Most Visited Countries in Europe
What are the most visited countries in Europe?
Read on for the top 10 most popular European countries based on annual tourism numbers!
Depending on how you count it, there are around 45 countries in Europe. But some countries are far more popular than others, attracting the majority of tourists in Europe. As someone who’s close to visiting all of the countries in Europe, I’ve been to each of the top 10 most visited European countries.
And I have to say that while there are plenty of hidden gems within the lesser-visited countries of Europe, I also would agree that these highly visited countries are all popular for a reason.
Here’s a look at the most visited countries in Europe based on the most recent UN Tourism statistics.
1. France
The most popular destination in Europe is far and away France, welcoming over 100 million visitors annually. As one of the largest countries in Europe by area and by population, France is a bucket list destination home to some of the best history, art, architecture, scenery, food, and culture in the world.
I’m partial towards France because it’s the country I’ve spent the most time in outside the United States, including living in Paris and spending a significant amount of time traveling around the country.
You obviously can’t visit France without going to Paris. I recommend spending at least four full days in the city, and then two additional days for a couple of amazing day trips around Paris.
Some of my other favorite destinations in France outside of Paria are Normandy (a must-visit for history buffs) and the French Riviera (the quintessential summer destination.)
Because France receives so many tourists each year, I recommend visiting in the off-season to avoid the extreme crowds. I personally love Paris in the fall (October and November) or early spring (March and April.) The French Riviera may be known as a summertime destination, but you can also visit in the fall or spring if you want to enjoy fewer crowds. The off-season is also a less expensive time to visit France.
2. Spain
The next most visited country in Europe is Spain, with 85.2 million visitors. Neighboring France, Spain is another large European country with a diverse culture and a wide array of amazing destinations.
Spain’s two largest cities, Madrid and Barcelona, are among the most popular destinations in the country. However, my favorite city is actually Seville, which is located in the Andalucia region of southern Spain. Andalucia has such a vibrant culture and has so many cool destinations to explore.
Some other destinations worth visiting in Spain include the Balearic Islands of Ibiza, Mallorca, Menorca, and Formentera, and the beaches of Costa Brava or the Costa del Sol. Like with France, I’d recommend visiting all of these destinations in the off-season such as fall or spring. In the case of southern Spain, winter is even a nice time to visit if you’re looking for milder weather and fewer crowds.
3. Italy
If there’s one country that rivals France when it comes to history, art, architecture, scenery, food, and culture, it would have to be Italy. I’ve been to Italy many times and I still feel like I’ve only scratched the surface of this amazing country, which draws an impressive 57.3 million visitors per year.
If you only have one week in Italy, the classic route I’d follow is Rome, Florence, and Venice. These three cities are all wonderful and different and will give you a taste of Italy in a short amount of time.
However, if you have more time, I’d explore Italy more in-depth. You could add in a visit to Lake Como in northern Italy or visit a stunning coastal destination like Cinque Terre or the Amalfi Coast. You could also explore the countryside of Tuscany or visit a lesser-known beach destination like Ischia.
I’m going to echo the same advice I gave for France and Spain and suggest visiting Italy outside of the summer too. For beach destinations, late September is a good time to go. For major cities, I’ve had great experiences traveling to Rome, Florence, and Venice in February, March, October, and November.
4. Turkey
Turkey is an interesting entry on this list because only a small part of the country is technically considered to be Europe. The rest of the country is geographically part of Asia and overall, Turkey feels more Middle Eastern than it does European. But regardless, Turkey is very popular with 55.2 million visitors.
Istanbul, the largest city in Turkey and one of the largest cities in the world, actually lies half in Europe and half in Asia itself. This incredible, dynamic city is known for its history and culture.
Beyond Istanbul, Turkey has many diverse destinations that are worth visiting, from the otherworldly landscapes of Cappadocia to the beaches of the Turquoise Coast, also known as the Turkish Riviera.
5. United Kingdom
The United Kingdom is next on this list with 37.2 million visitors. Separated from the rest of continental Europe, the UK consists of Great Britain (England, Scotland, and Wales) and Northern Ireland (which is geographically part of Ireland.) Most people immediately think of London when they think of the UK.
And while London is a popular destination that’s definitely worth visiting for a few days, all of my favorite places in the UK are outside London. I highly recommend spending several days in the Cotswolds after London if you’re looking for that quintessential English charm and storybook country villages.
Scotland is another place I highly recommend. I love Edinburgh (so much more than London!) and you can easily spend a few days there followed by several days in the Scottish Highlands.
