The destinations to visit (and avoid) in 2025

I’ve read all of the hotlists so you don't have to. Here is an abridged version of everywhere everyone says to go this year.

January is Where-to-Go month, when publications around the globe reveal their travel recommendations for the year ahead. Given it’s my job to keep abreast of travel trends I’ve selflessly read through all the 2025 commandments so you don’t have to.

In this, my master edit of all the other editors’ lists, I won’t clarify anything and probably won’t give you any useful advice about where to venture this year. If anything, trend-followers will be more confused. But there might be one or two gems that spark interest.

A key theme of this year’s recommendations is “Places to Go Before Trump Gets There”. Topping that list is the Arctic wonder of Greenland which, to be fair, was already in the spotlight before Trump offered to buy it from the Danes. A new airport, opened in the capital Nuuk in November, makes the world’s largest island and epic ice-making machine more accessible than ever. Go in summer for endless daylight and icebergs; Adventure Canada and HX, among others, run expedition cruises along its breathtaking coast.

Another Trump obsession, Panama, has also popped up on 2025 hotlists. The guidebook gurus of Lonely Planet suggest we get to Barú Volcano National Park to climb a 3474m volcano with summit views over both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, apparently the only place on Earth where this is possible. Definitely bucket-list-worthy.

Canada, the other item on Trump’s to-do list, didn’t excite any more interest than usual this year. Travel + Leisure suggests Canada’s maritime province Nova Scotia is the go – for seals, wild horses, harbour cruises and the great outdoors generally. It also recommends the Yukon for a spot of aurora-chasing. Lonely Planet nominates Edmonton as one of their destinations of the year but – trust me as someone who’s been there – you can safely ignore that.

Travel + Leisure recommends the Yukon for a spot of aurora-chasing.

I scan these lists to be surprised, to learn about somewhere or something new in the world. But in 2025 there are, as always, a lot of obvious recommendations. Some hinge on a single glam hotel, gallery or other opening that, in itself, isn’t going to get many of us jumping on a plane. Others are based on major events such as Osaka’s World Expo and The Jubilee in Rome, both useful recommendations for where not to go because everyone else will already be there. Likewise Provence, which is celebrating prodigal son Paul Cézanne, and Britain, which is about to go batty over Jane Austen for her 250th birthday. Expect a lather of corset-friendly events such as balls, exhibitions, lectures and even a country fair.

Despite some logistical flaws I find these lists useful because they always spotlight somewhere I hadn’t considered – glitches in the algorithm, and this year there were several.

Algeria, Africa’s largest nation, has been mentioned at least twice in dispatches since restrictions on group travel there have eased. I’ve been eyeing off Algeria’s Mediterranean coast and Roman ruins for years and will gladly tag along on a group tour if anyone’s offering.

I’ve been eyeing off Algeria’s Mediterranean coast and Roman ruins for years.

I’ve also seen Cameroon mentioned – mandrills! – and Angola, which The New York Times lauds for its “undiscovered tropical beaches, sacred waterfalls… and national parks”. West Africa is also on the agenda, largely spurred by the opening of the Museum of West African Art in Benin City, housing the (partially) returned Benin Bronzes by institutions such as The Smithsonian and London’s Horniman Museum.

Central Asia is looming large, too. I’ve recently learned how to spell Kyrgyzstan because it’s popped up so often on 2025 travel tips. For wild hiking, apparently, although the Financial Times, which always leads the travel pack, suggests tackling its rugged terrain on horseback. Uzbekistan’s on the radar for the inaugural Bukhara Biennial of art and culture and a new Golden Eagle rail journey through the Stans, The Grand Silk Road, although it’s not due to depart until autumn 2026.

The usual South American suspects (Peru, Argentina, Brazil) get a look in but, in an upset this year, so too do the oft-forgotten countries of Paraguay (for golden beaches – despite being landlocked – and wonderful nature reserves) and Guyana for the Kaieteur Falls, which dwarf the far more famous cascades of Niagara and Victoria.

Everyone’s frothing about the new series of The White Lotus so expect Koh Samui to be overrun with fans.

Thailand, obviously, is a big yes. Everyone’s frothing about the new series of The White Lotus so expect Koh Samui to be overrun with fans, especially now the Thai government has introduced two-month visa-free travel for a raft of nationalities, including Australians.

Consider instead Koh Lipe, “the Maldives of Thailand” and latest obsession of the style set. Sunrise Beach is the place to drop your bags, apparently. Put it on the list.

Poles apart

The most surprising thing I saw recommended for 2025 was from Virtuoso, the global network of luxury travel agents, which suggested clients go to see polar bears on South Georgia Island. Down near Antarctica. Good luck with that.

Originally published as The destinations to visit (and avoid) in 2025