Places to Visit in Sri Lanka

With an altitude of over 2,200 meters, Adam’s Peak in Sabaragamuwa holds religious significance to all the important religions followed in Sri Lanka. With a confluence of diverse religions, it is the place that attracts pilgrimage from people in Sri Lanka. It also stands out for its scenic beauty and magnificent views of the countryside of the country, making it a must-visit place for all tourists. It is also known as Sri Pada or the Butterfly Mountain.

Known For: It is multi-religious significance. For the Hindus, the rock formation on top of the mountain signifies the foot of Lord Shiva. For Buddhists, the footprint of the Buddha and for Christians and Muslims, the footprint stands for that of Adam’s. Hence the name! It has been a pilgrimage site for over 1000 years.

How to Reach: The place is well connected by road during the peak seasons and you can take direct buses from Kandy that will take you to the place after approximately 3 hours. You can also take taxis or tuk tuks from Hatton, which is the nearest railway station from the Adam’s Peak. You can take hire a cab for approximately Rs. 1,500 and tuk tuks for Rs. 600 approximately.

From its base at Dalhousie, there are 5,500 steps taking you to the top of the mountain. There are handrails for safety and is perfect for a day’s hike.

Approximate Cost: Free

Operating Hours: Being a mountain, it is best to trek Adam’s Peak during the day when it is sunny and the path is visible. So consider the timing between 7:00 AM and 5:30 PM. Make sure you get down by the time to avail transports to your respective hotels.

Any Precautions: Though the hike is safe, the sudden elevation can bring about changes in your health and body condition. So trek only if you have prior experience. You have to walk a really long way for close to three hours until you make it to the top. Also, do not visit the place during the monsoon and keep it to January for an uninterrupted hike. You will love this place if you are hiking with kids and family as the view from top is breathtaking. Carry enough water, snacks, hats, sunglasses, hiking sticks and wear shoes. Also carry windcheater because of the gushing winds on top. Do remember to follow only the trail.

Type:Historic Site

Approximately 200 kilometers away from Colombo towards the east rests a land that is so serene and tranquil. From breathtaking views to offering a glimpse of mythology, Ella is considered a lonely planet that has countless waterfalls, hills, unending stretch of greenery and the place to forget everything else and just immerse yourself in nature. With tourism flourishing in Ella, most people head to the city for the best of nature and to see a very, very different face of Sri Lanka.

Attractions: Ravana Falls, Nine Arches Bridge, Dhowa Rock Temple, Ella Rock, Ravana Cave, Little Adam’s Peak, Porawagala

Activities: Trekking, hiking, birds spotting, spelunking, tea estate tours, mountain climbing, cycling

Shopping: T-Sips, Chaplon Tea Shop, VIBE Store, R.M.S Antiques and Brassware, Kandy City Center

Food: Café C Ella, Matey Hut, N2 Restaurant, Ak Ristoro, Art Café Umbrella, Grand 39, Adam’s Breeze, Café Guru, Jade Green, Ellement Hiking Bar

Nightlife: Café One Love, Ella View Restaurant and Bar, Café Guru, Hotel Laura, Ellement Hiking Bar

How to Reach: Being very close to India, Sri Lanka is well connected to major Indian cities by air and sea. Transportation within Sri Lanka is very convenient and you can find different types of commute like trains, buses and cabs to head from one city to another. However, all your journeys in Sri Lanka begin from Colombo, which is the gateway to all locations for tourism in Sri Lanka.

From India, you can either take a flight from a major south Indian city, which is perhaps the best way to reach Sri Lanka, or take a ferry or a cruise ship for a more exotic travel experience. There are several airliners that ply from Indian cities to Colombo on a daily basis and ships operating from prime port-hubs in south India. Depending on your budget, the time of your visit and your experience requirements, you can choose to reach Sri Lanka by one of the modes of commute

For those of you looking for that ideal beach spot to unwind and soak in some fresh sunshine and sand, all you have to do is head to Bentota. On the southwest region of Sri Lanka, Bentota is a resort island that gradually opens into a sandy stretch of beach known as the Paradise Island. The place is known for its lagoon, dive sites that offer the best views of coral reefs, century old Buddhist temples, gardens and long stretches of coconut trees. This is the place you loosen up, lay back and let laziness take over you. This is also the place for some water sports.

