Although the tourism industry has suffered a severe recession in 2020, it’s starting to recover. With the proper protocols in place, people keep traveling to their favorite places for business or pleasure.
For this reason, we decided to create this piece on the most visited countries in Europe, so that readers can consider these options when making travel plans. This list shows some of Europe’s favorite destinations over the years.
Tourism and statistics in Europe for the past 5 years
In 2018, there was a 6% increase in international touristic arrivals worldwide. According to the United Nation’s World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Europe received around 713 million tourists that year. Let’s take a look at the following statistics from 2017.
Top-10 European countries with the most international tourist arrivals in 2017
- France: 86.9 million
- Spain: 81.8 million
- Italy: 58.3 million
- United Kingdom: 37.7 million
- Turkey: 37.6 million
- Germany: 37.5 million
- Austria: 29.5 million
- Greece: 27.2 million
- Russia: 24.4 million
- Portugal: 21.2 million
As we can see from this ranking, favorite international destinations are in Central and Western Europe. Yet, some of these countries are the most visited in Europe and in the world. Statistics from the UNWTO show that the number of tourists who come to Europe every year accounts for nearly one-half of tourism arrivals worldwide.
But the tourism industry looks good not only in the past and the present. Statistics throw some positive numbers also for the future. International tourism to European countries is expected to increase by 9 million people by 2030. This represents a 1.9% increase.
From the approximately 500 million visitors that come to Europe every year, many of them (139 million) come from countries outside the EU. One may wonder what Europeans themselves choose when it comes to travel destinations. Next, we present a ranking of the most visited countries by EU residents.
Top-10 EU destinations visited by EU residents in 2019
- Spain: 18.3%
- Italy: 13.6%
- France: 10.3%
- Germany: 7.4%
- Greece 6.9%:
- Austria: 6.4%
- Croatia: 5.2%
- Netherlands: 4.7%
- Portugal 4.4%
- Sweden: 2.7%
The numbers show that some of these destinations are chosen by both EU residents and non-EU residents. Spain, Italy, France, and Germany enjoy good positions in both rankings. Although the second ranking excludes the United Kingdom, Turkey, and Russia (not part of the EU), it gives a general picture of the region’s touristic landscape. In line with this, we have chosen the 5 most visited countries in the European continent.
France – 89 million visitors in 2019
France is considered to be the most romantic country in the world. It is home to the Louvre Museum, the most visited European attraction that receives approximately 9 million people every year.
With its iconic landmarks, the Eiffel Tower, the Seine River, and a variety of cafes and restaurants, France is one of the most magical tourist destinations. Millions of people come here every year to enjoy the country’s fine cuisine and wines and to taste its delicious croissants and macarons.
Spain – 83.7 million visitors in 2019
Spain boasts a seductive culture, where flamenco music thrives with unique and complex rhythms played by the guitar. This country has unique architecture pieces like the Alhambra, in Granada. Many visitors come to this place to witness an incredible work of art that reflects the Islamic Golden Age and kingdom in Western Europe.
Cities like Madrid and Barcelona attract tourists every year thanks to their vibrant cosmopolitan environment and rich culture. For those who love outdoor activities, Spain offers the ‘Sierra Nevada’ and ‘Picos de Europa’ hills.
Italy – 95.4 million visitors in 2019
There are many reasons why Italy is one of the most visited countries in the world. It offers a unique blend of gastronomy, architecture, art, and outdoor activities.
In Italy, visitors enjoy archeological places and ruins from the Roman empire as well as some of the greatest pieces of art. Italy hosts Michelangelo’s David, Padua’s frescos, and some of Da Vinci’s best art works.
This country is also famous for its exquisite gastronomy, including tasty ice creams, delicious pasta, and incredible pizzas. For nature lovers, Italy offers stunning Mediterranean beaches and coral reefs.
United Kingdom – 40.9 million visitors in 2019
The United Kingdom is formed of different countries which provide their own charming ingredients. England is known for its elegance and impressive palaces, the most famous one being Buckingham Palace. In Scotland, visitors can find incredible landscapes with tumbling isles and lofty lochs and impressive forts near what once were battlefields.
On the other hand, Northern Ireland offers an interesting balance between modern cities and wild landscapes.
Turkey – 45.1 million visitors in 2019
Turkey is a country that serves as a bridge between Europe and Asia. It has been part of different empires: Ottoman, Roman, and Byzantine. This provides a cultural mixture that makes it unique in the world.
Some of Turkey’s most beautiful landscapes are Patara beach and Lake Egirdir. It also offers a vibrant city life in its capital, Istanbul, the old capital of the Byzantine empire.
What European country to visit in 2021?
These five European destinations are visited by millions of people every year. They stand out thanks to their richness in landscapes, cultural sites, gastronomy, and art. But the old continent has many other exciting destinations like Germany, Hungary, Estonia, and Poland, to name a few.
Statistics show that the number of tourists will keep increasing even in the post-Covid19 world, despite travel restrictions. With a mixture of ethnicities and a rich history, Europe will always attract visitors from all over the world.