Sri Lanka is a beautiful island country located just underneath India on the world map. If you are aware of Hindu mythology, you know all about the historical significance of Sri Lanka, which was said to be the home of Ravana, the antagonist of the Hindu text Ramayana. Today, Sri Lanka is a beautiful country that has an exceptionally incredible tourism program.
Filled with immensely beautiful scenic locations that are hard to come by in other parts of the world, Sri Lanka is a fantastic amalgamation of coastal beaches and lush forestry and hills. When you are visiting Sri Lanka, you need to learn about the various places to visit in Sri Lanka and to aid your travels; this guide will help you learn about the 15 best Sri Lanka places to visit.
Before you get deep into the amazing paradise that is Sri Lanka and check out the amazing tourist places it has to offer. Let’s review how you can reach Sri Lanka first.
By Air: As a small country, Sri Lanka only has one airport located at the capital of the country, Colombo, called the Bandaranaike International Airport. This international airport is well-connected to major countries around the world. It is also connected to all the major tourist spots in Sri Lanka by public transport, such as cabs, buses, and auto. If you find it difficult to get a flight directly to Sri Lanka, you can easily get flights to India and get easy transportation to Sri Lanka by flight or by waterway, which brings us to the next mode of transport to Sri Lanka.
By Water: Sri Lanka is close to India, from where you can get the regular ferry and other cruise ships to reach Sri Lanka. There are several ports across Sri Lanka that you can reach by ship. So, make sure you understand the map, various ports, and where you want to reach in Sri Lanka before you set sail.
Top 15 Sri Lanka tourist places
Sigiriya
Source: Pinterest
Also known as the Lion Rock, the Sigiriya is the most popular tourist place in Sri Lanka. This major ancient cultural landmark is one of the oldest surviving examples of urban planning in the ancient world. This incredibly intricate example of the ancient world is acknowledged and recognised as a UNESCO world heritage site. So, when you are visiting Sri Lanka, this has to be the first tourist place that you should visit. This spot has incredible cultural and historical significance to Sri Lanka and its people.
How to reach:
Flying directly there from Colombo is the quickest method to reach Sigiriya. Cinnamon Air, one of Sri Lanka’s well-known airlines, flies daily between Katunayake, the airport’s domestic terminal, and the Sigiriya airstrip. The journey there will barely take 30 minutes.
Mirissa
Source: Pinterest
When you are visiting an island country, one of the key attractions that you will find are incredible beaches. Mirissa is precisely the perfect beach that can help you enjoy your Sri Lanka trip. Located in the south of the country, Mirissa used to be somewhat hidden from tourists because of its location, but now it is one of the most popular tourist spots in the country. Mirissa is well-known for its scenic beauty and also for whale sightings and surfing. There are no fewer activities here, so make sure you put it on your must-visit list for tourist places in Sri Lanka.
Ella
Source: Pinterest
In addition to the tropical beaches, Sri Lanka also features a beautiful hill station in Ella. Placed between the lush greenery of tea plantations, this hill station is just over 1000 metres above sea level. One of the most attractive aspects of your trip to Ella is your ability to experience the true natural beauty of Sri Lanka up close and personal, including the rich wildlife that this island country features. You will also be able to visit the very popular nine-arch bridge at Ella, which is a beautiful spot for sightseeing.
How to reach:
Train travel is one of the best methods to get to Ella, and the trip from Kandy to Ella is regarded as one of the most picturesque in the entire world. The best route would be Colombo-Badulla because most train services do not follow the Kandy-Ella route, even if you can take a train from Colombo to Ella.
Kandy
Source: Pinterest
Kandy is a beautiful and significant city in Sri Lanka that features equal parts urbanisation, and development, alongside nature. This city features biodiverse rainforests, which are heavily populated by a wide variety of flora and fauna that is unique to Sri Lanka. You can also find many tea plantations in Kandy. The location of Kandy gives it a very soothing climate, which is ideal for tourists, so make sure you stay in Kandy for a day or two on your trip to Sri Lanka.
