Yala
Yala National Park’s grassy plains and thick woodlands, which were formerly a hunting area for the British under colonial rule, are now a playground for a robust leopard population. Yala hugs the island’s southeast coast, producing a semi-arid habitat with a varied assortment of birds in its lagoons and beaches.
Trincomalee
Trincomalee is a major city in Sri Lanka and the administrative capital of the Trincomalee District in the Eastern Province. It is approximately 263 kilometers northeast of Colombo and 243 kilometers southeast of Jaffna. Trincomalee is a Tamil-majority city in Sri Lanka. The airport in Trincomalee is 13 kilometers from the city center.
Tangalle
Tangalle is one of the region’s more established beach resorts, with a series of modest guesthouses – as well as a few expensive hotels and villas – set around the coves and beaches that line the beachfront. However, tourism has not taken off as quickly as the residents would like, and Tangalle remains a low-key destination in comparison to the resorts further west.
Sigiriya
The towering rock outcrop of Sigiriya, rising from the lush and mysterious tropical forest cover of Sri Lanka’s central plains, is a stunning sight to behold. One of the most spectacular natural sights is a sheer-sided outcrop of reddish gneiss that towers 200 meters above the surrounding plains. Visit the historic palace, fortress, and more on one of our top Sigiriya tours.
Rathnapura
Ratnapura is home to several gem mines as well as a fascinating Gem Museum, making it a thriving center for gem trading for both local and international dealers. Ratnapura is home to some of the world’s most famous jewels, including the Star of India, the Blue Belle of Asia, and the Star of Adam.
Polonnaruwa
The capital of the Polonnaruwa District in Sri Lanka’s North Central Province is Polonnaruwa. The Polonnaruwa New Town is in Kaduruwela, while the rest of the city is the royal old city of the Kingdom of Polonnaruwa.
Pinnawala
Pinnawala is a lovely village on the banks of a river near Kegalle, a town located halfway between Colombo and Kandy, Sri Lanka’s commercial and cultural capitals. The picturesque village is home to the world’s largest captive elephant herd as well as the only elephant orphanage. There are many newborn elephants there, as well as a blind elephant and a handicapped elephant.
Pasikudah
Pasikudah is a seaside resort town on Sri Lanka’s east coast. It has one of the world’s longest stretches of shallow shoreline, allowing you to walk for kilometers into the sea with only your knees submerged. Because of its clarity, the ocean at Pasikudah is ideal for swimming and snorkeling.
Nuwara Eliya
Nuwara Eliya is a city in the tea country highlands of central Sri Lanka. The organically landscaped Hakgala Botanical Gardens are home to roses and tree ferns, as well as monkeys and blue magpies. Seetha Amman Temple, a beautiful Hindu shrine nearby, is adorned with holy images. The densely forested Galway’s Land National Park is a haven for indigenous and migratory bird species such as bulbuls and flycatchers.
Negombo
Beautiful Negombo is appealing primarily because of its proximity to the international airport, which is only 10 kilometers away; many visitors arrive from long-haul flights and stroll to one of the region’s beach hotels, or stay here as their final stop before continuing on to other destinations.
Kitulgala
Kitulgala is a tiny town in Sri Lanka’s west coast. The Bridge on the River Kwai, which won an Academy Award, was filmed on the Kelani River in Kitulgala, albeit only the concrete foundations for the bridge exist today.
Kataragama
Kataragama is a pilgrimage town in Sri Lanka important to Buddhists, Hindus, and the indigenous Vedda people. South Indians also come to pray at the temple. The Kataragama temple, also known as Kataragama deviyo, is a shrine dedicated to Skanda Kumara.
Kandy
Kandy is nestled among rolling tea plantations and green jungle, sheltered by the Mahaweli River. Kandy, Sri Lanka’s historic capital, is known for housing the country’s most sacred Buddhist relic, a tooth of the Buddha, as well as botanical gardens, temples, and a manmade lake. Kandy has a number of must-see attractions. If you enjoy nature, you can go for walks in the misty hills surrounding the hotel or take on more difficult hikes in the highlands.
Kalutara
About 40 kilometers south of Colombo, this village is famous for its high-quality bamboo baskets and mats, as well as the best mangosteens. Kalutara’s golden beach is surrounded by beautiful palm trees and is ideal for swimming. This small but bustling town is home to markets, restaurants, and shops.
Kalpitiya
Kalpitiya is a rural hamlet with Portuguese and Dutch influences located about three hours north of Colombo. Kalpitiya is well-known for its natural beaches frequented by turtles, as well as its rural fishing villages. The months of December to March are ideal for visiting Kalpitiya because the sea is calm, making it an excellent location for dolphin and whale watching off the Indian Ocean’s coast.
