If you’re looking for fresh travel inspiration for the upcoming year, 2025 promises to be an exciting time for adventurers, culture enthusiasts, and nature lovers alike. Here are 10 must-visit destinations to add to your 2025 travel bucket list.
Iceland
Iceland is our top destination for 2025 and we cannot wait to visit at the end of February! We’ll be renting a campervan and touring the southwest of Iceland, starting in Reykjavik (update: we’ve been and it was the best trip ever! Read all about it here).
2025 is supposed to be the best year for the northern lights in over a decade (even better than 2024, where we even saw it in the UK!) so hopefully we’ll get some good sightings of the natural phenomenon whilst we’re in Iceland. Any tips or suggestions for our trip are more than welcome so please leave them in the comments below!
Iceland can be an expensive destination to visit but First Choice have some great deals, check them out!
Malaysia
I will always stand by the opinion that Malaysia is one of the most underrated destinations in Southeast Asia. And I’ve no idea why! It’s super safe, cheap to fly to, really affordable once you’re there and incredibly varied — it’s literally the perfect place for any traveller to visit. Go to Malaysia in 2025 and you will not be disappointed.
Want to see amazing wildlife? Visit Malaysian Borneo. Want to chill on gorgeous white sand beaches? Langkawi is the place for you. Prefer being up in the hills, experiencing a mixture of nature and culture? Get to the Cameron Highlands. Want to experience one of Asia’s most vibrant cities? Kuala Lumpur is waiting for you!
Scotland
If you’re looking for somewhere closer to home (for those like me in the UK), make sure to visit Scotland in 2025. I bloomin’ love a ‘staycation’ — a mini adventure close to where I live and Scotland is the perfect choice for that. It’s an especially great choice for anyone who loves the outdoors.
Scotland has huge mountains, lush forests, beautiful lakes and quaint towns and cities to explore. Take a road trip through the Scottish Highlands to visit ancient castles and battle sites, eat haggis and drink Irn Bru to your heart’s content.
Sri Lanka
Another gem in Asia and one which seems to be gaining more popularity on the ‘backpacker route’ is Sri Lanka. I visited for the first time in 2015 (read about it here) and was lucky enough to visit a second time in 2023 with Joe and his family!
The people are so friendly and welcoming, the culture is fascinating and for such a small island there is so much to see and do. Make sure climbing Lion’s Rock (Sigiriya), riding the train from Nuwara Eliya to Ella and going on safari in Yala National Park are on your list for a trip to Sri Lanka.
Madeira, Portugal
One up-and-coming destination in 2024 that I noticed all over Instagram seemed to be Madeira. Jaw-dropping mountain landscapes and beautiful beaches have given it the nickname ‘the Hawaii of Europe’ — if this sounds like your vibe for a 2025 holiday, get yourself to Madeira! Plus, at a quick glance, flights start at around £60 each way for September departures from London… what’s not to love about a cheap tropical getaway?
Porto, Portugal
Porto is my top pick for a city break in 2025. We spent 48 hours in Porto in March 2024 and I would love to return for a longer visit. Whether you fancy a quick break like we did or a longer trip — perhaps visting other parts of Portugal while you’re at it — Porto is a lovely destination for spring or summer.
Bratislava, Slovakia
For a slightly more underrated city break in Europe, why not try Bratislava? I visited for just one day in October 2024 and it made for a surprisingly cosy autumn day trip. Try the local blackcurrant wine and walnut stuffed pretzels, wander along the banks of the River Danube and climb the cobbled streets to the magnificent Bratislava castle, perched atop the city.
Thailand
Maybe I’m biased because Thailand will always be on my list. Every year. It’s the perfect place for every kind of traveller and I truly truly believe that, so I’ll keep this short and sweet.
Beautiful nature? Tick. The best food on earth? Tick. Gorgeous beaches and great snorkelling and diving? Tick. Temples and culture? Tick. Party vibes? Tick. Super affordable and easy to navigate? Tick. You get the picture…
Nicaragua
I always consider Nicaragua my first ‘proper travel’ destination. It opened my eyes to new culture, new foods, otherworldly landscapes and more. Central America travel is on the rise so get yourself there now and go to Nicaragua for a lesser-visited and less-well-known spot. The food is amazing and the volcano region in Nicaragua is jaw-droppingly beautiful. Enjoy this photo of 17 year old me at the crater of Volcan Telica in 2014 and read about my adventure here!
Egypt
One place which has been on my bucket list for YEARS (and still is) is Egypt. I really need to prioritise this one for 2025 because at the moment it’s especially affordable. My colleague recently visited on a Nile river cruise and last year my parents spent a few days in Cairo visiting the pyramids. I’ve only heard great things about travelling to Egypt. Plus, if you’re into relaxing on beautiful beaches and incredible scuba diving opportunities, Egypt’s Red Sea coast looks like it ticks all the boxes.
Whether you’re seeking natural wonders, cultural experiences, or urban adventures, these 10 destinations promise something for every type of traveler. As we head into 2025, start planning your next adventure and discover somewhere new on our beautiful planet Earth!
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