The 21 types of tourist attractions

Last updated: 8 October 2026

The different types of tourist attractions make up an integral part of the structure of the tourism industry. People travel far and wide to visit a particular tourist attractions. Visiting said attractions could be the reason for their trip, or it could be a byproduct of their trip.

There are many different types of tourist attractions. Some are large, some are small. Some are busy, others are quiet. Some are privately owned travel and tourism businesses and others are public enterprises.

This article explains what tourist attractions are, why they matter and the main types of tourist attractions found around the world, with plenty of real-world examples of each.

What is a tourist attraction?

Before we delve into the ins and outs of the different types of tourist attractions, we first need to understand what a tourist attraction is.

A tourist attraction, often also referred to as a visitor attraction, is a place of interest that is commonly visited by tourists.

A tourist attraction will usually have value to the tourist in one of the following areas-

• Historical significance
• Cultural value
• Political significance
• Nature
• Natural or built beauty
• Leisure
• Amusement and fun

Why are tourist attractions important?

Tourist attractions make up an important part of the visitor economy. The visitor economy comprises the activities and expenditure involved in supplying products and services for visitors by both the private and public sectors.

Tourist attractions contribute significantly to the tourism industry. They typically reap economic benefits of tourism and/or promote the local culture, heritage and environment. This can often result in increased environmental preservation- a positive environmental impact of tourism.

Tourist attractions draw huge numbers of visitors. In 2025, members of the UK’s Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (ALVA) recorded around 165 million visits, with the Natural History Museum the most visited attraction at just over 7.1 million visits, followed by the British Museum (6.4 million). Globally, the world’s 25 most visited theme parks welcomed almost 246 million guests in 2024, led by Disney’s Magic Kingdom in Florida with 17.8 million visitors, according to the TEA/AECOM Theme Index.

It is important, however, that tourist attractions are well-managed. If poor management occurs, tourist attractions can have adverse impacts on the local society, economy and (most commonly) the environment. It is imperative, therefore, that proper tourism planning is undertaken and that sustainable tourism measures are adopted when developing and managing the operations of a tourist attraction.

What is the role of tourist attractions?

Tourist attractions are an important part of the tourism industry.

Some tourist attractions are there predominantly to provide entertainment, such as theme parks and zoos.

Other tourist attractions provide entertainment as well as other aspects, such as education. Examples of educational tourist attractions might include museums and exhibitions.

Other types of tourist attractions may facilitate recreation, hospitality and special events.

Products and services offered by tourist attractions

Different types of tourist attractions will offer different types of products and services.

Products and services are directed towards what the types of customer that is expected to visit will like.

Some tourist attractions offer rides or experiences. You can go snorkelling in the Atlantis aquarium in Dubai or ride Space Mountain at Disneyland, for example.

Some attractions offer information services, such as guidebooks, information boards, guided tours, interpretation and translation services and educational talks.

Some tourist attractions offer hospitality services, for example renting out areas for a wedding or a conference.

Many tourist attractions have gift shops and catering options for their customers.

Types of tourist attractions

There are many different types of tourist attractions that are found around the world.

Generally, tourist attractions can be separated into four main categories: natural, man-made, sport, events. Each of these categories is explained below.

Natural types of tourist attractions

Natural types of tourist attraction are attractions that are naturally occurring. In other words, they are not built by man.

There are many types of tourist attractions around the world that are natural. In many cases, areas surrounding natural attractions have been developed for tourism because of the natural attraction that is on offer.

Here are some of the different types of tourist attractions that are deemed natural attractions.

National parks

A national park is an area that is protected due to its cultural heritage, varied wildlife and/or beautiful countryside. National parks are popular types of tourist attractions.

There are clear boundaries showing where the park begins and ends. Laws exist to protect the nature and wildlife so that it can all be enjoyed by current and future generations. 

The overarching aim of a national park is for people to be able to continually benefit from everything nature has to offer, without destroying it.

There are 15 national parks in the UK: ten in England, three in Wales and two in Scotland. The United States has 63 national parks, managed by the National Park Service.

