Sri Lanka has been ranked among ‘The 25 best places to travel in 2025’, according to BBC Travel.
In the BBC’s inaugural guide to the best places to travel this year, Sri Lanka is ranked 09th.
Describing Sri Lanka, journalist Claire Turrell says from its misty hilltop tea plantations and roaming wild elephants to its ancient temples and rolling surf, Sri Lanka is a country that ticks lots of boxes.
“In April 2022, the former prime minister announced Sri Lanka’s bankruptcy, but a new president aims to rebuild the country’s fortunes after it was hit by a pandemic and civil unrest.
“The resilient island nation is hoping to get back on its feet through tourism. The city of Kandy will see the opening of its first seven-star hotel, Aviyana Private Chalets, while Aarunya Nature Resort has a new family villa that includes an oculus for stargazing. There’s a $1bn megaresort opening in Colombo, and the launch of Sri Lanka’s new airline Air Ceilão, which will fly as far as Europe and Australia. The nation also recently launched the Good Travel Seal initiative, which celebrates local businesses that have adopted sustainable practices.
“Visitors looking for a coolcation can take a legendary train ride into its mountainous interior or travel to Colombo and Galle to discover a new generation of mixologists putting their spin on arrack, a 5th-Century drink. The island has also opened the 300km Pekoe Trail, which takes hikers through tea plantations and rural villages in the Central Highlands. For those who want to cover more ground, an innovative startup allows travellers to self-drive a tuk-tuk across the island, with the money going directly to the owner,” journalist Claire Turrell added.