The year 2025 was different for the travel trends in India. Though beach getaways and western destinations have always remained in the list of preferences for tourists, the year brought people towards other options. Clear Trip Unpacked 2025 reported that Indians are travelling far and wider than ever, and the generation leading this pack is Gen Z. This generation saw a massive growth of 650 per cent in holiday bookings, which marks not only more travel but also smarter travel.
Thus, which state had the most visitors in 2025? The result would come as a surprise to many.
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Uttar Pradesh leads the list of visited cities
According to the Cleartrip report, Uttar Pradesh topped the list as the most searched state in 2025. The major contributor to this increase was the sudden rise in stay searches, specifically from Prayagraj and Bareilly. In Prayagraj, stay searches increased three times, and Bareilly’s search interest rose by a factor of four.
The report has also identified the rise in “spiritual and nature-related travel,” with journeys to Varanasi and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands showing an average growth of 20 per cent.
Solo travel takes centre stage
Trends in destination travel, along with trends in travel behaviour, changed over time. Solo travel became an increasingly popular trend in 2025, with Delhi and Bengaluru emerging as leaders in this trend. Delhians exhibited a strong inclination towards travel to Himachal Pradesh, Jaipur, and Agra, while Benglaurians showed an inclination towards hill/nature spots like Coorg, Ooty, and Kodaikanal.
Exploring Prayagraj
Prayagraj is one of the densely populated districts in Uttar Pradesh, originally named Allahabad, and is a significant tourist destination even today. The city provides a combination of rich history, religious sites, and a rich heritage experience through its monuments, museums, religious structures, and bustling markets spread out in this landscape.
The major tourist destinations in this city are Allahabad Fort, Khusro Bagh, Chandrashekhar Azad Park, Allahabad Museum, Triveni Sangam, All Saints Cathedral, Swaraj Bhavan, Jawahar Planetarium, Akshayavat, Anand Bhavan, Saraswati Ghat, and Sumitranandan Pant Park are some of the must-visit places in the city.
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The cultural lure of Bareilly
Bareilly, which symbolises the biggest city in west U.P., further accentuates the travelling attractions of the state. Bareilly dates back to the year 1657 and was established by Mukrand Rai due to its historical significance and cultural background. It is famous for cane furniture, "Zari Zardozi" work, "surma", and religious shrines like Nath Nagri, Ala Hazarat, and others.
