With summer in the U.S. coming to a close, many people are wrapping up their travels for the year unless you’re like me and have a few fall/winter trips coming up. In this post I’ll detail the 10 most visited countries of 2025 and whether or not I think you should consider them for your 2026 travels (and maybe some better options!).

The source for this data is from the United Nation’s World Tourism Board which is probably the most accurate you’ll find online! Keep reading to see the 10 most visited countries of 2025 from least to most visited!

What are the most visited countries of 2025?

Turkey (30 million visitors)

Turkey has always been at the top of the list for countries I’d like to travel to so it’s not surprise that it’s one of the top 10 most visited countries of 2025. From Istanbul to Cappadocia this country has a lot to offer so it’s understandable to want to visit!

I plan on taking a tour to Turkey soon so I can easily experience what the country has to offer. Check back soon for updates! 😉

Thailand (32 million visitors)

Southeast Asia has been popular on social media for years, but more recently issues related to overtourism has plagued the region. Thailand has beautiful beaches, incredible food, and a lot to offer its visitors, however the local community face considerable impacts from the almost constant tourism.

I believe anywhere you go its possible to travel responsibly and Thailand is of course worth the visit! However, if you want to the laid back vibe in country with not as much tourism, I’d recommend Laos as a great travel destination for 2026!

Mexico (35 million visitors)

Mexico on this list doesn’t suprise me as it is a constant destinations for most American travelers. One of the coolest little downs that I’ve been to is actually Sayulita, Mexico and is the typical surfer town with amazing restaurants and a beautiful beach.

I’ve previously written about Mexico as a destination with great wellness and eco-friendly resort!

• Eco-Conscious Resorts
• Luxury Resorts that are also eco-friendly!

Germany (35 million visitors)

I lived in Spain for 8 months and had plenty of opportunities to visit Germany, however I have to be honest…I had no interest in going.

Germany of course has the history and culture that many are interested in learning about, however this was not enough for me. Let me know in the comments what I’m missing out on! Maybe I’ll consider Germany for my 2026 travels!

United Kingdom (35.8 million visitors)

I honestly haven’t been to enough of the United Kingdom to judge whether or not it would be a good place to visit for 2026. I’ve been to London and wasn’t really blown away.

However, I believe there’s a lot more that the UK has to offer that is a bit looked over. Particularly, Scotland! Scotland has incredible landscapes and views out in the countryside. I’ve also heard really great things about Edinburgh.

If you prefer a quieter vacation as apposed to a beachy vibe, Scotland might be a great place for you!

Italy (52 million visitors)

Although this number is lower than the 2024 visitors amount, the final amount will likely be significantly higher due to the Jubilee Year and overall strong demand.

I loved my 10 days in Italy (Rome, Florence, Pisa, and Cinque Terre), HOWEVER it can be a bit overcrowded especially in the summer. If you want to experience gorgeous lakeside vibes (like Lake Como), I’d recommend other places like Lake Atitlán in Guatemala below:

China (65 million visitors)

My goal for 2026 is to actually visit Asia, and China is super high on my list! Not only because my name is Chynna, but also because of the amazing places you can see and experience in the country.

The Chinese government and airlines often have deals for tourists to ensure that they continue to increase tourism in the country. For example, China Eastern airline offers free or heavily discounted domestic flights if booked at the same time as a international flight to a major city (e.g., Shanghai). This incentivizes tourists to see more than just the big cities and brings tourism across the country.

My plan for my trip to China includes visiting Zhangjiajie, China. This is the location that actually inspired the setting for the movie Avatar.

United States (79 million visitors)

As someone born and raised in the U.S. I have a deep understanding of how amazing and beautiful this country is. There’s an endless list of places that are worth the visit

Spain (83 million visitors)

I’m a bit biased on this one because I use to live in Spain, but this is 100% a country worth visiting and I understand why it’s one of the 10 most visited countries of 2025. Everything you could want is all in this one country, beaches, fun cities with insane nightlife, culture, history, art and familiar views (lots of Game of Thrones was filmed here!).

However, in the news there’s been a lot of discontent about overtourism, particularly in Barcelona. Due to the backlash there has been a decline of tourism in the region. My personal belief is that the Spanish government should be doing more to prioritize affordable living for its citizens, however in the meantime I do suggest avoiding Barcelona and consider more off-the beaten-path cities like in the north (Asturias region) or the south (Cadiz) to experience coastal and cultural experiences.

I love visiting Spain and even though I visited so much of the country there’s definitely still more I’d love to see!

I’ve written about my tips for traveling in Spain solo or what it actually costs to travel to Spain.

France (86 million visitos)

Now I bet you’re wondering, “Why is France so popular”? I’m honestly not surprised that France is one of the top travel destinations as there’s so much to do in the country. More people, on social media especially, are learning that there’s more to France than Paris and many are expanding their visits to the south.

In my research I learned that France has been able to manage mass tourism because they’ve always planned for it! Atot France, the tourism board, has made sure sustainability was at the forefront of its strategy. The board prioritized train travel over flights and pushed for visiting less popular cities. In the newest strategy they continue to push sustainability as well as a push for tourists to have longer stays in more midsized cities. Moving tourists throughout different regions rather than just one city ensures that locals don’t feel the pressure of mass tourism.

My experiences in France have only ever been in Paris, however I’ve recently learned about Biarritz, France which is known as the city with the “California vibes” which Paris has the “New York Vibes”. I’m interested in seeing more of the country and I’ve heard amazing things and much better experiences. France is 100% deserving of the visit if you go beyond Paris.

Final thoughts on the most visited countries of 2025

The countries included in this list honestly don’t surprise me as they are the typical top destinations that most people travel to. However, with the rise of overtourism it may be beneficial to look for alternative cities that aren’t as frequented or travel during shoulder seasons if possible.

What do you think about this list? Are there any countries that you think should be on the top 10?