Here are the must-visit destinations for 2025 according to the New York Times. Two are Italian

by Maria Sole Betti

The allure of design and art, the magic of a journey through rocks and nature. But also, the unique experience of a coast-to-coast adventure. It’s a trio of Italian destinations, focusing on cultural and sustainable tourism, chosen by the New York Times for its celebrated annual list titled “52 Places to Go in 2025”. This list gathers the best destinations to visit worldwide, and this year features three Italian locales. These include the city of Milan, the Dolomite mountain range, and the cycling route "Sicily Divide," stretching west to east across Sicily. This trio once again confirms Italy’s timeless charm on the international tourism scene.

A revitalised Milan

A revitalised Milan is gearing up for the 2026 Winter Olympics, with new exhibitions and culinary experiences. According to the NYT, art and design will be the main attractions for visitors to the Lombard capital this year. Thanks to the restoration of historic buildings like Palazzo Citterio, an 18th-century Baroque jewel recently renovated and transformed into a modern art space surrounded by beautiful gardens.

Another highlight is the Brera district, with its charming streets filled with restaurants, bars, boutiques, and churches. This iconic atmosphere is celebrated in April during Design Week, which in 2025 will also be open to the public. Towering over the district is the new Casa Brera hotel, featuring a striking Rationalist architecture by Pietro Lingeri, a panoramic rooftop sky bar, and Michelin-starred chef Andrea Berton’s restaurants.

The Retic Trail in the Dolomites

Also among the dream destinations are the Dolomites, or more precisely, the Retic Trail: a 170-kilometre hiking circuit through the remote areas of Trentino-Alto Adige and Veneto. This trekking route winds through mountain paths and trails, taking seven days on foot with overnight stays in inns or campsites.

Starting and finishing in the mountain-surrounded village of Aune di Sovramonte in Belluno, the route combines alpine lakes and mountain ascents with historical attractions, including a 12th-century sanctuary and the frescoed palaces of the walled city of Feltre. At various stops, participants receive stamps in a 'passport,' which will eventually unlock future initiatives and discounts. This year, a similar route will open for mountain bikes and e-bikes.

Sicily Coast-to-Coast by bike

Also on two wheels is the "Sicily Divide": 460 kilometres of secondary roads, dirt paths, and trails allow for an exploration of Sicily's interior, encompassing rolling landscapes, historic villages, archaeological sites, and a rich food and wine experience. It’s a sustainable way to discover Sicily beyond its beach resorts, but above all, to experience incredible sites and vineyards. "It’s proof that Sicily's real attraction is its people," explains Giovanni Guarnieri, who organised the route, to the New York Times.

The cycle route crossing all of Sicily thus reveals to adventurers the island's more intimate side, breathing new life into communities that have suffered from depopulation in recent decades. A coast-to-coast journey that embodies everything one could hope for in a cycling trip: breathtaking landscapes, rich culture, and a chain of welcoming villages.