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This small tropical gem is a stunning island: Mountains, jungles, waterfalls, and beaches await you! Whether you are traveling to Sri Lanka alone or with your family and friends, there is plenty to do during your stay. I put together my top 10 places that are definitely worth the stop (amongst plenty of others). Follow this listed guide to get the most out of your journey and experience the most breathtaking views.
(I have noted the places in a South to North itinerary.)
SOUTH COAST
Weligama Beach
Our first stop is the sandy town of Weligama in the South. Mostly known for its long golden sanded bay, you can surf, chill, wine and dine here. But if you take the time to wander off the beaten tracks, you will experience rare, unique moments with nature.
Surf: Weligama is home to three surf breaks( Main point, Island point and Fisherman’s reef), but the most known is the main point. Suitable for all levels of surfing, depending on the swell, you can learn how to surf by taking one-on-one classes here. If you are more advanced, try Fishermans, but be careful of the reef as you paddle out. Find our complete guide to the different surf breaks in Sri Lanka here.
Fisherman’s dream: Weligama is known for its fishing industry. As you stroll along the beautiful beach, you will come across a fresh fish market and restaurants to the right end. Feet in the sand, you can enjoy the day’s catch and admire the hardworking fishermen arriving on shore. If you are up for it, you can give them a hand to push their boats back onto the sand; they will be more than grateful!
Turtles all around: With such a rich fishing culture, we humans aren’t the only ones to benefit from the small fishing huts. As you walk past the fish market and out of the town, you will come across a small harbour on your left. If you venture off the road and to the water’s edge, you will be greeted by many turtles. Swimming around, waiting for the fishermen to throw unwanted fish or leftovers into the ocean. It is a beautiful sight to see so many of them.
Views of the bay: If you want to enjoy a beautiful sunset overlooking the whole bay, you should head to the rooftops, particularly the Mariott hotel rooftop. Here you will have a view of the bay in its integrity. Watch the surfers catch a wave, people walking on the sand and the glorious orange sunset close in on the town.
Hiriketiya Beach
Second, up is another beautiful bay called Hiriketiya. This small, picturesque bay on the South coast gives off massive “tropical paradise” vibes. Surrounded by palm trees and turquoise waters, the bay is home to the prettiest beach in the South.
Highly touristic, it can get busy here depending on the season, but it is well worth a couple of days to kick back and soak up the sun.
The town is much smaller than Weligama and has a very laid-back feeling. There are numerous beaches around if you feel like a quieter day away from the crowds. You can journey around the bay on foot if you are close enough. You will find bars, restaurants and cafes keeping you refreshed at the beachfront, and you can also surf at the main beach. Split into two breaks, beginners and more advanced can catch a generally smaller wave here. Hiriketiya is the perfect spot to get that holiday beach photo.
Yala National Park Safari
As we head towards the East coast, nature and wildlife start to flourish. If you feel like taking a step on the wild side, Yala national park is a great place to do so. Here you can book a 4×4 safari tour of the national park, allowing you to discover part of the vast 979 square kilometers.
What to see?
Besides the beautiful green, earthy landscapes, you can spot some pretty impressive beasts: Buffalo, deer, elephants, crocodiles, peacocks, and if you are lucky, leopards.
How long does it last?
A Safari tour generally lasts a couple of hours (2h-5h). I advise you to go at sunrise as this will give you a better chance of spotting the animals, especially the elephants. It may also give you a calmer experience as it can get busy with tourists. During the day, the animals stay shaded away from the scorching sun. Keep this in mind when booking your safari to avoid being disappointed.
Although this experience is fantastic, I often see disrespectful tourists getting too close or being loud around the animals. Remember, you are entering their world and should not be heard or close to these wild beauties.
EAST COAST
Arugambay Surf
Sitting on the East coast of Sri Lanka, the small but highly recommended town of Arugam bay is a must-see. Once known for its fishing talents is now home to the most famous surf spot on the Island: “Main point”. This town has such a unique vibe to it. Made up of small-owned businesses, the locals all know and support each other. Working together, they have built up the area making it the ideal holiday getaway.
The dry period in the East generally starts around May and continues until September. The days are much longer and hotter during this period, with better waves. Besides the town center, you can also soak up fantastic views and spot the elephants on your travels out and about.
Surf: Here, they regularly host competitions, and on the more significant swell day, the waves are pumping! Multiple surf breaks are great for both beginners and advanced surfers. But if you are not a fan of surfing yourself, you can still enjoy watching the locals have fun on the water.
Foodies: This small town has restaurants, bars, and cafes where you can enjoy some of the tastiest food. The cuisine is more Westernized, so if you are looking for local rice and curry, head down to Pottuvil. The restaurants line the beachfront or on the main road. You can get everything from pizza, burgers, seafood, icecreams, curries, falafel, etc.
Party: If you like to get your boogie on or have a sing-song, it will be up your street. The town has multiple night bars and great nightlife for party lovers. Every night something is happening in the town: live music, karaoke, party, etc. Check out our full article on the nightlife in Abay just here.
