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25 Unique Places to Visit Before Turning 25
You’re a college student or just graduated and want to see the world? It’s much easier and cheaper than you think if you do it right! Here are 25 places to visit before turning 25!
Note: These places are more unique, and don’t include classics such as London, Paris, or New York. I figured you’d have those on your bucket list anyway!
Are you ready to explore the best and cheapest places in the world? Keep reading!
Let’s start with some European places before we move on to the America’s, Africa, Asia, and Oceania!
1. Budapest, Hungary
Having lived in this city for 1 year, I can say that I absolutely love it! Budapest is full of great attractions, cafes, great food, baths, hiking spots, and view points! This picture was taken on the Gellert Hill, by the Citadel. Me and my boyfriend have put a lock up by that view point. It’s just a great spot for sunsets!
Budapest also has great nightlife and is quite cheap to visit. Definitely worth a weekend trip or a weeklong vacation in your 20’s!
Related Post: 10 Gap Year Ideas You Won’t Regret
2. Split, Croatia
Split is a very famous for its beaches, while still being a traditional Croatian city. It’s definitely on my Europe bucket list! Croatia is also very budget-friendly, which is why I added this on the list of 25 places to visit before turning 25!
3. Isle of Skye, Scotland
The Isle of Skye, located west of Scotland, is probably one of the most beautiful sceneries I’ve ever seen on Instagram and pictures from photographers! While I’ve been to quite a few places in Scotland (due to my Scottish boyfriend haha), lockdown has so far hindered us to go to Skye. It’s definitely on my Top 5 list currently!
Update: I visited Skye in August 2020, and it exceeded all my expectations! Definitely a must-see.
While staying at hotels might be a little more expensive here, it’d be so fun to rent a camper and explore the island that way!
Did you know that several movie scenes were filmed here? King Arthur, Macbeth, Game of Thrones, and many others! If you love movies, you might wanna check out some of the filming locations!
4. Borsh, Albania
If there is one underrated European country, I’d say it’s probably Albania! The country is incredibly cheap, has amazing beaches, great mountain views, and good food.
Borsh, located in the southern part of the country, features a castle, several breathtaking beaches, and a cave! There are also other areas near that you can visit.
Need a Europe packing list? Click here to read the post and get the free printable!
5. Corfu, Greece
Corfu is on my summer bucket list for this year! When travel restrictions allow, I’ll be on my way to Corfu! Follow me on my Instagram to stay updated:)
While all Greek islands are amazing (and I’m sure Santorini is already on your list), Corfu has several amazing beaches, is budget friendly, and also has great hikes and traditional cities. A good mix!
You can also visit a water park, museums, castles, and of course beaches.
6. Banff, Canada
If there is one national park I could choose to visit in Canada, it’s Banff! It’s probably one of the most beautiful parks I’ve seen on Instagram and I can’t wait till I can finally visit!
You can kayak there, take a road trip, camp, hike, swim, and do many more things!
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7. Clearwater, Florida, U.S.A
Clearwater is an amazing vacation area for people in their 20’s! It’s cheaper than Miami and less touristy than the Keys. Although it’s Florida so there’re still going to be tourists. 🤣
In Clearwater and the area, you can enjoy the several beaches, the water park, enjoy nature parks, go boating, and more!
Related Post: How To Travel On A Budget In Your 20’s
8. Yosemite, California, U.S.A
Roadtripping the west coast of the United States is still on my bucket list! Yosemite is an amazing national park with tons of hiking trails, lakes, and waterfalls.
Doing a road trip or backpacking is something YOU GOTTA do in your 20’s!
9. Supai, Arizona, U.S.A
Another amazing place to visit on the west coast of the United States is Supai in Arizona! Doesn’t that waterfall look AMAZING? The canyons and other waterfalls are great places to visit on a road trip.
10. Tulum, Mexico
If you’ve heard of Cancun, you’ll wanna visit Tulum! It’s less touristy (although still popular), and looks AMAZING. Mexico is very budget-friendly, has amazing beaches, cultural temples, and amazing food.
I know a couple of people who actually moved to Tulum as digital nomads, and they’re living their best lives!
Tulum has cenotes, white sand beaches, and cheap food, y’all! Get on that plane (after lockdown) and explore Tulum!
11. Machu Picchu, Peru
If there is one place I’d need to choose to visit in South America, I’d go to Machu Picchu!
Hiking that mountain and seeing the temple would be breathtaking, as well as the llamas I’ve heard live in the area. Peru is also cheap to visit, and gives you great cultural experiences. You could even go to a solo-trip, which is something every person in their 20’s should do!
12. Arikok National Park, Aruba
This picture really doesn’t justify how amazing Aruba looks, but I haven’t gotten the chance to go yet, so had to choose an image from Canva🤣.
