We came close to booking a trip to Sri Lanka a couple of years ago. For various reasons it didn’t happen. However, it has been on our travel bucket list for many years. It’s a place I really want to take the children to visit, before they get too old. So, during this time of travel lockdown I thought it would be a great destination to armchair travel to. With that in mind I asked travelling blogger friends to suggest a single ‘must see’ place within Sri Lanka. They have already helped us build itineraries to Hawaii, Hong Kong, Cape Town and Bali. I sense that Sri Lanka will be particularly special. Let’s see …
Dambulla Cave Temple
Many itineraries combine climbing Sigiriya with a visit to the Dambulla Cave Temple in the same day. It says a lot about Sri Lanka that you can climb a 1500-year-old ancient rock fortress in the morning and still manage to be blown away by a cave temple complex in the afternoon.
Dambulla is a pristinely preserved cave temple, purposefully built into the rock of a cliff. You wouldn’t go away disappointed if all you saw was its immaculate and elaborate white-walled exterior. Venture through the walls however and you will be treated to five unique and fascinating caves. Each one has its own style and meaning.
Statues of Buddha, Hindu deities and Sri Lankan kings old adorn the caves and huge, detailed murals cover the walls, depicting moments of religious and historical significance. There is a sense of great importance to the whole site. Incense burns in the temple’s courtyard and Sri Lankans decorate the statues with garlands. It is a fascinating place and one not to be missed on any Sri Lanka trip.
Submitted by Dan, Hōrō Travel Memories
Whale Watching in Mirissa
One of the best places to visit in Sri Lanka is Mirissa, a fabulous destination for many a reason. The majority of those who travel to this part of the country enjoy the incredible beaches and waves that are perfect for surfing. Yet, it’s whale watching in Mirissa that should be your number one reason for visiting. An incredible experience for adults, a great adventure for children, this activity can be best enjoyed between March and April, but there are high chances of spotting whales also in other seasons – for example in November.
Ferries depart Mirissa harbor in search for whales every day at 7:00 am. The assumption is that there is no guarantee whales will be spotted, but the crew will do their best to find them and you can expect to be at sea for up to 7 hours.
The expert eyes of the crew will be the first ones to spot whales in the distance and they will warn passengers that whales can be seen, especially when the tail is up – that’s your chance for a great photo.
Whale watching in Mirissa is done in full respect of the animals, with boats keeping a distance from them. It is a costly activity coming at around $50 USD per person as a minimum. During the tour you get water and some snacks. Make sure to bring motion sickness pills as the sea conditions may be rough.
Submitted by Claudia, My Adventures Across The World
Yala National Park
Yala National Park, on the south east coast of Sri Lanka is a must-visit for any traveller to this paradise island. It’s one of the most popular national parks in Sri Lanka, and also one of the largest, spread across nearly 1000 sq km of forest, grassy plains and it even borders the Indian Ocean. Yala is home to one of the world’s largest concentrations of leopards, as well as a huge number of elephants, buffalo, crocodiles and monkeys. If you’re lucky, you may also see the elusive sloth bear too. There are also more than 200 types of birds here as well. We had more success on our sunrise drives, but I recommend doing both sunrise and sunset drives – but definitely avoid the heat of the day!
One of the best things about Yala is some of the amazing accommodation options in and around the park. We chose to treat ourselves to a magnificent stay at Chena Huts by Uga Escapes, a true once in a lifetime experience. But there are plenty more affordable options too, including camping and lodges where you might have further wildlife viewing opportunities.
Submitted by Claire, Stoked to Travel
Horton Plains National Park
Horton Plains National Park is a world-heritage listed park in Sri Lanka and a must-visit on every Sri Lanka Itinerary!
Horton Plains is located about 30 km away from Nuwara Eliya, a popular stop for tourists to break the long, but beautiful train ride between Ella and Kandy. The best way to experience the park is to go on a day trip early in the morning.
The best trail in the park is a 10 km loop that takes you to the World’s end viewpoint, the impressive Baker’s falls and back to the entry. Besides these two beautiful sights, hiking through the Horton Plains is also an experience in itself. It’s almost as if you’re hiking in New Zealand instead of Sri Lanka.
