The lush and vibrant teardrop-shaped island of Sri Lanka is bursting with stunning beaches, historic cities and sacred sites. Explore the best of the island with this Sri Lanka travel guide.Â
From picture-perfect, unspoilt beaches with sunsets that make your soul sing, to stunning hikes among misty hilly highlands bursting with tea plantations, Sri Lanka is an island paradise that combines more than 2,000 years of recorded history with exquisite food, vistas and some of the friendliest hospitality you could wish for.
So, what’s the best way to visit Sri Lanka? When should you travel? Where should you go? And what are the best travel itineraries?Â
Luckily for you, I have everything you need to know in one exciting, easy-to-follow travel guide, complete with tips to help you ace your trip!
So, without further ado, let’s dive and discover the best of Sri Lanka.Â
High season for Sri Lanka tourism is between the end of November and mid-April when the weather and beaches in the south and west of the island are at their best and wildlife at their most visible.
Avoid October to January if you want to visit the north and east of the country, as this is the Maha monsoon season.
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Sri Lanka’s second-biggest city is, I think, its most beautiful. The streets buzz with vendors – don’t miss out on a coconut – while the enormous lake in the city centre is surrounded by imposing buildings that nod to Sri Lanka’s colonial past. The Grand Serendib Hotel is the perfect spot to stay while exploring this stunning city.
The polar opposite of the sprawling urban mass of Kandy, Siniharaja is a unique, undisturbed piece of tropical rainforest that is a continuing journey of exploration for botanical enthusiasts. If you want to visit this UNESCO World Heritage Site, I recommend staying in the beautiful surroundings of Sinharaja Vini Villa.
Sri Lanka’s most rewarding wildlife reserve combines incredible scenery with fantastic wildlife. Boasting the world’s highest concentration of leopards, other animals to watch out for include crocodiles, langur monkeys and elephants. The My Village Hotel is the perfect base to explore this unmissable Sri Lankan gem.
Situated on Sri Lanka’s east coast, Arugam Bay is one of the island’s most picturesque and laid-back coastal hangouts. With mangrove-fringed lagoons, unique cabanas and Sri Lanka’s best surf, I recommend the Garden Beach Hotel, just 50 metres from some of the finest sand you’ll see anywhere!
Wondering what to pack to enjoy your vacation in Sri Lanka? Here are my top five things to remember!
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With all of Sri Lanka’s other charms, it can be easy to overlook the capital city, Colombo.Â
A curious mix of modern and traditional buildings where skyscrapers, rooftop bars, street markets and incredible mosques co-exist harmoniously.Â
Head to the beach for a coastal breeze, take in some beach cricket and enjoy unique tropical flora and fauna at one of the city’s stunning parks.
Surrounded by mountainous green peaks, Kandy is an oasis of calm, offering cooler, more temperate temperatures thanks to its higher altitude levels.Â
Known as Sri Lanka’s cultural capital – no easy task – British colonialist influence is evident in Thomas Hill’s country outside the city and the beautiful greenery of its luscious tea gardens.
Sirgirya is a stunning, unmissable natural spectacle comprising a colossal rock formation that rises majestically from the lush forest floor.Â
At first glance, you’d never know that Lion Rock hides ruins once home to an ancient civilization. If you feel fit and agile, clambering to the top pays off with some incredible views.
An old trading port, Galle is a beautiful place to immerse yourself among cafes and boutiques while taking in the stunning architecture of the city’s mosques, churches and museums.Â
If you’re into your cricket, you’ll always find something being played across the city, while Asia’s last remaining sea fort is a must-visit experience.
Jaffna sits on the northern tip of Sri Lanka and offers an unrivalled insight into Tamil culture, the country’s colonial past and the recent civil war.Â
As if the city doesn’t provide enough to be getting on with, ferry out to one of the islands off the peninsular, such as Delft, Karaitivu, Kayts and Nainativy, to enjoy empty secluded beaches, colonial forts and astonishing Hindu temples.
