Most popular 50 tourist attractions of Europe revealed
The Trevi Fountain (Rome), Colosseum (Rome) and Eiffel Tower (Paris) top the ranking.
Travel Biz News —
Musement , a digital platform to book more than 55,000 travel experiences in over 140 countries around the world, has revealed 50 most popular tourist attractions in Europe.
Musement conducted an in-depth study to find out most popular attractions, analysing over 4200 places of interest across the continent and compiling a ranking of the 50 most popular attractions based on the number of Google reviews they received.
“Europe is home to a wealth of cultural, historic and natural attractions diverse enough to suit every taste. From iconic architectural landmarks to ancient ruins and renowned museums, it’s no surprise that many European countries are among the most popular tourist destinations in the world , “ reads a statement issued by Milan based Musement.
The top 10
Trevi Fountain, Rome (Italy) – With over 345,000 reviews, the Trevi Fountain leads the ranking on Musement. Commissioned by Pope Clement XII and designed by architect Nicola Salvi then later Giuseppe Pannini, it’s one of the most iconic Baroque structures in Italy and undoubtedly the most famous fountain in Rome.
The Trevi Fountain is located at the intersection of three streets at the end of the Acqua Vergine aqueduct. Today, millions of people visit each year to admire its impressive sculptures up close and toss a coin in the fountain and make a wish.
Colosseum, Rome (Italy), 330,361 reviews. Second place goes to another famous Italian attraction. Built between 72 and 80 AD on the orders of Emperor Flavius Vespasian, this enormous amphitheatre could hold up to 50,000 spectators.
During the height of the Roman Empire, the Colosseum hosted numerous spectacles, including gladiator fights and hunts. One of the most note-worthy events was the inaugural games that famously lasted 100 days. A fantastic example of Roman architecture that has survived the passage of time, the Colosseum continues to amaze its visitors.
Eiffel Tower, Paris (France), 328,972 reviews. Constructed in honour of the 1889 Universal Exposition, the Eiffel Tower was meant to be dismantled after the event. Not only has it survived, it’s become an iconic emblem of Paris attracting nearly 7 million visitors annually.
Designed by the French engineer Gustave Eiffel, it took two years to complete and upon its inauguration was the tallest tower in the world. At that time visitors had to climb nearly 1700 steps on foot to reach the top. Fortunately these days you can take the elevator up to enjoy the unparalleled views from the second level (116m high) and from the summit (276m high).
Louvre Museum, Paris (France), 266,240 reviews. While the Louvre opened its doors to the public in 1793, the building itself is much older. Originally a medieval fortress, it was later transformed into a royal palace before becoming the world-famous museum we know today. Covering over 70,000sqm, the museum houses a vast collection of around 35,000 works of art, including iconic pieces like the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo.
With its extensive galleries visitors can explore a wide range of exhibits, from Roman, Greek and Egyptian antiquities to Islamic art, sculptures, paintings and more. The Louvre takes visitors on a journey through history and art.
Disneyland Paris, Paris (France), 259,696 reviews. Located just 32km from Paris, the complex has two parks: Disneyland® Park and Walt Disney Studios®. With more than 50 attractions and a wide range of restaurants and accommodation, it’s become one of the most popular attractions in Europe.
In addition to discovering the MARVEL Universe and the fascinating world of Disney and Pixar, from now until September 30th visitors can enjoy spectacular shows and performances in honour of the park’s 30th anniversary, the Grand Finale. Highlights include Disney Dreams®!, the acclaimed show with fireworks and special effects projected on the Sleeping Beauty Castle.
Sagrada Família, Barcelona (Spain), 200,309 reviews. Begun more than 140 years ago, this unfinished work by architect Antonio Gaudi is a proud symbol of Barcelona. The magnificent interplay of colours and light from its stained-glass windows, the towering ‘forest’ of columns within, and the fantastic city views from the towers are just some of its impressive features. In addition the basilica, along with six other works by the famous architect, has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Arc de Triomphe, Paris (France), 197,610 reviews. Standing 50m tall and 45m wide, the Arc de Triomphe is an awe-inspiring monument commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte to commemorate his victory in Austerlitz. It’s long been one of the most visited landmarks in Paris.
At its base lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from WWI, where a flame is lit every day at 6:30pm. From the upper terrace instead, visitors can take in exceptional views of the Champs-Élysées and the city beyond.
Pantheon, Rome (Italy), 190,835 reviews. Visited by millions of people every year, the Pantheon of Agrippa is one of the best-preserved ancient Roman monuments. While its original structure dates to the time of Emperor Augustus, between 118 and 125 AD Emperor Hadrian ordered its reconstruction and completely changed the initial design.
In the 7th century it was then converted into a Christian basilica, which is largely why it’s remained practically intact over the centuries. One of the most striking features of its design is the enormous concrete dome, with its almost 9m-diameter oculus that remains open come rain or shine.
Retiro Park, Madrid (Spain), 164,086 reviews. Spanning 125 hectares, Retiro Park is the main green lung for this Spanish capital and one of its most visited spots. Since 2021 it’s been recognised as a World Heritage Cultural Landscape by UNESCO, along with the Paseo del Prado.
The park boasts stunning gardens, such as the French Parterre and the Rose Garden, as well as note-worthy sculptures and architectural works, including the monument to Alfonso XII, the statue of the Fallen Angel, and the Galápagos Fountain. Of all the attractions though the Palacio de Cristal, one of the exhibition venues for the Reina Sofía Museum, steals the show.
Park Güell, Barcelona (Spain), 162,845 reviews. With over 162,000 reviews on Google, Park Güell ranks among our top 10 attractions. It’s one of the most visited attractions in Barcelona – and for good reason. Antoni Gaudí’s fascination with organic shapes can be seen in every corner of the park.
Architectural elements blend perfectly with nature, creating iconic spaces such as the Dragon Stairway and the Hypostyle Room. At the Plaza de la Naturaleza, visitors can also sit along the famous undulating mosaic bench and enjoy enchanting views of the city.
Musement’s ranking highlights the enormous range of cultural, historic and natural attractions available in Europe, catering to all styles and tastes. From fun theme parks such as Energylandia, Efteling, Gardaland and Portaventura Park, to renowned museums such as the Vatican Museums, the British Museum or the Prado Museum, there are countless options throughout the continent.
Castles and palaces are often among the most visited places in their respective regions, so it’s no wonder that Buckingham Palace, Prague Castle, Wawel Castle, Versailles Palace and Schönbrunn Palace have secured a spot in the ranking. Historic sites and ancient ruins were also popular and for those wanting to delve deeper into ancient European civilisation, the Arena of Verona, the Acropolis of Athens and the Aqueduct of Segovia were all highly ranked.
Religious monuments and temples attract millions of visitors every year and were represented in top 50 with the Milan Cathedral, the Sanctuary of Fatima, St Stephen’s Cathedral and the Basilica of St Peter. The latter was undoubtedly one of the most popular attractions. Iconic bridges such as the Rialto, Charles and Tower, as well as architectural gems such as the Leaning Tower of Pisa and Casa Batlló also made an appearance. While nature lovers won’t be disappointed by lush green spaces such as Plitvice Lakes National Park and Hyde Park that made it on the list.
Musement is headquartered in Milan and has offices in Hamburg, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Dubai, London, Munich, New York, Orlando and Paris. In September 2018, Musement became part of TUI Group , the world’s leading tourism group, joining its Tours & Activities division known as TUI Musement. – ( Inputs from Musement )
For more information : https://blog.musement.com/us/most-popular-attractions-in-europe/
5 April 2023