Example: The Peak District

Designated in April 1951, the Peak District was the first national park in the UK. Its location between Manchester, Sheffield and Derby puts it within easy reach of millions of people, making it one of the most visited national parks in Britain and a good example of the pressures that popular natural attractions face.

Beaches

Many people choose to go on holiday in search of a beach– meaning that beaches are popular types of tourist attractions!

Beach tourism is particularly popular amongst populations who live in predominantly cooler climates, such as those from the UK, Germany and Scandinavia. Many tourists seek warm weather and soft sand and head to exotic shores to satisfy their desires.

Beaches are one of the most popular types of tourist attractions around the world.

Beaches can be busy or they can be quiet and secluded. Many beaches in popular tourist areas suffer from overtourism. The typical package holiday and the mass tourism industry are generally associated with beach tourism.

Example: Boulders Beach, South Africa

Boulders Beach, near Simon’s Town in the Western Cape, is part of Table Mountain National Park and is famous for its colony of African penguins, which began with just two breeding pairs in 1982. The African penguin was classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN in 2024, so visitor numbers are managed using boardwalks and viewing platforms.

Caves

There are many spectacular caves around the world and are popular natural types of tourist attractions.

Caves are natural voids in the ground. Some caves are small and other caves are large. These voids are typically created through weathering and erosion. Many caves have water inside, some of which are known as cenotes.

Caves are often home to many different species of bats, mice, rats and various insects.

Many people choose to visit caves in order to take a look at the natural formations or to undertake active pursuits, such as caving, diving and canoeing.

Example: Manjanggul Cave, South Korea

Despite its name, Manjanggul Cave is actually a lava tube, around 7.4 km long, on Jeju Island. It forms part of the Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes UNESCO World Heritage Site, inscribed in 2007.

Cliffs

Cliffs are another examples of one of the popular types of tourist attractions.

A cliff is essential a land edge, whereby the land juts out above the sea. A cliff usually encompasses a steep rock face.

People may choose to visit cliffs to enjoy the scenery. They may do this by having a picnic, taking a gentle stroll or committing to a multi-day hike.

Example: Cape Point, South Africa

Cape Point sits at the tip of the Cape Peninsula within Table Mountain National Park. It is often wrongly described as the place where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet- that point is officially Cape Agulhas, around 150 km to the south-east, which is also the southernmost tip of Africa.

Mountains

Mountains are some of the most popular types of tourist attractions.

A mountain is a natural elevation of the earth’s surface that rises steeply to a summit or peak. There is no single international definition, but in the UK a mountain is commonly defined as a summit of at least 610 metres (2,000 feet) above sea level.

Mountains usually come in ranges (multiple mountains), but sometimes are lonesome.

Tourists choose to visit mountains for a number of reason. They may simply want to enjoy the scenery or they may be in search of cool weather. Many tourists choose to visit mountains for hiking or skiing activities.

Mountains are natural attractions that must be looked after. There have been many negative stories of erosion due to skiing and litter left behind by hikers.

Example: Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

At 5,895 metres, Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa and the tallest free-standing mountain in the world. Tens of thousands of people attempt the climb each year, supporting thousands of local guides and porters, and climbers must use a licensed operator.

Hills

Hills are popular areas for tourists to visit, and hills can make great types of tourist attractions.

Many people will choose to visit hills for the scenery or for active types of tourism, such as kite flying or hiking.

Example: Glastonbury Tor, UK

Did you know that a tor is a type of hill? Glastonbury Tor in Somerset rises to 158 metres and is topped by the roofless St Michael’s Tower. Cared for by the National Trust, it is a landmark steeped in legend.

Despite the shared name, the famous Glastonbury Festival does not take place on the Tor- it is held at Worthy Farm in Pilton, around six miles away.

Waterfalls

Visiting a waterfall is on many people’s travel to-do list! Many destinations have waterfalls that attract tourists.

Some waterfalls are big and others are small.

Some waterfalls are easily accessible and others are found in remote destinations.

The area around some waterfalls is very developed for tourism (such as Niagara Falls), and for others the area is not developed at all.

