Jaffna

J affna sits at the northern tip of Sri Lanka and offers an off-the-beaten-path experience steeped in unique Tamil culture and history. This predominantly Tamil city exudes an old-school charm, with age-old Hindu temples, colonial-era forts, and serene lagoons. Despite a slower pace of life, Jaffna has many treasures: the towering golden gopuram of Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil, the 17th-century Jaffna Fort by the waterfront, and long, sandy Casuarina Beach on nearby Karainagar Island. Visitors can also taste distinctive Jaffna cuisine known for its spicy curries and fresh palmyra fruit.