The turn of the year is just around the corner, and for many, this is the perfect time to make plans for the new year – be it an inspiring city break over New Year’s Eve or a weekend getaway that takes advantage of the bridge days in the coming year. To make planning easier, tour operator SpaDreams has compiled the most popular attractions in Europe in a current ranking. By analyzing global search volumes on Google, Bing and the social media TikTok, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube, SpaDreams has evaluated more than 2,300 attractions across Europe. One thing is clear: While France takes the top spots, Great Britain claims the most places in the top ten. However, anyone expecting tourist magnets such as Windsor Castle or Loch Ness to be among the top places is mistaken.
The most important findings at a glance:
The number 1 position has a search volume of more than 13 million enquiries per month.
The top 10 is shared by only three European countries.
Amusement parks as well as natural sights and special buildings all feature in the top ten.
The most popular theme park is in France, the most popular historical site is in Italy and the most popular building is in the UK.
The British attractions with the best rankings are Big Ben (5th place), Buckingham Palace (6th place) and Covent Garden (7th place).
Ranking of the ten most popular attractions in Europe
First place: Disneyland Paris, Paris, France
Winner of both children’s hearts and rankings, Disneyland Paris in France ranks first in the ranking of Europe’s most popular tourist attractions, with an impressive total search volume of 13,690,340 per month. The theme park brings the magic of the Disney world to life and takes visitors into the fantastic world of Mickey, Minnie and Co. through numerous attractions, shows and parades. Particularly popular are the themed areas Adventureland, Fantasyland and the Castle of Sleeping Beauty – the latter is also the iconic landmark of the park. Another must for many guests are the selfies with larger-than-life well-known Disney characters such as Mulan, Olaf the Snowman and many other fan favourites.
In terms of TikTok search volume, Instagram search volume, YouTube search volume and Pinterest search volume, Disneyland Paris took first place in the individual evaluation.
Second place: Eiffel Tower, Paris, France
It is the symbol of love and of France – the Eiffel Tower in Paris takes second place with a total monthly search volume of 9,185,730. As a landmark of the city, it attracts millions of tourists from all over the world every year. The Eiffel Tower was built between 1887 and 1889 by the engineer Gustave Eiffel for the Paris World’s Fair on the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution. Originally planned as a temporary structure, it has become one of the most famous landmarks in the world. Today, the 330-meter-high tower offers breathtaking views of the French capital and is also an eye-catcher at night, when it shines in golden light.
In terms of Google search volume, the Eiffel Tower occupies a proud second place and in terms of Bing search volume, it even occupies first place among the top ten.
Third place: Mont Blanc, Alps, France/Italy
The highest mountain in Europe and a mix of France and Italy, it’s no wonder Mont Blanc comes in third place with a total monthly search volume of 8,748,850. The mountain, which translates to “white mountain” in German, stretches across the French-Italian border and is a popular destination for mountaineers and nature lovers. Mont Blanc offers unique panoramas over the Alps and is known for its spectacular glacial landscapes. If you come in winter, you can let off steam in the ski resorts.
Mont Blanc compensates for the lower search volume on Bing with strong results in Google and Instagram search volumes, among other things.
Fourth place: Pantheon, Rome, Italy
The painter Raphael, the Italian kings Victor Emmanuel II and Umberto I – many well-known personalities found their final resting place in the Pantheon in Rome, which secures fourth place in the ranking with a total search volume of 7,488,810. The architectural masterpiece from antiquity was originally built as a temple for all gods. Today it serves, among other things, as a church. The wonderfully preserved façade as well as the monumental dome make the Pantheon one of the most visited sights in Rome.
The Instagram search volume per month for the Pantheon is more than 2.3 million requests.
