As Full-Time Travel Bloggers, This Is Where We Think You Should Go In 2025

Where to go in 2025? As full-time travel bloggers, we’ve developed our list of the best places to travel to in 2025. We include some popular favourites alongside some quieter destinations that deserve serious consideration.

This time of year, we see a lot of marketing hit our inbox about the travel trends for 2025.

So far, we’ve seen the common themes around transformational travel and event-based travel alongside new trends such as tech-based travel, tofu tourism and even neurodiverse travel.

But we’ll keep this simple. Our guide is about great destinations with a decent reason to visit in 2025.

We’ve got some awesome hiking destinations, getaways in the sun, epic train journeys, and fascinating but under-visited cities.

Destinations that we just think are a bit underestimated feature on this list, as well as cool new hotel openings, events and particular natural interests, such as Iceland’s 11-year solar peak, which is happening in 2025.

We hope this guide helps inspire your travels in 2025. As we tried to keep this as succinct as possible, leave us a comment below if you have any questions.

1. SCOTLAND

As Glasgow prepares to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games, Scotland will be abuzz with new openings in the lead-up, making 2025 a great time to visit.

The Inverness Castle Experience will open in 2025 to showcase the special culture of the Scottish Highlands. The existing buildings and gardens will be transformed into a multi-media space telling stories that capture the spirit of the Highlands.

For sailing fans, The Tall Ships Race will occur in Aberdeen between 19 July and 22 July 2025. You’ll be able to admire these iconic vessels at Europe’s largest free family event.

The Edinburgh Gin Distillery will open a state-of-the-art distillery and visitor experience in other highlights.

If you love the outdoors, like we do, we highly recommend the Isle of Skye. Mark and I spent a week exploring the island, including the Old Man of Storr and our favourite walk, the Quiraing.

COOL STAYS IN SCOTLAND 2025

Seaton House – Situated near St Andrews, the birthplace of golf, Seaton House will offer 5-star luxury in a restored local landmark hotel. The expected opening date is February 2025.

The Hoxton – One of our favourite hotel groups, The Hoxton, will open a new venue in Edinburgh in 2025. Several beautiful Georgian townhouses will combine to form the new Hoxton Edinburgh. There will be 214 rooms, a house for longer stays and even a cinema.

The Waterside Hotel – Located 40 minutes outside Glasgow, the Waterside is undergoing a huge expansion, creating a stunning seafront spa. There will be 6 treatment rooms, an indoor thermal area, an outdoor hydro pool and a sheltered fire pit.

2. MADEIRA

It’s always a great time to visit Madeira and 2025 is going to be no exception.

The Atlantic Island recently won the award for the World’s Leading Island at the World Travel Awards, and it’s easy to see why.

Stunning beaches, beautiful hiking trails and some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in the world. It’s hard not to be blown away by Madeira.

In 2025, the island will come alive for Madeira Carnival (February 26 to March 9) with 2 weeks of music, dance and dazzling street parades. The highlight is the Grand Allegoric Carnival Parade in Funchal.

Read our guide to visiting Funchal for more information on what to do while you are there.

There’s also the Atlantic Festival, a month-long celebration (in June) with fireworks, musical shows, concerts, and traditional performances.

If food is your thing, a few new restaurants are worth checking out. Theo’s does exceptional Portuguese cuisine, and Audax (our favourite restaurant from our last trip) does a modern take on Madeiran food.

Speaking of food, the BAM, a museum dedicated to bananas, is another new attraction on the island. We haven’t been yet, but it sounds just weird enough.

COOL STAYS IN MADEIRA 2025

Barceló Funchal – This is one of the hottest affordable stays in Funchal. Located in the centre of the old town overlooking the ocean, it has a sleek modern design with traditional elements.

Terrabona – This is a unique stay where wine and wellness meet in perfect harmony. Stay in one of their beautiful villas while you learn about the wine production process.

Villa Camélia Porto – This family-run, French / Mediterranean restaurant in Porto now has charming villas, which makes it a great alternative stay on Madeira. With just 4 suites, it’s a perfect relaxing break on the island.