Unlike some of the other countries I’ve talked about so far, I actually think summer is a good time for visiting the UK. July and August are the peak summer months for tourist crowds, but June is a lovely, quieter time to go. September and early October are also nice times for visiting the UK.
6. Germany
Another one of the most visited countries in Europe is Germany, with 34.8 million visitors annually. Germany is another one of the largest countries in Europe based on area and population.
Because of its size, there are so many different areas to explore in Germany. If I had to choose just one region to focus on, though, it would be Bavaria. Bavaria is the perfect destination for a week-long trip to Germany. The region of southern Germany is full of fairytale-like small towns, beautiful cities like Munich, Nuremberg, and Regensburg, and magical castles like Neuschwanstein Castle.
Germany is great to visit year-round and doesn’t feel as crowded during the summer as some of the other countries, like France and Italy, on this list. However, my favorite time to visit is actually in December when Germany’s famous Christmas markets are happening in every town and city.
7. Greece
Greece is a bucket list destination for many travelers, receiving 32.7 million visitors per year. It’s by far one of the most beautiful destinations in Europe. On the mainland, Athens is a must-visit destination home to thousands of years of history and incredible ruins like the Acropolis and the Ancient Agora.
Another highlight of Greece is its islands. With more than 6,000 islands (227 of which are inhabited), there’s an island for everyone. Santorini and Mykonos are two of the most popular, but also the most crowded and expensive. I recommend somewhere like Ios instead if you’re looking for a fun island that isn’t as pricy, or Hydra if you’re looking for a relaxing escape away from it all.
I definitely recommend avoiding Greece during the summer because of unbearably hot weather and high crowds. Late May or late September are great times for visiting the islands, while Athens is nice to visit year-round (including in winter when the weather is much more pleasant and mild.)
8. Austria
Another popular destination in Europe is Austria, which receives 30.9 million visitors. This landlocked European country is home to a diverse array of destinations. It has stunning mountains, amazing cities, quaint small towns, a rich history, and a culture that has left a strong influence on music, art, and food.
In the western part of the country, the Austrian Alps are a popular year-round destination where you can go hiking in the summer or skiing in the winter. The city of Salzburg is a must-visit on this side of the country. In the eastern part of the country, you also must visit Vienna, Austria’s grand capital city.
Similar to Germany, I think you can visit Austria at any time of year. It’s a lovely summer destination that doesn’t feel too crowded and it’s usually not too hot. However, my favorite time of year to visit Austria is in December because like Germany, this country puts on some truly amazing Christmas markets.
9. Portugal
A country that has been growing in popularity is Portugal, with 26.5 million visitors annually. This coastal country located next to Spain is rapidly becoming a top travel destination in Europe.
Portugal is a gorgeous country and the most affordable destination of all the countries on this list. If you have limited time, I’d recommend sticking to Lisbon and Porto. You can spend several days in each city, and take a couple of day trips. From Lisbon, I’d take a day trip to Sintra, while from Porto, I’d recommend a day trip to the Douro Valley. If you have more time, head south to the Algarve!
The Algarve is home to Portugal’s best beaches. I recommend staying in Lagos because it’s a fun town with lots to do, and it also has access to great beaches. You can also take boat trips from Lagos.
The best time to visit Portugal is any time outside of July and August. You can still enjoy the beaches of the Algarve through September, and cities like Lisbon and Porto are also great during the spring.
10. Netherlands
Finally, we have the Netherlands, which attracts 20.3 million visitors per year. Out of all the countries on this list, the Netherlands is the smallest by area. It’s also the only country on this list I truly think you only to spend a few days in. Could you spend a week or more in the Netherlands? Of course!
But aside from spending a few days in Amsterdam, which is by far the most popular destination in the country, and maybe spending another day to take a day trip outside the city, I don’t think you need that much time in the Netherlands. That’s not to say that it isn’t worth visiting, though!
Amsterdam is an amazing city full of unique architecture and charming canals. You definitely must take a boat tour of the canals while you’re there. The city is also home to some of my favorite museums in the world, like the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Anne Frank House.
Most Visited Countries in Europe
This list showed you the most visited countries in Europe.
To recap, the top 10 most popular European countries by annual tourism numbers are:
- France: 100 million visitors
- Spain: 85.2 million visitors
- Italy: 57.3 million visitors
- Turkey: 55.2 million visitors
- United Kingdom: 37.2 million visitors
- Germany: 34.8 million visitors
- Greece: 32.7 million visitors
- Austria: 30.9 million visitors
- Portugal: 26.5 million visitors
- Netherlands: 20.3 million visitors
It’s not hard to see why these amazing countries are the most visited in Europe.
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