From hidden away beach towns to lively city breaks, discover the must-see destinations for 2025, hand-picked by Metro’s travel experts.
There are few better feelings than ticking off a bucket list destination, and even better if it’s an undiscovered gem.
2024 saw a boost in tourists choosing destinations with cooler climates and slow travel options, but 2025 is tipped to be all about discovering the under-the-radar holiday spots that deserve more attention.
Expedia’s 2025 travel trends report calls them ‘detour destinations’, and found that 63% of consumers say they are likely to visit a detour destination on their next trip.
Amanda Cable, Metro‘s resident travel expert, explains: ‘This will be the year of the unsung heroes. Readers are prepared to pay for five-star luxury, but they’re more adventurous than ever before, and they certainly want to discover new places.
‘Any ‘destination dupes’ – lesser-known alternatives for more popular tourist destinations – are so popular.’
We’ve picked out seven under-the-radar destinations to add to your 2025 travel plans, and rated them according to their flight time from the UK, cost of accommodation and peace index score, based on several criteria including any conflicts, their level of perceived criminality, political instability and military expenditure.
Whether you’re looking for a luxury escape or a relaxing city break, a UK staycation or something further afield, there’s something to suit every type of holidaymaker on this list. Where will you go?
Ostrava, Czechia
As nice as it is, Prague is old news. Brno’s charming, that’s worth a visit. But a true connoisseur of Euro trips favours countries’ third cities. That’s where the real fun is…
When it comes to the semi-recently-renamed Czechia’s tertiary conurbation, you have to head east to Ostrava. It’s home to some 285,000 laid-back, friendly Czechs, almost all of whom will ask you very earnestly why you’re there. Tell them you want an authentic Czech experience and they’ll raise a glass of overly foamy Radegast in your direction.
If they’re wearing a blue and white football scarf and you shout, ‘Baník, my jsme Baník!’ they might even buy you a glass of that overly foamy Radegast.
A rusty old ironworks might seem like a weird thing to want to visit, but Dolní Vítkovice is a giant, looming and slightly intimidating industrial heritage site that’s cleverly been turned into a bustling tourist attraction and cultural hub. And it’s well worth a look-see.
If you’re into music, head to Dolní Vítkovice in July. Colours of Ostrava is a renowned festival in a setting that just feels ‘right’ for gigs. In 2025, Iggy Pop and Justice are headlining.
The city’s nightlife is split into two. Most of the city is a modest but fun mix of old-school Czech taverns, hipster craft beer bars and value-for-money restaurants serving up hunks of meat bigger than you could shake a massive hunk of meat at.
Then there’s Stodolní Street, a single thoroughfare packed with late-night drinking dens, nightclubs, seedy strip joints and all sorts of other silliness you don’t want to be getting involved in when you’re at home, let alone abroad. Think 1980s Soho and you get the idea.
Perfect for: Experiencing genuine Czech culture and people, fans of lively football terrace culture and historic industrial exploration.
How to get there: Ryanair flies direct to Ostrava from London Stansted from as little as £33 return.
Flight time: ✈️
Peace index: ☮️☮️☮️
Accommodation cost: 💲💲💲
Pakistan
By Alice Murphy
With mountains that tower more than 7,000 metres high, mud volcanoes and a coastline along the Arabia Sea, Pakistan is a treasure trove for thrill-seeking travellers.
The country of 250 million has a range of ecosystems and breathtaking scenery, from the lush Indus Valley to an array of UNESCO heritage sites that include some of the world’s earliest civilisations.
Its towns and cities are filled with bustling bazaars, ancient mosques and vibrant festivals, while rural areas are home to some of the world’s most remote and rarely visited nomadic communities.
Pakistan recently introduced visa-free travel for 126 nationalities, after 2023 saw international tourist numbers increase by 115% compared to previous years. Since August, visitors from countries including the UK, US, Australia and all EU member states are issued with free online visas within 24 hours — previously they cost the equivalent of $60 and could take weeks to process.
The South Asian country offers many areas that are safe and open to international tourists — always follow Foreign Office advice on the regions to avoid.
Pakistan International Airlines, the country’s flag carrier, earlier this month announced plans to relaunch flights to the UK, following a four-year ban on operations in Europe.
Perfect for: Thrill-seekers and culture-loving travellers.
How to get there: Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways fly to Karachi from London Gatwick or Heathrow (with one stop) from £569 return.
Flight time: ✈️✈️✈️✈️✈️
Peace index: ☮️
Accommodation cost: 💲💲
Estepona, Spain
A stone’s throw from Marbella and Puerto Banús, both famed for their elite resorts brimming with designer boutiques and luxury yachts, is Estepona.
