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City exploration is a great way to immerse yourself in a new destination and explore new cultures.
The best museums, architecture, and cultural activities in the world tend to be in city destinations rather than rural retreats.
There are so many incredible cities to choose from, meaning that it’s easy to tailor your next city escape to your unique interests. Traveling to city destinations can also be affordable too.
So ,where should you be heading next?
The experts at Euromonitor have uncovered the top 10 city destinations in the world right now.
5. Milan
In 5th place on the Euromonitor list is Milan, based on both its tourism performance and the established tourist infrastructure in the city.
The epic Duomo cathedral is the centerpiece of what is a city packed full of diverse architecture.
To visit the cathedral, you’ll need to pay an entry fee of €5 ($5.29) and if you want to see the views of the city from its roof terrace you’ll need a separate ticket with prices starting from €15 ($15.87).
Some of the other amazing attractions to explore in Milan include the beautiful architecture of the Sforza Castle, and if you love to shop, then try the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, which is a beautiful 19th-century shopping arcade and the oldest shopping gallery in Italy.
Whether you’re interested in fashion or food, art or architecture, there’s something in Milan for everyone.
4. Rome
Showcasing just how popular Italian getaways are, there are 2 Italian cities in this top 10 list. Just piping Milan to the 4th place post is Rome.
Rome is the Eternal City, and some of Italy’s most iconic attractions can be found here.
The Colosseum, Vatican City, and the ethereal Sistine Chapel are all located here.
Rome has a lively atmosphere and is bustling with tourists year-round, but it is particularly crowded during the summer months, so visit during the off-season to avoid being part of the people’s soup!
My favorite thing about Rome? The food.
Pizza, pasta, and gelato galore. Although it’s in the tourist heart of the city, I recommend the Ristorante Caffè Martini & Rossi where you can drink Aperol spritz and eat dinner with a scenic view of the Colosseum.
3. Tokyo
It’s no surprise to see Tokyo on this list as the city has already soared in popularity and broken all visitor records this year. I’m also not surprised because this is my favorite city in the world!
Tokyo is an interesting city because it offers a unique blend of new and old, with temples often sitting directly underneath skyscrapers.
You’ll find architecture with Western influences, such as Tokyo Station, as well as Asian architecture.
Some of the best things to do in Tokyo right now include enjoying the calm of the Sensoji Temple and the rich history of the Edo-Tokyo Museum. My top tip for both attractions would be to visit early in the morning to beat the crowds.
Tokyo is also a hot spot for theme park junkies. From the mainstream crowd pleasers of Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea to the more niche attractions in Sanrio Puroland and the Ghibli Museum, you’ll find that theme parks are a bigger part of the Japanese experience than you might expect!
2. Madrid
Madrid took the 2nd place spot in this official list, surprising some by beating Barcelona to the title of top Spanish city.
But Madrid is a beautiful city; it’s one of the most walkable major cities in Spain, and it has a great tourism infrastructure.
If you’re an architecture lover, then wandering the streets of Madrid is an incredible experience in its own right. You can see an incredible array of Moorish, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles, often sitting side by side.
Some of the best attractions in Madrid include relaxing in the perfectly manicured Buen Retiro park or visiting the iconic Prado museum, where you’ll find works by all of the most significant Spanish masters.
1. Paris
Paris has been chosen as the top city destination in the world for the 4th year in a row.
This should come as no surprise, as the City of Love is eternally popular, and the success of this year’s Paris Olympics has only drawn more attention to the city.
Visit Paris for the stunning architecture, the delicious food, and the rich cultural heritage.
From wandering along the Champs Elysse to climbing to the top of the Eiffel Tower, the biggest attractions in Paris are nothing less than iconic. And the Notre Dame Cathedral has finally reopened its doors this month.
But chasing hidden treasures in the Marche aux Puces de Saint-Ouen flea market or seeing the work of the squat artists in Le Squat du59 Rue de Rivoli are attractions not to be missed, too.
The Complete Top 10 List
Six of the top 10 city destinations in the world this year are in Europe, according to the Euromonitor report. The complete top 10 list is:
- Paris
- Madrid
- Tokyo
- Rome
- Milan
- New York
- Amsterdam
- Sydney
- Singapore
- Barcelona
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
