Best of the best: Traveller Awards for 2025 announced
Awards are nothing new in the travel space. But what’s different about Traveller’s awards, now in their second year, is that they’re extremely personal selections from our expert writers – people who travel a lot, and know a good thing when they see it. We asked them to nominate a favourite place or experience from their past year of global travel, and then a senior panel of editors chose 10 winners in each of 12 categories. The choices are not necessarily the latest opening or newest launch, but they do come highly recommended by a profoundly knowledgeable team. Of course, in a world of chatbot hallucinations and paid influencer content, expert advice and opinion from independent writers on the ground is increasingly valuable. (Some of our travel is sponsored, but we never promise positive coverage in return.) We hope you enjoy reading about these bucket-list experiences, they really are the best of the best.
Innovation
Meet the trailblazers changing the way we travel, from a hotel that’s a green sanctuary to an ambitious plan to turn a UAE city into a new cultural capital.
- Traveller Team
Reinvention
These award winners show how taking something inherently beautiful or unique and adding zeitgeisty features can double the joy.
- Traveller Team
Bang for buck
It might be an airline making high-flying accessible to the majority or a hotel offering a slice of luxury at a price that doesn’t sting. These affordable travel gems over-deliver.
- Traveller Team
Change makers
We shine a spotlight on the people and companies changing travel for the better, from a visionary safari lodge to a company championing accessible travel.
- Traveller Team
Fun times
From a hotel suite with a secret tunnel to a boozy day out on a tequila train in Mexico, this list is all about travel that sparks joy and adventure.
- Traveller Team
Dine & drink
Read our global gastronomic bucket-list to discover where in Greece you’ll find a UNESCO-recognised culinary city or who’s the best ramen guide in Tokyo.
- Traveller Team
Immersive
Fancy a spiritual journey in Bali or a deep dive into the history of Washington DC? These experiences are for those who crave a holiday with depth, where every moment is a chance to learn, grow, and be transformed.
- Traveller Team
Adventure
Whether you’re after an adrenaline-pumping quad-bike dash in the bush or a soul-searching hike, these experiences will ignite your sense of wonder and leave you with a lasting sense of accomplishment.
- Traveller Team
Style & design
From an 1881 merchant’s house transformed into a boutique hotel in Athens, to Mondrian’s entry into Australia on the Gold Coast, we celebrate the brands getting creative and banishing bland.
- Traveller Team
Sustainability
As informed tourists increasingly prefer to tread lightly on holiday, we profile the places and experiences leading the way on sustainability and conservation.
- Traveller Team
Wellness
Go on an inner journey to these locations lauded for restfulness, harmony and peace.
- Traveller Team
Traveller’s Hall of Fame legends of travel for 2025
From an iconic Cape Town hotel to a trailblazing regional food festival, these are the places and brands that consistently deliver exceptional experiences.
- Traveller Team
The cruise lines and ships changing the game in 2025
New ships, new itineraries, new ideas: the cruise world is constantly changing and constantly challenged. Here’s a nod to the movers and shakers.
- Brian Johnston
Insider intel
Our reporters share the bounty of their global roamings, name checking the hottest new spots and experiences alongside old favourites that still deliver.
- Traveller Team
Other editions
The March 22 Edition
In our autumn fashion special, we chat with model and entrepreneur Miranda Kerr about her latest design project, and her wonderful blended family.
- 12 stories
The March 21 edition
Stephanie Alexander and The Cook’s Companion at 30 | Free-diver Ant Williams | Debra Adelaide and Gabrielle Carey | How to deliver a baby on a plane
- 11 stories