The short answer is: Barcelona can legitimately claim the title of the world’s favourite travel destination in 2025 on some metrics, but it is not number one in every ranking of the most visited city in the world.
In eDreams’ annual travel platform eDreams Odigeo report A Year in Travel, the Catalan capital came out as the most-booked destination globally in 2025, ahead of Paris, Palma de Mallorca, Madrid, London and other major destinations. That means that, on this platform, Barcelona was the visited city that people booked the most trips to this year.
Other sources use different methods. Euromonitor International, which tracks international arrivals and overall performance across one hundred European cities and global hubs, ranks Bangkok first for sheer visitor numbers in 2025, with an estimated 30.3 million trips. In Euromonitor’s broader Top 100 City Destinations Index, Paris is named the most attractive city in the world for the fifth time, followed by Madrid, Tokyo, and then Barcelona in eighth place.
So when people ask, “is Barcelona the most visited city in the world 2025?”, the honest response is:
- Yes, it tops some global lists of booked destinations, especially on specific platforms.
- No, it doesn’t hold the crown in every ranking, particularly those based purely on head-count.
What is clear, however, is that 2025 is a genuine turning point for Barcelona’s tourism industry.
Why Barcelona Is Suddenly on Top of So Many Lists
For years, Barcelona has been a city that naturally attracts visitors. Its mix of architecture, coastline and beaches, food culture, nightlife, and creative energy is hard to match. The coastline stretches from urban sands at Barceloneta to quieter coves just outside the region, while Gaudí’s iconic attractions like the Sagrada Família and Park Güell make the land itself feel like an open-air gallery.
In 2025, this appeal converged with wider travel trends:
- The rise of 3–4 day trips and the classic European long weekend.
- Strong demand for European city breaks from Asia, North America and beyond.
- A surge of tourists returning after the previous year’s uncertainty.
The result is that the catalan capital appears at or near the top of multiple charts: favourite city in the world for bookings on one platform, top-ten entry in Euromonitor’s index, and a heavyweight in travel searches.
How the Rankings Work: Data, Metrics and Methodology
Different organisations measure “most visited” in different ways:
- eDreams Odigeo focuses on data from flights and packages booked on its own platform. For them, Barcelona is the most visited city in 2025 because it leads their bookings.
- Euromonitor International uses wider indicators like tourism, sustainability, economic performance, health and safety, and infrastructure. Here, Barcelona ranks eighth, while Bangkok dominates international arrivals.
- Other lists look at tourism industry performance, where Orlando leads due to strong domestic travel in the USA.
In total, more than six cities regularly appear in the top tier of 2025 rankings: Barcelona, Paris, London, New York, Rome, Bangkok, Tokyo, and Amsterdam, among others. Each country or region tends to emphasise the figures that best reflect its strengths.
What most analysts agree on is that Barcelona is firmly in the global top ten and that its momentum is still building.
What’s Drawing Travelers to Barcelona in 2025?
Several factors explain why so many travelers are being drawn to Barcelona this year:
- Rich history and architecture – From Roman walls to modernist palaces and Gaudí’s famous sights, the city’s history is visible on almost every corner.
- Culture and nightlife – A dense network of galleries, festivals and restaurants keep city life vibrant.
- Beaches and coastline – Few major European cities offer such easy access to the sea; you can walk from La Rambla to the sand in minutes.
- Neighborhoods with personality – Gothic streets, Eixample boulevards and seaside neighborhoods each offer a different pace and style.
- Food scene – From traditional tapas bars to Michelin-star spots, locals and visitors share tables across the city.
Add in an efficient public transport system, relatively mild climate, and strong meeting facilities, and it’s easy to see why Barcelona ranks highly for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) as well as leisure.
The Numbers Behind the Headlines
Tourism bodies estimate that international visitors to Barcelona in 2025 could reach between 90 and 94 million trips when all segments are counted, including day visitors from cruise ships and surrounding destinations. In terms of total nights spent, the city sits just behind Mallorca, Paris, and Rome in Europe.