3. ICELAND

Mark and I love Iceland, and we have visited it many times.

We’ve travelled around the Westfjords, ventured out to Vestrahorn to see the famous ‘Batman’ mountain and soaked in many of Iceland’s remote and isolated thermal pools.

The recent volcanic activity on the Reykjanes Peninsula will make Iceland a popular destination again in 2025.

Grindavík recently began welcoming visitors back and you can now walk around the Fagradalsfjall volcano site again. 

But one of the main reasons we think 2025 will be a great time to visit Iceland is due to the Solar Peak – the sun’s 11-year cycle, which is predicted to reach its zenith during 2025. This will make the Northern Lights particularly intense.

In February 2025, Easyjet will be adding a new route from Gatwick to Akureyri in the north. This route will allow you to visit some of the interesting places around Mývatn easily.

You can also go off-grid from Akureyri and explore part of the Highlands – our favourite region in Iceland.

For first-time visitors, we’d recommend our 10-day Ring Road itinerary to see a wonderful snapshot of the country.

COOL STAYS IN ICELAND 2025

Höfði Lodge – This new adventure lodge in North Iceland has spectacular views of Eyjafjörður, the longest fjord in Iceland. It will have outdoor hot tubs, a stunning rooftop bar and kid’s entertainment facilities.

Hotel Akureyri – This unique small hotel in the heart of Akureyri, with modern comforts and personalised Icelandic experiences, was one of the hot hotel openings of 2024. The excellent restaurant serves food produced by the on-site farm.

Hótel Skáld – Hotel Skald will be the first property in Iceland outside Reykjavík under the Hilton brand. Expect bold architecture, stylish design touches, world-class food, and quality service.

4. APPENZELL, SWITZERLAND

Appenzell is an under-visited area in the northeast of Switzerland.

It has vibrant traditions, including yodelling, cheesemaking and handmade woodcarvings. But for Mark and myself, the main reason to visit is the stunning scenery, and it’s not out of the question to have it all to yourself.  

Some of the highlights are the picturesque Aescher Hut perched on a narrow ledge, the scenic Ebenalp Cable Car and the incredible Shäfler Ridge views.

The highest cable car in the region, Säntis, whisks you to a breathtaking 2500-metre platform in under 10 minutes.

No big events are planned for 2025 in Appenzell; that’s not their style. Instead, we recommend this beautiful region of Switzerland for a holiday in nature with fewer crowds.

All our recommendations can be found in our guide to Appenzell which includes what to do, where to stay and tips for visiting.

COOL STAYS IN APPENZELL 2025

Hotel Alpenblick – This well-located hotel with an excellent on-site restaurant has a new dining room inviting you to enjoy Appenzeller hospitality a little longer.

Hotel Frohe Aussicht – This quiet retreat In Weissbad, a few miles from Appenzell town, has wonderful views over Appenzellerland. The restaurant is high quality, and most rooms have an outdoor balcony with sun loungers.

Hotel Appenzell – Situated on Appenzell’s historic Landsgemeinde Square, this café-hotel looks the part and is a wonderful traditional stay.

5. ANDALUCÍA, SPAIN

Andalucía is a sunny, diverse region in Spain home to flamenco, Picasso and sherry.

Combining mountain villages with lively cities and Mediterranean beaches with impressive historical buildings, Andalucía is the perfect destination for anyone looking for a variety of experiences.

Travel through Andalucía will be enhanced in 2025 with the introduction of a new high-speed train line from Barcelona to Málaga.

The new service, which started operating in December 2024, will take just under 6 hours and include stops at Madrid, Zaragoza and Córdoba. 

Tickets for the new service will start at €24 each way, making it an affordable way to see southern Spain.

We cover the best places to visit in our Andalucía guide, which is a great starting point if you’re unfamiliar with the area. If a beach holiday is what you are looking for in 2025, read our guide to the Costa del Sol.

We also have a 7-day itinerary you can do without a car to make the most of Spain’s excellent train network and reduce the stress of driving in small old towns.