The climb to the top of Adam’s Peak to claim a view of the Sacred Footprint is part of the quintessential Sri Lankan pilgrimage.Â
Buddhists believe the footprint was that of Buddha, Hindus believe it belongs to Shiva, while Muslims attribute it to Adam.Â
Make the climb at night to take in the unbelievable dawn views from the top.Â
Mirissa is home to a beautiful harbour, the starting point for cruises to see blue whales.Â
December to April is the best time to see these unbelievably graceful sea mammals in all their glory.Â
Not only that, you could also see sperm whales and spinner dolphins on your voyage. A genuine once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Home to some of Sri Lanka’s most famous and idyllic beaches, Unawatuna is the perfect place for you if you want to add some tropical sun, sea, sand and surf to your Sri Lankan holiday.Â
This small town has a beautifully intimate feel, with superb restaurants, shopping, boutique guesthouses and lively beachside bars to enjoy.
10 days
Negombo >> Sigiriya >> Kandy >> Nuwara Eliya >> Yala >> Udawalawe >> Mirissa
This 10-day tour takes you through everything Sri Lanka has to offer. Take in ancient fortresses, temples, wildlife trails, whale-watching and learning about the country’s rich history of tea production.
9 days
Dambulla >> Kandy >> Nuwara Eliya >> Haputale >> Tissamaharama >> Galle
This tour is the perfect itinerary for any history enthusiast or lover of religious sites as you visit some of Sri Lanka’s most beautiful cultural heritage sites.
12 days
Colombo >> Rukgala >> Gal Oya >> Koslanda >> Yala >> Thalpe
Immerse yourself in real Sri Lanka with this itinerary that allows you to hike historic temples, take part in authentic Sri Lankan village life and visit tea factories before kicking back on the beach to end your tour.
10 days
Minuwangoda >> Dambulla >> Kandy >> Bandarawela >> Balapitiya >> Colombo
Travel by train through the heart of Sri Lanka while discovering the stunning temples and fortresses in the Central Province, the lush tea fields on the way to Bandarawela and the beautiful coastal city of Galle and its palm-lined Balapitiya beach.
A family-run refuge for two Sri Lankan elephants, the Elephant Freedom Project offers you the chance to see Sri Lankan elephants up close and personally without compromising your ethics and taking in working elephants.
There’s no shortage of culturally significant historical sites in Sri Lanka, but this 1st-century Buddhist Monastery is among the best.Â
Set in a remote mountain range, the Ritigala sanctuary has its microclimate and is home to a diverse range of rare plants and animals.
Tuk-tuks are synonymous with getting around Sri Lanka’s many towns and cities. If you want to explore, why not rent a tuk-tuk and enjoy the unique experience of driving these nippy three-wheelers at your leisure?
As a Brit, I love a good cup of tea. And while Sri Lanka is dripping with outstanding tea plantations and factories, I think Handunugoda is the best.Â
There are tastings, displays and the chance to roam the plantation on horseback. The gem in the crown is its virgin white tea. Trust me, you don’t want to miss that!
If you’re travelling on a tight budget, seeing the best of Sri Lanka without spending a penny, cent, or dime is possible.
Go on a free guided or self-guided walking tour across one of the many beautiful towns and cities as you travel in Sri Lanka.Â
Hike to Lipton’s Seat, go to one of the country’s many free museums, such as the Colombo National Museum or Archaeological Museum in Sigiriya, to learn more about Sri Lanka’s rich history throughout the ages of colonialism and independence.
And why not immerse yourself in Sri Lanka’s rich cultural heritage at one of its many stunning religious sites, such as the Gangaramaya Temple?
Fish Ambul Thiyal – a sour fish curry, often tuna, cubed and sauteed in a beautiful fusion of spices.
Kottu – made with a type of roti known as godamba, this fried snack is one of Sri Lanka’s finest street food gems. I strongly recommend getting the curry sauce to dip into.
Thambili – the waster of the King Coconut makes for a tasty, refreshing and unmissable beverage.
Polos – no, not the mint with a hole, but an incredible green jackfruit curry that tastes as wonderful as it sounds.
Watermelon Juice – talking of refreshing, the sweet flesh of the watermelon makes for a gorgeous hydrating drink on a hot, sticky summer’s day.
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