Travel Writing Blogs & Websites to Follow in 2025

The last few years haven’t been the best for the travel writing industry. The pandemic shut down travel and turned off the tap of income for many travel writers and bloggers.

At the same time, books about travel continued to sell (albeit in smaller numbers) as people daydreamed about taking trips and lived vicariously through the works of great travel writers.

Travel blogs, on the other hand, the type that focuses on the “best 10 x in y” articles, saw website visitor numbers nosedive. These are purely utilitarian websites and have limited appeal when people can’t travel.

Now, of course, travel is back with a vengeance. The type of blog that focuses on basic question and answer content is also back on the top of Google. I occasionally read these websites to find out where not to go to avoid crowds.

ChatGPT and Google’s imminent AI chatbot have their sights on this kind of commoditized, same-same, derivative content, and the future looks grim for content without personality.

My hope is that travel writers who share their unique voice on the internet will rise above the click-bait SEO content that plagues every Google search. Once artificial intelligence algorithms eat ‘listicle’ travel blogs for lunch, there should be more room for authentic travel journalism and writing.

But let’s get back to my own listicle – yes, sometimes to beat ’em, you’ve gotta join ’em.

I look for travel blogs that have strong writing, design, and content. These are the ones I visit even when I’m not able to travel myself. These sites offer an authentic connection to their country or subject matter. The following is a list of the best travel blogs based on these qualities.

A note on “the best travel blogs”

It’s a self-fulfilling prophecy: the best travel blogs are recommended because they appear on the first page of Google. And by linking to these blogs and sharing the content, this idea of “best” is reinforced. Google rewards them by placing them higher in the results. Best for Google usually just means the one that conforms to the norm.

People don’t type “the best travel blogs with interesting topics that nobody else knows about” in Google. And even if they did, it probably won’t really deliver the desired result.

With that rant over, here’s the list.

I used the following criteria.

Blogs (or Substacks) on this list must:

• Be original and refreshing – in contrast to what Google seems to think, being different is good.
• offer more than just listicle posts – top 10 of this, best 5 of that, same of this, same of that. Stories that resonate with readers on an emotional level are way more interesting.
• have a unique voice – does the blogger shun SEO in favor of a unique angle? Does the writer offer a fresh perspective on topics not widely covered by mainstream sources? Does the blogger have an unconvential style or are they interested in inspiring readers beyond clicks or views?
• provide engaging content and a strong connection with the reader. The content should be good enough to make you subscribe to their email list.

Personal Landscapes

Personal Landscapes is a Substack publication by writer Ryan Murdock that explores the themes of place, identity, and human connection. It’s all about travel writing that combines personal memoir with cultural observation and historical context.
The blog is a companion publication to the equally excellent Personal Landscapes Podcast.

Ryan’s approach does not subscribe to the SEO-driven, clickbait content game that plagues Google’s search results. He engages with travel on a deeper level. It’s all about insightful conversation. Ryan’s approach to travel writing goes beyond the typical SEO-driven, clickbait content that saturates Google’s search results. He connects with the people he meets and his surroundings to get a deeper understanding of the places he visits. It makes for great reading but also helps promote personal growth and creativity.

Posts feature renowned travel writers such as Paul Theroux, Simon Winchester, and Dervla Murphy. As a huge fan of Paul Theroux, I appreciate Ryan’s recent reflections on the lessons learned from their conversations.

Ryan’s writing, informed by classic travel literature and authentic experience, makes Personal Landscapes essential reading for people into travel narratives that inspire genuine wanderlust and thoughtful reflection.

Off Assignment

“Off Assignment” is what it’s termed when a planned business trip gets put on hold and a fresh story comes out.

This nonprofit literary magazine began when highly respected travel writer Pico Iyer went off-script in a Yale classroom to talk about a stranger in Reykjavik who stayed with him more than the article he was assigned to write. It has since become a place for digressions and side quests that don’t fit into most editorial pitches.

This isn’t a place for listicles or polished city guides. Off Assignment is where authors go to revisit the events that didn’t make it to the magazine, including the scary encounters, the discussions, and the stories that stick with you.

