Holidays to Sri Lanka

You can visit Sri Lanka at any time of year, but your biggest consideration is probably monsoons. There are two distinct monsoon seasons. The southwest monsoon typically affects the south and west coasts from May to September, while the northeast monsoon affects the north and east from October to January. The good news is that it's easy to tailor your itinerary to make the most of the sunshine, whichever month you travel. As a tropical island, weather can be unpredictable, but showers are often short and followed by clear skies. February is generally considered the best month to visit Sri Lanka with favourable weather across much of the island, although this can be reflected in more people visiting, higher prices and limited availability. We go into more detail in our month-by-month guide here.

Despite its relatively small size, Sri Lanka packs an incredible amount into one island. You can find a bit of everything here (except perhaps winter sports!). The classic highlights include:

• Sightseeing - The Cultural Triangle: Clustered in the North Central Province are some of the country's most impressive UNESCO World Heritage sites, many more than 2,000 years old. Climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress or Pidurangala Rock. Explore the remains of ancient Buddhist civilisations Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa and visit Mihintale, regarded as the birthplace of Buddhism in Sri Lanka.
• Tea country - Visit a tea estate, try your hand at plucking tea leaves and sip a cup for yourself – with some of the island’s best natural scenery around you.
• Trekking - If you love to trek, explore a section of the 22-stage Pekoe Trail, winding through plantations, rural villages and tea estates.
• Safari - There are 26 national parks in Sri Lanka. If spotting a leopard is high on your wish list we suggest Wilpattu or Yala (but the latter can become crowded during peak travel periods). Kumana National Park is Yala's quieter neighbour or there’s Gal Oya, which combines excellent wildlife viewing with boat safaris and outstanding birdwatching – and elephants are often seen along the water's edge.
• Beach time - Sri Lanka has more than 1,300km of coastline, so a beach is never far away. Some are broad and busy, with surf schools, beach bars and plenty going on. Others are quieter – small coves, palm-backed bays and long stretches of sand. There’s whale-watching from Mirissa, surfing in Weligama, or simply relaxing under swaying palms on the sandy shores of Bentota or Tangalle.
• Explore Galle - Head to the southwest coast to the port city of Galle: a UNESCO World Heritage site, where colonial architecture, boutique cafés and artisan shops sit within centuries-old fortifications.

Food is one of the best things about travelling to Sri Lanka – or so we think.

Rice and curry is the main event, and you’re unlikely to get quite the same combination twice.

There’s plenty beyond curry, too. Egg hoppers are crisp, bowl-shaped pancakes with an egg cooked in the middle, often eaten for breakfast. String hoppers are something altogether different: nests of rice flour noodles made for soaking up curry. Then there’s kottu, a street food staple of chopped roti stir-fried with vegetables, meat or sometimes cheese.

For snacks, look out for “short eats” such as mutton rolls, fish cutlets and egg rotis. Sweet tooth? Try watalappam, a coconut custard pudding, or curd with treacle. Fresh mangoes, papayas, rambutans, bananas and jackfruit are everywhere too.

Vegetarians and vegans are particularly well catered for, with plenty of vegetable dishes and coconut milk-based curries.

Sri Lanka’s culture has been shaped by ancient traditions, deep-rooted faiths and centuries of foreign rule. Buddhism remains central to daily life, reflected in the island’s temples, festivals and sacred sites, while Hinduism, Christianity and Islam also form an important part of its identity.

Portuguese, Dutch and British influence can still be seen in everything from colonial-era architecture and local food to language and family names. The result is a culture that is distinctly Sri Lankan. Our local Insider guides add context to historic sites, architecture and food, helping you see how the island’s past continues to shape life today.