The 30 best places to visit in 2025, named by Lonely Planet: Cameroon, Toulouse, Pittsburgh and East Anglia are among the places you MUST explore next year
Lonely Planet’s travel experts have unveiled a wanderlust list of the 30 best places to visit in 2025, with East Anglia in England, the city of Pittsburgh in the US and Cameroon all taking the honors.
The destinations are honored in Lonely Planet’s recently released Best In Travel 2025 book, which honors the top ten countries, regions and cities to visit next year.
The rankings were compiled by ‘Lonely Planet experts, contributors from around the world and publishing partners’, with the guide adding that the destinations were chosen ‘for their timeliness, unique experiences, wow factor and ongoing commitment to sustainability, community and diversity. ‘.
Cameroon tops the country rankings, with Lithuania in second place and Fiji with the bronze medal.
Pittsburgh ranks sixth among cities, led by Toulouse in France. East Anglia has been named the eighth best region in the world.
THE BEST COUNTRIES
Cameroon (above) tops the country list ‘for its pristine beaches and less crowded national parks’
In third place, ‘Fiji unfolds over more than 330 palm-fringed islands, each a symphony of turquoise waters, vibrant coral reefs and pearly white beaches’. Above you see the island of Mala Mala in the archipelago
Lonely Planet says the West African country of Cameroon tops the country list ‘for its pristine beaches, less crowded national parks and exciting nightlife in the big cities’.
The guide praises Lithuania’s “fascinating medieval towns, pine forests, lakes and pristine Baltic sand dune beaches” and describes how third-place Fiji “unfolds across more than 330 palm-fringed islands, each a symphony of turquoise waters, vibrant coral reefs and pearly white beaches’.
In fourth place is Laos, home to “green landscapes, pristine mountains and beautiful ancient cities,” connected by a new 1,035-kilometer high-speed rail line that ends in Yunnan in southern China.
The rest of the top ten consists of Kazakhstan (fifth); Paraguay (sixth); Trinidad and Tobago (seventh); Vanuatu (eighth); Slovakia (ninth); and Armenia (10th).
THE BEST CITIES
Toulouse is named top city for its ‘fast-growing arts scene and carefree riverside walks’
In second place is Puducherry in India, overlooking the Bay of Bengal, which ‘re-imagines itself as a top destination for sand and surf lovers’.
In the city rankings, Pittsburgh ranks sixth for its trendy food and drink scene and affordability
Toulouse has been named the top city for its ‘fast-growing arts scene and carefree riverside walks’. In second place is Pondicherry in India, overlooking the Bay of Bengal, which ‘re-imagines itself as a top destination for sand and surf lovers’.
The Bulgarian mountain town of Bansko (third), now known as one of the best value ski destinations in Europe, is known for ‘its perfectly preserved UNESCO-listed Old Town and offers a wide variety of cultural experiences all year round’.
In fourth and fifth place are Chiang Mai, Thailand, and Genoa, Italy, while Pittsburgh in sixth place is praised for its trendy food and drink scene and affordability. Where should you go there? Head to Kennywood Amusement Park and its century-old wooden roller coasters and the “noisy” Strip District – “a bountiful mix of personalities and commerce” that draws a “lively crowd.”
The rest of the top 10 includes Osaka, Japan (seventh); Curitiba, Brazil (eighth); Palma de Mallorca, Spain (ninth); and Edmonton, Canada (10th).
THE BEST REGIONS
South Carolina (above), topping the region rankings, offers places ‘seemingly unchanged by the passage of time’
In second place is The Terai in Nepal, a ‘ribbon of forests, grasslands and wetlands’ that is a ‘biodiversity hotspot’.
Lonely Planet describes East Anglia in eighth place (above) as an ‘enigmatic’ region that ‘offers a real taste of old England’
Launceston & the Tamar Valley in Tasmania is ranked fourth in the region rankings
South Carolina’s Low Country and Coastal Georgia takes the gold medal in the region’s rankings, with Lonely Planet declaring that on a road trip through the area you’ll encounter “golden beaches, windswept swamps and old-fashioned towns seemingly unchanged by the passage of time.” time ‘.
In second place is The Terai in Nepal, a ‘ribbon of forests, grasslands and wetlands’ that is a ‘biodiversity hotspot’.
In third place on the regional podium is Chiriqui, Panama, followed by Launceston & the Tamar Valley in Tasmania, Australia (fourth); Valais, Switzerland (fifth); Giresun & Ordu, Turkey (sixth); and Bavaria, Germany (seventh).
Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2025 is out now
Why is East Anglia eighth? Lonely Planet describes it as an ‘enigmatic’ region that offers ‘a true taste of old England, combined with nature reserves perfect for birdwatching such as Minsmere and Cley Marshes, vibrant coastal resorts and picturesque inland waterways’.
VisitBritain/Visit England Chief Executive Patricia Yates said: ‘It’s fantastic to see East Anglia taking its place on the world stage as one of Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2025 top regions. And that’s no surprise, as the area boasts a beautiful coastline, fantastic seaside resorts, historic sites, waterways and breathtaking scenery. This award will encourage domestic and international visitors to explore more of the region and discover the warm welcome that awaits them.”
Rounding out the rest of the list of regions are Jordan Trail (ninth) and Mount Hood and the Columbia River Gorge region, Oregon (10th).
Nitya Chambers, SVP, Content and Executive Editor of Lonely Planet, said: ‘Best in Travel 2025 is the latest edition of Lonely Planet’s annual love letter to the world. While we are aware of our responsibilities and impact as travelers, we are proud of the destinations, trips and experiences featured here and are happy to share the local expertise and insights that are at the heart of these recommendations.
‘Wherever you are in the world, we are convinced that Best in Travel will bring new inspiration for the coming year.’
The book (RRP £14.99) can be purchased from shop.lonelyplanet.com or ‘where all the good books are sold’. For more information about Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2025, visit: lonelyplanet.com/best-in-travel.
In addition to the print edition, Lonely Planet is unveiling ‘an engaging range of digital and social media content, presented in partnership with new eSIM service Saily’. The guide adds: ‘Travelers can stay connected and safe while in their destination with Saily, with mobile data coverage in almost all locations on Lonely Planet’s winning list.’
