is especially popular among Christians who make most of the 7 million people who come to visit this prominent site every year.
Statue of Liberty, New York City, New York, USA
Source: en.wikipedia.org, image: commons.wikimedia.org
One of the most iconic tourist attractions in the world, the statue of liberty, a colossal neoclassical sculpture, is a symbol of freedom and of the entire country of the United States. Placed on the Liberty Island to be a welcoming sight to immigrants arriving to New York City from abroad, the sculpture attracts over 4 million tourists every year.
Grand Bazaar, Istanbul, Turkey
Source and image: en.wikipedia.org
We are topping the list with a tourist attraction that might not be as famous as some other sites on the list, but in terms of number of visitors, it is head and shoulders above the rest. Covering 61 streets and featuring over 4,000 shops, the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul attracts a staggering 91,250,000 annual visitors. With its origin dating back to the 15th century, the Grand Bazaar is often regarded as one of the first shopping malls of the world.
Source: TheList25