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Published - December 26, 2025 08:26 pm IST
Award-winning Smoke & Bitters bar, one of Asia’s Top 50 bars, is now and a landmark in Hiriketiya | Photo Credit: Special arrangement
Sri Lanka is trending, especially among Indian travellers, given its proximity, connectivity, pristine beaches, boutique hotels, safari parks and outstanding experiences for travellers. According to the numbers released by the Sri Lankan tourism board, the island nation clocked 2.17 million tourists by December 11, which, despite the effects of the cyclone, have surpassed last year’s numbers, with the India continuing to be the highest generator of tourists.
We ask three influential locals, insiders in their own right, to give us their ‘local’ recommendations on things to do that are off the beaten path. Colombo can be looked at as a hub for trendy design, art and architecture; Galle, albeit touristy, is a hotbed of insider experiences, and the unexplored parts of Yala National Park can also be looked at through a cultural lens, beyond wildlife.
Dambulla/Inamaluwa, Sri Lanka - December 10, 2016: Local women make the colourful batik. The material created by the batik-makers is used to produce bed covers, tablecloths, wall pictures, dresses, shirts, sarongs, beachwear and others men's and ladies' wear. Each batik piece is individually handmade by adult women who look very young. The manufacture and export of the batik textile products are one of the biggest industries in Sri Lanka. | Photo Credit: Adam Smigielski
Few tourists spend more time in Colombo and areas surrounding it. Colombo is a bustling hub of art, design, culture, food and drink, as well as fashion.
Since I love the Sri Lankan art form of batik, I would definitely recommend visitors to take a half-day trip just outside Colombo to the batik village of Koswadiya. Located just 65 kilometres outside Colombo, closer to the town of Negombo, here you can attend a batik workshop to understand how saris and sarongs are made in batik and interact with the artisans. The Buddhi Batiks batik workshop is a great place to do this and you can follow it with a simple, Sri Lankan vegetarian meal cooked by the villagers. Another place to explore, before heading to the Bandaranaike International Airport, is the seaside town of Negombo. It is just a couple of minutes away from the airport. Negombo’s main beach road, brimming with restaurants and cafes, is popular with tourists but it is a great place to see authentic Sri Lankan daily life. I enjoy going to Negombo over the weekend.
Darshi Keerthisena | Photo Credit: Special arrangement
I highly recommend spending some time in Colombo to experience the local lifestyle — There are art galleries like Saskia Fernando Art Gallery, or the Radicle art gallery in a restored heritage building with a chic café at the corner, and hidden bars like Kampong in a nondescript part of town.
-Darshi Keerthisena, fashion designer and batik specialist
An Asian elephant can be seen walking along a dirt road at Yala National Park in Tissamaharama, Southern Province of Sri Lanka. | Photo Credit: SolStock
While Yala National Park’s popular touristy areas may be done to death, and often jammed with tourists. I do like exploring the lesser-known parts of the national park. Block 5 in Yala is barely frequented by tourists and is my favourite part to explore as it welcomes serious wildlife enthusiasts for its sightings of elephants, leopards, deer, monkeys, water buffalo and sloth bear; and tropical landscape dotted with ponds, rivers and arid planes. There are nice spots to drive around, enjoy a picnic, and take a dip in the lakes and rivers too.
Amrit Rajaratnam | Photo Credit: Special arrangement
Then, there is the town of Sella Kataragama, an important temple town for Hindu pilgrims. This is another lesser known tourist spot adjoining Block 5. At night, there is a market that comes alive, with beautiful stalls from local communities and it is quite popular, so it is amazing to see the energy of Kataragama. I enjoy coming here on weekends, and staying at the four-room luxe lodge, The Warden’s House, and I find lots to do in this part of the country. The nearby towns are dotted with small stalls selling fresh hoppers for breakfast, tea by the curb or fresh fruit from the nearby farms.
-Amrit Rajaratnam, hotelier and wildlife photographer
The south coast of Sri Lanka is trending right now, with its thriving surf culture, amazing coffee, food options and beach clubs. Some even call it the new Ibiza or Gold Coast. I go to the south coast towns of Galle, Ahangama, Weligama and Hiriketiya quite often, but I prefer to do some non-touristy stuff — and there is lots to do. I would definitely recommend the silence of a sunrise walk along the beach, to try and spot the famous stilt fishermen at this hour. Look for them at Midigama and Thalpe beaches. Currently trending is the beach town of Hiriketiya, and this beach is open year round. There is a thriving F&B scene there, including the award-winning Smoke & Bitters bar, one of Asia’s Top 50 bars, which is now and a landmark in Hiriketiya now.
Limited-edition cocktail selection at Ropewalk
The crown jewel of the south coast is the Galle Fort, but I would recommend doing an insider’s walking tour in the fort to understand its nuanced architectural styles, a visit to the art galleries and traditional Galle jewellery stores that have existed here for centuries. And top it all with a visit to try Sri Lanka’s national spirit — arrack — at Ropewalk, the world’s first arrack-speciality bar.
Chathri Sahabandu | Photo Credit: Special arrangement
- Chathri Sahabandu, Sri Lanka luxury travel specialist and content creator @wandering_unicorns
The Hindu Weekend / travelogues / travel and commuting / Sri Lanka / India-Sri Lanka / tourism and leisure / holiday or vacation
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