Picture credit: Bernd Thaller
On a map, Sri Lanka resembles a small drop in the vast Indian Ocean. But once you reach the landscape of the country, its size on the map seems surreal to its infinite, far-stretching hills, rivers, beaches and places to visit in Sri Lanka. That’s when you know that great things come in small pearl-shaped packages. Sri Lanka is a paradox. It’s urban and wild, modern and traditional, adventurous yet serene. No one things stand to be the ultimate truth here and yet nothing seems false either. Which is why most people leave in awe of the genuineness of its beauty. Sri Lanka doesn’t try too hard to entice the traveller; instead it quietly invites him to its unexplored charms.
Getting Around
The easiest (and scenic) way to travel around the country is to hop on its trains. You can take the local railways or opt for more comfortable options like Rajdhani Express and Expo Rail. Buses also ply regularly around the country. You can ask at Pettah Central Bus Depot in Colombo for buses to Nuwara Eliya and Kandy. Within Kandy and Colombo, tuktuks or trishaws are a fun option to cover small distances. If you want to skip the hassle of finding transport, renting a car may seem viable to cover all the places to visit in Sri Lanka. Rentals start from $60/day.
Places to visit in Sri Lanka: Colombo (Day 1 & 2)
Picture credit: Kesara Rathnayake
The charming capital is brimming with city lights. Situated on the shore, Colombo’s beaches are its greatest asset. One of the most happening cities in Sri Lanka, Colombo’s local art scene, nightlife, food culture and sights stand uncontested. It’s in one way your party destination and in one way the place where you can wake up to a calming sunset by the beach. One can never get enough of Colombo in a Sri Lanka Itinerary.
Things to do in Colombo
1) Know the Roots of the Country at the National Museum
From a stone Buddha to the Royal Throne, the museum brings together a mix of the cultural and religious past. The best place to visit in Sri Lanka to start your Sri Lankan adventure.
Picture credit: Uditha Umesh
2) Get to the Art of the City
Colombo’s vibrant art scene of Sri Lanka Tourism is any traveller’s delight. Whether it is the avant-garde style of local artists at Barefoot Galley or the more quirky and innovative canvases of Red Dot Gallery, or the ultimate collection of past and present at the National Gallery, you will surely return inspired.
Picture credit: Indi Samarajiva
3) Meet the Olive Ridley Turtle at the Kosgoda Sea Turtle Conservation Project
Almost 1.5 hours away from Colombo, stop at Kosgoda on your way to Hikkaduwa the turtle hatching farm to spend a day with the endangered species.
Picture credit: Amila Tennakoon
4) Taste the Blue Waters of Hikkaduwa
Go scuba diving, snorkeling or surfing in the ocean and enjoy a good tan on the beach afterwards.
Picture credit: Will Master
Best Rated Places to Stay in Colombo
1) Cinnamon Red Colombo: Rs. 6000
2) Opulent River Face Hotel: Rs. 3500
3) The Oceanside: Rs. 2500
Best Rated Places to Eat in Colombo
1) Ministry of Crab: Ranked in Asia’s 50 best restaurants and situated in one of the oldest heritage structures of the country, this restaurant is a mandate for any seafood lover. Try its classics, the chill crab and the baked crab. Prior reservation is recommended.
2) Paradise Road Gallery Café: Within a rustic setting, a diverse fare of local delicacies is served. A great place to relax in the evening or catch up for brunch.
3) Cloud9 Rooftop Lounge: Enjoy a lovely barbeque dinner with an even more exhilarating view.
Places to visit in Sri Lanka: Nuwara Eliya (Day 3 & 4)
Picture credit: Pavel Dobrovsky
The misty hills of Nuwara Eliya covered in tea plantations was once a favourite destination of the British colonizers, who escaped to its cool shadows in the harsh summer. The small country houses, left behind by the British pop up in its green landscape, giving it a parallel identity of “Little England,” as it is popularly called. Nuwara Eliya is where the natural beauty of Sri Lanka Tourism is highlighted and celebrated.
