Top 10 places to visit in 2025

10. Zagreb, Croatia

August 2025 will mark the 30th anniversary of Operation Storm, a Croatian military operation that led to the end of the Yugoslavia War, hence liberating many parts of Croatia from the Serb forces and a major turning point in the war to independence.

During its 20th anniversary commemoration ten years ago, a major military parade was held in the capital city of Zagreb and so it wouldn’t surprise me if there will be something similar to mark its 30th anniversary.

Nevertheless, there is lots of history to be discovered in this small and compact city. Specifically, there are a number of walking and history tours that bring you back to those years of turbulence. Those war tunnels and bullet marks on building facades are evidently reminders of the tough times that happened not so long ago. I could feel it myself in the tours and in the people around the city – in fact, almost every adult had been affected one way or other by the war not so long ago. It was certainly a heartfelt and thought-provoking visit.

9. Orlando, Florida

In the land of theme parks, Walt Disney World is adding new experiences during the year 2025! This is expected to include a new night parade at Magic Kingdom, promising to feature characters from the likes of ‘Frozen’ and ‘Peter Pan’, as well as brand new shows, the Little Mermaid and Zootopia, Better Zoogether.

What’s more, there is a brand new resort, Island Tower just opened in December 2024.

So get your family to experience these brand new attractions together in 2025! For even more information on the new attractions coming to Walt Disney World in 2025, refer to the full list of what’s opening in Disney World in 2025.

8. Paris, France

With the recent reopening of the world-famous Notre Dame Cathedral following its restoration from a devastating fire in 2019, it is probably the perfect time to visit or revisit Paris. Furthermore, with the conclusion of the Paris Olympics in 2024, the crowds and prices are likely to normalise.

Also, not that the locals love it, you can also visit the many filming places of Emily in Paris following the recent release of Season 4 and the upcoming Season 5.

If you’d like somewhere to start your planning going, then visit the posts I have on Paris on this blog!

• Paris Travel Guide
• 3-Day Iconic Paris Itinerary
• Spending Half a Day at Montmartre

7. Osaka and Kyoto, Japan

I consider Japan to be one of the best places to visit in Asia, not only for its amazing views but also the amazing culture. The impressive Mount Fuji, volcanic hot springs, flavourful ramen and impeccable mannerism, to list just a few! And specifically in Kyoto, you can experience the authentic Japan with the impressive shrines, temples and castles.

You don’t need anything in particular to happen in Japan to have to draw you to the country.

But if you want an additional push factor to get you on that jet to Japan, then take note that the World Expo is happening in Osaka in 2025! This will be the third time the city is hosting the event having previously done so in 1970 and 1990, and will be taking place from 13 April 2025 to 13 October 2025.

The World Expo 2025 will be held on the island of Yumeshima in the lovely Osaka Bay area and the theme this time will be “Designing Future Society for Our Lives“. In particular, it will have exhibits, interactive activities and live demonstrations from various participating countries that will likely focus on topics around robotics, AI, renewable energies, public health and smart cities. It will certainly be a fun learning experience for families and children. For fans of scenic views, there will also be a Grand Ring, a wooden 2-km walking loop giving you views of the Osaka Bay area!

6. Barcelona, Spain

You would of course, have heard about La Sagrada Familia, the basilica under long years of construction in the city. Well, after 142 years of construction since 1882, the La Sagrada Familia is finally in its finishing phases! Having heard all our lives about its ongoing construction, this Gaudi-designed building is finally set to be completed in 2026! At least for its exterior.

So, if you wish to see it while it is still in its construction phase, you only have 2025 to do so!

And while you are in town, don’t forget to also visit the other Gaudi designed buildings, Las Ramblas and the beaches.

5. Singapore

As much as people think of Singapore as a concrete jungle, you can actually hop into a real jungle too! In March 2025, Singapore will be opening its fifth (yes, fifth!) zoological park following the Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, River Wonders and the Bird Paradise. This fifth addition to the Mandai Wildlife Reserve is no other than the Rainforest Wild.

Rainforest Wild will be opened in 2 phases, with Rainforest Wild Asia in March 2025 and Rainforest Wild Africa following later in the year. In sum, it will feature numerous immersive activities, treks and animals, catering to different levels of adventure. Climb over logs, cross river streams or even take a Canopy jump – more is expected to be known in due course.

And of course, hop into the concrete jungle for the infinity pool at Marina Bay Sands, and onto the resort island of Sentosa!

Singapore will also be celebrating its 60th year of independence in August 2025. I’ll be expecting celebratory events and festivals leading up to it, similar to the SG50 campaign leading up to her 50th independence. Stay tuned to the SG60 website for even more information!

4. Nuuk, Greenland

An international airport has finally opened in the capital of Greenland, Nuuk that allows for the first time, larger planes to land and take off. This paves the way for direct commercial flights into the autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark, not surprisingly starting with Copenhagen. It is also expected that from the summer of 2025, United Airlines will fly into Nuuk directly from New York. Officials hope that the new airport will boost the local economy significantly by improving tourism into the country.

If you love travelling to remote places that are very much untouched by humans and enjoy a break away from the bustling city life, then Nuuk is one destination to think about. You can also use it as a base for northern light chasing, especially with 2025 expected to be the year of solar maximum (more on this later).

So, explore Nuuk before it gets more touristy!

3. Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Amsterdam makes it to the list of places to visit in 2025 as the capital will be celebrating its 750th birthday with a year-long campaign starting from 27 October 2024 until the actual day on 27 October 2025! There is, and will be a full series of activities such as carnivals, exhibitions, concerts and interactive things to do when you visit Amsterdam during this period. It will be a special way to experience Amsterdam during the year 2025!

Check out the Amsterdam 750 website for more information and upcoming updates on programs lined up until 27 October 2025!

2. Rome, Italy / Vatican City

Every 25 years, the city celebrates a jubilee of the Catholic Church starting with the opening of the Holy Doors of St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican which took place on 24 December 2024 Christmas Eve. It then goes on a year-long celebration of masses, pilgrimages, processions and visits to holy sites, before concluding with the closing of the Holy Doors scheduled to take place on 6 January 2026.

During this time, visitors have the opportunity to participate in a number of religious tours, including a guided tour in the basilicas with a walk through the Holy Doors that open only once in 25 years. There are also pilgrimage walking tours that take you through the city of Rome on the ‘Pilgrim’s Path’ to understand the traditions and history of the Jubilee.

For even more information, visit the Jubilee 2025 website for visitors. Also, have a look at the calendar of events at the Jubilee 2025 site. The latter is also where you can register your interest for the pilgrimage to the Holy Doors.

1. Tromsø, Norway

Not surprisingly, Tromsø makes my top place to visit. 2025 is predicted to be a year of solar maximum, i.e., a period of high frequency explosions on the sun’s surface, resulting in particles (solar flares) reaching the Earth’s surface, interacting with oxygen and nitrogen molecules to produce the northern lights.

And because the solar maximum tends to occur around once in 11 years, it makes 2025 one of the best years to experience this magical, natural phenomenon. This is precisely the reason why I have Tromsø at the top of the places to visit in 2025 list, especially so when I view Tromsø as the best place in Europe to see the northern lights.

Just make sure you don’t plan your trip to Tromsø during summer, as the 24 hour sunlight will mean no chance of seeing the northern lights. Unless of course, you want to see the midnight sun more than the northern lights. Best of luck!

Related posts to help start your planning:

• Norway Travel Guide
• 4-Day Tromsø Itinerary in Winter (with the Northern Lights)