The 10 Most Visited Countries in Europe & How to Track Your Stay

Europe is a top destination for millions of travelers, thanks to its rich history, diverse cultures, and iconic landmarks. The most visited countries in Europe are France, Spain, and Italy, which consistently attract the highest numbers of international tourists. For frequent travelers, digital nomads, and expats, visiting these popular destinations requires careful management of stay durations, especially within the Schengen Area. Keeping a precise travel log is essential for visa compliance, tax residency planning, and creating a personal travel map.

This guide provides a detailed look at Europe's top destinations, offering practical insights for managing your travels. To simplify this process, the DaysAround iOS app helps you build a secure, on-device timeline of your travels. It functions as a privacy-first country tracker, using your photos to automatically log visits without GPS or cloud services. Whether you need a country counter, a schengen 90/180 tracker, or a where have i been map, DaysAround provides an effortless solution.

1. France - Europe's Most Visited Destination

France consistently tops the charts as the most visited country in Europe, attracting around 90 million international tourists annually. Its global appeal lies in its diversity, from the cultural landmarks of Paris and the sunny beaches of the French Riviera to the prestigious vineyards of Bordeaux. This variety makes it a cornerstone of any European itinerary.

Why France's Popularity Matters for Travelers

For digital nomads and frequent travelers navigating the Schengen Zone's 90/180 rule, France’s central location makes it a critical country to track. Trips often involve multiple entries and exits to neighboring countries like Spain, Italy, or Germany. Each day counts toward your Schengen limit, making precise tracking essential to avoid overstay penalties. If you're considering a spring visit, understanding the Paris weather in May can help you plan your activities.

How DaysAround Simplifies Your France Itinerary

Managing your time in France and the wider Schengen Area requires meticulous record-keeping. The DaysAround iOS app automates this process privately on your device.

• Automated Country Counter: The app’s photo detection automatically logs entry and exit dates from your camera roll. A photo of a boarding pass at Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) or a train ticket from Geneva serves as an undeniable, on-device record.
• Private Travel Timeline: Forget to log a day? Photos from museum visits or dated attraction tickets can help you reconstruct your travel timeline with complete accuracy and privacy.
• Schengen Compliance: DaysAround acts as your personal Schengen 90/180 tracker, calculating your remaining days automatically. For manual checks, you can use our free Schengen Zone Calculator, but the app provides the ultimate automated solution.

2. Spain - Southern European Gateway

Spain is a close second among the most visited countries in Europe, welcoming over 85 million international tourists annually. Its popularity is fueled by a mix of sun-drenched Mediterranean coastlines, architectural marvels in cities like Barcelona and Madrid, and a world-renowned culinary scene. This blend makes Spain a major entry point and a long-stay destination for travelers.

Why Spain's Popularity Matters for Travelers

For digital nomads managing their Schengen Area days, Spain's role as both a primary destination and a gateway to North Africa is critical. Many travelers spend several weeks here, making manual day counting prone to errors. Whether you're flying into Madrid-Barajas (MAD) or crossing by ferry from Morocco, each border crossing adds complexity to your 90/180 day limit calculation.

How DaysAround Simplifies Your Spain Itinerary

Keeping an accurate travel history app of your time in Spain is crucial for Schengen compliance. The DaysAround iOS app makes this process effortless and private.

• Automated Entry/Exit Logging: The app’s photo detection can log your travel dates. A photo of your boarding pass from Barcelona (BCN) creates a secure, on-device record of your entry and exit days.
• Build Your Countries Visited Map: As you travel, the app helps you visualize your journeys, creating a "where have I been map" based on your private data.
• Effortless Schengen Tracking: DaysAround serves as your personal Schengen 90/180 tracker, automatically calculating your remaining days. This allows you to confidently plan travels without the stress of manual counting. For quick manual calculations, our free Schengen Zone Calculator is also available.

3. Italy - Mediterranean Cultural Hub

Italy solidifies its place as one of the most visited countries in Europe, welcoming around 65 million international tourists each year. Its appeal stems from an unparalleled concentration of culture, history, and natural beauty. From the ancient grandeur of Rome's Colosseum to the winding canals of Venice and the sun-kissed Amalfi Coast, Italy offers a journey through millennia of Western civilization.

