Gone are those days when vacations were only planned by a limited population. Today, almost everyone faces the hustle and bustle of daily life, and needs a break from that humdrum at least once a year. To refresh and return to the daily routine with all new energy, people have now started to look out for holidays. Short and long vacations spent with family or friends are the best times to cherish for the rest of your life. Are you planning to have a fantastic holiday since long? No surprise can match a well-planned vacation at one of the hottest destinations in the world! Here’s the list of the top 12 tourist destinations in the world, including the places from the UK, USA, Asia, UAE, South Africa, Latin America, and Australia. Each of them has its own charm and hundreds of stunning tourist attractions. Let’s take a brief look at each of them, one by one.
1. London, United Kingdom
Popular to be the world’s most visited city, London definitely tops all the charts of tourist destinations. From culture to history and from great food to rocking parties, this city has something for everyone. With peculiar British as well as modern architecture, stunning museums, exciting outdoor activities, unending fine dining options, impeccable entertainment, world famous landmarks, iconic galleries, and much more – London is simply a sight-packed exploration.
Must see:
Big Ben, Tower Bridge, the murky Thames, the London Eye, the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, the British Museum, Buckingham Palace, St Paul’s Cathedral, National Gallery, Madame Tussauds, London Dungeon, London Zoo, Wimbledon, Lord’s Cricket Ground2. Paris, France
Paris on the list is no surprise. The fashion capital of the world also boasts of its wonderful tourist attractions. Recognized as the city of love, Paris has so much to offer to everyone coming in no matter you’re flying solo or are all loved-up! Glamorous atmosphere, chic boutiques, exquisite food, iconic architectural grandeur, inclusive culture, and stunning artistry do not sufficiently portray the city of London. There’s so much more!
Must see:
Eiffel Tower, the Shangri-La Paris, Place de la Concorde, Sainte-Chapelle, Centre Pompidou, Musee d’Orsay, ardin du Luxembourg, Sacre-Coeur, Notre Dame de Paris, Arc de Triomphe, Louvre3. New York City, New York
New York is the city that needs no introduction. However, for a first time traveler, it’s definitely worth to introduce. An irresistible feast for everyone who travels here, the city offers hundreds of reasons to explore and enjoy – shopping, dining, partying, art, architecture, culture, nightlife, sports, and what not!
Must see:
The Statue of Liberty, Times Square, Central Park, Empire State Building, 30 Rockefeller Center, Ellis Island, American Museum of Natural History, High Line, Bryant park, Bronx Zoo, Chinatown, Brooklyn Bridge, Little Italy, St Patrick’s Cathedral, New York Botanical Garden, Metropolitan Opera House4. Bangkok, Thailand
Familiar yet exotic – it perfectly takes the essence out of Bangkok. This Thailand capital is popular for its chaotic charm, colourful vibrant life, great food, interesting tourist places, fun folks, dynamic streets, bustling markets, waving boats, and much more. Bursting with bright coloured neon signs all around, the city of Bangkok mesmerizes tourists. On the other hand, there are the calm shores of Koh Samui and Phuket .
Must see:
Wat Pho, Wat Arun, Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew, Jim Thompson House, Lumphini Park, Golden Buddha, Wat Saket, Safari World, MBK Center, Bangkok National Museum, Dusit Zoo, Erawan Shrine, Thonburi, Central World, Siam Park City, Baiyoke Tower II, Giant Swing, Terminal 215. Dubai, UAE
The city of Dubai, one of the richest emirates in the UAE, has transformed from a desert into a super luxurious destination popular all over the world. Millions of travelers visit Dubai every year and no one returns disappointed. The city has something special for every visitor, regardless of the age, interests, and purpose of the tour. Stunning architecture, finest food, luxury lifestyle, myriad of attractions, huge shopping malls, world’s best desert safari in Dubai, museums, beaches, adventure sports, and much more – the list of Dubai highlights is never-ending.