Things to do in Nuwara Eliya
1) Hike to Adam’s Peak
An adventure uphill with gorgeous views on the way and a “sacred footprint” at the summit.
Picture credit: Michael Theis
2) Take a Tea Trail
Walk around the mesmerizing tea plantations and smell some freshly plucked tea leaves. Pedro Tea Estate or Bluefields Tea Estate should suffice.
Picture credit: Charles Pieters
3) Go to the World’s End at Horton Plains National Park
Set out early morning to spot some rare birds and animals, and also walk to the World’s End, a cliff with a drop of 4,000 feet and a breath-taking view.
Picture credit: Danushka Senadheera
4) Spend a day at Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
Meet young Asian elephants bathing in the river at one of the most popular elephant breeding sites in the country.
Picture credit: Amila Tennakoon
Best Rated Places to Stay in Nuwara Eliya
1) Heaven Seven Hotel Nuwara Eliya: Rs. 5500
2) The Fern Cove: Rs. 4000
3) Heidi’s Home: Rs.3000
Best Rated Places to Eat in Nuwara Eliya
1) Grand Indian: A bit of a shift from the local cuisine to the spices of North India. It is one of the local favourites.
2) Tea Factory Hotel Restaurant: With its archaic interior of an old tea factory and a good view, it’s a nice place to get some lunch or sip some brews.
3) Q Restaurant: Local cuisine served in a quiet setting. If you want a break from all the Sri Lankan food, though order some amazing Pizzas.
Places to visit in Sri Lanka: Kandy (Day 5 & 6)
Picture credit: Maximilian Imran Faleel
A former capital of the Sinhalese Kingdom, Kandy is a treasure trove of culture, history and art. It’s foggy landscape centers around an enchanting lake, a palace that stands true to the richness of the country’s pre-colonial past and the a scared city; all give it the charm of the land far, far away where the once upon a time of your travel tales will be written. The experience, after all, is as sweet as the name suggests. A must-visit among all the places to visit in Sri Lanka.
Things to do in Kandy
1) Be enchanted at the Royal Palace
This vast enclosure once housed the Royal family and is constituted by a number of significant structures, mainly the Temple of the Tooth, and the King and Queen’s Palace.
Picture credit: Arian Zwegers
2) Enjoy the View at the Kandy Lake
A blue gem amongst the green landscape, the lake is right at the center and can’t be missed. Plus, just look at that view.
Picture credit: David Haberthür
3) Tea Trail at the Ceylon Tea Museum
Located in an old, abandoned tea factory, this museum resurrected by the Sri Lanka tea board tells you all there is to know about the popular Ceylon Tea.
Picture credit: Rahim Packir Saibo
4) Spiritual Encounter at the Dambulla Cave Temple
A World Historic Site and a must on the places to visit in Sri Lanka, the Dambulla Cave Temple has been a pilgrimage site for centuries. It is the largest cave site in the country with Buddhist mural paintings and 157 statues.
Picture credit: Dhammika Heenpella
Best Rated places to Stay in Kandy
1) OZO Kandy Hotel: Rs. 5500
2) Elegant Hotel: Rs. 4000
3) Hanthana House: Rs. 2500
Best Places to Eat in Kandy
1) Slightly Chilled Lounge Bar: A lake view, a pool table, some good music and a good fare of Chinese, Slightly Chilled exceeds expectations on all levels. There’s also of course the happy hour.
2) Theva Cuisine: Fine dining in Kandy with a calming view of the Hantana mountains, the restaurant provides experimental and Asian cuisine.
3) The Empire Café: The vintage setting of the café gives way to a modern fusion of dishes from European to Asian.
Have you been dreaming of an escape to the places to visit in Sri Lanka? Find the perfect hotel and plan the perfect itinerary, unlike anywhere else. Tripoto is the world's largest community of travellers. Ask people who've been to Sri Lanka for tips and destinations.
All hotel prices are approximate and as updated on 13 February 2016.