The city of Jaffna, located in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka, has been recognized by Lonely Planet as one of the 25 best destinations to visit in 2026, according to the travel guide’s Best in Travel 2026 edition released on October 21, 2025.
Lonely Planet describes Jaffna as a destination celebrated for its rich culture, unique cuisine, and island adventures.
Since the end of the civil war in 2009, accommodation options such as homestays have helped revive Jaffna as a cultural tourism hub. Notable attractions include the Jaffna Public Library, which was destroyed during the war but later restored, the five-bay Jaffna Fort built by the Portuguese in 1619, and the Fox Jaffna Resort, which features underground bunkers converted into museums.
Visitors can also explore Delft Island, known for its shallow lagoons, coral reefs, and traditional village stays such as Delft Village Stay, where guests can enjoy authentic Jaffna home-cooked meals.
“Traveling to Jaffna is easy by bike, tuk tuk, bus, or air,” Lonely Planet notes. “Trains and buses connect the city with Colombo, and there are direct flights from Chennai. But above all, hospitality runs deep here, where warm smiles, frothy cups of tea, and crab curry abound.”
