The best thing about a new year is new travel dreams. To help you find the best cultural experiences for your next cultural trip, I’ve gone through all the “Where to travel”- lists as well as historical websites looking for the best cultural experiences, anniversaries and celebrations in 2025. As always, I’ve included my own favourite destination from my travels last year.
Did you visit any of the places I recommended for 2024? I went to Hamburg for the Casper David Friedrich exhibition in celebration of his 250th birthday. I also finally went to Vilnius, which was one of my recommendations for 2022.
But let’s get to the present: Here you find carefully researched and selected 11 destinations I recommend for 2025, if you want travels with meaning.
2025 travel for the cultural explorer:
NEW YORK, USA
The city that never sleeps and has everything you need at any time of day. I’ve only been once myself, but I could easily revisit the many excellent museums.
WHY GO NOW?
WHAT TO SEE!
You can of course wander the streets of Manhattan. But to delve into the past, explore the The National Museum of the American Indian. I haven’t been there myself, but it’s part of the famous Smithsonian. The museum takes you through Native New York and 12 places in present-day NY from Long Island and on toward Niagara Falls. Fun fact: The café is named Mili Kàpi which means “give me some coffee” in the Native language of the Lenape people, the original inhabitants of New York City.
Long Island is also the perfect place for some set jetting. Imagine yourself being in the roaring 20’ies of the Great Gatsby on Long Island’s ‘Gold Coast’ like Old Westbury Gardens. Hike, bike or take a boat tour. Back in NYC, stay at the Beaux Arts-style Plaza beloved by the author and his artist wife Zelda – the original flapper.
MORE TIME?
NOVA GORICA, SLOVENIA
Some of the most stunning nature in Europe, a kitchen that mixes Italian and Balkan food and the most charming capital. Slovenia is one of the most beautiful countries in Europe (so far I’ve visited 75%), and I would gladly revisit.
Right next to the Slovenian border to Italy lies this young town. It was built only after the Second World War. The city have merged with neighbouring Italian city Gorizia creating a unique multicultural destination.
WHY GO NOW?
Nova Gorica and Italian Gorizia shares the title as one of European Capitals of Culture 2025. February 8 will be takeoff for the festivities. Another reason to travel here this year is, that if you haven’t been to Slovenia, you just gotta go!
WHAT TO SEE!
While the city itself is small, the area boast not only outdoor activities, but also sites for the cultural explorer. Like the basilica and monastery of Sveta Gora – a pilgrimage site. For the dark tourist like me: a crypt with the last descendants of the French Bourbon dynast.
Explore the reconstructed Kromberk Castle from the 13th century and surrounding park. Stand on Trg Euopre (meaning “Europe Square”) with one foot in Slovenia and one in Italy. In nearby Solkan, you find an 85 meter long bridge, that is the world’s longest stone arch railroad bridge.The bridge was blown up by the Austrians during WWI, but is now rebuilt and still being used.
Discover more from the official tourism site. Needless to say that the food will be fantastic.
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Besides a trip to Italy – which is always amazing – I recommend going in the opposite direction. The Slovenian capital Ljubljana only two hours away is maybe the most charming capital and the nature is spectacular. Take a jawdropping train ride from the capital to Find Tranquillity at Stunning Lake Bled
SINGAPORE
A friend of mine suggested, we go to Singapore next year. First, I said: Yes of course! Secondly, I asked: Why do you want to go?. The allure is the futuristic vibe. Being both a city and a country, Singapore has a reputation of being expensive and with some very strict rules, but also the ideal exit point for other countries.
WHY GO NOW?
WHAT TO SEE!
From the very first second of 2025, Singapore promises the festivities will light up the city like never before. This year’s activities are connected to the theme “Building Our Singapore Together”. Highlights include Racial and Religious Harmony Month, National Day Parade with fireworks and Singapore’s August 9 birthday extravaganza. See the full program here.
If you need a break from the flashing lights, head to the UNESCO-listed Botanical garden. This 156-year old colonial garden is one of only 3 on the list.
MORE TIME?
ABU DHABI, UAE
Surprisingly (even to myself), I’ve included Abu Dhabi in this list of 2025 travel recommendations. I visited the emirate in 2024. but apparently there is something as being too much a first-mover, and I was one year too early. I wasn’t planning on coming back, but now I have to. Maybe on a layover…
WHY GO NOW?
WHAT TO SEE!
