In Colombo, there is no shortage of tourist attractions. In reality, you will be pressed for time during your stay. It becomes quite difficult to plan your day when the city has so much to offer. From significant places like the Gangaramaya Temple, which will broaden your understanding of South Asian cultures and beliefs, to the amazing Galle Face Green popular for beautiful sunsets, the list goes on and on. Viharamahadevi Park and Independence Square are also must visit.
Colombo also offers plenty of entertaining activities, just as it offers plenty of tourist attractions. Colombo’s day tour offers a diverse selection of adventure excursions. In addition to all of the adrenaline-pumping activities like scuba diving and snorkelling, there are several opportunities to just relax and unwind like spa and yoga sessions. Except for the dry season between January and March, Colombo sees intermittent rainfall throughout the year. This is the coldest time of year, with minimal humidity, making it perfect for sightseeing in Colombo, and enabling the visitors to enjoy their trip to the maximum possible level.
The Suspension Bridge in Colombo, Sri Lanka, stands as an architectural marvel, gracefully spanning the Kelani River and offering a breathtaking experience for locals and visitors alike. Completed in recent years, this engineering masterpiece has become an iconic symbol of Colombo's modernity and progress.
Explore Galle Face Green, Colombo’s vibrant oceanfront promenade. Stretching along the coast, this historic park invites visitors to enjoy breathtaking sunsets, local street food, and kite flying. Ideal for strolls and family outings, Galle Face Green offers a unique blend of natural beauty and urban charm, making it a must-visit destination in Sri Lanka.
Top Experiences To Do in Galle Face Green
The National Museum of Colombo, Sri Lanka, stands as a cultural treasure trove, showcasing the island nation's rich heritage. Established in 1877, the museum houses a diverse collection of artifacts, from ancient royal regalia to religious relics. Its exhibits span multiple eras, offering insight into the country's history, art, and archaeology. The museum's colonial-era architecture and meticulously curated displays make it a captivating destination for those eager to delve into the cultural tapestry of Sri Lanka trip.
The Colombo Lotus Tower, a striking landmark in Sri Lanka's capital, Colombo, stands tall at 356 meters. This architectural marvel boasts a lotus-inspired design and serves as a multifunctional building, featuring observation decks, a shopping complex, and a hotel. It offers panoramic views of the city and symbolizes modernity and progress in Colombo.
Colombo Fort
Colombo Fort, the historic heart of Sri Lanka's capital, is a dynamic blend of colonial architecture and modern urban vibrancy. Originally established by the Portuguese in the 16th century and later developed by the Dutch and British, the area now houses government offices, financial institutions, and bustling markets. Amidst the contemporary hustle, remnants of the past, such as the Clock Tower and Old Parliament Building, provide glimpses into Colombo's multifaceted history, making it a compelling cultural and commercial hub.
Top Experiences To Do in Colombo Fort
Rated among the major cities of Sri Lanka, Kandy is a special city. Surrounded by dense forests and mountain ranges, acquiring a height of 500 meters from the sea level, the tourist plces in this town gives you a feeling that you are living in a modern valley. Nature supports this place immensely and makes it the city with a pleasant climate. A city with lakes and special landscapes is always a delight when you plan to spend some romantic evenings and playful late nights while mooning around.
Kandy has a rich historical background covering the major events of the medieval era and colonial era. Every square inch of this nicely planned town has a piece of Sri Lankan history to share with you. You can feel the pulse of royalty in some colonial architecture and feel the divine blessings while visiting a large temple where science meets religion and together they try to explain the complexity of life. The Colonial-era constructions left an imprint on various cities of the world, current generations term these imprints as "old world charms." While moving in the capacity of a tourist, Kandy gives you this opportunity to capture the old world charm where the ambiance of the city plays a pivotal role and transports you into the world where things were easier and more enjoyable. For many of you, it can also become a travel in time when you will visit this nice city that has a mystique associated with it.
If you wish to explore the evolution of a cityscape and witness that how historical factors contribute to it, then the town of Kandy is the right place for that. Check out the map of the city drawn in 1815 and visit the present city. You will understand the point that we are trying to make here, also about the tourist places in Kandy. The town of Kandy added a value to its legacy and never changed its roots for the sake of development. This one virtue makes this town worth a visit.
