Basilica is only landmark in Italy in travel guide's top ten St Peter’s Basilica in Rome has made the world's top ten list of landmarks in Tripadvisor’s second Travelers' Choice Attractions Awards, based on the "millions of valuable reviews and opinions" on the popular travel site over 12 months.

The Vatican basilica was rated in fifth place on the list which ranked Peru's 15th-century Inca citadel Machu Picchu as "world's top landmark".

There are two other Italian sites on the list of 25 landmarks from around the world: Siena Cathedral in 18th place and the Duomo in Milan at number 19.

The news comes after tourist numbers to Rome and the Vatican jumped by five per cent in 2013, helped largely by the "Pope Francis effect". Getting into the basilica, particularly during the summer, can take up to two hours however during lunch time there is usually a much decreased queue. 

Tripadvisor said it defined landmark as a “historically, architecturally or culturally significant attraction" typically owned or managed by a governmental or non-profit organisation but also including national historic landmarks and UNESCO sites.