Why Sri Lanka remains a No. 1 choice among travelers

Known for its pristine beaches, lush greeneries, breathtaking waterfalls, wildlife and many other attractions Sri Lanka continues to remain a bucket list destination for many travelers from around the world. Sri Lanka was recently named the number one destination to visit in October 2025 by the internationally renowned travel magazine Time Out, which released its annual ranking of the world’s best travel spots for the month further proving the country’s potential to host visitors for a memorable experience. 

Celebrated for its warm tropical climate, vibrant cultural heritage, and breathtaking natural beauty, Sri Lanka was praised for offering “a little bit of everything” — from golden beaches and scenic hill-country hikes to ancient ruins and thrilling wildlife safaris.

Coming in second and third on the list were Türkiye and New Mexico, recognized for their autumn landscapes and lively seasonal festivals. Other destinations featured in the top picks include Valencia (Spain), New York City, the Philippines, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Timișoara (Romania), San Francisco, and Namibia.

According to Time Out, the rankings were based on seasonal appeal, cultural events, and unique travel experiences, making Sri Lanka a standout choice for October travelers.

The paradise isle continues to emerge as one of the world’s best tourist destinations having received accolades from various travel guides, travel magazines and travel websites including Lonely Planet, and Bloomberg.

In 2019, Sri Lanka was selected by travel influencers as a top destination in Asia, and Sri Lanka was given the Emerging destination award in 2019. Subsequently, the BBC good food team named Sri Lankan Cuisine as the no:1 trending cuisine in 2019 on their list. Travel+Leisure magazine and website ranked Sri Lanka as one of the Best Islands in the world 2019. Sri Lanka has claimed the top spot in the world’s leading travel guide, the Lonely Planet, as the best travel destination in 2019. Sri Lanka was ranked as a top destination for winter travel by USA Today in 2019.

CNN Travels ranked Sri Lanka as one of the 20 best places to visit in 2020. The destination was again featured as one of the Top Destinations to travel in February 2020 by Conde Nast Traveler – Middle East. In 2021, Sigiriya became one of Bloomberg’s new 7 wonders of the world. Sri Lanka is undoubtedly one of the best holiday destinations waiting to be discovered and celebrated.

In 2021, Sri Lanka won another accolade as one of the best countries to travel to by Conde Nast Traveller Readers choice awards , and in parallel to that it was globally ranked as a wellness tourism destination.

US based international travel influencer Juliana Broste recommended Sri Lanka to be listed as one of the best places to visit in 2023. Sri Lanka was listed in the Forbes list as one of the 23 best places to visit in 2023. This was a result of her visit to Sri Lanka in 2022, under the Visiting Blogger Program of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau 2022. Julianna, who explored the destination on a photo tour, said that even with inflation, visitors will find Sri Lanka as a spectacular, affordable destination worth the long haul.

During the same year, Sri Lanka received several endorsements for its capacity as a renowned tourist destination which offers everything which a modern traveler would want. For example, the Forbes magazine recognized Sri Lanka as a destination for ‘Top Wildlife Safaris Outside of Africa’. In addition, the country was ranked ninth in a list of the 50 Most Instagrammable places in the world in 2023, based on Big 7 Travel social media data, whilst the destination was also ranked among the top 24 countries to travel in 2023 by TravelTriangle, a leading online holiday marketplace.

In 2024, Sri Lanka claimed the coveted title of the number one destination for solo female travelers in 2024, according to Timeout.com. Solo female travel is on the rise, with a recent survey indicating that over half of Gen Z women are considering traveling abroad alone. With more women seeking adventure, cultural immersion, and memorable experiences, the question arises: where to go and what to know?

One of the highlights of Sri Lanka for solo female travelers is its abundance of UNESCO-listed ancient sites. From the awe-inspiring rock fortress of Sigiriya to the magnificent cave temples of Dambulla, the country’s rich history and cultural heritage provide ample opportunities for exploration and discovery.