It’s that time of year when travel editors are filling pages with their where-to-travel-next-year lists. While these lists are not completely arbitrary, they mostly are, but that doesn’t stop editors from publishing them and us from reading them.
I like to study the lists to look for trends and identify places that several people are recommending. Often it’s because that place is hosting some major event or celebrating a special anniversary, sometimes it’s a coincidence since there are only so many countries to recommend, while other times it is just a place that is floating around in the zeitgeist.
This year, I looked at the lists from Lonely Planet, National Geographic, Travel + Leisure and a host of other famous and not-so-famous publications to see which 10 destinations are topping the charts for 2025. Here is the top 10.
Table of Contents
1. Thailand
Recommended by: Expedia, Travel + Leisure, Forbes Travel Guide, G Adventures, HuffPost, Airbnb, Chase Travel
Why 2025 is the year to go: Chiang Mai is one of the filming locations for “The White Lotus” and is already seeing increased interest from families and groups. In Chiang Mai, you can visit ancient temples like Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, explore the bustling night markets, or take a cooking class to learn how to make traditional Thai dishes. Bangkok is also attracting attention for its new luxury hotels, including the 36-storey Aman Nai Lert Bangkok, The Ritz-Carlton, Six Senses The Forestias, and the 244-room Andaz. In Bangkok, you can visit the Grand Palace, a complex of glittering temples and royal buildings, take a boat trip along the Chao Phraya River, or sample the city’s famous street food. You could also island hop on the east coast of Thailand and visit Koh Samet, Koh Chang and Koh Kood.
2. Japan
Recommended by: Airbnb, Travel + Leisure, Expedia, HuffPost, G Adventures
Why 2025 is the year to go: Travellers are interested in both the well-known destinations of Tokyo and Kyoto, especially during the spring when the cherry blossoms are in bloom. In Tokyo, you can visit the iconic Shibuya Crossing, explore the trendy Harajuku district or take a day trip to Mount Fuji. In Kyoto, you can visit the Fushimi Inari Shrine, with its thousands of red torii gates, wander through the Arashiyama bamboo forest, or take part in a traditional tea ceremony. Travellers may also be interested in visiting Fukuoka, another one of Japan’s exciting cities. Fukuoka is famous for its food scene and offers a variety of activities, like visiting ancient Shinto shrines, relaxing on beautiful beaches and attending spring cherry blossom festivals.
3. Iceland
Recommended by: Travel + Leisure, Forbes Travel Guide
Why 2025 is the year to go: In 2025, travelkers will be cruising around the country, going beyond the typical tourist circuit of Reykjavík and the Southern Region. Cruise ships will stop at towns such as Akureyri and Ísafjörður in the northern reaches of Iceland, cruising through waterways and past breathtaking scenery that most land-based visitors miss. Viking will offer several weeklong trips around the island in 2025 aboard the Viking Mars.
4. Italy
Recommended by: Forbes Travel Guide, Travel + Leisure, HuffPost, Expedia, Chase Travel
Why 2025 is the year to go: Travellers may want to explore the less-crowded destination of Brescia, which is only 40 minutes from Milan by train. Brescia offers a variety of activities, including visiting the castle, cathedrals, archaeological park, and Pinacoteca Tosio Martinengo. Visitors can also enjoy active pursuits like skiing, sailing, e-biking through vineyards and hiking in the Alpine foothills. 2025 also marks the Jubilee celebration in Rome, which is expected to attract millions and offers a unique opportunity to experience this historic event. Travellers visiting Rome can stay at a variety of new hotels, such as the extravagant Palazzo Talìa, the Romeo Roma and the Casa Monti.
5. France
Recommended by: Forbes Travel Guide, Travel + Leisure, Expedia, Best Places To Travel To In 2025: Top Picks For The World Wanderers
Why 2025 is the year to go: Reims, which sits proudly on the international foodie circuit, will host Les Relais du Goût, a cutting-edge food festival, in September of 2025. In Reims, you can visit the Notre-Dame de Reims cathedral, where French kings were once crowned, tour the many Champagne houses, such as Taittinger and Veuve Clicquot and sample the local cuisine. Travellers may also want to visit Toulouse to experience the slower pace of life. In Toulouse, you can visit the Capitole, a grand 18th-century building that houses the city hall and the opera house, explore the many gardens, including the Jardin des Plantes and the Jardin Japonais and sample the local cuisine, including the cassoulet, a hearty stew made with beans, sausage, and duck.
6. Australia
Recommended by: Expedia, Travel + Leisure, Forbes Travel Guide, Chase Travel
Why 2025 is the year to go: Travellers can explore the islands surrounding Tasmania on a 78-foot catamaran with On Board Tasmanian Expedition Cruises. Brisbane, Australia’s third-largest city, will host the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games so visit it now before it gets famous. The city also offers a variety of outdoor adventures, like kayaking down the Brisbane River, hiking through D’Aguilar National Park and rappelling down cliffs in Kangaroo Point.
7. The Philippines
Recommended by: Travel + Leisure, G Adventures
Why 2025 is the year to go: The Philippines, an archipelago of over 7,000 islands, is a haven for beachgoers, divers and adventurers. Visitors can explore pristine beaches, swim with whale sharks and trek through lush rainforests, in addition to experiencing the rich culture and welcoming people. Travellers usually start their visit in Manila, the capital of the Philippines where next year they can stay in one of the many new luxury hotels, such as the bayfront Admiral Hotel, a new property from the Japanese group Okura Hotels & Resorts or a new property from Marriott’s Westin brand.
8. South Africa
Recommended by: Forbes Travel Guide, G Adventures
Why 2025 is the year to go: South Africa is a destination that effortlessly blends adventure and luxury. Travellers can explore the exciting city of Cape Town, go on safari in Kruger National Park to see the “Big Five, and indulge in world-class wineries and gourmet restaurants. They can also visit Robben Island to learn about Nelson Mandela’s imprisonment and South Africa’s struggle for freedom and democracy then stop by Bokaap to see the colourful houses and sample delicious Cape Malaysian cuisine.
9. United States
Recommended by: Travel + Leisure, Forbes Travel Guide, Expedia, HuffPost, Airbnb, Chase Travel
Why 2025 is the year to go: From bustling cities and national parks to charming small towns and idyllic beaches, the United States, when it comes to travel experiences, it is about as diverse as it gets. Universal Orlando Resort will open a brand-new, state-of-the-art theme park called Universal Epic Universe in May 2025. There will be five new lands featuring classic monsters, Nintendo franchises, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and more. Travellers may also be interested in visiting Indio, California, to experience the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and the Stagecoach Country Music Festival.
10. Mexico
Recommended by: Airbnb, Expedia, Forbes Travel Guide, Chase Travel
Why 2025 is the year to go: The Mexican destination of Cozumel will be more accessible next year thanks to a new Cancun–Cozumel direct flight and a fast ferry option from Playa del Carmen. Once there, visitors can enjoy some of the best scuba diving and snorkelling on the planet or take a day trip to the Mayan site of Tulum. For a beach experience that is even more laid-back, travellers can head to the Pacific coast to Puerto Escondido. It’s a popular spot for group travel and offers a range of activities, including snorkelling and indulging in local Mezcal and Oaxacan cuisine.
