London is the people's European champion when it comes to the best places to visit, but has lost out on the global top spot to Dubai.
Today Tripadvisor announced its Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best Destination Awards for 2023.
The world’s largest travel guidance platform analysed the millions of reviews made about tourist hotspots across the world over the past year to determine which was the most popular.
For a second year running, Dubai has clinched the top spot in the Popular Destinations category.
Do you agree with the rankings? If not, where should be at the top of the list? Tell us in the comments below.
A favourite with celebs and influencers, and increasingly with British holiday makers, the flash city continues to attract tourists from all over the world seeking out their very own slice of luxury.
"Dubai is a destination that mixes modern culture with history, adventure with world-class shopping and entertainment," TripAdvisor writes.
"Catch a show at the Dubai Opera, see downtown from atop the Burj Khalifa and spend an afternoon along Dubai Creek exploring the gold, textile and spice souks.
"If you’re looking for thrills, you can float above the desert dunes in a hot air balloon, climb aboard a high-speed ride at IMG Worlds of Adventure or skydive over the Palm Jumeirah."
London held onto a podium finish, securing third most popular destination in the world, knocked off second place from last year by Bali for 2023.
The UK capital did, however, retain its place as most popular destination in Europe, with Edinburgh coming in at 10th place.
"From Shoreditch’s swaggering style to Camden’s punky vibe and chic Portobello Road, London is many worlds in one," the website writes.
"The city’s energy means that no two days are the same. Explore royal or historic sites, tick off landmarks from your bucket list, eat and drink in exclusive Michelin-starred restaurants, enjoy a pint in a traditional pub, or get lost down winding cobbled streets and see what you stumble across – when it comes to London, the possibilities are endless."
Looking at up and coming travel hot spots for 2023, Cuba is the No. 1 Trending Destination in the world, with the greatest year-on-year growth in interest on Tripadvisor.
It was followed by Hoi An, Vietnam in second and Mauritius in third.
While big cities continue to dominate the most popular destinations lists, a new category for 2023 celebrates travellers’ appetite for adventure and the great outdoors.
The best Nature Destinations is designed to provide inspiration to budding explorers planning bucket list trips, with Mauritius scooping the inaugural top spot for this category.
"Mauritius is arguably Africa’s wealthiest destination, a tropical paradise with tons to do. Port Louis, the modern capital of this 38-mile by 29-mile island, is a bustling port with a revitalized waterfront and a busy market," Tripadvisor writes.
"But most visitors gravitate toward resort areas such as Mont Choisy, quiet Trou-aux-Biches and the more bustling Flic en Flac, popular with scuba divers. Rivière Noire is ideal for those looking for great deep-sea fishing."
Top 10 Trending Destinations in the World
- Cuba
- Hoi An, Vietnam
- Mauritius
- Siem Reap, Cambodia
- Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Grand Cayman, Caribbean
- Fes, Morocco
- Baku, Azerbaijan
- Kathmandu, Nepal
- Krakow, Poland
Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best Destination Awards for 2023.
- Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Bali, Indonesia
- London, United Kingdom
- Rome, Italy
- Paris, France
- Cancun, Mexico
- Crete, Greece
- Marrakech, Morocco
- Dominican Republic
- Istanbul, Turkiye
- Playa del Carmen, Mexico
- Barcelona, Spain
- New Delhi, India
- Hurghada, Egypt
- Madrid, Spain
- Phuket, Thailand
- Hanoi, Vietnam
- Cairo, Egypt
- Florence, Italy
- Lisbon, Portugal
- Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Bangkok, Thailand
- New York City, New York
- Doha, Qatar
- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