Why Italy's Popularity Matters for Travelers

Italy is often a cornerstone of any European tour, meaning a significant portion of your 90-day Schengen limit can be spent here. Journeys frequently involve multiple stops, making it easy to lose track of your total stay duration. Precisely tracking these dates is crucial for managing your 90/180-day allowance and avoiding an accidental overstay.

How DaysAround Simplifies Your Italy Itinerary

Managing an Italian itinerary while staying compliant with Schengen rules is effortless with the DaysAround iOS app. It acts as a private, on-device country counter.

• Timeline Anchoring: A time-stamped photo of your ticket to the Vatican Museums or Venice’s architecture serves as a perfect, verifiable anchor point to log your travel dates.
• Reconstruct Your Travel History: Your camera roll holds the key. Photos of regional train tickets between Rome and Florence can be used by DaysAround to accurately rebuild your travel timeline.
• Schengen Compliance: Instead of wrestling with spreadsheets, DaysAround functions as your personal Schengen 90/180 tracker. It automatically calculates your consumed and remaining days, providing a clear, real-time status of your compliance.

4. Germany - Central European Transit Hub

Germany consistently ranks among the most visited countries in Europe, welcoming an estimated 40 million international tourists each year. Its appeal is broad, from Berlin's vibrant history to Munich's Oktoberfest. Germany’s central position, bordering nine other nations, makes it an essential hub for travelers exploring the continent by road or rail.

Why Germany's Popularity Matters for Travelers

For digital nomads navigating the Schengen Area, Germany’s role as a major transit country is critical. It's common to cross its land borders multiple times during a single trip. Each crossing, whether by air, train, or car, marks an entry or exit day that counts toward your 90/180 day limit, making precise tracking vital.

How DaysAround Simplifies Your Germany Itinerary

Keeping a precise log of your movements through a transit-heavy country like Germany can be challenging. The DaysAround iOS app streamlines this task with an automated, private travel timeline.

• Automated Entry/Exit Logging: The app’s photo detection can scan your camera roll for travel documents. A photo of a boarding pass from Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) instantly becomes a secure, on-device record of an entry or exit date.
• Tax Residency Tracker: For longer stays, DaysAround helps you monitor days per country, a crucial metric for determining tax residency status.
• Schengen Compliance: DaysAround functions as your personal Schengen 90/180 tracker, automatically calculating your stay duration. This ensures you can plan onward travel confidently without the stress of complex manual calculations.

5. United Kingdom - Non-Schengen European Destination

The United Kingdom welcomes an estimated 37 to 40 million international tourists annually. Its enduring appeal stems from a rich tapestry of history, culture, and diverse landscapes, from the iconic landmarks of London to the scenic highlands of Scotland.

Why the UK's Popularity Matters for Travelers

For digital nomads managing Schengen Area stays, the UK's position outside the Schengen Zone is strategically critical. Days spent in the UK do not count toward your Schengen 90/180 day limit, making it an ideal destination to "reset" your clock. Properly documenting your entry and exit dates is crucial to prove you were outside the Schengen Area. For more ideas, explore some of the top non-Schengen countries to visit between your stays.

How DaysAround Simplifies Your UK Itinerary

Keeping a precise, separate log of your UK travel days is essential for both UK visa compliance and proving your absence from the Schengen Zone. The DaysAround iOS app makes this effortless.

• Separate Country Tracking: DaysAround functions as a powerful countries visited tracker, automatically logging your stays in the UK separately from your Schengen Zone visits.
• Automated Entry/Exit Logging: A photo of your boarding pass from London Heathrow (LHR) or a Eurostar ticket to Paris serves as a perfect, on-device record of crucial entry and exit dates.
• Schengen Compliance: By precisely documenting your time in the UK, DaysAround ensures your Schengen 90/180 tracker remains accurate, helping you confidently plan your re-entry into the Schengen Area.

6. Austria - Alpine Schengen Gateway

Nestled in the heart of the continent, Austria welcomes approximately 33 to 35 million international visitors annually. Its appeal lies in a blend of imperial history and breathtaking natural beauty. Its central location, bordering Germany and Switzerland, makes it a frequent transit and destination point.

Why Austria's Popularity Matters for Travelers

For travelers managing their time under the Schengen 90/180 rule, Austria's position is strategically important. Road trips and train journeys often involve crossing its borders, with each entry and exit day contributing to your total stay limit. These multi-country itineraries make manual day counting prone to errors.

