Despite Anti-Tourism Protests, Barcelona is Americans’ Top Summer Destination

Credit for content and copyright GuruWalk - reproduced with their kind permission.

GuruWalk : https://www.guruwalk.com/ 

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• U.S. citizens are most interested in visiting Barcelona, contributing 347,861 average monthly queries.
• Canadian cities occupy three of the top four positions, with Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal generating over 271,000 searches each month.
• One major travel change in May 2025 could see U.S. citizens denied entry to overseas territories.

A new study by GuruWalk, the best free walking tour platform, has identified Barcelona as the international city Americans most want to visit this summer.

The study analyzed search data for 831 international cities to determine which destinations generate the most interest among U.S. travelers. 

Barcelona, Spain, topped the list with 347,861 average monthly searches. Between the architecture, tapas, and Mediterranean beaches, the city is a dream for summer travelers.

U.S. visitors may be asked to show proof of travel insurance at the border, so it’s best to bring a printed copy. No visa is needed for U.S. citizens to enter Spain for a short stay (up to 90 days).

However, tourists heading to Barcelona this June may encounter protests, as the Southern European Network Against Touristisation (SET) confirmed plans for coordinated protests at a recent assembly.

Canadian cities proved particularly appealing to American travelers, with three Canadian destinations ranking in the top four positions. Vancouver placed second, Toronto third with 281,087 searches, and Montreal fourth with 271,298 searches. 

According to the U.S. Department of State, adults can enter Canada with either a passport or a NEXUS card. Children under 16 only need to show proof of U.S. citizenship. As a safety measure, it may be best to take both if you have them, as a backup measure should you lose your passport.

European cities made up the majority of the top 10 destinations. Amsterdam, Netherlands, ranked fifth with 233,588 monthly searches, followed by Paris, France, in sixth place with 231,916 searches. 

San Juan, Puerto Rico, was revealed as the only Caribbean destination in the top 10, ranking seventh with 213,535 monthly searches. Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, and until May 7, U.S. citizens do not need a passport for travel. A state-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license, is enough. 

After May 7, a REAL ID-compliant form of ID will be required for all domestic flights if you plan to use anything other than your passport. If your ID is missing a golden star, flag, or the word ‘Enhanced’, you may not be compliant. A full list of acceptable IDs can be found here.

Italy demonstrated strong appeal with multiple cities in the top rankings. Florence placed eighth with 192,535 searches, Rome ninth with 190,688 searches, and Venice just missed the top 10, ranking eleventh with 183,348 searches. 

Italian Americans account for around 6% of the U.S. population, with several states home to particularly large communities. As many as one in four people in New Jersey and one in five people in Connecticut identify as Italian American. This could signify that many travelers are seeking heritage travel, to meet distant family or explore their roots.

London, United Kingdom, rounded out the top 10 with 184,518 monthly searches, making it the second most popular European city for Americans after Barcelona. The novelty of British life and the fact that the country speaks English greatly reduces travel stress that would otherwise be caused by culture or language barriers.

The data revealed that U.S. citizens show significantly less interest in Asian destinations compared to European and North American locations. Tokyo ranked 12th with 172,029 searches, while other Asian cities appeared much lower on the list. Singapore placed last among the 50 analyzed cities with just 46,538 monthly searches, representing only 13% of the search volume Barcelona receives.

Carolina Martinez, from GuruWalk commented on the findings,

“This study does a great job at showing how varied our interests are when it comes to travel. These destinations offer a mix of culture, history, and easy-to-use travel options. The high interest in Canadian cities shows that U.S. citizens may wish to avoid long-haul travel for something a little closer to home, but still get to experience a different culture.

“Looking at the data, it’s clear to see that Americans are drawn to cities with strong cultural identities and walkable city centers where they can experience local life without the stress of having to use multiple forms of public transportation. This helps explain why cities like Barcelona, with its distinct architecture and vibrant street life, rank so highly.

“The data also suggests that many Americans may be visiting international destinations to get in touch with their roots, particularly in places like Italy and the United Kingdom.”

Methodology:
Monthly average search volume data was taken from Google Keyword Planner based on searches over the past 12 months to reveal the rankings for the cities Americans are most interested in as destinations.

A seed list of 831 international cities was created from the cities in which GuruWalk.com operates walking tours (https://www.guruwalk.com/free-tours)