Planning a trip in 2025?
I’ve put together a list of the best, most underrated destinations that you should be adding to your travel bucket list this year!
Here are some of my favourite spots across the world that you might not have thought about visiting before!
Must-Visit Travel Spots For 2025
Macau
Macau is seeing a resurgence in 2025, with visitors drawn to its mix of colonial history, high-end entertainment and some of the best food in Asia.
Often compared to Las Vegas, its casino skyline is unmistakable – like its American counterpart, it’s worlds away from a slots experience for mobile!
But there’s plenty more to do in the city.
The historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, showcases cobbled streets, pastel-hued Portuguese architecture, and centuries-old temples hidden among modern high-rises.
Senado Square remains the heart of Macau’s old town, where mosaic-tiled pavements lead to the ruins of St. Paul’s, one of the most recognisable landmarks in the region.
Street food stalls in the old Taipa Village and Coloane still serve the city’s famous egg tarts, while Michelin-starred restaurants attract global attention. Macau’s culinary reputation continues to grow, blending Cantonese and Portuguese flavours with Indian and African influences.
Beyond the dining scene, visitors are increasingly exploring the Cotai Strip’s over-the-top resorts, which have expanded to include immersive entertainment, rooftop pools and world-class shopping.
Macau’s transport links have also improved, making it even easier to visit from Hong Kong via the 55km Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge or high-speed ferries.
Vilnius, Lithuania
Lithuania is one of my favourite countries in Europe, and its capital, Vilnius, is absolutely charming!
With the title of European Green Capital of 2025, the city is putting even more focus on sustainability, expanding its network of green spaces, pedestrian-friendly zones, and eco-conscious initiatives.
Vilnius has long been known for its compact old town, where baroque churches, medieval courtyards, and colourful streets create an inviting atmosphere, but 2025 brings an even greater emphasis on preserving its historic charm while improving urban sustainability.
The city’s riverbanks are being revitalised, with new cycling paths and walking trails making it easier to explore beyond the centre.
Užupis, Vilnius’ famously bohemian district, remains a hub for artists and free thinkers, while the city’s many rooftop terraces and cafes provide unbeatable views over the red rooftops.
The culinary scene continues to evolve, with a strong focus on locally sourced ingredients and modern twists on traditional Lithuanian dishes.
Keen to explore beyond Vilnius? Lithuania’s forests, lakes, and dunes are easily accessible, with national parks offering a mix of hiking, kayaking, and wildlife spotting. In 2025, Lithuania is proving that sustainability and heritage can go hand in hand!
Lake Ohrid, Macedonia
One of Europe’s oldest and deepest lakes, Lake Ohrid is finally getting the attention it deserves.
Straddling the border of North Macedonia and Albania, this UNESCO-listed lake boasts crystal-clear waters, medieval monasteries and lakeside villages that feel untouched by time.
Ohrid town itself is a highlight, with its ancient amphitheatre, cobbled lanes and the iconic Church of St. John at Kaneo.
The town’s summer festival season is drawing more international visitors, with open-air concerts set against historic backdrops.
Boat trips are a must, whether it’s a short ride to the 1,000-year-old Monastery of St. Naum or a longer journey across the lake to the Albanian side, where villages like Lin are beginning to welcome more travellers.
Unlike other European lake destinations, Lake Ohrid remains affordable, with family-run guesthouses and lakeside restaurants serving freshly caught trout for a fraction of what you’d pay elsewhere.
Jordan
Jordan remains one of the most rewarding destinations to visit in 2025, but with tourism down by 90%, it’s also one of the quietest.
Despite conflicts elsewhere in the region, Jordan itself is incredibly safe, and those who do visit are finding iconic sights nearly empty.
Petra, usually packed with thousands of tourists, now feels almost like a lost city again, with early morning and late afternoon hikes offering a rare sense of solitude.
The Treasury, Monastery and Siq can be explored without the usual crowds – making this a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see the ancient city at its most atmospheric!
Wadi Rum’s desert camps have also seen a drop in visitors, but those who go are rewarded with uninterrupted views of the sandstone cliffs and endless red dunes.
Luxury bubble tents and Bedouin-run camps are still operating, with stargazing and jeep safaris now feeling like private experiences.
Elsewhere, places like the Dana Biosphere Reserve and the hot springs of Ma’in remain open but quieter than ever.
The Dead Sea is another highlight, and with fewer visitors, the experience feels even more exclusive.
Amman’s food scene is still thriving, with local restaurants welcoming travellers with even more warmth than usual.
Despite the decline in numbers, Jordan’s hospitality is unwavering.
Borneo
Borneo is one of the most biodiverse places on Earth, and in 2025, it’s becoming an ever-attractive destination for those looking for adventure, wildlife and indigenous culture.
The rainforests of Sabah and Sarawak remain the best places in the world to see orangutans in the wild, with places like the Danum Valley and the Kinabatangan River offering unparalleled chances to spot these critically endangered primates, along with pygmy elephants and proboscis monkeys.
The Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre continues its vital work, and with visitor numbers lower than in previous years, it’s an even better time to witness conservation efforts up close.
Diving in Borneo is still world-class, with Sipadan ranking as one of the best dive sites on the planet.
The coral reefs around Mabul and Kapalai are drawing more attention too, particularly for those who want to experience marine biodiversity without the crowds.
Meanwhile, Mount Kinabalu remains a bucket-list trek, and with fewer hikers on the trails, climbers can enjoy the challenge without the usual bottlenecks at key points.
Cultural tourism is also on the rise, with indigenous Dayak and Iban communities in Sarawak welcoming travellers for homestays that focus on traditional longhouse living.
In Kalimantan, the less-visited Indonesian side of the island, jungle river cruises through Tanjung Puting National Park offering another opportunity to see orangutans swinging through the trees.
