Whether natural or man-made, there are tourist attractions around the world that, due to their beauty, modernity or historical and cultural significance, arouse the interest of millions of local and foreign travelers. For those who, in most cases, are the main reason why many of them make the decision to visit a particular country or city.
Although the list can be endless, we have prepared a ranking of the 10 most visited tourist attractions in the world. Find out below what they are and why they have earned a place in the hearts of travelers from all over the world.
1.- Las Vegas strip: Officially known as Las Vegas Boulevard, It is the most famous street in the city of Las Vegas and it covers a distance of 6.8 kilometers which has become very popular, due to its large concentration of hotels, casinos and tourist complexes, considered by many to be the best in the world.
A variety of activities that turns Las Vegas into the most visited city in the United States with a total of 39.7 million visitors a year; who not only do it for the opportunity to try their luck in their casinos; but also, for the wonderful show of lights and colors that reigns at nightfall and the possibility of enjoying activities that are prohibited in the rest of the United States, such as: walking around lightly dressed, drinking alcohol in the streets , enjoy the legality of prostitution in neighboring counties or play and bet at any time. Not in vain, they call it the city of sin.
2.- Niagara Falls: located on the border between the United States and Canada, specifically between the states of New York (USA) and Ontario (Canada), we find one of the most amazing natural attractions in the world. Well, it covers a width of 1,000 meters and a drop of 54 meters, where we can appreciate how 6 million cubic feet of water flow per second in a spectacle that will leave us breathless.
It is estimated that on average 30 million people visit annually, the set of three waterfalls (Horseshoe Falls, Bridal Veil Falls and American Falls) that collectively receive this name. The word “Niagara” comes from the language of the Iroquois tribe and its meaning is “Water Thunder”.
3.- Walt Disney World Orlando: The first park in this complex to open its doors was the Magic Kingdom, formally opened on October 1, 1971.. Although, currently this complex of theme parks has grown so much that it invites us to discover all the charm and magic of Disney, in 4 parks (Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Animal kingdom and Epcot), 2 water parks (Blizzard Beach Water Park, Typhoon Lagoon Water Park), dozens of hotels, a large number of shops, golf circuits, restaurants and entertainment areas, where we will also enjoy incredible shows and adventures with animals.
12,000 hectares, which will undoubtedly be the adoration of adults and children alike, with the incentive that we can spend several days to complete the tour, specifically 6 days, required to get to know the complex in its entirety. It receives an average of 18.5 million visitors annually.
4.- The pyramids of Giza: There are a total of 120 pyramids throughout Egypt, but the most famous are undoubtedly the three pyramids of Giza (Cheops, Khafre and Micerinos). Located on the Giza Plateau, about 18 kilometers from Cairo, these were built more than 3000 years ago, in alabaster stones, and currently constitute one of the seven wonders of the ancient world that is still standing.
An icon of Egypt and the African continent that provokes the admiration of 14.7 million visitors per yearwho are also attracted by the possibility of discovering the mysteries of ancient Egypt.
5.- Notre Dame Cathedral: Its name means “our lady” and it is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. This Gothic-style church is located in the center of Paris, specifically on the Ile de Cité, in the middle of the Senna River., and is among the oldest cathedrals in the world. Since, its construction began in the year 1163 and 180 years would pass until it was finally finished in 1345.
The beauty of its architecture does not go unnoticed, thanks to its 69 meter high towers and 40 meter wide façade. In addition to this, the luminosity that it exhibits, the numerous works of art that it treasures and the beautiful panoramic views that it gives us to reach the top of the towers, make it a one of the most visited monuments in France, receiving an average of 14 million visitors a year.
6.- The Great Wall of China: Known in Mandarin as Chángchéng or “long fortress. It was built with the aim of protecting China’s northern border from attacks by the Xiongnu nomadic armies of Mongolia and Manchuria. its construction took more than 2000 years to complete, starting it in the 8th century BCE and officially ending in the year 1644.
Such magnitude of time justifies its immense length, which according to archaeological studies is 21,196 kilometers; making it the longest wall and the largest ancient architecture in the world. Compelling reasons why in 1987 it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and why, 10 million people visit it annually. Those who also enjoy an impressive variety of landscapes ranging from beaches to rugged mountains.
7.- The Eiffel Tower: Built in two years, two months and five days, by the French engineer Alexandre Gustave Eiffel and a group of collaborators who began the work on January 28, 1887. This metallic structure of puddled iron, is the international symbol that identifies the city of Parisand leaves no one indifferent, as it is visible from almost anywhere in the French capital, thanks to its 324 meters of height and because, in addition, it offers unique panoramic views of «the city of light».
A night visit to the tower gives us the opportunity to appreciate, thanks to a scenic lighting system, the golden tints that it acquires after sunset. As well as the path of two rays of light, which illuminate the Parisian sky with a range of 80 kilometers. It currently has 7.1 million visits per year.
8.- The Acropolis of Athens: the word acropolis refers to the highest part of the ancient Greek cities, which were originally used as a place of refuge and defense. There are many acropolises in Greece, but the most famous is this monument built in honor of the protector of the city of Athens, the goddess Athena.
Located of course in the capital of Greece, it is considered the great jewel of its historical heritage, being one of the most outstanding works in the acropolis of Athens, the Parthenon. Thanks to unique architectural features, for which receives 4.5 million visitors annually.
9.- Christ the Redeemer: located 710 meters above sea level, on top of Corcovado Hill, in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; It is also known for it, as the Christ of Corcovado. It is an immense statue of Jesus of Nazareth 30 meters high, which was installed in 1931, which, since then, has covered visitors with its shadow, while from its viewpoint and with open arms, it shows them a spectacular panoramic view of the city.
It currently receives 1.8 million tourists who visit it annually, and is considered by believers a place of pilgrimage, while for travelers it is one of the most important tourist attractions in the city and in the country of Rio de Janeiro, being chosen in 2007 along with other monuments such as the Great Wall of China, the Roman coliseum and the city of petra, among others, such as one of the seven wonders of the modern world.
10.-Stonehenge: 1.3 million people annually visit this prehistoric monument, located in the county of Wiltshire, England, approximately 15 kilometers north of Salisbury. It is constituted by a series of enormous stones buried and organized in such a way that they form four concentric circles. Although it is not known who built it or what function it fulfilled, it is believed that it could have been a religious temple, funerary mound or an astronomical observatory and that its construction would have taken about 1600 years.
Nevertheless, The mystery that surrounds this monument is based on its architecture, its greatness and the astronomical precision that it has.; In addition to the recurring question, why is it in that place?, aspects that only generate even more admiration, due to the planning and construction of this work that dates from the end of the Neolithic period.
Now that you know these tourist attractions, we invite you to organize your travel calendar and schedule each of these destinations, which represent a must-see for any travel lover. And you, which one would you visit first?