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The 10 Most Popular Cultural Attractions in the World

These are the top experiences, tours, and activities, according to TripAdvisor's new travel trend report. Add them to your bucket list, pronto!

1 / 10
View of San Peter basilica, Rome, Italy.
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Vatican City

More than just the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church and home to the Pope, the Vatican is a treasure trove of art and architecture. Its museums display an enormous collection of classical sculptures and Renaissance masterpieces, including Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel and Raphael’s Stanze di Raffaello, and, lest we forget, the splendor of St Peter’s Basilica. No wonder the skip-the-line tour is so wildly popular.

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2 / 10
The Chicago River and downtown Chicago skyline USA
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Chicago Architecture River Cruise

So many beautiful buildings, so little time. What better way to view them all than on an architecture-focused cruise on the Chicago River? The 75-minute excursion takes travelers on a journey through the fascinating history of its most storied structures, including the Willis Tower, John Hancock Center, and Riverside Plaza. Check out these overlooked American destinations that are totally worth a visit.

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3 / 10
Magnificent aerial panoramnic view on the Great Roman Colosseum ( Coliseum, Colosseo ),also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre. Famous world landmark. Scenic urban landscape. Rome. Italy. Europe
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Ancient Rome and the Colosseum

The Eternal City is an embarrassment of riches when it comes to centuries-old landmarks. The ancient Rome half-day walking tour hits all the headliners. Lace up your sneaks and get ready to cover a lot of ground…from the Colosseum (the largest amphitheater ever built) to Via Sacra and the Roman Forum. When you book your next trip, consider visiting one of the most populated cities on Earth. 

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4 / 10
rome tour bus
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Rome

Rome has so many significant sites that it’s near impossible to pack ’em all into a single stay. The solution? A hop-on hop-off bus tour fits all the top attractions into a scenic and convenient two-hour ride, complete with on-board narration. Want to save even more valuable vacation time? Upgrade to VIP entrance tickets. You’ll also want to add these lesser know secret treasures of Rome to your itinerary. For some more incredible vacation ideas, check out more one-of-a-kind adventures you need to add to your bucket list.

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5 / 10
Sagrada Familia
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Sagrada Família

Designed by renowned Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí, the Sagrada Família, formally Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família, in Barcelona, Spain, is the largest unfinished Roman Catholic church in the world. The monumental basilica has been under construction since 1882. With waits often in excess of three hours, a priority access tour with guide is a great idea.

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6 / 10
The Eiffel tower from the river Seine in Paris
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Eiffel Tower

It’s no secret that the Eiffel Tower is among the most recognizable landmarks, not just in Paris but on the planet. A skip-the-line tour with a host allows visitors to bypass the cue and proceed directly to the second-level viewing platform for photo opps and commentary about Parisian culture. Next, it’s up to the summit to see Gustave Eiffel’s private apartments and sip Champagne (not covered in the ticket price). Find out the best bucket list travel attractions that won’t break the bank.

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7 / 10
warner brothers studio
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Warner Bros. Studio

The magical wizarding realm of Harry Potter draws devotees from near and far. The Warner Bros. Studio walking tour in London gives Muggles a behind-the-scenes look at the film—the set, costumes, props, and more. Pro tip: This bewitching experience tends to sell out, so be sure to book in advance.

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8 / 10
View over the empire state building from a roof top in New York City, USA
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Empire State Building

There’s no shortage of activities in the Big Apple, but the Empire State Building remains at the top of the list. From the Art Deco-inspired lobby to the 86th-floor observatory, which boasts breathtaking 360-degree panoramas of the city skyline, this iconic landmark continues to thrill visitors and New Yorkers alike. So it should come as no surprise that express passes are such a hot commodity. Don’t miss the 13 travel tips veteran globetrotters wish you knew.

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9 / 10
Island murano in Venice Italy. View on canal with boat and motorboat water. Picturesque landscape.
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Murano, Burano, and Torcello

A half-day boat tour offers guests the opportunity to explore three of the most distinguished destinations in the Venetian Lagoon, from the master glassblowers of Murano to the beautiful Byzantine churches of Torcello to the splashy-hued houses along the canals of Burano.

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Landscape of the Tuscany seen from the walls of Montepulciano, Italy
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Tuscany

Rolling hills, vineyards, quaint towns, and delicious cuisine—it’s hard, err impossible, not to fall in love with Tuscany. Depart from Florence for a full-day guided sightseeing tour of the countryside. Enjoy lunch at a farm and fabulous wine. Get an eyeful of medieval architecture in San Gimignano. Learn about the history of horse racing in Siena.

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Lindsay Cohn
Lindsay is an avid traveler and travel writer who has visited 46 countries across six continents. For Reader's Digest, she covers both domestic and international travel, and her byline also appears in Travel + Leisure, InsideHook, Hotels Above Par, Well + Good and PureWow. When she's not writing, you can find her hanging out with her son, doing yoga and adding to her ever-growing list of future adventures.