Ella has all the best of Sri Lanka rolled into one place: beautiful jungle mountains, rolling tea plantations, and epic waterfalls. Even the train ride to Ella was one of the most remarkable experiences on our Sri Lanka itinerary! We spent a few days enjoying the views from our hilltop guesthouse and exploring adventurous hiking trails. In this guide, we’re sharing all our top things to do in Ella, hotels, and where to eat.
Things to do in Ella, Sri Lanka
We arrived in Ella after a scenic route through Sri Lanka’s lush highlands with the iconic Kandy-Ella train ride (buy tickets here). Packed with great cafes and restaurants between the green, we spent most of our time out in nature.
1. Climb up Little Adam’s Peak
Little Adam’s Peak may be smaller than its bigger sibling (Adam’s Peak), but the hike was one of our favorites in Sri Lanka! The trail leads to the ridge that towers above the valley, passing through incredible greenery, local villages, tea plantations, and long grassfields.
Reaching the top felt like nothing else; we got to take in the sensational panoramic views and feel as if we’re on top of the world!
- Duration: From Ella Town, it took us 45 minutes to get to the foot of the mountain. Then approx. 15 minutes to the top (30 to reach the furthest of the 3 peaks). See the complete route here.
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate.
- Our tip: After the hike, visit 98 Acres Resort. We had a coffee and locally brewed tea here with incredible views. They also have beautiful rooms if you’d like to stay (book here).
2. Nine Arch Bridge, Ella
The Nine Arch Bridge is a must-see in Ella, world-famous for its beauty. It’s 25 meters high, 91 meters long, and lies just outside of town.
We paired it with Little Adam’s Peak, since they lie on the same route, by walking up and back. It took us 30 minutes to get there on foot.
Alternatively, this popular day tour visits the bridge and Little Adam’s Peak.
We walked through the beautiful bamboo forest before reaching the postcard-worthy scene. Wow – we were blown away by the beauty of the stone arches and loved waving at the people passing by on the historic blue train. This is definitely one of our favorite places in Sri Lanka!
Tip: We stopped for some refreshments at one of the hilltop cafes and waited here for the train to pass. Highly recommend! :)
3. Endless Tea Field Views at Lipton’s Seat
Lipton’s Seat in Haputale is the perfect morning or afternoon trip from Ella. We hopped on the train to Haputale (check the timetable beforehand) and took a tuk-tuk to the stunning viewpoint above Lipton tea plantation. Here is the exact location.
Lipton’s Seat is where Thomas Lipton (a famous tea producer) would sit and admire his beautiful tea fields. It’s where he planted the first seeds of Sri Lanka’s biggest export. We can see why he chose this spot; it overlooks endless green fields, all with neat rows of tea bushes and smiling, hard-working locals picking leaves.
Afterward, we arranged a tour of nearby tea factories to learn more about their history and production. We got to try the tea, too!
4. Diyaluma Falls
Diyaluma Falls is an incredible place to visit in Ella, and Sri Lanka’s second-highest waterfall. From the town, we drove an hour by motorbike to get here, explored the base of the falls, and then did this hike to the top’s natural infinity pools.
Tip: The starting point of the hike we did lies 30-minutes away from the base. From there, it took us about 30 minutes to get to the pools. You can also hike up from the base; however, it takes much longer. Read more here.
Many people told us about this spot, but nothing prepared us for how beautiful it is to swim in these pools! Although I (Hannah) am a little afraid of heights, I still dared to look down 220 meters below (something I’ll never forget).
We also found this custom tour of Ella’s top sights that looks a lot of fun!
5. Join a Cooking Class at Ella Spice Garden
Sri Lankan cuisine is among our favorites. With dishes like Curry & Rice, it’s an explosion of flavor packed with veggies, which is perfect for pescatarians like us!
Whenever we’re in Sri Lanka, we try to do a cooking class and learn from the locals, so that we can use the recipes when we get back to the Netherlands. Besides, it’s a great way to meet new people!
Our recommendation: Learn about the local ingredients by joining a cooking class at Ella Spice Garden. Make sure to book in advance because this class fills quickly! Alternatively, this looks like a popular cooking class in Ella, too.
6. Ravana Falls
Ravana Falls may be smaller than Diyaluma, but it’s still jaw-droppingly beautiful. With three tiers, water cascades into several rock pools, creating the perfect place to swim. We cooled off here on an afternoon, and it was pure bliss!
