The most visited country in Europe, France, is not all about the Eifel Tower, museums, and wine. For more than a decade now, the country has lured the highest number of visitors, more than any other European or world country. The reasons for that are not a few. The country has such a variety of tourist attractions that a year would not be enough to see and experience everything that it has to offer. France is well known for its numerous splendid and enormous palaces, castles, and cathedrals all across the country. The Palace of Versailles, the Castle of Chambord, and the Notre Dame Cathedral are some of the most famous.

Medieval villages like the Pérouges, St-Émilion, St-Jean Pied de Port, coastal villages, snowy mountains, beautiful beaches, and enormous outdoor markets have made every traveler place France on their must-see list. France seems to be the top world destination since 1995 when the country received over 60 million visitors. There’s much more to France than Paris though; the Avignon Festival, Loire Valley Castle, and Les Machines de l'île in Nantes are also worth a visit. There’s a reason to visit the country at any time of year, whether it’s skiing in the Alps or enjoying the sun on the French Riviera.

• International tourist arrivals: 89.4 million visitors/year in 2020

Mostly located on the Iberian Peninsula, Spain is the second most visited country in Europe. Spain has 47 UNESCO world heritage sites, numerous beaches on the Atlantic and Mediterranean, and numerous festivals that bring together people from all across the world. Many have compared the coastal part of Spain with tropical islands. The variety of foods, in particular the Tortilla Espanola, Pisto, Paella, Paella, and other traditional foods have added the value of a trip to Spain. Its football teams are among the most famous in the world. It is estimated that the Copa Del Rey championship attracts thousands of visitors yearly.

Spain is a mecca for beautiful landscapes, sunsets, cities, and towns. From eating tapas to taking a mid-afternoon siesta, Spain is full of good times, especially if visitors are traveling with family or friends. Spain boasts a seductive culture, where flamenco music thrives with unique and complex rhythms played by the guitar. This country has unique architectural 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.

• International tourist arrivals: 82.7 million visitors/year in 2020

Home to some of the most famous buildings in the world, like the Colosseum and the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy is one of the most visited countries in Europe. Home to numerous castles, palaces, cathedrals, vineyards, and beaches, the country is also known for its influential art, architecture, and culture. The Vatican Museums located in the heart of Rome are another attraction for many. Rome itself is the third most visited city in Europe, after Paris and London. Florence, Venice, Milan, and Naples are among the most visited cities in Italy. There’s something so effortless about the Italian way of life, which almost always center around the stunning coastlines, beaches, and coastal drives.

Culture is everywhere in Italy, with Rome a particular hotspot. Here visitors will find the Coliseum and the ruins nearby, the Palatine Hill, the Baths of Diocletian, St. Peter’s Basilica, and the Trevi Fountain. Just outside Rome, Ostia Antica, the ancient Roman port, is also not to be missed. Florence is heaven for art lovers and has several impressive museums. Italy also has picturesque countryside and plenty of warm weather. 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. This country has had a profound impact on Europe and continues to fascinate travelers from all over the world.

• International tourist arrivals: 62.1 million visitors/year in 2020

Turkey is a country that serves as a bridge between Europe and Asia and is also one of the most visited countries in Europe. It has been part of different empires: Ottoman, Roman, and Byzantine. This provides a cultural mixture that makes it unique in the world. Istanbul is probably the dream of every traveler. The meeting point of the occidental and oriental cultures, Istanbul was established in 660 BCE and was known as Constantinople before the Ottomans conquered the city. No traveler to Turkey will skip Istanbul. The city has a unique mixture of Byzantine and Ottoman architecture, tasty middle eastern food, nice weather, and lots of friendly cats and dogs freely wandering across the city. Travelers interested in history in particular visit the ancient Greek city of Ephesus, the Cappadocia rock valleys, the pure white travertine terraces of Pamukkale, the ruins of the former Armenian capital Ani and much more. A huge share of the total number of annual tourists traveling to Turkey goes there to spend their vacations in one of the numerous luxury hotels which you can find in most of the bigger cities.

