Thailand, Philippines only Southeast Asian destinations on Travel+Leisure's 2025 best places list

Thailand is featured in the "Best for Cultural Immersion" category.

In addition to its white-sand beaches, delicious street food, and ancient temples, Thailand offers a wealth of experiences for travelers.

Wat Phra Chetuphon Pagoda in Thailand. Photo courtesy of Tourism Authority of Thailand

The magazine recommends Kanchanaburi, a town in western Thailand, for its "beautiful scenery, cool places to stay, and fascinating history."

The Philippines, with its coastline stretching over 36,000 kilometers, is highlighted as "Best for Adventurous Travelers."

A resort is surrounded by tropical forests in the Philippines. Photo courtesy of Nay Palad Getaway

The country is praised for its "sapphire-blue waters pierced by limestone cliffs, a cosmopolitan capital buzzing with restaurants, art galleries, and vibrant nightlife, as well as thousand-year-old rice fields carved into mountains."

Other destinations included in the list are Osaka (Japan), Trieste (Italy), Sacramento (California), Crete (Greece), and Priorat (Spain).

For this year's list, the magazine’s editors vetted nearly 120 contenders, considering not only what's new, but also what feels relevant and exciting right now, according to Travel+Leisure.