Social media and travel are trapped in a cycle — each informing and shaping the other. It may seem like Instagram serves Big Wanderlust by giving it a platform to shine, but studies have shown the popularity of destinations is influenced in turn by FOMO inducing ‘gramming. Truth be told: There are a lot of people hitting the trail just for the likes, so it’s no surprise that there are destinations that trend hard on Instagram.
This year, the social media juggernaut once again has released data about the people, places, and trends that have dominated the site. Using info gathered between the first of the year and November 17, Instagram determined things like the “most-followed celebs” and the “top hashtags.” They also dedicated a lot of research to travel trends, identifying the most snapped locales.
The top ten most Instagrammed tourist attractions round the world aren’t terribly shocking; They are all popular tourist destinations for a reason. And, their popularity has to do both with how fun they are and how great they look in photographs. Disney, for example, is in effect in a big way. But, this isn’t the sort of list that requires being taken aback by the locations. It’s all about being impressed by the photos. So, scroll through a few of our favorites and enjoy.
10. Las Vegas Strip, Las Vegas, USA
Despite a policy of keeping what happens in Vegas in Vegas, people seem hyped to document their experiences, according to the data coming from Instagram. To be fair, the City of Sin does have a lot of visual appeal.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BcEcxUGhddL/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BcEY7uhgF2l/
9. Disney California Adventure Park, Anaheim, USA
https://www.instagram.com/p/BaHCTHHDFl0/?taken-at=134206360465205
The first of multiple properties on this list, California Adventure worked hard to get where it is. Upon opening, the park was not hitting attendance projections. These days, it looks like people are clamoring to get in, and take plenty of photos once they do.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bb0xBN9lytI/?taken-at=134206360465205
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bb7pqYPlDev/?taken-at=134206360465205
8. Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn, USA
https://www.instagram.com/p/BcFrsU8hPIJ/?taken-at=49695104
Connecting Manhattan and Brooklyn, this bridge offers 1,595.5 feet of hot photographic action, and residents and tourists alike love posing on the hybrid cable-stayed/suspension bridge.
7. Musée du Louvre, Paris, France
As the world’s largest art museum and a central historic monument, the Louvre is an obvious choice from ‘gramming. It doesn’t hurt that I.M. Pei’s glass pyramid is beautiful in images.
6. Disney’s Magic Kingdom, Orlando, USA
This is interesting because it isn’t the entirety of Disneyworld. Nope. People are down with the Magic Kingdom specifically.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BcFL1kGD-sG/?taken-at=212923412
5. Tokyo Disney Resort, Tokyo, Japan
More Disney! Though the Tokyo location is behind the Magic Kingdom in Florida when it comes to attendance, it’s the more beloved for garnering likes.
4. Eiffel Tower, Paris, France
https://www.instagram.com/p/BcFrwhSgLxT/?taken-at=2593354
The Eiffel Tower is the most popular tourist spot for ‘gramming this year, thanks to millions of shots with forced perspective that allows people to look like they are touching the top.
3. Central Park, New York City, USA
Occupying 843 acres of Manhattan, NYC’s Central Park provides plenty of places to take “like”-worthy pics.
2. Times Square, New York City, USA
Time Square proves to be the most popular location in New York for posting Instagram photos, which is a bit of a surprise because the scale of the square and the number of people make taking a clear, well-composed shot difficult.
1. Disneyland, Anaheim, USA
https://www.instagram.com/p/BcD9ZL0gDl1/?taken-at=212893092
Every day, Disneyland welcomes 44,000 guests desperate for photo opps. It’s no surprise photos of the Happiest Place on Earth dominates Instagram.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BcFikQVhJB7/?taken-at=212893092
https://www.instagram.com/p/BcFehVXBINJ/?taken-at=212893092
