Top Cities in the World to Visit

Top Cities in the World to Visit

The most visited cities in the world attract as much as 47 percent of all the travelers according to Euromonitor International, an independent research think tank. What the research shows is that the most popular cities, including Hong Kong, Bangkok, and London combined, attract more than 72 million visitors a year.The best cities to visit are often home to some of the world's most iconic sites and found around the globe, from Asia and Europe to the Middle East and the Americas. For travelers hoping to find inspiration for their next trip, here is a list of some of the top cities in the world to visit.

1.    London, England

“London is still London and the pandemic has made us value other aspects of city life—critical things, like cool, breathable air, which is made possible by a city’s trees and its green, open landscapes,” says Resonance. “London ranks #16 for the quality of its outdoor experiences, many of which come in the form of spectacular parks that are the legacy of dozens of former country estates that served as hunting grounds for generations of kings and queens.” London’s main sights might date back millennia, but the capital’s shops, bars, hotels, and restaurants continue to evolve on an almost weekly basis. Whether you’re outdoorsy, hungry, or bringing a family in tow, there’s a distinct London neighborhood to investigate—and it will likely look different from your last visit. For hotel options, there’s everything from sleek new offerings like Vintry & Mercer (open during COVID with flexible bookings) to revitalized historic classics such as the Belmond Cadogan (also open). Just don’t bring up Brexit.

2.    Paris, France

Paris, France remains one of the most loved cities to visit in the world because it is an iconic destination for grand life events, like milestone vacations, engagements, celebrations, and honeymoons. It is also an easy place to visit for quick getaways, with regular flight schedules and tours available.Many travelers enjoy Paris for the art and go to see the galleries and museums, like the Louvre Museum and the Musee d'Orsay. Some travelers go to Paris because it is a bucket list destination for many people. They want to see the Eiffel Tower, the Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the Arc de Triomphe in person.Paris is notoriously a city of romance, so many marriage proposals happen frequently in Paris, and honeymooners enjoy vacationing with a romantic cruise down the Seine River.

3.    Barcelona, Spain

You can't talk about Barcelona without mentioning Antoni Gaudí, the Catalan architect who left his mark all over the city. A walk around town leads you through his undulating stonework and ironwork, which include Park Güell and culminate in his unfinished masterpiece La Sagrada Família. It's not just about colorful mosaics, though: From the mountains to the beach, the historic to the contemporary, sunny Barcelona pretty much has it all.

4.    Melbourne

We already knew that Melbourne had more live music venues per resident than any other city on Earth, but the Time Out Index proves we’re obsessed: one in four Melburnians went to a concert in the last week. No surprise, then, that we’re rated the world’s second most creative city. But we’re also the second happiest and among the best for food, drink, fun and multiculturalism: a great all-round combination which propels us to second place in the global ranking.

5.    Moscow, Russia

The first so-called post- Soviet generation” of Muscovites has traveled the world, returning with suitcases full of ideas that they’re unpacking to huge effect in their always-proud city, sanctions be damned,” says Resonance. The Russian capital is well known for its iconic attractions like Red Square’s colorful St. Basil’s Cathedral. But did you know that it’s also one of the best cities to fly in and out of in the world? It takes the fourth spot for airport connectivity in Resonance’s ranking, up one place from last year, and Moscow’s Sheremetyevo International was recently named the most on-time airport in the world in Cirium’s annual On-Time Performance Review.

6.    Chicago

Chicago is second to none when it comes to food and drink: the Midwestern metropolis was ranked number one in the world for supping and sipping. But between Italian beefs and slices of deep dish pizza, we make time to hit the gym: 52 percent of us can’t get through the week without exercise. And it seems that our balanced lifestyle leads to happiness, with more respondents reporting genuine contentment than anywhere else.

7.    Bergen, Norway

No trip to Norway is complete without a stop in Bergen, the country's second-most populated city. The postcard-perfect town has all the makings of an idyllic Nordic village: ascenic harbor, colorful rows of wooden houses, and sweeping views of the surrounding fjords and mountain group .

8.    Bangkok, Thailand

The bustling city of Bangkok, Thailand is one of the top tourist cities in the world, with nearly 24.1 million visitors a year. The city is usually the first stopping point for anyone touring through Thailand. Bangkok has an exciting mix of packed subways, huge skyscrapers, temples, historic architecture, lavish gardens, palaces, and almost nightly sporting events, like kickboxing, that draw thousands of fans.Bangkok has a lively atmosphere, even during the daylight hours. Travelers on a budget can find cheap entertainment, shopping bargains, and low-cost accommodations especially in the area of Khao San Road.Travelers with unlimited budgets can find everything on the opposite end of the spectrum, from luxury hotels to extravagant shopping at high-end stores at the Siam Paragon Mall.The city is also popular for more traditional experiences, like the floating markets and Thai massage parlors where you can get an hour of relaxation for less than $10 dollars.

9.    Dubai, United Arab Emirates

You may associate Dubai with its record-setting skyscrapers and that reputation is well earned. Santiago Calatrava’s the Tower at Dubai Creek will surpass the Burj Khalifa as the tallest building in the world when it is completed. Yet, you won’t have to spend your entire trip here indoors. “It’s the outdoors that really clinched Dubai’s no. 6 overall ranking,” says Resonance. “The city offers outdoor experiences that rank fifth-most in quality, and it hit the Top 10 for both Safety and Weather, both at no. 8.” The emirate has plenty of man-made islands and even a new nature-inspired shopping mall that has a rooftop park and 200,000 total square feet of open-air gardens to explore.

10.           Cape Town, South Africa

Mountains, coastlines, beaches filled with penguins: Cape Town pretty much has it all. Each day in the Mother City will make you fall in love with some new sight, be it the king protea-filled Kirstenbosch National Botanic Gardens or the rainbow-bright row houses of Bo-Kaap. In fact, you can start sightseeing before your plane even lands: That first glimpse of Table Mountain from the sky makes quite the impression.