The following list highlights some of the best places to visiting in Sri Lanka. So if you are in Sri Lanka, I recommend visiting the following:
- Golden Temple of Dambulla, Dambulla, Sri Lanka
- Horton Plains & World’s End, Eliya, Sri Lanka
- Polonnaruwa, North Central Province, Sri Lanka
- Sigiriya Rock, Matale, Sri Lanka
- Temple of the Tooth, Kandy, Sri Lanka
- Nuwara Eliya, Central Province, Sri Lanka
- Kandalama, Central Province, Sri Lanka
- Tawalantenne, Central Province, Sri Lanka
- Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
- Bahiravokanda Vihara Buddha Statue, Kandy, Sri Lanka
- Trincomalee City, Eastern Province, Sri Lanka
- Gal Viharaya, Nissankamallapura, Sri Lanka
- Ruwanwelisaya, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka
- Nagadeepa Viharaya Purana temple, Jaffna, Sri Lanka
- Udawalawe National Park, Sabaragamuwa, Sri Lanka
- Adams Peak, Sabaragamuwa, Sri Lanka
- Sinharaja Forest Reserve, Sabaragamuwa, Sri Lanka
- Galle Fort, Galle, Sri Lanka
- Yala National Park, Uva, Sri Lanka
- Sorabora Lake, Mahiyanganaya, Sri Lanka
- Bambarakanda Falls, Kalupahana, Sri Lanka
The Best Places in Sri Lanka Central Province
1. Golden Temple of Dambulla, Dambulla
The Dambulla Cave Temple, carved directly into a 300-metre high rock, includes 5 interconnected caves. In the main part of the caves is a large Buddha statue, as well as several other statues. In another room you can observe an unusual phenomenon: water from a cave spring flows down the cave walls, refuting all the laws of physics. The age of the cave pagoda is more than 2 millennia, and its numerous statues are included in one of the largest collections of Buddha sculptures.
2. Horton Plains & World’s End, Eliya
Horton Plains National Park was established in 1988 and offers a very different landscape to the rest of Sri Lanka. Covering an area of 32 km², it protects a high plateau at an altitude of over 2,000m with extensive grasslands and cloud forest. The park is home to the Kirigalpoththa and Thotupola Mountains (the second and third highest mountains on the island) and the famous World’s End Trail. This is a 10km circular walk, which passes through some of the most beautiful corners of the park. The trail is well signposted and impossible to miss, so there’s no need to hire a guide. The route is usually done in a clockwise direction, to reach the viewpoints as soon as possible and reduce the likelihood of the views being obscured by fog.
3. Polonnaruwa, North Central Province
A beautiful historical place, it is two hundred kilometres from Colombo. This is the mediaeval capital of Sri Lanka, the city of Polonnaruwa, whose first settlements began to form in the 2nd century B.C. The main monument of Polonnaruwa can be called the temple of Gal Vihara with 4 giant statues of Buddha, brought down from the rock. The royal residence was located in the former Pakakrambah Palace: the three-storey ruins are all that remains of it today. Among several stupas located here is the rangotvihara dagoba, the tallest in Polonnaruwa and the fourth largest on the island.
4. Sigiriya Rock, Matale
In the central part of Sri Lanka there is one major attraction that has become a hallmark of the country. This is Sigiriya, or “Lion Rock”, located on the site of a volcano that had gone dormant millions of years ago. The frozen lava formed a plateau where an ancient castle was erected in the early centuries AD. The ruins of this fortress have survived to this day, but even from the ruins you can judge the ancient grandeur of the structure. The entrance to the castle was once carved in the shape of a huge lion, but these days you can only see its paws, that is all that remains of the stone giant.
5. Temple of the Tooth, Kandy
One of the most important relics on the island is the Buddha’s tooth, stored in the town of Kandy in the temple of the same name. This relic was brought to the island from India in the 4th century AD, and to this day miraculous properties are attributed to it. Evildoers, having learned about the incredible properties of the shrine, have repeatedly tried to destroy the tooth and, with it, the Buddhist faith. But none of these plans were realised, the tooth remained intact. The temple itself stands on the shore of a beautiful lake, is richly decorated, and every day several times a day there is a demonstration of the sacred tooth for believers.
