03/12/24Lonely Planet’s top 10 holiday destinations for 2025
With 195 countries to choose from, deciding where to go on your next holiday can be tricky.
In a world where many popular holiday destinations are flooded with visitors and overwhelmed with inauthentic restaurants and shops, you might want to find a place off the beaten path so you can truly enjoy the country you’re visiting.
This is where Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel list can help.
Read on to learn more about the 10 best countries to visit in 2025 so you can decide on your next holiday destination.
1. Cameroon
2025 marks the 65th anniversary of Cameroon’s independence. With a wealth of exciting events happening to bring well-deserved attention to the nation’s extraordinary history and culture, there has never been a better time to visit.
Trek through the wilderness looking for mandrills, gorillas, and forest elephants in Parc National de Campo-Ma’an. Or explore the spectacular Art Deco and African Modernist architecture of the capital Yaoundé by day, then party to the beats of the music at night.
2. Lithuania
Lithuania recently earned the title of European Green Capital of 2025 for its protected forests, lakes, and sandy dunes lining the Baltic Sea. In fact, green space covers 61% of the country’s capital, Vilnius.
While you’re exploring the stunning natural landscape, don’t forget to visit the recently restored Sapieha Palace or toast the city after dark with craft cocktails at Champaneria.
3. Fiji
This amazing 330-island archipelago is surrounded by 1.3 million square miles of sparkling ocean and has a whopping 460 protected marine areas brimming with sea life.
Explore these crystal-clear waters and their coral reefs by booking a scuba diving or snorkelling exhibition, or head up to the country’s highlands and waterfalls to see the picturesque views from above.
4. Laos
With its newly launched, high-speed international rail connecting Laos’ mountainous plains with China’s bustling Yunnan Province, travel around the region’s pockets of nature and cultural heritage sites is easier and more affordable than ever before.
Adrenaline junkies can head to the rivers and mountains of Vang Vieng for biking, ziplining, or tubing adventures. But if you’d prefer to indulge in the ancient culture, schedule a day trip to Kuang Si Waterfall or the Old Quarter to join a sunrise alms-giving ceremony.
5. Kazakhstan
Hikers will adore Kazakhstan for the many trails you can explore in Sairam-Ugam National Park, as well as natural wonders such as the singing dunes in Altyn-Emel National Park.
If you’re not quite as adventurous, Kazakhstan is also known for its mouth-watering food. Enjoy a plate of beshbarmak, a celebratory dish made with horse or mutton, alongside other culinary delights in the country’s food capital, Shymkent.
6. Paraguay
Deep in the heart of South America, visit Paraguay to enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of the golden beaches of Carmen del Paraná or explore the plunging waterfalls in Saltos del Monday.
There’s also incredible wildlife to be spotted if you keep a keen eye out – including jaguars and giant anteaters!
7. Trinidad & Tobago
This twin-island Caribbean nation’s biggest attraction is Carnival: a months-long event that features steelpan competitions, stick-fighting battles, and calypso showdowns. Book your trip for 3 and 4 March 2025 to take part in the culmination of the festivities and experience the vibrant costume parades.
However, there’s plenty for you to enjoy at other times of the year. Go birding and turtle-watching at the Hadco Experiences Asa Wright Nature Center or visit the sacred Hindu pantheon, Temple in the Sea, which sits on the causeway in the Gulf of Paria.
8. Vanuatu
If you’re looking for a destination away from the crowds, Vanuatu is the place to go. With fewer than 45,000 tourists per year, the scenic trails around the islands’ jungle and beaches will make you feel like you’re exploring untouched parts of the world.
For those who want an adventure beyond drinking the nation’s signature beverage, kava, on the beach, you can visit the many volcanoes in Vanuatu – and if you’re lucky, you might even see Tanna Island’s Yasur volcano spurt some lava!
9. Slovakia
If you’ve yet to visit Slovakia, now is the time to go. Thanks to their focus on outdoor adventures, ecotourism, and ongoing restoration projects, there’s been no better time to see the architectural and natural wonders of this often-forgotten European country.
Hop aboard the Tatra Electric Railway and admire their famous Brutalist architecture with Bratislava’s topsy-turvy Slovak National Radio Building or explore underground labyrinths and the shimmering perma-freeze of the Dobšinská Ice Cave.
10. Armenia
Armenia currently remains relatively undiscovered to tourists, but that is about to change.
Immerse yourself in the culture by visiting the UNESCO-recognised monasteries of Geghard, Haghpat, and Sanahin, as well as the 2,000-year-old Garni Temple.
Plus, you might be excited to discover that Armenia’s wine scene is on par with any in the world. Enjoy a glass of their famous Arenia Noir in their stunning vineyards while dining on the local delicacies.
