Europe is home to some of the world’s most treasured historic sites, museums, and monuments. These centuries-old destinations — along with new, innovative attractions — make the continent one of the planet’s most popular tourism hubs. Wondering which attractions stand above the rest? We looked at tourism metrics from Statista, local tourism offices, and government data to rank the most popular destinations in Europe for tourists. See how many you’ve crossed off the list below.
10. Sagrada Família – Barcelona, Spain
4.7 million annual visitors
Walking the streets of Barcelona is like stepping into a living art museum. The coastal Spanish city is filled with stunning architecture, vibrant street murals, and one-of-a-kind landmarks. The city’s crown jewel, though, is surely the Basílica de la Sagrada Família, which is unsurprisingly Barcelona’s most-visited tourist destination. In 2023, the historic Catholic church welcomed nearly 5 million visitors through its doors. This number doesn’t even take into account the millions more who stop in the gardens to marvel at the still-unfinished building from afar. La Sagrada Família has been under construction since renowned Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí initiated the project in 1882, and it’s expected to finally be finished in 2026, a century after his death.
9. Efteling – Kaatsheuvel, The Netherlands
5.6 million annual visitors
Dutch fairy tales, ancient legends, and beloved folklore come to life at Efteling, a fantasy-themed amusement park south of Amsterdam. It’s the most-visited attraction in the Netherlands, with nearly 5.6 million parkgoers in 2023. Said to have inspired theme park designers worldwide, including Disney’s Imagineers, Efteling celebrated its 70th birthday in 2022. It is now Europe’s third-most-visited amusement park.
8. British Museum – London, United Kingdom
5.8 million annual visitors
The United Kingdom’s capital and most-visited city, London, is no stranger to famous landmarks, world-class museums, and high tourism numbers. However, one London destination sees more annual visitors than Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and the Tower of London. It’s the British Museum, which is easily accessible thanks to its no-entry-fee policy. Thousands of visitors enter daily to browse 2 million years of history, art, and culture. Founded in 1753, it’s the world’s oldest national public museum and was the third-most-visited art museum in the world in 2023. The museum is home to priceless artifacts such as the Rosetta Stone, Parthenon sculptures, and a bust of Ramesses the Great.
7. Europa-Park – Baden-Württemberg, Germany
6 million annual visitors
In 2023, Germany’s most-visited tourist attraction wasn’t its storied Neuschwanstein Castle or the original Hofbräuhaus beer hall in Munich — it was the country’s largest theme park, Europa-Park, which is the second-most-visited theme park in all of Europe. The expansive adventure park boasts 20 themed areas and more than 100 attractions, which means there’s plenty to entertain everyone in the family. Visitors can stay and play at themed hotels, cool off at the waterpark, or enjoy live entertainment events throughout the year.
6. Eiffel Tower – Paris, France
6.3 million annual visitors
The Eiffel Tower, one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world, was built by Gustave Eiffel for the 1889 world’s fair. These days, millions of annual visitors to Paris still have their hearts set on catching a glimpse of the iconic tower. Fortunately, there are many ways to experience the Eiffel Tower, whether from a picnic on its lawn or while enjoying a boat trip down the Seine as the shimmering light display illuminates the night. Although the tower isn’t the most-visited destination in Paris, it still welcomed over 6 million visitors through its iron arches in 2023. However, this official number doesn’t include the millions more selfies taken in front of the awe-inspiring structure.
5. Vatican Museums – Vatican City
6.8 million annual visitors
Despite being the world’s smallest country, Vatican City is a treasure trove of religious history, centuries-old artifacts, and priceless artworks. Much of the tiny city-state comprises museums, namely the Vatican Museums, which are the most-visited tourist destination here. The complex displays a rich collection of Renaissance art and other prized artifacts collected by the Roman Catholic Church. Most famously, the museum includes the Sistine Chapel, known for Michelangelo’s ceiling frescoes. In 2023, it was the second-most-visited art museum in the world, a testament to its cultural significance.
4. The Louvre – Paris, France
8.9 million annual visitors
With over 100 million international arrivals, France was the most-visited country in 2023. Nearly 9 million of those visitors headed to the Louvre, making it the most-visited art museum in the world. Famous as the home of Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, the museum boasts a staggering 500,000 objects, with nearly 40,000 works of art on display at any given time. It would take not hours, but days to see every exhibit in the museum, but an afternoon to see its highlights should be on every visitor’s must-do list.
3. Disneyland Park at Disneyland Paris – Marne-la-Vallée, France
9.9 million annual visitors
Only one French attraction has more annual visitors than the Louvre: Disneyland. Situated east of the capital city, Disneyland Paris opened in 1992 and welcomed nearly 10 million guests in 2023, making it the most-visited theme park in Europe. Combined with its sister park, Walt Disney Studios Park, the complex sees over 15 million annual guests. The park boasts unique Disney experiences exclusive to Paris, including Disney’s only Marvel-themed resort and a quintessentially French champagne cart on Main Street.
2. Colosseum Archaeological Park – Rome, Italy
12.2 million annual visitors
Italy’s capital city is home to some of Europe’s most important and popular historic sites, with the Colosseum and its surrounding Roman ruins being the most famous of these destinations. Over 12 million visitors entered the Colosseum Archaeological Park in 2023, a 24% increase from the previous year. As Rome’s most-visited attraction, the park spans nearly 100 acres in the heart of the city. It includes the Colosseum, a 2,000-year-old Roman amphitheater where gladiators once fought, along with the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, and the Arch of Constantine — all of which offer a treasured opportunity for visitors to connect with thousands of years of history.
1. Hagia Sophia – Istanbul, Turkey
13.6 million annual visitors
With 20.2 million visitors, Istanbul was named the most-visited city in the world in 2023. Towering high over the city streets is the massive dome of Istanbul’s most famous landmark, the Hagia Sophia. This historical site is the most-visited tourist attraction in Europe, welcoming over 13 million visitors annually. The Byzantine structure was first built during the sixth century as a Christian church, and today it is an active mosque. Visitors can tour its interior to admire the unique architecture and artwork representing centuries of political and religious changes in the city.
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