From the iconic European gems to tropical hotspots, here are the 10 most visited tourist destinations.

While the list goes on. When it comes to choosing the most visited tourist places worldwide, the Vatican City raises the bar.

With the tourism industry back in action, many popular destinations are now welcoming more travelers from all around the world. According to a survey, approximately 1.4 billion tourists visited international destinations in 2024.

Most tourists are seeking off-the-beaten-path and quaint destinations. Hence, some major tourist destinations, such as European cities and tropical havens, have been overrun by tourists.

Most Crowded Tourist Destinations in the World

According to the latest official tourism report, here is the curated list of the top 10 most crowded destinations, where tourism isn’t just booming, it is erupting.

From the iconic European gems to tropical hotspots, here are the 10 most visited tourist destinations.

1. Vatican City, Rome

Vatican, the city where the Pope lives, is ranked as the most crowded tourist place. With an astounding ratio of 7,709 tourists per resident, given that it is the world’s smallest country, spanning only 0.44 sq. km area within Rome.

Famous for being the spiritual and administrative center of the Roman Catholic Church, Vatican City is the only country to be entirely declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.

Major Tourist Destinations

• Admire the 120-year-old Renaissance masterpiece- St. Peter’s Basilica, the world’s largest church, featuring the Dome painted by Michelangelo and Bernini’s Baldacchino.
• The Vatican Museums contain a vast collection of centuries-old artifacts, including Michelangelo-painted frescoes in the Sistine Chapel– “The Last Judgment,” and Raphael’s artistic genius, like “The Hall of Constantine,” at the Stanze della Segnatura.
• The Gallery of Maps displays the detailed map of Italy drawn in the 16th century, while the Vatican Library houses an immense collection of books, manuscripts, and other historical documents for a nerd in you.

Best Time To Visit Vatican City

From April to May and September through October are considered the shoulder seasons. During holidays, like Christmas and Halloween, you may catch the city in its full touristy swing.

2. Paris, France

France remains the most visited country in the world, welcoming over 100 million visitors every year. Paris city has witnessed more than 11 million visitors in the capital alone as it hosted the official opening ceremony of the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Italy in 2025.

Celebrated for its symbolic culture, fashion, Seine cruises, culinary, and art, France has attracted visitors for ages from all around.

Major Tourist Attractions

• Get reacquainted with love at the iconic Eiffel Tower.
• Admire the state-of-the-art paintings and countless ancient artwork collections dating back to prehistoric times.
• Visit the crowd magnet, the Palace of Versailles, a former royal residence of King Louis XIV.
• Walk through the rich French history at the Arc de Triomphe.
• Witness the elegance at Champs-Élysées, lined with luxury shops and cafes. Or dance on the Bohemian vibes at Montmartre, decorated with street art and stunning views from Sacré-Cœur.

Best Time To Visit

During spring (April to May) and fall (September and October), it offers pleasant with fewer crowds paired with wine tastings as compared to the peak summer season from June to August.

3. Andorra, Southwest Europe

After France, Andorra reserves the second place as the world’s most crowded tourist destination, with over 9 million visitors in 2024. Tucked between France and Spain, Andorra- a tiny mountain nation- is famed for its duty-free shopping, scenic Alpine vibes, high-end ski resorts, and spa culture.

With just 81,938 residents, welcoming millions of tourists every year makes it among the most visited tourist destinations per capita in the world.

Major Tourist Attractions

Rejuvenate with a relaxing thermal spa at Southern Europe’s largest Caldea Spa Complex with thermal lagoons, Jacuzzi, waterfalls, and saunas.

From luxury goods to first-class electronics, go on a shopping spree and eat without guilt at the bustling Avenida Meritxell commercial street.

For adventurous souls, go for a ski at the popular ski resorts in the Pyrenees, including Vallnord and Grandvalira Ski Resorts.

Dive into Andorra’s quirky political and spiritual history at the 16th-century Casa de la Vall and Sant Esteve Church.

