Which cities became the most popular for holidays in 2025

The world of travel is experiencing a new wave of interest — after several years of restrictions, tourists are once again discovering Europe and exotic corners of the planet en masse. Find out which places have made it into the global tourism top

Issuing a policy Green card for traveling abroad by car

TAKE

The world of travel is experiencing a new boom, and a recent report by eDreams ODIGEO, ‘A Year in Travel 2025,’ shows where travellers went this year. The study covers millions of searches and bookings around the world and shows that 2025 has been a time of return to Europe and rapid growth in interest in exotic destinations.

Europe maintains its leadership

According to the data, all ten of the most popular destinations in 2025 are European cities. The leaders of the ranking are:

1. Barcelona (Spain)

2. Paris (France)

3. Palma de Mallorca (Spain)

4. Madrid (Spain)

5. London (United Kingdom)

6. Rome (Italy)

7. Istanbul (Turkey)

8. Lisbon (Portugal)

9. Amsterdam (Netherlands)

10. Malaga (Spain)

Spain became the absolute leader in bookings this year: four cities in the country made it into the global top 10.

Why is Europe in the lead?

The popularity of European destinations is explained by their accessibility and comfort for travel. Short and inexpensive flights make it easy to change countries even on weekends, and the format of short trips — so-called city breaks — has become particularly popular among residents of megacities.

Europe offers the perfect balance: it combines a rich cultural heritage, diverse gastronomy, a high level of service and a sense of security. However, this success has a downside — the growing problem of overtourism. Barcelona, for example, is literally ‘suffocating’ from the influx of tourists, and local authorities have already been forced to introduce restrictions to preserve the city for its residents.

Don't want to miss important updates and useful articles? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter!

Tourists are looking for alternatives

Against the backdrop of crowded European destinations, interest in cities outside the continent is growing.

▪️ Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) has seen a 164% increase in bookings compared to last year.

▪️ Among American travellers, interest in Kathmandu (Nepal) and Quito (Ecuador) is growing rapidly, with an increase of more than 120%.

Analysts attribute this to travellers' desire to seek new experiences, culture and authenticity, rather than just a beach holiday.

Most popular destinations by search queries

Judging by the number of searches, tourists are dreaming of more distant and diverse destinations.

Top 10 most popular destinations in 2025:

1. London

2. Paris

3. New York

4. Tokyo

5. Bangkok

6. Barcelona

7. Rome

8. Milan

9. Madrid

10. Istanbul

This indicates that many are still only planning their ‘dream trips’ but are increasingly looking beyond Europe.

If you are travelling abroad in your own car, be sure to take out Green Card insurance — it is mandatory for entry into most European countries. On the Visit Ukraine portal, you can take out a policy online in a few minutes, pay by card and receive confirmation by email. It's fast, official and secure — that's how responsible drivers travel.

Reminder! In the Khmelnytskyi region, there is a new way to discover the mysterious Bakota — a place known as the Ukrainian Atlantis. Thanks to a new tourist route with interactive elements, travellers will be able to immerse themselves more deeply in the atmosphere of the region, its legends and nature. Find out how you can now explore Bakota on foot, by bike or by car.

Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.

Our recommendation for a safe and comfortable trip: 

Visit Ukraine Insurance - insurance for a safe stay abroad without unnecessary expenses;

Green Card - compulsory car insurance for traveling abroad;

Visit Ukraine Tickets - book tickets for buses, trains, and airplanes to/from Ukraine and between cities around the world;

Private Lawyer service - professional legal support on visa and migration issues;

Visit Ukraine Merch - buy patriotic clothing and accessories with worldwide delivery.

© 2018-2025, Visit Ukraine. Use, copying or reprinting of materials on this site is permitted only with a link (hyperlink for online publications) to Visit Ukraine.

All rights reserved.