Attractions: Ventura beach, Lunuganga Garden, Kande Viharaya Temple, Diyakawa Water Sports Center, Brief Garden, and Barberyn Island.

Activities: Birds spotting, hiking, beach hopping, diving, cycling, parasailing, snorkeling, surfing, whale spotting, dolphin spotting and more

Shopping: LUV SL, Gemtrust, Themira Stores, Sunflower Arts and Crafts, Samadhi Souvneir Store, Bentota Bazaar, The Gift Bentota

Food: Malli’s Seafood Restaurant, Golden Grill Restaurant, Amal Restaurant, Randholee, Trax Garden Restaurant, Hotel Wunderbar, Ocean View Restaurant, and Aida Seafood Restaurant and Bar

Nightlife: Amal Shisha Bar, The Loft, Pier88 River Bar, The Kingsbury, In…on the Green, The Golden Grill Restaurant

Located at an altitude of over 1,800 meters, this scenic location in Sri Lanka is like a chateau in France but for tea! The name literally translates to the city of light and was discovered by British personnel who were on their way to hunt elephants. On the country’s central highlands, Nuwara Eliya is one of the world’s largest tea producing regions and home to the country’s tallest mountain – Pidurutalagala. You can find hotels and restaurants with a British décor and give you the feel of the colonial times. From bird spotting and hiking to golfing and connecting spiritually, Nuwara Eliya is also known as the Little England.

Attractions: Adam’s Peak, Hakgala Botanical Garden, Seetha Amman Temple, Devon Falls, Pidurutalagala, Galway’s Land National Park, Mackwoods Museum and more

Activities: Trekking, hiking, visiting tea plantations, birds spotting, culture studies and more

Shopping: Mayura Trade Centre, Queen Elizabeth Plaza, Orchid Plaza Textiles and Garments, Adma Agro Strawberry Farm Shop and more

Food: Grand Indian, Queenswood Restaurant, Salmiya Italian Restaurant, De Silva Food Center and the Magnolia.

Nightlife: The Pub, Lake View Pub, Alpine Hotel, Windsor Bar, Araliya Green Hills Hotel

The most famous Sri Lankan destination and the city tourists and travelers witness first on their arrival, Colombo is the capital for a reason. Ruled by the Portuguese, French and the British, Colombo reflects cultural and historic heritage in its architecture, administration, planning and even food. Colombo is a blend of both modern day urban life and natural wonders, where you will find attractions like museums, fine-dine restaurants, Buddhist temples and Beira Lake, the Galle Face Green and more in perfect harmony. From spots to picnic to getting to understand the country better, Colombo is the place where it all starts.

Attractions: Colombo is home to a range of tourist attractions that will keep you engaged throughout your stay here. When in Colombo, don’t forget to visit the Gangaramaya Buddhist temple, Galle Face Green, Independence Square, Viharamahadevi Park, Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara, Mount Lavinia Beach, Colombo National Museum and Colombo Fort.

Activities: Besides, Colombo is also home to fun-filled activities. You can indulge in activities like golfing, picnicking, bird spotting, watching a live cricket match, kite flying and getting pampered with a massage.

Food: Sumptuous delicacies are everywhere. Eat to your heart’s content at the Lagoon, Ministry of Crab, Upali’s by Nawaloka, the Mango Tree, Semondu, and Hotel De Pilawoos.

Shopping: The shopping district in Colombo is concentrated in the House of Fashions, Majestic City, Barefoot, Lakpahana Handcraft, Liberty Plaza and Good Market.

Nightlife: For the best parties in Colombo, head to On 14 Roof Top Bar and Lounge, Sky Lounge, Sopranos, the Kingsbury, Bally’s Casino, Floor by O! and the Re.Pub.Lk.

