The destinations on the list were hand-picked by National Geographic’s editors, photographers, and explorers and have something for everyone — families, foodies, adventurers, animal lovers, and more.
Making travel decisions for 2025 just got easier, especially if you’re looking for something that’s off the beaten track. National Geographic recently unveiled its list of the 25 Best Places in the World to Travel to in 2025, which includes experiences to suit every globetrotter — from an active volcano in Central America to modern museums in Abu Dhabi. While some are far-flung, like the medieval city of Brasov in Romania and the Cerrado savanna in Brazil, others are closer to Hong Kong — think Raja Ampat in Indonesia and Kanazawa in Japan.
The destinations on the list were hand-picked by National Geographic’s editors, photographers, and explorers and have something for everyone — families, foodies, adventurers, animal lovers, and more. Some inclusions are returning favourites, while others fall into the hidden gem category — and all the adventures should appeal to locals and visitors.
Asian destinations
Asian must-visit spots include Bangkok for its glittering skyscrapers and luxury malls, as well as the 17th-century Buddhist temple Wat Chaiwatthanaram, which is being restored after extensive flooding in 2011. Then there’s Japan’s Kanazawa, a two-hour train ride out of Kyoto, that boasts a well-preserved castle city with a geisha quarter. Sail the remote Raja Ampat archipelago in Indonesia to immerse yourself in its diverse coral ecosystem, or book a trip on the Eastern & Oriental Express to explore Malaysian wildlife in luxury.
Photo by Jorge Acre from Pexels
Adventure experiences
Antigua in Guatemala will attract nature-lovers and thrill-seekers alike as its inclusion on the list is thanks to Volcán de Fuego — one of the most active volcanoes in the world. Visitors can trek up neighbouring Acatenango Volcano, going through a mountainside cloud forest and coffee plantations in the process, to get breathtaking views of awe-inspiring eruptions at the end of their journey. Keen to spot rare undersea and land-based wildlife? The Northland region in New Zealand is recommended for uncommon fish species in the Poor Knights Reserve and threatened kiwis on Kiwi Coast.
Photo by Noureldin Younis from Pexels
Art and culture spots
If you want more of an urban experience, head to Los Angeles and Abu Dhabi — not to splurge at their pricey shopping areas, but to check out their rejuvenated art scenes. Walk down the 2km stretch on Crenshaw Boulevard in L.A. to see how the area has been revitalised with landscaped community spaces and 100-plus commissioned works by African American artists. The U.A.E. capital will open a new cultural hotspot on Saadiyat Island in 2025, which will be home to the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.
Here’s the full list of National Geographic’s Best of the World 2025:
- Haida Gwaii, British Columbia
- Boise, Idaho
- Ocala National Forest, Florida
- Los Angeles, California
- Barbados
- Cerrado, Brazil
- Antigua, Guatemala
- Guadalajara, Mexico
- Cork, Ireland
- Stockholm Archipelago, Sweden
- Outer Hebrides, Scotland
- Greenland
- Brasov, Romania
- Cenobitic Monasteries, Italy
- Abu Dhabi, UAE
- Tunisia
- Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa
- Senegal
- Suru Valley, India
- Raja Ampat, Indonesia
- Bangkok, Thailand
- Kanazawa, Japan
- Eastern and Oriental Express, Malaysia
- Northland, New Zealand
- Murray River, Australia
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Main photo credit by Tom Fisk, Luis D. Alvarez and D Z from Pexels
