For those of us who want to book a getaway to one of the most popular destinations in the world, you may not have to go as far afield as you might think.
The travel platform TripAdvisor has kicked off its Travellers' Choice Awards for 2023 by bringing out a list of the most popular holiday destinations across both Europe and the world - and our capital city has made both lists.
Edinburgh was named as the 10th most sought-after place for a getaway in Europe, and the 21st in the world overall - beating out the likes of New York City, Bangkok and Rio de Janeiro.
Based on authentic reviews from the global travel community, the awards highlight the top rated spots in the world across six categories: Popular, Trending, Food, Nature, Culture and Ski.
Edinburgh was recognised for its rich heritage, culture and festivals, and there's so much to do for holidaymakers that you just can't get anywhere else.
Whether that's taking a walk around the Old Town, sampling some fantastic local food and drinks, or paying a visit to some of the city's famed museums and galleries, you're sure to love the capital's many unique offerings.
Every year, TripAdvisor analyses the millions of reviews submitted on its platform to reveal the definitive travel list for the year, as chosen by globetrotters across the world.
Looking at the quantity and quality of reviews for international destinations, the Travellers' Choice Best of the Best Destination Awards spotlight the most popular and up and coming destinations for the year ahead.
Elsewhere on the lists, London made the top spot for the most popular destinations in Europe, with Rome and Paris following behind.
And in the worldwide rankings, Dubai was crowned the winner, followed by Bali and London.
Sarah Firshein, head of editorial at Tripadvisor, said: "We saw a resurgence of travel demand in 2022, and the outlook for this year is even brighter. Long-haul trips have made a comeback, and we're seeing a lot of travellers excited to plan trips to Asia and the Pacific region for the first time in several years.
"Cities like Paris and London, which may have taken a backseat to less populous destinations throughout the pandemic, are back on travellers' minds, while far-reaching parts of the United States like Alaska and previously restricted countries like Cuba are also piquing a lot of interest.
"Above all, travellers are seeking out new adventures this year, and our Travellers' Choice 2023 Destinations list reflects the very best places chosen by our devoted community.
"The diverse range of choices offer opportunities for cultural immersion, incredible culinary experiences, awe-inspiring natural wonders, and more—it's really the ultimate reference guide for travellers dreaming about where to go next."
TripAdvisor's top 25 most popular destinations in Europe
- London, UK
- Rome, Italy
- Paris, France
- Crete, Greece
- Istanbul, Turkey
- Barcelona, Spain
- Madrid, Spain
- Florence, Italy
- Lisbon, Portugal
- Edinburgh, UK
- Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Rhodes, Dodecanese
- Tenerife, Canary Islands
- Goreme, Turkiye
- Santorini, Cyclades
- Naples, Italy
- Prague, Czech Republic
- Porto, Portugal
- Budapest, Hungary
- Dubrovnik, Croatia
- Dublin, Ireland
- Corsica, France
- Madeira, Madeira Islands
- Island of Malta, Malta
- Reykjavik, Iceland
TripAdvisor's top 25 most popular destinations in the world
- Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Bali, Indonesia
- London, UK
- 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, UK
- Bangkok, Thailand
- New York City, New York
- Doha, Qatar
- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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