The World’s Most Visited Countries and Their Gardens: From France to Mexico

Every year the same countries welcome the most foreign tourists: France, Spain, the USA, Italy, Turkey and Mexico. People choose them for the sea, museums and food, but each also has world-class gardens. Here is a short guide for travellers who go in search of flowers.

While you travel, we deliver flowers to your loved ones: large rose bouquets and flower baskets.

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The most visited countries

Figures vary from year to year and between sources, but the top six have stayed stable for many years.

What flower lovers should see

• France. Claude Monet’s garden at Giverny with its water lilies and Japanese bridge, the formal gardens of Versailles and Provence lavender in July.
• Spain. The Alhambra gardens, Córdoba’s patios in May and the Royal Alcázar of Seville; see Spain in flower.
• USA. The Huntington gardens and California poppies; see Los Angeles in bloom.

• Italy. Villa d’Este, the Boboli Gardens and Infiorata flower carpets; see Italy in bloom.
• Turkey. Istanbul tulips in April and the roses of Isparta; see Turkey in flower.
• Mexico. The “floating gardens” of Xochimilco in Mexico City and seas of orange cempasúchil marigolds for the Day of the Dead in early November.

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Planning a flower trip

• Check the bloom calendar. Spring for tulips and cherry blossom, July for lavender, autumn for marigolds and foliage.
• Book ahead. Popular gardens such as the Alhambra and Giverny sell out in season.
• Go early. Fewer people and the best light for photos.

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FAQ

Which is the most visited country in the world?

For many years it has been France, with around a hundred million international tourists a year.

Where should I go for flowers in spring?

The Netherlands and Turkey for tulips, Japan for cherry blossom and Spain for the May patio festival.

Author: Maria Svitlovir

Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.

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