Where To Travel In May 2025? Discover The Best Destinations

Are you wondering Where To Travel In May 2025? Let SIXT.VN be your guide to exploring the most captivating destinations. From vibrant cities to serene landscapes, we’ll help you plan your perfect getaway with ease and convenience. Discover unique travel experiences, uncover hidden gems, and create unforgettable memories with our comprehensive travel services. Whether you’re seeking cultural immersion, adventurous escapades, or relaxing retreats, SIXT.VN offers tailored solutions to cater to your every need, including airport transfers, hotel bookings, and exciting tour options.

1. Embrace Big City Thrills

1.1 Detroit

Detroit is experiencing a renaissance, with new developments breathing life into its neighborhoods. Mayor Mike Duggan highlighted the city’s magical atmosphere, inviting visitors to experience it firsthand. The Book Tower, a reimagined space, offers a Roost hotel, Basque tapas bar, and high-end restaurants. The Shinola Hotel, another Bedrock project, is reshaping Detroit’s landscape. General Motors is investing in Hudson’s, a mixed-use development designed by Shop Architects and Hamilton Anderson Associates, which will host the automaker’s global HQ and a forthcoming Edition hotel. According to research from the Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau, in 2024, Detroit provides a revitalized urban experience for visitors. The Michigan Central campus, revived by Ford’s $1 billion investment, has transformed from a symbol of urban decay into an innovation hub in Corktown.

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1.2 Hong Kong and Shenzhen, China

Hong Kong is witnessing a resurgence in foreign travel, offering new cultural experiences, upgraded luxury hotels, and unparalleled infrastructure. Upgrades are concentrated on the Kowloon side of Victoria Harbour, featuring world-class museums in the West Kowloon Cultural District. According to the Hong Kong Tourism Board, in 2024, the West Kowloon Cultural District offers diverse attractions. The K11 Musea, a mixed-use development, houses the Rosewood Hong Kong, and the Regent Hong Kong has been newly refurbished. New hotels are opening on Hong Kong Island in 2025, including the Hopewell and the Southside by Ovolo. High-speed trains connect to Shanghai and Beijing, and Shenzhen, a modern metropolis, offers beaches and mountain views.

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1.3 Marrakesh

Marrakesh will become more accessible with a new nonstop United Airlines flight from Newark, New Jersey. Stefanie Schmudde from Abercrombie & Kent highlights this route for easing access to the Moroccan city. New accommodations include a Park Hyatt and a refurbished Four Seasons Resort. According to the Moroccan National Tourist Office, in 2024, Marrakesh provides enhanced accessibility and luxury accommodations for tourists. Other options include the Oberoi, Rosemary (a chic riad), and the Nobu Hotel Marrakech Riad. The Selman Marrakech, voted the No. 5 hotel in the world by T+L readers, will feature a new high-end restaurant in partnership with Jean-François Piège.

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1.4 Portland

Portland appeals to outdoor enthusiasts with over 250 public parks and the Willamette River. The city has seen a 5% increase in biking since 2022, according to the Portland Bureau of Transportation. In late 2024, Cascada, Portland’s first underground thermal springs spa and eco-hotel, opened in the Alberta Arts District. According to the Portland Art Museum, in 2025, a $111 million renovation will add 100,000 square feet, including new galleries and a Mark Rothko Pavilion. The $2 billion redevelopment of Portland International Airport includes a nature-inspired main terminal.

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1.5 Rome

Rome anticipates celebrating the Jubilee in 2025, which occurs every 25 years. Andrea Grisdale, founder of IC Bellagio, notes that Rome will welcome pilgrims from around the world. The city expects large crowds and long lines, especially during major holidays like Easter. According to the Vatican, in 2025, Rome will host the Jubilee, attracting pilgrims worldwide. New hotels include the Palazzo Talìa, Romeo Roma, and Casa Monti. The Corinthia Rome, Mandarin Oriental, Rome, and Rosewood Rome are slated to open in 2025 and 2026. La Minerva, part of Orient Express, will reopen in 2025 after a renovation, and La Dolce Vita Orient Express will launch in spring 2025.

