The 25 best things to do in the world for 2025 named by Time Out – and the No.1 activity only happens every 25 years

Looking for something unforgettable to do this year?

Look no further than the 2025 version of Time Out’s annual list of the best activities around the world.

From a BBQ museum in the U.S to milestone anniversaries in Amsterdam and Rome, and from a canoe trip in Australia to wildlife encounters in Singapore, the global travel brand’s guide is packed with extraordinary experiences.

Time Out’s Travel Editor, Grace Beard, says the list is ‘a great way for travellers to plan their year ahead’.

She adds: ‘You’ll find everything from major art exhibitions and newly-opened adventure trails to the world’s biggest parties and once-in-a-lifetime moments.’

Scroll down to see which countries made it into the top 10 – presented here in reverse order – as well as the full list… 

10. TAKE A MICRO-CRUISE THROUGH THE ARCTIC 

Many cruise companies take passengers around the Arctic in their thousands in huge ships.

But for an ‘intimate, once-in-a-lifetime, eco-conscious trip’, try a micro-cruise with Secret Atlas, suggests Time Out.

It notes: ‘Secret Atlas is expanding its fleet this year with two new Arctic expeditions. A far cry from gargantuan cruise ship vessels, these tiny cruises will only have space for 12 shipmates. 

‘One cruise will take guests on a wildlife-spotting journey through Svalbard’s lesser-known northern reaches, while the other will sail past cathedral-size icebergs in Northeast Greenland, an itinerary that includes a unique visit to Ittoqqortoormiit, one of the most remote towns on earth.’

Unsurprisingly, remarks Time Out, these trips aren’t cheap – with prices starting at £15,500 for two weeks.

9. EXPLORE THE CROSS-BORDER TOWNS THAT MAKE UP 2025’S EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE

Gorizia, Italy, and Nova Gorica, Slovenia, were separated by the Iron Curtain in 1947.

But now, says Time Out’s Eloise Stark, ‘the paved piazzas on one side merge into the Soviet-era brutalist architecture on the other’.

And the two Goricas, along with Germany’s Chemnitz, have been awarded the title of 2025 European Capital of Culture.

To celebrate, over 400 events are going to be held throughout the year, all in keeping with the theme of ‘borderless’.

This will include a piano performance on a 200m-high bridge, as well as a food and wine event called Tastes Without Borders.

Eloise’s top activity recommendations are the Smuggler’s Museum in Nova Gorica, which has its own escape room; the town’s marble crypt, which houses the remains of France’s last king; and Gorizia’s hilltop castle.

8. GO ON A WILDLIFE-SPOTTING ADVENTURE IN SINGAPORE’S SPRAWLING NEW RAINFOREST PARK

Singapore is famous for its sprawling Mandai Wildlife Reserve – and the attraction is opening its fifth zoological park, Rainforest Wild Asia, this year.

According to Time Out, this new park will span 13 hectares and feature 10 different zones, as well as 29 different species of animal, and is ‘a great day out for all’.

The guide adds: ‘Families can enjoy accessible trails, elevated walkways and sheltered rest stops, while adrenaline junkies can dive into thrilling adventures like freefall jumps and caving expeditions.

‘All this is paired with the rare opportunity to encounter tigers, sun bears and tapirs up close.’

7. TRAVEL THROUGH VIETNAM BY VINTAGE STEAM TRAIN 

Vietnam has ‘some of the most unique scenery on the planet‘, notes Time Out, ‘from the steep limestone mountains and the rice-terraced hills to its island-dotted coast’.

And this year, the guide points out, visitors will ‘be able to absorb a whole load of that beauty from beautifully restored vintage trains’.

The guide explains: ‘Two of them, which originally date back to the ‘60s, have been given a makeover by some of the original engineers who built them, and they’ll be ferrying passengers between the central city of Da Nang and the former royal capital of Hue.’ Visit revolutionexpress.com.

6. CELEBRATE THE FATHER OF POST-IMPRESSIONISM ON HIS HOME TURF

A ‘mammoth’ celebration of post-impressionist painter Paul Cezanne is being thrown by the French city he grew up in, Aix-en-Provence.

The programme of events, according to Time Out, will include tours around the artist’s childhood home and adult haunts, including his former estate and studio, Jas de Bouffan, which has recently been renovated.

Also, the Musée Granet will be exhibiting almost 100 of Cèzanne’s works, displayed in the same space for the first time, the guide notes.

Visit cezanne2025.com/en. 

5. SEE THE LONG-AWAITED REOPENING OF A LEGENDARY INSTITUTION FOR BLACK ART

The Studio Museum in Harlem, New York, was first opened 56 years ago in a rented loft on Fifth Avenue by a group of activists, who wanted a space to display work by Black artists.

It was closed for construction almost seven years ago, and will finally be reopening in autumn, in a custom-built building on West 125th Street, Time Out reveals.

It adds: ‘The collection will pull from an archive of nearly 9,000 works by all kinds of creators, from painter Jordan Casteel to visual artist Wangechi Mutu, kicking off with an exhibition of works from late sculptor Tom Lloyd (the first artist ever exhibited here).’

4. FLY DIRECTLY TO GREENLAND

The far-flung Arctic territory of Greenland has long been one of the planet’s most mysterious place, notes Time Out.

But it’s set to become ‘less of an enigma to travellers’ this year thanks to the opening of a brand-new international airport just outside the capital of Nuuk.

According to Time Out, operations are set to launch at the very end of this year, and throughout 2025 there’ll be multiple services per week from both Europe and the USA.

3. MARVEL AT MIGRATION STORIES IN ROTTERDAM

Katendrecht, Rotterdam, was once the point of arrival for immigrants to the Netherlands, and also where people left for a new life abroad.

And, on May 16, the world’s first museum telling stories of migration through art, Fenix, will open there.

According to Time Out, Chinese firm Mad Architects has redeveloped the Fenix warehouse, originally built in 1922, and the new museum will feature a tornado-shaped rooftop observation deck with views of the city’s skyline.

Time Out adds: ‘We love Amsterdam – but it’s time to stop ignoring Rotterdam, its grittier little brother.’ 

2. CYCLE, WALK OR PADDLE ALONG AUSTRALIA’S LONGEST RIVER

‘The Murray River is the crowning jewel of Australia’s Echuca region,’ says Time Out’s Saffron Swire. ‘It zig-zags across the border of New South Wales and Victoria, and has sustained land and riverside communities for the past 40,000 years.’

This year, the guide reveals, a new multisport adventure trail will be opening, running all the way from Lake Hume to Mildura.

It will give cyclists, hikers and paddlers the chance to enjoy the river in a new, ‘high-energy’ way.

1. JOIN ROME’S ONCE-EVERY-QUARTER-CENTURY CATHOLIC JUBILEE

Italy’s capital will see millions of pilgrims descending on the city as it celebrates its spiritual Jubilee this year, notes Time Out.

The Catholic festivity, held every 25 years, began in late December 2024, ‘with the rite of the Opening of the Holy Door – normally sealed shut with mortar and cement – in the papal basilicas including St Peter’s and St John Lateran’s’.

Throughout the year, there will be many events held, including masses, processions, pilgrimages and free visits to shrines and holy sites.

But Italy expert Rebecca Ann Hughes recommends the Seven Churches Pilgrimage, ‘which began in the 16th century and involves a 25km [15-mile] walk through the city and countryside between the major basilicas’.

For more visit www.timeout.com/things-to-do/best-things-to-do-in-the-world.