How to reach:
There is no direct route that connects Kandi and Colombo. You can, however, take a taxi to the Colombo airport, catch a flight to Niamey, and then drive to Kandi. As an alternative, you can take a taxi to the airport in Colombo, fly to Sokoto, and then drive to Kandi.
Sri Dalada Maligawa
Source: Pinterest
Known as the temple of the tooth relic, Sri Dalada Maligawa is one of the most popular Buddhist religious spots in the whole world. This temple is quite old and has been maintained for hundreds of years due to the very important relic it stores. It is said that a tooth of Buddha is stored in this temple, which, as you can imagine, is incredibly holy for Buddhists around the world. This temple is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Sri Lanka that is frequented by thousands of tourists year-round.
Galle
Source: Pinterest
One of the most prominent examples of the colonial history of Sri Lanka, Galle, is a live museum of the Dutch colonial rule in Sri Lanka. This city is filled with Dutch-style colonial buildings, ancient religious structures of various religions, and excellent beaches. The city is also acknowledged as a UNESCO World Heritage Site; you can visit Galle and enjoy your time at the beach alongside the ancient and scenic lighthouse, which is one of the main attractions of Galle.
How to reach:
Taking a flight out of Katunayake is the quickest way to travel from Colombo to Galle. The road trip is 155 miles, covering a distance of 132 kilometres from the airport to Galle.
Colombo
Source: Pinterest
The capital of Sri Lanka, Colombo, is the most important city in the country economically, culturally, and socially. The beauty of this city lies in its perfect amalgamation of ancient culture along with modern city planning and urbanisation. Colombo has a history of over 2,000 years, and it has since existed and been one of the key business centres in South East Asia.
Colombo also features the history of its colonialists, such as the British, Dutch, and Portuguese, who spread throughout the city. It’s an incredible location that you must visit when you come to Sri Lanka.
Yala National Park
Source: Pinterest
The Yala National Park is the largest wildlife conservation reserve in the country. Spread across an area of over 900 kms, the Yala National Park features jungles that are completely untouched by human activity.
Yala is the most popular national park in Sri Lanka, and it is visited by thousands of tourists throughout the year. Located in southeast Sri Lanka, some of the animals you can spot at the Yala National Park are elephants, cheetahs, leopards, and various types of birds. If you are into adventures, you must visit the Yala National Park, and you might easily get the chance to spot wildlife up close and personal.
How to reach:
On the outskirts of Colombo City, Sri Lanka’s international airport, Katunayake’s Bandaranaike International Airport, serves much of India, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Europe, and the Middle East.
The quickest way to get to Yala National Park after arriving in Sri Lanka is by air. You can take a 45-minute flight to Hambantota – Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport and then drive from there to Yala National Park.
Arugam Bay
Source: Pinterest
The Indian Ocean is considered the gold standard for surfing, and when you are visiting an island country at the heart of the Indian Ocean, you need to learn about the best surfing spots. That’s where Arugam bay presents itself.
Known as a surfer’s paradise, this exceptionally famous tourist spot in Sri Lanka is filled with various surfing spots for surfers of all skill levels. If you are into surfing, this is probably the best spot for you to visit in Sri Lanka. Even if you are not yet into surfing, you can give it a try, and this is the best place for you to try surfing in Sri Lanka, so either way, it’s a win-win for everyone.
Unawatuna
Source: Pinterest
If you want to visit a quaint town that is far away from the hubbub of cities and just enjoy your days close to beautiful beaches close to nature, you should visit Unawatuna. This city is located in the southern end of the country and is popular for its great food, vibrant culture, and beautiful beaches.
You can spend your days leisurely at the beaches, enjoy the local food and culture, and just take a break from the fast-paced lifestyle at Unawatuna. This is still one of the offbeat locations in Sri Lanka that you can visit for a quiet vacation.