Best Time To Visit Andorra

Winter is the peak ski season from December to March, packed with winter sports lovers. The summer season from June to August offers lush views, festivals, and clear hiking and mountain biking trails.

You can ditch the crowd from April-May and September-October for peaceful sightseeing and shopping.

4. Hong Kong, China

Hong Kong is where East meets West, sky meets the sea, and tourism meets intensity.

With a population of approximately 7.4 million, the city registered over 56 million visitors in 2019, equating to a tourist-to-local ratio of 6:1. famous for its towering skyline, delightful food, neon-lit streets, and deep-rooted culture and dynamic history, Hong Kong has long ranked as the most crowded tourist destination in the world.

Major Tourist Attractions

• Take the cable car ride for the panoramic views of the city’s skyline from Victoria Peak.
• Walk through the cinematic walkways with harbor views and street performers at Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade and Avenue of Stars
• Overloaded with neon signboards, explore Hong Kong’s vibrant nightlife.
• From dim sums and noodle shops to luxury goods and fortune tellers, Ladies’ Market and Sneaker Street is a must-visit

Best Time To Visit Hong Kong

Hong Kong celebrates its Chinese New Year from January to March, making it the most crowded tourism months. Ditch the places packed with tourists from October to December. Avoid the hot and typhoon-prone months of June to September.

5. New York City, United States

New York, the city that never sleeps, is one of the most iconic urban destinations for visitors in the world. With over 60 million visitors reported every year, New York holds the title of the most visited tourist destination in the United States.

According to a tourism survey, most tourists visit the bustling streets of Midtown, Manhattan, and Times Square, vastly outnumbering the locals every day.

Major Tourist Attractions

• Witness the symbol of unity, freedom, and power at the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
• Explore the green oasis amid the concrete jungle at Central Park
• Experience the heart of New York at Times Square, loaded with neon lights, theaters, and street performers
• Walk the Brooklyn Bridge for astounding views.
• Savor the taste of authentic bagels in Queens, pizza in Brooklyn, and Dominican food in Washington Heights.

Best Time To Visit New York City

The spring season from April to June veils the city with cherry blossoms and pleasant weather, with few tourists. New York City turns into a magical fairyland in winter with Christmas lights, holiday markets, and the famed Rockefeller Center tree.

6. Monaco, Western Europe

With the land area smaller than New York’s Central Park, Monaco is the world’s second smallest sovereign state. Famous for its super yachts, luxury casinos, F1 race tracks, and royal flair, this Mediterranean micro-state welcomes over 1.5 million visitors every year, especially during high-class events, like the Monaco Grand Prix held annually.

Major Tourist Attractions

• Gamble the night at Monaco’s iconic casinos, including the architectural masterpiece- Monte Carlo Casino.
• Capture the grandeur of the Prince’s Palace that sheltered elite powers since the 13th century.
• Visit the cliffside Oceanographic Museum, seamlessly blending dramatic ocean views with marine biology and ocean exploration.
• Stroll down the Port Hercules with a glass of rosé and marvel at the billion-dollar yachts.

Best Time To Visit Monaco

The city witnesses intense tourism during May, for this month hosts the Grand Prix race. For leisure travelers, July to August is the peak season for cruise ships and summer vacation activities. To ditch the crowd, plan your visit to Monaco from April to June before the race event surge and in September and October when leisure visitors thin slightly.

7. Valletta, Malta

From the colonial heritage to Asian legacies, Malta offers a tapestry of rich architecture, dialects, and cuisine, attracting over 2.5 million tourists annually.

Perched on the peninsula and surrounded by the clear blue waters of the Mediterranean, Valletta is one of Europe’s the most smallest capital cities.

Though tiny, with a population of less than 7,000 residents, the city’s winding streets and harbor views can quickly feel packed when multiple cruises dock at once during summer.

