The 30 most-visited cities in the world in 2017

Mastercard have revealed the 30 most visited cities in the world in 2017 so far, and it’s essentially Earth: Greatest Hits. 

Londoners probably won’t be surprised to learn that your city is the world’s second most popular tourist hotspot, with 20 million people pouring into the capital - all of whom end up crushed in Piccadilly Circus.

Europe and Asia both put in strong showings, while New York and LA are the only two US cities to make the top 30.

Feast your eyes on the full list and try to stop yourself firing up SkyScanner.

1. 1.Bangkok, Thailand

   

   20.2 million international visitors.

2. 2.London, UK

   

   20 million international visitors.

3. 3.Paris, France

   

   16.1 million international visitors.

4. 4.Dubai, UAE

   

   16 million international visitors.

5. 5.Singapore

   

   13.45 million international visitors.

6. 6.Tokyo, Japan

   

   12.5 million international visitors.

7. 7.Seoul, South Korea

   

   12.44 million international visitors.

8. 8.New York, USA

   

   12.4 million international visitors.

9. 9.Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

   

   12.1 million international visitors.

10. 10.Hong Kong

    

    9.25 million international visitors.

11. 11.Istanbul, Turkey

    

    9.24 million international visitors.

12. 12.Barcelona, Spain

    

    8.9 million international visitors.

13. 13.Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    

    8.7 million international visitors.

14. 14.Milan, Italy

    

    8.4 million international visitors.

15. 15.Osaka, Japan

    

    7.9 million international visitors.

16. 16.Taipei, Taiwan

    

    7.8 million international visitors.

17. 17.Rome, Italy

    

    7.3 million international visitors.

18. 18.Shanghai, China

    

    6.65 million international visitors.

19. 19.Vienna, Austria

    

    6.63 million international visitors.

20. 20.Prague, Czech Republic

    

    6.4 million international visitors.

21. 21.Miami, USA

    

    6 million international visitors.

22. 22.Los Angeles, USA

    

    5.8 million international visitors.

23. 23.Chennai, India

    

    5.7 million international visitors.

24. 24.Dublin, Ireland

    

    5.59 million international visitors.

25. 25.Madrid, Spain

    

    5.5 million international visitors.

26. 26.Munich, Germany

    

    5.4 million international visitors.

27. 27.Mumbai, India

    

    5.35 million international visitors.

28. 28.Toronto, Canada

    

    5.3 million international visitors.

29. 29.Berlin, Germany

    

    5.1 million international visitors.

30. 30.Johannesburg, South Africa

    

    4.8 million international visitors.

Really wish this list hadn’t appeared so close to pay day.

Fancy somewhere a little outside the top 30? Here are some destinations that we feel are more than deserving of your attention.

1. 1.Havana, Cuba

   

   Live like Hemingway. Absinthe and champagne cocktails optional.

2. 2.Århus, Denmark

   

   Locals are content to kiss away 68% of their income in taxes, and it’s still apparently the happiest place on earth. Beat that, Berghain.

3. 3.Glasgow, UK

   

   Why should London have all the fun? Glasgow is the UK’s best secret weapon, fighting off strong competition from Manchester, Liverpool and Edinburgh.

4. 4.Santa Cruz, USA

   

   For anyone who wishes Los Angeles was more like Portland, Oregon.

5. 5.Vancouver, Canada

   

   It’s been known as the world’s “most liveable city” for years. If there’d been some kind of mistake, someone would have picked up on it by now.

(Images: Flickr)