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Travel experts at Lonely Planet have come up with a wanderlust-inducing list of the 30 best places to visit in 2025, with East Anglia in England, the city of Pittsburgh in the US and Cameroon among those selected.
The destinations are honored in Lonely Planet’s recently published Best In Travel 2025 book, which crowns the ten best countries, regions and cities to visit next year.
The rankings have been selected by “Lonely Planet experts, contributors from around the world and editorial partners”, and the guide adds that the destinations have been chosen “for their topicality, unique experiences, wow factor and continued commitment to sustainability, community and diversity. ‘.
Cameroon tops the country ranking, followed by Lithuania in second place and Fiji snatching the bronze medal.
Pittsburgh is in sixth place in the city ranking, led by Toulouse in France. East Anglia has been declared the eighth best region in the world.
THE BEST COUNTRIES
Cameroon (above) tops the list of countries “for its pristine beaches and less crowded national parks”
Fiji, which comes in third, “is spread across more than 330 palm-fringed islands, each a symphony of turquoise waters, vibrant coral reefs and pearl-hued beaches.” Above is Mala Mala Island in the archipelago.
Lonely Planet says the West African nation of Cameroon tops the list of countries “for its pristine beaches, less-crowded national parks and exciting nightlife in its major cities.”
The guide praises second-place Lithuania’s “captivating medieval towns, pine forests, lakes and pristine sand dune beaches” of the Baltic, and describes how third-place Fiji “stretches across of more than 330 palm-fringed islands, each a symphony of turquoise waters, vibrant coral reefs and pearl-hued beaches.
In fourth place is Laos, home to “green landscapes, pristine mountains and beautiful ancient cities” connected by a new 643-mile (1,035-kilometer) high-speed rail line that ends in Yunnan in southern China.
The rest of the top ten is made up of Kazakhstan (fifth); Paraguay (sixth); Trinidad and Tobago (seventh); Vanuatu (eighth); Slovakia (9th); and Armenia (tenth).
THE BEST CITIES
Toulouse named best city for its “rapidly expanding arts scene and carefree riverside stroll”
In second place is Puducherry in India, overlooking the Bay of Bengal, which is being “reimagined as a prime destination for lovers of sand and surf.”
In the city ranking, Pittsburgh, which ranks sixth, is praised for its modern food and beverage offerings and affordability.
Toulouse is named best city for its “rapidly expanding arts scene and carefree riverside walk.” In second place is Puducherry in India, overlooking the Bay of Bengal, which is being “reimagined as a prime destination for lovers of sand and surf.”
Meanwhile, the Bulgarian mountain town of Bansko (third), known as one of the best value ski destinations in Europe, has been recognized “for its perfectly preserved old town by Unesco and offers a wide variety of experiences cultural events throughout the year.
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 to go there? Head to Kennywood Amusement Park and its century-old wooden roller coasters and the “bustling” Strip District, “a rich mix of personality and commerce” that attracts an “enthusiastic crowd.”
The rest of the top 10 is made up of Osaka, Japan (seventh); Curitiba, Brazil (eighth); Palma de Mallorca, Spain (ninth); and Edmonton, Canada (10th).
THE BEST REGIONS
South Carolina (above), which tops the region ranking, offers places that “apparently haven’t changed over time.”
Second is the Terai in Nepal, a “ribbon of forests, grasslands and wetlands” that is a “biodiversity hotspot.”
Lonely Planet describes East Anglia, which ranks eighth (above), as an “enigmatic” region offering “a real taste of old England.”
Launceston and the Tamar Valley in Tasmania rank fourth in the region ranking
South Carolina’s Low Country and Coastal Georgia take the gold medal in the region rankings, and Lonely Planet declares that on a road trip through the area “you’ll find golden beaches, windswept swamps, and ancient towns that apparently they have not changed with the passage of time. ‘.
Second 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 Chiriquí, Panama, followed by Launceston and Tamar Valley in Tasmania, Australia (fourth); Valais, Switzerland (fifth); Giresun & Ordu, Türkiye (6th); and Bavaria, Germany (seventh).
Lonely Planet’s Best of Travel 2025 Now Available
Why is East Anglia ranked 8th? Lonely Planet describes it as an “enigmatic” region offering “a real taste of old England, combined with bird-watching nature reserves such as Minsmere and Cley Marshes, lively coastal towns and picturesque inland waterways.”
VisitBritain/Visit England chief executive Patricia Yates said: “It’s fantastic to see East Anglia take its place on the world stage as one of Lonely Planet’s top regions for travel 2025. And it’s no surprise, as the The area boasts exceptional coastline, fabulous seaside towns, historic attractions, canals and stunning scenery. “This accolade will encourage national and international visitors to explore more of the region and discover the warm welcome that awaits them.”
The rest of the list of regions is rounded out by the Jordan Trail (9th) and Mount Hood and the Columbia River Gorge region, Oregon (10th).
Nitya Chambers, senior vice president, executive and content editor at 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 excited to share the expertise and local knowledge at the heart of these recommendations.
“Wherever you are in the world, we are confident that Best in Travel will bring new inspiration for the year ahead.”
The book (RRP £14.99) can be purchased from store.lonelyplanet.com or “where all the good books are sold.” For more information on Lonely Planet’s Best of Travel 2025, visit: lonelyplanet.com/best-in-travel.
In addition to the print edition, Lonely Planet features “a captivating set of digital and social media content, presented in partnership with the new eSIM Saily service.” The guide adds: “Travelers can stay connected and safe while at their destination with Saily, with mobile data coverage in almost every location on Lonely Planet’s winning list.”
