With Christmas on the horizon, many people will be getting ready to pop the big question. In fact, data from Google Trends shows that searches for “engagement rings” increase by around 110% each December.
Getting engaged is one of the most memorable experiences in someone’s life, and a milestone moment often calls for an unforgettable location.
From The Eiffel Tower to the Taj Mahal, there are plenty of tourist attractions that see thousands of engagements every year.
Independent travel agency Iglu Cruise has revealed the most popular tourist attractions to get engaged in.
The team researched 40 of the most popular tourist attractions in the world, and used data from TripAdvisor to reveal which attraction reviews mentioned the words “engaged”, “engagements” or “proposed”. Google Trends was also used to see which tourist attractions had the highest number of searches for engagement-related searches. These two scores were combined to give a final result.
The tourist attractions were then ranked, with the following 15 scoring the highest as the most popular to get engaged in
Data by Iglu Cruise
| Ranking | Tourist Attraction | Location |
| 1 | Empire State Building | New York City, USA |
| 2 | Eiffel Tower | Paris, France |
| 3 | Central Park | New York City, USA |
| 4 | Colosseum | Rome, Italy |
| 5 | Fontana di Trevi | Rome, Italy |
| 6 | Louvre Museum | Paris, France |
| 7 | London Eye | London, UK |
| 8 | Edinburgh Castle | Edinburgh, UK |
| 9 | Fenway Park | Boston, USA |
| 10 | Disneyland Paris | Paris, France |
| 11 | La Sagrada Familia | Barcelona, Spain |
| 12 | Taj Mahal | Agra, India |
| 13 | Statue of Liberty | New York City, USA |
| 14 | Cayman Crystal Caves | Cayman Islands |
| 15 | Universal Studios | Orlando, USA |
The Empire State Building in New York City, USA, tops the list as the number one engagement tourist attraction. As one of the most famous buildings in the world and an iconic landmark to the New York skyline, the attraction receives around four million visitors annually. The Empire State Building also offers a special proposal package for those looking to pop the question, complete with a bottle of champagne and a private guided tour! Couples will also have access to the world-famous 86th and 102nd Floor Observatory, with floor-to-ceiling windows for breathtaking photos with stunning 360-degree views.
Located in the ‘City of Love’, the Eiffel Tower is the next tourist attraction that has the most proposals. As one of the most recognised landmarks in the world and a symbol of France, it is thought that the structure sees thousands of proposals every year. Avril Lavigne and Tom Cruise are some of the celebrities who got engaged at the Eiffel Tower in the past.
Central Park, another New York City landmark, is third on the list. Central Park can be found in the heart of the city, spanning over two miles across Manhattan. Some of the park’s key features include the Central Park Zoo, Bethesda Terrace and Fountain and The Great Lawn.
In fourth place is the Colosseum in Rome, Italy. Arguably one of Italy’s most famous attractions, the Colosseum is almost two thousand years old and was primarily used for gladiator contests, animal hunts and other forms of entertainment in Ancient Rome. Over seven million visitors visit the attraction every year, according to the official website.
Next is another tourist attraction located in Rome, the Fontana di Trevi (or the Trevi Fountain in English). The Trevi Fountain is famous for its history, and coin-throwing tradition. It is said that throwing one coin over your left shoulder ensures a safe return to Rome, throwing two coins is said to bring a new romance, and three coins lead to marriage. It is estimated that around €1.5 million worth of coins are thrown into the fountain annually, with the money being collected for charity.
Other popular tourist attractions that see the most proposals include the Louvre Museum, The London Eye, Edinburgh Castle, Disneyland Paris, La Sagrada Familia, the Taj Mahal and the Statue of Liberty.
Dave Mills, Chief Commercial Officer at Iglu Cruise said:
“Tourist attractions can be found all over the world. From iconic buildings to famous landmarks and historical structures, major destinations in every continent have an abundance of attractions to see. Getting engaged at attractions such as The Empire State Building or The Eiffel Tower remains a popular choice, signifying the importance of the occasion and making it a memorable experience.
“If you’re looking to really elevate your engagement, why not consider an engagement cruise? This way, you can celebrate your incredible milestone by visiting beautiful destinations all over the world, all while enjoying world-class dining, delicious drinks and fantastic entertainment.”