6. Nuwara Eliya, Central Province
You will discover one of Sri Lanka’s most fascinating and charming mountain destinations. Situated in the Highlands of the country, your trip to Nuwara Eliya will find a town surrounded by tea plantations and lush forested mountains. Known as Little England due to its influence during the British colonial period. For centuries, the traditional technology of growing, harvesting and processing high quality tea has been sacredly observed here. Sri Lankan guides will lead you through the best plantations of Nuwara Eliya, take you to the tea factory, where you can see with your own eyes the gradual process of tea making. In addition, here you can visit a museum where you can learn about various varieties of tea, or a shop where you can buy any of the varieties presented.
7. Kandalama, Central Province
Kandalama Hotel is located in Dambulla. The commission came in late 1991 when Bawa was asked to design a hotel near King Kasyapa’s rock known as the Sigiriya Citadel. As usual, he rejected the proposed site and persuaded his client to move the hotel 10 miles (16 km) south to be located on the edge of a rocky outcrop above Lake Kandalama. In the final design, the 160-room hotel conformed to the shape of the cliff, even jutting into the corridors at some points. All rooms look out over the lake towards Sigiriya and Dambulla. The reinforced concrete building adapts its black-painted structure to the slope of the hillside. The structure also creates planters and umbrellas that blend in with the vegetation of the area over time. An impressive project in the midst of impressive flora and fauna.
8. Tawalantenne, Central Province
Located in the central province of Sri Lanka, Tawalantenne is worth a visit as it offers a spectacular view and experience. The city offers countless photographic opportunities for your travel diary. Take a short trip from Tawalantenne and take your time to explore Colombo. Places like Independence Square, Galle Face Green or Seema Malaka are definitely a good idea. A day or two is enough to explore Tawalantenne.
9. Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya
Sri Lanka’s most magnificent and spacious botanical garden, Peradeniya, appeared in the distant 18th century. Its territory of 60 hectares is filled with a great variety of exotic plants, in total there are more than 4 thousand species. Trees, shrubs, flowers are indicated by information plaques, and at the entrance there is a bright map guide, by which you can find the location of the gardens and other necessary information. A walk through Peradeniya is an opportunity to stroll through the fragrant land of paradise, getting acquainted with different cultures and epochs of gardening.
10. Bahiravokanda Vihara Buddha Statue, Kandy
This Buddha statue, also known as the Giant Buddha of Kandy, stands on top of a hill. It is a relatively new construction (it was built in the 20th century) and is one of the largest Buddha statues in Sri Lanka: it is almost 30 metres high. The highlight is the grand staircase leading up to the temple. It offers a spectacular image of the seated white Buddha. Once inside, the temple is very simple, there is nothing to it. Behind the Buddha, there are stairs that lead up to Budda’s shoulder and you can appreciate the marvellous views of the lake and the city of Kandy. It has become a landmark in the city. The entrance fee to visit the sculpture is 200 LKR.
The Best Places in Sri Lanka Eastern Province
11. Trincomalee City, Eastern Province
Trincomalee is located on the east coast, and has many similarities to Jaffna. It was once a city of great importance (it was the island’s main trading port). Tamil culture prevails over the rest. And there are far fewer tourists than in other parts of Sri Lanka. Today, Trincomalee is the capital of the Eastern Province, and has a few places of interest. I recommend a minimum of 3 days to visit the city and the surrounding area, and to do the most popular water activities.
The Best Places in Sri Lanka North Central Province
12. Gal Viharaya, Nissankamallapura
Gal Vihara, whose original name was Uttararama, is a Buddhist temple located in the ancient city of Polonnaruwa. This temple, one of the most incredible in northern Sri Lanka, dates back to the 12th century. It stands out from other temples in the country not only because of its location, but also because it preserves some of the most beautiful Buddha statues in the world. Gal Vihara, whose original name was Uttararama, is a Buddhist temple located in the ancient city of Polonnaruwa. This temple, one of the most incredible in northern Sri Lanka, dates back to the 12th century. It stands out from other temples in the country not only because of its location, but also because it preserves some of the most beautiful Buddha statues in the world.
13. Ruwanwelisaya, Anuradhapura
A very significant attraction in Sri Lanka in the Buddhist world is the city of Anuradhapura, once the ancient capital of the ancient state of Sinhala. The holy city survived much in its lifetime, both prosperity and plunder by invaders. And it was only in 1980 that the restoration of its ancient ruins began. Buddhist pilgrims to Anuradhapura are attracted by the ancient cave temple of Isurumuniya, built already in the 4th-3rd centuries B.C. Numerous tourists who do not profess Buddhism also find many interesting places for them: these are numerous ancient monuments: statues, shrines, palaces, artificial reservoirs that have become part of the glorious history of the city.
