Standout examples of engaging travel listicle examples for 2025

Real examples of engaging travel listicle examples to study

Let’s start with what you actually want: real, working listicles you can reverse‑engineer. These are the best examples not because they went viral once, but because the structure is reusable for almost any niche.

1. “36 Hours in…” by The New York Times

Why it works: The NYT “36 Hours in…” series is one of the best examples of travel listicles that feel like an itinerary and a story at the same time. Instead of dumping a list of attractions, each entry is tied to a specific time block: Friday evening, Saturday morning, late night drinks.

Steal this structure:

• Use time-based subheads (Morning / Afternoon / Evening) instead of generic “Things to Do.”
• Add ultra-specific details: street names, local dishes, price ranges.
• Weave in context (history, culture, safety) using credible sources like CDC travel advisories when relevant.

If you’re looking for examples of engaging travel listicle examples that feel like a weekend blueprint, this series is your blueprint.

2. Airbnb’s “Neighborhood Guides” and “Experiences” lists

Airbnb’s city and neighborhood guides often read like curated listicles: “Where to Eat in Bushwick,” “Best Rooftop Bars in Mexico City,” and so on.

Why it works:

• Hyper-local focus: instead of “Best Things to Do in New York,” you get one neighborhood and a tight theme.
• Each item has a micro-hook: a quirky bar rule, a signature dish, a view angle.
• User context: the content assumes you’re staying nearby and need walkable options.

When you need an example of a listicle that balances inspiration with booking intent, these are quietly some of the best examples to study.

3. “52 Places to Go” by The New York Times

Yes, another NYT entry, because this annual feature is a masterclass in long-form travel listicle design.

Why it works:

• One strong angle per year (sustainability, recovery travel, or under-the-radar spots).
• Each destination gets a tight, 200–300 word mini-essay.
• Visual rhythm: alternating between big, well-known cities and tiny, surprising places.

For writers hunting for examples of engaging travel listicle examples that blend editorial voice with SEO power, this is a goldmine. Study how they pack a clear reason to visit into the first sentence of every entry.

4. “Best Hikes Near…” and outdoor listicles on REI Co‑op Journal

Outdoor brands like REI publish listicles such as “Best Hikes Near Denver” or “Top Winter Hikes in New Hampshire.” These posts quietly dominate search results.

Why it works:

• Each entry includes distance, elevation gain, difficulty level, and best season.
• Safety and preparedness tips are woven in, often referencing organizations like the National Park Service or CDC heat safety guidance.
• Clear, scannable formatting: bold trail names, bullet details, then a short narrative.

If you need a real example of a travel listicle that balances inspiration with safety and practicality, this format is nearly perfect.

5. “Foodie Guides” from Eater and Time Out

Sites like Eater and Time Out publish listicles such as “The 25 Best Tacos in Los Angeles” or “Where to Eat in Chicago Right Now.”

Why it works:

• A strong, timely angle: “right now,” “new openings,” or “locals-only spots.”
• Each entry leads with a reason to care: a signature dish, a chef story, or a local ritual.
• They don’t pretend to be objective. There’s an opinionated tone that builds trust.

These are some of the best examples of engaging travel listicle examples for food-focused trips. You can adapt this style for coffee shops, bakeries, or vegan restaurants in any city.

6. TikTok and Instagram “hidden gems” carousels

Short-form creators have reinvented the travel listicle as vertical video and carousel posts. Think: “5 Hidden Gems in Lisbon You Won’t See on Google Maps.”

Why it works:

• Hook in the first second: on-screen text plus a quick montage.
• Each “item” is a clip with a label, location tag, and sometimes a mini review.
• Captions often contain the full list with addresses and tips.

If you want examples of engaging travel listicle examples that work for social-first audiences, scroll hashtags like #travelitinerary, #hiddenplaces, or #solotravel and treat those posts as living listicles.

7. “Solo Female Travel” safety and destination lists

Blogs and communities focused on solo female travel publish listicles such as “Best Cities for Solo Female Travelers” or “Safest Countries for First-Time Solo Trips.”

Why it works:

• Clear audience and purpose: safety, comfort, and confidence.
• Each entry often includes safety notes, cultural expectations, and links to official sources like travel.state.gov and CDC travel health.
• Personal anecdotes make the advice feel lived-in, not theoretical.

If you’re searching for a real example of a travel listicle that mixes personal narrative with data, this niche is full of strong models.

8. “Digital Nomad” and remote-work destination lists

Post‑2020, remote work exploded, and so did listicles like “Best Cities for Digital Nomads in 2025” or “Top Beach Towns with Fast Wi‑Fi.”

Why it works:

• Uses current data: cost of living, internet speed, visa rules, coworking prices.
• Links out to credible sources for health, visas, and safety (think CDC, government immigration pages, and local tourism boards).
• Each entry answers: Can I actually live and work here for a month?

These are modern examples of engaging travel listicle examples that respond to how people really travel now: slower, longer stays, with a laptop in the bag.

How to reverse‑engineer these examples into your own travel listicles

Now that we’ve walked through several real examples, let’s break down what they share. When you look at the best examples of engaging travel listicle examples, a few patterns pop up over and over.

Lead with a sharp angle, not a vague promise

Compare these two hypothetical titles:

• “10 Places to Visit in Italy”
• “10 Small Italian Towns Where You Can Skip the Crowds in Summer”

The second is closer to the examples of engaging travel listicle examples you just saw: it has a clear audience (people who hate crowds) and a specific benefit (smaller towns, better experience).