COOL STAYS IN ANDALUCÍA IN 2025

Fairmont La Hacienda Costa del Sol – Located on the coast in San Roque, Fairmont will open a 5-star luxury property on the La Hacienda Golf Resort. It will include a beach restaurant, pool bar and spa facilities.

Ocean Drive – Ocean Drive is a new hotel in the heart of Seville with individually designed rooms and private terraces. The style is contemporary with traditional Andalusian elements. 

DAIA Slow Beach – This adults-only resort opened in July 2024 in Conil de la Frontera. There’s a year-round outdoor pool, fitness centre and garden.

6. CAMBODIA

Mark and I were back in Cambodia in 2024 after spending a few weeks there around 10 years ago.

While the incredible temples haven’t changed, plenty around them has.

Angkor Wat, which was a small town on our previous visit, is now a significant city with plenty of infrastructure for visitors.

Some might lament the loss of a more backpacker-type travel experience on the traditional Southeast Asia route. There is some validity to this, but on the upside, this remarkable Kingdom is now more accessible than ever.

The newly established Cambodia Tourism Board are keen to show off more of the country beyond the amazing Angkor Wat Temples.

Koh Rong’s sandy beaches are key to promoting Cambodia, as are eco-tourism locations like Mondulkiri, a remote province in the northeast.

We also think Phnom Penh is a massively overlooked city in the region.

If a cost-effective, historically interesting country is on your travel agenda for 2025, it might be a good time to visit Cambodia before it gets more focus.

COOL STAYS IN CAMBODIA 2025

Novotel Phnom Penh – Located in the capital’s centre, this is the first Novotel property in Phnom Penh. It has a social hub with a range of dining and wellness options.

Angsana Siem Reap – Expected to open in 2025, the Angsana will feature lagoon-style swimming pools, private villas and 5 restaurants. It will be located in downtown Siem Reap.

PATIO Hotel & Urban Resort – We stayed in this cool boutique-style hotel on our second visit to Phnom Penh and really loved it. The location is excellent for nightlife, and the rooftop pool is a great place to relax.

7. MARRAKECH, MOROCCO

Marrakech is a mad city with an energy that’s hard to find anywhere else.

Every year is good to visit Marrakech, so we’re putting it on this list simply because it’s a good all-rounder and a great place to experience.

If you’re a football fan, December 2025 will be a great time to visit when the city is hosting the African Cup of Nations.

There’s a new neighbourhood in Marrakech called M Avenue. Set over 5 hectares, the new lifestyle space has over 100 retail brands, wellness centres and restaurants.

As always, a wonderful thing to do around Marrakech is the Agafay Dessert Dining Experience, where you’ll enjoy modern and traditional cooking under a blanket of stars.

We have a guide covering all the best things to do in Marrakech, including the top attractions, bars, restaurants, and our traveller tips.

To help put your long weekend together, read our 3-day Marrakech itinerary.

COOL STAYS IN MARRAKECH 2025

Palais Ronsard – Get the VIP treatment in this new Relais & Cháteaux property, 8 kilometres from the centre of Marrakech. There’s a beautiful outdoor garden, swimming pool and fitness centre.

NOBU Marrakech – Just a 15-minute walk from Jemaá el Fna Square, Nobu Hotel is a fabulous new addition to Marrakech. Each of the beautifully decorated rooms and the rooftop terrace is stunning.

Riad Botanica – This new riad close to the centre has all the atmosphere you could ask for, with plenty of facilities for a comfortable stay. The high tea is a wonderful experience during your stay.

8. VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA

I grew up in Victoria, the Australian state blessed with mountains, national parks, wineries and some of the best surfing beaches in the country.

While Sydney might get more attention, Victoria has an understated, liveable appeal.

Across the country, Victoria is known for heart-pumping sporting events, top-quality coffee and a foodie culture that’s ingrained in everything we do.

We also love a good road trip in Victoria, and the Great Ocean Road is the best there is.

Throughout 2025, there are a host of great reasons to visit.

