We all love Edmonton in our own way, though its usually tempered with the feeling that the rest of the world doesn’t take notice.
But the city could see an influx of global travellers after noted travel guide Lonely Planet named Edmonton one of the 30 best destinations for 2025 .
Edmonton was named alongside nine other cities, including Toulouse, France, Chiang Mai, Thailand and exotic Pittsburgh, Penn.
In its write-up, Lonely Planet notes our “fringe festival and bohemian Old Strathcona district.” But the guide also highlights the work done downtown to expand Ice District and our new Royal Alberta Museum a few blocks east, highlighting the Indigenous history featured in Human History Hall. Continue reading
Explore Edmonton’s vice-president of destination development and marketing Paul Hawes said it’s exciting to see Edmonton make the list.
“This acknowledgement shines a spotlight on our vibrant city and the diverse experiences it offers,” Hawes said in a release.
“Being included in such a prestigious list is not only a point of pride but also a testament to the hard work and collaboration between our tourism partners, Indigenous communities, and local entrepreneurs.”
For Edmotnonians looking to escape the city, the list suggests regions such as Valais in Switzerland or Chiriqui in Panama. Cameroon, Laos, Fiji and Slovakia made the countries list.
Lonely Planet’s Top 30:
Cities
Toulouse, France
Pondicherry, India
Bansko, Bulgaria
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Genoa, Italy
Pittsburgh, Penn.
Osaka, Japan
Curitiba, Brazil
Palma de Mallorca, Spain
Edmonton, Canada
Countries
Cameroon
Lithuania
Fiji
Laos
Kazakhstan
Paraguay
Trinidad & Tobago
Vanuatu
Slovakia
Armenia
Regions
South Carolina’s Low Country and Coastal Georgia
The Terai, Nepal
Chiriqui, Panama
Launceston & the Tamar Valley, Australia
Valais, Switzerland
Giresun & Ordu, Turkiye
Bavaria, Germany
East Anglia, U.K.
Jordan Trail, Jordan
Mount Hood and the Columbia River Gorge region, Ore.