Peradeniya Gardens is a spacious 147 acre of natural extravaganza consisting of more than 4000 species of plants, and 10,000 varied kinds of trees, incidentally serves as the largest garden of Sri Lanka. The unique and rarest collection in these gardens is the Giant Bamboo of Burma which grows 12 inches each day to a height of 40 meters. Apart from this other amazing collections include Javan fig tree, Cannonball tree, Double Coconut Palm and about 200 other varieties of palm trees and versatile collection of flora.
The Peradeniya Botanical Garden is one prime tourist attraction of hill country and remains quite flooded with tourists every weekend. One can pack some food to enjoy an open air picnic here or can relish the cafeteria inside serving local and western cuisine.
Kandy Lake
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Kandy Lake, created in 1807 by King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe, is a picturesque and serene spot in the heart of Kandy, Sri Lanka. Adjacent to the revered Temple of the Tooth Relic, the lake offers a tranquil retreat with scenic walking paths, lush surroundings, and historical charm. Go for a tour on the Kandy lake with your friends and family for an incredible experience!
Top Experiences To Do in Kandy Lake
The Udawattekele Sanctuary, also known as Royal Park Palace is located at the hilly terrains of the Temple of Tooth Relic. The sanctuary scatters around 257 acres and is deemed as the most important Bio Reserve of the country. The sanctuary, centuries back was a kingdom named Kandyan and jungle area on the far side of the palace was known as the Uda Wasala Watta or the upper palace garden; hence the name.
The forest reserve was made into a sanctuary in 1938. Additionally, the forest’s catchment areas provide fresh water to the lake and the city avail its air purification supplies from this royal forest reserve.
Located at Hantane, the 1925 vintage Ceylon Tea Museum is one of the important attractions of the hill country, Kandy in Sri Lanka. The Tea Museum is a building of four floors where from ground floor to second floor it’s all old machineries, library and auditorium. For purchasing lip smacking variety and flavors of Sri Lankan tea one must visit the third floor which is sales unit. The fourth floor comprises of a magnificent restaurant where one can enjoy a free cup and the captivating and breathtaking surrounding view of the hill country from the top. One can visualize Matale Range and Kunckles Range through a telescope positioned here. From the top it’s an encircling view of green landscape comprising tea plantations of myriad types.
Location: Hantane Road, Kandy
Best Time: Tuesday – Sunday, 8:30am to 4: 30pm
Price: 1070LKR for adults and 428LKR for child.(approx)
This striking European style graveyard has many stories to tell of the young souls who died during the British Colonisation of SriLanka. The most heartfelt part of this beautiful old churchyard is the 163 graves of young men, women, and children that take us back to time immemorial. Most of the tombs have inscriptions written on the lives of these good souls (few brave soldiers, many infants, and land owners).The cemetery was established in 1817 and today is being nurtured by a Caretaker, Charles Carmichael.
Nuwara Eliya, which literally means, ‘City of Light’, is the coolest city of Sri Lanka. The picturesque landscapes of this beautiful city will surely blow your mind if you love visiting hill stations. With the highest mountain peak in Sri Lanka, Nuwara Eliya boasts on its natural beauty.
Nuwara Eliya is also the prime tea producing land in Sri Lanka. With is lush green terraces, it produces some high quality aromatic tea. Due to its cool climate in a hot and humid country like Sri Lanka, Nuwara Eliya is also referred to as ‘Little England’. During the winters, the nights are chilling. But as soon as the day breaks, the place gets warm and comfortable.
In April, the natives of Nuwara Eliya celebrate Tamil New Year by taking out band carnivals on the street. If you are planning to come down to the city of lights during the festivals, you might not get an accommodation in the hotels easily.
The main attraction of this city is the highest peak in Sri Lanka named Pidurutalagala, which is 2524 m high. The other attractions include a beautiful golf course, an oasis named Victoria Park, Lake Gregory, and many more alluring tourist spots.
If you have a query like where to stay and where to eat in the city, here are some suggestions. The Blackpool Hotel, Heritance Tea Factory, Jetwing St. Andrew’s, Stafford Bunglow, etc., are few good places for your stay. Grand Indian, Salmiya, Mackwoods’s Labookellie Tea Centre, etc., are great ideas to visit and dine in.
