Neither London, nor Paris: this city became the most popular in 2023

Imagine a dynamic city that magnetically attracts tourists; usually, metropolitan areas such as London, Paris, or Bangkok immediately come to mind. However, according to Euromonitor International, none of these cities ranked first in the list of the most visited in 2023.

The leader was Istanbul, where the largest number of foreign tourists arrived last year - 20.2 million. It is expected that in 2024 the number of tourists will only grow, Timeout writes.

The country has recently decided to simplify visa procedures for travelers from the United States and Canada, and given the wealth of cultural attractions and the unique fusion of Asian and European cultures, the city's popularity is not surprising.

However, intense tourism can also have negative consequences: Hagia Sophia alone receives about 3.5 million visitors a year, and soon the entrance fee for visitors may cost 25 euros (£21.50, $27). However, it is encouraging that efforts are being made to preserve the city's historical artifacts.

According to the study, London was ranked second on the list with 18.8 million visitors, which is not surprising given the return of the number of visitors to pre-pandemic levels.

Dubai was in third place with 16.8 million tourists, and another Turkish city, Antalya, was in fourth place.

The list of the most visited cities in the world in 2023. Data by Euromonitor International

1. Istanbul
2. London
3. Dubai
4. Antalya
5. Paris
6. Hong Kong
7. Bangkok
8. New York
9. Cancun
10. Mecca