In just over two months, we will be in a brand new year. If you’ve already started planning your 2026 getaways we get it – have a look at some of Expedia’s top-trending destinations for next year if you need some help – but what if we told you that there’s still time to fit in one more getaway before 2025 comes to a close?
Christmas and New Year is the perfect time to get away from all the chaos at home and treat yourself. If you’re looking for somewhere special to see out the year, then travel search engine Kayak might be able to help.
By tracking searches made on its website for flights departing between December 20 – January 2, the company has been able to identify the trending destinations for Christmas and New Year travel in 2025. With the exception of one spot, there’s a clear trend: people are chasing the sun.
In first place is Manila. Searches were up more than 40 percent from last year for the Philippine capital, which is a bustling cultural centre full of brilliant places to eat and great nights out, including a huge New Years’ celebration in Rizal Park. There’s every chance travellers are flying into Manila as a jumping-off point for an island-hopping adventure, too.
In second was Islamabad in Pakistan, which saw a 21 percent increase in interest year-on-year. Pakistan’s capital is a scenic city with loads of green spaces, making a lovely break from the barren trees that much of the northern hemisphere will be used to in winter.
Marrakech in Morocco, a popular holiday spot for Europeans fleeing the cold in winter, came in third. You can plan your trip to this north African hub with our locally-curated guides to the best things to do and places to eat.
Only two places in the top 10 will be at the height of winter during the festive period: Krakow and Geneva. Both of these European cities are known for coming alive with lights and festive fun at this time of year – just make sure to pack a thick wooly jumper or five.
Recommended: The best Christmas markets in Europe in 2025.
The top-trending Christmas travel destinations in 2025
Here are Kayak’s top trending destinations in the entire world for Christmas and New Year, based on where people are flying to.
- Manila, Philippines
- Islamabad, Pakistan
- Marrakech, Morocco
- Cape Town, South Africa
- Granadilla, Spain
- Mumbai, India
- Doha, Qatar
- Sydney, Australia
- Geneva, Switzerland
- Krakow, Poland
You can have a look at the full report from Kayak on its website here.
Where else can I catch some winter sun?
There are plenty of places that stay warm throughout December and January. We recently updated our guides to the best places to catch winter sunshine in Europe and in the entire world.
These are the best places to travel in 2026, according to Lonely Planet.
Plus: This beautiful, hilly capital has been crowned Europe’s best city break destination.
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