10 top cities & countries with fantastic reasons to visit in 2025

Kirsten Henton

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Still deciding where to go in 2025? We've handpicked a selection of places with something for everyone, whether you're after an action-packed city break or just desperate to feel buttery soft sand between your toes.

So, read on to find out which cities, destinations and countries are the places to be in 2025 and treat yourself to a trip to look forward to as we enter the New Year.

Aix-en-Provence, France

The honey-hues of Aix-en-Provence in the south of France have long drawn creatives, romantics and the super chic. Founded by the Romans in the 1st century CE, affectionately known 'Aix' thrives on water, which is why it's often referred to as the 'City of Fountains'.

It was also the home of Aix-born, Post-Impressionist artist Paul Cezanne and 2025 is a pivotal year in this local hero's legacy. Adding to the ways in which you can discover the life of this great painter, including a self-guided walking trail and a visit to his studio-turned-museum, is the reopening of his fully-renovated family home, Jas de Bouffan.

There will also be a landmark exhibition of his work at the city's Mussée Granet. Go for the art, stay for the markets, bars, shops, galleries and divine madeleines at Christophe Madeleine.

Find your stylish stay in Provence with Simpson Travel^*, which has a variety of villas for various budgets^*.

Climate in Aix-en-Provence

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Maximum daytime temperature °C	9	10	12	16	20	24	27	26	23	18	13	9
Hours of sunshine (daily)	5	5	7	8	9	10	11	10	8	6	5	5
Days with some rainfall	10	10	10	9	9	7	4	6	7	9	10	10

Basel, Switzerland

Switzerland's third city, Basel, has long been seen as the country's cultural hub. With some forty-odd museums, including the Museum of Contemporary Art, the first public museum of its kind in Europe, and the prestigious annual fair Art Basel, balanced with a strong street art movement and lively springtime Carnival, it's easy to see why.

But there's more to Basel than its impressive art collections. Take a city tour to get to know its history, spy the spectacular architecture, a vast array of buildings designed by award-winning architects, step inside the Roman/Gothic-style Basler M&uouml;nster, or cathedral, with its colourful roof tiles, and wind around the streets of its pretty old town.

While summers promise long afternoons and activities like grabbing a "Wickelfisch" swim bag and bobbing down the River Rhine with the locals, winter sees Christmas markets dusted in snow and plenty of places to scoff fondue and raclette.

What's more, two big events are gracing the city in 2025: firstly the Eurovision Song Contest's semi and grand finals will be held there between 13 and 17 May 2025 before the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 comes to town in July.

Browse affordable city breaks to Basel with Expedia^*, which offers deals on flights and accommodation.

Climate in Basel

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Maximum daytime temperature °C	3	5	10	15	18	22	24	23	20	15	8	3
Hours of sunshine (daily)	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	7	6	4	2	2
Days with some rainfall	15	14	15	15	17	16	14	15	12	13	15	14

Djerba, Tunisia

The Tunisian holiday isle of Djerba will be more accessible than ever thanks to new flights and holidays taking off from London Luton and Manchester with easyJet holidays^*.

North Africa's largest island, Djerba is hemmed with stylish hotels and swimming-pool-endowed resorts lined with swathes of golden beaches lapped by the clear turquoise waters of the southern Mediterranean; but it's not all about lounger time.

Wild, dusty and deeply traditional in many ways, there's plenty to see and experience, too. The markets of Houmt Souk, a town founded by the Romans, offer plenty of ways for you to part with your money, while boat trips to the platinum sand bar of Flamingo Island set sail from its port.

Djerba has long had a big Jewish community and the colourful El Ghriba Synagogue, believed to be the oldest in Tunisia (or all of Africa, depending on your source), is a peaceful place of pilgrimage.

Search the latest beach breaks to Djerba in 2025 with easyJet holidays^*.

Climate in Djerba

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Maximum daytime temperature °C	16	18	20	22	26	29	32	32	30	26	22	18
Hours of sunshine (daily)	7	7	8	9	10	11	12	11	9	8	7	7
Days with some rainfall	4	4	3	3	2	1	1	1	2	4	4	4
Sea temperature °C	15	14	15	17	20	23	26	28	27	25	22	18

Paris, France

The jewel at the heart of the French capital is shining bright once more and 2025 is the year to see it for yourself. After a five-year reconstruction project following the devastating fire in April 2019, Notre Dame reopened on 7 December 2024, like a phoenix from the flames.

Of course, Paris is more than its centuries-old cathedral with attractions all year round. Consider a classically romantic escape this Valentine's Day, go in autumn to see the colourful changing leaves over the Seine or rifle through the Christmas markets in winter.

