From Kazakhstan and Romania to the Kaçkar Mountains, known as the “Pontic Alps” of Turkey, the most exciting travel destinations for 2025 are those that veer off the beaten track.
As an antidote to overtourism, this year’s travel trend highlights destinations that stand out as unique. For those looking to follow the “road less travelled,” here are ten destinations worth visiting in 2025, as selected by CNN’s travel editors.
1. Almaty, Kazakhstan
The diverse landscapes of Central Asia and the uniquely architectural urban centres of former Soviet republics are capturing the interest of modern travellers. Leading this trend is Kazakhstan’s largest city, Almaty. Once a dull Soviet-era city, Almaty has transformed into what travel guides now call the “capital of cool.” It is one of those rare cities that truly has it all: exceptional food, vibrant nightlife, a rapidly growing arts and cultural scene, and easy access to some of the world’s most stunning, untouched natural landscapes, thanks to its location at the base of the Tian Shan mountains.
Almaty’s metro stations are works of art in themselves, complementing its world-class museums like the Abilkhan Kasteev State Museum of Arts, which houses over 20,000 pieces, and the Tselinny Centre for Contemporary Culture, set to move into a new space in 2025.
Almaty is also home to “neo-nomadic cuisine,” a fusion of modern cooking techniques with the traditional ingredients used by nomads across the country’s vast steppes.
Getting to Almaty is surprisingly straightforward, with direct flights available from Europe. Kazakhstan offers visa-free entry for citizens of many countries, including the UK, the US, Canada, and Australia.
2. Kaçkar Mountains, Turkey
Situated in northeastern Turkey, between the Black Sea and Georgia, the Kaçkar Mountains—known as the “Pontic Alps”—offer breathtaking alpine beauty and rich biodiversity. Known for its mild climate and abundant wildflowers, the region attracts hikers, while hazelnut farms and tea plantations enrich its rural charm. Visitors can explore the Maral waterfall, glaciers, and mountain lakes. The area is also popular for skiing and heli-skiing. Accessibility has improved with the opening of Rize-Artvin Airport in 2022, making it easier for international tourists to visit.
3. Chemnitz, Germany
This city in eastern Germany, formerly known as Karl-Marx-Stadt, is most famous for its giant bronze bust of Karl Marx, the “second-largest bust in the world.” Installed in 1971, this imposing sculpture serves as a reminder of Chemnitz’s complex history and remains a major tourist attraction, despite the fact that Marx never visited the city.
However, 2025 brings a fresh spotlight to Chemnitz, which will serve as one of Europe’s Capitals of Culture alongside Nova Gorica in Slovenia. Once one of Germany’s wealthiest cities, Chemnitz celebrates its diverse heritage with jazz festivals, alternative music and dance events, street art exhibits, vintage car rallies, and visual art displays.
Under the theme “C the Unseen,” visitors are encouraged to explore the Purple Path, a trail connecting Chemnitz to 38 surrounding municipalities.
4. England’s Footpaths
England’s footpaths are perhaps the best destinations for walking enthusiasts. A network of paths, lanes, and byways crosses the English countryside, many of which have been walked by humans since ancient times. Access to these paths has been protected by law for just 75 years. This means that regardless of who owns the land, there is usually a marked footpath, ensuring that some of the world’s most idyllic landscapes remain open to everyone.
England may not boast the epic mountain trails found in some parts of the world, but just a few steps from almost any doorstep, there is a hedgerow-lined path leading to a green tunnel formed by trees overhead or to a romantically windswept moor.
Popular long-distance routes, such as the Pennine Way (celebrating 60 years in 2025), the Coast-to-Coast, and the South Downs Way, grab attention, but the quieter corners of the country have their own marked paths. Indeed, anyone armed with an Ordnance Survey map can create their own route.
In London, the Capital Ring Walk stands out—a segmented trail circling the suburbs and hidden wilderness of the city.