Example: Dudhsagar Falls, India

Dudhsagar Falls is one of the best-known waterfalls in Goa, India. The four-tiered waterfall drops around 310 metres on the Mandovi River, on the border of Goa and Karnataka, inside the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary. Access is usually restricted during the monsoon season for safety reasons.

Islands

Island tourism is a popular type of tourism and is an example of one of the most popular types of tourist attractions.

An island is a piece of land that is separated from the mainland by water.

Most islands have beach areas for tourists to enjoy.

Some islands are large, like Greenland (the largest island in the world), and others are small, like the Gili Islands. Groups of islands are called an archipelago.

There are many islands that are popular for tourism, such as Bali, many of the islands in the south of Thailand and the Caribbean, amongst many others.

Visiting and staying on an island can often cost the tourist, and the local, more than if they were staying on the mainland. This is because of added transport costs for both people and goods. So, for example, the price of a loaf of bread is increased because the ingredients have to be put on a boat or place in order to reach the island, which costs money.

Forests

A forest is one of the popular types of tourist attractions.

There are forests all over the world, although the flora and fauna differs according to the geographical location, they all share one thing in common- trees!

Many tourists choose to travel to forest areas. Some travellers will visit for a short time and others may stay for days or weeks.

There are many tourist facilities and resorts that have been developed within forests. In the UK the Center Parcs chain is probably the most well-known. These holiday parks feature chalets and villas in a forest area. There are many activities such as rock climbing and mountain biking. There are also many facilities provided such as swimming pools and restaurants.

Example: Monteverde Cloud Forest, Costa Rica

The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve in Costa Rica is one of the world’s best-known cloud forests and a leading example of ecotourism. It is home to more than 400 species of bird, including the resplendent quetzal, and visitor numbers on its trails are limited to protect the habitat.

Purpose built or man-made types of tourist attractions

Many types of tourist attractions are purpose built. This means that the attractions are not natural, and were created by man.

Man-made tourist attractions can be separated into two groups: Attractions that were made for tourism purposes and attractions that were made for other purposes but has since been used for tourism.

Purpose built types of tourist attractions are attractions that have been purposely developed for tourism. This could include a wide range of types of tourist attractions, such as a theme park, a zoo or an art gallery.

Here are some examples of man-made tourist attractions.

Entertainment parks

There are many different types of entertainment parks around the world that are common examples of types of tourist attractions.

Theme parks are very popular built tourist attractions. They are built with the sole purpose of providing entertainment for visitors.

Theme parks are usually quite large. Sometimes you will pay a one-time fee to enter with unlimited access to rides. Other times you may be required to pay for individual rides. Many of the large theme parks are renowned for being busy and having long queues for rides.

Another example of an entertainment park is a waterpark.

Waterparks can be both indoors and outdoors, although outdoor waterparks are usually larger, with more rides and facilities. Holiday parks like Center Parcs offer indoor waterparks as part of their offering to tourists.

In warmer climates, such as in Spain or Florida, there are many outdoor waterparks. Waterparks often feature wave pools, lazy rivers and a variety of slides and playgrounds.

Play parks are areas that have playing equipment for children.

The facilities offered at play parks can vary widely. Some play parks may have water areas, others are completely dry. Play parks may have small rides, such as train rides. They may also have horses or donkeys to ride. There will likely be playgrounds as well as other activities such as archery or canoeing.

Soft play areas are another example of play parks. Soft play areas consist of indoor playgrounds. They usually have ball pits, slides and sometime bouncy castles. Soft play areas are popular with young children. Many countries have impressive soft play attractions such as China and Canada.

Example: Peppa Pig World, UK

Peppa Pig World is a themed area within Paultons Park in the New Forest, Hampshire.

Opened in 2011, it shows how theme parks use popular children’s characters and licensed brands to attract families with young children.

Wildlife attractions

There are many types of tourist attractions that involve the use of wildlife.

Some of these are natural areas, such as grazing lands when you go on a safari. However, most of these are purpose built tourist attractions.

There are many types of wildlife attractions that make use of the concept of animal tourism. Some are better managed than others. When you are visiting an animal-focussed attraction it is important that you do your research and only visit if the animals are well treated and cared for.

