Sri Lanka Didn't Make the Big 2027 Lists. That's the Best Reason to Go.

Two of the world's most influential travel lists are out for 2027, and Sri Lanka isn't on either. Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2027, published in late September, names 25 destinations from Québec to Fulidhoo in the Maldives. National Geographic's Best of the World 2027, released on 20 October, picks 25 more, from Penang to Jaipur. Several of Sri Lanka's neighbours made the cut. Sri Lanka didn't.

If you're deciding where to travel in 2027 and working through the lists of the best places to travel, that might sound like a reason to look elsewhere. We think it's the opposite. The island Big 7 Travel named the world's best for 2026 hasn't changed. What has changed is the attention. While this year's list-toppers brace for a rush of new visitors, Sri Lanka's growth has paused, which makes 2027 an unusually good year to go.

The Best Places to Travel in 2027, According to Lonely Planet and National Geographic

Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2027 features 25 destinations and 25 experiences. The destinations lean towards places just off the obvious route: Québec, Maryland, the Veneto, Šibenik and Montserrat, alongside Oman, Gujarat in India, Da Nang in Vietnam, Okinawa in Japan, Chengdu in China and Fulidhoo, a local island Lonely Planet recommends as a cheaper alternative to the Maldives' resort islands.

National Geographic's Best of the World 2027 focuses on places where something new is happening in 2027, whether that's an opening, a festival or an anniversary. Its Asian choices include Penang in Malaysia, Jaipur in India, which marks its 300th anniversary, Niigata in Japan and Chengdu. Luxor in Egypt makes the list for the total solar eclipse in August 2027.

Sri Lanka appears on neither list. That says more about how the lists work than about the island. They reward newness and milestones, and Sri Lanka's best experiences, from Sigiriya to the hill-country train, have been world-class for years.

Why Missing the 2027 Lists Is Good News for Travellers

Travel lists are powerful. Lonely Planet named Sri Lanka its top country to visit in 2019, and rankings like these tend to drive search interest first, then flights, then hotel demand. In 2027, that spotlight is pointed somewhere else.

That doesn't mean Sri Lanka is empty. Galle Fort, Sigiriya and the Ella train still get busy in peak season. But you won't be competing with a list-driven surge, and with a little planning it's still easy to find quiet temples, empty stretches of beach and villages where visitors are a welcome novelty. That's what makes Sri Lanka one of the most underrated destinations for 2027.

“The lists reward what's new. Sri Lanka's best experiences have been world-class for years.”

The Numbers: Sri Lanka Is Quieter Than Planned

The arrival figures back this up. Sri Lanka welcomed 2.36 million visitors in 2025, its best year on record, and set a target of 3 million for 2026. Instead, arrivals have flattened. By early October, the year-to-date total was about 2% behind 2025's pace, and the gap was still around 1.3% in mid-October, according to Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority figures reported by the Daily FT.

By 25 October, 1,829,772 visitors had arrived in 2026. The authority's revised scenarios now put the full-year total between about 2.38 and 2.60 million, which leaves even the best case roughly 400,000 short of the original 3 million goal. Officials have pointed to the conflict in the Middle East, which disrupted travel from late February, along with higher energy costs.

For travellers, the takeaway is simple. The island that won Best Island in the World for 2026 is heading into 2027 slightly quieter than its tourism planners expected. It's a rare combination: a destination at the top of its game, without the extra rush.

Is Sri Lanka Worth Visiting in 2027? Here's What You Get

Sri Lanka is slightly smaller than Ireland, yet it fits in remarkable variety. Here's what a trip in 2027 can include.

Ancient Cities and Sacred Sites

Sri Lanka has eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the rock fortress of Sigiriya, the sacred city of Anuradhapura, the medieval capital of Polonnaruwa, the Dambulla cave temples, the sacred city of Kandy and the Old Town of Galle. For something quieter, visit Mihintale near Anuradhapura, where, according to tradition, Buddhism was introduced to the island in the 3rd century BC.

Tea Country and the Hill-Country Train

In the central highlands, tea estates roll across the hills around Nuwara Eliya, Haputale and Ella. The train from Kandy to Ella, winding through tea country, is one of the most loved rail journeys in Asia, and the Nine Arch Bridge, just beyond Ella, is one of the island's most photographed sights. Book train seats early for peak season.

