Wednesday, July 23, 2025
Serving up the anticipation for the No.1 trending destination to visit in 2025, Tripadvisor is lifting the veil on 2022’s top global attraction, and the Basílica de la Sagrada Familia earns the title as part of Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards: Best of the Best. This landmark Roman Catholic church, dedicated to the Holy Family, still enchants visitors nearly 150 years after construction began, drawing in over 4.5 million people each year. Up from fourth place last year, this year’s win emphasises the cultural importance and jaw-dropping beauty of this architectural marvel.
The Travelers’ Choice Awards, which recognize the best travel experiences according to millions of Tripadvisor users’ reviews and ratings, also shine a spotlight on an array of attractions and experiences. The 2025 version highlights both natural and man-made wonders, and adventures that travelers around the globe can’t wait to experience for a great vacation. With trip-planning on the brain, the Top 5 Attractions Worldwide features a diverse selection of sights you shouldn’t miss when traveling.
Global Sightseeing: Top Destinations Around the World
Aside from the Sagrada Familia, Paris has another world favourite as the Eiffel Tower is number two in the world and the Louvre Museum in Paris is number four. MERRITT ISLAND, FL: NASA Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Merritt Island, Florida. The Top Attraction in the U.S. is the NASA Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Merritt Island, where the stunning space history ranges from the magnets that helped astronauts walk on the moon to the tech that continues to send them even farther.
Though Barcelona and Paris take two of the top spots, the overall list includes a selection of intriguing locales around the world that continue to intrigue travelers, including Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, Cambodia, and Mutianyu Great Wall in Beijing, China. The rankings demonstrate how even as people’s fantasies of travel have shifted, they retained their appreciation for culturally and historically significant destinations.
For those who are also planning to travel to the U.S., the NASA Kennedy Space Center is a must-visit and gives a breathtaking perspective of America’s foray into space. It’s not just the presence of the locales, but the stories and experiences they signal that have drawn domestic and international visitors to the area.
Top experiences: Being in the story, not reading about it
When it comes to top-rated experiences, Florence, Italy, is the star with its “Best Tour in Florence: Renaissance & Medici Tales ” taking the Top Experience Worldwide spot. This small-group walking tour brings you an intimate look at Florence’s historical quarters with a private guide, and a more personal and in-depth experience than you’d get on large-group tours. With almost 5,000 five-star reviews, it’s clear that this experience strikes a chord with anyone wanting to dive headfirst into the storied culture of Florence.
In the United States, the top experience is the Grand Tour Around Island 16 Locations plus Snorkeling in Honolulu, Hawaii. This all-day excursion is designed to be an amazing day on Oahu, offering up the beaches, the snorkeling, the towns, and the lifestyle that make Hawaii an adventure you’ll never forget.
Other popular global experiences also listed as their most memorable travel moment are the Full-Day Ninh Binh Highlights Tour From Hanoi, Vietnam, and the Blue Cave Small-Group Boat Tour from Dubrovnik, Croatia- showcasing nothing but the adventures worth taking and the picturesque places worth exploring. From the time-travel journey underground in London’s Pub Tour to a festive classically Dutch canal cruise in Amsterdam, these best experiences reflect the variety of what inspires travelers — be it cultural, adventurous, or simply relaxing.
Above and Beyond Best: Categories for Celebrating Special Moments of Travel
Going further than top attractions and experiences, the 2025 Travelers’ Choice Awards also recognise specialized niche categories such as Bucket List Experiences, Cultural & Historic Tours, and Amusement & Water Parks. These categories offer a more expansive look at the different ways travelers are designing their trips.
Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Ride in Cappadocia, Turkey comes in at number one for Bucket List Experiences, providing a unique view of the picturesque terrain from up above. For those seeking culture and historyBooks, the “Best Tour in Florence: Renaissance & Medici Tales” once again wins the day in the Cultural & Historic Tours category, indicating the enduring appeal of Italy’s colourful past.
For the Amusement & Water Parks, visitors of all ages can put on their racing/discovery/sliding hats and visit Ferrari World (Yas Island, Abu Dhabi).
A Special Mention: The 25th Anniversary of Tripadvisor
Tripadvisor also paid homage to the best experiences and attractions of all time to mark its 25th year, using historical reviews. The Basílica de la Sagrada Familia in Barcelona and Full-Day Ninh Binh Highlights Tour in Hanoi were the top two experiences, highlighting that certain timeless experiences will never go out of style.
Ever Upward Travel of the Future
With travel trends firmly on the up around the world, the Travelers’ Choice Awards are a fantastic source of inspiration to help British holidaymakers find the crème de la crème. The 2025 vintage offers a collection of destinations and experiences that have been around for a while and are still doing well, as well as new experiences that are sure to shock and awe travelers from around the world.
But for anyone looking for their next getaway, these rankings provide inspiration and information about where to go, what to do, and how to make the most of your travel adventure. As holidaymakers map out their next trips, the trends documented in the 2025 Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards are ready-made to influence tourism for years to come.
Whether you want to discover ancient marvels, face thrills while on an adventure, or bathe in the sun while on a relaxing cruise, there is an endless selection of amazing destinations and experiences available. The future of travel looks amazing, and there are so many places we can go to make new memories.
(Source: Tripadvisor, United Nations World Tourism Organization, Ministry of Tourism)
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