In 2024, only the Abu Dhabi Louvre was open, but it has a unique collection and is definitely worth it. Unfortunately, it will not tell you a lot about the emirates, but maybe this will be remedied now. What I liked about the cultural sites in Abu Dhabi, is that they tried to focus on the similarities between cultures and hence what we share as humans. Hopefully, this will be true of the new museums as well as they promise.
All of 3 new museums will open in 2025. The The Guggenheim promises to be the region’s pre-eminent museum of global modern and contemporary art, but it will have a specific focus on West Asia, North Africa, and South Asia. The Zayed National Museum. however will “take you through the history of the United Arab Emirates, back to a 300,000-year-old stone tool found at Jebel Hafit in Al Ain…and link the ancient past with people’s living traditions.” Don’t miss the Tyrannosaurus Rex of the Natural History Museum.
MORE TIME?
SUCRE, BOLIVIA
WHY GO NOW?
WHAT TO SEE!
The celebration will focus on where it all began: Sucre. Sucre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site founded by the Spanish in 1538 and later declared the first capital of Bolivia. The buildings from the 16th – 19th centuries shows the mix of European styles and local traditions. Important buildings include the Metropolitan Cathedral of Sucre, several churches, and the House of Freedom, which played a crucial role in the fight for independence.
The large scale program began the year with dance performances and cultural numbers such as 200 members of the Bronze Band performing the National Anthem of Bolivia. More than 300 activities are planned to celebrate the country’s independence. Despite the long preparation, I haven’t found a programme, but maybe if you can read Spanish.
MORE TIME?
VILNIUS, LITHUANIA
I finally went to Vilnius last year visiting a family friend. The Lithuanian capital is definitely an overlooked city in an overlooked country. It’s so cheap, it’s one of my 10 Budget-Friendly European Cities for Culture Lovers.
WHY GO NOW?
WHAT TO SEE!
The old town of Vilnius is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with many different types of architecture. The main attraction is the white palace of the Grand Dukes. Unfortunately, it was closed when I visited, so I only saw it from the outside (DAMN!). The Cathedral though has some royal tombs, and that’s always worth visiting. Go across a small bridge and you end up in the independent state of Uzupis. Don’t miss the KGB Museum (Museums of Occupation and Freedom struggles) – it’s an unavoidable part of their history and identity!
My favourite thing though was to walk the old cobblestones streets and take in the relaxed atmosphere of the city. And the Georgian food…
MORE TIME?
KAMAKURA, JAPAN
Japan is the country highest up my bucket-list. I dream of cherry-blossoms, old temples and traditions and all-you-can-eat dining. Kamakura lies 1 hours south of Tokyo’s central train station and is full of historical treasures being from being capital at the time of Samurais (1185-1333).
WHY GO NOW?
You don’t need a reason to visit one of the most popular travel destinations. But anyway: This year the city of Kamakura is Culture City of East Asia 2025 alongside Huzhou and Macau in China as well as Anseong i South Korea. In April, the city holds a big Festival and I’m guessing it’ll be big this year.
WHAT TO SEE!
The seaside city of Kamakura is sometimes called Little Kyoto, which is very promising nickname. I haven’t found any official programme, but find the official tourist site here.
Take a walk or bike through the city and head for the 800 years old and 13,5m tall bronze Amidha Buddha. It’s one of Japan’s most important cultural treasures. The religious sights keep coming: 19 Shinto shrines and 65 Buddhist temples including 2 of the oldest Zen monasteries in the country. The Buddhist Hase-Dera Temple comes highly recommended and also houses a tall statue of Buddha.
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Going southwards to Nagasaki, where 2025 marks a horrible milestone: 80 years since the atomic bombing of the city killing more than 60.000 people. A crucial event in human history.
BENIN
The African country formerly known as Dahomey has been (re)claiming its spotlight recently in movies and TV-series. And with good reason. After researching for this 2025 travel list, Benin just joined my wish list.
WHY GO NOW?
In 2025 and 3 years on, four new key cultural institutions will open across the country. It’s aim to become Africa’s top destination for art and culture. A big promise, but they are of to a good start.
WHAT TO SEE!
For the dark tourist, two new museums will see the light of day: the country’s (and the world’s) slave history will be remembered in Ouidah in The International Museum of Memory and Slavery. Also a new museum in Porto-Novo will explore Vodun (spirit) – the animist religion exported into the “New World” during the slavery trade.
