Lonely Planet has released it’s Best in Travel list for 2025 and the list of 30 destinations spotlights four European cities worth exploring this year
The travel guide publisher, Lonely Planet, has released its Best in Travel 2025 list, showcasing the 30 best travel destinations across the world. The list is divided into the 10 best countries, 10 best regions and 10 best cities to visit according to the Lonely Planet team.
Of the 10 cities crowned the best in this year’s highly anticipated list, four are located right here in Europe.
Toulouse, France
Known as the Ville Rose (Pink City) for its terracotta buildings, Toulouse sits between a bend in the Garonne River and the Canal du Midi. France’s fourth largest city, Toulouse is best known for its Old Quarter which Lonely Planet describes as: “a dreamy jumble of coral-coloured shopfronts and churches.” This maze-like metropolis offers a culinary and historical offering rivalling Paris, with a particular affinity for music. In fact, Toulouse was named a UNESCO Creative City of Music in 2023 for its musical heritage and commitment to supporting musicians during the pandemic.
2025 is set to be a great year for the city as it prepares for the reopening of the Musée des Augustins, a fine arts museum housing sculptures and paintings from the Middle Ages.
Bansko, Bulgaria
Highly regarded among skiers and snowboarders, this mountain resort destination is situated in the southwestern corner of Bulgaria. The town sits at the bottom of the Pirin mountain, on the banks of the Glazne river, so even non-skiiers can enjoy impeccable views. In fact, Bansko’s cobblestoned Old Quarter is considered the real heart of the town and grants visitors a taste of authentic Bulgarian charm and culinary scene.
After enjoying the exceptional winter sport facilities, travellers can stroll along the river or learn about the town’s proud history at the Radonova House historical complex.
There is plenty to explore in this picturesque town all year round. In fact, one of the highlights of 2025 will be the Bansko Nomad Fest, which will see digital nomads and entrepreneurs descend on the town this June.
Genoa, Italy
It’s no great shock to see Genoa on Lonely Planet’s exclusive list. The Mediterranean seaport is located in northwestern Italy, tucked between the Ligurian mountains. The city claims to boast the largest historic centre in Europe, and its not hard to believe when you see its maze-like layout of caruggi (narrow alleyways) and the iconic Palazzi dei Rolli—the collection of 16th and 17th century buildings specifically constructed to house noble families is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Genoa is a spectacular combination of historic grandeur and Mediterranean glamour that travellers would be hardpressed to find anywhere else. The Genoa-Milan high-speed, high-capacity railway line is currently in the works and will make it even easier to explore the seaside town, so you may want to get there before the secret is fully out.
Palma de Mallorca, Spain
Palma, the “Pearl of the Mediterranean,” is a feat of exceptional and modern urban planning. The city is uncharacteristically accessible by European standards but has managed to retain historic architectural integrity in light of all the urban planning advancements. In fact the safe and walkable streets make it easier to discover the city’s incredible cathedrals. Palma is no well-kept secret, its distinct Mediterranean edge has made it a beloved holiday hotspot among UK travellers for many years.
But 2025 marks an even bigger year for Palma tourism, as the Balearic capital will debut a highly anticipated waterfront promenade.
Here is Lonely Planet’s full list of the best cities for 2025:
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Toulouse
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Puducherry (Pondicherry)
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Bansko
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Chiang Mai
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Genoa
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Pittsburgh
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Osaka
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Curitiba
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Palma de Mallorca
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Edmonton
Additionally, these are Lonely Planet’s lists of the best countries and regions.
List of best countries:
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Cameroon
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Lithuania
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Fiji
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Laos
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Kazakhstan
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Paraguay
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Trinidad & Tobago
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Vanuatu
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Slovakia
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Armenia
List of best regions:
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Lowcountry, South Carolina and Georgia
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The Terai
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Chiriquí
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Launceston and the Tamar Valley
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Valais
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Giresun and Ordu
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Bavaria
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East Anglia
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Jordan Trail
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Mount Hood and Columbia River Gorge
You can explore the interactive map here, and discover Lonely Planets specific highlights for each destination.
