Top 10 Self-Guided Tour Packages for 2025 You Can Book Right Now

From Morocco to Japan, these self-guided tour packages let you explore on your terms. Discover destinations and itineraries designed for flexibility.

Traveler walking down cobblestone street with map, enjoying top 10 self-guided tour packages for 2025
Traveler walking down cobblestone street with map, enjoying top 10 self-guided tour packages for 2025

If you’re the kind of traveler who loves the freedom to roam but still appreciates a thoughtfully crafted plan , self-guided tour packages are the perfect match. With Smartours’ AI-powered itineraries , you get bundled transport, stays, and activities—without being herded from sight to sight. It’s the flexibility to follow your curiosity and wander off the beaten path, while knowing you’ll end each day in a perfectly chosen accommodation close to the action.

Japan: Tokyo, Kyoto, and Hiroshima at Your Own Pace

From the neon rush of Shinjuku to the geisha-lined streets of Gion, Japan’s contrasts are impossible to resist. Staying steps from Shinjuku Station keeps you connected to the heart of Tokyo, while boutique inns in Gion immerse you in centuries-old traditions. In Hiroshima, riverside hotels offer peaceful reflection after visiting the moving Peace Memorial Park. Named the #1 dream destination of 2024 by Condé Nast Traveler readers, Japan blends order with spontaneity so effortlessly you’ll find yourself planning your return before you’ve even left.

Greece: Athens and the Greek Islands

In Athens, a boutique stay in the Plaka district means waking up to views of the Acropolis and wandering past taverna-lined streets in minutes. Then, with an AI-timed ferry, you can sail into Santorini’s Oia or Mykonos Town just in time for sunset. Over 33 million travelers visited Greece in 2023, and it’s easy to see why—the mix of Cycladic architecture, sparkling beaches, and ancient ruins creates a rhythm of exploration that’s as timeless as the Aegean breeze.

Morocco: Marrakesh and the Sahara

Lose yourself in Marrakesh’s labyrinthine souks before swapping the city’s pulse for the infinite horizon of the Sahara. Riads with shaded courtyards keep you cool in the heart of the medina, while luxury desert camps near Merzouga offer nights under a sky so full of stars it barely seems real. Morocco’s tourism surged 34% in 2024, and with days that can hit 50°C and nights that drop near freezing, the variety here is as striking as the scenery.

Italy: Rome, Florence, and Venice

In Rome, mornings might begin with the bustle of Campo de’ Fiori’s markets and end in the glow of its wine bars. Florence’s Renaissance heritage shines brightest along the Ponte Vecchio, while Venice’s Rialto Bridge connects you to cafés where the canals themselves become part of the conversation. With 58 UNESCO World Heritage Sites—more than any other country—Italy’s layers of history make every stroll feel like a museum tour without walls.

Vietnam: Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City

Start your journey in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, where scooters weave between street food stalls and French colonial buildings. Then fly south to Ho Chi Minh City’s District 1 , a hub of rooftop bars, markets, and historic landmarks. Vietnam’s 3,200-kilometer coastline means each stop offers a new flavor, a new view, and a new reason to linger. The country welcomed over 12 million visitors in 2023, many drawn by the blend of energy and warmth that defines every corner.

Countryside landscape from a train window, capturing scenic moments of self-guided tour packages
Countryside landscape from a train window, capturing scenic moments of self-guided tour packages

Portugal: Lisbon and Porto

Lisbon’s Alfama district hums with the sound of fado and the rhythm of cobblestones, while Porto’s Ribeira invites you to sip port wine by the Douro River. Staying in the heart of each city means you’re never far from the next view or the next bite. Crowned Europe’s Leading Destination at the 2024 World Travel Awards, Portugal combines a laid-back pace with a deep cultural richness that makes even short stays feel unhurried.

Egypt: Cairo and Luxor

A Nile-view room in Luxor gives you front-row seats to ancient temples, while a base near the Giza Pyramids in Cairo ensures you can beat the crowds to one of the world’s most iconic sights. Egypt’s pyramids draw more than 14 million visitors each year, yet the country still offers moments of quiet awe—whether you’re gazing at the Sphinx or watching the sunset from a felucca on the river.

Peru: Lima and Cusco

Begin in Lima’s Miraflores district, where ocean breezes carry the scent of ceviche and cliffside parks overlook the Pacific. Then head to Cusco’s San Blas neighborhood, rich in artisan workshops and Inca stonework. From here, the scenic train ride to Machu Picchu is the perfect lead-up to one of the most breathtaking UNESCO sites on the planet. Cusco, once shaped like a puma in Inca times, still feels like the heart of Peru’s cultural soul.

Thailand: Bangkok and Chiang Mai

Bangkok’s riverside hotels place you within easy reach of Asiatique’s night markets and golden temples, while Chiang Mai’s Old City draws you into its Lanna heritage and leafy café culture. Thailand attracted over 25 million visitors in 2023, many of whom come for the street food, spiritual sites, and the warm welcome that makes every stop feel personal.

Croatia: Split and Dubrovnik

In Split, staying near Diocletian’s Palace means Roman history is right outside your door. In Dubrovnik, walking the Old Town Walls offers panoramic views so cinematic they’ve doubled as backdrops for Game of Thrones. With tourism revenue surpassing €14 billion in 2023, Croatia’s blend of coastal beauty and medieval charm makes it a fitting grand finale for any European journey.

Hiker silhouette at sunrise over desert dunes on a self-guided tour package adventure
Hiker silhouette at sunrise over desert dunes on a self-guided tour package adventure

Book Your Perfect Self-Guided Adventure Now

Self-guided tour packages from Smartours strike the ultimate balance between planning and spontaneity. You get curated stays, smooth connections, and the flexibility to make your trip your own—whether that means sleeping in a ryokan in Kyoto or sipping wine on a terrace in Porto. Explore the full range at Smartours , and turn your 2025 calendar into a passport full of stamps.