Monocle

Monocle treats travel writing as both an art and a sort of public service. The content moves from travel journal to design digest and urbanist manifesto. Add in the boutique shopfront and it all seems a little chaotic while also being professional and polished. Monocle’s travel advice is what you’d get if a foreign correspondent and a lifestyle editor collaborated on a city break.

The writing in Monocle isn’t competing with TripAdvisor. Thankfully it’s not SEO bait. It doesn’t care where everyone else is going. This is a curated list of local favorites, from the best bartender in some hidden bar to where to get your shoes fixed at 9 am on a Tuesday. There’s no attempt by the travel writers to sell you on the city. They want you to experience the city from their perspective.

And this philosophy carries over to their Travel Guides and books (like The Monocle Travel Guide Series or The Escapist, their annual magazine dedicated to global exploration). They’re books that tell you where to find the perfect espresso in Kyoto, which independent bookstore in Berlin still smells like paper and pipe tobacco, or how to blend in at a sauna in Helsinki. There’s a tactile, analog charm to it all.

Every article reads like it’s been through five rounds of edits (because it probably has, I’m guessing). The pieces are clean, tight, and there’s always a bit of the unexpected. They mix interviews, architecture, and food into compact little observations.

Want a restaurant recommendation in Madrid? Sure. But you’ll also get a note on the evolution of terrazzo flooring in Iberian design or the political history of café terraces in post-Franco Spain. But yeah, it works.

Even the podcasts, like the Urbanist or The Concierge (wonderful podcasts) feel like a throwback to proper radio journalism. Expert correspondents share anecdotes and trends with the polish of the BBC. It’s travel content that respects your time.

JRNY

JRNY is a UK-based travel magazine and online blog that combines literary storytelling with high-quality visuals. Fiercely independent, and willing to publish words that don’t pander to SEO or wanderlust clichés.

This traditional travel writing is unafraid to be slightly irreverent. Rejecting formulaic influencer content and tired lists, the publication offer authentic travel experiences through essays, stories, and captivating photojournalism.

For example, the narrative essay The airport is the most honest place on Earth is built around a central idea (airports as emotional truth zones) and is packed with sharp anecdotes and punchlines. “I once watched a grown man eat an entire family-sized bag of Wotsits while staring into the distance like he was preparing for battle.”

Mae Hong Son: Thailand’s dream unknown destination is a sort of hybrid of visual storytelling and mini destination guide. The tone has a more traditional travel writing cadence. Think Lonely Planet meets National Geographic Lite.

This is writing for culturally curious readers who value depth over clickbait. I’d imagine the target audience has a shelf full of books, not a backpack full of GoPros. A good example of why print-style journalism still matters online.

Intrepid Times

This narrative travel writing prioritizes quiet moments, like those between bus rides, over bucket list destinations. Since its 2014 launch, Intrepid Times has built an online community dedicated to genuine human storytelling, unlike mere content or brand narratives.

They publish one piece a week. No AI regurgitations. No sponsored posts in disguise. Honest, reflective, and occasionally hard-hitting pieces from writers around the globe. You might read about a misadventure in rural Kyrgyzstan or an intimate portrait of a stranger met on a Turkish ferry. The kind of stuff that listicle-bloggers ignore.

Intrepid Times stands out for a number of reasons. Aside from the fact that they pay writers (which shouldn’t be notable, but sadly is), it has an editorial voice. The tone is literary but accessible. They’re taking it seriously, but it’s not like reading an academic paper. The writers can be thoughtful but, in my experience, never pretentious.

If most travel blogs are about how to see the world, Intrepid Times is about how to feel it. That’s why it’s on this list.

FT Travel

If you’re tired of cookie-cutter travel blogs filled with boring top ten lists, FT.com/travel is one of the first places you should look. Lovers of good travel writing will find it a haven in the modern age. It’s one of my go-to corners of the internet for meticulously crafted and carefully researched travel narratives.

Writers at the Financial Times are, in my opinion, among the most talented in the business (and, I’m sure, among the best paid).

Listicles take a backseat here, as the stories dive deep into the landscapes, cultures, and histories of both the exotic and familiar. Stories such as “Tigers, turtles, and tea: a boat trip down the Brahmaputra” and “Northern Ireland: from the Troubles to a Tourism Hotspot” introduce you to the people and stories that make each region unique. These stories are accompanied by stunning photos and videos that capture the essence of destinations we’d all love to visit.