The clouds set in around 12 o’clock, which why you should aim to be at the world’s end viewpoint well before noon. A visit to Horton Plains National Park is suitable for all types of visitors, as the 10 km trail is well marked and there’s only a slight incline, so overall the hike is relatively easy.
A visit to the park will set you back about 15 USD, but the stunning surrounding make it a well worth investment!
Submitted by Lara, Both Feet On The Road
Southern beaches of Sri Lanka
There is always a good time to go to the beach when you visit Sri Lanka. With two monsoon seasons, you can be sure that one part of the island will be ready to receive beach lovers. The monsoon brings rain to the South-West of Sri Lanka between May and September, and to the North-East between December and February.
The southern beaches in Sri Lanka are the most popular with tourists, but you can still find an oasis of relaxation and untouched beaches. Some of the most visited beaches include Hikkaduwa, Mirissa, Tangalle or Bentota. Here you will find luxurious resorts and traditional Ayurveda retreats. If you are looking for a more low-key option, you can check out Rekawa or Narigama beaches.
If you plan visiting Trincomalee, in the North-East of the country, you should base yourself at one of the resorts on Nilaveni Beach. This off the beaten path beach is sandy, has warm water through which you can walk for a while until it becomes deep and, stunning views of the Pigeon Island, in front. Pigeon Island is a very popular snorkelling destination.
If you only have a couple of days left from your trip after you’ve explored the heritage of Sri Lanka, then you should consider the beach of Negombo as an oasis of relaxation before your flight home.
Submitted by Joanna, The World In My Pocket
Nuwara Eliya
Nuwara Eliya deserves a place on your Sri Lanka itinerary. This 19th-century colonial hill station was the favored cool-climate refuge for the British.
It still retains its British-countryside charm with its Tudor-style buildings, Victorian-style Post office, colonial bungalows, rose gardens, golf course, horse racing course, and red telephone boxes. It still is referred to as ‘Little England.’
At an altitude of 6,128 ft, Nuwara Eliya is the coolest region in Sri Lanka. It’s a real treat for nature lovers. The best places to explore in and around Nuwara Eliya are Victoria Park, Lake Gregory, Galway Sanctuary, Horton Plains, Moon Plains, waterfalls like St Clair’s and Devon, and of course one of the many tea factories in the town.
A guided tour of a tea factory takes you through the tea production units and lets you taste different types of tea they produce at the end of the tour. We recommend a visit to the Pedro Tea Estate.
The best way to reach Nuwara Eliya is the scenic train journey from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya through lush tea plantations with dramatic mist-laden mountain scenery. The train goes till Ella, another hill country on the island.
If you ask me, I’d suggest you enjoy the entire train ride from Kandy to Ella. Explore Ella, and then take the same train back. Get off at Nuwara Eliya to enjoy a day or two here. A complete package deal it is!
Nuwara Eliya is good to visit all year round except the monsoon months of June, July, and August. Whatever month you choose to visit, make sure you pack warm clothes. The Clovelly Bungalow and La Grand Villa are some of the best accommodation options in Nuwara Eliya.
Submitted by Anjali, Travel Melodies
Polonnaruwa
Sri Lanka is home to a wealth of historical sites. My favourite archaeological sites from our time on the island was definitely Polonnaruwa. Located in the northeast of the island, only a few hours from Dambulla or Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa was established as the second capital city of Sri Lanka by the Chola Dynasty in the 10th century.
I recommend hiring a bike from your accommodation. Take at least half a day to leisurely cycle through the entire complex, which has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Your first highlight will be the remains of the royal palace, including the audience hall with its impressive stairway. Not far away is the Sacred Quadrangle with its multiple temples, both Hindu and Buddhist. Don’t rush your time here but explore each unique building. Next you’ll pass several large dagabas (or stupas), before reaching Gal Vihara and its beautiful Buddhas carved into the rock, one sitting, standing and reclining.
The entire site is surrounded by verdant jungle, which must have once covered many of the buildings. On hot days stop and enjoy a fresh coconut at one of the roadside stalls.
