From Greenland’s spectacular “northern lights” and Chiang Mai’s gastronomic “food festival,” to India’s Kumbh Mela, 2025 appears to offer a diverse array of travel experiences.
The time has come to explore. Travel organizations and tourism guides, in websites and publications, are announcing their recommendations for destinations to visit in the next year. Some are experienced locations with fresh amenities, while others are being featured for the first time. A few appear on multiple lists, indicating that they will likely become popular soon, so it’s better to visit them quickly.
Greenland now features a state-of-the-art international airport that directly connects its capital, Nuuk, to destinations in North America. Until recently, flights were exclusively available to Copenhagen, Denmark, and Reykjavik, Iceland. The world’s biggest and sparsely inhabited island is being marketed as a destination accessible throughout the year. In the winter, tourists visit to experience the otherworldly beauty of the northern lights, while summer tourists enjoy perpetual daylight, as the sun remains above the horizon from May 25 to July 25.
Travel publisher Conde Nast is encouraging adventurous tourists to explore Greenland’s breathtaking fjords, powerful glaciers, and untouched wilderness areas. At the same time, National Geographic’s Best of the World 2025 list highlights Greenland’s new direct flights to cities such as Iqaluit, Canada and Newark, the United States, and suggests that visitors learn about the local Inuit culture. Travel magazine Travel + Leisure recommends wildlife-watching tours: trips through Greenland’s icy waters offer a chance to observe polar bears, whales, and walruses up close.
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Northern Thai cuisine, book an overnight sleeper to Bangkok (“Train-hopping” is at the top of Lonely Planet’s 2025 Travel Trends list).
National Geographic Magazine lists Bangkok as one of the top 25 travel destinations in the world for 2025, describing it as “an intoxicating blend of old and new”. After spending time exploring Bangkok, where you can shop for silks, take a boat ride through the canals and visit rooftop bars, fly back to Hong Kong directly from Bangkok, rather than having to go back through Chiang Mai.
According to The Sydney Morning Herald and high-end tour operator Insight Vacations, Turkey is a must-visit destination for 2025. Situated at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Istanbul is a city rich in history and mystery. Although visitors could easily spend their entire stay in the picturesque Sultanahmet district, admiring its magnificent mosques and impressive collection of Ottoman and Byzantine architectural landmarks, it’s worth strolling over the famous Galata Bridge to the medieval Galata Tower, where breathtaking views of Istanbul are waiting.
Visit the remnants of the ancient Roman cities of Ephesus and Troy, as well as the stunning beaches along the coast. The unique desert region of Cappadocia is also worth exploring for its extraordinary rock formations. The dreamlike landscapes and magnificent aerial views can be truly appreciated from a hot-air balloon.
Situated on the “tip of Italy”, this location is famous for Lungomare FalcomatA, a scenic seaside promenade. The “most beautiful kilometre in Italy” presents captivating views of Sicily across the sparkling Strait of Messina.
Situated with breathtaking views of the unpredictable Mount Etna volcano.
In addition to receiving multiple recommendations for 2025, some places are highlighted in suggestion lists because they are hosting anniversary celebrations or festivals. Forbes magazine’s 5 Nostalgic Travel Trends in 2025 suggests getting your thrills on the US’ Route 66 – the Mother Road is approaching its milestone 100th anniversary in 2026. To fully immerse yourself in the essence of the journey, book overnight stays at that quintessential symbol of mid-century America, the roadside motel.
According to Conde Nast, Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City is an ideal destination, particularly in April, as the city erstwhile known as Saigon is set to mark the 50th anniversary of the conclusion of the Vietnam war and the country’s reunification.
The global media company also thinks it would be foolish to pass up on the Kumbh Mela, which will take place in Prayagraj, India. Considered one of the world’s most significant spiritual pilgrimages, the Hindu celebration is the world’s largest human congregation, drawing over 100 million devotees. The Mela occurs every 12 years, and the next installment will start on January 13.
Another trend for 2025 involves traveling to locations that might be difficult to locate on a world map. Ovation Network thinks the Faroe Islands are on the verge of being discovered, with new flights from Reykjavik on Icelandair making for a tempting two-destination holiday.
Or how about a three-centre adventure? Travel + Leisure suggests that 2025 is the year to embark on a trip to the Caucasus trio of Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia, while The Sydney Morning Herald recommends Kyrgyzstan. With “sky-piercing 7,000-metre peaks, snaking glaciers and plunging pine valleys”, the Switzerland of Central Asia is expected to feature on many a wish list next year.
Famous as a scuba-diving paradise, Raja Ampat, Indonesia, boasts an incredible array of marine life, with over 1,000 species of reef fish and 500 types of coral.
Relax in style at a major vacation destination. American Express Travel suggests visiting – or revisiting – Koh Samui. The Thai island combines lush jungle and white-sand beaches with turquoise waters, creating a “dreamy mix” that’s especially appealing for fans of a “luxurious, tropical-paradise atmosphere.”
– filmed at the Four Seasons Koh Samui resort – set to air in 2025, many locals are concerned about the island’s long-term prospects. Dr. Wijarn Simachaya, president of the Thailand Environment Institute, emphasizes the necessity for a long-term plan that supports sustainable development but acknowledges that, currently, there are no initiatives in place to establish Koh Samui as a sustainably environmentally-friendly destination.
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This article was originally published on the South China Morning Post (www.scmp.com), a leading news outlet covering China and Asia.
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