On July 22, 2025, in Needham, Mass., Tripadvisor, the world’s largest travel guide platform, announces the winners of Travelers’ Choice Awards, its annual award program. This award highlights the top attractions, and experiences around the world as well as in the U.S., based on the Tripadvisor reviews. Attractions ranges from natural wonders to man-made marvels, and museums, whereas experiences cover the best tours, excursions, and activities that make a trip unforgettable.
Basilica de la Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain climbed the ladder from the No. 4 spot last year to the No. 1 Top Attractions globally this year. The last time it was at the top was in 2023. It is known for its history, and detailed architecture by Antoni Gaudi. In the U.S., the No. 1 spot is claimed by NASA Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Merritt Island, Florida.
The No. 1 Top Experience in the world in claimed by The Best tour in Florence: Renaissance, & Medici Tales, Florence, Italy, which connects the travelers with Florence’s rich history, and iconic landmarks on a private walking tour. The No. 1 Top Experience in the U.S. is bagged by Grand Tour Around Island 16 Locations plus Snorkeling, Honolulu, Hawaii. The travelers learn about the island’s rich culture, snorkel amongst the sea life, and explore beaches, and towns in Oahu.
Kristen Dalton, the President of Tripadvisor, says: “With such a huge selection of travel activities, and excursions available on the platform, Tripadvisor helps travelers find the experiences that turn a trip into a lifelong memory. Whether you crave adrenaline, or prefer to take things slow, ‘The Best of the Best Things To Do’ showcases the world’s top-rated experience.”
Top Attractions
While architectural marvels, and artistic treasures garner admiration around the world, in the U.S., it’s the historical, and timeless landmarks that continue to dazzle the travelers.
Top Attractions in the World
- Basilica de la Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain
- Eiffel Tower, Paris, France
- NASA Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Merritt Island, United States
- Louvre Museum, Paris, France
- Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia
- Mutianyu Great Wall, Beijing, Asia
- Anne Frank House, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Duomo di Milano, Milan, Italy
- Plaza da Espana, Seville, Spain
View the entire list here.
Top Attractions in the U.S.
- NASA Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Merritt Island, Florida
- Empire State Building, New York, New York
- Sun Studio, Memphis, Tennessee
- Central Park, New York, New York
- Stetson Mansion, DeLand, Florida
- John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, Key Largo, Florida
- Brooklyn Bridge, New York, New York
- National Museum of World War II Aviation, Colorado Springs, Colorado
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, New York
- Alcatraz Island, San Francisco, California
View the entire list here.
Top Experiences
This year’s top experiences promise memorable moments for the travelers. These experiences range from canal cruises in Amsterdam to snorkeling in Hawaii to exploring Salem’s haunted history.
Top Experiences in the World
- The Best tour in Florence: Renaissance, & Medici Tales, Florence, Italy
- Full-Day Ninh Binh Highlights Tour from Hanoi, Hanoi, Vietnam
- Blue Cave Small-Group Boat Tour from Dubrovnik, Dubrovnik, Croatia
- London Small Group Tour of Historical Pubs, London, United Kingdom
- All Inclusive 90 minutes Canal Cruise by Captain Jack!, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Early morning Chichen Itza Tour: Cenote, and Tequila Tasting, Cancun, Mexico
- Three Cities in One Day: Segovia, Avila, & Toledo from Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Grand Tour Around Island 16 Locations plus Snorkeling, Honolulu, United States
- Best of Istanbul 1, 2, or 3-Day Private Guided Istanbul Tour, Istanbul, Turkiye
- Best of Ubud Full-Day Tour with Jungle Swing, Ubud, Indonesia
View the details, and entire list here.
Top Experiences in the U.S.
- Grand Tour Around Island 16 Locations plus Snorkeling, Honolulu, Hawaii
- History, and Hauntings of Salem Guided Walking Tour, Salem, Massachusetts
- Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard First Lady, Chicago, Illinois
- 9/11 Memorial, Ground Zero Tour with Optional 9/11 Museum Ticket, New York, New York
- Secret Food Tour of Chinatown, and Little Italy, New York, New York
- 2 hrs Miami Private Boat Tour with Cooler, Ice, Bluetooth Stereo, Miami, Florida
- Honolulu Xtreme Parasail, Honolulu, Hawaii
- Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key Preserve, and Tampa Bay Area, St. Pete Beach, Florida
- Grand Canyon West, Hoover Dam, Breakfast, Lunch, Optional Skywalk, Las Vegas, Nevada
- Dark Philly Adult Night Tour, Philadelphia, Pennysylvania
View the details, and entire list here.
Memorable Vacation Moments
Apart from the above selections, Tripadvisor has selected subcategories to make your vacations memorable. These reflect the unique elements, including Bucket List Experiences, Cultural, & Historical Tours, and Amusement, & Water Parks.
Bucket List Experiences: Once-in-a-lifetime adventures that combine thrill, and awe.
- No. 1 in the world: Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Ride / Royal Balloon, Cappadocia, Turkiye
See the full list of bucket list experiences here.
Cultural, & Historical Tours: Experiences that adds a glimpse to the rich culture, and heritage.
- No. 1 in the world: The Best tour in Florence: Renaissance, & Medici Tales, Florence, Italy
- No. 1 in the U.S.: History, and Hauntings of Salem Guided Walking Tour, Salem, Massachusetts
See the full list of cultural, & historical tours here.
Amusements, & Water Parks: Crowd-pleasing destinations which have something for everyone.
- No. 1 in the world: Ferrari World Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- No. 1 in the U.S.: Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
See the full list of amusements, & water parks here.
25th Anniversary Winners
To celebrate its 25th anniversary, Tripadvisor honors the top world attractions, and experiences of the last 25 years based on all-time reviews. Full-Day Ninh Binh Highlights Tour from Hanoi, Hanoi, Vietnam tops the list for experiences, and is regarded by the viewers as a “once in a lifetime experience”. Basilica de la Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain tops the list for attractions, and is viewed as “simply breathtaking”.
See the full list of Tripadvisor’s 25th Anniversary Experiences, and Tripadvisor’s 25th Anniversary Attractions here.
More To See, and Do
Furthermore, Tripadvisor’s annual Best of the Best Things To Do Awards also highlights the top Food, & Drink, Family-Friendly activities, Nature Experiences, Sailing, and Day Cruises, and Watersports around the world.
To scroll through the entire list, visit the site.
Methodology
The 2025 Tripadvisor’s Choice Best of the Best Things To Do Awards are determined on the basis of the quality, and quantity of travelers reviews, and ratings posted on Tripadvisor over the 12-month period between April 1, 2024 through March 31, 2025 as well as an additional editorial process.
Tripadvisor classifies experiences as bookable tours, and activities. And the non-bookable experiences, or attractions are the ones which the travelers can visit without booking a ticket.
About Tripadvisor, Inc.
Tripadvisors, the world’s largest travel guidance platform, helps millions of people each month become better travelers, from planning to booking to taking a trip. They use the Tripadvisor’s website, and app to make their itinerary based on guidance from those who have been there before. With more than a billion reviews, and ratings, they find deals on accommodations, book experiences, reserve tables at delicious restaurants, and discover great places to visit nearby.
Tripadvisor LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tripadvisor, Inc.. The subsidiaries of Tripadvisor, Inc. own, and operate a portfolio of travel media brands, and businesses, operating under various websites, and apps.
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*The information in this article is sourced from an official press release. The World Times bears no responsibility for its accuracy, or interpretation.