The FT never disappoints, serving a fascinating read without resorting to fluffy content-for-clicks filler. The topics are wide-ranging: from the resurgence of night trains as eco-friendly and romantic alternatives to air travel, to the architectural wonders of the world’s great train stations. Alongside these narratives, FT articles offers practical travel advice and tips, curating valuable insights into exceptional accommodations (albeit often beyond my budget) and unique dining experiences.

Channeling the spirit of Bourdain, the FT’s travel section embraces the spirit of exploration, prioritizing thoughtful storytelling and journalistic excellence.

Roads & Kingdoms

Travel, Food, and Politics are the topics discussed on Roads & Kingdoms. It’s all about storytelling about the good things in life. Local journalists and subject matter experts discuss food and drink, as well as music and whatever else they find interesting (and you will, too).

This is longform travel writing at its finest. In a world where people are sick of the unstoppable flood of content, Roads & Kingdoms is one of the best slow travel blogs to use as a tonic.

Articles with titles like “Lebanon’s rave revolution” will not surface on any listicle about the best things to do in Lebanon, but if you’re interested in culture, there’s plenty of insights here. Enjoy guides to cities that offer practical advice without being spammy. And check out “In Transit: getting around Lisbon” or “Walking Tour: Hunting Art and Food in Chapinero, Bogotá”.

While the site also touches on politics and food, everything seems connected to travel and world culture. And that’s fine with me. After all, what’s travel without food and a bit of politics?

Listen to The Trip podcast that accompanies the blog. Ex-foreign correspondent for TIME magazine Nathan Thornburgh steers the boat while a crew of talented writers creates thoughtful content for readers that want more than checklists of things to do in faraway places.

ROADBOOK

For the smart traveler who rejects the commodified, checklist-style repetitive content that floods the internet whenever a destination starts to “trend”. ROADBOOK (using ALL CAPS because that’s how they refer to themselves) will appeal to people who consider travel to be about understanding, connection, and immersion—a mindset that is almost always lost in the algorithm-serving world of “best of” lists.

It’s encouraging to see media outlets taking chances and potentially forgoing their revenue possibilities by reporting on topics that are difficult to convey in a TikTok.

Deep storytelling isn’t for everyone, of course, but if you’re one of those travelers who likes to avoid the made-for-Instagram sights, the stories here might speak your (travel) love language. Writers for the publication are clearly rejecting the parachute journalism that so often defines travel blogging in the era of SEO. These stories take local perspectives and come from writers who are sometimes deeply involved in the community. It’s a sort of shift away from “places to go” and toward “why it matters.”

There’s less noise and more nuance here. ROADBOOK mixes city guides, photo essays, long-form narratives, and local interviews to capture the full scope of a destination. It’s storytelling that adapts to its subject, not the other way around.

If you’re looking for original perspectives over recycled recommendations, cultural understanding over tourist checklists, quality storytelling over SEO games, and local expertise over surface-level guides, get on the mailing list.

Rolf Potts

The author of the seminal Vagabonding book, writer for National Geographic, adventurer, and creative writing teacher, Rolf Potts is one of the best travel writers in the internet age.

Couchfish / Travelfish

The Couchfish travel blog focuses on high-quality travel writing that captures a sense of place beyond the usual travel blogger or influencer stereotypes that exist in the travel blogging world. It’s a sharp and witty look at travel in Southeast Asia.

Issues of Couchfish come out on an almost daily schedule and, according to Stuart, should be around 400 words in length. In reality, posts are longer than that; Stuart’s writing is engaging and captivating, so I’ve no complaints about reading longform. This blog is generally formatted like a diary of a specific place, town, or region in Southeast Asia. Stuart also includes comments on other blogs and links to interesting material from around the web.

The newsletter/blog has no ads or sponsored content, something that I think we can all appreciate.

Couchfish is penned by Stuart McDonald, who also writes Travelfish, a weekly newsletter that is closely associated with a travel advice website of the same name. A typical issue of Travelfish might include a featured story on why bucket lists are ruining vacations, recommendations for books to read, and news from all of Southeast Asia.