Firstly, the British and Irish Lions Tour will take place between 28 June and 2 August 2025. The Ashes will return in November 2025.

Billie Eilish will be touring in March with 4 shows in Melbourne if you’re more a music fan than a sports fan.

In other 2025 news, Japanese contemporary Artist Yayoi Kusama will have a world-premiere exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria until 21 April 2025. The collection will feature 180 works specially curated for Australian audiences.

COOL STAYS IN VICTORIA 2025

Hannah St – Opening in late 2025, Hanna St Hotel will be a luxury hotel in Melbourne with a rooftop bar, event space, private terraces and a wellness studio.

1 Hotel – Developed using reclaimed and upcycled materials, 1 Hotel will feature native greenery and a farm-to-table food programme to deliver an eco-friendly inner city retreat on the banks of the Yarra River.

Hyatt House Hotel – Spaciously designed with an eye for the home-away-from-home experience, this will be the first Hyatt House in Australia. It’s expected to open in late 2025 in South Melbourne.   

9. ENGLAND

England is our home country, so we’re always on the lookout for great things to do. Fortunately, we’re never short on ideas.

Next year marks the 200^th anniversary of the birth of the modern railway in England.

Throughout 2025, plenty of events will be celebrating this monumental milestone, including the reopening of Station Hall at York’s National Railway Museum.

On the same theme, Britannic Explore will become England’s first luxury sleeper train, travelling between London, Cornwall and Lake District with fine dining and spa treatments.

In other news, the Woman’s Ruby World Cup will be held in areas across England, and new attractions will include Tate Liverpool and the Museum of Shakespeare in Shoreditch, London.

To help you plan your trip, start with our list of the best places to visit in England. This will give you a good idea of where you might like to go.  

We also have an easy-to-follow 7-day England itinerary, which covers a good selection of highlights without rushing around too much. The itinerary can be done by train.  

One of our favourite areas in England is the Lake District. If you’d like to do some hiking, this guide covers the best walks in the Lake District with instructions and maps.

COOL STAYS IN ENGLAND 2025

Six Senses – Taking over the Whiteleys Shopping Centre in Bayswater, Six Senses will be the biggest deal in hotel openings for 2025. There will be a sprawling spa, a 20-metre swimming pool and a huge fitness space. 

Broadwick Soho – This luxury boutique property in the heart of London has 57 bedrooms, an all-day bar and Terrance, and a whole lot of style.

Treehouse Manchester – This cool hotel has nature-inspired interiors, a rooftop restaurant and pet-friendly facilities. The Zero-waste ethos matches their green-friendly style.

10. ARIZONA

After a lengthy road trip through the National Parks in the USA last year, it’s safe to say Arizona is one of our favourite states.

The bold rust-coloured landscapes are mesmerising, the hiking trails inspiring, and the charming towns bursting with local life.  

In 2025, there are even more great reasons than usual to visit.

Arizona is a wonderful place for stargazing, with wide open spaces and dark sky communities where light pollution is minimal. 

Two new dark sky communities have been certified in 2024, and they are ready to receive stargazing visitors in 2025.  

Tubac in the Santa Cruz Valley is a small town with a vibrant art scene. Brisbee, just 5 miles north of the Mexico border, recently received its dark sky certification.

But you don’t need to be in a stargazing community to appreciate the skies over Arizona. Our favourite Grand Canyon hikes have some of the best views in the state, while Monument Valley is full of ethereal beauty.

Antelope Canyon is another highlight we absolutely loved in Arizona.

COOL STAYS IN ARIZONA 2025

VAI Resort – This new desert oasis, opening in 2025, has a six-acre swimming pool, a star-studded stage, and luxurious cabanas. There will be a shopping mall, fitness centre and much more.

Trailborn Grand Canyon – Located on Route 66 in Williams, the gateway to the Grand Canyon South Rim, this new resort hotel is set to open in early 2025. Expect a Southwestern steakhouse, saloon-style beer hall and outdoor pool. Don’t miss the historic railway ride to the Grand Canyon South Rim.