Athens, Santorini and Crete secured spots among the top European and global destinations for 2025 across multiple categories in U.S. News & World Report’s annual ranking.
U.S. News Travel’s Best Vacations rankings identify the top destinations by region and vacation type, while evaluating over 1,100 destinations, considering factors such as sights, culture, adventure, and romance, and incorporate both expert analysis and user opinions to provide well-rounded recommendations.
In the European list, the Greek capital ranked as the 10th Best Place to Visit in Europe for 2025, praised for its rich cultural heritage, iconic landmarks, vibrant modern lifestyle, and diverse culinary scene.
Athens, Greece.
“Few cities rival Athens, Greece, when it comes to historical importance, yet the bustling capital is also fun and brimming with things to see and do,” the report noted, adding that visitors will also notice that ancient Athens feels considerably more “lived in” and authentic than other major European cities.
Furthermore, Athens claimed 21st place in the “Best Cities in the World to Visit for 2025” category and secured 16th spot in the “Best Cheap European Vacations for 2025” ranking.
Santorini, Greece.
Santorini and Crete also made it to the European list of must-visit destinations for 2025, securing 16th and 29th places respectively.
Additionally, Santorini ranked as the 28th best destination to visit globally in 2025 honored as “Greece’s most popular isle” with breathtaking sunsets, whitewashed villages and colorful beaches.
The U.S. News & World Report travel rankings are based on an analysis of expert opinions and traveler reviews, supplemented by recommendations and insider knowledge from in-destination writers and editors.
