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It’s no secret that Europe is one of the most popular regions in the world for American travelers.
But which destinations in Europe are trending the most?
A new report reveals the most popular European cities based on the number of tourist arrivals. Here are the top hotspots for tourists in Europe right now:
6. Budapest, Hungary
Hungary’s capital city is among the most popular destinations in Europe for travelers. This beautiful city is packed with history, culture, and incredible sights.
It’s also one of the most affordable places in Europe to visit this fall. Travelers will be surprised at how affordable hotel rooms, food, and activities are compared to cities in Western Europe.
Some of the top things to do in Budapest include visiting the scenic Fisherman’s Bastion viewpoint, touring the iconic Hungarian Parliament Building, and soaking in the Széchenyi Thermal Baths.
5. Valencia, Spain
Spain is a destination that has been exploding in popularity with American travelers lately, with flight bookings from the U.S. to Spain up 11% in September.
One of the top destinations to visit in Spain is Valencia. Although it’s Spain’s third-largest city, it far surpasses the capital and largest city, Madrid, in popularity.
Valencia is located on the coast, along what is known as the Costa Blanca. This stretch of coastline on the Mediterranean Sea is full of beautiful beaches, many of them easily accessible from Valencia. The city is also known for having great beaches, delicious food, lots of festivals, and tons of things to do.
4. Barcelona, Spain
The most popular city in Spain by far is Barcelona. This coastal city saw 9.8 million visitors in 2022. The best thing about Barcelona is that it truly offers something for everyone.
It’s a world-renowned destination for history, culture, and architecture, with famous sights like the Gothic Quarter and Antoni Gaudí’s stunning works like the Sagrada Familia, Casa Batlló, and Park Güell.
Barcelona is also known as one of the best cities for partying and nightlife in Europe. It also boasts great city beaches, with even more beaches close by on the Costa Brava.
3. Istanbul, Turkey
Another city rising in popularity is Istanbul. This is a city that blends East and West. It straddles Asia and Europe, both geographically and culturally.
Istanbul has become extremely popular recently, but there are still plenty of hidden gems to discover in the city once you get off the main tourist path.
Of course, the most famous tourist attractions, like the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and the Grand Bazaar are popular for a reason, and well worth a visit while in Istanbul.
2. London, United Kingdom
London was one of the top searched destinations in the world this summer by American travelers, which leads to its position as the second most popular European city with over 16 million visitors.
This vibrant capital city is a world-class tourist destination with fantastic museums, historical sites, diverse neighborhoods and food, and much more to explore.
Some of the top things to do in London include visiting the iconic Tower of London and Tower Bridge, seeing Buckingham Palace and Big Ben, and checking out renowned (and free!) museums like the British Museum, the Tate Modern, and the National Gallery.
1. Paris, France
Finally, Paris takes the top spot as the most popular city in Europe for tourists. More than 19 million tourists per year are drawn to the City of Light and its many iconic sights.
Despite its extreme popularity, Paris is a city that draws extreme reactions. Many people either love it or hate it (or sometimes both!) Since Paris is such an iconic destination, many travelers have highly idealized expectations and are disappointed by the reality of the city.
While yes Paris can be crowded, dirty, expensive, and inconvenient, there’s a reason why it remains the number one most popular city in Europe and why it continues to capture the hearts of travelers.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Beg
Thursday 5th of October 2023
@Dale, Valencia coast is named Costa de Valencia. The one that you mentioned, Costa Blanca is the coast from Alicante, which is part of the Valencian Comunity, Alicante, Valencia and Castellón.