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1.6 Sacramento, California

Sacramento International Airport’s $1.3 billion renovation will be completed in 2025, featuring terminal expansions, 13 new food options, and better traffic flow. The improved SMF will accommodate new nonstop flights to Mexico City, Orlando, Nashville, and Austin. Mike Testa, president and CEO of Visit Sacramento, states that the city’s transformation as a food destination and music festival mecca has flown under the radar. Sacramento is home to 15 Michelin-recognized restaurants and has a 2024 James Beard Award finalist in Billy Ngo. The Oakland Athletics will relocate to Sutter Health Park for the 2025–2027 Major League Baseball seasons.

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2. Delve into Cultural Immersion

2.1 Budapest, Hungary

In 2023, the W Budapest opened in the Drechsler Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site. A wave of new luxury hotels has emerged, including the Kimpton BEM Budapest and the Dorothea Hotel. According to UNESCO, City Park, is the site of Heroes’ Square and is undergoing a $1 billion restoration that includes new cultural spaces like the House of Music Hungary and the Museum of Ethnography. T+L A-List advisor Gwen Kozlowski notes that Budapest can cater to a variety of travelers.

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2.2 Bukhara, Uzbekistan

Bukhara will host the first-ever Bukhara Biennial in 2025, titled “Recipes for Broken Hearts.” The event aims to bring together an interdisciplinary, international roster of creatives. According to UNESCO, Bukhara’s crafts and folk art traditions have gained international recognition. Larry Ossei-Mensah highlights the Biennial as an opportunity for cultural legacies and contemporary ideas to intersect.

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2.3 Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston is T+L readers’ favorite city in the U.S. for 12 years running. The International African American Museum opened last summer, and the inaugural Food & Wine Classic in Charleston brought together renowned chefs. The Beemok Hospitality Collection will open the Holy City’s first five-star hotel, The Cooper, in 2025. According to the Charleston Place hotel, in 2025, Charleston Place will unveil its completed renovations, and the new American Gardens park will debut. The Dunlin, Auberge Resorts Collection, opened in August 2024 on Johns Island.

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2.4 Inverness and the Flow Country, Scotland

Inverness is fast becoming a big-time destination, serving as a base for exploring the Scottish Highlands. Chris Taylor, the destination development director for VisitScotland, highlights Inverness’s suitability for exploring Highland scenery and wildlife. The Flow Country, a vast area of bogs and peatland, was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage list in July. In the year ahead, the city will unveil the Inverness Castle Experience, a major restoration. Cabot Highlands offers play on the Castle Stuart Golf Links, with a second 18-hole course coming soon.

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2.5 Lisbon and the Algarve, Portugal

Lisbon is known for its yellow trams, historic neighborhoods, and fado music. Sheree M. Mitchell, a T+L A-List advisor, describes Lisbon as a city with an unbelievable amount of soul. The city is drawing more attention with new luxury stays, including Six Senses Lisbon and Nobu Hotel Lisbon. According to the Standard Hotels, in 2025, The Standard, Lisbon; Kimpton Lisbon; and several Hilton properties are all opening their doors. Portugal’s Algarve region, a few hours away by car, offers beautiful beaches and charming towns. Luxury cruise line Ponant will debut a 14-day journey in the fall of 2025 that makes a stop in Lagos.

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2.6 Luxor, Egypt

Luxor is famed for its ancient temples, many of which have been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1979. According to the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, in 2025, a new nonstop EasyJet flight from London will improve access to the city. Two vibey hotels, Al Moudira and Beit Sabée, have enhanced Luxor’s reputation. Nour El Nil operates a fleet of chic dahabeahs, including the newest, Poppee, which sets sail in November 2024.

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2.7 Thailand

Thailand is T+L’s 2025 Destination of the Year, offering white-sand beaches, delicious street food, and ancient temples. In Bangkok, globally recognized hotel brands are adding to the city’s allure, including the Aman Nai Lert Bangkok and The Ritz-Carlton. According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, in 2025, Six Senses The Forestias and Hyatt’s Andaz will open. The White Lotus season three, set in the country, is slated for early 2025. Grant Ekelund recommends Kanchanaburi, a town in west Thailand, for its beautiful scenery and fascinating history.

