Many British tourists will already be looking ahead to 2025 and organising their next holidays to give themselves something to look forward to through the darker and colder next few months.
For those needing some travel inspiration, experts at Lonely Planet have revealed their ten must-see cities for 2025.
While some on the list will come as no surprise to the intrepid traveller, with top tourist countries of France, Spain, the US and Italy making the cut, others are more unusual and will ignite a sense of curiosity among those who prefer to take the road less travelled.
While international tourist arrival figures remain below the 2019 pre-pandemic levels, in 2023 there were 1.3 billion arrivals worldwide, a 33 percent increase from 2022, according to Statista.
With so many people vying for flight seats, perhaps to the countries listed below, it may be best to start choosing your next holiday destination now.
Alberta, the capital of Edmonton, Canada, has recently opened a huge new sports complex, the Ice District, which is now the second largest of its kind in North America. It has long been celebrated for its fringe festival – held for 11 days in August – and bohemian Old Strathcona district.
Home to just over one million people, its other attractions include the Royal Alberta Museum, the largest in Western Canada, and Edmonton Valley Zoo, which is home to over 350 exotic and native animals.
No one will be surprised to learn that the Balearic Island of Majorca’s capital, Palma, has made the list. It is situated on the south coast of the island, and since the advent of mass tourism in the 1950s, it has been transformed into a tourist destination, attracting many workers from mainland Spain.
Palma is famous for La Seu, its vast cathedral. Although construction of the present Cathedral began in 1229, it was not completed until 1601.
A more unusual destination from Lonely Planet is Curitiba in Brazil. The capital and largest city in Parana in the south of the country was home to well over 1.7 million as of 2022. It is described as a low-key city break, full of green open spaces and creative architecture.
Among its must-see destinations are Barigui Park, with its artificial waterfall and lake, and the Museu Oscar Neimeyer (the “Eye Museum”), which focuses on the visual arts, architecture, and design.
Heading to the other side of the world, Japan’s third-most populous city, Osaka, is also a top choice. Osaka was traditionally considered the country’s economic hub and a significant financial centre.
The majestic white fortress of Osaka Castle, surrounded by the iconic cherry blossom in spring, is one of Japan’s most famous landmarks and played a key role in the country’s unification in the sixteenth century.
The Pennsylvanian city of Pittsburg in the US has skillfully blended its industrial past with an artisanal present. As a bonus, it is far more affordable than most US tourist hotspots. Key must-have experiences include the iconic theme park Kennywood, home to century-old wooden roller coasters and a ride up the Duquesne Incline to Mount Washington for stunning city views.
Another classic tourist destination is Italy. On this occasion, Lonely Planet has suggested a visit to Genoa in the northwest of the country. On the Gulf of Genoa in the Ligurian Sea, Genoa has historically been one of the most important ports in the Mediterranean and is currently the twelfth busiest in the EU.
It is one of the most fascinating, beautiful, and unique cities in Europe. Nestled between mountains and the sea, it boasts the largest historic centre in Europe.
Thailand’s Chiang Mai, the largest city in the country’s north, has also been named a must-see city. It is 435 miles north of Bangkok in the Thai Highlands mountainous region. Meaning “New City” in Thai, tourism in Chiang Mai has been growing annually by 15 percent per year since 2011, thanks to its topography, climate, and cultural history.
Lonely Planet has picked Chiang Mai as a must-visit for gastronomes in 2025, praising its “elegant blending of distinctive flavours”.
Perhaps the most unusual city on the list is Bansko in the southeastern country of Bulgaria. Thus far, Bankso has been known as a winter resort town and ski resort due to its location at the foot of the Pirin Mountains.
The city is now transforming into a year-round destination for those craving the outdoors with its beautiful surroundings and hiking routes.
Puducherry is also unlikely to be a name that springs to the mind of many tourists. Located on the Bay of Bengal in beautiful south India, Puducherry has long attracted attention for its Gallic architecture, particularly the historic White Town, which reflects its history as a French colony until 1954, alongside its temples and spiritual centres. It is also undertaking a project to restore its sandy coastline to tempt beachgoers.
Finally, the French city of Toulouse in the southwestern region of Haute-Garonne completes Lonely Planet’s list.
Nicknamed “Paris in Miniature,” Toulouse offers all the benefits of the French capital—maze-like streets, art galleries, and scenic canal banks—but with the added bonus of far fewer crowds. Next year, the Musee des Augustins, a 14th-century convent, is also set to reopen to guests.
As a UNESCO City of Music, catching a live concert at Le Saint des Seins is recommended or taking an architectural tour of the Romanesque Basilique St-Sernin is recommended.
With such a diverse range of countries and cultures to choose from, next year’s holidaymakers will have difficulty narrowing down this list to just one.