France's biggest and most vibrant city never disappoints with its countless museums, designer shops, flea markets and activities. Just leave time to sip a strong coffee as the city's busy streets unfold around you from one of the traditional Parisian cafés.

Bag a great value escape to Paris with Love Holidays^*, which offers a wide range of city breaks for all budgets.

Climate in Paris

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Maximum daytime temperature °C	6	7	11	14	18	21	24	23	20	16	10	7
Hours of sunshine (daily)	2	3	4	6	7	7	8	7	6	4	3	2
Days with some rainfall	17	14	16	15	15	13	11	12	12	14	15	16

Pula, Croatia

Ancient Pula, the largest city on the northern Istrian peninsula, is Croatia in miniature, and with more flights and holidays from easyJet holidays^*, Jet2holidays^* and British Airways^*, it's got to be your next destination.

Incorporating a little hint at everything that makes Croatia such a hit with holidaymakers, it's got a compact historic centre and museums dedicated to olive-making traditions and an incredible coast within easy reach.

A busy port city, it has long been of strategic importance and, hence part of many an empire, This city by the sea was well fortified from its hilltop Kastel to the network of tunnels that snake beneath its surface. Although much is blocked off today, you can walk the corridors chiselled through the rock at Zerostrasse.

The unmissable star of the show is Pula Arena, one of the world's largest and best-preserved Roman amphitheatres, while a day trip to the archipelago of Brijuni National Park throws up even more Roman remains in the form of grand villas and far-older dinosaur footprints.

The twisting streets of the old town, ample options for fine seafood, locally-produced wines and lively bars ensure days are topped off with great nights. Just don't miss the port's cranes which dazzle in a carefully choreographed lightshow each evening.

Book your trip to perfect Pula and the Istrian Coast in 2025 with Jet2holidays^*, which departs from Birmingham, East Midlands, Manchester and London Stansted.

Climate in Pula

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Maximum daytime temperature °C	9	10	13	16	21	25	28	28	24	19	14	10
Hours of sunshine (daily)	3	4	5	6	8	9	10	9	7	5	3	3
Days with some rainfall	12	12	12	13	13	13	10	11	11	12	13	13
Sea temperature °C	11	10	10	13	17	21	24	25	22	19	16	13

Travelling on a budget? See which are the cheapest cities to visit in Europe.

Cameroon

The Central African nation of Cameroon is gearing up to mark 65 years of independence in 2025. Well, 65 years since the end of French rule in 1960; a small portion of the country remained under British rule until 1961.

Cameroon is a wonderful destination if you're looking to explore Central Africa but don't know quite where to start. It's a safe country where English and French are the national languages and you'll find all the amenities for tourists - just not too many actual tourists.

Its pristine Atlantic coast beaches around Kribi are backed by forests humming with wildlife and rivers ready for day trips while the active volcano of Mount Cameroon's arid landscape is much-loved by hikers. Throw in Cameroon's renowned music and flavoursome food scenes, and you're in for the trip of a lifetime.

Find your slice of paradise in Cameroon with TourRadar^*, which offers a wider variety of immersive trips and tours.

Climate in Cameroon

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Maximum daytime temperature °C	31	32	31	31	31	29	28	28	29	29	30	31
Hours of sunshine (daily)	5	6	5	6	5	4	3	2	3	4	5	5
Days with some rainfall	7	10	16	17	19	16	15	19	23	24	16	8
Sea temperature °C	28	28	29	29	29	28	26	26	26	27	28	28

The above guide shows the climate in Kribi.

Scotland

There are so many ways to explore Scotland. From its historic cities bursting with art, culture and fine dining to its wild, mountainous landscapes, national parks and the country's very own Big Five (eyes peeled for red deer, golden eagles, otters, common seals and red squirrels), Scotland has something for everyone.

Why not make 2025 the year you visit? Whether you've been before or you're planning to step on Scottish soil for the first time, this is the year to dive right in, especially with the inscription of the Flow Country, the 9,000-year-old peatland ecosystem in the far northeast, onto the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Then there's Edinburgh's ground-breaking new wave pool, Lost Shore Surf Resort. Opened in late 2024, this whopping great former quarry is now a mega surfing spot for novices and pros with cosy accommodation to boot.

Meanwhile, if a cultural road trip has you packing your bags, perhaps Scotland's groundbreaking digital UNESCO Trail is for you. Launched in 2021, this world-first network connects 13 designated spots including World Heritage Sites, Biospheres, Global Geoparks and Creative Cities in one informative route.

Find your perfect place to stay for less with Wood Leisure^*, which has six holiday parks across Scotland or book a room at one of the many Macdonald Hotels & Resorts^*, found everywhere from the Borders to the Highlands.

