What would you guess the most visited cities in the world are? Tokyo? New York? The answer might just surprise you. Every year, millions of travelers chart familiar paths across the globe—be it for food, faith, fashion, or simply to stand in the shadow of a landmark they’ve seen a hundred times on screen. According to Euromonitor International’s City Destination Index, a handful of cities continue to rise above the rest, collecting more arrivals than anywhere else on earth. Some are expected, others less so, and together they paint a picture of how and why we travel today. Here are the 10 most visited cities in the world.
10. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur’s reputation is often reduced to the gleam of the Petronas Towers, but the city’s rhythm is best understood at street level. In Jalan Alor, satay skewers smoke over open flames while plastic stools spill into the road. Mosques call to prayer beside Taoist shrines lit with red lanterns; Indian spices mingle with the sweetness of tropical fruit. It’s this layering of cultures (Malay, Chinese, and Indian) that draws travelers in. More than 16 million arrived last year, many expecting a stopover, and found a city that rewards those willing to linger.
9. Paris, France
Paris has never fallen from the traveler’s imagination. Over 17 million visitors still make their way here each year, proof that its spell endures. The Eiffel Tower and the Louvre remain fixtures, but it’s the smaller moments that sustain its appeal: a croissant eaten on a wicker chair overlooking the street, a book discovered in the green boxes along the Seine, a wine glass catching the last light on a cafe terrace. The city’s charm lies in the Parisian lifestyle, one that travelers can’t seem to get enough of.