We swam in the pool at the first tier, and we don’t recommend going further than that. There are only small, muddy trail leading up the hillside from there (signs warn you of the dangers). Make sure to bring good footwear so you can get in and out of the pools easily.
7. Flying Ravana Zip Line
The Flying Ravana zip line is one of the coolest activites we’ve done in Ella. This extraordinary zip line is made for adrenaline seekers and adventurers: it runs over half a kilometer at 82 meters high, and boasts speeds of up to 80km. It felt like flying!
It was doable for us (even with a fear of heights). We actually loved zipping high over the treetops and looking down onto the valley below. It took us 10 minutes to get here from Ella, making it a great afternoon activity.
8. Hike to the top of Ella Rock
No matter where we were in Ella, the magnificent Ella Rock towers above town. We did the most popular hike (this one) up the green mountain, which is one of the more adventurous ones we’ve done in the area.
The trail passes along overgrown train tracks, through long grassy fields, and dense forest. From Ella, it took us about 2 hours to the summit. We went in the morning to beat the heat and brought layers (and snacks to not get ‘hangry’, haha). It will be cold at the start and much warmer as you descend. Also, make sure to download Google Maps offline!
We saw that on a custom tour of Ella’s top sights, you can add this to your itinerary!
9. Explore Ella Town
We love Ella town; it’s one of Sri Lanka’s most picturesque settings. Beyond the incredible natural scenery that draws travelers from around the world, it has a great atmosphere with good cafes and restaurants.
Although we’re not big nightlife people, we really liked the lively bars on the main street. Cafe Chill was one of our personal favorites, serving tasty cocktails, smoothies, international cuisine, and playing music into the early hours. Reserve a table here
On Wednesday, we visited the town’s small morning market. This is when Passara Road (Ella Super) is lined with stalls selling fresh vegetables, herbs, fruits, and even clothing.
Also read: best places to visit in Sri Lanka
10. Take the Train from Kandy to Ella
Perhaps one of the best things to do in Ella is to arrive in town. We took the iconic train ride from Kandy to Ella aboard an old-fashioned, colorful train with open doors. We’ve now done this trip a few times, and each time gets better than the last!
It passes through the jungle, rolling tea hills, and over breathtaking viaducts before reaching beautiful Ella.
At every station, local salesmen will hop on board selling a variety of delicious Sri Lankan snacks. So, make sure to bring some cash! We love the spicy Rotis and sambal wrapped in banana leaves or newspaper. Note: These snacks can be very (!) spicy—we’ve been surprised a few times, so enjoy with caution.
Read more about the Kandy to Ella train experience
Where to Stay in Ella, Sri Lanka
Ella is full of fantastic accommodations, from budget guesthouses to luxury resorts with swimming pools and beautiful views. We stayed in a hillside guesthouse just outside of town (at Royal Mount), which had easy access to all hiking trails.
Tip: Tuk-tuks are everywhere, and your guesthouse can arrange one to take you into town if you want to go out for dinner.
How to Visit Ella, Sri Lanka
We took the beautiful train ride from Kandy to get to Ella, Sri Lanka (get your tickets here). Alternatively:
- You can also take the train directly from Colombo (~8,5 hours). It’s a long journey, but it winds through the stunning highlands. Get your tickets here
Getting Around
Once we were in Ella, we could visit everything on foot. However, there are plenty of reasonably priced tuk-tuks around town to take you to the must-sees.
Tip: You can also book a private driver for the entire trip, at 40-50 USD per day. We’ve done this with our friend Indi, and it’s a great way to learn more about the country!
Best Cafes & Restaurants in Ella
Ella is a must-visit destination and one of the more popular places in Sri Lanka. Therefore, there are plenty of different restaurants and trendy, local cafes in town. We really loved:
- Cafe Chill
- The Clay Pot Ella
- Jade Green Tea Center & Restaurant
- Cafe Eden
- Matey Hut
- AK Ristoro
There’s plenty of traditional food to try, but if you’ve been on the backpacking trail for a while, there are also your Western favorites.
Best Time to Visit Ella
We think the weather is always good in Ella, Sri Lanka. However, the area’s lushness means it sees plenty of rain, too (though it never lasts long!).
- Dry season: January-May
- Wet season: September-December
We visited in March. And despite it being a busier time and the waterfalls being less powerful, we found it the best time to hike and take the Kandy to Ella train.
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Any idea where to stay
Hi Manel, we have an whole paragraph dedicated to it here: https://www.saltinourhair.com/sri-lanka/ella-sri-lanka/