Zoos are a popular type of wildlife attractions.

Zoos are areas whereby animals are kept. They usually have a wide range of animals, many of which are exotic, such as lions, elephants and monkeys. Tourists are allowed to enter the venue and look at and/or interact with the animals.

Some zoos have very small enclosures and poor standards of animal welfare. Visitors are increasingly encouraged to choose zoos and aquariums accredited by bodies such as the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) or, in the UK, BIAZA.

Farms are similar to zoos, but they generally have larger enclosures and keep only animals that naturally live in the country. In the UK, farm attractions generally feature animals such as cows, goats, sheep and chickens. Some farms that allow visitors are working farms.

Aquariums are also tourist attractions that enable tourists to see wildlife.

Aquariums feature marine life, such as sharks, sting rays, turtles and a wide range of fish. Some aquariums have large tanks and allow visitors to interact with the marine life by snorkelling or diving. Other aquariums may only have small tanks for their fish, which is unethical.

Lastly, there are a number of attractions around the world that use animals as their focus.

Some destinations will transport animals to the area to encourage tourists to visit. A common example of this is monkeys.

Attractions that offer photo opportunities with tigers or lions have been widely criticised. Thailand’s notorious Tiger Temple in Kanchanaburi was closed by the authorities in 2016 after the remains of 40 tiger cubs were found on the site.

Thailand is also well-known for its elephants. Elephant riding is now widely regarded as cruel, and many tourists choose observation-only sanctuaries instead.

Some destinations, such as Mexico create tourist destinations which enable you to swim with dolphins and other marine life.

If you are considering visiting an attraction like this, do your research first and make sure that the organisation demonstrates ethical practices.

Animal tourism is a controversial issue and is one that is frequently debated. Whilst these attractions can be very profitable and have positive economic outcomes, they can, if not managed sustainably, have negative impacts on the animals.

Example: Ethical elephant sanctuaries, Thailand

Ethical elephant sanctuaries in Thailand, such as those around Krabi and Chiang Mai, rescue elephants that have been mistreated in the logging or tourism trades. Visitor fees help to fund their care.

The best sanctuaries do not allow riding, bathing or performances, and focus on letting visitors observe the elephants behaving naturally.

Museums and art galleries

Museums and art galleries are usually purpose-built for tourism and are also examples of types of tourist attractions.

Museums and art galleries are found all over the world. These fall into different categories of the types of travel and tourism organisations. Some museums and art galleries are publicly funded or subsidised and others are privately owned, and therefore incur a cost to the visitor.

Museums and art galleries vary considerably in size. They can also have different intentions, some are based on history, or science, or culture amongst a wide variety of other subject matter. Some museums cover niche or unusual subjects- Jeju Island in South Korea, for example, is known for its large number of quirky themed museums.

Example: War Remnants Museum, Vietnam

The War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City presents the Vietnam War (known in Vietnam as the American War) largely from a Vietnamese perspective, including exhibits on the effects of Agent Orange. It is one of the most visited museums in Vietnam and a well-known example of dark tourism.

Like many museums that deal with conflict, it presents a particular viewpoint, which makes it a useful case study in how heritage attractions interpret contested history.

Unique built attractions

There are many other purpose built types of tourist attractions around the world that do not neatly fit into any of the above categories.

As tourists, we desire things that are innovative, new and different. This is why many unique tourist attractions have been built around the world.

In Costa Rica they have taken advantage of the natural habitat and built extensive zip line networks through the forests.

In China they have built a large number of glass bridges. This makes for a unique and thrilling experience when visiting many of the beautiful natural areas that the country has to offer.

In Sydney, tourists can climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge with BridgeClimb, which has operated since 1998.

There are also tourist attractions which facilitate a range of adrenaline-rising activities, such as sport car racing, deep sea diving, skydiving or wing walking.

Example: Glass bridges, China

China has built a large number of glass-bottomed bridges and skywalks in scenic areas, including the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge, which opened in 2016. Some, such as the bridge at Yanoda Rainforest near Sanya, use special effects to simulate the glass cracking underfoot.

