- 🔸 Introduction: why do these capitals attract millions of tourists?
- 🔸 Ranking methodology: where did the data come from and what did we count?
- 🔟 Brussels (Belgium) - about 3.94 million tourists.
- 9️⃣ Dublin (Ireland) - about 5.21 million tourists
- 8️⃣ Madrid (Spain) - about 6.22 million tourists
- 7️⃣ Moscow (Russia) - about 5.51 million tourists
- 6️⃣ Berlin (Germany) - about 5.96 million tourists
- 5️⃣ Vienna (Austria) - about 6.41 million tourists
- 4️⃣ Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) - about 16.5 million tourists
- 3️⃣ Paris (France) - about 16.86 million tourists
- 2️⃣ London (UK) - about 18.82 million tourists
- 1️⃣ Bangkok (Thailand) - about 22.78 million tourists
- 🏁 Summary: What do the world's most popular capitals have in common?
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🔸 Introduction: why do these capitals attract millions of tourists?
Every capital city has its own rhythm. Some pulsate with the bustle of street stalls, others enchant with the tranquility of museum halls or the majesty of ancient palaces. It is in them that the most distinctive things about a country are concentrated - culture, architecture, cuisine, history and modernity intertwined into one.
Not surprisingly, it is the capitals that are most often on the itineraries of tourists from all over the world. They are not only the gateway to getting to know a country, but often its the most recognizable business card. In 2024, some of them adopted record visitor numbers - And for good reason.
In this ranking you will find 10 capitals that attracted travelers the most. From Asian giants to European classics, each of these cities has something about it that makes you want to return.
🔸 Ranking methodology: where did the data come from and what did we count?
To create a credible ranking, we needed specific sources, clear criteria and a fair approach. Here's what our step-by-step method looked like:
📊 Data source
The compilation is based on data published by the Euromonitor International - one of the most reputable sources of analysis in the travel industry.
🌍 Who do we count as a tourist?
The ranking includes only international tourists, i.e. people who:
✔️ crossed the state border,
✔️ visited the capital in question for tourism, business or family purposes,
✔️ have spent at least one night In the city.
🚫 Not included: transits, airport transfers or day trips without an overnight stay.
🏙️ What cities are included?
Only official state capitals.
❌ We excluded popular but non-tolling cities such as:
- Istanbul 🇹🇷
- Dubai 🇦🇪
- Mecca 🇸🇦
- Macau 🇨🇳
- Hong Kong 🇨🇳
– Nowy Jork 🇺🇸
📅 Time range
The data relates to full year 2024 - January through December.
We have also included changes relative to 2023 to show trends of increasing or decreasing popularity.
As a result, the ranking is consistent, transparent and based on real data, and each item tells the story of a city that really counts in world tourism.
🔟 Brussels (Belgium) - about 3.94 million tourists.
Brussels is one of those cities that combine many worlds. On the one hand - a quiet, tidy capital of a small country. On the other - a dynamic center of European politics, where decisions affecting the entire continent are made.
🏛️ Grand Place - heart of the city and one of the most beautiful squares in Europe, surrounded by richly decorated guild houses.
🧒 Manneken Pis - a small statue of a boy that has become one of Belgium's most recognizable (and photographed) symbols.
🔬 Atomium - a futuristic structure from the 1950s that today houses exhibitions, an observation deck and a design museum.
🎨 Magritte Museum - A tribute to Surrealism and one of the greatest Belgian painters of the 20th century.
🍫 Chocolate, beer and waffles - Brussels is famous for some of the world's best pralines, hundreds of varieties of beer and crispy waffles served in a thousand ways.
🏛️ European Quarter - The modern face of the city, where EU institutions, embassies and lobbying offices are located.
Although many people come here on business, few leave without admiration. Brussels can surprise - With its diversity, elegance, humor and excellent cuisine. It's a capital worth exploring not only from a guidebook, but also from your own steps.