What appears to be a land straight out of mythology or fantasy fictions is called Kandy. Considered one of the most serene and idyllic locations in Sri Lanka, Kandy arrives as Sri Lanka’s second largest city and home to all the marvels of nature. Be it the Bogambara Lake that is set in the heart of the city, the iconic tooth relic of the Buddha that reflects Buddhist culture in all its majesty or the botanical gardens which house diverse flora, some of which are over a century old, the city set on a plateau is truly magnificence personified.

Attractions: The range of attractions you can find in Kandy include Temple of the Tooth, Dambulla Cave temples, Horton Plains National Park, Temple of the Tooth, Royal Botanical Gardens, Kandy Lake and more.

Activities: Tea and Herb tours, hiking, trekking, taking part in the Esala Perahara Procession and walking in the Udawattakele forest reserve.

Food: Balaji Dosai, the Empire Café, Foodlands Restaurant, Café Aroma Inn, Devon Food Court, Café Divine Street, License to Grill and more.

Shopping: Kandy City Center, Waruna Antiques, Selyn, Avenue Clothing Store, Arabian Collection, Earth Bound Creations and more

Nightlife: THE PUB, Slightly Chilled Lounge bar and restaurant, Royal Bar and Hotel, HQ Kandy, Old Trinitian’s Sports Club and Tavern 29 Rooftop Bar.

Why you should attend: This happens every April and marks the end of the year’s harvesting season. This is the time the sun is directly above the island and signifies new beginnings. This festival also has a scientific and astrological significance the locals follow and have faith on. The day is marked by sumptuous meals, music, dance, games and other festivities.

Who should attend

It is an experience you shouldn’t miss. New Year signifies one common thing – hope and good things and it is an interesting opportunity to see how different parts of the world welcome them. In Sri Lanka, it happens as grandly as possible. Check out in person if you are here.

Why you should attend this festival: This is more like a thanksgiving for the Tamils in Sri Lanka. Celebrated during mid-January, the festival is a way of showing gratitude to the sun god for the harvest. Thai is month in the Tamil Calendar and Pongal literally translate to overflow. This festival marks the onset of abundance and prosperity with all the harvest of the season and is a gathering of fun, good times and festivities.

Who should attend this event

For those of you looking for intricate details in cultures and traditions and want to know more about the origin of several practices, festivals like this will give you elaborate details. They also give insights on the evolution of culture across borders.

Why you should Attend this?

This festival marks the first entry of the Lord Buddha 25 centuries before. It also marks the initiation of Buddhism as a religion on this day. Poya refers to the day of fasting and this happens during every full moon night. The first full moon night during the month of Duruthu commemorates the festival. It is the time when businesses shut shops and followers engage in prayers and meditations.

Who should attend this event?

If you wanted to know more about Buddhism and its practices, this is the festival you should attend. Being historically significant, the festival will connect you spiritually.

If you believe some of the best things are kept secret from the world, you should visit the Dambulla cave temples. Tucked away from visibility, these temples inside the caves house some of the most beautiful paintings and scultptures of the Lord Buddha. Out of the documented 80, there are five caves open for tourists. Located at around 150 kilometers and 75 kilometers from Colombo and Kandy respectively, the cave temples are again UNESCO World Heritage Sites believed to be over 2,700 years old.

Known for: Murals, intricate paintings and sculptures of the Lord Buddha and his life. Spread over 23,000 square feet, the caves also house paintings on Lord Vishnu and Ganesha. It is also popular for offering the best of Sigiriya.

How to Reach: Located at around 20 kilometers from Sigiriya, you can hire a cab from Sigirya for a seamless ride. You can also take a bus from Sigiriya to Dambulla bus stand, from where a 15-minute walk can take you to the cave temple complex.

Approximate Cost: Rs. 700

Operating Hours: 7 :00 AM to 7:00 PM

Any Precautions: The tickets for the caves are available at the base of the hill. So make sure you grab one before you head for the climb because you might have to come all the way down if you don’t. Also carry water with you if you are not used to climbs. There are tons of monkeys there and it is best you let them be to themselves.

