Travel + Leisure magazine reports that the common thread among the world’s 25 most beautiful cities is their ability to leave visitors in awe. Whether it’s the culture, cuisine, scenery, nature, relaxation, beaches, or the warmth of the locals, these cities have it all.
France remains most popular country for international tourists
In 2024, France was the most visited country in the world, a title it has held for over three decades, attracting more than 100 million international tourists that year.
France’s popularity is attributed to its rich history, vibrant culture, diverse landscapes, and major events like the recent 2024 Paris Olympics, which significantly boosted visitor numbers.
Where to travel in 2025
- Best tourist destination: Sydney, Australia
- Most underrated hidden gem: Tbilisi, Georgia
- Best for families: Singapore
- Best for couples: Paris, France
- Best for solo travelers: Hội An, Vietnam
The other cities listed in the top 25 are:
- Barcelona, Spain
- Queenstown, New Zealand
- Istanbul, Türkiye
- San Francisco, United States
- Palermo, Italy
- Cape Town, South Africa
- Seoul, South Korea
- Cartagena, Colombia
- Kyoto, Japan
- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Rome, Italy
- London, England
- Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Dubrovnik, Croatia
- Sedona, Arizona
- Chefchaouen, Morocco
- Taipei, Taiwan
- Edinburgh, Scotland
- San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
- New York, United States
San Francisco and New York: the US’ “most beautiful” cities
San Francisco is included for “its geography alone,” with “the steep-streeted city” offering “beautiful hilltop views of skyscrapers, bridges, mountains, and the surrounding water”.
Well-known tourist attractions such as the Golden Gate Bridge and the Painted Ladies are referenced, but there’s “less-obvious magic” including ”the old-school Italian delis of North Beach, the dim sum parlors of Chinatown, and revitalized green spaces across the city”.
“Chaos and diversity” gets New York on the list, to the surprise of few. From its imposing skyscrapers, to its “architectural treasures” including the Bronx’s Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum and Prospect Park’s Beaux-Arts style boathouse, to its vast array of museums, there is no shortage of places to go and things to see.
Central Park is rated as the best of them, although you probably knew that already.
How many overseas visitors travel to San Francisco and New York?
According to data from the International Trade Administration, New York was the most popular US city with overseas tourists in 2023, with 8.9 million visitors. San Francisco was in fifth place, after Miami, Los Angeles and Orlando, with just short of 2.3 million.
Original article written by Laura Martín Sanjuan, translated with the assistance of AI and edited by Roddy Cons.
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