A Checklist Of Places To See In Sri Lanka: The Island Of Natural Beauty & Luxury

Yala National Park is the most popular among tourists because of its safari experience. Spot a lot of elephants, wild boars, crocodiles, and other protected wildlife with a panoramic view all around. The place also has many lagoons that border the Indian Ocean and Sithulpawwa, which is an ancient Buddhist monastery. Apart from the birds, leopards, and exotic wildlife, there’s a beautiful eco-lodge there, which is known as one of the most unique hotels in the world. 

The bookings need to be done beforehand through their Instagram and website, and we can’t recommend the safari experience here enough.

In the little England of Sri Lanka, with its Victorian architecture and colonial roots, you’ll see a lot of tea plantations with absolutely breathtaking views, and you will find the best tea here for obvious reasons. The place has similar vibes to Munnar in India and has Hakgala botanical gardens that display an exquisite range of roses, ferns, and magpies.

Other Places To Visit: Horton Plains National Park, Gregory Lake, and Sita Temple

Just a half-an-hour drive to Colombo, Bentota River Safari is an unmissable experience. You might have seen this one pop up on your Instagram, as you researched because the flora and fauna that one witnesses while boating in the lake will put you in a state of awe. The town is also famous for its one drink, known as Toddy (an alcoholic beverage made out of coconut nectar), and also has many wetlands, estates, and beaches that you can check out. The other highlight and the most fortunate experience of visiting this place would be if you can catch the hatching of sea turtles, as they enter the sea. 

Other Places To Visit: Ambalangoda, Artsy Coastal Town, Kande Vihary Sacred Buddhist Statue, Lunuganga Estate, British Colonial Estate, Moragalla Beach, Pristine Golden Beach, Cinnamon Island. Popular Cinnamon Plantation.

Sri Lanka is well-known for its adventures, and surfing in Weligama is amongst the most epic ones. Weligama is a beach town, with a number of serene beaches, and if you are a water baby, what better place could there be? Most beaches have many surfing schools, that offer surfing lessons at very economical prices, and it doesn’t matter of you are a beginner or at an advance level, they will help you have the most fun, along with other activities like snorkeling, and coral-watching.

Touted as the most scenic train ride in the world, the journey from the town of Kandy to Ella is breathtaking, to say the least. It's an activity that should be prioritised when you are in Sri Lanka. This is a whole day's worth of an expedition and takes up to six hours, which due to any delays, can stretch to 10, but nonetheless an absolute in any Sri Lanka itinerary.

How To Book: You can easily book the tickets online, but if you want a hassle-free experience the locals there will easily help you with the process.

A beachside fort, boutique hotels, and French -Dutch-inspired architecture, Galle town is a beautiful place where you will feel like that you might be somewhere in Europe. Galle Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, inhabited by a roaring community, and is all in all a very dynamic area. The cafes, the shops everything is super cute and gorgeous and the ultimate place to get all your super lovely gram pictures. 

Places To Visit: Sea Turtle Farm Galle Mahamodara, Nature & Wildlife Areas, Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications, Martin Wickramasinghe Folk Museum Complex, Galle Fort Lighthouse, Dutch Reformed Church, Galle Fort Clock Tower.

For some history and heritage, the ruins in Sigiriya are a must-visit. It is a rock fortress build in ancient times, near the Central province, and is encompassed by a network of gardens, wetlands, reservoirs, and other equally magnificent structures. It is said that King Kashyapa made this fort, and held many tales and learnings within its pillars.

Other Places To Visit: The Citadel and has ruins of palaces, The Lion Gate, Gardens, Moats, The Mirror Wall, and many beautiful Frescoes.

If it's a family trip, then visiting somewhere that has much religious significance, shrines, and temples is non-negotiable, and for that, there is nothing better than Kandy. Visit many Buddhist sites, sanctuaries, gardens, and rainforests when there, and is a must in your itinerary if you are planning this trip for your elders or parents.

Places To Visit: Sri Dalada Maligawa, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kandy Lake, and Udatwatta Kele Sanctuary.

Beaches are a forte of Sri Lanka, but beaches in Tangalle are the most surreal, ever. The scale theirs is humongous with no cliffs, and the strong waves crashing into one another and to the shore make some gorgeous views and memories.

Places To Visit: Udawalawa National Park half-day Safari, Paradise Blow Hole, Big Buddha, Rock Temple Tours.

Waterfall, viewpoints, and treks are omnipresent throughout Sri Lanka, but Hortans Plains National Park offers the sum of the best. We recommend booking a stay here too, as they are built in the middle of nowhere with lush green views and the scale of these plains is absolutely unreal.

Places To Visit: Baker’s Fall, Great World’s End Drop, Bambrakanda Fall, Pahanthudawa Fall.

Counted as the hidden gems, Unawatuna is in the Galle district itself, and famous for its beaches and coral reefs, If you are hunting for an underrated coastal town, that will allow you some alone time, then Unawatuna is the place to go. 

For folks who are all about chasing the nightlife of different cities, Mirisaa has to be on top of your list. It's a complete party place where you can enjoy your mimosas and cocktails and have a great time in general.