Major Tourist Attractions:

• Marvel at the gold interiors of St. John’s Cathedral, housing the infamous Caravaggio’s artwork- The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist.
• Time your visit to the Upper Barrakka Gardens with the noon cannon salute for a dramatic view of the Grand Harbor.
• Explore Malta’s prehistoric past at the National Museum of Archaeology, which houses artifacts from Neolithic temples.
• Stroll the Strait Street and Valletta Waterfront for colorful balconies, trendy eateries, and music.

Best Time To Visit Malta

From July to August, Malta docks cruise and yachts packed with tourists and vacationers. April to June and September to October are considered great months for water sports and sightseeing with fewer summer crowds.

8. Antigua & Barbuda

Nestling in the heart of the Caribbean, the twin-island nation of Antigua & Barbuda is a paradise for beach lovers.

Nearly a million tourists visit the city, dominating every corner each year. The blend of colonial charm, beach culture, and commercial destinations, the islands are a buzzing hub of Caribbean colorful tapestry.

Major Tourist Attractions:

• Heritage and Redcliffe Quay are great for duty-free shopping, luxury souvenirs, and hippie Caribbean flair.
• Dive into the rich Caribbean history at the incredible Anglican St. John’s Cathedral.
• Explore the island’s colonial, indigenous, and modern history at the Island Museums.
• Go for sunbathing and swimming at the nearby Runaway Beach and Dickenson Bay, while sipping a cold rum punch under a palm tree.

Best Time To Visit Antigua & Barbuda

Mid-December to April are the peak crowded seasons for its cold to mild weather and cultural events. Avoid visiting during hurricane season from September to October, as many stays may remain closed.

9. The Bahamas, Caribbean

Home to around 88% population of the West Indies’ Lucayan Archipelago, the Bahamas reportedly received over 4 million tourists in 2024, mostly through its capital city of Nassau. Mainly on the days when multiple cruise ships dock at once, the country’s streets can be drastically outnumbered the tourists in key tourist attractions.

Major Tourist Attractions

• Visit the mega resort on Paradise Island and the Atlantis Resort, featuring world-class casinos, luxury pools, and the water park.
• Shop your heart out at the duty-free shops at Bay Street, packed with pastel-colored colonial wonders and local eateries.
• Climb the historic Queen’s Staircase in Fort Fincastle, carved by slaves using limestone.
• Stroll down the cruise terminal leading to Junkanoo Beach for a vibrant lifestyle.
• Capture the fascinating tropical wildlife, including the famous pink flamingos.

Best Time To Visit

The shoulder season from May to June offers lovely weather before the hurricane season from August to October. Expect the cruise crowd from December to April, ideal for beach hoppers.

10. San Marino

According to an investigative report of The Sage Encyclopedia of Travel & Tourism, San Marino witnesses over 2 million tourists every year.

Long celebrated as the world’s oldest republic, its medieval heritage and rich historic influence in architecture, gastronomy, and artistry attract travelers of all tastes from all over.

Located in the heart of Italy, San Marino is the world’s fifth smallest country, making it the most visited tourist destination per capita in the world.

Major Tourist Attractions

• Explore the ramparts of the iconic Three Towers of San Marino fortress, which once protected the country from invasion.
• For curious minds, the State Museum features a diverse collection of archaeological findings and artworks, while the Museum of Ancient Arms houses centuries-old weaponry.
• Enjoy tax-free shopping at charming malls.
• Savor the taste of bean and bacon soup, rabbit stew, and the Three Towers-inspired multi-layered cake, paired with locally brewed wines.

Best Time to Visit San Marino

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of San Mario floods with visitors from June to August, especially on weekends and Italian holidays. For lighter crowds and peaceful sightseeing, the spring season from April to June, and the fall season in September and October.

In 2025, Singapore stands as Asia’s richest country, boasting a GDP per capita over $153,000. Its economic prowess stems from finance, global trade, advanced manufacturing, and innovation, rather than natural resources. Strong governance, strategic location, world-class infrastructure, and a highly educated workforce have cemented its status as a global business and investment hub. Singapore exemplifies economic stability, prosperity, and smart development through long-range planning and global connections.

