The Selection Process Behind the World’s Greatest Places 2025 List

The world is increasingly interconnected. The widespread use of video on social media platforms has broadened access to diverse cultures, inspiring travelers to seek out new experiences, both by exploring digitally-seen locations and discovering unique, authentic destinations. The tourism sector rebounded to pre-pandemic levels in 2023 and experienced further growth in 2024, achieving record consumer spending and contributing an estimated 9% to 10% of global GDP. Projections indicate continued financial growth in the current year.

For TIME’s annual World’s Greatest Places list, we searched globally for exceptional destinations and experiences. In Lima, Peru, we highlighted , a restaurant that champions traditional Amazonian cuisine. Zimbabwe boasts , a locally-owned luxury resort with views of Victoria Falls, located near Zambezi National Park. Flagstaff, Arizona, the site of Pluto’s discovery, now offers an open-air planetarium where visitors can enjoy live, guided tours of the night sky from heated seats. Furthermore, the Venice Simplon-Orient Express features a newly designed carriage by French artist JR, complete with puzzles, hidden details, and scenic observation windows, contributing to the resurgence of luxury train travel throughout Europe.

Each year, TIME gathers nominations for various places—including hotels, cruises, restaurants, attractions, museums, and parks—from its global network of correspondents and contributors, alongside an open application process, focusing on those that provide fresh and exciting opportunities. The result is a curated list of 100 remarkable destinations worth visiting and experiencing this year.

. Bon voyage!

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