Their popularity has raised safety concerns, and from 2018 some provinces closed dozens of glass attractions for inspection- a reminder that new attractions need proper regulation and planning.

Historical or heritage attractions

Some man-made types of tourist attractions are not purpose built for tourism. Instead, they have been adapted for the purposes of tourism.

There are a wide range of buildings, areas and places that have historical or culturally significance. These places are often restored or protected and then displayed to tourists.

Historical or heritage-based tourist attractions include castles, famous walls, ruins, towers, monuments, religious buildings, houses and palaces.

These types of tourist attractions are often beneficial because they help to preserve culture and heritage, which is a positive impact of cultural tourism.

Example: Pyramids of Giza, Egypt

The Great Pyramid of Giza, built around 4,500 years ago for the pharaoh Khufu, is the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World still standing. Archaeologists still debate exactly how the Pyramids of Giza were built.

Nearby, the Grand Egyptian Museum officially opened in full in November 2025. It displays the complete Tutankhamun collection together for the first time and has become a major attraction in its own right.

Sport attractions

One of the most popular types of tourist attractions are sport events. Sports attractions make up an important part of the sports tourism industry.

Whilst a sporting attraction may not always comprise a permanent infrastructure, like many of the types of tourist attractions that we have discussed so far, sporting events are most certainly attractions in their own right!

There are three main types of sport-based attractions: spectating, participating and stadium tours.

Spectating sport attractions

Many people choose to visit sport attractions because they wish to spectate at a sporting venue. They may not realise that these are types of tourist attractions, but in actual fact, they are!

There are many different sports around the world that welcome spectators. These range from large, international events (such as the Football World Cup or Wimbledon), to small localised events (think local cricket team or school swimming competition).

Example: The Wimbledon Championships, UK

Wimbledon is the oldest tennis tournament in the world, first held in 1877. In 2026 it set a new attendance record of 550,151 spectators over the fortnight, many of whom queue overnight for tickets.

Its traditions, from strawberries and cream to the all-white dress code, are part of the attraction- showing how a sporting event can also be a cultural experience.

Participating sport attractions

Other people visit sports attractions in order to participate in sport.

People may choose to participate in sport by doing a sports camp, which is particular popular with children and young people in the USA.

Other people may opt to go on a yoga holiday or a golfing trip, for example.

Other people may travel to a destination for a specific sporting event that they hope to take part in, such as a swimming competition or a running race.

There are many different sports attractions that invite tourists from around the world to participate in sport.

Example: Tough Mudder

Tough Mudder is an obstacle course event that began in the USA in 2010 and is now held in several countries. Participants tackle muddy courses of varying lengths with obstacles such as ice baths, walls and crawling tunnels.

Events like this attract participants (and their supporters) from outside the local area, bringing visitor spending to the host destination- a good example of participatory sports tourism.

Stadium tours

The last example of sports attractions is stadium tours.

Stadium tours are popular around the world, particularly with people who are fans of teams who were/are based at these locations.

Stadium tours are also popular if there was a particularly famous event that occurred there.

Stadium tours occur in both active and pre-used stadiums. Tours in disused stadiums tend to run more frequently and these stadiums are often transformed into museums, which exhibitions and information displays.

Example: Spotify Camp Nou, Barcelona

FC Barcelona’s stadium has been undergoing a major redevelopment since 2023. The club returned to a partly finished stadium in November 2025, and once complete its capacity will be around 105,000, making it the largest football stadium in Europe. The Barça Immersive Tour and museum is one of the most visited attractions in Barcelona.

Special events

There are many special events that take place around the world that can be classed as types of tourist attractions.

Special events come in all shapes and sizes and there is no end to the different types of special events that can be organised. However, the most common types of special events are either markets, festivals and parades, exhibitions or entertainment venues.

Markets

There are different types of markets, which are popular types of tourist attractions. Some markets are intended for local use (i.e. fruit and vegetable markets or fish markets) and others are intended for tourists (i.e. souvenir markets).

There are many places throughout the world that are famous for their markets. Some tourists may visit especially because they wish to visit the market. And for others, visiting a market may be a byproduct of their trip.

