It’s not an easy task to compile a list of the best places to visit in 2025. Our planet offers an endless bucket list of inspiring destinations worthy of our attention. With this guide we’ve narrowed down the list to just 20 spots, from cool vacation ideas to the most beautiful places in the world.
From the rugged allure of Alaska to sun-kissed beaches in Albania, our guide to where to go in 2025 rounds up 20 top destinations with special events, unmissable sights, or hidden gems. Dive in to discover the world’s top treasures and start planning your travels for 2025.
Isle of Skye, Scotland
Scotland’s Isle of Skye is an enduring destination thanks to its natural beauty and mystical appeal. This rugged and enchanting island off Scotland’s west coast attracts adventurous nature lovers and those looking for remote adventure. Switch off in 2025 when you cross to the island for ancient castles and charming villages, cascading waterfalls and pristine lochs.
READ NEXT: 15 best places to visit in the UK – a first-timer’s guide
Northern Spain
Travel across Spain and you’ll discover a country that surprises with rich cultures, varied landscapes, and quiet corners. One of the less-traveled roads carves up Northern Spain, where you can experience the delicious flavors of Basque Country, see the incredible Picos de Europa mountains, drink cider in Asturias, and make a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela.
“The pinxtos! The vino! And in particular, for places like Bilboa and Malaga, the architecture and the museums,” says Kate R, Senior Creative Lead.
United States (of Football)
The United States will be one of the best places to visit for football lovers in 2025. The FIFA World Cup will bring 32 of the world’s top football or soccer clubs to states for this global tournament. While exact stadiums and venues are still to be concerned, anyone mad for the sport will be watching closely to grab tickets to a match.
Croatia’s Islands
While people flock to Greece to hop between islands and live out their Mamma Mia dreams, fewer find themselves in Croatia. The Adriatic Sea and the Dalmatian islands between Split and Dubrovnik offer beautiful seafood, fun in the sun, and warm ocean swims. Explore history on Korcula, dress up on Hvar, and seek Mamma Mia filming locations on Vis.
Kerala, India
If you’re wondering where to go in 2025, consider the quieter side of India. While the country’s cities bring up images of beeping tuktuks and a riot of colors, you can escape the world as you know it in Kerala. This is one of the best places to visit in India where you’ll connect with nature, savor the lingering aroma of spices, and find peace by the calm backwaters as you explore this gentle region. Trafalgar’s Captivating Kerala goes deeper, connecting your family with the special and natural region over six amazing days.
Rome, Italy
Across all of 2025 the Jubilee – an event called by the Pope – will draw millions of pilgrims to Rome. The Jubilee is an important time for Catholics to seek forgiveness, deepen their faith, and reconnect with the Church and its history. It’s expected an extra 20 million people will pour into Rome across the year, so planning ahead is key. If you’re considering visiting Italy in 2025, then of course you want to see Rome’s Coliseum, Pantheon, Roman Forum and Trevi Fountain. You can feel confident knowing Trafalgar has rooms secured for all our scheduled 2025 trips, all you need to do is choose your dates and tour.
Hanoi, Vietnam
Vietnam’s capital city is often overlooked for the remote beauty of the Sapa rice paddies or the calm waters of Ha Long Bay. But in 2025 we feel it’s time for Hanoi to have its time in the sun. If like travel photography or enjoy being a fly on the wall, there’s no better place to people-watch (ideally with an iced Vietnamese coffee in hand!). Hanoi also has one of the best street food scenes, and is filled with hidden gems and cool coffee shops.
“Vietnam, purely for the food — those spring rolls, OMG! To me, Vietnamese food feels fresher, and there’s more variety. There are also some STUNNING beaches that are way less busy than those in Thailand,” says Ginny Smith, Trafalgar’s Head of Digital Engagement.
Portugal
Portugal has become one of Europe’s hottest countries to visit in recent years. The Iberian nation is blessed with good weather year-round, making it one of the best places to visit in 2025. Take your pick from the colorful capital of Lisbon, through to lesser-known gems like the Alentejo region, where we’ll take you for an exclusive lunch at a stud farm.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is famous for its lush rainforests, cascading waterfalls, volcanic landscapes, and famous wildlife, from howler monkeys to chattering toucans. This year we took our group of Trafalgar Unlocked Awards winners on a trip to discover one of the happiest countries in the world, and safe to say we all had a blast! Now it’s your turn in 2025?
