Sri Lanka ~ Travel Guides

Sigiriya is a massive granite peak that rises two hundred metres above the flat plains of central Sri Lanka. This UNESCO site, known as Lion Rock, is more than just a natural landmark. It was a 5th-century capital city built by King Kasyapa, surrounded by a complex system of water gardens, moats and defensive walls.

The climb to the top takes you through different stages of history. Halfway up the rock, two giant stone lion paws mark the entrance to the old palace. On the western side, you will find the mirror wall, which was once polished so the King could see himself. Nearby, ancient frescoes of women are still visible in the rock, preserved for centuries.

There are some hotels that feel instantly recognisable, and The Find is one of them. Sitting at the far end of Kabalana Beach in Ahangama on Sri Lanka’s south coast, the boutique hotel has become known for its distinctive pink facade and interiors, something that now feels completely synonymous with the property itself. Yet after speaking to owner Myles, I discovered the hotel was never actually meant to turn out quite so pink. Inspired by the colour of traditional Sri Lankan pottery, the shade developed into something far bolder and more memorable than originally planned. The result is effortlessly iconic.

The building is sharp and modern, all glass and concrete, designed so the view dominates every space inside, with terraces and openings that break the structure into levels. From the outside it feels stark against the landscape, but inside it is warm and cosy, opening fully to the view, with one side left completely open so air moves straight through from morning to night. Below, the railway line runs directly beneath the villa, part of the Kandy to Ella route. The blue train passes several times a day, slow enough to follow as it moves across the hillside.

There is a specific kind of magic found in Hiriketiya that is becoming increasingly rare along Sri Lanka’s southern coastline. Often referred to simply as "Hiri," this perfectly formed horseshoe bay feels like a secret the jungle is trying its best to keep. While other coastal towns have expanded into bustling hubs, Hiriketiya remains a place where the roads are still mostly dirt, the palms lean impossibly low over the water, and the rhythm of the day is dictated entirely by the swell.

As we move through 2026, the world has never felt more accessible or full of specialised wonders. From the long-awaited unveiling of massive cultural archives in Egypt to the rare astronomical peak of the Northern Lights, this year offers a unique alignment of events for the intentional traveller. Whether you are looking for the raw geological power of an active volcano in Japan or the silent, mirrored modernism of the Saudi desert, these twelve destinations represent the absolute pinnacle of global adventure for the current calendar year.

PALM Hotel opened in 2019 on Sri Lanka’s southern coast, by Londoners Miriam and Laurie. It sits on four acres of a former coconut plantation, surrounded by rice paddies and tropical greenery. The property is roughly ten minutes from Ahangama’s surf beaches and around two to two and a half hours from Colombo and Bandaranaike International Airport. The hotel’s layout spreads its accommodations across the site to give privacy while keeping a central hub for socialising, creating a modern take on coastal living in Sri Lanka.

Ahangama sits on Sri Lanka’s south coast between Galle and Mirissa, a low key coastal town that has grown into one of the country’s most talked about surf destinations. What was once a stretch of railway tracks, roadside cafés and fishermen on stilts is now a compact hub of boutique hotels, design led cafés and consistent reef breaks. Ahangama feels purposeful rather than polished. Days revolve around the ocean, coffee stops and slow evenings, with enough places to eat and stay that it works for longer trips without losing its local rhythm. You come here for surf first, but you stay for the ease of it all, beaches within walking distance, creative spaces, and a town that still functions as a working Sri Lankan community.