Sri Lanka named world’s best island for 2026

Sri Lanka has been ranked the world’s best island by global travel platform Big 7 Travel in its annual “50 Best Islands in the World” list for 2026.

Now in its seventh edition, the ranking evaluates islands based on past media coverage, social media popularity, emerging travel trends, and reviews from the platform’s editorial team.

Sri Lanka secured the top position due to its wide range of attractions, including its 833-mile coastline, misty central highlands, lush tea plantations, rich cultural history, and diverse wildlife.

The report also highlighted major landmarks such as Yala National Park, famous for its safari experiences, and the UNESCO World Heritage site Sigiriya as key highlights that helped the island stand out globally.

Other top-ranked islands included Mo’orea in French Polynesia at second place, Socotra in Yemen in third, Madeira in Portugal in fourth, and the Galápagos Islands in Ecuador in fifth.

Big 7 Travel praised Sri Lanka for its rare combination of natural beauty, biodiversity, history, and cultural depth, describing it as a destination that offers a unique travel experience.

The report also echoed the historic view of explorer Marco Polo, who once referred to Sri Lanka as “the finest island of its size in all the world.”