Dubbed as Costa Del Sol’s more humble neighbour, the coastal town has everything you’d want from a typical Andalusian getaway.
From tropical palm trees lining the promenade to the bright pink flowers (known as Bougainvillea) that cling daintily to the little white houses in the old town and beyond, Estepona yields an authentic spirit that is infectious to every traveller who stops by.
I visited this Spanish gem in May 2023 and was instantly sucked in by the city’s charm and laid-back vibe.
Perhaps due to the long sandy beaches designed for a day of sunbathing with a good book, the many ambient tapas bars offering traditional Spanish dishes like patatas bravas and padron peppers, or simply the warm Mediterranean climate, perfect for aimlessly ambling through the windy cobbled streets.
I implore you to stop by the Plaza de las Flores for a bite to eat or a glass of sangria, where you’ll be serenaded with flamenco music courtesy of the local buskers.
Bottom line? In a region that’s been heavily gentrified by tourism and urbanisation, this lively fishing town has managed to hold down its roots amid the drastic changes around it. Complete with plenty of cultural and social events all year round (its residents throw the best carnivals), you’ll be singing comparsas and chirigotas with the locals in no time.
Perfect for: Beach lovers, culture lovers, and foodies.
How to get there: Wizz Air, easyJet and Vueling fly to Malaga from London Gatwick or London Luton from £25 return. Estepona can be reached within an hour’s drive from the airport.
Flight time: ✈️✈️
Peace index: ☮️☮️
Accommodation cost: 💲💲💲💲
Destinations to avoid in 2025
There are plenty of destinations that don’t want tourists, while other holiday hotspots are struggling with overtourism.
To protect these areas and keep the locals happy, here are a few of the travel destinations we don’t recommend visiting in 2025:
- Barcelona, Spain, has seen its locals become increasingly frustrated with overtourism. The city has clamped down on short-term rental apartments, and protests over the summer saw tourists squirted with water by locals.
- Mallorca, also in Spain, has seen a similar anti-tourism sentiment. Locals previously blocked a popular tourist beach, while Spain’s latest travel rules require hotels, travel agencies and car rental companies to collect up to 42 pieces of personal information per guest.
- Rome, in Italy, will be exceptionally busy in 2025, as it marks the Holy Year of Jubilee. The Italian city is tipped to become the epicentre of a global pilgrimage as a result, with more than 35 million people expected to flock to it over the course of the year.
- Greek islands Santorini and Mykonos are two of several popular holiday destinations that have introduced a visitor tax to combat overtourism. Despite only having an estimated 15,000 permanent residents, around 800 cruise ships made stops in Santorini last year, while Mykonos (with a population of roughly 10,000) received 750 cruise liners.
- Rovaniemi, in Finnish Lapland, has experienced a surge in tourism to the ‘official home of Santa Claus’, which has driven up prices and pushed out long-term residents.
- The Canary Islands are also struggling with overtourism, and recently locals staged widespread anti-tourism protests. Their concerns include a lack of affordable housing and environmental problems.
Jersey, Channel Islands
Just 14 miles off the coast of France, Jersey almost has a split personality. You can sink a pint at a traditional English pub, then walk along the seafront on a road named La Route de la Liberation. The capital, St Helier, hosts a Norman food market, and there are sun-drenched beaches that wouldn’t be out of place in mainland Europe.
I visited Jersey and instantly fell in love with the laid-back island, its stunning scenery and friendly locals.
Go in the summer and head to St. Brelade’s Bay, loved for its wide expanses of golden sand and the original Jersey Crab Shack.
There’s also the stunning Portelet Bay, with its steep steps that descend from the cliff to a sun-trap beach. If you don’t want to venture down to the sand itself, the Portelet Inn is an olde worlde pub with panoramic views over the bay.
But you don’t have to embrace a slower pace of life in Jersey. Thrill seekers should head out on a RIB with Jersey Seafaris, for a fun-filled ride along the crystal clear waters. One of their most popular tours takes you to The Ecrehous – a small group of isolated islands just eight miles from France. Taking your own beers on board is encouraged, and you might even spot some dolphins (and brace yourself for some high-speed doughnuts in the harbour).
If it’s a rowdy pub you’re after, the Trafalgar Arms in St Aubin is the place to quench your thirst – be prepared for your night to escalate.
Perfect for: Laid-back island vibes, close to the UK.
How to get there: easyJet flies to Jersey from London Gatwick from £47 return.