Leopards, Elephants and Whales

Yala National Park is famous for its leopards, and Sri Lanka is one of the best places in Asia to see them in the wild. Elephants are easy to spot in Udawalawe year-round and gather in large numbers at Minneriya in the dry months. From about November to April, boats from Mirissa head out to look for blue whales and other whales offshore.

Beaches Without the Resort-Island Price Tag

Lonely Planet picked Fulidhoo as a cheaper, local alternative to the Maldives' resort islands. Sri Lanka's south coast offers a similar appeal on a bigger scale: Mirissa, Unawatuna, Hiriketiya and Tangalle combine golden beaches, family-run guesthouses and boutique hotels, with the colonial-era streets of Galle Fort a short drive away.

Food, Culture and Wellness

Sri Lankan food alone is worth the trip, from rice and curry and hoppers to kottu and fresh seafood. Kandy's Temple of the Tooth, village temples and festivals such as the Esala Perahera add depth, and the island's Ayurvedic tradition is one reason BookRetreats.com named Sri Lanka the world's top trending wellness destination for 2026.

Loved a 2027 List Pick? Find It in Sri Lanka

If one of this year's list destinations caught your eye, there's a good chance Sri Lanka offers something similar, often within a few hours' drive of everything else.

Best Time to Visit Sri Lanka in 2027

December to April is the main season for the south and west coasts, the hill country and the Cultural Triangle, while the east coast, including Trincomalee, Pasikudah and Arugam Bay, is best from around April to September. This season is shaped by a strong El Niño, which is expected to bring a wetter November and a drier, hotter January to April. Our 2026/27 peak season weather guide explains what that means month by month.

Wherever you go, book key experiences, such as hill-country train seats, Yala safaris and peak-season hotels in Galle and Ella, as early as you can.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best places to travel in 2027?

Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2027 includes Québec, Maryland, the Veneto, Oman and Fulidhoo in the Maldives, while National Geographic's Best of the World 2027 includes Penang, Luxor, Jaipur and Normandy. If you'd rather avoid the crowds those lists bring, Sri Lanka is one of the best places to travel in 2027 that isn't on either.

Is Sri Lanka on Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2027 list?

No. Sri Lanka isn't among Lonely Planet's 25 destinations for 2027. Lonely Planet did name Sri Lanka its top country to visit in 2019.

Is Sri Lanka on National Geographic's Best of the World 2027 list?

No. National Geographic's 25 picks for 2027 include Penang, Jaipur, Niigata and Chengdu in Asia, but not Sri Lanka.

Is Sri Lanka worth visiting in 2027?

Yes. It offers eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, wildlife safaris, tea country, scenic train journeys and beaches on one compact island, and visitor numbers in 2026 are running slightly behind 2025 rather than surging.

Is Sri Lanka crowded?

The best-known sights, such as Sigiriya, Galle Fort and the Ella train, can be busy in peak season, especially from December to March. Arriving early, travelling with a private driver and adding lesser-known places to your route make a big difference.

What is the best time to visit Sri Lanka in 2027?

December to April for the south and west coasts, the hill country and the ancient cities, and around April to September for the east coast.

How many days do you need in Sri Lanka?

Ten to fourteen days covers the classic route through the Cultural Triangle, Kandy, the hill country, a safari and the south coast. With a week, focus on two or three regions.

What are the most underrated destinations for 2027?

The official lists favour places with new openings and anniversaries. Sri Lanka stands out as an underrated choice for 2027 precisely because it isn't on them: an award-winning island with world-class culture, wildlife and beaches, heading into the new year a little quieter than expected.

Go Before the Lists Catch Up

Travel lists move fast. Next year, or the year after, Sri Lanka may well be back on them. For now, the island named the world's best for 2026 is heading into 2027 a little quieter than expected, and that's the best reason to go.

Sources: Lonely Planet Best in Travel 2027 (September 2026); National Geographic Best of the World 2027 (20 October 2026); Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority arrival figures as reported by the Daily FT, EconomyNext and Business News (August–October 2026).

Ready to plan? Sri Lankan TripTip creates private tours and custom itineraries across Sri Lanka, from the Cultural Triangle and hill country to wildlife safaris and the south coast. Explore our tour packages, or tell us your dates and interests and we'll plan a 2027 trip around you.

Discover Sri Lanka at your own pace with Sri Lankan TripTip — turn your travel dreams into timeless memories.