Must see:
Burj Khalifa, Dubai Museum, Burj Al Arab, Dubai Mall, Ski Dubai, Dubai Creek, Jemeirah Mosque, Jemirah Beach, Palm Jumeirah, the Dubai Fountain, Emirates Towers, Wild Wadi water Park, Deira Twin Towers, Mall of the Emirates6. Rome, Italy
The eternal city of Rome is a sprawling cosmopolitan destination that astonishes travelers with incredibly influential art, culture, and architecture. The city is a perfect example of the contrast of modern and old. It lives in the presence, but powerfully evokes its own past like no other city in the world. The churches are stuffed with art, several sites have evidences of archeological remains of the ancient Rome, and the Vatican City features fascinating treasures. A “Roman Holiday” can certainly make the most memorable one of your life.
Must see:
Colosseum, Pantheon, Palatine Hill, Roman Forum, Spanish Steps, Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain, St Peter’s Basilica, Galleria Borghese, Vatican Museum, Santa Maria in Trastevere, Circus Maximus, Palazzo Valentini, Trinita dei Monti, National Roman Museum, Maxxi.7. Zermatt, Switzerland
Love exotic adventures? Zermatt is the place for you then! It’s a mountain resort in southern Switzerland, popular for mountaineering, skiing, ice skating, curling, and Alpine Recreation. The ultimate snow paradise is unlimited fun for your families, friends, and kids; no matter who you take on the vacation!
Must see:
Matterhorn, Klein Matterhorn, Gornergrat Railway, Unterrothorn, Matterhorn Museum, Schwarzsee, Monte Rosa, Pollux, Riffelsee, Lyskamm, Parrotspitze, Zumsteinpitze, Nordend, Castor8. Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul is a city in Turkey that meets Europe on one hand and Asia on the other hand. With all the merry bustling romance of the past and the typical chaotic charm of the present, Istanbul is an ideal holiday spot. The Old City exhibits strong influences of several empires that ruled Istanbul in the past.
Must see:
Hagia Sophia, Sultan Ahmed Mosque, Grand Bazar, Topkapi Palace, Galata Tower, Galata Bridge, Chora Church, Istiklal Avenue, Golden Horn, New Mosque, Istanbul Modern Art Museum, Istanbul Archeology Museum, Miniaturk, Turkish & Islamic Arts Museum, Maiden’s Tower, Istanbul Aquarium, Turkua Zoo9. Cape Town, South Africa
Fondly known as the world’s prettiest city, Cape Town is loved by locals and visitors alike. Nature steals the show and the best highlight is where the city meets the sea. For hiking freaks, the spot is the famous Table Mountain. The flat top of the mountain offers sweeping views of the city and the busy harbor.
Must see:
Table Mountain, Table Mountain National Park, Cape of Good Hope, Aerial Cableway, Two Oceans Aquarium, Signal Hill, Lion’s Head, Cape Peninsula, Constantia, District Six Museum, Iziko Museum, Table Bay, Cliffton, Helderberg, Grand Parade, Robben Island, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Sandy Bay.10. Hong Kong, China
With the best tower-studded skyline, Hong Kong is a densely populated yet vibrant city that pleases its visitors with numerous food options, shopping spots, bespoke tailors, and exceptional high tea. The Temple Street night market catches your eye instantly.
Must see:
Hong Kong Disneyland, Ngong Ping 360, Victoria Peak, Ocean Park, Lantau Island, Man Mo Temple, Madame Tussauds, Clock Tower, Lamma Island, Tung Choi Street, Hong Kong Space Museum, Kowloon Park, Hong Kong Heritage Museum, Sam Tung UK Museum, Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery, Police Museum, Statue Square, Government House, Railway Museum11. Prague, Czech Republic
Once ‘just a passing through’ city, has now become one of the favourites in the Central Europe. The Czech Republic capital is much beyond parties, beer, and tourist attractions. It’s a perfectly preserved historical centre with the Old Town Square, typical Gothic churches, attractive baroque buildings, and the famous astronomical clock.
Must see:
Old Town Square, Charle’s Bridge, Astronomical Clock, Prague Castle, St Vitus Cathedral, Municipal House, Petrin, Dancing House, Old Jewish Cemetary, Golden Lane, Lennon Wall, National Museum, Kampa Island, Loreta, State Opera, Spanish Synagogue, New Town Hall, Prague Zoo, Sex Machines Museum, Letna13. Sydney, Australia
Another dream destination that lies in the Southern Hemisphere is Sydney, Australia. Being the proud cultural capital of Australia, the city is home to the Sydney opera house. Another highlight is the Sydney Harbor Bridge.