LOWER CENTER
Ella Mountains
As we head away from the coastal towns of Sri Lanka, the surrounding nature and temperatures change. This burst of fresh air should be welcome if you have been tanning on the beaches. As you head for Ella, you will get amazing views of the green hills and mountains. The town is well known for its treks along the tropical peaks and much more. I recommend spending a few days here to fully experience the views and nature around you. Here are a few places you can discover during your stay:
Nine arch bridge: When arriving in Ella, the bridge is seen as a powerful touristic attraction. Lost in green jungle-covered hills is a beautiful nine-arch bridge. You can enjoy a stroll along the tracks and into the tunnel to catch some stunning pictures. Just keep an eye out for the train. The way is still active and is one of the famous train journeys in Sri Lanka.
Flying Ravana: What is better than flying through the green landscapes on a 500-meter-long zip wire? Found close to little Adam’s peak, you are sure to remember it for a long time. With a speed of 80kmph, it is the perfect way to experience the views.
Little Adam’s Peak: Another impressive sight is the sun rising over the cloudy hills. Although this requires you to wake up a little earlier, it is well worth it. Head to Little Adam’s peak before sunrise. A short climb up (30mins) and you can watch the world wake up. The colors and mellow sounds of nature will leave you breathless.
Nuwara Eliya Waterfall
Just a train ride away from Ella is the beautiful tea plantations of Nuwara Eliya. Sri Lanka is the country of tea, and you can visit the plantations and factories to learn how it is made. The visit takes half a day, and you get to taste tea at the end of your visit. I did this for free at the Damro factory, but check before starting your tour.
Nuwara Eliya is also home to the most spectacular waterfalls in the country. You can arrange tours to visit different waterfalls in one day and take a refreshing dip in the natural pools. Some waterfalls are accessible, but most ask for a small entry fee. To access the falls think of wearing closed shoes and watch out for leeches. If you get bit by them, squeeze lemon or soapy water on your legs. They will soon free you.
Ambulawawa Tower
Ambuluwawa is for those of you who want an out-of-the-ordinary experience. Lost in the wild hills and palm trees stands the craziest of towers. Originally a religious temple, the tower gained recognition thanks to its unique look. Built not far from the town of Gampola, the tower offers 360 views of the surrounding area. The views from the hilltop themself are beautiful. For those afraid of heights, it is still worth the trip up to the tower.
I vividly remember visiting the tower, which is one of my most incredible memories. As you climb the tower, the staircase narrows, and there is little room for people to pass. Some would say security doesn’t exist, so be sure to hold on and take your time climbing.
UPPER CENTER
Sigiriya Rock
Sri Lanka is rich in history, and you can still discover it in the heart of the country. When you arrive at Sigiriya, the surrounding towns are much smaller than the tourist hot spots but have all you need to enjoy your day. Sigiriya is an ancient rock fortress that you can climb and visit. The fort is rich in historical and archaeological findings and measures an impressive 180 meters. On top of this massive rock, you can see the ruins of a palace and the powerful lion claws as you climb its side.
Hugely popular with tourists, this site can get crowded and lose its charm. If you fancy taking a quieter approach, not far from Sigiriya and free is Pidurangala rock. From here you can see Sigiriya rock and the beautiful landscapes. Less crowded and quicker to climb, this can be a good option on busy days. Sigiriya is also called a lions rock as on one of the sides, you can see the shape of a lion. Will you be able to spot it?
Mihintale Temple
As you continue the journey in the center of the Island, you will come across more and more temples/ sacred grounds. One of the prettiest sanctuaries I have visited is Mihintale. Not the easiest to climb up on hot days, I recommend visiting this temple in the morning. This saves you from getting overheated and hot feet as no shoes are allowed. Once you have climbed the long staircases up, you can admire the beauty of the grounds.
With different parts to visit and a rock to climb, Mihintale offers a unique experience. More than a simple temple, this sacred ground holds a lot of history. Thought to be the meeting point of the old king and a monk, this is where Buddhism took its first steps. Another fantastic thing about the temples is the stillness. For those who are looking to disconnect or even meditate, it is perfect.
Being in a temple, the calmness and respect here are so peaceful. Take your time and observe the monks and their rituals. If they are free, you can even talk with them.
When visiting these places, the religion and culture require particular behavior and appearance.
- For men, if you have a white shirt or t-shirt and pants.
- Cover the shoulders and knees.
- Respect people and the calm.
- Remove your shoes at the entrance.
Anuradhapura Temples
Last is the bigger city of Anuradhapura. Being the capital of Sri Lanka at one point in history leaves a lot of history and places to visit here. As you travel through the city’s busy streets to reach the ancient kingdom, you can get a good glimpse of everyday life in Sri Lanka. ( Food markets selling vegetables, fish, and sweet treats).
I have never witnessed so many temples in the same spot. The ancient city is full of ruins and stupas you can visit. You can rent a tuk-tuk guide for a couple of hours or ride a bike to different spots. Keep in mind that it gets boiling, so either start early morning or in the evening, and it is handy to have the stories and explanations of the buildings.
The stupas are built up in a circular shape and have impressive sizes. All are decorated with great detail and would have been beautiful back in the day. There is a similar ancient city in the town of Polonnaruwa which is more to the East.
Buddhism has a huge role in Sri Lanka’s history and modern life. Being the country’s most popular religion, it is not strange to hear the chants or smell the incense as you travel around.
