According to the international research company Euromonitor International, Istanbul took the crown as the most visited city in 2023. A whopping 20.2 million foreign guest set foot in the city. And it’s expected that this number will only climb higher in 2024.

No surprises there: Istanbul brims with awe-inspiring historical and cultural marvels. Travelers from all corners of the globe flock to explore Istanbul and experience the convergence of European and Asian cultures. Turkey’s recently easing visa requirements for tourists from Canada and the USA also influenced the surge in tourist numbers.