Bentota
Source: Pinterest
What are some of the ideal characteristics of the perfect beach town? Blond beaches, clean and blue ocean, luxurious and comfortable accommodation, and lush greenery, right? You can find each and every one of those requirements fulfilled at Bentota. Located close to the capital of Sri Lanka, this small resort town is the ideal spot for relaxation and weekend getaways in Sri Lanka. The incredible resorts around this town are great, and you can find accommodation that suits your budget if you book in advance.
How to reach:
The Bandaranaike International Airport, which is located north of Colombo, is the closest international airport to Bentota. There are frequent flights to and from the nation from the airport, which is connected to a number of the world’s major cities. From the airport, taxi and bus services connect to Sri Lanka’s major cities. From the airport, visitors can either fly directly to Bentota or to Colombo, where they can utilise the railway services as well.
Adam’s Peak
Source: Pinterest
Adam’s Peak in Sri Lanka is one of the most fascinating tourist spots in the entire country. This mountain which is over 7,300 metres tall, is one of the most frequently visited locations in the country.
This mountain has incredible religious value for followers of every major religion. Every year thousands of religious followers of every country visit this divine peak. To fully understand the popularity of Adam’s peak, you have to visit it and learn its history and significance from the locals.
Udawalawe National Park
Source: Pinterest
The story of the Udawalawe national park is an interesting one. It was established in 1972 when a reservoir named Udawalwe was being built over the Walawe river in Sri Lanka. The animals that would be displaced by this reservoir were brought and conserved at this national park.
Today, you can visit the various parts of this park and take part in safaris and experience the wildlife in front of you. Some of the animals you can spot include elephants and different types of birds.
Hikkaduwa
Source: Pinterest
Did you think that you need to visit Australia to see corals? Notably, you can find fantastic coral reefs at Hikkaduwa, known as the Hikkaduwa coral reef. Known for its vibrant nightlife and incredible beaches, Hikkaduwa is a premier tourist location in Sri Lanka that features all the best aspects of the country in a singular location. You can go scuba diving here to see the coral reef during the day and party your heart out at the various nightclubs in this town.
How to reach:
Koggala Airport, located around 29 kilometres from Hikkaduwa, is the closest airport. There are, however, more effective ways to go to Hikkaduwa. Taking a taxi from the Bandaranaike International Airport is a convenient but pricey method that would take approximately 1.5 hours..
Polonnaruwa
Source: Pinterest
Polonnaruwa is an ancient town of Sri Lanka that was built during the 10th century by the Chola kingdom of south India. This town is rich in ancient history that showcases the various structures of previous generations. Located in north Sri Lanka, this city is well-known among tourists as a live museum and a look into the past. If you are into history, this is one of the best tourist spots you can visit in Sri Lanka.
FAQs
What’s the best time to visit Sri Lanka?
The winter months between December to April are some of the best months to visit Sri Lanka. Due to its location as an island country, the weather in Sri Lanka during the winter months is very tropical and cosy, which can be a great break from the cold weather you will experience in most parts of the Northern Hemisphere during winters.
Are Sri Lanka trips affordable?
Yes, trips to Sri Lanka can be affordable when you plan them best. However, even if you are booking tour packages, a trip to Sri Lanka is quite affordable.
What’s the ideal trip length for covering Sri Lanka?
As a country, Sri Lanka would take an extensive 7-10 vacation to cover fully. However, if you want to chill and move around the country, a vacation of 14 days would help you truly experience the best of Sri Lanka at a tranquil pace.
| Got any questions or point of view on our article? We would love to hear from you. Write to our Editor-in-Chief Jhumur Ghosh at jhumur.ghosh1@housing.com |
Nisha A Rawat, diligently tracks the residential real estate trends and offers valuable insights in her articles. She’s skilled at making real estate terminology easy to understand, ensuring accessibility for all. Nisha’s articles are well-researched and analytical.
