Lonely Planet's Top Travel Trends For 2025
Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2025 Top Travel Trends
Following Lonely Planet’s recent release of its Best in Travel guide for 2025, outlining 30 must-see destinations to visit in the coming year, the global travel expert has now revealed its top 10 travel trends for 2025.
The list of trends, which are expected to influence traveller behaviour in the coming year and beyond, have been curated by Lonely Planet’s editors and contributors from across the world. For each trend Lonely Planet has also recommended 10 destinations which are shining examples of where to experience these inspirational activities.
The key themes across the 2025 trends relate to music, nature, culinary interests and slow travel. Entertainment seekers are ‘Following the Music’ with gig-tripping fans travelling to see their favourite musicians perform in different countries or heading to iconic music venues such as De Barra’s Folk Club in Cork, Ireland, to see the best local acts. ‘What a Drag’ where travellers journey across the world to experience the most spectacular drag queen shows, from Mexico to London, Berlin to Bangkok or Sydney.
Slowing down and engaging with nature will be a top priority in 2025, as many head for ‘Underrated National Parks’, lesser- known locations where there are no queues or crowds, but which still offer stunning landscapes and hiking trails. Such as the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park in Wales, where hikers can traverse in an eight-day, 159km trail. ‘Train Hopping’ continues to grow in popularity as travellers embrace the joy of rail journeys.
Eating and travel are inextricably linked, and travellers are more adventurous than ever when it comes to sampling ‘Local Flavours’, especially the sights, smells, sounds and tastes of local ‘Marvellous Markets’.
Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2025 Top Ten Travel Trends
1. Train-Hopping
From cross-continental epics to slow travel branch lines, rail adventures make the journey an experience in-itself. Take an iconic American adventure on The Sunset Limited from New Orleans to LA via San Antonio. Or try the near-secret line crossing the rolling Yorkshire Dales National Park to Lancashire on the Bentham Line from Leeds to Morcombe.
2. Taking it Easy
Slow down, get closer to nature clear the mind of the gunk of modern life. Escape the crowds in remote and tranquil locations such as the freshwater lakes of Lough Erne in Northern Ireland, witness the icebergs of Europe’s largest Glacier Fjallsjokull in Iceland or the sizzling salt flats of the Atacoma Desert in Chile.
3. Following the Music
The top 10 stand-out temples of sound for live music loving travellers include the; Ryman in Nashville USA, Rudolfinum in Prague, De Barra’s Folk Club in Cork, and Municipal Theatre Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
4. Extreme Birdwatching
Birders are becoming more adventurous, travelling to see the most remarkable feathered friends in extraordinary environments. From Capercaillies in the Cairngorms Scotland, or Puffins in Iceland to rare Andean condors in Peru and Golden Eagles in Mongolia.
5. Marvellous Markets
The best way to get to know a place and its people is to experience first-hand customs, delicacies and wares by shopping the local market. From NYC’s Queens Night Market displaying the city’s culinary diversity, or the Kha Floating Market in Bangkok which is a local favourite. To the fish hotspot of Seattle’s Pike Place and the Mercado San Pedro in Peru, offering a feast for the senses.
6. What a Drag
More than just RuPaul and her queen coven. Drag is an art form celebrated in major cities around the world. Some of the best shows in the world can be seen in London, Paris, Sydney and Chicago, featuring boundary-breakers who defy cultural norms and hold a mirror up to society.
7. Underrated Parks
Avoid the crowds and take the trail less travelled to explore alternative national parks around the world, equally deserving of their NP status offering beauty, splendour and wonder. Marvel at the vast Canyonlands of Utah, USA, spot a tiger in Rajasthan’s Ranthambore, India. Breathe in the beautiful bleakness of the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park in Wales or soak up the jungle sounds at the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary in Belize.
8. Local Flavours
The top 10 iconic dishes, synonymous with destinations which travellers visit solely to experience local delicacies include Jamaican Jerk marinade Vietnamese Pho, Sri Lankan Hoppers, Indian Biriyani and Portuguese Azores stew Cozido das Funas.
9. Arboreal Adventures
Also known as Forest Bathing, the need to reconnect with nature, and enjoy mindful exploration of woodlands is rapidly on the rise. Some of the world’s most spectacular tree tourism locations include the Cherry Blossoms of Japan, California’s Coastal Redwoods and the mighty English Oaks of Sherwood Forrest.
10. Best Beaches
The dream of finding the perfect beach continues to inspire and motivate travellers, and, in an almost-impossible task, Lonely Planet has tried to whittle down to a top 10 best in the world. Naturally, far away, tropical paradises rank highly, such as Whitehaven in Queensland, Australia thanks to its aquamarine water and snow-white sandbars. However, closer to home, the volcanic landscapes of Sarakiniko on the island of Milos, Greece, the midnight sun-bathed Haukland Beach on the Lofoten Islands, Norway and Platja Illetes in Formentera Spain have made the top 10 too.
“Best in Travel 2025 is the latest edition of Lonely Planet’s annual love letter to the world, featuring the 30 top recommended destinations to visit and the top 10 trends which will inspire travellers in the coming year. While mindful of our responsibilities and impact as travelers, we’re proud of the destinations, journeys and experiences featured here and are excited to share the local expertise and insight at the heart of these recommendations,” said Nitya Chambers, Lonely Planet’s SVP, Content and Executive Editor. “Wherever you are in the world, we’re confident Best in Travel brings fresh inspiration for the year ahead.”
Best in Travel 2025 has returned with a print edition, featuring stunning photography, local advice and essential experiences for each of the destinations on this year’s list. In addition to the hardback book, Lonely Planet also unveils an immersive video and photography-led digital experience, and curated collection of digital and social media content, presented in partnership with eSIM service, Saily. With growing concern about using public Wi-Fi on holidays, travelers can stay connected and secure while traveling with Saily, with mobile data coverage in nearly all locations on Lonely Planet's winning list.
The book can be purchased from shop.lonelyplanet.com or where all good books are sold. RRP £14.99. For more information on Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2025 visit: lonelyplanet.com/best-in-travel
