Sri Lanka named Most Beautiful Island in the World 2025

Sri Lanka has clinched the top spot in the ‘Top 50 Best Islands in the World’ list for 2025, released by the globally renowned travel website Big 7 Travel. The ranking names Sri Lanka as the No. 1 island destination in the world, beating out globally famous spots such as French Polynesia’s Mo’orea and Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands.

Big 7 Travel praised the island nation for its diverse attractions, from golden beaches and lush tea plantations to ancient temples and vibrant wildlife safaris. The editorial highlighted Sri Lanka’s rich cultural heritage, scenic highlands, and coastal charm as key reasons for its standout position.

“This teardrop-shaped island off the southern coast of India has it all, from golden beaches to terraced tea plantations,” the report noted. “It’s easy to see why Marco Polo called Sri Lanka ‘the finest island of its size in all the world’.”

The list, curated annually, is based on aggregated scores from media coverage, social media popularity, expert recommendations, and traveler interest in 2025. The editorial team at Big 7 Travel also incorporated insights from their global audience to compile the final rankings.

Top 10 Best Islands to Visit in 2025

1. Sri Lanka

2. Mo’orea, French Polynesia

3. Socotra, Yemen

4. Madeira, Portugal

5. The Galapagos, Ecuador

6. Great Exuma, Bahamas

7. Seychelles

8. Achill Island, Ireland

9. Koh Lipe, Thailand

10. Milos, Greece

This recognition comes as a major boost to Sri Lanka’s tourism industry, which has been steadily recovering and reinventing itself in recent years. With its mix of pristine nature, adventure, history, and warm hospitality, Sri Lanka continues to captivate travelers worldwide.

Tourism authorities expect this global recognition to further drive visitor interest and reinforce the island’s reputation as one of the must-visit destinations of 2025.