The royal palaces are a must-see in Benin – a UNESCO World Heritage site in the vanished Kingdom of Dahomey’s capital. From 1625 and 300 years on, the 12 kings in powerful Kingdom of Abomey all had their palaces built in the same place and on the same style and materials. The new museum of royal treasures will display some of winch have just been returned from France Truly a trip to a lost kingdom. The Royal Palaces will be restored by late 2025 with a new addition: the epic-ly named “The Museum of the Epic of the Amazons and Kings of Dahomey”.
Finally, a contemporary art museum will bring culture into the present day in Cotonou, where you also can gaze up at an almost 30-meters-tall bronze monument of an Agojie warrior as well as Africa’s longest graffiti wall.
MORE TIME?
CAIRO, EGYPT
For many years Cairo was on my list, because any day now the new historical museum would open near the pyramids. Announced in 1992, construction began 20 years later in 2012 and was then on every cultural traveller’s list.
WHY GO NOW?
Finally, in November 2025, the GEM museum opened all the exhibition and galleries. It is the world’s largest archaeological museum dedicated to one nation.
WHAT TO SEE!
The main sight is of course Tutankhamon’s golden treasures, but you mist not miss the burial boat of Khufu. You can explore the galleries and the Grand Staircase Gallery (everything is apparently GRAND) with over 60 remarkable art objects. The old Egyptian Museum is also still open and holds other golden masks. Obviously, the pyramids are also bucket-list attractions.
MORE TIME?
GOLDEN TRIANGLE, INDIA
My second-last recommendation for your 2025 travels is my own personal favourite trip from 2024: India’s Golden Triangle. It’s golden for a reason, since it enfolds the country’s main attractions.
WHY GO NOW?
You should visit this year, because there’s no time like the present. At least that’s what I told my mom, who had always dreamed of seeing Taj Mahal and is not getting any younger. So we went.
Also: India is going electric in order to reduce the smog and air pollution as well as to slow down climate change.
WHAT TO SEE!
What not to see? Beyond the bucket-list place of Taj Mahal are numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites, excellent food and friendly people. The biggest positive surprise was how many cultural and historical sites Delhi has like Humayun’s Tomb; a mausoleum that inspired the architecture of Taj Mahal.
Read more in my 2024 Cultural Destinations to Inspire Your 2025 Travels
MORE TIME?
NORMANDY, FRANCE
France is the largest tourist country in the world and one of the places I’ve been most times thanks to some francophile parents. With so many sights, it’s no wonder a dark tourist can find a lot here. I found some in the capital as you can read in 5 Dark Tourism Sites in Paris.
WHY GO NOW?
While war rages once again in Europe, it’s time to remember the 80th anniversary for the ending of WWII. A milestone that I also mentioned concerning the atomic bombing of Japan. January 27, a ceremony will be held at Auschwitz to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the camp by Soviet soldiers. Half a year earlier, the Allied landed on the beaches of Normandy and jumpstarted the downfall of the Nazi regime.
WHAT TO SEE!
The eastern region of Normandy is most famous for World Heritage Site Mont Saint Michel, but I will be looking elsewhere in this list. Last year international celebrations were held in Normandy, but now the VIP crowds are gone.
Visit the beaches of the invasion, such as Omaha Beach and Arromanches Beach. Explore the Liberation Route. It’s a memorial trail connecting WWII remembrance sites and stories across Europe. For instance the 153 km long trail along the beaches of D-day.
You can explore the ruins of German bunkers, memorials like the Mémorial de Caen, France’s largest WWII museum. For a dark tourist, there’s plenty of sites connecting to the dark – but also pivotal – chapters of history.
MORE TIME?
Just outside the city of Caen lies Bayeux. The name might ring a bell, since this is the home of the famous tapestry of Bayeux. It’s basically a medieval cartoon in cloth telling of one of the most important battles in medieval times changing the map of Europe and ending the Scandinavian Viking influence in England. I haven’t seen it, but worth the trip alone, I’m sure. But hurry, because it will up for a 2 year restoration this fall.
BONUS TRAVEL 2025
2025 travel list for the cultural explorer could also have included all of three 250th birthdays!
1: the hometown of Jane Austen celebrates this renowned writer. 2: the amazing painter Wilhelm Turner marked by exhibitions in UK, USA, Dublin. 3: Johan Strauss is celebrated all year in Vienna. Find the program here.
I hope you’ve been inspired to meaningful and immersive travels. I myself am aiming for the complete opening of Cairo’s GEM and will be on the first plane – and maybe catch by Turner’s Steamboat. I also hope to visit Singapore. And Benin just made it to my wish-list.
Where are you going this year?
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