Sri Lanka’s Jaffna City in the North has been recognized among the 25 Best Destinations to visit in 2026, listed by the leading global travel guide, Lonely Planet.

This recognition comes as part of the publisher’s “Best in Travel 2026” edition, released on 21 October 2025. 

Ranked second on the list of destinations, Lonely Planet describes Jaffna as known for its culture, cuisine and island adventures.

“Family-run homestays like the Malabar Home Stay have been reviving Jaffna as a cultural travel destination since the civil war ended in 2009. To understand Jaffna’s nuanced history, visit the restored Jaffna Public Library, which was set on fire during the war; the pentagonal-shaped Jaffna Fort, originally built by the Portuguese in 1619; and the two bunkers turned into museums at the luxury Fox Jaffna resort. 

“An hour-long ferry from Jaffna is tiny Delft. With a shallow reef, coral-fenced houses and homestays like the Delft Village Stay, the sleepy island is ideal to slowly cycle around between home-cooked meals.

“Traveling to Jaffna is easy by cycle, tuk tuk, bus or ferry, while trains and buses connect the city with the Sri Lankan capital Colombo and direct flights operate from Chennai. But above all, hospitality runs deep here, where warm smiles, cups of frothy tea and crab curry feasts are aplenty,” the global travel guide describes. 

Travellers are also suggested to take the ferry to Nainativu, which holds two temples: the Hindu Naga Pooshani Amman Kovil and the Buddhist Nagadeepa Temple. According to legend, Buddha arrived here during his second visit to Sri Lanka, while the island itself derives its name from the Naga people often mentioned in Sri Lankan folklore, Lonely Planet reports.  

Full list: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/best-in-travel#the-25-best-destinations-in-2026-jaffna (Newswire)

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The North East of Sri Lanka is among the best places to go in August 2025, according to the leading global travel guide, Lonely Planet.

Lonely Planet recommends visiting Arugam Bay, Nilaveli, Uppuveli and Passekudah in the North East, and the rock fortress of Sigiriya and spiritual hub Kandy in the Central Province. 

“There’s a triple whammy of good news about Sri Lanka’s northeast in August: the weather is great, prices are low and beaches are quiet. Unlike the southwest, which catches the rain now, the northeast coast this month has blue skies, warm waters and – at Arugam Bay particularly – good surf. Civil war ensured this region was largely off-limits until recently, so the coast is minimally developed; you can still find an empty patch of sand at spots such as Nilaveli, Uppuveli and Passekudah. The center is also pretty dry in August, good for visiting the rock fortress of Sigiriya and spiritual hub Kandy, which bursts into noisy, colorful life during the Esala Perahera celebrations honoring the Sacred Tooth relic of Buddha each summer,” it said, describing the tourist attractions in Sri Lanka.

For more details: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/where-to-go-in-august (Newswire)

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The Colombo-Badulla train journey in Sri Lanka has been ranked among the top 10 train rides in the World for 2025.

Leading Global Travelguide, Lonely Planet has ranked the Colombo-Badulla train journey as the 7th best in the world for 2025. 

The train route’s unparalleled scenic beauty and the immersive cultural experience it offers travellers contribute to this achievement.

Often described as one of the most scenic train rides in the world, it spans over 290 kilometres from Colombo to Badulla and is renowned for its breathtaking views of verdant tea plantations, mist-covered mountains, and picturesque waterfalls. 

The Colombo-Badulla train journey, referred to as the “Ella Odyssey” by tourists, is especially popular for its iconic stops at stations like Ella, Nanu Oya, and Haputale. 

The ranking by Lonely Planet is part of its annual list of the world’s best travel train journeys, which serves as a guide for adventurers seeking the best the world has to offer. (Newswire)

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