How DaysAround Simplifies Your Austria Itinerary

Keeping an accurate count of your days in Austria and the wider Schengen Zone is essential. The DaysAround iOS app provides an automated and private solution.

• Automated Entry/Exit Logging: The app’s photo detection can effortlessly log your travel dates from a picture of your boarding pass at Vienna International Airport (VIE) or a train ticket from Salzburg to Munich.
• Timeline Reconstruction: The distinct seasonal landscapes in Austria provide excellent timeline markers. A photo of you skiing in the Alps in winter versus hiking in summer offers clear, date-stamped evidence to reconstruct your travel history.
• Schengen Compliance: DaysAround functions as your personal Schengen 90/180 tracker, automatically calculating your stay duration and showing your remaining days.

7. Netherlands - Northern European Digital Hub

The Netherlands draws approximately 20 million international visitors annually. While Amsterdam's iconic canals are the main draw, the country's appeal is boosted by its compact size and excellent rail connections, making it an ideal hub for exploring Northern Europe.

Why the Netherlands' Popularity Matters for Travelers

For digital nomads, the Netherlands serves as a strategic base within the Schengen Area. Its central location means short trips to neighboring Germany and Belgium are common, leading to multiple border crossings that need careful tracking. Each entry and exit day counts toward your 90/180 day limit.

How DaysAround Simplifies Your Netherlands Itinerary

Managing your time in the Netherlands requires precise day counting. The DaysAround iOS app makes this effortless by automating your travel log privately.

• Automated Entry/Exit Logging: The app's photo detection can automatically identify your travel dates. A picture of your boarding pass at Schiphol Airport serves as a perfect on-device record of your entry.
• Timeline Reconstruction: A dated picture from the Keukenhof gardens or a museum ticket from the Rijksmuseum can help you accurately reconstruct your travel timeline.
• Schengen Compliance: DaysAround functions as your personal Schengen 90/180 tracker, automatically calculating your stay duration. This ensures you can plan onward travel without the stress of manual day counting.

8. Greece - Mediterranean Schengen Destination

Greece's enduring appeal, drawing between 24 and 27 million international visitors annually, secures its spot among Europe's most frequented destinations. Travelers are captivated by the monumental Acropolis in Athens, the whitewashed villages of Santorini, and the vibrant shores of Mykonos.

Why Greece's Popularity Matters for Travelers

For digital nomads, Greece's position as a popular Schengen entry point is significant. Its island-hopping culture means travelers often have multiple short trips, making it easy to lose track of the total duration. Accurately monitoring your time here is crucial for complying with the 90/180 rule.

How DaysAround Simplifies Your Greece Itinerary

The unique nature of travel in Greece creates perfect opportunities for effortless travel tracking with the DaysAround iOS app.

• Automated Entry/Exit Logging: The app’s on-device photo detection can pinpoint your Schengen entry date from a picture of your boarding pass at Athens International Airport (ATH), creating a secure, private record.
• Timeline Reconstruction: Dated photos of your ferry ticket to Crete or an entrance pass to the Palace of Knossos can be used by the app to reconstruct and verify your travel timeline.
• Schengen Compliance: DaysAround serves as your dedicated Schengen 90/180 tracker, automatically calculating your remaining days so you can enjoy the Aegean Sea without stress.

9. Portugal - Western European Nomad Destination

Portugal has rapidly climbed the ranks as one of the most visited countries in Europe, drawing an estimated 26 to 28 million international visitors annually. Its appeal is a blend of vibrant urban life in Lisbon and Porto, the sun-soaked shores of the Algarve, and a rich cultural heritage.

Why Portugal's Popularity Matters for Travelers

For long-term travelers managing the Schengen Zone 90/180 rule, Portugal's position is significant. Many begin or end their European journeys here, often crossing the land border into Spain, which can make manual day-tracking complicated. Each entry and exit day must be accurately recorded.

How DaysAround Simplifies Your Portugal Itinerary

Keeping a detailed log of your stay in Portugal is critical for maintaining your Schengen compliance. The DaysAround iOS app provides an automated and private solution.

• Automated Entry/Exit Logging: A snapshot of your boarding pass at Lisbon (LIS) airport or a train ticket from Porto can create a secure, on-device record of your entry.
• Timeline Reconstruction: Photos of Porto's Dom Luís I Bridge or a dated receipt from a Belém café can help you accurately reconstruct your travel timeline.
• Schengen Compliance: DaysAround functions as your personal Schengen 90/180 tracker, automatically calculating your remaining days and ensuring you can confidently plan your onward journey.

