Best of the World 2025 Editor’s Top 12

By Know Well

National Geographic’s Best of the World is an editor-curated annual list that spotlights destinations where nature, culture, and new accessibility (routes, trails, museums) align. It prioritizes community benefits and low-impact travel while celebrating meaningful, story-rich experiences.

Here are 12 destinations for 2025 that embody that spirit:

1. Antigua, Guatemala — Volcano Sunsets & Colonial Streets

   Hike Acatenango for night-glow views of Fuego’s eruptions, then return to UNESCO-listed Antigua for cobblestones, coffee estates, and baroque courtyards. Well-run one- or two-day treks make this dramatic landscape newly approachable.

2. Ocala National Forest, Florida, USA — Springs, Pines, and Quiet Wild

   Trade theme-park crowds for crystal springs, longleaf pine restoration, and easy loop trails. Lakes, manatee habitat, and improved access points make light hikes and paddle days simple to plan.

3. Bangkok, Thailand — Heritage Reborn, Arts on the Rise

   A city of gilded temples and contemporary festivals, Bangkok pairs food alleys with world-class galleries. Nearby Ayutthaya’s riverside ruins—stabilized and scanned turn a day trip into a living history lesson.

4. Raja Ampat, Indonesia — Coral Kingdom Comeback

   An epicenter of marine biodiversity, Raja Ampat rewards divers with thriving reefs and shark sightings. New small-ship routes and sail charters add conservation briefings to unforgettable blue-water days.

5. Guadalajara, Mexico — Mariachi Pride, Plaza Energy

   The birthplace of mariachi and charrería turns late summer into a citywide celebration. Parades, concerts, and arena shows mix with creative cuisine and leafy neighborhoods.

6. Cenobitic Monasteries, Italy — A Night Inside the Cloister

   Stay in centuries-old communities where plain rooms, chant, gardens, and wine cellars set the pace. It’s slow travel in its purest form: art, landscape, and shared table.

7. Los Angeles, California, USA — Public Art, New Museums

   A fresh cultural spine stretches from street murals to major openings. Outdoor installations and next-wave museum projects make LA a city to gallery-hop—indoors and out.

8. Greenland — Easy(er) Door to the Arctic

   With expanded air links, ice-fjord towns and Inuit cultural hubs are more reachable. Boat among towering bergs, then delve into crafts, stories, and community-run experiences.

9. Kanazawa, Japan — The Thoughtful Kyoto Alternative

   Samurai lanes, teahouse districts, and Kenrokuen Garden evoke old Japan without the crush. Workshops in gold-leaf and crafts add hands-on depth to a slow-paced stroll.

10. Eastern & Oriental Express, Malaysia — A Classic Train Returns

    Polished wood, open-air viewing, and three-night itineraries from Singapore bring back grand-tour romance. Wildlife stops and conservation themes update the legend for modern travelers.

11. Brașov, Romania — Gateway to the Via Transilvanica

    A new airport and a waymarked 870-mile trail string medieval villages, vineyards, and hill forts. Settle in Brașov’s Gothic old town, then walk a different chapter each day.

12. Northland, New Zealand — Where Kelp Forests Meet Kiwi Country

    Explore sea caves and protected reefs off the Poor Knights, then join community efforts inland to secure corridors for the nation’s iconic bird. Ocean and bush adventures fit into one easy loop.

The 2025 list blends iconic scenery with local stewardship—places where your trip supports heritage, biodiversity, and community pride while delivering unforgettable moments.

Source: National Geographic, “Best of the World 2025 — The 25 best places in the world to travel to in 2025,” https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/slideshow/best-of-the-world-2025