30 travel destinations Lonely Planet recommends for 2025

Lonely Planet is one of the world’s top travel guides, offering insight and insider tips on destinations across this beautiful globe. Its well-traveled team has just selected the 30 best places to visit in the year to come, sorted into cities, countries, and regions.

Starting with regions, Lonely Planet recommends this area of the United States for its sultry vibes, miles of beaches, and charming cities like Charleston and Savannah. It’s also ideal for foodies and those interested in exploring the country’s complex history.

Located on the western edge of Panama, this province is a paradise for nature lovers and hikers. From its astounding biodiversity to a botanical garden with over 2,000 types of orchids, and thrilling rafting opportunities, this pristine spot offers amazing rewards for the adventurous.

These Nepalese lowlands may not be as famous as the Himalayas or Kathmandu, but they offer incredible experiences like spotting one-horned rhinos and visiting the Maya Devi Temple in Lumbini, where the Buddha is said to have been born around 563 BCE. Oh, and don’t miss the stunning tea gardens.

On Australia’s island state of Tasmania, you’ll find this charming, off-the-beaten-path region. If you’re into platypuses, wallabies, or stunning vineyards, you’ll definitely want to explore this hidden gem.

This mountainous area is home to some of the world’s most famous peaks, including Verbier, Zermatt, and the Matterhorn. This year, it will host the World Mountain Bike Championships, but it’s also perfect for hiking or, if you’re more inclined to relax, riding cable cars to a viewpoint where you can see 14 glaciers and more than 30 peaks above 4,000m (13,123ft).

This relatively new 676 km (420-mile) trail is the perfect way to discover Jordan’s natural beauty, warm hospitality, and iconic sites like Petra. Be sure to enjoy mint tea and falafel at the legendary restaurant Hashem in the capital city of Amman.

This under-the-radar region of Turkiye, located on the Black Sea, offers breathtaking coastal and mountainous landscapes ideal for hikes. It’s also the perfect spot to enjoy tea, savor local cuisine, and set sail. Don’t miss the turquoise waters of Mavi Göl (Blue Lake) nestled in the lush countryside.

Photo: Serkan Bayraktar /Pexels

Located just 40 minutes from Portland, Oregon, this area captures the best of the Pacific Northwest. It’s an ideal spot for hiking, windsurfing, hugging ancient trees, and discovering local winemaking traditions.

Photo: Roberto Nickson / Pexels

Bavaria stands out as distinct from the rest of Germany thanks to its Catholic heritage and, of course, Oktoberfest in Munich. But beyond that, Lonely Planet specifically highlights Garmisch-Partenkirchen, a top Alpine resort, the popular Neuschwanstein Castle, and starting your day with sausages, pretzels, and sweet mustard.

Comprising Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex, and Cambridgeshire, this picturesque region gives travelers a taste of traditional England without the crowds. The towns here are lively, artistic, quirky, and surrounded by beautiful countryside.

Now to the best cities of 2025. Genoa is an often-overlooked treasure trove of history with its medieval alleys, stunning Palazzi dei Rolli, and a revitalized harbor. Savor fresh seafood and authentic pesto in this often-overlooked Italian gem. Perfect for history buffs and food lovers alike.

Known as “Paris in miniature,” Toulouse enchants with its pink terracotta buildings, jazz, charming riverfront, and maze-like streets. Wander through the historic streets, explore the Basilica of Saint-Sernin, and savor hearty cassoulet in local bistros. In 2025, you can also visit for the reopening of the spectacular Musée des Augustins.

Pondicherry’s French colonial charm meets South Indian soul, with pastel-hued villas, serene beaches, and a vibrant café culture. Stroll the French Quarter, visit the peaceful Sri Aurobindo Ashram, and enjoy fusion cuisine. And now, with the restoration of its coastline, it is also calling out beach lovers.

Bansko, nestled in the Pirin Mountains, is Bulgaria’s premier ski resort in winter and a hiker’s paradise in summer. The charming old town offers traditional mehanas (taverns) and lively folk music. Perfect for adventurers and those seeking an authentic Balkan experience.

Photo: Andrius /Pexels

Chiang Mai, surrounded by lush mountains, is the cultural heart of northern Thailand with over 300 Buddhist temples. Shop at vibrant night markets, explore ancient temples, and take a cooking class. It’s the ideal mix of tradition, adventure, and relaxation.