Submitted by Shandos, Travelnuity
Little Adam’s Peak, Ella
No trip to Sri Lanka is complete without spending a few days in the exquisite hillside town of Ella. Think misty mornings as the sun starts to rise. Rolling tea plantations as far as the eye can see. Even a scenic bridge (or two), for that perfect Instagram shot.
As one of the stops on the painfully picturesque train journey to the bustling city of Kandy, Ella has become a magnet for travellers looking to explore its surrounds. From walking up to the viewpoint at Lipton Seat to see where Scottish tea baron, Thomas Lipton, used to survey his fields to making your way to the legendary Nine Arches Bridge, arguably one of the best photo spots in all of Sri Lanka. Ella has so much to offer.
One of the best things to do is definitely to beat the crowds and hike up to Little Adam’s Peak. Named after Sri Lanka’s larger Adam’s Peak (where religious legend says Adam first set foot on Earth), this viewpoint is just a stone’s throw from the luxurious 98 Acres Resort and Spa. Just thirty minutes of fairly easy walking will reward you with sweeping views across Ella. There’s also a small Buddhist shrine. It is best done at dawn as the sun starts to peep out from behind the hills.
Submitted by Lee, The Travel Scribes
Mihintale
Mihintale is said to be the place where Buddhism was first brought to Sri Lanka in the 4th century BC. Mahinda, a Buddhist monk, saw King Devanampiyatissa hunting a deer here and convinced him to let the deer run free. Buddhism and its teachings of compassion for all living beings are followed by the majority of Sri Lankans to this day. It’s therefore not surprising that Sri Lanka is such a great vegan travel destination.
Mihintale lies about 12 kilometers from Anuradhapura and can easily be accessed by bus or tuk-tuk. All of Mihintale’s main attractions are clustered on top of the rocky, granite outcrop where Mahinda and King Devanampiyatissa are said to have met. The first one you’ll come to is the enormous Maha Stupa or Great Stupa, which you’ll see on your left as you climb the hill. The location of the actual meeting is marked by a smaller stupa, which is surrounded by ancient pillars. If you’re up for more climbing, take the walkway up to Aradhana Gala, or the “Rock of Invitation”.
Submitted by Wendy, The Nomadic Vegan
Galle
Galle is a beautiful coastal town, located in the south of Sri Lanka. The city is a great family destination, with a good choice of accommodation, good food and beautiful beaches nearby. Thanks to its colonial architecture and rich cultural heritage, Galle is listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site.
The Old Town is the most interesting part of Galle, and also where I recommend booking the hotel. Top sights to visit in this area are the Galle’s Fort, built by the Dutch in the 17th century, and the colonial buildings inside the walls that host boutique hotels, a couple of small museums and souvenir shops.
The Old Town is a great area to explore by bike because it is totally flat and car-free. It is also nice to walk on the walls for great ocean views. Or find a shady place to eat your ice-cream while people watching.
After a day visiting the city it is possible to take a taxi to explore the coast or whale watching (during the good season).
Submitted by Elisa, World in Paris
Kaudulla National Park
Sri Lanka is famous for being one of the best places in Asia to see wildlife. With plenty of national parks offering opportunities to go on safari. Famous parks like Yala or Gal Oya can be hit and miss. You may find yourself wandering for hours hoping to glimpse elephants or elusive leopards. However, there is one place where wildlife sightings are pretty much guaranteed – Kaudulla National Park.
Together with Minneriya National Park, Kaudulla is the best national park in Sri Lanka to see the Elephant Gathering. This is a wonderful wildlife event that’s been compared to the Great Migration in Africa. The Elephant Gathering takes place during the dry season (July/November). Streams and pools where elephants drink and bathe dry up, leading elephants to travel to places where they know they find water. This event has taken place for thousands of years – the first mentions date back to 1700 years ago.
As a result, if you visit Minneriya and Kaudulla National Park during dry season, you are pretty much guaranteed to see dozens (sometimes even hundreds!) of elephants. We visited both national parks and liked Kaudulla better, because we found Minneriya a bit too crowded. This probably won’t be a problem for a while in the post-covid world – in any case, regardless of where you visit, we including the Elephant Gathering in your Sri Lanka travel plans!
Submitted by Margherita, The Crowded Planet
