Religious tourism makes up a big part of the tourism industry worldwide. UN Tourism has estimated that between 300 and 330 million tourists visit the world’s key religious sites every year. This article explains what religious tourism is, why it matters and where it takes place.
What is religious tourism?
Religious tourism is a branch of tourism which involves people travelling for religious purposes (like a pilgrimage) or to see things of religious importance (sightseeing). It is also known as faith tourism. It also incorporates missionaries. Religious tourism isn’t just for religious people, of course. Many people who engage in religious tourism are actually of no religion themselves!
Why is religious tourism important?
Religious tourism is an important branch of tourism for many reasons. It allows people to connect to their religion in a way they might otherwise not be able to – for example, a Muslim person living in a predominantly Christian country or area may have little opportunity to visit a mosque. They may also not have the chance to meet other Muslims very often. By visiting a place where Islam is the prominent religion, they might be able to build a better connection with their religion.
It also provides a way for humanity to preserve our common heritage. All religions are practised in different places across the globe, as humanity has spread through the centuries. By visiting religious monuments and locations, we are able to learn more about the histories behind different religions, making religious tourism a great form of educational tourism too.
Religious tourism also helps to provide funding for the upkeep and preservation of religious sites. Entry fees to places like the Vatican are useful when it comes to repairs and paying for the staff who maintain the physical aspect of the Catholic Church. As well as this, as more people visit certain areas, governments are forced to ensure that roads, water supplies and infrastructure are taken care of.
Religious tourism activities
There are various activities which can come under the arm of religious tourism. One major one is a pilgrimage. It is covered in more detail in this article on pilgrimage tourism. A pilgrimage is an often lengthy trip to a place of particular significance to a person’s religion. An example of this is Muslims visiting Mecca, or Catholics heading to Lourdes. Some other religious tourism activities are outlined below.
Missionaries
A missionary is a person sent on a mission by their religion. They are sent to an area in order to promote this religion, and also provide services that this area may need. Christian missionaries, such as those sent by evangelical churches or by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, are among the best known. The term comes from the Bible, when Jesus himself used it to refer to sending his disciples to preach the gospel in his name. However, the term ‘missionary’ can be used in relation to any religion.
Religious sightseeing
The most popular form of religious tourism is sightseeing. This is something which many people do, regardless of their particular religion. Every year, millions of people visit the Vatican – and they are not all Catholics heading there to pray or connect to the religion. They are also people who are interested in art and architecture, or history buffs, or people who want to tick ‘visiting the world’s smallest country’ off their bucket list. During the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year, which ran from December 2024 to January 2026, the Vatican reported more than 33 million pilgrims visiting Rome.
The same goes with people visiting other religious sites. They may not necessarily be religious themselves. Many are, of course, and visit these sites for reasons similar to why people go on pilgrimages. They want to connect with other people of the same religion, or visit a place that is important to the religion itself.
Some of the world’s most popular religious tourism destinations are outlined below.
Religious tourism destinations
Pretty much every town and city across the globe has a church, mosque, temple, cathedral or synagogue (and so on) – which means religious tourism can take place anywhere. There are some places, however, where it is much more prominent than others.
Religious tourism in India
Religious tourism in India is huge. Spirituality is a massive part of Indian culture, with the main religion being Hinduism. According to the 2011 census (the most recent available), 79.8% of the population identify as Hindu, with 14.2% practising Islam and 2.3% being Christians. Sikhism and Buddhism, while not as popular in India now, were both actually founded here.
With that in mind, there are many places of religious importance to visit in India.
Haridwar and Varanasi are two famous religious places in India, and have been since ancient times. They are two sites with a lot of significance in Hinduism. Haridwar is where the River Ganges exits the Himalayan foothills, and a river worship ceremony (the Ganga Aarti) is held each evening at Har Ki Pauri ghat, where small flickering lamps are floated on the water. Varanasi is believed to have been the home of Lord Shiva, a prominent figure in Hinduism. Varanasi sees many pilgrims visiting in order to purify themselves by bathing in the River Ganges at sunrise. India also hosts the Kumbh Mela, often described as the largest religious gathering on earth. According to the Uttar Pradesh government, around 660 million people attended the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj over 45 days in early 2025.
There are also thousands of important temples, mosques, gurdwaras, churches and monasteries across the country, from the Golden Temple in Amritsar, the holiest site in Sikhism, to Bodh Gaya, where the Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment.
Religious tourism in the Philippines
The Philippines is a predominantly Catholic country. According to the 2020 census, around 79% of residents are Roman Catholic, with other branches of Christianity being the next popular religion followed by Islam. Popular Catholic sites for religious tourists include:
- Monasterio de Tarlac, San Jose, Tarlac – with its statue very reminiscent of Christ the Redeemer in Rio
- National Shrine of the Divine Mercy, Marilao, Bulacan – with healing flower water in its basement
- Tatlong Krus, Paete, Laguna – the site of three tall white crosses with breathtaking views, a popular pilgrimage site
- Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto, San Jose Del Monte City, Bulacan – a replica of the grotto at Lourdes, with 14 Stations of the Cross
- Manila Cathedral – inside Intramuros, the walled historic city within modern Manila
Religious tourism in Italy
Italy is one of the world’s leading destinations for religious tourism. There are many churches, cathedrals, museums and historic religious sites to visit whether you are religious or not. Being the location of the Vatican, which is the heart of the Catholic Church, it comes as no surprise! Italy is estimated to be home to at least 1,500 shrines, 30,000 churches, and 700 diocesan museums. As well as this, there are a large number of monasteries and convents across the country.