Aruba is a small island in the Caribbean, with amazing beaches, caves, and cliffs. Aruba is one of the safest Caribbean countries, making it a perfect destination for the 25 places to visit before turning 25!
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13. Pigeon Island, St. Lucia
Pigeon Island is a part of St. Lucia, in the Caribbean. St. Lucia is another safe country, with amazing beaches, a national park, and great food, all possible with a low budget!
14. Torres Del Paine, Chile
Doesn’t this national park in Chile look gorgeous? It’s the perfect place to visit before 25. You can take a road trip, backpack, or just take a weekend trip there and visit other places on the same vacation.
The national park has turquoise lakes, mountains, waterfalls, and wildlife!
15. Le Morne, Mauritius
Le Morne is a part of Mauritius, and I really wanna go there! Don’t you from that picture above??
Mauritius is an island off the east coast of Africa and features AMAZING beaches, palm trees, surfing bays, hiking paths, and hills. It’s also budget-friendly and just a great destination for anyone.
Related Post: How To Travel On A Budget In College
16. Marrakech, Morocco
To include something cultural to this list of 25 places to visit before turning 25, I’ve added Marrakech, although there are a lot of great cities to visit in Africa!
Marrakech is one of the safest cities in Morocco, and if you love Mediterranean food, you’ll love Marrakech.
For example, Menara gardens is a great place to visit, as well as mosques, museums, and markets!
17. Chobe National Park, Botswana
One thing you’ll definitely wanna do is a safari in Africa! Botswana, located in the southern part of Africa, is a great place for that. The national park is on the northern side of the country, and has animals like giraffes, elephants, hippos, and more!
18. Phuket, Thailand
Thailand is a great destination for young people (of course for everyone haha), since it’s very budget-friendly, has great beaches, nightlife, and culture.
There are museums, viewpoints, nice beaches, and more things to see in the area. There is an airport right on the island, and you can rent a moped for only a couple of dollars a day.
I always aim to travel sustainably, and Thailand has great options when it comes to eco-resorts, and everything is close enough to walk! Here is a post about my low-waste travel essentials if you’re interested in that!
19. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
To mix things up a little bit, why don’t we visit Kuala Lumpur? The city has some amazing things to offer, and it much cheaper than Singapore!
The twin tower skyscrapers are definitely a must-see, as well as the rooftop bars, the city park, and the Batu caves. I’ve already planned my Southeast Asia trip for when I graduate college, and Kuala Lumpur is one of the destinations! (Others include Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, and India).
Related Post: Budget Travel Tips For Students
20. Bali, Indonesia
Speaking of Indonesia, Bali is the number one place I want to visit! I honestly could not decide what picture to choose for the post!!
Here is why Bali is a MUST-SEE before turning 25:
- It’s crazy cheap
- Has amazing AirBnB’s that are like $30 a night
- Fresh food
- Rent a moped for $3 a day
- Amazing beaches
- Palm trees
- Rice fields
- Temples
- AND SO MUCH MORE, all on one small island!
Comment below if you wanna go to Bali.
21. Angkor Wat, Cambodia
These temples are breathtaking, don’t you think? Cambodia is known for its cultural sites, as well as scenic views! Backpacking through Southeast Asia is definitely something I’d love to do sometime, hopefully on that graduation trip, even if it’s not continuously “backpacking”.
22. Perth, Australia
Located in Western Australia, Perth is a city with an amazing skyline and coast. There is even a Penguin Island where you can spot penguins and pelicans. That’d be so fun!
23. Milford Sound, New Zealand
Located on the southern island of New Zealand, this park is full of mountains, crystal-clear lakes, waterfalls, and other good stuff. Perfect for hiking and backpacking, but also for a daytrip from other places you might visit in this beautiful country.
24. Fraser Island, Australia
Fraser Island is just above Brisbane on the Sunshine Coast of Australia! I chose it because of its amazing white-sand beaches with clear water. Perfect for a beach getaway!
It’s also quite “close” to the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane, making it a great destination on a road trip in the area.
25. Wanaka, New Zealand
Also located on the south island, Wanaka is a great place for outdoor activities, winter sports, skydiving, fishing, and more!
Those where my top 25 places to visit before turning 25!
I hope you enjoyed them and visit them sometime, once restrictions allow! Of course, unless you’re a travel addict or digital nomad, you might not visit all of these before 25 years, which is OK!
I wrote this post to inspire you of new places you might haven’t thought of, and encourage you to travel whenever you can, even if it’s just to one of these places!
What was your favorite one? Comment below to share with others and save this post on Pinterest for future reference!
Until soon,
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