Good angles often focus on:

• Time: weekend trips, 3‑day layovers, shoulder-season travel.
• Traveler type: families, solo travelers, LGBTQ+ travelers, digital nomads.
• Mood: food-obsessed, outdoorsy, budget-conscious, luxury-curious.

Build each list item as a mini-story

In almost every example of a strong travel listicle, each item feels like a tiny article, not a bullet point. Here’s a simple structure you can borrow:

• Hook sentence: Why this place or activity matters.
• Sensory detail: What it looks, smells, or sounds like.
• Practical detail: Cost, location, or best time of day.
• Pro tip: Something a local or experienced traveler would know.

For instance, instead of:

“Visit Bondi Beach. It’s very popular.”

Try:

“Skip the midday chaos at Bondi Beach and arrive just after sunrise, when locals are jogging the coastal path and the water is calm enough for a slow first swim of the day.”

You don’t have to write a novel; two or three tight sentences can turn a bland bullet into something that belongs in the best examples of engaging travel listicle examples.

Add practical info readers actually use

Travel readers are planning real trips, not mood boards. The strongest examples include:

• Seasonality: When to go (and when to avoid hurricanes, heat waves, or peak crowds).
• Health notes: Links to CDC travel health for vaccines, outbreaks, or region-specific risks.
• Accessibility: Notes on mobility, family-friendliness, and dietary options.
• Budget range: Even rough price signals (“under $20 per person”) build trust.

This is where authoritative sources shine. Linking out to .gov or .edu sites for health, safety, or environmental info makes your content feel researched instead of recycled.

Write for skimmers without sacrificing voice

Look again at the real examples above. They’re all scannable:

• Clear subheads for each destination or tip.
• Bolded key phrases ("distance,” “cost,” “best time to visit").
• Short paragraphs that don’t feel like a wall of text on mobile.

But they also have a recognizable voice. You can:

• Use light humor or opinion (“Skip this if you hate crowds and love your ankles”).
• Admit tradeoffs (“You’re here for the view, not the service”).
• Drop in honest warnings with links to official sources when safety is an issue.

That mix of structure and personality is exactly what separates forgettable posts from the best examples of engaging travel listicle examples.

2024–2025 trends shaping engaging travel listicles

If your travel listicles still read like it’s 2015, you’re going to lose readers. Here’s how current trends are shaping the most engaging formats.

Sustainability and overtourism

Travelers are more aware of their impact. Modern listicles:

• Highlight off‑peak seasons and lesser-known towns.
• Suggest public transit or walking routes instead of defaulting to rental cars.
• Reference environmental data or local regulations, often linking to tourism boards or parks services like the National Park Service.

A strong example of this is any list that pairs a “big name” destination with nearby alternatives: think “Skip Santorini, Try These 3 Cycladic Islands Instead.”

Health, safety, and preparedness

Post‑pandemic, readers expect at least a nod to health and safety. That doesn’t mean fear-mongering, but:

• Brief notes on weather extremes (heat, wildfire season, hurricane windows).
• Links to CDC or local government pages for up-to-date advisories.
• Simple packing or safety tips in outdoor or adventure listicles.

Many of the best examples of engaging travel listicle examples now treat safety as part of the story, not an afterthought.

Social-first, mobile-first storytelling

In 2025, a lot of readers will find your listicle through a TikTok, Instagram Reel, or Pinterest pin.

Smart creators:

• Design listicles that can be chopped into carousels or short clips.
• Use headlines that double as on-screen hooks (“5 Japanese Train Etiquette Rules Tourists Should Know”).
• Keep paragraphs short enough to be readable on a 6‑inch screen.

If you look at social creators’ posts as examples of engaging travel listicle examples, you’ll notice they’re structured almost identically to a blog post—just compressed and visual.

FAQ: examples of engaging travel listicle examples

What are some real examples of engaging travel listicle examples I can copy the structure from?

You can study pieces like The New York Times “36 Hours in…” series, the annual “52 Places to Go,” REI’s “Best Hikes Near…” guides, Eater’s “Where to Eat in [City] Right Now,” Airbnb neighborhood guides, and solo female travel safety lists that link to official sources like travel.state.gov. Use them as structural templates, not copy sources.

How many items should a travel listicle have?

There’s no magic number. Many of the best examples hover around 7–25 items. Shorter lists work well for hyper-specific angles (“7 Rooftop Bars in Brooklyn for Sunset”), while longer ones fit big annual roundups (“52 Places to Go in 2025”). What matters more is that each entry earns its spot with a clear hook and practical details.

How do I make my travel listicle stand out in 2025?

Focus on three things: a sharp angle, real details, and a clear audience. Look at examples of engaging travel listicle examples that speak directly to a niche—digital nomads, families with toddlers, hikers training for their first 10‑mile trail—and notice how the tone, tips, and destinations all line up with that reader. Add up-to-date links to authoritative sources for health and safety, and your content will feel current instead of generic.

Is it okay to mix personal stories with list items?

Yes, and many of the best examples do exactly that. A short anecdote at the start or end of an item (“I got lost here and a local farmer walked me back to town”) makes the list feel lived-in. Just keep the story in service of the reader: use it to highlight a tip, a warning, or a hidden benefit.

Where can I find more examples of travel listicles to learn from?

Browse major outlets like The New York Times Travel, National Geographic Travel, and Lonely Planet, plus niche blogs in your specific area (solo travel, van life, food travel). Treat each article as a case study: how do they open? How is each item structured? How often do they link to official organizations like the CDC or National Park Service? The more you intentionally read, the easier it becomes to write your own engaging travel listicles.