10. Switzerland - Alpine Schengen Zone Checkpoint

Switzerland's global appeal is rooted in pristine Alpine landscapes and sophisticated cities like Zurich and Geneva, drawing an estimated 11-12 million international tourists annually. It is a member of the Schengen Area, meaning days spent here count toward your 90/180 day limit. Its location bordering France, Germany, Italy, and Austria makes it a frequent entry and exit point.

Why Switzerland's Popularity Matters for Travelers

For digital nomads carefully monitoring their Schengen 90/180 rule allowance, Switzerland is a critical component of any extended European itinerary. Every day spent within its borders counts towards your Schengen limit, and precise tracking of border crossings is non-negotiable.

How DaysAround Simplifies Your Switzerland Itinerary

Managing your time in Switzerland is as critical as tracking days in any other Schengen country. The DaysAround iOS app is the perfect tool for documenting these movements with on-device privacy.

• Automated Entry/Exit Logging: The app’s photo detection can automatically log your entry and exit dates. A photo of a train ticket from Milan to Zurich creates a private record of your travel dates.
• Timeline Reconstruction: A time-stamped photo from the top of the Jungfrau or a dated ticket from the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise can help you accurately reconstruct your travel timeline.
• Schengen Compliance: DaysAround removes the guesswork by functioning as your personal Schengen 90/180 tracker. It automatically calculates your remaining days, helping you plan onward travel with complete confidence.

Top 10 Most-Visited European Countries — Quick Comparison

This table provides a snapshot of the top destinations, highlighting their Schengen status and the complexity of tracking your stay.

Country	Annual Visitors (Est.)	Schengen Status	Tracking Complexity
France	~90 million	Member	High
Spain	~85 million	Member	High
Italy	~65 million	Member	Moderate
Germany	~40 million	Member	High
United Kingdom	~37-40 million	Non-Schengen	Moderate (Separate Tracking)
Austria	~33-35 million	Member	Moderate
Greece	~24-27 million	Member	High (Island hopping)
Portugal	~26-28 million	Member	Moderate
Netherlands	~20 million	Member	Low
Switzerland	~11-12 million	Member	High (Transit hub)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the most visited country in Europe?

France consistently holds the top spot as the most visited country in Europe and the world, attracting approximately 90 million international tourists annually.

How can I track my days in the Schengen Area?

You can track your days manually using a calendar or spreadsheet, or use a tool. The free Schengen Zone Calculator helps with manual calculations. For an automated and private solution, the DaysAround iOS app uses your photo metadata to create an on-device travel timeline without GPS or cloud services.

Do days in the UK count towards my Schengen limit?

No. The United Kingdom is not part of the Schengen Area, so any time spent there does not count towards your 90/180 day limit. This makes it a strategic destination for travelers looking to "reset" their Schengen clock.

What is the 90/180 day rule?

The 90/180 day rule applies to non-EU citizens visiting the Schengen Area. It allows you to stay for a maximum of 90 days within any 180-day rolling period. An accurate countries visited tracker is essential to comply with this rule.

How can a travel app help with tax residency?

Many countries determine tax residency based on the number of days you spend there in a year (often 183 days). A tax residency tracker like the DaysAround app provides a precise, private log of your days per country, which is crucial for proving your status to tax authorities.

Is it safe to use an app to track my travel history?

Your privacy depends on the app's design. DaysAround is a privacy-first travel history app. It works entirely on your device, does not use GPS, and never uploads your travel data to the cloud, ensuring your location history remains completely private.

Can I build a map of the countries I've visited?

Yes, the DaysAround app helps you create a countries visited map based on your travel history. It visualizes your journeys, acting as a personal "where have I been map" that is built from your own private data.

Which countries are in the Schengen Zone?

The Schengen Area comprises 29 European countries that have abolished internal border controls. It includes most EU members plus countries like Switzerland, Norway, and Iceland. Verifying if a country is in the schengen zone is critical for travel planning.

Sources

1. UN Tourism (formerly UNWTO) - For global and regional tourism statistics and trends.
2. Eurostat - The statistical office of the European Union, providing comprehensive data on tourism within member states.
3. European Commission, Migration and Home Affairs - For official information regarding the Schengen Area rules and regulations.