Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Travel

Lonely Planet shares its top picks for travel in 2025

Some of the picks may surprise you.

By
Toulouse France
Toulouse, France Gaspartacus / Pixabay

Lonely Planet, the global travel authority, has unveiled its highly anticipated travel destinations for 2025 with the release of Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2025. This marks the 15th edition of Lonely Planet’s “Best in Travel” hotlist, featuring 30 trending destinations that span regions, countries, and cities, making them the must-visit spots for the upcoming year.

The selection was meticulously curated by Lonely Planet’s team of international experts, including editors, writers, and contributors from around the globe. These professionals sifted through countless possibilities to identify the top 30 must-see global destinations across three distinct categories: cities, countries, and regions.

Recommended Videos

In the cities category, Toulouse, France, has claimed the top spot. Often referred to as “Paris in miniature,” Toulouse is a labyrinthine city known for its amazing art scene housed in repurposed industrial spaces.

When it comes to countries, Cameroon stands out as this year’s number one destination. Celebrating its 65th anniversary of independence in 2025, Cameroon boasts stunning beaches and remarkable cities characterized by African Modernist architecture, such as Yaoundé and Douala.

For regions, the United States takes the lead with South Carolina’s Low Country and Coastal Georgia. This enchanting area has long attracted visitors with its miles of pristine beaches and lush marshlands, alongside its historic cities, Charleston and Savannah.

Lonely Planet’s top picks: The full lists

Distant mountains over ocean, Fiji
Gary Runn / Unsplash

Top 10 best cities

  1. Toulouse, France
  2. Pondicherry, India
  3. Bansko, Bulgaria
  4. Chiang Mai, Thailand
  5. Genoa, Italy
  6. Pittsburgh, USA
  7. Osaka, Japan
  8. Curitiba, Brazil
  9. Palma de Mallorca, Spain
  10. Edmonton, Canada

Top 10 best countries

  1. Cameroon
  2. Lithuania
  3. Fiji
  4. Laos
  5. Kazakhstan
  6. Paraguay
  7. Trinidad & Tobago
  8. Vanuatu
  9. Slovakia
  10. Armenia

Top 10 best regions

  1. South Carolina’s Low Country and Coastal Georgia, USA
  2. The Terai, Nepal
  3. Chiriqui, Panama
  4. Launceston & the Tamar Valley, Australia
  5. Valais, Switzerland
  6. Giresun & Ordu, Turkiye
  7. Bavaria, Germany
  8. East Anglia, England
  9. Jordan Trail
  10. Mount Hood and the Columbia River Gorge region, Oregon, USA
Amanda Teague
Amanda Teague
Contributor
Amanda, an accomplished freelance writer featured in several online publications, is a dedicated explorer of both the world…
Topics

Editors’ Recommendations

These natural wonders are America’s most loved, ranked top to bottom
The Grand Canyon is America's most beloved natural wonder
Grand Canyon Sunset

From towering canyons to crystal-clear lakes and geothermal wonders, America is home to some of the world’s most incredible landscapes. But which natural landmarks are the most beloved? To find out, the team at Betway Online Slots analyzed 150 natural wonders across the U.S. and Canada, ranking them based on annual Google searches, social media mentions, and online ratings.

Unsurprisingly, the Grand Canyon claimed the top spot. Formed over millions of years by the Colorado River, this wonder continues to draw in travelers from all over the world. With 12 million annual Google searches, more than 208,000 TikTok hashtags, and 4.5 million Instagram posts, its popularity is unmatched. Backed by a near-perfect Google rating of 4.8 from over 60,000 reviews, the Grand Canyon more than lives up to its reputation.

Read more
Priceline says this city is the must-visit spot for Labor Day 2025
Las Vegas took the top spot
Las Vegas Grand Prix street circuit race track in use by the public during the daytime from the 60th floor of Wynn Las Vegas.

Labor Day Weekend is just around the corner, and Priceline has revealed where travelers are heading to celebrate the unofficial end of summer. According to the company’s latest booking data shared with The Manual, Las Vegas, Nevada tops the list as the most popular domestic destination for 2025. 

With easy direct flights from cities across the country, Vegas makes for a quick and simple weekend escape. Travelers can expect a packed lineup of concerts, pool parties, high-energy shows, and special holiday events, cementing its reputation as the ultimate party destination.

Read more
Tauck is changing the way you travel in your 40s and 50s with new curated adventures
Roam by Tauck invites you to slow down during your travels
Roam by Tauck

Tauck, a global leader in upscale guided travel celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, is introducing a brand-new way to explore the world. The company has unveiled Roam by Tauck, its first new brand in more than a decade, designed specifically for travelers in their 40s and 50s.

Roam by Tauck promises a fresh take on luxury travel, offering small-group journeys averaging just 16 guests per departure and balancing flexibility, active adventures, and signature experiences. By 2027, the brand will debut 12 itineraries across six continents, with at least five journeys launching in 2026.

Read more