Flight time: ✈️
Peace index: ☮️☮️
Accommodation cost: 💲💲💲💲💲
Glasgow, Scotland
The rolling hills of the Highlands, the waterfalls of the islands, and the dramatic visages of Edinburgh are often what spring to mind when you think of Scotland.
But it is in the biggest city, Glasgow, that you will find the biggest hearts, and the greatest capacity for fun.
The late, great chef Anthony Bourdain called the city known as the ‘dear green place’ as ‘the antidote to the rest of the world’ and praised Glaswegians’ merciless sense of humour.
You can see that on display nightly at the Stand comedy club, where big names test out new material in front of unforgiving crowds that are often funnier than the acts themselves.
The UK’s third-largest city, home to just over 600,000 people, might seem outwardly hard and bleak, but the people are as friendly as anywhere, and it has an unrivalled pub culture where boozers swing upon their welcoming doors to tourists and offer tasting notes on whisky and even tips on where to eat.
There is a long-standing cultural scene, with the highbrow displays of the Gallery of Modern Art matched only by the charm of the statue outside with a traffic cone on his head, a famous inside joke in the city.
For those aiming for a more raucous time, try the ‘Sub Crawl’, an infamous pub crawl involving a pint at each of the Glasgow Subway’s 15 stops. Like the city itself, it is a great time but not for the faint-hearted.
Perfect for: Fans of pub crawls, open-minded travellers, and those looking for live entertainment.
How to get there: easyJet flies to Glasgow from Gatwick, Luton and Stansted, with prices starting as low as £36. Trains from Euston take around 4-and-a-half hours with prices starting at £45.
Flight time: ✈️
Peace index: ☮️☮️
Accommodation cost: 💲💲💲💲💲
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
If ever there was a time to tick Ho Chi Minh City off your bucket list, it’s in 2025. Exactly 50 years after the Fall of Saigon marked the end of the decades-long Vietnam War and the reunification of North and South Vietnam, this dynamic city is more buzzing than ever.
As it welcomes more visitors each year, holidaymakers can enjoy exhibitions, historical tours, performances and other commemorative events marking the 50th anniversary, all offering an understanding of the city’s transformation and its past.
Tourists might want to line their trip with the Solar New Year celebrations in April, when Vietnam and other Southeast Asian countries partake in the three-day-long Songkran festival. People dance, sing and splash each other with buckets of water in the street as a sign of blessings and good wishes.
Elsewhere, visitors can indulge in the city’s delicious street food markets, sampling everything from pho to banh me and exploring the noisy streets filled with motorbikes and local vendors. Its bustling nightlife offers rooftop bars, side street bars, lively clubs, and late-night karaoke rooms.
There’s plenty to marvel at too. From the Reunification Palace and the Cu Chi Tunnels to the Saigon Opera House and Jade Emperor Pagoda, visitors can soak up years’ worth of history in days.
Perfect for: Food lovers, backpackers, and history buffs.
How to get there: Vietnam Airlines flies direct from London Heathrow to Tan Son Nhat International Airport from £699 return.
Flight time: ✈️✈️✈️✈️✈️✈️
Peace index: ☮️☮️
Accommodation cost: 💲
Lefkada, Greece
By Amanda Cable
Served daily by Ryanair and EasyJet and on Jet2’s radar for 2026 – this beautiful largely unknown Greek Island is filled with traditional, sleepy villages, pretty whitewashed villas with sky-blue roofs, and some of the most stunning beaches in Europe. It’s even known as ‘Europe’s Caribbean’.
This island is a foodie delight – but your money stretches so much more than on neighbouring islands.
Bakeries here are unfettered by tourist prices, with authentic pastries such as spanokopita (spinach and feta pie) and kourabiedes (Greek butter cookies) for less than €2.
Even better value are Lefkada’s off-beat tavernas, which serve moreish plates of saganaki (fried cheese with honey), calamari, mussels and grilled octopus with glasses of chilled red wine for as little as €16 a head.
Its pathways and beaches are free from tourists, and the chance to reach this island by car makes it an undiscovered delight for travellers who want to properly get away from the crowds.
Airlines are aware of the beauty and appeal. It’s only a matter of time before the rest of us are, too.
Perfect for: Travellers on a budget, sun worshippers and seafood lovers.
How to get there: Ryanair flies from Stanstead and easyJet flies from Gatwick to Lefkada from £79 return.
Flight time: ✈️✈️
Peace index: ☮️☮️
Accommodation cost: 💲💲💲💲
Happy travels!
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