Pittsburgh Recognized in Lonely Planet’s Global Best in Travel 2025 List
Only U.S. city selected for renowned global travel award
(PITTSBURGH, PA) – Lonely Planet today unveiled Best in Travel 2025, showcasing Pittsburgh among the top 10 global cities to visit in the upcoming year. The highly anticipated travel destination list is recommended and written by a collection of passionate and knowledgeable editorial staff and local experts—with a focus on taking travelers to the heart and soul of each renowned destination featured.
“It is an incredible honor to be named by Lonely Planet as Best in Travel for 2025,” said Jerad Bachar, President & CEO of VisitPITTSBURGH. “As one of only three U.S. destinations featured, this designation underscores our ability to punch above our weight and show up alongside impressive, sought-after international destinations. It’s a testament to the collective work and growth found across our tourism industry, which together, elevates experiences and leaves a lasting impression for visitors from around the globe.”
Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel list is a prestigious annual selection that highlights the world's top destinations, travel experiences and trends. Pittsburgh was featured on the Top 10 Cities list among renowned global destinations, including Toulouse, France; Pondicherry, India; Bansko, Bulgaria; Chiang Mai, Thailand; Genoa, Italy; Osaka, Japan; Curitiba, Brazil; Palma de Mallorca, Spain; and Edmonton, Canada.
Pittsburgh continues to evolve, blending its rich history with a modern, forward-looking vision that attracts visitors and inspires travel year-after-year. The city's stunning transformation from a former industrial hub to a modern cultural metropolis has significantly influenced its trending appeal. From the iconic Andy Warhol Museum to the revitalized Strip District and the preservation of natural scenic beauty and greenspace, Pittsburgh’s resurgence has made it a standout for travelers seeking innovative and surprising destinations.
“Pittsburgh's most recent renaissance is a pitch perfect dynamism marked by old favorites and new gems, often side by side," said Nitya Chambers, Executive Editor of Lonely Planet. "The city's affordability makes it low-key and unpretentious; while its vision for the future feels ambitious, authentic, and delightful.”
Today’s designation rounds out a year’s worth of top travel accolades for Pittsburgh by numerous prestigious publications, including National Geographic, USA Today, Men’s Journal and more.
“Word is out about Pittsburgh, and there is no better time to plan your visit,” said Bachar. “Whether you’re looking for a solo trip to kickstart the New Year or to rediscover your family’s favorite vacation destination, our city of surprises will leave you wanting to return time and time again.”
For more information on visiting Pittsburgh, including details on the city’s most popular attractions, hotels, restaurants and more, visit VisitPITTSBURGH.com.
To explore the full Lonely Planet Best in Travel 2025 list, visit lonelyplanet.com/best-in-travel. Additionally, Lonely Planet’s flagship book for Best in Travel 2025, including detailed descriptions of the winning destinations, can be purchased at shop.lonelyplanet.com.