Imagine you’re standing at the edge of a majestic cliff with a panoramic view of one of the most beautiful cities you have ever seen, or having a large body of water stretching to the horizon in front of you. Picture yourself 700 feet above the ground, in the middle of one of the most iconic landmarks worldwide, with the city of Paris lying at your feet. The world is filled with so much beauty and wonder to explore such as these.
With so many options to experience such beauty, you may be confused about the best destination to add to your travel bucket list. This begs the question – What are the Top 3 Places to Visit in the World?”.
The top 3 places to visit in the world are Paris, France; Rome, Italy; and London, England, renowned for their stunning beauty, landmarks, rich history, architecture, and food!
Don’t worry! I’ve got you. With years of experience in the travel industry and many adventures around the globe, I have discovered that these magnificent destinations stand out. I guarantee you that at the end of this blog post, you’ll be well-informed on the top 3 places to visit in the world based on first-hand experience and feedback from reliable sources. Are you ready to discover my top 3 places to visit in the world? Let’s jump right in.
What are the Top 3 Places to Visit in the World?
Paris, France
You bet Paris was going to be top of my list. The famous city renowned as the “city of love” has a romantic ambiance and is one of the most visited cities worldwide. In a report published by statista, domestic and inbound tourist arrivals hit 25.9 million in 2023, growing by 8% from 2022. This is obviously because Paris is such a beauty to behold and has so many amazing tourist attractions.
Paris hosts several landmarks including the world-renowned Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum (where the Mona Lisa is domiciled), the Grand Palais, the Arc de Triomphe, and others. Jules Renard couldn’t have put it better:
Just add three letters to Paris, and you have paradise.
Jule Renard
If you ever get the chance to visit, you could pay a visit to the Eiffel Tower and enjoy the breathtaking view of the city. You’re allowed to climb the stairs up to the Eiffel Tower’s second floor, which is sufficient to give you amazing views, especially at sunset.
Other activities you can engage in as a visitor include:
- Visit the Notre-Dame Cathedral
- Indulge your palates in French cuisine
- Visit the Louvre Museum
- Visit the Chateau of Versailles – home to past French kings
- Enjoy the Cabaret show – ideal if you’re a music fan
These beautiful monuments and iconic attractions are what make Paris stand out as one of the top places to visit in the world. Add France to that travel bucket list and thank me later.
Rome, Italy
Renowned as the Eternal City, the Italian capital is popularly reverenced for its rich history, unique architecture, and, culture. The popular phrase “Rome was not built in a day” perfectly reflects the centuries of history that went into the evolution of what Rome is today. Top attractions to visit in Rome include the Vatican City – home to St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel, the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon. “Italy has changed. But Rome is Rome,” says Robert de Niro.
Some fascinating observations you’ll discover on getting to Rome are that Romans prefer riding scooters over cars and that there are fountains almost everywhere. Whether you’re a lover of history, art, religious pilgrims, or romantic getaways, Rome is a city of wonder.
Key Rome Facts and Statistics
- In 2023, Rome saw an estimated tourist number of 35 million, an approximately 10% increase from the 32 million of the previous year – 2022.
- The Colosseum happens to be the go-to tourist attraction in all of Italy. In 2023, it attracted more than 12 million visitors, which was 24% more than the previous year
- Rome was the 7th world’s top city destination in 2024 according to CNN
- Rome is one of the most-liked travel options for families that love food. Hmmmnn yum
- On average, this is the breakdown of tourist expenses in Rome – 26.5% for hotels, 20.2% for shopping, 12% for visiting tourist attractions, movies and shows, and 17.2% for food
To buttress the point about foodies loving Rome, here’s a quote from Ed Stoppard
The beauty of Rome is that yuo can wander into a pizzeria just about anywhere and get a real Italing pizza that’s thankfully worlds away from the Super Supreme I used to order at Pizza Hut as a kid.
Ed Stoppard
London, United Kingdom
Third but certainly not the least on our list (pun intended), is London. The England capital hosts some renowned monuments which are attractions for visitors worldwide. In 2023, an estimated number of 19.1 million people visited this iconic city per statistics from Mastercard’s Global Destination City Index and the reasons are quite obvious. London gives travelers from different cultures and backgrounds an amazing experience. Attractions like the Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and the Elizabeth Tower, the British Museum, the Tower Bridge, among many others, are top visiting locations for tourists who visit England’s capital.
Here’s what Ali Fazal had to say about the Big Smoke:
The vibe of London as a city is captivating. It’s both fast-paced and extremely rushed but still has the calmness that would attract any big-city person.
Ali Fazal
I’m not so much of a fan of cold weather, so I’d recommend visiting London around March to May. This is usually the early spring season and the temperature is pretty friendly and not extreme. The peak of tourist visits is around May to August (late spring). If you’re a fan of the cold weather, however, the best time to visit would be around the Christmas season for obvious reasons. Are you a big-city person looking to get a feel of modernity, culture and, lots of excitement? Add London to your bucket list.
What is the most visited place on earth?
The most visited place on earth according to Mastercard’s Global Destination City Index is Bangkok, Thailand with 22.78 million visitors in 2023 exceeding the likes of Paris, Mexico City and, London.
Attractions in Bangkok include:
- Chatuchak Weekend Market
- Chao Phraya River and Wat Pho
- Jim Thompson’s House
- Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew
Quick fun fact. Did you know that locals refer to Bangkok as Krung Thep which is a short form of a 169-character name of Thailand’s capital – Krungthepmahanakhon Amonrattanakosin Mahinthara Yutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udom Ratchaniwet Mahasathan Amonphiman Awatansathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukamprasit. Bet you didn’t know that lol.
One thing to take note of if you’re looking to visit Bangkok is that it is one of the hottest cities in the world, if not the hottest worldwide. The best time to visit would be towards the end of the year spanning to the first few months of the year. Good information right? You’re welcome.
Most Visited Country in the World
Per UNWTO statistics, France received 48.4 million travelers making it the most visited country in the world. This comes as no surprise, as the country is home to iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, and Notre Dame Cathedral, attracting millions of travelers annually. Several UNESCO World Heritage sites including forts, castles, medieval towns, and religious buildings are domiciled in France. This world heritage sum up to 49 sites scattered across France and they serve as major tourist attractions.
France as a destination offers something for everyone – history, city, sea, mountains, beaches, gastronomy, wine country!
Gail Boisclair
What is the least visited place in the world?
The least visited place in the world is Nauru. It’s a small island close to Ocean Island. It receives a very small number of visitors mostly due to its location and infrastructure. It also has a complicated visa process. Other places with a low number of tourists include Tuvalu, Samarkand, Uzbekistan, and, Mogadishu, Somalia. These locations experience low tourist populations due to their location, safety concerns, and political instability.
So, that’s a wrap. Based on my experience and the opinions of trusted sources, Paris, Rome and, London stand out as the top 3 places to visit in the world. If you disagree or you have any opinions regarding this blog, I encourage you to leave a comment below.