Markets come in different sizes. Some are large and others are small. Some markets operate everyday and others are only operational on particular days of the week or month.

Markets also look different in different places. In some areas there are indoor markets and in some places they are outdoors. Some take place in the street, others in an organised venue. Some take place in more unusual locations, such as on a river!

Markets are commonly associated with the concept of bargaining or haggling. They usually specialise in produce that is grown/made locally, i.e. leather in Morocco. Some are regulated more than others and you may find counterfeit or copied products here.

Example: Markets and counterfeit goods

Some markets, particularly in parts of Asia, are known for selling counterfeit or copied designer goods. Although these can be popular with tourists, buying fakes supports illegal trade and can have consequences for the buyer.

In some countries, such as France and Italy, tourists caught buying counterfeit goods can themselves be fined, and fake items can be seized by customs on the way home.

Festivals and parades

Festivals and parades are important components of tourism.

There are many different festivals and parades that take places at different times of the year in different countries.

Many people will travel from around the world to either spectate or take part in such events.

Example: San Fermín, Spain

San Fermín, held in Pamplona from 6 to 14 July each year, is famous for its running of the bulls. Alongside the bull runs, the festival includes music, parades, fireworks and street parties.

It is an important cultural tourism event for Spain, but it is also controversial because of animal welfare concerns- a good example of the debates that surround some traditional festivals.

Exhibitions

Another one of the major types of tourist attractions is an exhibition. An exhibition is a display of art or interesting artefacts. Exhibitions usually take place in museums or large buildings. Most commonly, exhibitions consist predominantly of artwork.

Exhibitions can be permanent, they can travel from place to place or they can be temporary.

Example: China National Silk Museum, Hangzhou

The China National Silk Museum in Hangzhou is the largest silk museum in the world. Its permanent and temporary exhibitions cover thousands of years of silk production and the history of the Silk Road.

Entertainment venues

The final type of tourist attraction covered here is entertainment venues.

Entertainment venues are popular tourist attractions. There are different types of entertainment venues. Venues can be large or small. They can be permanent or temporary. They can be purpose built or otherwise.

Some entertainment venues have a dual purpose. Or they may have been built for a different purpose than what they are used for now.

For example, The O2 in London, which now hosts concerts and other entertainment events, was originally built as the Millennium Dome. The Millennium Dome housed an exhibition to celebrate the turn of the new millennium in 2000. The exhibition was not a commercial success, and the building was redeveloped and reopened as The O2 arena in 2007.

Likewise, following the London 2012 Olympics, the Olympic Stadium was converted into the London Stadium, where West Ham United have played since 2016 as anchor tenants on a 99-year lease. Legacy planning of this kind was a central part of London’s Olympic bid.

Example: Cirque du Soleil resident shows

Cirque du Soleil is a Canadian acrobatics company best known for touring shows in temporary big-top venues. It also runs resident shows in purpose-built permanent theatres, such as “O” at the Bellagio in Las Vegas, which has run since 1998, and JOYA in Mexico’s Riviera Maya.

These permanent venues are designed around the show itself, with moving stages, water features and built-in acrobatic rigging- an example of how entertainment venues can become destinations in their own right.

Video: The 4 major types of tourist attractions

To conclude: Types of tourist attractions

As you can see, there are many different types of tourist attractions throughout the world. Whether they are natural or man-made, large or small, all types of tourist attractions make a valuable contribution to the tourism industry. Managing them sustainably is essential if they are to be enjoyed by future generations.

Types of tourist attractions: FAQs

Below are answers to some of the most common questions about the different types of tourist attractions.

Further reading

If you found this article on the different types of tourist attractions useful, you may also find these helpful-

• 21 Types of Tourists Around The World
• The 3 Major Types Of Airlines + How They Work
• 50 types of transport from around the world
• Cultural tourism explained
• Wildlife tourism explained
• What is dark tourism?
• The components of tourism
• 150 types of tourism! The ultimate tourism glossary

About the author

Dr Hayley Stainton is a tourism academic, examiner and the founder of Tourism Teacher. She has a PhD in tourism and more than 20 years’ experience teaching travel and tourism at school and university level. Read more about Hayley