Jaffna
Traveling in Sri Lanka’s north is a truly unique experience. The islands surrounding the peninsula are fascinating, and daring visitors will be rewarded with a fascinating glimpse into this historically significant part of the country. The peninsula consists of the city of Jaffna, with its crumbling but beautiful architecture, and the surrounding countryside.
Hikkaduwa
Hikkaduwa is a seaside tourist town in the southwest of Sri Lanka. It is known for its strong surf and beaches, particularly Hikkaduwa Beach, which is lined with restaurants and cafes and is shaded by palm trees. The Hikkaduwa National Park, a coral sanctuary and home to rare species, is located in the shallow waters opposite Hikkaduwa Beach. Inland, hand-painted murals adorn the Buddhist shrine Gangarama Maha Vihara.
Hambantota
This must-see destination in Sri Lanka has a history dating back to the 3rd century BC. Hambantota has evolved from a dusty old town known for fishing and salt production to a popular tourist destination. There are many beautiful wildlife parks.
Habarana
Habarana is a small town in the Anuradhapura District of Sri Lanka. The area contains some mid-range and higher-end hotels marketed to package travelers, and it also serves as a starting point for other nearby attractions. Habarana is a popular safari destination because it serves as the starting point for safaris in the adjacent Habarana jungle and the Minneriya sanctuary, which is home to a large number of elephants. Elephant back riding is also a popular activity in this small city.
Galle
Galle is a magical place, with the best-preserved colonial town in Sri Lanka and an intriguing slice of time-warped island history. Massive coral bastions encircle streets of low-slung Dutch houses, while the Indian Ocean breaks nearby. History pervades Galle Fort, a Unesco World Heritage Site.
Ella
There’s a lot more going on in the Sri Lankan hills than tea. Despite its remote location in the southern Hill Country, Ella has a lot going on beneath its sea of canopies. Lounge-style cafés serving cappuccino and even a restaurant serving fish and chips bridge the gap between solitude and society; it’s no surprise that the town is known locally as ‘Little England.’
Dambulla
Dambulla! Dambulla! A town where history and herbal splendor coexist. Take a break from your stressful life for a few days and travel to a world that will show you how wonderful life can be. The Cave Temple is a pleasant point of interest in Dambulla. Dambulla Cave Temple is also known as the Dambulla Golden Temple. It is Sri Lanka’s largest and best preserved cave temple complex.
Colombo
Colombo is Sri Lanka’s economic hub and the city with the most diverse population. The coastal city is a beautiful place to spend a few days relaxing, indulging in local cuisine and leisure activities. Nonetheless, the town has many colonial-generation and early-history systems.
Chilaw
Chilaw, located at the northern tip of the Chilaw Lagoon, 85 kilometers north of Colombo, is considered one of northwestern Sri Lanka’s three main fishing ports, along with Negombo, 50 kilometers to the south, and Puttalam, 55 kilometers to the north. The port, seashore, and river mouth of Deduru Oya are five kilometers away.
Beruwela
With a fascinating coastal line that is suitable for bathing nearly all year, Beruwala, Sri Lanka is an ideal escape for beach lovers. The unusual city is located a little more than an hour away from Colombo in the district of Kalutara. Beruwala, which organizes itself as one of the main holiday destinations on the island, boasts of excellent infrastructure and roadways.
Bentota
If you want to relax in the tropical sun while sipping a delicious King Coconut drink, Bentota is the place to be. Despite being strewn with restaurants and resorts, you may discover that it does not disrupt the natural environment.
Bandarawela
Located 200 kilometers east of Colombo and 28 kilometers south of Badulla, Bandarawela is one of the key cities with tourist attractions. Bandarawela has mild weather all year due to its higher altitude. Bandarawela is well-known among nearby visitors as a vacation spot that provides relaxing environmental conditions and pleasant weather to make family gatherings exciting and memorable.
ArugamBay
Arugam Bay is a vibrant town on Sri Lanka’s south-east coast, famous for its exhilarating surfing opportunities. If surfing isn’t your thing, there’s plenty else to do in Arugam Bay. Stroll along the stunning beaches or unwind with a local yoga class. You will be able to
Anuradhapura
Embellished with dagobas (stupas), Anuradhapura is Sri Lanka’s most evocative place to visit. The majority of Anuradhapura’s ruins are still used as temples or holy sites today. This ancient city has not only temples but also pools and low-cost lodging. When you get used to their relaxed pace of life, your two-day trip to Anuradhapura may turn into four or five.