Sri Lanka is the country that has it all: jungle-covered mountains, picture-perfect beaches, delicious food, warm people, and rolling tea plantations. Plus, it’s home to some of the most extraordinary wildlife in Asia! Cross the country by train, taking in the diversity of the landscapes, and fall in love with one of our favorite countries. Here are our recommendations for the best places to visit in Sri Lanka, including where to stay and how to travel.
1. Visit the Nine Arch Bridge in Ella
Nine Arch Bridge is one of the most iconic places to visit in the whole of Sri Lanka. This mammoth bridge is situated just outside the picturesque town of Ella, deep within the lush jungle, green tea plantations, and bamboo forest.
We were unsure how interesting a bridge could really be, but at a massive 25 meters high and 91 meters long, the bridge is an example of incredible architecture and engineering. It has stood without steel support for over 100 years!
Read: Nine-Arch Bridge in Ella
Nothing quite beats walking through the jungle and seeing the beautiful stone arches of the bridge appear through the mist. Hang around, and you might be lucky enough to see the famous train crossing the tracks on its way to Ella.
Tip: Time your visit for sunrise! Afterwards, treat yourself to a coffee with a direct view of the bridge at Asanka Cafe (here is the location).
2. Hike to the Top of Diyaluma Falls
Experience natureโs very own playground at Diyaluma waterfall! Itโs the 2nd-highest waterfall in the country and was one of my favorite places to visit in Sri Lanka.
This incredible slice of nature is located around 40 km from Ella, so itโs a great day trip on your vacation. Ask your tuk-tuk driver to take you to the bottom of the trail. From here, you can follow the path for around 2 hours from the waterfall’s base to the top. Here’s the complete route.
Once you reach the summit, you’ll see the three natural infinity pools perched on the edge of the cliff. Swim in the pools, chill on the rocks, and enjoy the extraordinary views as you gaze 220 meters below. You’ll feel as if youโre on top of the world!
Tip: Please note that there are no safety barriers at the falls, so exercise caution when swimming near the cliff edge.
3. Southern Beaches: Swings & Palm Trees
My absolute favorite thing about Sri Lanka is the endless palm tree swings. With just a coconut in hand and the sea breeze in your hair, the Sri Lankan southern beaches are the place to go to relax.
Several beaches feature Instagram-famous swings, popular among travelers seeking to live out their beach vacation dreams. These are some of our top choices:
Dalawella Beach Swing
One that is particularly famous is the swing at Dalawella Beach in Unawatuna. It sits high up in the curve of a bending palm tree right in front of Dream Cabana, and itโs one of the best places to visit in Sri Lanka! Here is the exact location.
Seeing the swing at sunset is spectacular as you swing through the sky, watching the colors of the sun change.
When we visited, the swing was free of charge. However, we heard that these days, youโll likely have to pay a small fee (500 LKR/1.60 USD) to use the swing. This is well worth it in our opinion, especially as the owner will need to maintain and upkeep the area. Be sure to also stop for a chat with the locals in the nearby huts and bars, and enjoy the vibes of this beautiful spot.
Dikwella Beach Swing
If youโre not planning on heading to Dalawella Beach, youโll find a second palm tree swing located in Dikwella, which is also on the south coast of Sri Lanka. Unlike Dalawella, this is a seated swing, so itโs a bit easier to sit on. We found a lot fewer tourists here, which meant more time to enjoy the experience!
This beautiful palm tree stands out from its roots almost horizontally, providing a fantastic backdrop for your sunset photos. You can find it outside the Dikwella Beach Hotel (see the location here).
4. Places to Visit in Sri Lanka: One of the National Parks
Sri Lanka is home to some of the most impressive wildlife and marine life we’ve encountered on our travels. We’ve been lucky enough to spot elephants, sloth bears, blue whales, dolphins, and even the elusive leopard! These animals roam freely in the wild, with many living within the 26 national parks scattered throughout the country. In fact, itโs one of the best places for a safari in the world (outside of Africa)!
One of our most memorable experiences was seeing the famous elephant gathering in Minneriya during September, when thousands of elephants come to the lake to drink. You can book a jeep tour to see this here.
Each national park has its unique characteristics. For example, some are renowned for their vast herds of elephants, while others are recognized for their diverse array of monkey species. Whatever you choose, there is no better experience than jumping in a jeep and riding through the long grasses and bushland of Sri Lanka. It’s an incredible opportunity to see these majestic animals in their natural habitat and one that you’ll remember forever.
