National Geographic’s annual “Best of the World” list for 2025 delivers a meticulously curated selection of 25 global destinations that transcend mere sightseeing, inviting travelers to engage in more meaningful, surprising, and timely experiences. This year’s list spans five continents, prioritizing locations that are either undergoing significant cultural revitalization, pioneering new conservation efforts, or offering unique access points due to recent infrastructure developments. From the bustling, art-infused metropolises of North America to the remote, wild expanses of the southern hemisphere, the destinations highlight timely themes: celebrating deep indigenous heritage, pursuing adrenaline-fueled adventures, and witnessing nature’s delicate balance firsthand. It is an invitation to explore a world that is always changing, encouraging visitors to support local communities and embrace a travel philosophy centered on respect, discovery, and profound connection with our planet and its diverse cultures. Prepare to journey far beyond the well-trodden paths to uncover the essential places shaping the global travel landscape in the year ahead.
The Call of the Wild: Epic Natural Wonders and Conservation
This selection celebrates destinations where nature is preserved, providing unparalleled opportunities for wildlife encounters and challenging outdoor exploration. Many of these sites are focal points for crucial rewilding and conservation projects, making a visit a direct contribution to their longevity.
The spotlight shines brightly on Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa, a rising star in the safari world. This region is increasingly recognized as a less tourist-saturated alternative to other national parks, distinguished by some of the country’s most ambitious rewilding initiatives. Visitors can participate in hands-on wildlife monitoring programs, gaining a deeper understanding of ecosystem management while witnessing the Big Five in a uniquely immersive setting.
Across the Atlantic, the Cerrado, Brazil, one of the world’s largest savannas, is highlighted for its staggering biodiversity, hosting thousands of bird and plant species. While facing significant conservation threats, the region offers dedicated travelers a chance to explore a stunning landscape often overshadowed by the Amazon, underscoring the urgent need to protect this vital biome. Similarly, the Ocala National Forest in Florida is an unexpected US entry, lauded as a sanctuary for manatees, black bears, and a sprawling network of natural springs, urging travelers to seek out quiet, green oases over crowded coastal destinations.
Urban Evolution: Art, Cuisine, and New Cityscapes
The cities on the list are not merely historic centers but dynamic hubs undergoing cultural and architectural rebirth, offering fresh perspectives on global urban life through food and art. These transformations are making them magnets for creative energy and innovation.
Los Angeles, California, is celebrated for the fresh jolt of energy in its cultural scene. Projects like Destination Crenshaw, the largest public and private Black art program in the US, are redefining public spaces and storytelling, inviting visitors to engage with the city’s diverse narratives beyond Hollywood’s glamor. This focus on neighborhood identity and accessibility through public art represents a worldwide trend toward inclusive urban design.
Elsewhere, the historic city of Guadalajara, Mexico, remains an essential cultural cornerstone. It is the definitive origin of mariachi music, a tradition that infuses the city’s streets and plazas with vibrant, unmistakable energy. Meanwhile, in the Middle East, Abu Dhabi, UAE, is recognized for the imminent completion of its opulent Saadiyat Cultural District, a dream years in the making. This major cultural playground will establish the city as a formidable global nexus for art and modern architecture, providing a new layer of sophistication to the Arabian Peninsula.
Journeys to the Edge: Islands, Fjords, and Archipelagos
The destinations in this category share a connection to the sea, whether as remote, mist-shrouded isles or expansive, complex island chains that are becoming newly accessible to the adventurous traveler. They represent the planet’s maritime frontiers, where ancient cultures meet dramatic geography.
Greenland receives a timely mention due to new international airport infrastructure, particularly in its capital, Nuuk. This development is expected to significantly improve access to this vast, ice-locked territory, opening the door for more travelers to experience its towering fjords, majestic icebergs, and unique Arctic culture. This moment represents a crucial turning point in the country’s tourism development.
Further south, the Outer Hebrides of Scotland beckon with their rugged natural beauty, offering immersion in traditional Celtic festivals and the Hebridean Way, a trail that connects a string of islands. These islands offer a peaceful retreat where the history and language of Scotland remain vividly alive. The Stockholm Archipelago, Sweden, provides a completely different coastal experience, inviting exploration across its 30,000 islands and islets via a newly opened 168-mile trail. This new route facilitates island-hopping adventures, perfect for seabird watching and tranquil sunset walks, making it a sustainable and appealing European escape.
Roots and Heritage: A Global Look at Culture and History
This selection focuses on places leveraging new initiatives to explore and present their layered pasts, from forgotten religious sanctuaries to the histories of global migration and trade. These destinations offer powerful lessons in history and resilience.
Barbados is featured for a major new project opening in 2025: the Heritage District. This ambitious initiative aims to squarely address the island’s role in the story of slavery in the Americas. By establishing a world-class institution dedicated to this history, Barbados is creating a critical space for education, reflection, and remembrance, reshaping the global conversation around heritage tourism in the Caribbean.
In the US, Boise, Idaho, is celebrated as the proud home of the country’s highest concentration of Basque people, descended from Spanish and French migrants. In 2025, the city will host the decennial Jailaldi festival, one of the world’s largest and most vibrant celebrations of Basque culture, offering a rare opportunity to witness this unique heritage come alive. Meanwhile, in Italy, the spotlight turns away from crowded cities to the peaceful, isolated Cenobitic Monasteries. Dating back to the Middle Ages, these sanctuaries—such as La Verna in the Tuscan Apennines—preserve a history of communal religious life and house Renaissance artwork in tranquil, cliff-side settings.
Adventure and Transit: From Volcanic Peaks to Historic Rails
This final grouping emphasizes destinations that offer unique, timely adventures, whether through challenging terrain or by reviving classic modes of luxurious transport across exotic landscapes. These experiences appeal to the traveler seeking high-stakes thrills and grand, narrative journeys.
Antigua, Guatemala, provides an exhilarating blend of history and raw geology. The city is the base for trekking the neighboring Acatenango Volcano, where hikers gain spectacular views of the highly active Volcán de Fuego. This challenging, multi-day trek takes adventurers through cloud forests and coffee plantations, culminating in an awe-inspiring volcanic spectacle that underscores the raw, untamed power of the Earth.
The concept of the journey itself is the attraction in the recommendation to travel via the Eastern & Oriental Express in Malaysia. This luxurious, revived train journey across Southeast Asia offers an elegant, slow-travel alternative to air transport, allowing travelers to experience the diverse topography and hidden gems of the Malaysian peninsula and beyond in opulent comfort. Finally, the opening of Romania’s first new airport in half a century has made Brasov, a historic town in the legendary land of Dracula (Transylvania), much more accessible. This newfound ease of access makes 2025 a prime year to explore the Transilvanica Trail, a major route that cuts through the region’s dramatic scenery, linking history, culture, and outdoor adventure.
