The travel experts at Lonely Planet have revealed a 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 making the cut.
The destinations are honored in Lonely Planet’s newly released Best In Travel 2025 book, which awards 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 ranking, with Lithuania in second place and Fiji snatched away the bronze medal.
Pittsburgh is ranked sixth in the city, which is topped by Toulouse France. East Anglia was declared 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’
Fiji in third place ‘unfolds over 330 palm-fringed islands, each a symphony of turquoise waters, vibrant coral reefs and pearly beaches’. Above is Mala Mala Island in the archipelago
Lonely Planet says that the West African nation of Cameroon tops the country list ‘for its pristine beaches, less crowded national parks and exciting nightlife in its big cities’.
The guide hails second place Lithuania’s ‘captivating medieval cities, 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 beaches’.
In fourth place is Laos, home to “vast landscapes, unspoilt mountains and beautiful ancient towns,” linked by a new 643-mile (1,035 km) high-speed rail line that ends in Yunnan in the south. 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 named top city for its ‘rapidly expanding art scene and carefree river walk’
In second place is Puducherry in India, overlooking the Bay of Bengal, which is ‘reimagining itself as a top destination for sand and surf lovers’
In the city rankings, Pittsburgh, which is ranked sixth, is praised for a trendy food and drink scene and affordability
Toulouse is named the top city for its ‘rapidly expanding art scene and carefree river walk’. In second place is Puducherry Indiaoverlooking the Bay of Bengal, which ‘reimagines itself as a top destination for lovers of sand and surf’.
The Bulgarian mountain town of Bansko (third), meanwhile, known as one of the best value ski destinations in Europe, has been recognized ‘for its perfectly preserved. Unesco old town and offers a wide variety of cultural experiences all year round’.
In fourth and fifth are Chiang Mai, Thailandand Genoa, Italywhile in sixth place, Pittsburgh is praised for a trendy food and drink scene and affordability. Where to go there? Go to Kennywood theme park and its century-old wooden roller coasters and the ‘boistere’ Strip district – ‘a bountiful mix of personalities and commerce’ that attracts a ‘lively crowd’.
The rest of the top 10 consists of Osaka, Japan (seventh); Curitiba, Brazil (eighth); Palma de Mallorca, Spain (ninth); and Edmonton, Canada (10th).
THE BEST REGIONS
South Carolina (above), at the top of the regional rankings, offers places that are ‘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 eighth place East Anglia (above) as an ‘enigmatic’ region that offers ‘a real taste of old England’.
Launceston and the Tamar Valley in Tasmania come fourth in the regional rankings
South Carolina’s Lowland and Coastal Georgia take the gold medal in the regional rankings, with Lonely Planet declaring that on a road trip through the area ‘you’ll encounter golden beaches, windswept marshes 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 region’s podium is Chiriqui, Panama, followed by Launceston & the Tamar Valley TasmaniaAustralia (fourth); Wales, Switzerland (fifth); Giresun & Ordu, Turkey (sixth); and Bavaria, Germany (seventh).
Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2025 is out now
Why does East Anglia come eighth? Lonely Planet describes it as an ‘enigmatic’ region that offers ‘a real taste of old England, combined with nature reserves perfect for birdwatching, such as Minsmere and Cley Marshes, lively coastal beach towns and picturesque inland waterways’.
Patricia Yates, chief executive of VisitBritain/Visit England, 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 it’s no surprise, with the area boasting an outstanding coastline, fantastic seaside towns, historic attractions, waterways and stunning countryside. This award will encourage local and international visitors to explore more of the region and discover the warm welcome that awaits them.’
The rest of the region list is rounded out by Jordan Trail (ninth) and Mount Hood and the Columbia River Gorge region, Oregon (10th).
Nitya Chambers, Lonely Planet’s SVP, Content and Executive Editor, 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 excited to share the local expertise and insight at the heart of these recommendations.
‘Wherever you are in the world, we are confident Best in Travel will bring fresh inspiration for the year ahead.’
The book (REV £14.99) can be purchased from shop.lonelyplanet.com or ‘where all good books are sold’. For more information on 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: ‘Travellers can stay connected and secure while on destination with Saily, with mobile data coverage in almost all places on Lonely Planet’s winning list.’
