9 Reasons Why You Need To Visit Sri Lanka In 2025

From the south coast’s rolling surf to the misty, tea-covered mountains of the central highlands and over 20 national parks—where wild elephants roam—every inch of Sri Lanka is brimming with excitement. Whether you want to sip cocktails by a bougie hotel pool, discover ancient cities and civilisations or eat your body weight in fresh seafood and vegetable curries, this tear-drop-shaped island in the Indian Ocean is the perfect place to do it—especially if you've never been before. Book your annual leave now and thank us later.

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There are natural wonders at every turn 

Sri Lanka is home to some insanely beautiful beaches. Lay out your towel and spend a day sunbathing in paradise or dive underwater to explore vibrant reefs and wrecks teeming with tropical fish, turtles and reef sharks. Dial up the adventure and spot whales off the coast of Mirissa from November to April, or catch waves at Hiriketiya, the beloved surfer’s haven known as "Hiri" to the locals.   

Once you’ve had your fix of saltwater, head inland to find towering waterfalls hidden in the lush jungle. If you have to pick one, don’t miss Diyaluma—swimming in multi-levelled waterfall pools at the top of a 200-metre-high cliff overlooking the jungle is an experience you won’t soon forget. The island is also jam-packed with natural swimming holes, lush tropical rainforests and soaring mountains, including the ancient pilgrimage site Adam’s Peak.    

The ancient wonders are equally incredible

If historical marvels are more your vibe, don’t miss Sigiriya. This ancient rock fortress, built atop a giant granite rock, dates back more than 1,500 years and is exactly as mind-blowing as it sounds. Climb over 1,200 stairs to the top or hike neighbouring Pidurangala Rock for unobstructed views of this UNESCO World Heritage-listed site. 

From Sigiriya, visit the Cultural Triangle—encompassing Dambulla, Anuradhapura, and Polonnaruwa—for a journey through ancient cities, crumbling ruins, and sacred Buddhist temples. Check out Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed Dutch fortress with a thriving old town. Inside the preserved fort walls, you’ll find authentic Italian fare at AQUA Forte, speakeasy cocktail bars like Ropewalk, and luxury hotels like the ultra-bougie Fort Bazaar.   

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The train journeys are unreal

Whether you’re travelling in an air-conditioned, observation saloon carriage or riding in unreserved, free-for-all compartments, the train rides in Sri Lanka are seriously next level. For unreal views, travel from Colombo to Galle. This 2.5-hour journey traces the island’s southwest coastline, past swaying king coconut palms, untouched white sand beaches and local fish markets. Another favourite is the Ella Odyssey Sightseeing Train, which takes you from the chaotic capital into the heart of tea country. Along the way, you’ll stop eight times, giving you plenty of opportunity to nail Instagram-worthy photos.    

If choosing between these routes sounds impossible, why not ride both? Spend a few nights at the ultra-luxe Shangri-La Colombo to recharge between journeys and you've got yourself a 10/10 itinerary.    

It's the world's tea capital

Sri Lankan tea is famous the world over for its quality and taste. With seven tea-growing regions spread across the southern half of the island, Sri Lanka produces all kinds of brews—from full-bodied Ceylon black teas to gunpowder greens and exquisite silver tips.    

To sample the goods, head to Nuwara Eliya, affectionately dubbed "Little England" thanks to its colonial-era Tudor-style architecture. Tour the region to learn the process of tea production, explore the plantations and sample the product, or book in for an English-style high tea to sip endless cups of the island’s finest. If you have time, the train ride from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya takes you past tea pickers and local farmers, alongside lush jungle and cascading waterfalls—it’s a perfect start or end to a tea country tour. 

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You can go on a safari    

Move over Kruger—Sri Lanka is home to 28 national parks that are brimming with incredible wildlife. The most popular, Yala National Park, is a great place to spot leopards, elephants, sloth bears, sambars, crocodiles and monkeys, while Bundala National Park is a go-to for bird lovers, home to flocks of flamingos, blue-tailed bee-eaters and a handful of rare, black-necked storks. For a less crowded safari experience, head to Wilpattu National Park, a sprawling reserve known for frequent leopard sightings.

If you’re travelling between July and October, don’t miss the annual elephant migration at Minneriya National Park. During these months, hundreds of these majestic creatures (including calves) gather at the park’s ancient reservoir to escape the country’s stifling dry season. If this wasn’t already on your bucket list, go ahead and add it now.

From roti to hoppers, the food is next-level   

Often overshadowed by India, its northern neighbour, Sri Lankan food is very deserving of its own spotlight. Venture onto the street and you’ll find a delicious selection of fiery eats—from kottu roti (flatbread stir-fried with meat, eggs and vegetables) to spicy samosas and egg hoppers (coconut and rice flour crepe baskets with a soft egg cooked in the centre).   

Every single Sri Lankan restaurant will offer a version of the national dish—rice and curry (note, not "curry and rice"). Consisting of enough rice to feed a small army, alongside at least four variations of vegetable curry (think eggplant, jackfruit, pumpkin and okra), rice and curry are different at every single venue, meaning you’ll never get tired of it. 

That being said, most are served with pol sambol (coconut and chilli relish), a bowl of dahl and a pile of papadums. Other must-try dishes? Don’t leave without eating a Jaffna crab curry, at least one serving of string hoppers (fluffy rice flour noodle nests), coconut roti and watalappam (spiced coconut custard sweetened with jaggery).  

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The resorts are increasingly impressive  

The tourism scene in Sri Lanka has grown rapidly in recent years, with the island now home to a healthy selection of luxury resorts, many of them capitalising on the nation’s stunning beaches. Dotted along the coastline, you’ll find five-star hotels like Ahu Bay on the sun-kissed west coast, Cape Weligama perched on the cliffside down south and the Maalu Maalu Resort & Spa on the serene eastern coast.

With so much competition, new hotels are levelling up, offering unforgettable experiences alongside impeccable accommodation. Think sprawling family villas that include an oculus for stargazing, soon to be available at Aarunya Nature Resort & Spa, and next-level activities like a seven-metre-high trapeze, available at Shangri-La Hambantota. Ultra luxury hotels are also on the rise with the country’s first seven-star resort—Aviyana Private Chalets—scheduled to open in Kandy in mid-2025.

There are more flights than ever

Let’s be honest, the worst part of any holiday is getting there. Thankfully, there will be more direct flights to Sri Lanka than ever in 2025, especially after Air Ceilao launches in May. Sri Lanka’s newest international airline will blend luxury and affordability, offering convenient connections between Sri Lanka and Australia, as well as select destinations across Europe. With direct flights from these hubs straight to Colombo, you can spend less time at the airport and more time sipping king coconut juice with your toes in the sand. 

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You can explore by yourself or in a group 

The beauty of Sri Lanka is you can easily explore self-guided—or if you’re not sure where to start, a tour is a great option to tick off all the key sites in one trip. This nine-day highlights tour begins and ends in Colombo, and incorporates Sigiriya, a national park safari, Kandy and a tea country train journey. 

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