Turkey is unique in the world, and incomparable. Take time to discover it and be surprised by the beauty and richness of this country. Ordering a meze is a great way to try a few things in one swing, with pita bread and flavorsome dips to equal the perfect combination of flavors and texture. Then there are the beautiful beaches, which until recent years, have remained somewhat of a tightly held secret by their locals. Then there are the Turkish baths, archaeological sites, epic museums, markets, and most importantly, the friendly locals who are more than happy to show off their heritage, culture, and customs. 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.

• International tourist arrivals: 45.7 million visitors/year in 2020

One of the strongest economies in the world has a very strong tourism industry as well. A good share of the German budget comes from tourism. Visitors hardly travel across Europe without stopping in Germany, it become one of the most visited countries in Europe. It shares borders with Denmark to the north, Poland and the Czech Republic to the east, Austria and Switzerland to the south, France to the southwest, and Luxembourg, Belgium, and the Netherlands to the west. Travelers to any of these countries can easily access Germany by train or plane. Germany has a lot to offer to curious travelers. The Cologne Cathedral, Reichstag building, Neuschwanstein Castle, Heidelberg Castle, Aachen Cathedral, and Leipzig Zoological Garden are some of the buildings that attract the most visitors. If visitors travel to Germany at the right time, they may experience events like Oktoberfest, the Cologne Carnival, the Berlinale film festival, or Unity Day.

There are many more magical destinations within Germany to visit, including small towns like Bad Wimpfen, Quedlinburg, and Rothenburg-ob-der-Tauber, among others. Classical music fans will enjoy the country’s various music festivals, while art enthusiasts will also be spoilt for choice with a visit to Berlin. Germany is also renowned for their Christmas markets. Make the most of Germany bordering several other countries by visiting several European destinations during the trip. Germany is the perfect destination for unique experiences in Europe with its magnificent castles, beautiful wild beaches, and incredible hidden gems.

• International tourist arrivals: 38.8 million visitors/year in 2020

The modern-era Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland consists of four constituent countries: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The United Kingdom has played a very important role throughout the history of Europe and the world, and also one of the most visited countries in Europe. Castles, palaces, churches and other buildings constructed in different periods of history stand still and attract millions of visitors annually. Among the most visited are Stonehenge, the Roman Baths and Georgian City of Bath, Canterbury Cathedral, the Cotswolds, Warwick Castle, and Stirling Castle. The number of tourists is in particular high during bank holidays and the summer months.

With fascinating and seemingly endless history on offer, the United Kingdom has a lot to offer visitors. There are of course even more reasons to visit the United Kingdom, including visiting Europe’s most visited city, London, which has its own allure. A visit to the United Kingdom during the summer months can be characterized by epic coastlines, adventure activities, and day hikes. 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.

• International tourist arrivals: 36.3 million visitors/year in 2020

Whether visitors are passionate about art or nature, Austria can offer both. With its stunning castles most of which were created during the Habsburg reign, the Baroque castles and gardens, ruins, and monuments dating back to the Middle Ages, a few days or even weeks will not be enough to sneak a peak of the famous Austrian buildings. The Austrian Alps are well-known as a winter sports attraction. Innsbruck is a must-visit for all those passionate about skiing, or who want to get away from the busy city life. Skiing enthusiasts make up a majority of the 23,012,000 foreign visitors coming to Austria each year.

Austria is one of the most visited countries in Europe. This Central European nation has some of Europe’s most beautiful cities, including Vienna and Salzburg. But if visitors have made it all this way, be sure to visit Hallstatt, arguably Europe’s most charming lakeside town. Then there are of course plenty of ski fields to explore and discover, with significantly lower costs than neighboring Italy or France. Visitors will find a great deal to do if they want a more relaxing holiday, and fans of Mozart will enjoy Salzburg’s yearly music festival as well as Vienna, known as the ‘City of Music’. There are also chocolate factories and a wide array of indulgent desserts on offer to tempt those with a sweet tooth.