9️⃣ Dublin (Ireland) - about 5.21 million tourists
Dublin is a city full of soul and energy - a place where tradition meets modernity, and music and stories flow through the streets as naturally as the rain. Ireland's capital is not only vibrant, but also impresses with its authenticity and the friendliness of its people.
🎻 Temple Bar - a lively neighborhood with pubs, live concerts and an atmosphere that can't be faked.
📚 Trinity College i Book of Kells - A legendary library and priceless manuscripts that transport you back in time.
🍺 Guinness Storehouse - An iconic museum of the famous stout with an observation deck over the city.
🏛️ Dublin Castle and St. Patrick's Cathedral - The story of Ireland told through walls and stained glass.
🖋️ City of writers - In the footsteps of Joyce, Beckett, Wilde and Yeats, with literature at every corner.
🌳 Phoenix Park - One of the largest urban parks in Europe with free-running deer.
Dublin doesn't try to be perfect - and that's its charm. It's a city of laughter, singing together, good literature and conversations that start in the pub and end at sunrise. Irish hospitality here is more than a platitude - it's a way of life.
8️⃣ Madrid (Spain) - about 6.22 million tourists
Madrid is the essence of the Spanish temperament - vibrant, full of light, color and constant energy. Spain's capital combines monumental architecture, rich history and an extraordinary love of life - there is no rush here, but there is always time for coffee, tapas and conversation.
👑 Royal Palace - one of the largest royal residences in Europe, impressive in both size and decor.
🖼️ Prado Museum - a must for art lovers, with masterpieces by Goya, Velázquez or Rubens.
🌳 Park Retiro - The green heart of the city, ideal for a walk, a picnic or a boat ride on the pond.
⚽ Santiago Bernabéu Stadium - A mecca for Real Madrid fans and one of the most important stadiums in the world.
🍷 La Latina and tapas bars - neighborhoods, where life is lived at tables and every dish is a culinary story.
🌅 Sunsets at the Templo de Debod - Egyptian temple in the center of the city with one of the most beautiful panoramas of Madrid.
Madrid seduces slowly but effectively. It doesn't scream like Barcelona, it doesn't seduce like Seville - it simply lives life to the fullest and invites you to join its rhythm. This is a city where every street is a stage and every evening a harbinger of something unforgettable.
7️⃣ Moscow (Russia) - about 5.51 million tourists
Moscow, monumental and multilayered, is the heart of Russian history, politics and culture. It is a city of contrasts, where golden domed Orthodox churches coexist with modern skyscrapers, and tradition meets futuristic vision. For many tourists, it is not only the capital of Russia, but also a fascinating window to the East.
Warto jednak pamiętać, że do imponującej liczby odwiedzających wliczani są nie tylko goście z zagranicy, ale również miliony podróżnych z innych części kraju, dla których Moskwa jest centrum biznesu, wydarzeń kulturalnych i turystyki.
🟥 Red Square - symbolic space surrounded by the Kremlin, Lenin's Mausoleum and the fabulous Vasily the Blessed Church.
🏰 Kremlin - seat of power, but also a fascinating museum and historical complex.
🚇 Moscow underground - Metro stations resembling palaces with crystals and marble.
🎭 Bolshoi Theatre - A legend of world ballet and opera.
🛍️ Arbat and GUM - Representative streets and shopping malls with the atmosphere of a bygone era.
🌃 Moscow City - A modern business district that shows the new face of the city.
Moscow impresses with momentum and intensity - is a city that does not try to please, but impresses and fascinates. For tourists, it is an experience full of excitement - from awe to amazement. If you want to feel the weight of history and the dynamics of the present simultaneously, Moscow will certainly provide you with that.
6️⃣ Berlin (Germany) - about 5.96 million tourists
Are you interested in Berlin? Check out articles about the German capital And get to know her better! 🎨
Berlin is a city that seems to be constantly redefining itself - a place where history mixes with modernity and creativity drives daily life. Germany's capital combines monumental monuments of a bygone era with vibrant neighborhoods full of street art, startups and multicultural spirit.
