Forget Big Ben or Buckingham Palace, the UK is home to two of the world’s top attractions according to real-life reviews and experiences – and they’re both in the same city
Two of the world’s best attractions are in the same UK city(Image: Getty Images)
While everybody has world-famous attractions at the top of their bucket list, sometimes the experience isn’t always what you were hoping for.
Several years ago, unhappy visitor to London took to Tripadvisor to lament ‘it’s just a really big clock’ in a damning review of the Elizabeth Tower.
Had that reviewer checked TripAdvisor beforehand, disappointment could’ve been avoided. Nothing will give you the god’s honest truth quite like TripAdvisor reviews, from the best of the best experiences to the nitty-gritty details of what made something not worthwhile.
Based on millions of reviews and ratings, the website has compiled the ultimate list of the top 10 attractions in the world – and the answers may not be what you’d expect.
According to real-life people who have had an experience travelling and shared their honest experience, there was one clear winner for TripAdvisor in 2026. This year, as more and more reviews gathered on the world-famous site, Edinburgh‘s Royal Yacht Britannia has been named the number one attraction in the world.
The best attraction in the world
After receiving this impressive title, Franck Bruyère, chief executive of the Royal Yacht Britannia, said: “We are incredibly proud of The Royal Yacht Britannia’s success and wish to thank our visitors for taking the time to share their gift of feedback. Being number 1 in the world is a tremendous achievement and a testament to our team’s unwavering commitment to delivering an exceptional visitor experience.”
The ship draws in visitors from all over the world thanks to its grandeur and history as the former floating palace and temporary home to the royals. Queen Elizabeth II travelled for over 44 years on the ship, clocking up over a million miles.
The royal yacht served as the ideal residence for the royals, whether it was utilised for state visits, official receptions, royal honeymoons or simple family holiday escapes.
A recent visitor that explored the docked ship, wrote: “Staff are exceptional, from entering the royal yacht to the shop. The tour is informative, brilliant and relaxed. We would 109% recommend it. Also, a must-do is to take your time, take lots of pictures, and definitely visit the tea room.”
The sixth-best attraction in the world
Making Edinburgh the place to be for culture, history and all-round fun things to do is another attraction based in the capital city that earned its rightful place on TripAdvisor’s worldwide attraction list.
At an admirable number six, ranking itself above the likes of the Eiffel Tower in Paris and Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee, is The Real Mary King’s Close.
In the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town, beneath the bustling street known as the ‘Royal Mile’, is an attraction bursting with history and stories. The underground experience showcases a warren of hidden roads where people once lived, worked and died.
According to TripAdvisor, the site lay forgotten and abandoned for centuries before opening up for the public to discover. Reviews on the site claim that it’s a “fantastic experience”, while somebody wrote: “Absolutely brilliant, the tour was informative and most importantly fun.”
Scotland’s capital is home to a breathtaking castle, charming cobbled streets, quirky bookshops and endless cafes, but it’s these experiences that seem to stand out amongst them all. If it wasn’t already, Edinburgh should be at the very top of your must-see lists this year before the rest of the world finds out about its top-rated attractions.