Skip to main content

This country is 2025’s top winter destination, according to Airbnb

Airbnb names Italy the season’s must-visit spot

By Amanda Teague Published November 6, 2025

Italy — MikeDotta / Shutterstock

Move over, ski chalets in the Alps and cozy cabins in Canada. This winter, travelers have their eyes on Italy. According to Airbnb’s newly released winter travel report, Italy is officially the top-trending destination for winter 2025, as excitement builds ahead of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.

Searches for Italian getaways are soaring, with the biggest spikes coming from the country’s northern regions of Trentino-South Tyrol, Lombardy, and Veneto – all key Olympic host areas. Lombardy, in particular, is seeing triple-digit year-over-year growth.

Recommended Videos

The surge in interest isn’t just local, either. The top countries driving bookings to Italy this winter include Germany, Canada, Switzerland, and the United States, alongside domestic Italian travelers eager to experience their own Olympic-ready destinations.

Beyond the Olympics

While the upcoming Winter Olympics may be fueling Italy’s moment in the spotlight, Airbnb’s data shows that travelers are also branching out to lesser-known winter gems. This growing trend of “gateway travel” has guests combining the best of both worlds: vibrant city life and easy access to the outdoors.

In Australia’s Capital Territory, visitors can enjoy the perfect blend of urban buzz and bushland calm. Canberra’s lively dining scene, museums, and markets sit just minutes away from scenic hiking trails and wildlife encounters, making it ideal for travelers craving both comfort and connection to nature.

Across the Pacific, the Santiago Metropolitan Region in Chile is gaining traction. With the Andes Mountains towering on one side and coastal hills on the other, travelers can hit the slopes by morning and explore Santiago’s colorful neighborhoods, art galleries, and wine bars by night.

Meanwhile, Goslar, Germany, tucked away in the snowy Harz Mountains, offers a fairytale winter escape. Its UNESCO-listed medieval center, cobblestone streets, and charming Christmas markets deliver all the magic of a classic European holiday without the crowds.

Other trending winter hotspots include Prachuap Khiri Khan, Thailand, known for its laid-back coastal vibe; San José, Costa Rica, the lively gateway to volcanoes and rainforests; State of Goiás, Brazil, rich in colonial history and natural parks; and Córdoba, Colombia, where tropical warmth meets exciting culture.

Contributor

Amanda, an accomplished freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio, is a dedicated explorer of both the world and the written word…

Topics

Destinations

Fashion & Style

The Best Men’s Style Picks for FIFA World Cup 2026: What to Wear from Takeoff to Kickoff

Style, shirt

FIFA 2026 provides a global amphitheater for sport, people, and culture to converge. Not only do the world’s best football players compete for the crown, but devoted fans have opportunities for travel and spectacle, visiting new places while cheering on their national team. It’s a true celebration.

And when participating in a once-in-a-lifetime event, it makes sense to dress your best, not only to look good, but to express yourself and support your team. With that in mind, I put together my favorites for each step of the World Cup journey — travel day, match day, and nights on the town.

Travel

Inside The Londoner: The luxury hotel that’s worth splurging on in London

Why London's luxury super boutique hotel is worth the splurge

Accessories, Bag, Handbag

Luxury hotels promise a lot. Beautiful rooms, impeccable service, incredible restaurants, over-the-top amenities. Sometimes they live up to the hype. Other times, you leave wondering what exactly earned them five stars in the first place.

The Londoner had me convinced before I even made it to the check-in desk.

Travel

The Obelisks of Rome: A pointed walking tour

Take a walk into history with these fascinating Roman landmarks

City, Architecture, Building

When you walk around Rome, no matter which way you turn, you are likely to see the sky pierced by an obelisk. It is a defining part of the Roman skyline. But they don’t really belong here. Rome is a city that has never been shy about borrowing greatness. Few monuments illustrate that better than its obelisks. While these towering stone needles feel quintessentially Roman today, they began life in ancient Egypt, most carved along the Nile. While there, they were associated with the sun god and served as symbols of divine favor and royal power. Today, Rome boasts thirteen ancient obelisks, more than anywhere else in the world, including Egypt itself.

Their journey to Rome began after Augustus conquered Egypt following the defeat of Antony and Cleopatra in 30 BCE. Bringing obelisks to the capital was more than an exercise in decorating the city; it was a statement of conquest. Egypt's sacred monuments had become Roman trophies, proclaiming that a new empire now enjoyed the favor of the gods. Later emperors continued importing obelisks, scattering them across circuses, temples, and public spaces.