The 18 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Sri Lanka

Adam’s Peak is a tall, cone-shaped mountain in a diverse biological site in central Sri Lanka. The 2,243m (7,359ft) ascent is a common pilgrimage route in the Buddhist religion, as it’s said there is an impression of Buddha’s own footprint near the summit. It takes between two and four hours to climb; aim to arrive at the top around dawn for an unforgettable sunrise.

Visit the well-preserved colonial city of Galle, on the southwest coast, for a relaxing city break full of charming Dutch-era villas and seaside views. Plan to see the Dutch-built Galle Fort – the largest remaining European-built sea fort in Asia and a World Heritage Site. Other highlights include the natural harbour, St Mary’s Cathedral, and Galle International Stadium, one of the most picturesque cricket grounds in the world.

Sigiriya, also known as Lion Rock, is a rock fortress and palace in the Matale district. The Unesco World Heritage Site is one of the must-visit attractions in Sri Lanka. Climb up to the ancient ruins, which are surrounded by gardens, ponds, and magnificent frescoes, to see dramatic views of the jungle hills below.

Yala National Park, on the southeast coast, is the place to see big cats in Sri Lanka. The park is home to the highest concentration of leopards in the world, and it is also an important sanctuary for Sri Lankan elephants and aquatic birds. Monkeys, crocodiles and other creatures also run around the grassy plains and forest areas.

View fine examples of ancient Sinhalese art and architecture in the Unesco-protected town (and former Sri Lankan capital) of Polonnaruwa. It’s home to well-preserved ruins, including the 12th-century Gal Vihara rock temple, the ancient site known as the Quadrangle, and the Buddhist Lankatilaka temple.

This town on the southwest coast has magnificent beaches, luxury hotels and plenty of untouched beauty. Spend a day soaking in the sun at Bentota Beach, visit the nearby Kosgoda turtle hatchery or find peace in the Galapatha Rajamaha Viharaya Buddhist temple. Bentota is a tourist hotspot, so you’ll also be able to get stuck into activities such as helicopter rides and watersports.

This large city is known as the Sacred City of Kandy for its significance to Buddhists. Many travel to the Temple of the Tooth, within the fourth-century royal palace complex, as it’s said to hold Buddha’s tooth – although you can’t actually see it. Elsewhere, Kandy is surrounded by the central highland mountains and is the placeto sample Sinhalese culture – especially if you visit during the Esala Perahera festival in summer.

Nuwara Eliya is a plateau town surrounded by mountains. It is also known as Little England for its British colonial buildings, such as the Queen’s Cottage and the General’s House. The area holds natural beauties, too, including waterfalls, hills, tea plantations, and Pidurutalagala, the tallest mountain in Sri Lanka. Nuwara Eliya is one of many tea plantation regions in Sri Lanka, but regarded as the most important tea producing spot in the country – try a cup on your visit.

Arugam Bay, on the southeast coast, is a remote town that attracts surfers from around the world. Brush up on your skills at one of the schools, such as Pappy’s Surf School or Amigo Surf, before heading out to the swell on Main Point. When not at the beach, visit the historic temples or the nearby Kumana National Park.

This large town is where to go in Sri Lanka to find the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in the country. Covering a total area of 2,100sqm (22,604sqft), it has five cave temples containing a huge collection of Sri Lankan Buddhist artwork, including statues, shrines and murals. The paintings and statues tell stories from Buddha’s life – there are also 153 Buddha statues throughout the complex. Other statue subjects include Sri Lankan kings, gods and goddesses.

It’s as though you’ve stepped into a wildlife documentary at Udawalawe National Park. The expansive sanctuary, on the borders of Uva and Sabaragamuwa provinces, is well and truly where to go in Sri Lanka for animal-lovers. Between October and April, you’re guaranteed to see elephants while in your 4×4 (since there are around 700 in the area). They share the park with leopards, crocodiles, water buffalos, otters and several species of eagle. The landscape varies as you go, with grasslands and scrublands complemented by rockier, more mountainous areas.

Fancy hanging out in a hammock under the sun? Make your way to the beachside village of Mirissa on the south coast, best known for its sandy bays. The namesake beach is particularly popular, from which you can head out on a dolphin- and whale-watching boat trip between May and November. Coconut Tree Hill is also a must-visit destination to watch the sunrise.

Quick start your Sri Lankan adventure with a few nights in the capital. This west-coast metropolis has a skyline that comes alive at night, with the 350m (1,148ft) tall Lotus Tower perhaps the most impressive sight. Here, you can soak up sky-high views of Beira Lake from the observation deck, while tucking into a feast at the revolving restaurant. For natural beauty, head to Crow Island Beach Park and Viharamahadevi Park during the humid summer months.

The mountainous town of Ella is best known for having the stone Nine Arch Bridge, between Ella and Demodara station, built by the British at the turn of the 20th century. You can take the journey from Kandy to Badulla or marvel at it with a trek through the surrounding jungle and tea plantations. This is where to go in Sri Lanka if you can never have too many hiking and photo opportunities – don’t miss waterfalls such as Bomburu Ella, which is the widest in Sri Lanka.

Step back in time at the sacred city of Anuradhapura, which is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world, perhaps dating back as far as the 10th century BCE. As you might expect, the ancient metropolis, surrounded by jungle and rice fields, is home to numerous historical sites; the most popular include the Ruwanwelisaya (featuring Buddhist relics) and Abhayagiri Stupa (a Buddhist monastery). Meanwhile, the sacred bodhi tree in the Mahamevn?wa Gardens is another place of pilgrimage, attracting thousands of visitors annually.

The port city of Trincomalee, on the northeast coast, is usually reached by train or bus from the capital – taking around seven hours. Once you’ve made it, put your feet up and enjoy sweeping beaches such as Uppuveli and Coral Cove, before spotting blue whales from Swami Rock Cliff. If you’re a keen diver, visit the Trincomalee Underwater Museum, off Sandy Bay Beach, to see sculptures and cannons.

If you’re in the northern tip of Sri Lanka, spend a few days enjoying the sights and sounds of Jaffna, which is off the main tourist track. Cultural highlights include visiting the arches of the gilded Nallur Kandaswamy Hindu temple, which is one of the most significant Hindu temples in the country, and the Instagrammable Jaffna Fort, built in the 17th century by the Portuguese. More photogenic moments will be found at Jaffna Market, where you’ll find traditional sweet treats, colourful fruits and vegetables, and exotic souvenirs.

Don’t forget to pack your beach gear if you’re heading to Tangalle. This coastal city, around three hours south of Colombo, has some of the most beautiful beaches in Sri Lanka, including the palm-fringed Tangalle Beach and Rekawa Beach, the latter being a top spot to watch turtles lay their eggs. If surfing is your thing, hit Hiriketiya Beach, which has year-round great waves for all abilities, including a more advanced reef break. Just fancy sunbathing and splashing around? Calmer waters are found at Goyambokka Beach.