Assisi is one of the most important places in Italy for religious tourism. This is where St Francis (one of the patron saints of Italy) lived, and his remains are buried in the Basilica of San Francesco. 2026 marks 800 years since his death in 1226, bringing extra visitors to the town.
Loreto is another important destination. People come here to visit the Basilica della Santa Casa, home to some of the relics of the holy house of Nazareth. Legend says this is the house where Mary would have grown up – and where she would have received the message of Jesus’ birth.
Rome, of course, is home to the Vatican. St Peter’s Square is an incredibly important destination for religious tourism, as people flock here to catch a glimpse of – or be blessed by – the Pope. Pope Leo XIV, the first pope from the United States, was elected in May 2025.
Religious tourism in Israel
More than half of tourists visiting Israel are religious tourists. Home of the Holy Land, it is no wonder that so many Christians and Jews come here. Israeli Ministry of Tourism surveys of Christian visitors before the COVID-19 pandemic found that:
- 90% of all Christian tourists visited Jerusalem
- 89% visited Tiberias and the Sea of Galilee
- 86% visited Nazareth
- 85% visited the Dead Sea area
- 83% visited Capernaum
- 86% of pilgrims visited Bethlehem (in the Palestinian West Bank)
Within these regions, there are so many places to see which are of religious importance to Christians and the people of the Jewish faith. These include Via Dolorosa, the Western Wall, Mount of Olives, the Church of the Nativity, the Church of the Annunciation and many more. Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023, however, international visitor numbers have fallen sharply, showing how vulnerable religious tourism can be to conflict and safety concerns.
Religious tourism in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is home to Mecca and Medina, the two holiest cities in Islam. Every Muslim who is physically and financially able is expected to perform the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lifetime. According to the Saudi General Authority for Statistics, 1,673,230 pilgrims performed the Hajj in 2025. Millions more perform Umrah, a pilgrimage that can be made at any time of year, and growing religious tourism is a central part of the country’s Vision 2030 strategy. Only Muslims are permitted to enter Mecca.
Religious tourism in Turkey
There is a lot of religious tourism in Turkey too. Here there are many churches, mosques, mausoleums, crypts and so on. Religious tourists can visit the ‘first church in the world’, which is the Church of Saint Peter. Located near Antakya in Hatay province- a region badly affected by the February 2023 earthquakes- it is a cave carved into the mountainside. Saint Nicholas lived in Turkey, too, so there are various locations linked to him – including the alleged site of his burial in Demre.
It’s not just Christianity that is so present in Turkey. There are so many Islamic sites of importance across the country too. In Istanbul, the Sacred Relics collection at Topkapı Palace includes items associated with the Prophet Muhammad, such as his mantle, and mosques such as the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia (which was converted back into a mosque in 2020) attract millions of visitors.
Religious tourism in Poland
Poland is another destination which is popular for religious tourism. One very popular site is the Pauline Monastery on Jasna Góra in Częstochowa. This is home to the icon of the Black Madonna of Częstochowa, which attracts millions of pilgrims every year. Wadowice is the birthplace of Pope John Paul II – and nearby Krakow is home to the Divine Mercy Sanctuary in Łagiewniki and many sites linked to his life. Generally, the country has many beautiful churches and monasteries. These attract both pilgrims and sightseers.
Video: The biggest religious tourism destinations
Religious tourism: FAQs
Below are answers to some of the most common questions about religious tourism.
What is religious tourism?
Religious tourism, also known as faith tourism, is travel for religious purposes- such as a pilgrimage or a missionary trip- or to visit places of religious importance, such as churches, temples, mosques and shrines. Many religious tourists are not religious themselves and visit for cultural, historical or architectural reasons.
How many people take part in religious tourism?
UN Tourism has estimated that 300-330 million tourists visit the world’s key religious sites each year. Major events attract huge numbers: around 660 million people attended the Maha Kumbh Mela in India in 2025, and more than 33 million pilgrims visited Rome during the 2025 Jubilee Year.
What is the difference between religious tourism and pilgrimage?
A pilgrimage is a journey made for spiritual or religious reasons to a place of particular religious significance, such as the Hajj to Mecca. Religious tourism is a broader term that includes pilgrimages but also sightseeing at religious sites by people who may not share that faith.
What are the most popular religious tourism destinations?
Popular destinations include Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia, Vatican City and Rome, Jerusalem, Varanasi and Prayagraj in India, Lourdes in France, Santiago de Compostela in Spain and Częstochowa in Poland.
Why is religious tourism important?
Religious tourism allows people to connect with their faith, helps to preserve religious heritage, funds the upkeep of religious sites, and brings significant economic benefits to destinations through visitor spending and investment in infrastructure.
Religious tourism- further reading
If you found this article on religious tourism useful, you may also find these articles helpful-
- What is pilgrimage tourism and why is it important?
- Social impacts of tourism
- What is sustainable tourism and why does it matter?
- Volunteer tourism: Everything you need to know
- Cultural tourism explained
- What is dark tourism?
- Ethical tourism: Everything you need to know
