The 52 best places in the world to visit in 2025 named by The New York Times – and it’s the southwest of England that’s No.1, with a U.S city famous for being crime-ridden also on the list
The South West of England has been named the number 1 place in the world to visit in 2025 in a prestigious newspaper ranking.
The region tops an annual list of 52 ‘best destinations’ The New York Times (NYT)which is encouraging people to explore the area as it has strong links with Jane Austen and this year marks the 250th anniversary of her birth.
“There is celebration in abundance,” the newspaper notes.
Other places on the list include Greenland, Sydney, Scotland, East London and a city in America notorious for its high crime rates.
The NYT explains why the South West of England is the top this year: ‘Fans of Jane Austen have a good reason to explore the South West of England this year: it’s the 250th anniversary of her birth and there’s plenty of celebration.
‘Hampshire was both Austen’s birthplace and a source of inspiration; as a novelist she was most productive in this rural setting. Start at Jane Austen’s househer former house, with an exhibition and themed festivals.
‘The Jane Austen Country Fair will liven up Steventon in July, while Southampton showcases Austen’s traveling desk and hosts the irreverent hit show “Pride and prejudice* (*sort of).”
‘In Winchester, activities include literary readings, guided walks, entry to Winchester College and a new statue in Winchester Cathedral, her final resting place. In Bath, the Jane Austen Center goes all out, with dance balls and the Grand Regency Costumed Promenade.
The South West of England has been named as the number 1 place in the world to go in 2025 by The New York Times, which is urging people to explore the area as it has strong links with Jane Austen and this year marks the 250th anniversary of her birth. It recommends visiting the Jane Austen Center in Bath (pictured above), where she lived for five years
Greenland is opening a “sparkling new international airport,” the NYT explains
Sydney deserves a place in the rankings for its reputation as a ‘seafood mecca’ and its ‘expanding’ metro network
‘Further afield are locations used as locations for Austen films Stourheadin Wiltshire, which appears in the 2005 version of “Pride and Prejudice.”
Visit West additionally explains that in Bath – where Austen lived from 1801 to 1806 – there will be a ‘Nautical-themed Persuasion Ball’ on May 31, a ‘Sea-themed Sanditon Ball’ on June 28 and a ‘special Christmas Birthday Ball’ on 13 December at the Jane Austen Center.
‘When celebrated author Jane Austen made Bath her home, the city was a thriving spa town, popular with fashionable society,’ says Visit Bath.
The tourist board added: ‘On your visit to Bath, follow in Jane’s footsteps and you will discover the same elegant yet vibrant city that inspired two of her six published novels, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion.’
Explaining why Greenland is also on the list, the NYT points to its upcoming “sparkling new international airport,” adding that it is “expected to bring many new visitors eager to admire the Northern Lights, vast glaciers, fjords and more . gigantic Arctic island’.
Sydney deserves a place in the rankings for its reputation as a ‘seafood mecca’ and its ‘expanding’ metro network, the NYT reveals. It explains: ‘There is no life in Sydney without a good reverence for the sea, where both livelihood and community are found’ and recommends that tourists head to the city to feast on the Sydney Fish Marketwhich will have a renovated market hall this year.
Scotland’s Flow Country, meanwhile, became the first peatland to gain UNESCO recognition, with the NYT adding: ‘It is one of the largest carbon sinks in the world, making it crucial in the fight against climate change. It is home to various wildlife. And it’s beautiful.’
And East London, says the NYT, is the British capital’s ‘newest cultural hotbed’. The paper highlights several upcoming new openings, including the new Sadler’s Wells East theater for contemporary dance in February and the V&A East Storehouse, which is a David Bowie Center in September.
The NYT suggests visiting Stourhead in Wiltshire, pictured above, where the 2005 version of ‘Pride and Prejudice’ was filmed
Scotland’s Flow Country is the first peatland area to be recognized by UNESCO. The NYT adds: ‘It is one of the largest carbon sinks in the world, making it crucial in the fight against climate change’
According to the NYT, East London is the capital’s ‘newest cultural hotbed’. It highlights the upcoming opening of the Sadler’s Wells East theater for contemporary dance (pictured above)
Detroit finds place in the ranking ‘because it shows remarkable signs of renewal’
New Orleans is one of many American destinations on the list. The 11th Super Bowl will take place here in February
On the other side of the ocean, Detroit, associated over the years with urban decay, finds a place in the rankings because it ‘shows remarkable signs of renewal today’.
The NYT adds: ‘The biggest addition looms large over the Detroit River – the 1.5-mile Gordie Howe International Bridge will be North America’s longest cable-stayed bridge when it opens this fall, bringing motorists, cyclists and pedestrians connecting Windsor, Ontario and the Trans Canada Trail.”
Other top US destinations on the list include New Orleans, which will host the 11th Super Bowl in February, and Washington DC, which will be home to the LGBTQ+ International WorldPride gathering in May.
Tourists can also be inspired by the past 20 years of NYT recommendationswhich includes 914 destinations.