The Best Places in Sri Lanka Northern Province
14. Nagadeepa Viharaya Purana temple, Jaffna
It is part of Solosmasthana, or sixteen sacred sites in Sri Lanka, located on the island of Nainativu off the coast of Jaffna. The only way to get there is by boat. So, all who visit will have a wonderful boating experience. Several ancient artefacts have been found in the area. It is a famous Buddhist shrine and a visit to “Nagadeepa raja maha vihara” is another wonderful experience.
The Best Places in Sabaragamuwa Province
15. Udawalawe National Park, Sabaragamuwa
Udawalawe National Park is a wildlife reserve that forms part of a network of protected areas spread across Sri Lanka to conserve the country’s rich heritage of biodiversity. The park’s flagship species is the Asian elephant, the protection of which was the main objective of its declaration. This park has become one of the most appropriate places to observe this magnificent animal, being the main attraction for nature tourism. It is also home to other mammals and reptiles, as well as a large number of bird species, some of which are endemic to the island. The park can be visited on safari in open-top jeeps with the assistance of local guides who are experts in the local wildlife.
16. Adams Peak, Sabaragamuwa
Among all the excursions in Sri Lanka, climbing the holy mountain, Adam’s Peak, is particularly popular. This place of worship, located at an altitude of 2.2 kilometres, has become a place of pilgrimage for representatives of all four religions, including Christianity. On the first steps of the climb, participants encounter a statue of Buddha, and then travellers will have a difficult path: about 6 thousand steps, the climb takes about 4 hours. The path that starts closer to the night ends with a fascinating sunrise, and at the top, visitors have the opportunity to see the footprint that, according to legend, was left by the enlightened Buddha.
17. Sinharaja Forest Reserve, Sabaragamuwa
Sinharaja Forest Reserve is the largest rainforest in Sri Lanka. It is home to an enormous variety of endemic flora and fauna. So much so that it is among the best biodiversity hotspots in the world. Wet, mysterious and full of life, the Sinharaja Reserve Forest is the last extensive stretch of virgin forest on the island. At just over 11,000 hectares, stretching along the wet zone on the southern edge of the mountainous region, Sinharaja is an ecological treasure trove. Its amazing flora and fauna place it among the best biodiversity hotspots in the world. For an authentic jungle experience it is best explored on foot. Park rangers can guide you along the trails, pointing out the wealth of flora, birds and fauna.
The Best Places in Sri Lanka Southern Province
18. Galle Fort, Galle
Tourists on Sri Lanka’s southern beaches are advised to visit the island’s famous historical monument, Galle Fort, the largest fortification in Asia. Initially, the fort was erected by the Portuguese in the late 16th century, but with the arrival of the Dutch, almost everything was rebuilt, and since then for 2 centuries it served as the main port of Sri Lanka. Today it is a tourist area of the city of Galle, where there are many shops, restaurants, offices and a market. But despite this, there is always a peaceful atmosphere conducive to a quiet and leisurely walk.
The Best Places in Uva Province
19. Yala National Park, Uva
The special pride of the Sri Lankans are the nature reserves, among which the Yala National Park has become a jewel. Among 12 other nature reserves, Yala is considered the oldest and second largest on the island. The territory of the park is a flat landscape, mainly dry soils with small oases. Only the western part is accessible to visitors, while the eastern part is reserved for the work of natural scientists. In total, the park is inhabited by more than 200 species of birds and 44 species of mammals, among which the largest is the Ceylon elephant.
20. Sorabora Lake, Mahiyanganaya
Sorabora Wewa is a huge reservoir located in Mahiyangana. This reservoir was originally identified as the “Bintenna Sea”. It is believed to have been made by a giant called “BULATHA”. This magnificent site dates back to 120 B.C. Bulatha means the betel nut chewer, a giant who lived at the time of King Dutugemunu, who was the original victim. It is very popular with tourists. There are stalls selling sweets and freshly brewed steaming tea or Belimal and a fantastic view of the numerous birds swimming, diving and splashing in the sparkling water.
21. Bambarakanda Falls, Kalupahana
The Bambarakanda waterfall is the highest in the country at 263 metres. It is located in the district of Badulla, Kalupahana and, although the waterfall is not particularly abundant, the base has several pools of water in which you can easily bathe and refresh yourself, which together with the beautiful vegetation and tranquillity give the waterfall a special charm.
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