For American travelers craving culture, scenery, and stories worth remembering
Introduction: Why Europe, and Why Now?
“Travel isn’t always pretty. It isn’t always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart… but that’s okay. The journey changes you.” – Anthony Bourdain
After years of travel limitations, postponed arrangements, and excessive online tours, 2025 appears to be the year of grand experiences—or at the very least, significant ones. For numerous American travelers, Europe continues to be that perfect destination: recognizable yet surprising, steeped in history yet ever-evolving.
It’s not merely about exploring the Eiffel Tower or navigating the Amsterdam canals (although you should absolutely do that as well). The current trend favors experiences—leisurely travel, subtle luxury, off-peak getaways, and destinations that seem like narratives ready to be revealed. Expedia’s 2024 Travel Trends indicate that an increasing number of Americans are looking for “immersive” and “less touristy” locations than in the past.
If you’re prepared to exchange bucket lists for enriching experiences, here are five destinations in Europe that deserve your attention in 2025.
1. Matera – Italy’s Ancient Stone City
Let’s start with a place that doesn’t just tell history—it is history. Matera, in southern Italy, might not have made your radar yet, but it probably should.
Why go?
Matera is made almost entirely of stone. Its ancient cave dwellings, called Sassi, are carved into limestone cliffs and have been inhabited since the Paleolithic era. It feels like walking through a biblical movie set—because, well, several biblical films were actually shot here.
For years, Matera was overlooked, even shunned, for its poverty. Now? It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site with boutique hotels nestled into caves, candlelit restaurants, and a thoughtful approach to preserving its past while welcoming visitors.
Searches for “Matera travel” reportedly jumped over 40% after its appearance in No Time to Die and a 2024 Lonely Planet feature highlighting it as a “quiet alternative to Tuscany.”
Things to Do:
- Explore the Sassi di Matera with a local guide (worth it)
- Spend a night in a cave hotel like Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita
- Try crapiata soup or a loaf of the city’s signature hard-crusted bread
One for travelers who want a little time travel with their wine.
2. Ljubljana – Slovenia’s Chill, Green Capital
If Europe’s big-name capitals feel a bit much—Ljubljana may feel like a deep exhale.
Why go?
Pronounced lyoo-BLYAH-nah, Slovenia’s capital is compact, car-free, and ridiculously photogenic. Think leafy riverside cafes, a pink Baroque church, and dragon statues scattered across bridges. It’s also one of Europe’s most sustainable cities—seriously, they banned cars from the old town over a decade ago and replaced them with electric “Kavalirs” (translation: gentlemanly golf carts).
Named one of the top sustainable destinations in Europe by Green Destinations in 2024, it’s slowly catching on among American travelers, especially those looking to skip the crowds and cut their carbon footprint.
Things to Do:
- Grab local wine at Movia or sip craft beer at Lajbah
- Take a paddleboard down the Ljubljanica River
- Day trip to Lake Bled or hike through Vintgar Gorge
A sweet spot for slow travelers who prefer charm over checklists.
3. Sintra – Portugal’s Misty Wonderland
On paper, Sintra is just a 40-minute train ride from Lisbon. In person? It feels like you’ve wandered into a dream sequence from a fantasy novel.
Why go?
Sintra is a jumble of palaces, forests, and fog. There’s the colorful, slightly chaotic Palácio da Pena, the mystical Quinta da Regaleira with its spiral initiation well, and the Moorish Castle that overlooks it all. Even if you’re not into fairy tales, the natural beauty—humid forests, moss-covered trails, and secret gardens—is tough to ignore.
According to Tripadvisor’s 2024 Traveler’s Choice Awards, Sintra remains one of Europe’s top day trips, but many are now choosing to stay overnight to skip the Lisbon day-tripper crowds.
Things to Do:
- Don’t rush—spend at least one night
- Eat travesseiros (almond pastries) at Piriquita, a bakery dating to 1862
- Ride Tram 28 to the windswept Praia das Maçãs beach
For those who believe a place can feel both surreal and strangely familiar.
4. Gothenburg – Sweden’s Easygoing Coastal City
If Stockholm is the polished big sibling, Gothenburg is the artsy one who listens to vinyl and knows where to get the best shrimp sandwich.
Why go?
Located on Sweden’s west coast, Gothenburg offers all the clean design and thoughtful infrastructure you’d expect, without the big-city fuss. You’ll find bike lanes, vintage trams, and cafés that make fika (Swedish coffee breaks) an art form.
It’s also the launchpad for island-hopping in the Bohuslän Archipelago, where car-free villages and cold swims await. Oh, and it was just voted one of the most sustainable travel cities in Europe again in 2024.
Featured in National Geographic’s Cool Cities to Watch in 2025, it’s gaining appeal among younger travelers who want something quieter, but still cosmopolitan.
Things to Do:
- Try Sjömagasinet for upscale seafood or grab street-style herring from Strömmingsluckan
- Take tram #11 to Saltholmen, then ferry-hop through the islands
- Visit Universeum (especially if you’re traveling with kids)
For travelers into clean air, good coffee, and a slower rhythm.
5. Tbilisi – Georgia’s Unlikely Darling
You might have to point it out on a map, but Tbilisi (that’s tuh-BLEE-see) is where many travelers are saying, “Why didn’t I come here sooner?”
Why go?
Tbilisi lies at the intersection of Europe and Asia, and this is evident in every aspect—the architecture, the cuisine, the inhabitants. It’s somewhat chaotic, but in a positive manner. A street could feature a 6th-century church, a Soviet-era building, and a wine bar illuminated with neon lights. And what about the food? Envision palm-sized dumplings (khinkali), cheesy bread boats (khachapuri), and rich regional wines
Booking.com’s 2025 forecast ranked Tbilisi in the top 5 destinations for cultural immersion, and digital nomads are moving in fast.
Things to Do:
- Soak in a sulphur bath (Tbilisi means “warm place,” after all)
- Climb up to Narikala Fortress for panoramic views
- Visit Fabrika—a former sewing factory turned hostel, cafe, and creative hub
A mix of grit, grace, and grape juice (aka wine).
How to Plan Your Europe Trip in 2025
When to Go:
Late spring (May–June) and early fall (September) are golden—less heat, fewer crowds.
Visas & Entry:
Starting mid-2025, Americans will need an ETIAS visa waiver for most EU countries. It’s not a full visa, but you’ll want to apply ahead of time.
What to Pack:
- Good walking shoes (those cobblestones won’t walk themselves)
- Light layers for unpredictable weather
- A portable charger and offline maps app
Apps Worth Downloading:
- Rome2Rio (transport planning)
- HappyCow (for vegetarians/vegans)
- Duolingo or DeepL (for basic phrases on the go)
Good to Know Before You Go
- Budgeting: Countries in Western Europe (such as Sweden or Italy) can be expensive, whereas Georgia and Slovenia provide great affordability.
- Etiquette: In Georgia, it is courteous to accept wine. In Sweden, timeliness is valued. In Italy—take it easy, you’re on Italian time.
- Accessibility: Many cities in this area are pedestrian-friendly or offer reliable public transportation, but Matera features numerous stairs and uneven walkways.
- Weather Alert: Prepare for varied conditions—Sintra can be foggy, Gothenburg might have light rain, and Matera heats up in the summer
Parting Thought
The most rewarding travel not only reveals new locations but also changes your perspective on the world. Whether you’re enjoying wine in a Georgian courtyard or strolling through Slovenian streets with a pastry, these places provide something more valuable than perfection: insight.
And if there’s one thing 2025 appears to be urging travelers—it’s to remain curious, receptive, and somewhat more engaged than we were previously