Top Tourist Destinations in the Schengen Area

The gobsmackingly beautiful Schengen Region is a treasure-trove of 29 countries waiting to be explored. From the scenic Portugal to the spell-binding France, this area has it all. A whopping 747 million tourists visit this fascinating collection of nations to check out its captivating attractions, munch on delicious foods, go on delightful adventures and make memories that they will cherish for life. But, which ones are the very best?

Here are some of the top tourist destinations in the Schengen Region that must be on your travel bucket list:

• France – Still retaining the spot of the world’s most visited country, France attracts a breathtaking 81.4 million tourists each year. Visitors are particularly charmed by its iconic attractions like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and Palace of Versailles. Along with this, France boasts diverse regions, starting from the Parisian culture to the scenic country side. Whether it is the history, art or gastronomy, France has it all. This makes it the “anytime top choice” for travelers from all around the world!

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• Spain – The breathtaking Spain leads the Southern Europe with the highest share of the international travel demand. Spain alone attracts 33% of the holidaymakers and is ranked as the top summer destination in the world. With its Mediterranean beaches, vibrant cities such as the Barcelona and Madrid coupled with the rich cultural festivals and mouth-watering dishes like Paella, Tapas and Gazpacho, Spain attracts millions of people. The country’s warm climate and the excellent infrastructure support the tourism sector and are a major economic driver as well!

• Italy – Italy is a powerhouse when it comes to the European tourism. It also ranks 2nd globally in terms of summer destinations, falling just behind Spain and ahead of France. In the recent years, Italy welcomed a staggering 65 million international visitors. Rome and Milan are where more tourists prefer to visit. In addition to this, the delightful fusion of the world-famous art cities (Florence), historic sites (Verona & Pisa), luxury travel (Lake Como & Milan) and the diverse landscapes makes it the third most visited country in the Europe and 5th in the world!

• Germany – Ranking amongst the top 5 tourist destinations in the Schengen Region, Germany is a must-visit holiday spot. Boasting a rich 2000-year history, captivating palaces (Neuschwanstein), stunning cathedrals Cologne and St. Peter’s) and a vibrant modern culture (Berlin & Rothenburg der Tauber), Germany offers the best of everything. In addition to this, the efficient transport system and the infrastructure ensure that you can easily visit most attractions in the Germany!

• Portugal – Sitting at the 10th spot of being the most popular European destinations, Portugal’s charm is hard to ignore. The iconic cities Lisbon and Porto are the key urban attractions welcoming millions of tourists – 8.1 million each year! Then, there is the mild climate and the breathtaking coastal scenery that appeal to international travelers from most of the countries. Grab the chance to savour Bacalhau, Pastel de Nata and other delicious dishes or dive into the exciting festivals and culture to experience the best of Portugal!
  
• Netherlands – Over 18 million holidaymakers throng the Netherlands each year, with Amsterdam receiving the most number of tourists. The county is quite famous for its canals, the tulip gardens, Anne France House and the Van Gogh Museum. You will also love exploring the incredible nightlife scene of the Netherlands. These are some of the primary reasons why many young travelers and art lovers travel to the Netherlands to enjoy a wonderful time!

• Greece – Famed for its pristine islands like the Santorini and Mykonos, Greece is another tourist destination that ranks amongst the top 10! Greece is also a hub for archaeological treasures like the Acropolis, Temple of Apollo and Palace of Knossos in Crete, which you will love exploring. Apart from this, the warm Mediterranean lifestyle, the fascinatingly modern culture and the stunning landscapes drew 16.4 million tourists in the recent years with more to come in the future.

• Belgium – Although a smaller Schengen country when compared to the most, Belgium still punches above its weight when it comes to the tourism experience. Right from the Brussels’ Grand Place to the Bruges’ canals and obviously the world-famous waffles and the beers, Belgium is a concoction of fascinating attractions. Belgium’s Battlefields of Flanders alone attract millions of the visitors each year. Then, there is the central location of Belgium in the Europe coupled with high visitor satisfaction which makes the “Cockpit of Europe” one of the finest places to visit in the Schengen.

• Poland – Receiving close to 13 million tourists annually, Poland is one of the hidden gems in the Schengen area. Its major cities like the Kraków and Warsaw feature a blend of the historic architecture (Toruń & Zamość), the UNESCO World Heritage Sites (Wieliczka and Bochnia Royal Salt Mines) and the delightful cultural festivals (Kraków Film Festival & St. Dominic’s Fair in Gdańsk). The affordability of the Poland along with its rich history which includes the well-preserved medieval towns and the WWII memorials make it an increasingly popular destination in the Central Europe.

• Croatia – Voted as “One of the best countries to visit” in the recent times, Croatia boasts some stunning attractions starting with the Dubrovnik also called “Pearl of the Adriatic”. Here, you can check out the grandest medieval city walls in the world which draws millions of the visitors each year. Apart from this, Croatia combines the stunning Adriatic coastlines (1,700 km), the UNESCO Heritage Sites (Historical Complex of Split & Plitvice Lakes National Park) and the growing tourism infrastructure (modern airports, efficient ferry connections), making the entire country a rising star in the tourism landscape of the Schengen!

Apart from these Schengen countries, you can also check out other wonderful destinations in the region like the Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark and the Finland which offer their own unique experiences. So, what are you waiting for? Book your Schengen Visa Appointment from UK today and start planning your trip by choosing from these incredible destinations for a memorable holiday!

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