5. The Red Mosque, Colombo
The Red Mosque in Colombo is one of the most spectacular buildings youโll find on your trip! The stunning candy-like red and white striped mosque is named ‘Jami Ul-Alfar’ and is located in the bustling Pettah district (one of the oldest parts of Colombo). The building, from the outside, is phenomenal, with its tall minarets towering over the city and its faรงade adorned with intricate red and white patterns that move in every possible direction.ย
The interior is equally as beautiful, and tourists can enter and explore. However, please note that this is a place of worship, and as a sign of respect, you will need to cover your hair, arms, and legs.
The Mosque is free to enter, but we recommend incorporating it with other sights on this fun tuk-tuk tour of the city.
6. Tea Plantations at Nuwara Eliya
Nuwara Eliya is one of the best places to visit in Sri Lanka, famous for its rolling green hills and breathtaking tea plantations. This area has a rich history and is renowned as one of the world’s most significant tea producers; itโs also where Lipton Tea originated.
The British brought tea here during colonial times when they discovered the cool climate and high altitude of Nuwara Eliya provided the perfect growing conditions. Tea production continues to live on in Sri Lanka, and the country is still one of the largest exporters of the plant today.
The area is home to many factories, plantations, and tea rooms. For around 7 USD, you can arrange a full-day trip to the tea plantations, tea factories, and viewpoints by tuk-tuk! Stop at several viewpoints along the way, overlooking the plantations, and drink freshly-brewed tea at the impressive tea factories.
Tip: You can arrange a tuk-tuk in town or book a tour online in advance. We also stopped off at the incredible Ramboda Waterfall nearby; ask your driver to add this to your itinerary.
7. Galle Fort – A Must-Visit in Sri Lanka
Galle Fort is an ancient town on Sri Lanka’s southwestern coast, bursting with culture, history, and architectural gems. The fortโs story began in the 1500s when the Portuguese arrived (although the town was an important trading center for hundreds of years before that). However, in the 18th century, the Dutch captured Galle Fort and rebuilt it as their headquarters.
These buildings are of such cultural significance that UNESCO has designated Galle Fort a World Heritage Site, promoting the continued preservation of the area. The turbulent history of invasions and colonization undoubtedly explains the distinctly European feel in this tropical paradise.
Nowadays, visitors can enjoy visiting the ancient fort and wandering through the charming streets, full of beautiful Dutch-style buildings transformed into trendy shops, cafes, and restaurants.ย This was my favorite activity in Galle!
Tip: Make sure to head down to Galle fort wall at sunset for fantastic views. I also really loved the views from Flag Rock Bastion, where youโll see adrenaline seekers jumping from the cliffs.
8. Sigiriya Lion Rock
Sigiriya Lion Rock is known as one of the most remarkable natural phenomena globally and is one of the top places to visit in Sri Lanka! The enormous (200m) square-shaped rock emerges from the ground in the middle of a flat, dense landscape. The sheer size of the stone is totally jaw-dropping, almost looking as if it has appeared by magic.
Did you know? Lion Rock is one of the eight UNESCO World Heritage sites in Sri Lanka.
Most interesting is that this rock was designed as a fortress by King Kashyapa as far back as 477 AD! He believed this was the most strategic place because of its panoramic views of the land below. The gardens he designed on top of the rock are still visible today, as are murals and rock paintings. It took us around 2-3 hours to explore the entire area around and on top of Sigiriya Lion Rock.
I recommend climbing Lion Rock as early as possible to avoid the heat and enjoy the epic sunrise from this elevated position. Once you’re at the top, it’s well worth the early start!
9. Pidurangula Rock
Pidurangula Rock is Lion Rockโs little sibling. Although it may be smaller, I found the views to be even better than those of Sigiriya Lion Rock. This is because there are fewer tourists and crowds, and you also look directly onto Lion Rock itself, which gives you more time to admire the impressive formation. This hike is undoubtedly for adventurers; leave before sunrise with your torch and climb up steep boulders before reaching the top.
Hiking up Pidurangala Rock is a magical experience that you must add to your list of places to visit in Sri Lanka! It also has a cheaper entrance fee than Lion Rock, so if you’re traveling on a budget, this is the one to choose.
10. Kandy Botanical Gardens
Kandy Royal Botanical Gardens are the perfect place to escape the city’s heat and experience the tropical beauty of nature. The gardens are enormous and are home to hundreds of species of plants, trees, and flowers. Itโs particularly famous for its massive collection of orchids, showcased in a wide variety of colors.
Tickets cost:ย 3,540 LKR (12 USD). We know this is a bit pricey, but we definitely found it worth the money, especially if you stay for a few hours like we did.
I loved walking among the plants, taking photos, and relaxing in the shade of the trees. It definitely felt cooler than the city! There’s also the option to sit down for a refreshing drink at one of the gardenโs cafes.ย
Read: Kandy, Sri Lanka
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Sri Lanka is nice place for visiting. Thanks for sharing such nice blog.