Pack your bags and grab your passport—TIME has unveiled its list of the 100 best places to visit in 2025.
From El Salvador to Jaipur to Zimbabwe, TIME’s team of editors has curated a selection of extraordinary destinations and exciting new experiences for travelers to explore.
Now in its seventh year, the list showcases a variety of must-visit spots, including resorts, cruises, museums, restaurants, and national parks.
Notable U.S. destinations on the list include the newly renovated Waldorf Astoria New York, scheduled to reopen this spring. The iconic Manhattan hotel, which has been a staple for 94 years, will feature 357 redesigned guest suites for visitors to enjoy.
In Georgia, Macon’s Ocmulgee Mounds, a prehistoric Native American site, has been a national historical park since 2019. Soon, it will become the state’s first national park—visit before the crowds arrive.
In the Caribbean, Sandals debuted its first resort in St. Vincent and the Grenadines last March, located in Buccament with stunning sea and mountain views, plus a centerpiece 300-foot pool.
In South America, Colombia’s impressive Magdalena River, stretching nearly 1,000 miles, will soon be navigable by river cruise, courtesy of Ama Waterways. TIME highlights its upcoming seven-night itineraries between Cartagena and Barranquilla, with reservations now open.
Scotland has revived its “ghost” whisky distilleries, with the most notable being Port Ellen on the Isle of Islay, which reopened last year after more than four decades of closure. The distillery now offers a premium visitor experience, where guests can enjoy elegant teas alongside the expected whisky tastings.
In Paris, the newly restored Notre Dame Cathedral is highlighted. TIME notes that while proposals for rebuilding the 12th-century landmark after the 2019 fire included ideas like a rooftop pool and a glass spire, the final product, set to reopen in late 2024, remains a testament to authentic restoration.
Denmark is represented by the newly opened Tiny Seaside resorts of Loddenhøj and Skarrev in South Jutland. TIME describes the modernist houses as 226 square feet each, with space for a family of four, private terraces, and barbecues.
Namibia’s NamibRand Nature Reserve was recognized last year as Africa’s first Wilderness Quiet Park. This vast 200,000-hectare desert expanse has been an International Dark Sky Reserve since 2012, making it the perfect destination for those seeking an escape from the noise and fast pace of modern life.
In Musanze, Rwanda, the Culinary Innovation Village by Meza Malonga takes guests on a culinary journey across the African continent. Dieuveil Malonga, born in Congo, traveled to 48 countries to create his unique blend of Afro-fusion cuisine. He shared with CNN in 2023 that he hopes his work can ignite a culinary revolution across Africa.
Nintendo’s first museum opened last October in Uji, Japan, at the company’s former factory complex, about an hour south of Kyoto. TIME notes, “You don’t need to know the difference between Shino, Mario, or Zelda to appreciate the Nintendo Museum. But for those who grew up glued to their Nintendo Switch or vintage Game Boy, it might just transport you back to your childhood.”
