In this new world of instant content and constructing meaningful narratives, Instagram Reels are the new focal point of destination-based travel stories. The fifteen-to-ninety second slices of video, are almost entirely non-vocal based, and represent more than a collection of visuals; they capture emotion, experience, new things, cuisines, aspirational living, and are all formatted through the creativity of the traveller.
Welcome to the world where what you see from behind the lens is equally as important than what is in front of it.
Let’s examine the most popular trends in Instagram travel Reels, that are now dominating our feeds for 2025, and changing the way we experience destinations:
POV Experiences : “Come with Me”
One of the most viral Reels format for travel content is the POV styled walkthrough. The creator’s viewpoint is one of intimacy and inclusion; they are trying to create a feeling of being there. If a follower is craving that subjective thrill of seeing what it’s like to walk through Santorini in their little white alleys, float across the Kerala backwaters or motorbike to problems in Ladakh, they must find a reason and enterprise using Courland’s Instagram Page as a guide.
hashtags: #ComeWithMe #POVTravel #WanderWithMe
Hidden Gems > Tourist Traps
Travel bloggers are moving away from the tried and tested tourist places to focus more on off beat places or hidden gems. Some examples of newer destinations include lesser-known villages in Himachal, beaches at places other than Goa, like Gokarna or Varkala, or other usual places in Europe that travellers have not discovered and where there are no selfie sticks yet. The less “revealed” or “touched” a place is, the greater the engagement.
Hook Reel Trends:
“Places you did not know exist but should visit”
“Travel secrets of India”
“Hidden Europe on a Budget”
Golden Hour Magic ft. Instagram Reels
Aesthetic is still more than relevant – and there is nothing comparable to sunrises and sunsets in reels. When travellers wake up at sunrise to experience the “cinematic” feel and the perfect light. Golden hour is king for all types of content – drone shots, time-lapses, slow-motion walks with music overlays etc. Golden hour = instant engagement.
Trendy Reel Audio: Acoustic covers, indie lo-fi, cinematic travel instrumentals
Before vs After: The Travel Glow-Up
These reels play on transformations, giving the audience the behind the scenes, raw moment, the chaos leading into the episodic, Instagram moments. For example, the struggle of a trek vs the ultimate summit view or the chaos of travel from day 1 to relaxation watching the sunset at the beach.
Unique Captions:
“Was it worth it? Every step.”
“How it started vs how it ended”
“From Backpack to Bliss.”
Cultural Immersions & Local Living
Today’s travellers are no longer only visiting landmarks – they are all about the local experiences of visiting the grandmothers of the village to help them make local foods, folk dancing with locals, making crafts, living with families in homestay and attending local festivals. The cultural immersion experience feels genuine, raw and soulful.
Reel Ideas:
“Making rotis with Rajasthani locals”
“A day in a Nepali homestay”
“Dancing garba in a Gujarati village”
Sustainable & Slow Travel Vlogs
With conscious travel on the rise, reels are now also showing us:
Eco stays & treehouses
Zero waste travel hacks
Traveling by train or cycling versus flying
Supporting local artisans and small businesses
Hashtags: #SlowTravel #TravelSustainably #EcoReels
Viral music syncs via Instagram Reels
For a lot of creators, the music absolutely makes the reel! People will have fun with allot of experimenting with trending audio snippets, cultural folk music, film/television/ambient drone scores and music from the 90s we get nostalgic about.
Example trends include:
Boat snippets with “Dil Dhadakne Do”
“Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara” Spain / Road Trip vibes
“Pasoori” with Pakistani deserts or forts
What’s In My Backpack / How I Afford To Travel
In becoming a travel brand, reels are exposing the real side of travel:
Budget travelling hacks
How they pack a backpack
Reviews on travel gear
“A day in the life of my budget travelling”
Honest Instagram Reels also build trust and offer the audience a more significant value to their content – which is highly relatable shareable content with lots of comments.
Solo Travel Diaries through Instagram Reels
Especially among women creators, solo travel Reels have blown up. From exploring Sikkim to backpacking in Vietnam, the narrative is about freedom, heeling, and personal growth — all tied together through exerpt tory cinematic.
Popular Reel Hooks:
“I travelled solo and found a sense of peace”
“This was the sign I needed to travel alone”
Food Reels: Local Street Food & Café Hopping
Whether it’s eating vada pav in Mumbai or drinking matcha in Kyoto, food reels offer viewers a taste of the journey in different bites, literally. They are definitely bite-sized reels with quick transitions, close up bites, and sizzling sounds that are all addictive and very engaging.
Trending Themes: Instagram Reels
“₹100 food tour in Old Delhi”
“Cutest café’s in Paris”
“7 Street foods to eat before you die”
Final Thoughts: The Lens is Powerful
At the end of the day, travel is storytelling. It’s your story. And Instagram Reels serve as your new digital postcard. They express diverse places through feelings, movement, struggle, challenge, spontaneity, etc. The best reels don’t have to be shot with fancy cameras or in amazing places — they can just be an honest perspective, a thought, and a little editing.
So, the next time you are packing bags, don’t just plan for a trip, plan for a story board. Behind the lens is a world that millions are wanting to see — through your eyes.