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3. Seek Adventurous Travels

3.1 The Caucasus

The comparatively small countries of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia will get some fresh attention, thanks to a new itinerary from Atlas Obscura and Intrepid. These trips, set for June, August, and September, make it possible to see these still-emerging destinations without having to tackle all the logistics independently. According to Atlas Obscura, in 2025, a new itinerary will open doors to wineries, bakeries, and crafts ateliers, visiting historical sites, mosques, and churches. There will also be plenty of time in the hilly countryside.

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3.2 Greenland

Greenland is experiencing a surge in tourism, with cruise arrivals up 74 percent in 2023 compared with the year prior. According to NASA, this Arctic island is losing about 270 billion tons of ice mass each year. Greenland’s first-of-its-kind international airport is slated to open in late 2024 in Nuuk, and United will become the first U.S. airline to operate flights to the country in 2025. Intrepid and Natural Habitat Adventures have added new tours, and cruise operators are amping up their presence.

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3.3 Kumaon, India

This remote division in the state of Uttarakhand is home to the Himalayas. Shakti plans to set up shop there in October, with the opening of the seven-cabin retreat Shakti Prana. The new property will coordinate low-key walking journeys. According to Shakti Himalaya, the new property provides stunning views of the Great Himalayas and the Ramganga River valley.

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3.4 Madagascar

Madagascar is on the cusp of transformation, with new itineraries focusing on its ecological riches. According to Red Savannah, in 2025, Abercrombie & Kent and Red Savannah are adding fresh itineraries that focus on the country’s ecological riches. New Emirates service links Dubai and Madagascar’s capital city of Antananarivo. Namoroka Tsingy Camp opened its safari tents in August 2024, and Voaara is a new oasis on the island of Sainte Marie. Masoala Forest Lodge, near Antongil Bay, feels newly relevant.

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3.5 Nicaragua

Nicaragua has long felt like a well-kept secret among surfers and nature lovers. A new 75-mile highway will connect some 50 towns and beach communities along the Pacific coast by the end of 2025. According to Rancho Santana, the $400 million coastal road will be transformational for Nicaragua. United has doubled the number of flights it offers from its Houston hub to Managua. Resorts including Rancho Santana and Mukul offer access to surf breaks, wellness classes, and rainforest hikes.

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3.6 The Philippines

The Philippines offers sapphire-blue waters, a cosmopolitan capital, and thousand-year-old rice fields. A pro-tourism government has made welcoming visitors a key piece of the nation’s economic future. (A new nonstop Philippine Airlines flight from Seattle is another boost.) According to the Philippine Department of Tourism, in 2025, a dozen hotels have opened over the past few years in Manila alone, including the Admiral Hotel. The island of Palawan will welcome several newcomers, including El Nido. Nay Palad Hideaway, a stunning rebuild on the island of Siargao, has re-emerged better than ever.

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3.7 Universal Orlando

Universal Orlando Resort’s massive expansion will add Universal Epic Universe in 2025. The park will feature five new lands with classic monsters, Nintendo franchises, and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Universal Epic Universe is slated to open in May 2025, with Universal Helios Grand Hotel joining the theme park resort’s top-tier Signature Collection. According to Universal Orlando Resort, in 2025, Universal Stella Nova Resort and Universal Terra Luna Resort will join the portfolio of Universal’s eight existing properties.

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4. Indulge in Food and Drinks

4.1 Colorado’s Western Slope

This stretch of Colorado has a growing reputation for Rieslings and other cool-climate grapes. Ray Isle, executive wine editor of Food & Wine, notes that there’s definitely something there. According to the Colorado Wine Industry Development Board, in 2025, Colorado’s Grand Valley AVA may enjoy a hedge against a warming world, situated as it is above 4,000 feet. When you’re ready for a break from wine tasting, the hiking, mountain biking, and paddling in this stretch of the Rockies is top-flight.

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4.2 Crete, Greece

Crete is poised for its moment in the sun, with several noteworthy openings. The new InterContinental Crete opened in the summer of 2024 in Agios Nikolaos. Closer to Chania, JW Marriott will unveil its first Greece property in 2025. The Rosewood Blue Palace is set to debut on a striking stretch of Crete’s northern shore in 2026. These newcomers will make great springboards for exploring Crete’s world-class cultural riches.