If you want a happening nightlife in Nuwara Eliya, visit 19th Hole Pub for some good drinks. If you are wondering where to shop in this city and you can bargain hard, visit Cargil’s. There you will get a lot of stuffs cheaper than other markets. Happy shopping!
Considered as the portal to the legendary world of Ramayana, Seetha Amman Kovil is located amidst the misty hills of Nuwara Eliya. Believed to be the very place where Sita was held captive by Ravana, this sacred site holds great significance according to Hindu mythology.
Top Experiences To Do in Seetha Amman Kovil
Victoria Park in Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka, is a picturesque public park renowned for its lush greenery, vibrant flower beds, and serene atmosphere. Established during the British colonial era, the park offers a peaceful retreat with well-maintained lawns, walking paths, and a variety of flora. Visitors can enjoy a leisurely stroll, birdwatching, and the charming ambiance, making it a must-visit attraction in the heart of Nuwara Eliya.
Gregory Lake
Gregory Lake, located in the heart of Nuwara Eliya, is a shimmering jewel that mirrors the town’s timeless charm. Constructed in 1873 under British colonial rule, this tranquil lake was once the pride of English aristocrats, who found solace in its misty banks.
Top Experiences To Do in Gregory Lake
Located in the Pussellawa area on the A5 highway, Ramboda Falls is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Sri Lanka. It is 109 metres (358 feet) tall, which makes it the 11th highest waterfall in the country.
Top Experiences To Do in Ramboda Falls
Bale Bazar
Bale Bazaar in Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka, is a vibrant marketplace nestled amidst the breathtaking landscapes of the hill country. Known for its bustling atmosphere and diverse array of goods, the bazaar offers a glimpse into the local lifestyle and culture.
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- 12H
- Kandy
The remnants of Anuradhapura are unequivocally the most expressive sites of South Asia. This sprawling complex is composed of an opulent collection of architectural and archaeological marvels: gigantic brick towers, crumbling temples, humongous dagobas and archaic pools that were all constructed during the rule of Anuradhapura which went on for several thousand years. At present, most of the sites here remain in use solely as temples and holy places. Incessant ceremonies retain the very ebullience and buoyancy of Anuradhapura which is a stark reverse of the the ambience at Polonaruwa.
Present day, Anuradhapura is significantly different. It is rather engaging albeit sprawling city. Its main street is orderly in comparison to the the ugly concrete agglomerations found elsewhere. This saintly city was entrenched around a cutting from the 'tree of enlightenment' which is supposedly the Buddha's fig tree. Legends say that in the 3rd century B.C, the tree was brought there by Sanghamitta who was the founder of an order of Buddhist nuns.
Ceylonese’s religious and political capital, Anuradhapura bloomed for 1300 years but was then eighty-sixed post the invasion in 993. Shrouded in the dense jungles for several years, this magnificent tourist place with its breathtaking places to see, resorts, monuments, palaces and monasteries is accessible all over again.
The other animal species that can be found in this area are Asian Elephants, jackals, Sambar deer, water buffalo, crocodiles, spotted dear and many more. With its impressive array of bird species, the area is a haven for bird watchers.
Best for: The avid and serious safari-goers can see the elusive leopard and sloth bear.
Location: 25km north of Puttalam or 30km west of Anurdhapura. It is 4 hours drive from Colombo.
Best time to visit: February and October are the best time to visit.
Price: Full Day Jeep Safari price is LKR 10,000 per jeep.
Timing: Full-Day Safari 5.30am to 06.00pm.
Top Experiences To Do in Wilpattu National Park
The Buddhist Museum in Dambulla, Sri Lanka, is a significant cultural and spiritual landmark, located near the iconic Dambulla Cave Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This museum offers visitors a comprehensive journey through the history and evolution of Buddhism, not only in Sri Lanka but across Asia.
The museum is dedicated to preserving and showcasing artifacts, scriptures, and art forms that highlight the rich Buddhist heritage. Its galleries house an impressive collection of Buddha statues, intricate paintings, ancient relics, and models of historic Buddhist structures. Each exhibit is thoughtfully curated, reflecting the deep connection between Buddhism and Sri Lankan culture over centuries.
One of the museum's standout features is its emphasis on the Mahayana and Theravada traditions, the two major schools of Buddhist thought. Visitors can explore displays that detail the life and teachings of the Buddha, as well as the spread of Buddhism across the region. The museum also includes interactive exhibits and multimedia presentations that enhance understanding for all age groups.