🧱 Brandenburg Gate and Reichstag - symbols of German reunification. At the Reichstag, you can enjoy free entrance to its glass dome with a view of the entire city.
🎨 East Side Gallery - A section of the Berlin Wall covered with more than 100 paintings by artists from around the world.
🌳 Museum Island (Museumsinsel) - A complex of five world-class UNESCO-listed museums.
🎧 Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain - vibrant neighborhoods where Berlin's club and techno culture emerged.
🎭 Friedrichstadt-Palast - Spectacular cabaret shows and world-class dance performances.
🚴 Park Tempelhofer Feld - A former airport turned into a place for walking, biking and picnicking combined with history.
Berlin is a fascinating mix of past and future. This is a city that draws inspiration from history, but lives at the rhythm of innovation. Culture, art, technology and alternative are intertwined here in one unique image.
5️⃣ Vienna (Austria) - about 6.41 million tourists
Vienna is a city where elegance meets the soul of an artist. The Austrian capital is a mecca for lovers of classical music, cafes with soul and Art Nouveau-style architecture. Walking through the streets of Vienna, you feel as if time passes more slowly - with more culture, taste and dignity.
🎼 Wiener Staatsoper - one of the most important opera houses in the world, where Mozart and Strauss are still alive.
🏰 Schönbrunn Palace - a former Habsburg summer residence with breathtaking gardens and the oldest zoo in the world.
🖼️ Belvedere - Baroque palace, where you can admire Gustav Klimt's "The Kiss," among other things.
☕ Café Central - legendary cafe where Freud, Trotsky and other intellectual giants frequented.
🎡 Prater and Riesenrad - A giant Ferris wheel and amusement park in the heart of the city.
🛍️ Mariahilfer Straße - Vienna's main shopping street with elegant boutiques and department stores.
🌹 Volksgarten - A romantic park full of roses, perfect for a moment of tranquility and a cup of melange.
Vienna is the sound of a waltz, the smell of freshly ground coffee and the sight of palaces sunk in history. This is a city that manages to impress with its class without losing its human warmth.
4️⃣ Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) - about 16.5 million tourists
Kuala Lumpur is a tropical metropolis that surprises with its contrasts - modern skyscrapers on one side, colonial architecture and temples full of incense on the other. The capital of Malaysia attracts not only with its iconic landmarks, but also with its intense climate of multiculturalism, aromatic cuisine and surprisingly friendly atmosphere.
🏙️ Petronas Towers - The twin towers, 452 meters high, are one of the symbols of Asia and a major landmark of the city.
🛕 Batu Caves - a sacred site of Hinduism with a giant statue of the god Murugan and 272 colorful staircases leading to caves.
🕌 Masjid Jamek - A mosque built in the Moorish style, picturesquely located at the confluence of two rivers.
🍢 Jalan Alor - Street, which at night turns into the culinary heart of the city. Here you will taste satay, laksa and durian.
🌴 KL Forest Eco Park - A green oasis with suspended walking bridges in the heart of the city.
🛍️ Bukit Bintang - A district of commerce, neon lights and entertainment, ideal for shopping and nightlife.
🚆 KLIA Ekspres - Fast connection to the airport, which brings you to the center in just 30 minutes.
Kuala Lumpur is a vibrant melting pot of cultures, flavors and traditions. It's a place that doesn't try to be "perfect," but seduces with authenticity and color. It only takes one day to fall in love - and one evening to already want to return.
3️⃣ Paris (France) - about 16.86 million tourists
Are you interested in Paris? Read With articles about the French capital And discover its charms! 🗼
Paris is not only the city of love - it is a living museum of art, style and romance. The French capital has inspired artists, writers and lovers from all over the world for centuries. Here, every intersection has a story, and every sunset over the Seine deserves a poem.
🗼 Eiffel Tower - icon of Paris and a must-see on any visit, especially stunning at night.
