Bangkok Was the World’s Most Visited Metropolis in 2024

Thailand is having a second. Not solely is it Journey + Leisure’s 2025 Vacation spot of the 12 months and the filming location for season three of HBO’s The White Lotus, nevertheless it’s additionally dwelling to essentially the most visited metropolis final 12 months.

In keeping with Euromonitor Worldwide’s World’s Prime 100 Metropolis Locations report, Bangkok, the nation’s capital, attracted essentially the most worldwide guests in 2024. A grand complete of 32.4 million folks made their option to this bustling metropolis, and the info analytics firm acknowledged that this quantity “surpassed [the] pre-pandemic stage of worldwide tourism flows in 2023 and continued dynamic development of over 30 % in 2024.”

For those who’ve ever been to Bangkok, you’ll know that, whereas crowded in some areas, it’s a spot crammed with fascinating contrasts. One evening, you’ll be able to eat at a avenue meals stall in Chinatown; the subsequent, you’ll be able to dine at a Michelin-starred restaurant (for a fraction of what you’d pay in America).

Exploring the temples across the Previous City or perusing the Thai antiques within the Erawan Museum must be in your to-do record, however you must also search out the glamour and trendy luxurious of Bangkok’s greatest resorts—together with the Capella Bangkok and the 4 Seasons Lodge Bangkok at Chao Phraya River.

Whereas Bangkok is a vacation spot to expertise in and of itself, it’s additionally a great start line for trying out different elements of Thailand. Whether or not you’re headed to the islands within the south—particularly the Phuket Province, Koh Samui, Koh Tao, Koh Phi Phi, or Koh Lipe—or up north to Chiang Mai, Pai, or Chiang Rai, you’ll wish to spend at the least a day or two soaking within the tradition and historical past in Bangkok.

“In 2024, international cities more and more leveraged sports activities and cultural occasions to spice up tourism revenues. Infrastructure enhancements and steady advertising and marketing have attracted travellers’ consideration, opening additional development alternatives,” the report mentioned.

Whereas this rings true for Bangkok—which hosts the annual Songkran Competition in April—it’s additionally related to the opposite cities that made Euromonitor Worldwide’s record. Istanbul, the world’s most visited metropolis in 2023, adopted Bangkok with 23 million worldwide visits in 2024. London; Hong Kong; and Mecca, Saudi Arabia, rounded out the highest 5, with Antalya, Turkey, and Dubai not far behind.

See the complete record of the world’s most-visited cities on euromonitor.com.