Popham's Arboretum Park in Dambulla, Sri Lanka, is a tranquil haven for nature lovers. Founded by Sam Popham in 1963, it showcases over 200 species of Sri Lankan trees. Visitors can enjoy peaceful walks through lush greenery, spot diverse birdlife, and experience the beauty of sustainable forest restoration.
Highlights: Don’t forget to visit the Golden temple Buddhist museum which will leave you jaw dropped with its spectacular entrance from the golden mouth of lion like beast.
Location: You can come via Ambepussa and Kurunegala which is approximately 4 hours from Colombo.
Prices: There are no prices charged for the same, however you have to pay 200 LKR for keeping the luggage.
Top Experiences To Do in Dambulla Cave Temple
Sigiriya
Highlights: Sigiriya Frescoes are truly beautiful which was hand painted by the king himself depicting celestial nymphs all around the circumference. And on top of these rocks, he built for himself a white palace which stands as an epitome of beauty.
Timing: Opens daily from 7 AM to 5:30 PM.
Price: Approximate price starts from $15 to $25
Top Experiences To Do in Sigiriya
- 4H
- 15H
- 7D/6N
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Most of us tend to talk about the African safari but in the process, forget that even the beautiful and one of the largest continents – Asia too consists of a range of unique ecosystems that connects to the country of India by another place called Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is known for many things especially its range of largest safaris and the beautiful city of Harbarana.
One can simply enjoy a stroll through this city by witnessing the numerous contrasts of green and ethnicity of the whole country. The elephant being one of the most significant animals there – there are numerous other animals that will come to sight too.
Harbarana is actually quite small when we speak about its geographical occupation in Sri Lanka. Situated in the Anuradhapura district, the city is perfect for visitors as not only is there a range of varied activities that they can choose from but also has numerous mid-range and up hotels aimed at package tourists. Avid travelers will know that Harbarana also serves as a departure point for numerous locations of greater interest.
Harbarana is a popular tourist destination especially for safari-lovers. There are special sessions conducted in the Habarana jungle and the Minneriya sanctuary that takes visitors through the beautiful and rich flora and fauna that is singular to the place. Other primary attractions of the place include the ruins of the fortress Sirigiriya, the roads that lie between Colombo and Trincomalee, Polonnaruwa and Batticaloa and its delicious food.
The area has some of the best hotels and the wild life and greenery just adds extra value to the place.
- 2H
- Colombo
- 2D/1N
- Colombo
- 5H
- Anuradhapura
Matale often spelled (or pronounced) as Mathale is a mid size regional city that geographically lies in the heart of the island. Located 142 km from Colombo, is nestled at an elevation of 300 meters in an expansive dense valley. Aa bland urban sprawl with a congested one way system, Matale doesn’t see too many tourists. So it is quite possible for you to wish to not dawdle here for long. However, the road that lies towards the north of the town is encrusted with an array of welcoming spice plantations where cocoa, rubber, vanilla, cardamom, cinchona and jackfruit thrive. This is not all. This Sri Lankan town is also popular for kohila (an acqutic plant/herb) as well as small benign chilies.
Traversing east of Matale, through the Knuckles range, you’ll come across some striking mountain views. The B38 goes uphill from the northern end of the town and takes you to the Rattota whereas the other roads going south west will head you to the hill villages of Karagahandala and Elkaduwa before finally leaving you to Victoria Reservoir and Kandy. It is pristine, beautiful and a little backward in terms of development, but a single visit here when touring the other cities of Sri Lanka is very well worth it.
St. Anthony’s Church is one of the most-visited places in the city. During weekends, Tuesdays and on major festivals, the church is flocked by devotees who come here from different parts of the world, as the place is believed to produce miracles. The church was constructed as a very small mud structure many years ago and it was made bigger during 1806.
Location: The church is located at Kochchikade.
Highlights:The main altar holds the statue of St. Anthony, which was brought all the way from Goa, in a safe bullet-proof glass container. Tuesdays are considered too special days here and there are special masses and benediction services in Tamil, English, and Sinhala all through the day. On week days, the church conducts Tamil and Sinhala Mass. During weekends, the church conducts Tamil, English and Sinhala masses.
Timings: Open all through the day.
Price: Entry is free of cost.