🖼️ Louvre - the largest art museum in the world, home to the "Mona Lisa" and thousands of masterpieces.
⛪ Notre-Dame Cathedral - A gothic gem with a remarkable history and a view of the city from its towers.
🎨 Montmartre - artistic district with the Place Tertre, the Sacré-Cœur basilica and the bohemian spirit.
🚤 Seine River Cruise - A romantic way to experience the city from the water.
🛍️ Champs-Élysées and Galeries Lafayette - A mecca for shopaholics and fans of French fashion.
🍷 Le Marais and Saint-Germain - Atmospheric neighborhoods with cafes, boutiques and wine on every street.
Paris is more than a city - it's a lifestyle. Here art, cuisine and architecture form a harmonious whole, and every walk turns into a small journey through time and space.
2️⃣ London (UK) - about 18.82 million tourists
Want to know more interesting facts about London? Check out Articles dedicated to this fascinating city! 🏰
London is a multifaceted metropolis where royal tradition meets urban flair and global energy. The British capital is a city of contrasts - palaces and red telephone booths sit side by side with modern skyscrapers, and every corner teems with culture.
👑 Buckingham Palace - the seat of the monarchy, the site of the changing of the guard and the photographic dreams of tourists.
🎡 London Eye - A panoramic Ferris wheel offering unique views of the Thames and the London skyline.
🕵️ British Museum - A treasure trove of world history with exhibits like the Rosetta Stone and the Parthenon sculptures.
🌉 Tower Bridge and Tower of London - symbols of the city, where history is intertwined with legends.
🎭 West End - Europe's theater capital, where world stage hits are performed daily.
🌿 Hyde Park - The green heart of London, perfect for a picnic, a walk or a boat rental.
🛍️ Oxford Street and Camden Market - From luxury to alternative, shopping in London is a lifestyle.
London is a city that never sleeps - and even if it does, it dreams to the beat of Big Ben. Here there is something for everyone: from history buffs to music fans to hunters of culinary trends.
1️⃣ Bangkok (Thailand) - about 22.78 million tourists
Bangkok is a city that pulsates with life 24 hours a day. The Thai capital is a fascinating mix of spirituality, chaos, modernity and culinary ecstasy. It attracts tourists from all over the world with its energy, temples, night markets and myriad contrasts.
🕌 Grand Royal Palace and Wat Phra Kaew - Thailand's most important religious site with a statue of the Emerald Buddha.
🌅 Wat Arun (Temple of the Dawn) - A fairy-tale temple by the river, especially spectacular at sunset.
🛶 Floating Markets (Floating Markets) - cultural and culinary experience - trading on boats like from a movie.
🌆 Sky bars and rooftops - stunning views from the 60th floor, drinks overlooking thousands of city lights.
🍜 Street food - From pad thai to mango sticky rice, the street in Bangkok is a feast for every sense.
🛍️ Chatuchak Market and MBK Center - A bargain hunter's paradise - from handicrafts to electronics.
💆 Thai massages and spas - regeneration for body and soul at an affordable price at almost every corner.
Bangkok is the essence of exoticism and urban madness. It's a place that overwhelms, delights, tires and is addictive - and that's why tourists return here again and again.
🏁 Summary: What do the world's most popular capitals have in common?
Each of the featured capitals attracts millions of tourists a year, but the each does it in its own unique way. From exotic Bangkok with its bustling streets and aromatic food, to elegant Vienna with its classical music and retro-style cafes, these cities are not only administrative centers, but also the heart of culture, history and modern trends.
📸 What are tourists tempted by?
- Spectacular monuments that the whole world knows
- Authentic cuisine and culinary surprises
- Diversity - from spirituality to hedonism
- A blend of tradition and modernity
🌍 The common denominator of these cities is that. can be memorable for a long time - not just as a place to "tick off" on the map, but as an experience that stays in the head and heart.
So, if you're wondering where to go on your next trip - the world is wide open, and these ten capitals are sure-fire favorites always have something unique to offer. ✈️🌆
