This Asian Nation Recognized as a Must-Visit Hidden Gem Before 2026

Sri Lanka has just received a fresh tourism boost: it was voted the No. 1 “hidden gem” in International Traveller’s 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards.

That kind of reader-driven accolade is catnip for trip planners—and a timely news peg for travelers who want the island’s “all-in-one” mix (wildlife, tea country, heritage cities, and surf) without defaulting to the same saturated loop.

The award also hints at a specific storyline: Sri Lanka as a surf-minded alternative to Bali—a comparison the publication makes directly in its “hot tip,” pointing travelers toward Midigama and under-the-radar Hiriketiya instead of the busiest beach hubs.

In practice, that means building an itinerary that keeps the headline stops in view—but shifts the center of gravity to smaller towns, short-hop rail legs, and quieter coasts.

Regions at a glance (a “map” you can plan from)

Think of Sri Lanka as five travel bands you can stitch together quickly:

• Colombo & the West (gateway): arrival, markets, city food scene, quick rail access south.
• South Coast surf belt: Weligama/Ahangama crowds nearby; Midigama for reef breaks; Hiriketiya for a tucked-away bay vibe.
• Hill Country: tea estates, waterfalls, and the rail corridor; iconic views in Ella, but plenty of quieter bases nearby.
• Cultural Triangle: heritage-heavy core; early starts help you avoid day-trip congestion.
• North/East: a different cultural texture and (seasonally) better beach weather when the south is wetter.

Timing matters because weather is regional: the south and west tend to be best in the Northern Hemisphere winter, while the east becomes the warm-season play.

The new surf towns to know: Hiriketiya and Midigama

The reader-voted “hidden gem” framing lands because it’s specific. International Traveller says: “Head to Midigama or under-the-radar Hiriketiya.”

Midigama’s breaks are widely described as best for intermediate surfers, and guides consistently flag November to March as a prime window on the south coast.

Hiriketiya, by contrast, sells the horseshoe-bay micro-community—a compact place where you can surf, eat well, and reset without commuting.

Food is the other lever. Beach towns Hiriketiya and Tangalle are increasingly part of Sri Lanka’s culinary conversation, while Colombo and Jaffna remain anchor cities for serious eating.

A 3-day “beyond-the-obvious” starter itinerary (South…