In 2025, Singapore was declared the richest in Asia (GDP per capita by purchasing power parity). With an estimated per capita income of over $153,000, Singapore’s economy is wealthier than wealthier resource countries, again Qatar and the UAE.

The small island nation found strength not in natural resources like minerals, oil, and gas found in many Gulf nations, but in finance, global trade and business, advanced manufacturing, and innovation. Singapore’s strong, reliable governance, along with its significance in education and infrastructure, has positioned the nation as a global business and investment hub.

Singapore became successful not just by vision alone, but combined with long-range planning, economic discipline, and strategic global connections. In a more competitive global economy, Singapore is a prime example of economic stability, prosperity, and smart economic development in Asia today.

Singapore: Richest Country in Asia

In 2025, Singapore has the distinction of being the richest country in Asia in GDP per capita (purchasing power parity) at income levels exceeding $153,000. While many wealthy countries often rely on natural resources, the economy of Singapore is based on finance, international trade, high-tech manufacturing, and innovation.

The success of Singapore comes from strong governance, a business-friendly environment, world-class infrastructure, and a very well-educated workforce. The city-state’s location has also facilitated its ability to serve as a global nexus for commerce and logistics.

Despite its small size, as well as a lack of natural resources, Singapore has established a pattern of resilience and economic growth. In addition to its long-term planning and stability, Singapore values its global partnerships. These values allow Singapore to serve as a model for sustainable development and prosperity in Asia and beyond.

Why is Singapore the Richest Country in Asia?

Geographic Advantages: Strategically planned and located between major global trading routes and two oceans, Singapore has emerged as one of the busiest ports in the world, as well as a shipping and logistics hub.

Strong Governance: The country has a very strong government mechanism, which is efficient and free from corruption. A stable structure of governance has established a framework for investment and businesses to operate under.

Open Economy: The city-state has been a proponent of free trade, low taxation, and a supportive regulator.

Education: Singapore has invested in education by developing a skilled and educated population, ultimately driving innovation and productivity.

Connectivity: Singapore’s connections (relationships and networks) with international partners have positioned it to meaningfully enter the global economic market and become a part of it.

Economic Diversification: Singapore is not a natural resource-based economy; it is grounded in finance, technology, manufacturing, and the visitor economy.

Infrastructure: Modern transport and communications, supported by urban planning, add to efficient commerce and a good standard of living.

Sunset staff photographer Thomas J. Story on how to document dark skies.

Night photography takes not only a keen eye but quite a bit of planning. Sunset’s staff photographer has been shooting the outdoors for 25 years. Here are his tips on how to get it right.

1. Pack Smart

Night photography requires a tripod and a fast lens (at least f/2.8) set at ISO 3200. To maintain sharp stars, you’ll want the exposure under 20 to 30 seconds, otherwise it will result in star trails. Star trackers are a great, moderately low-cost investment if you become serious about shooting the night sky regularly.

2. Slow Your Shutter

The night mode in newer iPhones is pretty great, but there are slow shutter apps available for iPhone and Android that can also help for older models. The AstroShader app lets you stack multiple exposures to pull more detail. Slow Shutter Cam is also a really great one. It lets you do long exposures in the daytime as well.

3. Put It in Perspective

It’s helpful to have something in the foreground for visual interest that puts the sky into context, like a person in the sand dunes with a headlamp or another object, like a tree branch, in the frame.

4. Map It Out

As with many things in life, knowing when and where to be there is half the battle in photography. To prepare, use Google Earth to scout your location. No matter what, you want to be as far as possible from light pollution from cities, buildings, and even larger campsites. The Night Sky app will let you map the constellations anywhere you are on Earth.

5. Avoid the Full Moon

Though the look of a full moon can be beautiful in its own right, if you’re trying to capture the stars, the light from its glow will impact celestial visibility. Instead, plan as close to the new moon as possible.

