Book ahead: the most in demand attractions around the world

Here, we’ll be revealing:

• The UK's most in demand attraction
• The most in demand attractions around the world

The UK is full of attractions to explore, including London landmarks like Big Ben and The National Gallery, as well as sights outside of London including Stonehenge – iconic spots like these are likely to be on the bucket lists of many tourists visiting the UK for the first time, as well as UK sightseers! 

Fortunately, many of the most popular attractions in the UK – such as all the best museums and galleries in London – are not only free to visit, but also ticketless too, meaning that visitors can turn up and enter on the day they plan to visit, with no pre-booking or payment required. 

However, there are many high demand attractions that you’ll need to pre-plan. Fans of the Harry Potter series hoping to experience the magic for themselves by visiting the Warner Bros. Studio Tour will have to make sure they’re organised – tickets to the experience sell out more than a month in advance, with a 34 day wait between booking tickets and visiting at the time of pulling our data. And, with so much there for Potterheads to enjoy, it’s easy to see why this attraction is so in demand – you can walk in the footsteps of Harry himself through the Great Hall, Diagon Alley, Gringotts and the Forbidden Forest before getting a taste of Butterbeer or Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans!

Free to visit, the Sky Garden ranks as the second most in demand attraction in the UK, thanks in part to its handy ticketing system. Open since January 2015 and located at 20 Fenchurch Street (the Walkie Talkie), London’s Sky Garden is also the city’s highest public garden, offering stunning views across the city, all from inside a lush green oasis. Tickets to the garden are released on a weekly basis, up to three weeks in advance, but keep your eyes peeled - they go fast!

The iconic Big Ben rounds off the top three most in demand attractions in the UK, with tourists flocking from across the globe to see the world-famous landmark for themselves. The glistening gold frame, emerald details and intricate clock face are beautiful, so it’s no wonder that so many people head up the 334-steps of the Elizabeth Tower’s spiral stairwell to see it up close. Tickets to visit Big Ben are released on the second Wednesday of the month at 10am, so don’t forget to set a reminder. 

The Palace of Westminster (4th), Buckingham Palace (5th) and Westminster Abbey (6th) are among the other most in demand attractions within the nation’s capital - though all with much shorter pre-booking times needed. 

And that’s just covering some of the best attractions in London – the whole UK is bursting with places to explore! Popular destinations like the Eden Project (6th) and Chester Zoo (6th) are also best to book ahead for the most competitive entry prices. 

If you’re looking to travel further afield to tick off some of your bucket list attractions, then look no further. We’ve also researched some of the most popular landmarks and attractions around the world. 

The fairy-tale Neuschwanstein Castle, which can be found in the Bavarian Alps of Germany, tops the list as the most in demand attraction to book – those hoping to visit this beautiful site will need to book up to 37 days ahead. The castle is among the most iconic in the world, with many gathering to take in the Romanesque, Gothic and Byzantine architecture of the white towers which visitors will find perched on the edge of the Pöllat gorge.

Machu Picchu ties with Neuschwanstein Castle for first position; the UNESCO World Heritage Site and Wonder of the World also requires booking up to 37 days –and in some cases up to three months - in advance! With more than 1.5 million people visiting Machu Picchu each year, the equivalent of 2,500 per day, the capacity of the site is capped to preserve the area for the future, creating high demand and long waits for those hoping to catch a glimpse of the citadel ruins. 

The Harry Potter Studio Tour topped the list of most in demand attractions for the UK and ranks highly in second position on the world-stage too, with London’s Sky Garden following closely behind in fourth. 

Japan’s Ghibli Museum comes in third, requiring up to 30 days to pre-book ahead of your intended visit date. The museum has ranked among Japan’s most popular activities for tourists since it opened in 2001. Nestled within the lush green Inokashira Park, the museum’s architecture and design are inspired by the whimsical and imaginative worlds shown in the Studio’s films. Mount Fuji, in fifth place, accompanies the Ghibli Museum as the second Japanese attraction to feature within the top ten, requiring 16 days to book. 

The flagship of Disney’s global brand, Walt Disney World® Resort in Florida is the top ranking North American attraction, sitting in joint ninth place, with the Statue of Liberty following in tenth. Walt Disney World® Resort was the most visited vacation resort in the world in 2018,popular with both children and adults alike thanks to the immersive Disney experience, providing unforgettable moments for guests of all ages, through its rides, character meet-and-greets, shows and themed events. 

Though many attractions around the world require pre-booking, there are many that can be visited on the very same day. From the Tate Modern to Auckland Art Gallery, Sydney Opera House and even Petra in Jordan, some of the world’s best attractions operate same-day ticketing systems at their entry points. Just be sure to turn up well in advance, as there may be large queues! 


If we’ve inspired you to visit one of the world’s most iconic landmarks on your next holiday or city break, check out our best UK airport hotels to book before jetting off, or explore our travel guides on some of the most popular UK cities for a little innspiration.