• International tourist arrivals: 30.8 million visitors/year in 2020

The cradle of western civilization, the Hellenic Republic of Greece hosts millions of visitors every year. It has been a tourist attraction since antiquity. Among the most famous spots for visitors are the Acropolis, the monasteries of Meteora, the mystical Delphi ruins, the Temple of Hephaestus, and many more. The capital of Athens, Thessaloniki, Corfu, Santorini, and Crete are among the most visited cities and islands. There are more than 200 Greek islands that travelers can visit, each more beautiful than the other. Food in Greece is a unique experience in itself. It is a mixture of traditional Greek food influenced by Turkish and Italian cuisine. Greeks are especially known for their seafood and cheese. The beauties and riches of Greece are numerous, the country offers activities for all. From the traditional but not to miss Acropolis tour to romantic sailing cruises along the coast of Santorini or an afternoon scuba-diving to Mykonos.

Greece has long been a favorite holiday destination for travelers and the most visited country in Europe, with its many islands to experience and explore. The most popular destinations are Santorini and Mykonos, but locals will be the first to tell visitors there are many more islands to discover in Greece. Visitors to the country will be spoilt for choice when it comes to beaches, cuisine, and a warm welcome on both the mainland and its many islands. There’s more to Greece than just the sea and sun though. Athens is one of the finest cities in the world when it comes to history and culture, and is home to both the Parthenon and Acropolis.

• International tourist arrivals: 30.1 million visitors/year in 2020

There is a lot to explore and see in Russia, one of the most visited countries in Europe. The Saint Basil’s Cathedral looks as if it has gotten straight out of a fairytale. The Hermitage Museum and Kremlin also look like fairytales. Buildings from Imperial Russia such as the Bolshoi Theatre, the Kazan Cathedral, and the Singer House are stunning as well. There are a lot of natural wonders, such as Lake Baikal, Kizhi Island, the Valley of Geysers, and Mount Elbrus. Russian ski resorts are in particular famous among Europeans.

It’s no surprise a country as vast as Russia has a lot of top-of-the-bucket-list travel destinations. Truly, this is a country of immense natural splendor. From ancient mountain ranges to ocean-sized lakes, from remote rugged wilderness to picturesque countryside, here are some of the most beautiful spots to visit in the world’s largest nation. From the lavishly decorated The Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood to the magnificent Winter Palace, St Petersburg - a port next to the Baltic Sea - is a magical-looking city, with architecture that looks fresh out of a fairytale. In addition, in the middle of Lake Baikal sits the remote Olkhon Island, the perfect idyll to escape and get back in touch with nature. Considered one of five global poles of shamanic energy by the Buryat people, the largest indigenous group in Siberia, this is an otherworldly destination.

• International tourist arrivals: 24.5 million visitors/year in 2020

There is a lot to do in Portugal, from visiting old castles and palaces to surfing at the sea. The old village of Sortelha, the Pena Palace, the Castle of the Moors, the historic fishing town of Cascais, and the waterfalls of the Azores are among the things visitors must see if they are traveling to Portugal. Portugal has a coastline of 1,794 km and shares its borders only with Spain. It has stunning beaches, crowded ones and others hidden. It is also known for giving to world-famous football players, who won the UEFA European Championship in 2016. Holidaymakers from North America in particular are attracted by low prices, a weak dollar exchange rate, and the year-round mild climate. Attractions include a rich local history, new and classical museums, and an amazing landscape.

World famous for its wine Portugal is an ideal destination for a city break of a few days. Travelers can stay at Porto Moments Apartments which offers a magnificent view of the UNESCO-listed historical area. The beaches of Cascais and the Algarve region are perfect for recharging the batteries in the sun. The Vila Alba Eco-Resort hotel is located near some of the best beaches in Europe. If visitors are nature lovers, be sure to visit the archipelagos of Madeira and the Azores. This country is one of the most visited countries in Europe. Portugal is recognized for the beauty of its landscapes, its gastronomy, its rich history, and its magnificent beaches.

• International tourist arrivals: 22.8 million visitors/year in 2020