Photo: Thanet Phanalikool /Pexels

Pittsburgh blends industrial heritage with a modern cultural scene, boasting world-class museums, vibrant neighborhoods, and over 440 bridges. Explore Bustler St for eclectic markets and eateries or ride the century-old wooden rollercoasters… if you dare.

Photo: Nicolas DeSarno / Pexels

Osaka dazzles with neon-lit streets, mouth-watering street food, friendly locals and the iconic Osaka Castle. Dive into the bustling Dotonbori district for takoyaki and nightlife. And 2025 is the perfect time to visit, as the city hosts Expo, the world’s largest show of innovative design and scientific invention.

Curitiba is Brazil’s greenest city, famed for its innovative urban planning and lush parks. Visit the stunning botanical garden, the Oscar Niemeyer Museum, Barigui Park and explore its vibrant cultural scene. A sustainable city that’s a haven for nature lovers.

Palma combines sun-soaked beaches, a stunning Gothic cathedral, and a charming old town filled with tapas bars. Explore chic marinas, hidden courtyards, and the nearby Tramuntana mountains. In 2025, it also debuts a long-awaited waterfront promenade.

Edmonton is a festive city with sprawling river valley parks and North America’s largest mall. Enjoy the vibrant arts scene, especially during the renowned Fringe Festival. Ideal for nature enthusiasts and urban explorers alike. But if you don’t like the cold, avoid this city in the winter, when temperatures can plummet to -40C (-40F).

Now, in the country section we have Cameroon, which is sometimes described as Africa in miniature, offering everything from lush rainforests and volcanic mountains to vibrant cities and rich cultural diversity. Visit the lively markets of Douala, explore Mount Cameroon, and experience traditional music and dance. In 2025, it celebrates its 65th year of independence. As one tour guide says, visit the capital Yaounde: "You can’t be sad in Yaoundé, where the music never stops.”

Lithuania surprises with its mix of medieval charm, baroque architecture, and vast forests. Wander the cobblestone streets of Vilnius, discover the ancient Hill of Crosses, and relax by the stunning Curonian Spit. Named the European Green Capital of 2025, it's never been a better time to go.

Fiji is the epitome of a tropical paradise with its turquoise waters, coral reefs, and warm island hospitality. Dive into world-class snorkeling, relax on pristine beaches, and immerse yourself in rich Fijian culture as well as its innovative initiative to preserve its fragile natural resources.

Kazakhstan is a land of contrasts, where futuristic cities meet vast steppe landscapes and rugged mountains. Discover amazing hiking trails in Sairam-Ugam National Park, Shymkent, known for some of the country’s best food, or Almaty, the old capital, for Kazakhstan’s Soviet heritage.

Laos enchants with its serene landscapes, from mist-covered mountains to the tranquil Mekong River. Visit the ancient temples of Luang Prabang, explore hidden waterfalls, and experience the slow pace of life. But that doesn’t mean you have to move slowly, as the country just launched a high-speed rail line connecting with southwestern China, opening a whole new way to explore.

Trinidad & Tobago brings a mix of Caribbean energy, a divine mix of flavors, stunning beaches, and rich biodiversity. Check out the sacred Hindu pantheon in the Gulf of Paria and don’t miss curried crab and dumplings near Pigeon Point Beach. Carnival is a great time to visit, which culminated in calypso showdowns on March 3-4, 2025.

Photo: Rudi Singh / Pexels

Paraguay is South America’s hidden gem, offering untouched nature, colonial towns, and a warm, welcoming culture. Explore the Chaco forest with jaguars and giant anteaters, picturesque pueblos, plunging waterfalls, and the vibrant capital of Asuncion."Paraguay is like a village stopped in time,” one tour guide told Lonely Planet.

Photo: Diego Allen / Unsplash

Vanuatu offers unspoiled natural beauty, from active volcanoes and lush jungles to vibrant coral reefs… all with less than 45,000 tourists per year. Dive into crystal-clear waters, visit traditional villages, and witness the unique land diving ritual on Pentecost Island. As Lonely Planet says, the best reason to visit is to experience the cultures of the locals.

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