The 10 Most Popular Travel Attractions in 2019

Whether you’re flying somewhere across the world or just driving a few hours away from home, travel is exciting. There are millions of destinations to choose from, yet somehow large crowds continue to visit the same places every year.

TripAdvisor released the 10 most visited attractions of 2019 and the hype surrounding these iconic landmarks likely won’t be ending anytime soon. If you’re looking to avoid people as much as you can for your next travels, consider skipping these tourist-filled destinations.

1. The Colosseum in Rome, Italy 

The older this attraction gets, the more people want to see it. It’s one of the highest ranked places on this list; more than 7 million people visit this destination annually. 

Getting inside the Colosseum is a trip in itself. You can either buy your own tickets through its official website, or give your business to a guide. There’s a bunch who stand outside the venue and collect groups to go inside for a tour, which tends to be faster. 

The state of Rome’s tourism sector has been highly debated in city council. They’ve taken drastic measures to protect its landmarks, like discussions about limiting limiting the number of visitors to places like the Trevi Fountain. Tourists are even banned from sitting on symbolic monuments such as the Spanish Steps to protect it. As time goes on, we’ll have to see how tourism impacts the Colosseum’s condition and rules about visiting it.

2. Louvre Museum in Paris, France

Over 10.2 million visitors said bonjour to the Louvre Museum in 2019. It’s a record breaking year for this Paris attraction, as it’s been deemed the most visited museum and gallery worldwide. The Louvre is famous enough on its own, but there is one factor that’s said to have boosted its visitor count.

In June 2018, music moguls Beyoncé and Jay-Z filmed a music video here for one of their songs. They shut down the Louvre to film it and even got up close and personal with the famous Mona Lisa. Their presence is one of the theories behind its surge of visitors, showing just how much star power the couple has.

3. Vatican Museum in Vatican City

Not many places can accommodate thousands of people everyday, but the Vatican Museum certainly can. It can reach up to 30,000 tourists per day and racked up a cool 6.4 million visitors in 2019. It’s best to meet with a guided tour outside the premises who can help you skip the hours-long lineup that borders Vatican City.

The museum is so popular with travelers that museum officials even considered limiting the number of visitors each day due to complaints about overcrowding, fainting and the possibility of stampedes. If you dream about seeing the Sistine Chapel someday, consider going in the off-season with fewer crowds.

4. The Statue of Liberty in New York City, USA

It wouldn’t be a list about popular attractions without having at least one New York City landmark on it. The Statue of Liberty is easily one of the most recognizable symbols in the world. Lady Liberty stands over 300 feet tall and receives over 3 million tourists each year. The structure was a gift from France to celebrate the 100-year-old friendship between the two countries and has been famous ever since. 

5. Eiffel Tower in Paris, France

The Eiffel Tower awards Paris with its second spot on 2019’s most visited landmarks list. It’s the city’s most iconic destination, which is probably why it sees over 7 million tourists each year. Since opening to the public in 1889, the Eiffel Tower has received over 300 million visits and that number is expected to continue to climb for years to come.

Whether you decide to climb the 1665 steps to the top or admire it from the grassy park down below, the Eiffel Tower is certainly worth visiting at least once in your life. 

6. French Quarter in New Orleans, USA

2019 was a busy year for New Orleans. Particularly in the French Quarter, a historic neighbourhood where tourists flock to enjoy its nightlife and architecture. It costs nothing to stroll through the streets and admire the cast-iron balconies and overall scenery, making it easier for millions of tourists to visit each year.

This area is known for its upbeat nightlife and prominent jazz bars along Bourbon Street. The famous French Quarters Festival even broke its record for number of annual guests, surging to 825,000 from 561,000 the year before. 

7. The Skydeck at the Willis Tower in Chicago, USA

Soaring 1353 feet up in the sky is Chicago’s Skydeck at Willis Tower. It continues to be a popular pick for tourists and racks up around 1.7 million visitors each year. For those brave enough to enter, there’s a glass lookout attraction called The Ledge where tourists can catch stunning views of the city. 

The Ledge is on the 103rd floor and extends just over 4 feet away from the building, allowing you to look below through a glass floor. The staggering view spans 50 miles and includes four neighbouring states. Luckily, the Skydeck does offer other museum-like activities for those who don’t like thrill seeking heights.

8. Anne Frank House In Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam is full of stunning architecture, cobblestone streets and even has a bike population greater than the number of people. The Anne Frank House saw an additional 80,000 tourists from 2018, with the grand total reaching more than 1.3 million visitors. This spot is especially popular with tourists under the age of 30. 

Anne Frank was a Jewish girl who was forced to hide from the Nazis in an attic with her family during World War Two. She wrote about her experience before being captured and tragically killed in a concentration camp. The museum is dedicated to her story and takes tourists on a walk throughout the cramped quarters she once hid in.

If you were to visit this historical site, make sure you buy tickets in advance as they tend to sell out quickly.

9. Piazza San Marco in Venice, Italy

Italian destinations claim three of the ten spots on this list, with the Piazza San Marco being the last. This public square is located in Venice, a city that sees an estimated 25 to 30 million visitors in 2019. But this number is expected to decrease because of looming environmental threats.

Unfortunately, nobody is sure how much longer tourists and locals will be able to enjoy the city. Venice has been getting hit with lots of flooding due to climate change. The water levels have suffered its highest measurement in 50 years. Since people are canceling their hotel bookings rapid rates, you might be able to find some last minute trip deals. Now might be the best time to visit before it’s gone for good.People are canceling their hotel bookings at rapid rates and many locals are being forced to reevaluate their living conditions.

Still, the city’s economy heavily relies on tourism to prosper and will likely continue to be one of the most highly sought after destinations for travellers. 

10. The Basilica of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain

The Basilica De La Sagrada Familia is expected to be finished construction in 2026—only 144 years after it started being built in 1882. Sitting atop a massive hill overlooking Barcelona, the famous church has had millions of tourists swooning over it each year. Over 3 million tourists visit the site each year, some having to wait at least two hours to enter. 

Given the impressive history and significance behind these landmarks, it makes sense why millions of people travel to each of them annually. It’s up to you in deciding whether or not they are worth braving the crowds for. Of course, you can always consider traveling throughout the off-season which could be cheaper and way less busy.

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