August 10, 2025 | 02:11 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Vatican has been named as the most crowded tourist destination in the world, according to a study initiated by the safari company Go2Africa. The smallest country in the world has an extraordinary tourist-to-local ratio with 7,709 tourists for every resident.
As reported by Travel and Leisure, the Vatican City, located in Rome, Italy, spans 44 hectares. The city holds cultural significance as a pilgrimage site for many people worldwide. "Its tiny population of 882 consists mainly of clergy, diplomats, and officials, making it unlike any typical country," explained the study's team.
Evaluation Methodology
The study was conducted by collecting data from various sources. The team contacted national tourism boards to determine the number of visitors to each location, then compared these figures with the population data for the same year. This method allowed them to calculate the tourist-to-local ratio for each location.
"Although the total number of international visitors to a country gives us a good indication of which areas are the busiest, comparing these numbers with the population figures of a location gives us a better idea of where tourism might be overcrowding local areas," explained the team.
Best Time to Visit the Vatican
Despite being named the most crowded tourist destination, there are optimal ways to explore St. Peter's Basilica, the Vatican Museums, and the Sistine Chapel in this city. It is best to visit Italy during the quieter seasons, which are usually between March and April or October and November. When the number of tourists decreases, the Vatican becomes more comfortable to visit.
Furthermore, consider taking a guided tour. This ensures that visitors will learn everything possible during their visit to the Vatican. In this way, tourists will have the time to appreciate all the small details, even if there are many other people around.
The Vatican is not the only popular destination on this list. Andorra, a small country located between Spain and France, ranks second with 9.6 million visitors in 2024, compared to only 81,938 local tourists. San Marino, the Bahamas, and Saint Kitts and Nevis complete the top five. Despite being crowded, all of these destinations are still worth visiting. Planning a trip during the quieter seasons may be the best way to do it.
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