6. Use Red Light

Purchase headlamps with this function, as light in the red spectrum doesn’t mess with your night vision and dilate your eyes as much as a standard light would. Doing so is also mindful of other folks who might be enjoying the outdoors, too.

7. Dress Warm

Bundle up and bring layers. Especially if you’re shooting in the desert, temps can drop quickly. Since you may have some trouble using gloves while operating a camera, even if they’re tech-friendly, pocket warmers can really come in handy.

These countries post the coldest average temperatures on Earth, but even in places defined by ice and snow, the climate is starting to shift

There are still places on Earth where the cold doesn’t come and go. From the wind-carved plateau of Antarctica to the treeless tundra of northern Canada and the high steppes of Mongolia, some countries endure cold not as a passing season but as a permanent backdrop. Average annual temperatures remain well below freezing. Infrastructure is built to withstand months of frost. Entire ways of life revolve around snow, ice and the rhythms of a long, unrelenting winter.

But even the coldest regions aren’t insulated from climate change. In fact, many are warming faster than the global average – not in ways that erase the cold entirely, but in ways that destabilise it. Some years bring deeper snow and heavier storms. Others see the cold arrive weeks later than expected, or retreat sooner. Familiar patterns – once embedded in culture, farming, and daily movement – are beginning to shift. What’s changing isn’t just the degree of cold but its reliability. And in the coldest places on Earth, that loss of consistency may prove more disruptive than the rise in temperature itself.

The 10 coldest countries in the world in 2025

This list is based on 2025 average annual air temperatures, using data from the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), NASA’s GISTEMP, Berkeley Earth, and NOAA’s Global Historical Climatology Network (GHCN). These organisations compile long-term climate records from both satellite observations and ground-based monitoring stations.

1. Antarctica – Averaged -56.7ºC in 2025
2. Russia – Siberia averaged -5.4ºC
3. Canada – Northern regions averaged -4.8ºC
4. Greenland – Recorded -3.6ºC across the ice sheet
5. Mongolia – Annual average reached -0.9ºC
6. Norway – Including Svalbard, averaged 1.3ºC
7. Kazakhstan – National average reached 1.6ºC
8. Finland – Recorded 1.9ºC on average
9. Iceland – Climbed to 2.0ºC
10. United States (Alaska) – Averaged 2.1ºC in northern zones

The science behind the warming of cold places

It’s a well-documented phenomenon that many of the coldest parts of the world are also warming the fastest. This is due to polar amplification – a process where melting snow and ice reduce the Earth’s reflectivity. Bright, frozen surfaces typically bounce sunlight back into the atmosphere; when they melt, darker ground and ocean, which would otherwise be hidden underneath, absorb that heat instead, accelerating warming in surrounding areas. This effect is especially pronounced in regions like northern Canada, Greenland and Siberia, where ice loss is increasingly year-round.

A 2022 study in Nature Communications Earth & Environment confirmed that the Arctic is warming nearly four times faster than the global average. And while the Middle East may be heating more rapidly in summer extremes, Arctic and sub-Arctic regions are where the long-term rate of change is sharpest.

Why climate change can lead to colder winters

Global warming, or climate change, doesn’t always translate to milder winters. In many cold regions, it brings instability – not less cold, but a more erratic cold. A warming climate shifts long-term averages upward but it also stretches the extremes, so a mild January might be followed by a severe Arctic front; a thaw can give way to a record-breaking blizzard.

One driver of this volatility is the jet stream – a high-altitude air current that typically keeps polar air locked in the Arctic. As the region warms and sea ice retreats, the jet stream weakens and shifts. This allows cold Arctic air to plunge further south, and warmer air to move north, increasing the frequency of polar vortex events and sharpening contrasts between seasons.

The result isn’t a straightforward rise in temperature but a climate marked by sudden swings: heavier snowfall, delayed freezes, earlier thaws, and less predictability overall. The world’s coldest countries are still cold but the nature of that cold is changing.