Blue train in Sri Lanka
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Sri Lanka voted #1 country to visit

Sri Lanka voted #1 country to visit in 2019

May 12, 2025

So, Lonely Planet compiled their top 10 list of countries to visit in 2019. And Sri Lanka, the pearl of the Indian Ocean, has only gone and made it to the number one spot!

Man on snow mobile in snowy landscape

by  Paul Kelly

 

4 min read

Endless beaches, timeless ruins, welcoming people, oodles of elephants, rolling surf, cheap prices, fun trains, famous tea and flavourful food.

– Lonely Planet

We've always known that the gem of an island that is Sri Lanka is a spectacular place to visit. There's a never-ending list of things to see and do. And now it has earned recognition by one of the world's leading travel authorities for being one the most diverse, beautiful and captivating countries. It's a real bucket-list must!

Group pic Sri Lanka

 

What Lonely Planet says about Sri Lanka

Lonely Planet spokesperson Chris Zeiher also says:

Whether you’re a family traveller or an adrenaline junkie, a wellness seeker or a foodie, in Sri Lanka you’ll find all the magic you’d expect from South Asia bundled into a resurgent, medium-sized island-nation that’s friendlier and – with improved tourism infrastructure and transportation – more accessible in 2019 than ever before.

Meanwhile, Lonely Planet’s destination editor for Sri Lanka, Joe Bindloss, says:

This fascinating island nation has always offered timeless temples, stunning sand and prolific wildlife, but now, with improved tourism infrastructure and transportation, even the north and east of the country are ripe for exploration, opening up areas that were long off-limits to travellers.

Sri Lanka has evolved massively, coming a long way from the years of civil war. The country has bounced back and now includes opportunities beyond the bog standard beach holiday; from eco-tourism and yoga retreats to visiting national parks to see elephants and leopards.

Aerial view of small boats on Sri Lankan beach

Sri Lanka has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world

Joe Bindloss, Destination Editor for Lonely Planet, says:

Whether you come to temple-hop, surf the South Coast breaks or just unwind in an Ayurvedic spa, you’ll find a country moving on from the troubles of the past and looking to the future.

Destination editor at Lonely Planet Matt Philips explains why Sri Lanka was named as the top destination to visit in 2019:

It’s changed so much, so quickly and in a lot of ways that makes travel much easier.

Tom Hall, Editorial Director at Lonely Planet, says:

These are the places to experience in 2019, they might be coming into their own, celebrating a once-in-a-lifetime event or simply have been overlooked for too long; whatever the reason, now is the time to plan a trip.
Sri Lankan cuisine

 

It’s also great for foodies – Sri Lanka has everything.

– Philips Adds

It is good to see that Sri Lanka is finally getting its due place in the global tourism map.

– John Amaratunga

Lonely Planet’s best countries for 2019

  1. Sri Lanka
  2. Germany
  3. Zimbabwe
  4. Panama
  5. Kyrgyzstan
  6. Jordan
  7. Indonesia
  8. Belarus
  9. SĂŁo TomĂŠ and PrĂ­ncipe
  10. Belize

Lonely Planet’s best cities for 2019

  1. Copenhagen, Denmark
  2. Shenzhen, China
  3. Novi Sad, Serbia
  4. Miami, USA
  5. Kathmandu, Nepal
  6. Mexico City, Mexico
  7. Dakar, Senegal
  8. Seattle, USA
  9. Zadar, Croatia
  10. Meknes, Morocco

Lonely Planet’s best regions for 2019

  1. Piedmont, Italy
  2. The Catskills, USA
  3. Northern Peru
  4. The Red Centre, Australia
  5. Scotland’s Highlands and islands
  6. Russian Far East
  7. Gujarat, India
  8. Manitoba, Canada
  9. Normandy, France
  10. Elqui Valley, Chile
Lose yourself and Follow Alice to Sri Lanka

Lose yourself – in the best way – when you Follow Alice to Sri Lanka

Celebrate New Year's Eve in Sri Lanka?

So seeing as this beautiful island Sri Lanka has been voted the number one country to visit in 2019 by Lonely Planet, why not spend New Year's Eve here? Sri Lanka is an island of tea plantations, ancient temples, astonishing wildlife and postcard-like beaches. In other words – it has it all! We invite you to explore the hidden gems of this breathtaking country with us. Raft, bike, swim and hike through the amazing nature of this scenic island. Relax in some of the most beautiful boutique hotels and adventure lodges the country has to offer. Spot insane wildlife. Eat exceptional food. Celebrate the New Year with friends.