Japan
Japan is famous for its beautiful cherry blossom season, which the locals celebrate with picnics and festivities. But did you know there’s a wisteria festival at the same time? Have your own Bridgerton moment wandering beneath more than 350 flowering wisteria trees during the Ashikaga Great Wisteria Festival, usually held in April in Tochigi, north of Tokyo.
Albania
For those in the know, the once-communist country of Albania is one of the hottest and best places to visit in 2025. The country boasts 450km of coastline along the Adriatic and Ionian Sea. That means it offers some of the same sunshine, sea, and good times as Greece and Croatia but for a fraction of the cost. There’s plenty of sunshine and good times to be had by the water and in the capital Tirana. Visit now – Albania won’t be a secret for much longer.
Egypt
Egypt is an enduring location that has captured our imagination for thousands of years. Here you can travel through temples and tombs, and cruise the mighty river Nile from Luxor to Aswan. Follow in the footsteps of the legendary Cleopatra and Alexander the Great. Egypt is one of the best places to explore in 2025, from the wonders of the ancient world to the frenetic pace of Cairo.
Montenegro
While Dubrovnik is somewhat overrun with tourism, few head just a little further south to Montenegro. Here you’ll experience charming medieval towns and the same pale blue water as in Croatia! While you can visit the stunning Bay of Kotor on a day trip, it’s worth staying overnight to explore the UNESCO-listed old town of Kotor, take a scenic drive along the coastline, and relax on the beaches of Budva.
TAKE A TRIP: BALKAN DELIGHT
READ NEXT: 12 Montenegro language ‘essentials’ and top phrases to learn
Alaska, United States
A new year calls for bucket list destinations, and an adventure to Alaska is on that bingo card. Discover one of the most beautiful places in the world as you traverse fjords, explore Denali National Park, and meet local wildlife on the trip of a lifetime. One of yoru highlights will be riding a Dome Railcar on the Alaska Railroad to the Golden Heart City of Fairbanks.
Sahara Desert, Morocco
If the icy cold tundras of Alaska are not your vibe, how about the Sahara Desert? Morocco is one of the best places to travel in 2025 and on the Best of Morocco you can carve a lap from the seaside at Essaouira to the dunes of the desert at Erfoud. Witness a spectacular sunset while surrounded by a sea of sand and save it to your bank of special memories.
Istanbul, Türkiye
Step into the city where East and West meet when you visit Istanbul. Somehow this destination spills across the borders of Asia and Europe, blending cultures and influences from a time when these streets were part of age-old trading routes. While here you can feast like kings on the city’s top food scene and haggle in the Grand Bazaar of Istanbul. Then journey out to fairytale-like Cappadocia and walk in the footsteps of the ancient Greeks in Ephesus.
TAKE A TRIP: Highlights of Turkey
READ NEXT: 22 European summer bucket list activities you can do this year
Machu Picchu, Peru
Explore the mysterious Inca empire, discover ancient legends, and see Peru’s wild landscapes in 2025. Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, is among the best bucket list destinations, but going requires prior planning. You have all of 2025 ahead of you, so why not pencil in a trip to Peru? While here don’t skip the capital Lima, which is growing in reputation for its world-class food scene. Still need convincing? Open Google flights and order a pisco sour.
Kangaroo Island, Australia
You need to visit Sydney and see the iconic Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge – but the real reason to visit Australia is nature. This huge island continent has a wide breadth of landscapes from coastal scenes to the red Outback. Discover the wild side of Australia, like the locals do, on the seven-day Great Ocean Road & Kangaroo Island Escape. This trip journeys from Melbourne to Adelaide following one of the world’s most scenic drives. Near Adelaide you’ll hop over to the wild and wonderful Kangaroo Island for two nights.
Paris, France
After the success of the Olympics, Paris is feeling fresh in our minds. The City of Light is an eternal favorite with so many sights to explore, from visiting the Louvre to cruising on the Seine. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo said she plans to keep the Olympic rings on the Eiffel Tower permanently, but local Parisians and descendants of Gustave Eiffel have condemned the move. If you’re an Olympic fan, rush to Paris in 2025 and you might see the rings – or some drama!
Namibia
Forget South Africa and Kenya, and consider Namibia for your next trip to Africa in 2025. Here you’ll still go on safari, exploring one of the world’s greatest wildlife sanctuaries: Etosha National Park. You might track herds of elephants to nearby waterhole, or see wild cats lurking in the shade. Spy giraffes popping up above the canopy, or even the endangered black rhino.
JOIN A TOUR: Namibia Adventure
That’s our list of the best places to visit in 2025. Where will you go? Leave us a comment….