Where does he find time?

Perceptive Travel

Perceptive Travel is just one of the blogs by prolific travel writer Tim Leffel. This is his narrative-focused writing, which naturally gets a lot less traffic than his other sites. But the content is about unique experiences and culture-related topics.

Meet Me Here Tbilisi

Writer Paul Rimple has contributed to Roads & Kingdoms, The Daily Beast, The Moscow Times, Foreign Policy, the BBC, and Culinary Backstreets, among others. As the founder of his own culinary travel venture, Meet Me Here Tbilisi, he has become an authority on Georgia’s dynamic food and wine scene. Rimple’s multifaceted journey exemplifies the power of curiosity, the magic of a well-crafted sentence, and the joy of a simple but well-seasoned dish.

Rimple’s writings cover everything from Georgian wine and the breakaway territory of Abkhazia, to the intricate relationship between Georgia and Russia. He offers historical and social contexts to help readers grasp the complexities of the Georgian people and their relationships with their neighbors.

In between gigs with Tbilisi’s only blues band, and leading guiding tours of his adopted city, Rimple pens articles for various magazines and publications. His blog, part of the Meet Me Here Tbilisi website, blends travelogue and cultural exploration. As a Tbilisi resident for two decades, Rimple’s intimate knowledge of the city and its inhabitants is evident.

Never skimping on details, Paul describes the people, food, and atmosphere in vivid detail; you can imagine the sights, sounds, and tastes of his adopted city. For those intrigued by Georgian culture and gastronomy, and weary of generic “top ten” lists, Meet Me Here Tbilisi serves as a good first destination.

Uncornered Market

Continuing the theme of sustainable travel, Uncorneredmarket.com is more of a marketing channel for the husband and wife team that runs the site for helping travel brands and tourism organizations develop sustainable tourism products and services. The blog, however, is full of good content like “How Social Media Influencers Can Use Their Power to Combat Overtourism” and ”Kyrgyzstan: An Experiential Travel Guide”.

Culinary Backstreets

They say (or at least I say) that you can’t understand a culture until you know the language and have tasted the food. Learning a language might not be the most practical way to know a culture if you’re only visiting briefly. But there’s no excuse for not tasting the local cuisine.

CulinaryBackstreets.com is one of my favorite blogs on any topic. The focus is food, but you will also learn about regions, cities, the people that live and work in the places profiled. A truly remarkable travel writing blog that foodies and non-foodie travelers will find delicious.

Brent And Michael Are Going Places

Winning the award for the longest domain name, Brent And Michael Are Going Places is a blog about the travels of a gay couple from the United States, who sold everything and began a new life as digital nomads 

Their blog post “How Two Gay Guys Sold Everything, Left Home to Travel the World … and Lived Happily Ever After” is a great read for anyone that thinks it’s too late or too difficult to start a nomadic life.

Both Brent and Michael are authors, so the writing quality hits the top side of the scale. With great insights into the world of LGBT travel, this is a blog for anyone that feels like they don’t fit the profile of a digital nomad or travel blogger. 

Notes from the Road

If you’re looking for a travel blog with a focus on photography and design, this might be just what you’re looking for. Notes From The Road not only has a great name, it has beautiful photography, incredible illustrations, and killer writing on quirky topics that interest owner Eric Gauger.

Blog posts with names like, “Notes on traveling to the Coyote Buttes during surreal winter weather”, and “Puffin Rally to the Látrabjarg Cliffs” give you an idea of the content on this blog. You won’t find many “10 best pubs in Prague” but you will find super long-form content with stunning supporting photographs. 

Nomad Flag

I just had to add my blog to the list. Why not? With an eclectic mix of posts about solo travel, digital nomadism, wine, food, and culture, Nomad Flag is a personal journey through the world. The aim of the blog is to help people learn more about places and cultures, especially with long-term or slow travel in mind. Check out this guide to living in Argentina, for example.

Other topics include a Guide to Georgian wine, a listicle of Inspiring Non-fiction Travel Writing, a rant about Begpackers, or this sharp take on Travel Writing, SEO & Boring Blogs.

More?

This post is a work-in-progress. I intend to update it regularly. If you have any suggestions, please send them to me.