The start of January is prime holiday planning season. The weather here in Blighty ain’t the best (and that’s putting it lightly) and plenty of travel sales are in full swing (like Eurostar this week). In other words, it’s a top time of year to plan a getaway.
If you’re stuck for holiday inspo, we at Time Out are here to help. We’ve just published our definitive list of Europe’s best places to travel in 2025, with our 14 selections featuring everywhere from Girona to Krakow. Top of the list, in case you were wondering, is the ‘cultural heart of the Netherlands’, Rotterdam.
If you’re on the hunt for one of Europe’s top destinations this year, us Brits won’t have to travel far – in fact, we don’t even necessarily have to leave the UK. None other than Birmingham features in our 2025 travel list, coming 13th overall.
Time Out travel editor Grace Beard described Brum right now as ‘humming with new energy’, writing:
‘Under railway arches and in old factories, the already well-established creative scene in Digbeth continues to boom: take new indie book store Voce Books, part of community space The Warehouse, where Brum’s readers, writers and activists gather for regular readings and talks.
‘Don’t leave without getting to know the buzzy neighbourhoods beyond the city centre – Stirchley, in particular, is the hotspot du jour for some of the city’s most exciting independents (Verbena, Eat Vietnam and Birmingham Brewing Company, to name a few).’
You can find Time Out’s full list of the best places in Europe to visit in 2025 here.
Time Out in Birmingham
Been given the kick up the backside you needed to visit Birmingham? Once you’re there, we’ve got plenty of top tips. Here are the city’s best things to do, tastiest restaurants and finest pubs.
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