It’s been a big year for Asian cities on the world stage, with three ranking among the most-visited places in the world, two making the renowned World’s Best Cities list from Resonance for 2026 and 14 Asian cities joining the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. Now, data analytics company Euromonitor has released its top city destinations list for 2025 as part of its City Destinations Index, and three Asian cities made the top 10. Here are the Asian cities that made the cut – and what earned them their place on the list.
Tokyo – No. 3
Asia’s highest-ranking city is an unsurprising feature on the list, coming in at number three on Euromonitor ‘s list of the top 10 city destinations globally. With its world-leading transport network, futuristic dining scene and a knack for reinvention, Tokyo more than earned its place. It also placed third worldwide for tourism infrastructure – helped along by Narita Airport’s massive upgrade, which includes a new runway and expansions set to double passenger capacity by 2039.
Singapore – No. 9
Singapore continues to build on its reputation as Asia’s polished overachiever, balancing lush green design with hyper-modern efficiency. Its position in the global top 10 reflects strong tourism performance, robust infrastructure and a commitment to sustainability that’s becoming a blueprint for the region.
Seoul – No. 10
Riding the unstoppable wave of K-culture, Seoul has climbed into the global top 10 for 2025. From fashion to food to pop royalty, the South Korean capital is a powerhouse of creativity – and its improved rankings show it’s becoming just as compelling for travellers chasing cultural depth as for those chasing the perfect bowl of kimchi jjigae.
Bangkok – No. 1 worldwide for international arrivals
Sure, Bangkok sits just outside Europe’s global-heavy top 10, but it dominates in the international arrivals field. With an eye-watering 30.3 million visitors this year, the Thai capital is officially the most visited city on the planet. It also ranked as the world’s top city for tourism policy and attractiveness, proving that its mix of nightlife, food, temples and markets remains unmatched.
Hong Kong – No. 2 worldwide for international arrivals
Hong Kong claimed the world’s second-highest number of arrivals for 2025, with 23.2 million international visitors landing in the stunning harbour city. Hong Kong’s comeback continues at pace, powered by new cultural districts, eased border movement, and a solid line-up of world-class bars and hotels.
Macao – No. 4 worldwide for international arrivals
With 20.4 million arrivals, Asia’s casino capital remains a global tourism titan. But it’s not all baccarat and bright lights – Macao has been investing heavily in culture, food and heritage tourism, carving out a more multifaceted identity to match its visitor boom.
Kuala Lumpur – No. 10 worldwide for international arrivals
Malaysia’s bustling capital wraps up the top 10 for arrivals with 17.3 million tourists. KL’s mix of mega-malls, street eats, skyscrapers and culture keeps its global appeal solid – and with new tourism strategies focusing on longer, higher-value stays, it’s set for even stronger rankings ahead.
The 2025 index reflects a major trend: while Europe continues to dominate the global top tier, Asia is leading the world in visitor numbers, and increasingly shaping the conversation around smarter, more sustainable tourism. With cities across the region investing in infrastructure upgrades, new travel rules and strategies to curb overtourism, Asia’s big hitters are setting themselves up to keep on winning big in 2026.
Top 10 city destinations in 2025
Here are the top 10 cities in the world this year, based on research from Euromonitor International:
- Paris, France
- Madrid, Spain
- Tokyo, Japan
- Rome, Italy
- Milan, Italy
- New York, USA
- Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Barcelona, Spain
- Singapore
- Seoul, South Korea
Top 10 cities for international arrivals in 2025
Here are the top 10 cities in the world for international arrivals, based on research from Euromonitor International:
- Bangkok (30.3 million international trips)
- Hong Kong (23.2 million)
- London (22.7 million)
- Macao (20.4 million)
- Istanbul (19.7 million)
- Dubai (19.5 million)
- Mecca (18.7 million)
- Antalya (18.6 million)
- Paris (18.3 million)
- Kuala Lumpur (17.3 million)
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