5. Nuuk, Greenland
The capital of Greenland has recently become more accessible, thanks to the opening of Nuuk’s international airport, which accommodates larger aircraft. Visitors can explore the city’s cultural attractions, such as the National Museum, the Icefjord Centre, and the Sedna sculpture. Nuuk also serves as a gateway to the rest of Greenland, offering breathtaking natural beauty, including icebergs, fjords, and wildlife experiences.
6. Rabat, Morocco
Rabat, the capital of Morocco, is expected to see a surge in tourism in 2025, supported by the opening of luxury hotels like the Four Seasons and the Royal Theatre. The city blends modern and historical landmarks, including the Hassan Mosque, cultural museums, and the Royal Palace. Morocco’s recovering tourism industry will also host the Africa Cup of Nations football tournament in December 2025.
7. Romania
Romania is an emerging destination in Europe, known for its untouched landscapes and historical charm. The Via Transilvanica, a new hiking trail, offers travellers a taste of rural life. The country is rich in medieval architecture, including Dracula’s Bran Castle and the Palace of Parliament in Bucharest, offering both natural beauty and cultural exploration.
8. Stockholm, Sweden
Stockholm is a city built on islands, offering a blend of natural beauty and cultural attractions. Part of the Stockholm archipelago, with 30,000 islands to explore, the city provides opportunities for hiking and discovery. Key attractions include the Vasa Museum, the Skansen open-air museum, and the ABBA Museum. Visitors can enjoy hikes in the archipelago and indulge in Swedish fika, a tradition of enjoying coffee and pastries. New hiking trails in the outer archipelago enhance Stockholm’s outdoor appeal.
9. Italian Trains – Dolce Vita Orient Express
The La Dolce Vita Orient Express promises exquisite dining and the romance of train travel.
Luxury enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting the launch of the La Dolce Vita Orient Express, an ultra-luxurious train that will traverse Italy starting in April, with eight planned routes. These journeys will include well-travelled paths through Venice and Tuscany, as well as lesser-known regions of southern Italy, such as Abruzzo and Basilicata (the “Eternal Stones of Matera” route), and Sicily to Rome and back. For those without “deep pockets,” there is some relief in knowing that Italy’s most magical destinations can be accessed by train, combining economy and style.
In December, the state-owned Trenitalia was ranked the best in Europe, earning particularly high marks for the “travel experience.” The high-speed Frecce trains connect major cities in a T-shaped network across the peninsula, often faster than flying. For a touch of dolce vita luxury, book the Executive class, which features spacious reclining chairs and butler service.
Additionally, Treni Turistici Italiani (TTI) trains—often vintage—have been repurposed and redesigned to offer visitors a luxurious experience. New routes for 2025 include a cross-border summer service from Milan to Saint-Raphaël on the French Riviera and a seasonal night train from Rome to Lecce in the sunny southern region of Apulia.
10. Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan
Gilgit-Baltistan is a challenging yet stunningly beautiful region in northern Pakistan.
In the 1970s, Pakistan was a landmark for adventure travel, with its breathtaking mountain landscapes serving as a key stop on the “Hippie Trail” from Europe to South Asia. Decades of political instability brought this to an end, but Pakistan’s epic peaks remain as awe-inspiring as ever.
The Gilgit-Baltistan region in the Karakoram Mountains is not one of the easiest destinations to access. Flight schedules can be unreliable, and roads are often seasonally blocked, but it boasts some of the most exhilarating mountain experiences.
It is home to five of the world’s 14 “eight-thousanders”—peaks recognised as the tallest in the world. Among these is K2, the second-highest mountain globally and the most challenging and dangerous to climb.
Regarding tourism and infrastructure, trekking in this region makes the Himalayas seem like a walk in the park, warn travel guides. This destination is best suited for experienced or adventurous travellers.
Also read: These are the best European cities for property investment in 2025
Source: in.gr