Type:Cave

Activities: Sri Lanka is not just a place full of history, heritage and spirituality. It also has its immense share of adventure, fun and frolic. Some of the best things to do in Sri Lanka revolve around the range of activities the country has to offer and you can be sure that your short stay in Sri Lanka can never fully cover the countless things you can possibly do. From surfing along the Arugam bay and visiting elephant orphanages to winning some cash in casinos, this place is for everyone.

For those of you who want to take some time off exploring the culture and heritage of the country and indulge in lively experiences, here are a few activities we recommend

One of the most dramatic and iconic locations you will ever stumble upon in Sri Lanka is Sigirya – which literally translates to lion rock in Sinhalese. Standing tall amidst lush green landscapes with mysterious caves and water bodies, the UNESCO World Heritage Site is the ruins of the kingdom of King Kashyapa, who ruled around AD 477. With the castle located on the upper rock, which is almost a vertical cliff, you can actually see the ruins when you make it to the top. On the slopes of the rock, you can find gardens, moats and walls that are covered with ancient paintings.

Known for: Being the ruins of a 1600-year-old kingdom that indigenously came up with sophisticated hydraulic systems, paintings and more. The lion’s foot at the entrance of the fortress gives the place its name. Also popular for housingwalls that were so smooth that the king used them as mirrors. The castles and all its remains still accessible.

How to Reach: Dambulla is the closest city located near Sigirya, at around 18 kilometers. You can reach Dambulla from your respective cities by buses or trains and then take tuk tuks, cabs or buses that will take you to Sigiriya. Buses will cost you around Rs. 100 approximately and tuk tuks can charge you Rs. 1000 approximately. Buses are frequent to Sigiriya, with one plying every 30 minutes.

Approximate Cost: Rs. 1000 per person

Operating Hours: 7:00 AM to 9:30 PM

Any Precautions: If you are planning to visit Sigiriya, you should buy your tickets from one of the Central Cultural Fund offices, located in Colombo and other important cities. The trek appears simple after climbing Adam’s Peak and should take you anywhere between 45 minutes to one hour to reach to the top. The stairs can induce vertigo and dizziness and go only if you are unaffected by heights and staircases. Since no cafes are available, stock yourself with enough snacks and water and carry a camera, sunglasses and a hat mandatorily. Your ticket allows you to enter the other World Heritage Sites located in proximity to Sigiriya.

Type: Historic Landmark

The most religiously significant place for Buddhists, the temple of the sacred tooth relic attracts tourists from around the world and monks and Buddhists from Thailand, China, Nepal and more. Located in Kandy, the temple houses one of the most important relics to have ever been conserved – the tooth of the Buddha! The world heritage site speaks an architectural language for itself and stands tall with its golden roof. The temple is highly guarded and is open for tourists and visitors. The tooth is conserved in an encasing that resembles a stupa, placed inside a series of similar diminishing encasements.

Apart from the tooth relic, the premises also houses several shrines, museums and temples tourists can visit. Though there are local guides who will charge you approximately Rs. 800 to take you around the place, there are free audio guides available in the counters you can use and get to understand the place better. It is locally called Sri Dalada Maligawa

Location: Sri Dalada Veediya, Kandy 20000, Sri Lanka

Known for: Housing the upper-canine tooth of the Lord Buddha and for being a heritage site. The temple was built during the 17th century.

How to reach: Located at a prime center, it will take you around 2 kilometers from the Kandy railway station to the temple. If you are reaching from Colombo, you can take buses (approximately 3 hours at Rs. 100 per person) or trains (at approximately Rs. 220 and faster) and reach the temple. Besides, you can also rent two-wheelers at approximately Rs. 1,000 per day and drive down through the scenic locations. Getting a taxi from Colombo is also a good option, where you can incur charges from anywhere between Rs. 2,500 and Rs. 3000 approximately. This can increase or decrease depending on seasons.

Approximate Cost: Rs. 1,500 for adults and free for kids

Operating hours: The temple is open for tourists from 5: 30 AM to 8:00 PM. Pujas happen at three different timings – 5:30 AM to 6:45 AM, 9:30 AM to 11:45 AM, and 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM.

Any Precautions: Dress yourself conservatively and wear outfits that cover your shoulders and legs. Also remember to remove your footwear before you enter.

Type: Historic Site