Climate in Scotland

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Maximum daytime temperature °C	6	6	8	11	14	17	18	18	16	13	8	6
Hours of sunshine (daily)	1	2	3	5	5	6	5	5	4	3	2	1
Days with some rainfall	18	15	18	15	16	14	14	16	17	18	18	18
Sea temperature °C	7	6	6	7	9	11	13	14	13	12	10	8

The above guide shows the climate in Edinburgh.

Slovenia

This Central European country has snuck onto many people's radars in the past few years thanks to its affordability, increased accessibility and deeply beautiful landscape from its high peaks to its cobbled Adriatic shores.

Its strategic location has seen it be a part of successive empires, and under occupation, from the Romans and Byzantines to the Axis power in WWII and Yugoslavia before declaring independence in 1991.

Tourism is becoming a major part of its economy as travellers and holidaymakers wise up to everything Slovenia has to offer; we're talking hiking, cycling, boating, brilliant wines, fresh seafood, historic towns, dense forests and so much more.

Some of the country's big hitters include its capital Ljubljana and favourites like scenic Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj, both divine at any time of year, be it for swimming in summer to snowy treks in winter.

While its second city of Maribor is gaining attention, in 2025 the spotlight will be firmly on Nova Gorica which, in conjunction with its neighbouring city Gorizia just across the border in Italy, has been nominated as one of the year's joint Capitals of Culture.

Find your affordable getaway to Slovenia with First Choice^*, which offers holidays to multiple destinations from the lakes to the coast.

Climate in Slovenia

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Maximum daytime temperature °C	2	5	10	15	20	23	26	25	21	16	8	3
Hours of sunshine (daily)	2	4	5	6	7	8	9	8	6	4	2	2
Days with some rainfall	12	12	13	15	16	16	15	14	12	12	13	12

The above guide shows the climate in Ljubljana.

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has made headlines for many of the wrong reasons in recent years but this island nation in the Indian Ocean is back up and running and ready to welcome tourists to its pristine shores and plantation-clad highlands.

There's no shortage of reasons to visit cricket-mad Sri Lanka. This continent in miniature brims with fantastic food, wildlife, history and terrifically colourful temples. However, if you love nothing more than lacing up your hiking boots, you might want to investigate the award-winning Pekoe Trail.

This long-distance walking route traverses Sri Lanka's heartland over 300 km in 22 manageable stages varying from around 9 km to 19 km in length. Beginning (or ending, if so inclined) in Kandy, it snakes its way south and scoops east and northwards through forests up towards Nuwara Eliya, promising a different perspective.

However, you could come to Sri Lanka to see elephants on a safari, walk around the ramparts of Galle or just savour a few days dipping toes into the mild waters of the Indian Ocean.

There are many ways to explore Sri Lanka and TUI has a carefully-curated selection of value holidays^* to help you get more from your island adventure.

Climate in Sri Lanka

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Maximum daytime temperature °C	31	31	32	32	31	30	30	30	30	30	30	30
Hours of sunshine (daily)	8	9	9	8	6	6	6	6	6	6	7	7
Days with some rainfall	5	5	9	14	14	15	11	11	14	16	15	10
Sea temperature °C	28	28	29	30	29	28	27	27	28	28	28	28

The above guide shows the climate in Colombo./p>

The USA

Football fans, rejoice: the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 is providing the best excuse to hop across the pond to the USA as the tournament is set to take place in 11 cities, from Seattle and Charlotte to Philadelphia and Miami. Between 14 June and 13 July 2025, 63 matches will play out in over 12 stadiums (Orlando the only destination with two venues).

With so many host cities, there's plenty to choose from allowing you to weave a little more of what you love into your holiday, be it hitting hiking trails close to Pasadena, delving into the countless museums of Washington D.C. or tapping your toes to country's finest guitar-wielding musicians in Nashville.

With so many cities to visit, look no further than British Airways^* and Virgin Holidays^* for the very best deals on escapes to the USA.

Climate in the USA

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Maximum daytime temperature °C	5	7	13	19	24	29	31	30	26	20	14	8
Hours of sunshine (daily)	5	6	7	8	8	9	9	8	7	7	5	4
Days with some rainfall	10	10	10	10	11	10	10	9	7	7	9	9

The above guide shows the climate in Washington D.C.

Still looking for 2025 inspiration? Don't miss our complete collection of travel deals on everything from flights and holidays to hotels, car hire and more.

Kirsten Henton

Kirsten Henton is Weather2Travel.com's editor. Kirsten writes, commissions and edits our travel features, liaising with our contributors and ensuring copy is spick-and-span. A member of the British Guild of Travel Writers, Kirsten also freelances writing articles on travel, history and the outdoors for titles such as Scotland Magazine and BBC Travel.

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