The best holiday destinations in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is one of those countries that surely found its spot on every adventure lover's travel bucket list. Historically known and still sometimes referred to as Ceylon, Sri Lanka is a South Asian Island nation. It is located in the Indian Ocean, southwest of the Bay of Bengal and southeast of the Arabian Sea. The Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait separates it from the Indian subcontinent. Sri Lanka gained independence only in 1948, after nearly 150 years of British rule. India and the Maldives have a maritime border with Sri Lanka.

In places like Colombo and Kandy, which are two very famous tourist destinations in Sri Lanka, visitors may follow the island's interesting history from ancient times to the colonial period to the present. The capital city Colombo blends modern urban features with the country's diverse indigenous and colonial histories. Sri Lanka has always retained strategic relevance for European commercial powers as a crucial stop on the world spice trade routes. There are also museums and other things to see and do in the city that might help you connect with Sri Lankan culture. Colombo is located on the coast, and the city's centre contains a big open space and beach area.

If there is one thing that all of our readers can agree on, is that Sri Lanka is a must-visit destination for their next holidays! However, before we get too excited and pack our luggage and prepare swimming suits, there is one small detail that we should pay attention to. Yes, you are completely right, we are talking about a Sri Lanka visa. We perfectly understand how challenging planning a whole trip on your own, while at the same time running after the Sri Lanka visa documents can get. In order to check if you are eligible to travel to Sri Lanka without obtaining a visa, at all, please make sure to check the attached link: https://pickvisa.com/visa-policies/sri-lanka-visa. However, in any case, if you would like to get further information about Sri Lanka visa rules or face any struggles with your application process, you can go to the "Services" area of the website and select your country of origin and destination.

Sri Lanka is the ultimate beach resort for beach holidays for travelers from all over the world, with approximately 1600 kilometers of palm-fringed coastline shining like it is golden. Tangalla, Beruwala, Unawatuna and Mirissa, and are among the greatest of the southern beaches of Sri Lanka, with a variety of options, including sophisticated boutique hotels, the best family holiday resorts in Sri Lanka, dazzling coral reefs. Also, it is worth mentioning that Arugam Bay, which is the region's high church of surfing lovers, is the most well-known of the Eastern beaches. So, no wonder today, our topic is specifically about the best holiday destinations in Sri Lanka.

1. Chena Huts

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Uga Chena Huts, set among the golden dunes and lush foliage of Yala, Sri Lanka, combines two of Sri Lanka's most well-known features: tropical beaches and unique biodiversity. The cabins located along the crystal-clear beach are spacious and can host up to four persons in a family. Each opulent cabin features a private plunge pool, a spacious sitting area, and a full bathroom with a freestanding tub, making Chena Nuts one of the best places to visit in Sri Lanka with family. Apart from the beach, safari treks into the national park's tropical jungle are the main attraction. Also very importantly, the resort offers a startling full-service spa and a huge outdoor pool with waiter service. The Basses restaurant by Uga Chena Huts offers an unrivalled fine dining experience in the centre of the woods, with stunning vistas and gorgeous decor.

2. Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort

Another one of the family holiday resorts in Sri Lanka on our list would be the Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort which is located on a rocky outcrop near the old fort town of Tangalle on Sri Lanka's southern coast. The breathtaking Indian Ocean is visible from a golden-hued beach surrounded by coconut palms. It is a lovely, well-designed resort. Its three-story structures and pavilions span a broad area, with the majority of the rooms and restaurants centred around a swimming pool. The majority of the rooms are located in four-story sea-facing blocks, with those on the bottom floor having direct access to the garden. Rooms overlooking the ocean, rather than the pool, provide more privacy.

3. Amanwella

However, what is the most beautiful place in Sri Lanka? To be completely honest, as you might have already guessed, there is nothing harder than choosing one out of the endless beauties that Sri Lanka offers to its visitors. I also believe that Amanwella is the closest it can get to perfection. A long walk-through lush jungle on Sri Lanka's sun-drenched south coast eventually leads to Amanwella and its unrivalled coastal backdrop. This contemporary beach resort, designed for peaceful privacy and natural exploration, boasts a large swath of golden sand bordered by coconut palms and is located near revered temples, rolling tea plantations, and Sri Lanka's best National Parks which are just the best travel destinations in Sri Lanka. Each of the 30 villa apartments features its private courtyard, plunge pool, and sun deck. The suites are entirely open on both ends, with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors that provide a seamless indoor/outdoor experience with moderate air movement. So, if someone asks you, "what is the most beautiful place in Sri Lanka?", you can simply point at the Amanwella hotel!

4. Aditya Resort

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This all-suite luxury boutique beach resort is located in Rathgama, near Hikkaduwa, near Galle. There are 16 suites and villas available, each with plenty of space. The villas are built on two storeys and have a total living area of over 7,500 square feet. The rooms vary in size and layout, with some having balconies and others having terraces. A secluded spa adds to the decadence with therapies and massages ranging from ancient Ayurvedic, Balinese, and Thai treatments, as well as gourmet adventures that know no bounds. Aditya encapsulates a day in the life of a paradise, on a beach on a tropical island where luxury becomes the standard. Aditya has the most unusual collection of exquisite suites in a single location, including two luxury villas that spell unending luxury. Each suite or villa includes characteristic touches of subtle luxury, from rooftop Jacuzzis to private gardens, lap pools, and beautiful furnishings, with spaciousness as our signature hallmark.

5. Villa Saffron Hikkaduwa

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Hikkaduwa is one of Sri Lanka's top surfing sites, with a clear hot water base and is often regarded as one of the best places in Sri Lanka for tourists. Waves range in size from 4 to 11 feet high. Surfing in the Hikkaduwa area is well-known, and the greatest conditions are found during the dry season, which runs from November to March. Stunning coral formations encircle a group of little islets off the beach. There are numerous fish species and huge turtles to be found here. C. Anjalendran, a renowned architect, noted for designing structures with basic directness, modern energy, and recognition of Sri Lanka's rich vernacular traditions, designed Villa Saffron Hikkaduwa. Because there are just five rooms at the boutique hotel, the experience of staying in the hotel feels luxurious and makes you feel at home somehow.

Each one is spacious, with a patio and a spa-like bathroom. More importantly, they all have distinct styles, and some even have ocean views. Even though there are only five rooms, you have access to services such as a 24-hour front desk and daily housekeeping. Without a doubt, almost every guest of the hotel agrees that Villa Saffron Hikkaduwa is one of the perfect places to visit in Sri Lanka with family.

6. Shangri-La Hambantota

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And last but not least comes one of my favourite holiday destinations in Sri Lanka. Shangri-La Hambantota is set on the gorgeous southern coast of Sri Lanka and features an 18-hole championship golf course, the country's only resort course, an expansive spa with renowned Ayurveda treatments, and a unique artisan village showcasing local arts and crafts. The luxurious resort covers 58 hectares, making it Sri Lanka's largest resort. It has 274 spacious rooms, including 20 suites, surrounded by lush tropical gardens. With a mosaic of activities and unique customized trips to let you absorb the island's uniqueness at its best, the beachside resort is an adventurer's dream. Chi Ayurveda Spa is a sanctuary of personal calm that offers ancient healing therapies and personalized Ayurveda consultations with our experienced doctor if you're looking for relaxation. The rooms and suites are lavishly decorated and feature spectacular views, overlooking lush tropical gardens, golf course vistas, and ocean views. They're all designed in a tropical style with an Asian influence, typical of the brand.