Fifth place: Big Ben, London, Great Britain
Due to their distinctive, deep sound, its chimes are often used in radio and television broadcasts as a symbol of the perception of time and the beginning of events – but this is not the only reason why Big Ben in London reaches fifth place in the ranking with a total search volume of 7,158,100. The famous bell tower of the Palace of Westminster is one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks and a symbol of Britain. Every year, the tower, officially called Elizabeth Tower, attracts numerous tourists who want to hear the chimes of Big Ben and admire the neo-Gothic architecture.
YouTube users searched for Big Ben an average of more than 1.8 million times per month.
Sixth place: Buckingham Palace, London, Great Britain
Buckingham Palace in London, home to the world’s most famous royal family, whose empire once spanned all continents, lands in sixth place with a total search volume of 6,148,410. The palace, the official residence of the British monarchy, attracts millions of tourists every year who come to marvel at the traditional changing of the guard and the architecture of the building. During the summer months, the palace opens its doors to visitors, who can look at the state rooms and the royal art collections.
Overall, Buckingham Palace performs well, especially the comparatively high search volume on Bing stands out in the top ten.
Seventh place: Covent Garden, London, Great Britain
The only neighbourhood that can secure a place in the top ten is the bustling Covent Garden in London, which ranks seventh with a total search volume of 6,129,880. Covent Garden is a lively neighbourhood in the heart of the city and is known for its street performers, markets and stylish boutiques. The SugarSin store offers a wide selection of gourmet sweets for lovers of unusual sweets, while the Floral Street store is a popular address for high-quality perfumes. Visitors can stroll through the historic market halls, admire local handicrafts and take a break after a successful stroll in one of the many cafés and restaurants.
Google users have made an impressive 1.5 million queries about Covent Garden per month on average.
Eighth place: Colosseum, Rome, Italy
The setting for many Hollywood films – including the upcoming Gladiator II – is the Colosseum in Rome, which takes eighth place in the ranking with a total search volume of 6,128,770. As one of the largest and most impressive structures of the Roman Empire, the Colosseum is a symbol of the power and influence of the ancient city of Rome, attracting millions of tourists every year who want to relive the gladiator fights and spectacular shows that once took place here.
On average, the Colosseum receives almost one million requests on TikTok per month.
Ninth place: Stonehenge, Wiltshire, Great Britain
If you like it mystical and like to walk in the footsteps of past civilizations, you will get your money’s worth at Stonehenge in Wiltshire, which secures ninth place with a total search volume of 5,016,300. The UNESCO World Heritage Site has puzzled archaeologists for centuries – how were the stones, some of which weighed several tons, transported from over 200 kilometres away without modern tools? In addition, it remains unclear whether the monument served primarily as an astronomical calendar, religious site or for other ceremonial purposes.
The Bing search volume stands out after Stonehenge, which is the second highest among the top ten.
Tenth place: Tower Bridge, London, Great Britain
Tower Bridge in London was built from almost 11,000 tons of steel, which ranks tenth in the ranking with a total search volume of 4,988,290. The famous bascule bridge over the Thames is a technical masterpiece of the 19th century and offers tourists spectacular views of the London skyline from the glass pedestrian bridge. The bascule bridge can still be raised to allow ships to pass on the Thames.
Over 1.5 million users searched for Tower Bridge on Instagram every month.
Top attractions in the UK
While the winner of Europe’s most popular attractions is in France, Big Ben takes first place in the British comparison of attractions. The famous bell tower has a monthly search volume of around 7.2 million queries. Second place goes to Buckingham Palace, third place on the winner’s podium goes to Covent Garden. Other places in the British top ten are followed by Stonehenge, Tower Bridge, Borough Market, Hyde Park, King’s Cross, the Tower of London and the Natural History Museum.
Interested parties can find the complete evaluation of all the attractions compared as well as the individual rankings for relevant categories here.
If you are looking for inspiration for your next sightseeing weekend trip, you will find it under :
•https://www.spadreams.com/weekend-getaway/
•https://www.spadreams.com/romantic-holiday/romantic-weekend-getaway/
•https://www.spadreams.com/spa/all-inclusive-spa-weekend/
