The turn of the calendar is not only time for hordes of wishful thinkers convincing themselves they’ll be gym rats from now on; it’s also the time of year when numerous travel publications tell you where to go.
Most of these compiled lists are a bunch of regurgitated destinations with little to nothing new going on.
Sometimes, however, there are some real surprises on these lists when they’re intermixed with global icons such as New York City, London, and Paris.
That’s the case for TimeOut, especially for a city crowned as the world’s best city for 2025.
TimeOut just released their list of ’50 best cities’ to visit this year, with some real head-scratchers rounding out the top 10.
Copenhagen: Europe’s Anti-Karen
What’s the opposite of a “Karen”? I don’t have an answer, but that’s what Copenhagen is striving for.
Often declared as one of the world’s friendliest cities, if not the friendliest city, Denmark’s capital city is vibrant, welcoming, and teeming with delightful attractions.
While certain popular destinations across Europe see scattered anti-tourism campaigns and protests, Copenhagen is the antithesis of those seeking to yank welcome mats out from tourists’ feet.
So much so that Copenhagen even put together an enticing rewards for well-behaved tourists, unlike such places as Amsterdam, where tourists are expected to mind their P’s and Q’s despite a wild nightlife scene.
While Copenhagen may not be the most sought-after place in winter unless you’re into ice swimming, you’ll discover incredible restaurants, well-connected metro lines, and easy-going locals with positive, contagious spirits the rest of the year.
Shanghai: Are Americans Ready To Visit China Again?
There’s no question China remains a global powerhouse, but after multiple travel advisories and, let’s just say, unanswered pandemic inquiries, Americans’ trust in visiting China became iffy at best.
As someone who had the fortune of visiting China pre-Covid, I’m ready to give China another go since I didn’t pay for a 10-year tourist visa for nothing!
It seems China realized being one of the most shut-off countries in the world from 2020 to 2023 didn’t exactly bode well for a tourism boost, especially since there wasn’t a long list of Western travelers waiting to experience the wonders of one of the most captivating countries on Earth.
China is notoriously a strict nation with many rules to follow, so it came to many as a surprise when entry rules were recently eased, where Americans can now visit visa-free for 10 days when transiting.
This may seem like a small step, but “China” and “ease” rarely belong in the same sentence. TimeOut highlights Shanghai as the 9th best city to visit, one spot ahead of Copenhagen.
They’re certainly not wrong that there’s never a dull moment in Shanghai, as the impeccably clean streets, impromptu music performances, and the allure of old China meets new China is impossible to dismiss as an unforgettable trip.
Not to mention, Shanghai’s record-low levels of pollution often deter tourists from visiting.
While I have no official travel plans, capping off the reason I believe 2025 is the year I go back is the U.S. State Department lowered Mainland China’s travel advisory to Level 2.
Porto: Portugal’s New “It” Destination
Portugal is on the rise! No longer are travelers solely setting their sights on Lisbon, the Algarve, and, of course, numerous paradisal islands.
In fact, Porto set a record for tourism in 2023 and is now easier to reach than ever with TAP Air Portugal’s U.S. expansion.
This historic city of red-tiled buildings, waterfront delights, and delicious port wine makes for a great escape any time of year, although TimeOut says the sooner, the better since they opened their very own market!
Beyond the gorgeous cityscape are stunning shores and idyllic wineries, both winning awards in their own right.
Overall, Porto finished 8th on TimeOut’s list, but 4th for beauty alone.
Cape Town: The World’s Best City To Visit In 2025
Aligning with Shanghai, Cape Town has been known as an iffy destination in terms of safety for different reasons.
But it appears that’s all in the past since the U.S. State Department last classified South Africa as Level 2 in the fall.
Plus, if it’s good enough for digital nomads, it’s gotta be good enough for everyone else, right?
Cape Town is equally beautiful as it is culturally magnetizing and offers unforgettable experiences for new visitors, ranging from wine safaris, pristine beaches, epic eats, and affordable luxury.
Save up your points because you score familiar names like DoubleTree and Hyatt Regency on the cheap.
A visit to Cape Town without exploring the city’s astounding nature should be a crime. Unmissable Table Mountain should top your list for sweeping views, followed by Robben Island for insight into Nelson Mandela’s fascinating life, and Camps Bay for vivid blue waters under the beaming African sun.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
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