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4.3 Osaka, Japan

Osaka is fast becoming a must-visit for anyone heading to Japan, thanks to its world-renowned culinary scene and electric nightlife. According to the Japan National Tourism Organization, in 2025, Expo 2025 will run April through October, at venues across the city. Outside the Expo, the city has plenty of other new draws, including the new Four Seasons, which opened in 2024 with 175 rooms and suites. Opening in the spring, right next to Osaka Castle, is the first Japan property from Patina Hotels & Resorts.

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4.4 Priorat, Spain

Wine-world insiders have lately been buzzing about this region southwest of Barcelona. Marco Palermo of Authentic Explorations highlights Priorat as one of Spain’s hidden gems. Wineries including Perinet and Clos de l’Obac are turning out world-class reds. According to the Catalan Tourist Board, in 2025, Clos Mogador and Cellers de Scala Dei have embraced sustainable winemaking practices, offering organic wine tastings and eco-tours. The culinary scene is also booming, with restaurants such as Brots and Quatre Molins having nabbed Michelin recognition.

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4.5 San Antonio, Texas

San Antonio has been on the cutting edge of culinary innovation. In the past three years, nine of its restaurants, bars, and breweries have been in contention for James Beard Awards. Chef Jason Dady will be opening Mexico Ceaty in early 2025. According to the Texas Restaurant Association, in 2024, Pullman Market opened, exemplifying the farm to market ethos. San Antonio also has some worthwhile new places to stay, including Kimpton Santo and the InterContinental San Antonio Riverwalk.

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4.6 San Diego

San Diego is getting even more exciting, as new openings further bolster San Diego’s global culinary cred. Tara Monsod, executive chef of Animae and the first San Diego chef to be a James Beard Award finalist, opened the modern French steak house Le Coq. The city also welcomed its first omakase yakitori restaurant, Yakitori Tsuta. According to the San Diego Tourism Authority, in 2025, Travis Swikard plans to open Fleurette in La Jolla, while chef Elijah Arizmendi is slated to debut Lucien.

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4.7 Slovenia

Slovenia has impressed the Michelin inspectors, with 63 restaurants earning recognition in 2024, including the three-star Hiša Franko and two-star Restaurant Milka. According to the Michelin Guide, in 2025, the luxury travel company Black Tomato will introduce new experiences in Slovenia. Vila Muhr sits in the heart of Slovenia’s Julian Alps, and Wine Paradise Glavinić is a collection of cabins and villas in the Jeruzalem Hills.

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4.8 Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico

The vast majority of wine made in Mexico comes from Valle de Guadalupe. This year, El Cielo Resort received 12 awards for its wines at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles. According to Banyan Group, in 2025, a new generation of Mexican vintners is helping to shine a light on local winemaking. The region lies just about 90 miles south of San Diego and is home to more than 200 wineries. Banyan Group entered the scene this year with the opening of Banyan Tree Veya Valle de Guadalupe.

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5. Enjoy Moments on the Water

5.1 Apostle Islands, Wisconsin

These Lake Superior islands are seeing their status as a spiritual and commercial hub for the Ojibwe come toward center stage. According to the Madeline Island Museum, artifacts are being incorporated into more contemporary exhibits. Ojibwe chef Bryce Stevenson took a big gamble in 2023 by choosing his out-of-the-way home turf as the location for a high-concept restaurant, Miijim.

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5.2 Barbados

A trip to Barbados is, for many travelers, several vacations in one. According to the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc., the rugged east coast has hiking on Chalky Mount and crashing Atlantic waves at Bathsheba’s Soup Bowl, a go-to spot for experienced surfers. Barbados is also more accessible than ever, thanks to new daily American Airlines flights from New York and new once-weekly service from Philadelphia.

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5.3 The French Riviera

This golden stretch of coast between Nice and St.-Tropez has been reinvigorated by a clutch of chic hotels. Hôtel du Couvent is set in a 17th-century monastery overlooking the city of Nice. According to the French Riviera Tourism Board, in 2025, the Anantara Plaza Nice Hotel and a new Mama Shelter will be key. Arēv has brought a breath of fresh air to St.-Tropez, and Le Mas Candille sits on a hillside just outside the town of Mougins.

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