LONDON has been rated third in the world in TripAdvisor 2014 Travellers’ Choice awards for Destinations.

Gordon Innes, chief executive of London & Partners, said: “London has had a blockbuster year, experiencing a surge in tourists not seen before by any other post-Olympic host city in the world.

"We’re delighted that London has again been recognised by millions as one of the best places on earth to come and visit. During the last year we’ve seen record numbers of visitors to the capital, who have enjoyed everything our great city has to offer.

“Whether it’s to explore the newly-opened Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park or to enjoy some of the top attractions, including the second most popular cultural institution in the world, the British Museum, London is fast becoming known as the greatest place in the world to visit.”

James Kay, TripAdvisor spokesman, said: “These awards are based on millions of reviews and ratings by those that really matter - travellers themselves. There is no doubt the birth of the royal baby helped keep the eyes of the world on London in 2013 but the capital’s continued appeal among travellers around the world surpasses any one event.”

The 2014 TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Destinations winners:

World’s top 10:

  1. Istanbul
  2. Rome
  3. London
  4. Beijing
  5. Prague
  6. Marrakech
  7. Paris
  8. Hanoi
  9. Siem Reap
  10. Shanghai

Europe’s top 10:

  1. Istanbul
  2. Rome
  3. London
  4. Prague
  5. Paris
  6. Berlin
  7. Florence
  8. Barcelona
  9. St Petersburg
  10. Budapest

UK’s top 10:

  1. London
  2. Edinburgh
  3. Torquay
  4. Liverpool
  5. Belfast
  6. York
  7. Bristol
  8. Llandudno
  9. Leeds
  10. Birmingham

Travellers’ Choice Destinations honour top travel spots worldwide based on the millions of reviews and opinions from TripAdvisor travellers. Award winners were determined using an algorithm that took into account the quantity and quality of reviews and ratings for hotels, attractions and restaurants in destinations worldwide, gathered over a 12-month period.

The awards honour nearly 500 destination,s including the winners for the top spots in the world, and individual lists for Africa, Asia, Australia, Canada, the Caribbean, Central America, Europe, China, Middle East, Russia, South America, the South Pacific, the UK and the US.