Within Spain, Barcelona leads for inbound tourists, but it is not the only magnet. Palma de Mallorca, Madrid and Málaga also feature in 2025’s global list of most popular city breaks. Overall, Spain remains one of the world’s top tourism powers.
Another important detail: the French capital may no longer dominate all booking charts, but the Eiffel Tower and its surrounding attractions still help Paris rank as the most attractive global city in Euromonitor’s broader index. Meanwhile, London, New York (often nicknamed the Big Apple), Bangkok, Tokyo and Amsterdam continue to compete for top spots depending on whether analysts focus on bookings, searches or arrivals.
Overtourism, Housing and Local Pressure
Success has consequences. The same popularity that boosts GDP also strains infrastructure and housing. In 2025:
- Residents report heavier foot traffic in central neighborhoods, especially around La Rambla and the old town.
- The surge of more tourists has made it harder for locals to find space on public transport, terraces and popular streets.
- Short-term rentals have added pressure to housing availability and prices.
In response, the local government is debating new measures to mitigate overtourism, such as tighter rules on tourist accommodation, revised tourist taxes and smarter planning of visitor flows across the city. These steps mirror a broader trend in other european cities, where the priority is shifting from pure volume to “value over volume”.
Reputation in the Age of AI and Last-Minute Travel
Another less visible change is how the boom in tourism is reshaping reputations for businesses in Barcelona. With AI tools becoming everyday trip planners, travelers increasingly ask models rather than friends:
- “Which hotel is actually quiet near the beach?”
- “Where should I visit for authentic food?”
These tools aggregate data from reviews, rankings, press coverage and online mentions. A few negative comments can quickly influence how an attractions list is generated or which restaurant gets suggested.
This matters even more because:
- Many trips are booked in advance of less than a month.
- The tourism industry is highly competitive, so small differences in digital reputation can have big financial consequences.
- Businesses that ignore review management or online safety concerns risk falling behind.
For hotels, bars and restaurants, reputation is no longer just a marketing course; it’s part of the core infrastructure of the industry.
Planning a Visit to Barcelona in 2025
If you’re considering a visit, most people still choose stays of three to four nights, often over a long weekend. That’s enough time to see major sights, explore the coastline, sample different neighborhoods, and enjoy some free cultural events.
To travel responsibly:
- Check updated advisories for Spain and your home country.
- Book accommodation through reputable platforms.
- Be mindful of noise and behaviour in residential neighborhoods.
- Support locals by spending in independent shops and family-run venues.
Handled well, tourism can continue to support jobs, preserve heritage and keep the city’s creative life thriving.
FAQs
What’s the most visited city in the world in 2025?
Different studies give different answers, but many rankings place Bangkok at the top for total international arrivals, while others highlight Paris, London or New York depending on the metric.
Is Barcelona the most touristic city in the world?
Barcelona is among the city in the world leaders for tourism and is the top choice on some booking platforms, yet other major hubs like Rome, Tokyo and Bangkok receive similar or greater visitor volumes.
What is the best city to visit in the world for 2025?
There isn’t a single “best” option, but lists of 2025 favourites often include Barcelona, the French capital, Amsterdam, Palma de Mallorca, Madrid and several cities in Asia, each offering its own mix of culture, architecture, and coastal or urban sights.
Why do so many people go to Barcelona?
Travellers are drawn to the catalan capital for its Gaudí landmarks, seaside beaches, lively food scene, diverse neighborhoods and relaxed Mediterranean way of life, making it ideal for both short breaks and extended stays.
How many tourists visit Barcelona in 2025?
Current estimates suggest that millions of international visitors will generate around 90–94 million individual trips linked to the city over the year, placing Barcelona firmly within the world’s top ten urban destinations.
References
https://barcelona.tbs-education.com/news/barcelona-the-favorite-destination-of-2025