What do Dominica, Greenland, and Dolomites, Italy all have in common with the city of Tucson?
They’ve all been recognized on BBC’s newest list of “The Best Places to Travel in 2025.” This is a very big deal because Tucson is just one of three U.S. destinations on the list of 25 places around the world.
“We are thrilled and honored to be recognized as one of the top travel destinations for 2025,” said J. Felipe Garcia, President and CEO of Visit Tucson. “This acknowledgment reflects the incredible work of our community and partners to create unforgettable experiences for visitors while preserving the rich history and vibrant culture that makes Tucson truly special.”
Coming in at number 7 (again, out of 25), Tucson was added to the list for its culture, rich history, commitment to sustainability, and Unesco City of Gastronomy designation (the first in the country).
You don’t have to scroll too far down on the list, but here’s what Lynn Brown of the BBC had to say:
“Tucson has a lot to celebrate in 2025. This year marks the 10th anniversary of when it became the first city in the U.S. to receive a Unesco City of Gastronomy distinction, as well as the 250th anniversary of the city’s founding. Originally part of Mexico, the area now called Tucson will celebrate its unique multi-national history, as well as the deep-rooted Native American cultures that make it special, with a free event on August 23 featuring traditional Mexican music and dancing held at the Presidio San Agustin del Tucson. Visitors throughout the year can explore Tucson’s miles of desert hiking trails and historic buildings — like the 250-year-old San Xavier del Bac, the so-called “White Dove of the Desert”. Preservation like this points to why the city is set to receive a Sustainability Index Award from the Global Destination Sustainability Movement (GDS) this year.
“But while the building’s history is impressive, the nearby gardens reveal an even richer history: they are the oldest continuously cultivated soil in the U.S. 4,000 years ago, the Tohono O’odham’s ancestors farmed squashes, beans, and corn on this land. After mixing and melding with Mexican and other Indigenous flavors over the centuries, many of these ancient herbs and crops are still staples in kitchens across the city. Diners can immerse themselves in the city’s unique food scene at one of its city-of-gastronomy-certified restaurants or Heirloom Farmers Markets, which regularly feature unique local ingredients such as chiltepin chilis, edible cacti called nopales, and prickly pear.”
If you’re planning on visiting Tucson soon, or you’re a local who’s looking for new restaurants to explore, check out our interactive guides.
Also, consider becoming a Tucson Foodie Insider! For $20 a month, Insiders get a stack of cash vouchers to local restaurants worth over $6,000, free tasting events at local restaurants every month, access to members-only monthly dinner series with local chefs, discounts on events, and monthly mixers with other members. Learn more and join!
For more information or to plan your visit, please visit www.visittucson.org To read the full BBC article, bbc.com.
Article written by:
Matt Sterner
More about MattAt a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.
He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.
If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.
