Sri Lanka · Local picks
100+ Places to Visit in Sri Lanka
These are the places worth your time in Sri Lanka, from the temples and markets of Colombo and Kandy to the rock fortress of Sigiriya, the tea hills of Ella, the fort town of Galle and the leopards of Yala. Classics sit beside quiet temples, waterfalls and local kitchens many travellers miss, so every kind of visitor finds something to love.
Places to Visit in Colombo
Arts and Culture
- Gangaramaya Temple (Beira Lake)
A joyful mix of Buddhist, Hindu and Chinese styles packed with curious gifts from devotees. - Seema Malakaya (Beira Lake)
A calm meditation hall floating on the lake, designed by Geoffrey Bawa. - Colombo National Museum (Cinnamon Gardens)
The island's royal story, from ancient bronzes to the throne of the last Kandyan king. - Jami Ul Alfar Mosque (Pettah)
A red and white candy striped mosque that is the most photographed building in old Colombo.
Shopping and Markets
- Pettah Market (Pettah)
Streets of spices, fabrics and hardware where you see Colombo trade at full speed. - Barefoot (Galle Road, Colombo 3)
Bright handwoven textiles, toys and books from a much loved Sri Lankan brand. - Odel (Alexandra Place)
The city's best known department store for clothes, tea and souvenirs.
Nature and Outdoors
- Galle Face Green (Galle Face)
A seafront lawn of kites, food carts and families gathering for sunset. - Beddagana Wetland Park (Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte)
Boardwalks and bird hides in the marshes of the official capital.
Restaurants
- Ministry of Crab (Dutch Hospital, Fort)
Giant lagoon crabs in garlic chilli sauce in a restored colonial hospital. - Hotel De Pilawoos (Galle Road, Kollupitiya)
A late night favourite for cheese kottu and fresh roti. - The Gallery Café (Paradise Road, Colombo 3)
Dinner in Geoffrey Bawa's former office, all courtyards and lamplight. - Upali's by Nawaloka (Colombo 7)
A lively family restaurant serving Sri Lankan classics from every region.
Cafés
- Barefoot Garden Café (Galle Road, Colombo 3)
A leafy courtyard café behind the famous handloom shop, with Sunday jazz.
Bars and Nightlife
- Galle Face Hotel Verandah (Galle Face)
A sundowner on the veranda of the grand old hotel facing the ocean. - Dutch Hospital Shopping Precinct (Fort)
Colonial courtyards filled with bars and restaurants that buzz after work.
Things to Do
- Old Parliament and Fort walk (Fort)
Colonial landmarks, the clock tower lighthouse and the presidential secretariat on foot. - Mount Lavinia Beach (Mount Lavinia)
A city beach with seafood shacks and a colonial hotel on the headland.
Stays
- Galle Face Hotel (Galle Face)
A grand colonial seafront hotel that has hosted travellers since the 1860s.
Events
- Navam Perahera (Gangaramaya Temple)
A February full moon procession of elephants, dancers and drummers through the city.
Places to Visit in Kandy
Arts and Culture
- Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Kandy Lake)
The island's holiest Buddhist shrine, best seen during the drumming of the evening puja. - Kandyan Cultural Centre (Kandy Lake)
An evening show of drummers, dancers in silver headdresses and fire walking. - Embekke Devalaya (Embekke)
A village shrine famous for its intricately carved wooden pillars. - Lankathilaka Vihara (Hiyarapitiya)
A fourteenth century temple on a rock with sweeping views of the countryside. - Gadaladeniya Temple (Pilimathalawa)
A stone temple with South Indian influences, part of the quiet three temples loop. - Ceylon Tea Museum (Hantana)
An old tea factory showing the machines and story behind Ceylon tea.
Nature and Outdoors
- Kandy Lake (Town centre)
An easy lakeside loop with monitor lizards, birds and temple views. - Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya (Peradeniya)
Orchids, royal palm avenues and giant fig trees on a bend of the Mahaweli river. - Udawattakele Forest Reserve (Behind the Temple of the Tooth)
Quiet trails and birdlife in the old royal forest right next to town.
Things to Do
- Bahirawakanda Vihara Buddha Statue (Bahirawakanda)
A giant white Buddha on a hilltop overlooking the whole city. - Hanthana Mountain Range hike (Hanthana)
Ridge walks through tea and grassland just above the city.
Shopping and Markets
- Kandy Municipal Central Market (Town centre)
Spices, fruit, batik and wooden masks under one roof.
Restaurants
- Balaji Dosai (Peradeniya Road)
Crisp dosai and South Indian vegetarian plates loved by locals. - The Empire Café (Temple Street)
A colonial building near the temple serving rice and curry and Western comfort food.
Cafés
- Kandy Muslim Hotel (Dalada Veediya)
A busy old eatery for roti, biryani and sweet milk tea.
Stays
- Queen's Hotel (Dalada Veediya)
A colonial hotel facing the temple and the lake, right on the perahera route. - Helga's Folly (Mahamaya Mawatha)
An eccentric, art filled hilltop hotel unlike anywhere else on the island.
Events
- Kandy Esala Perahera (Town centre)
Ten nights of elephants, drummers and fire dancers, one of Asia's great festivals.
Places to Visit in Sigiriya
Arts and Culture
- Sigiriya Rock Fortress (Sigiriya)
A fifth century palace on a giant rock, with painted maidens and lion paw gateway. - Dambulla Royal Cave Temple (Dambulla)
Five caves full of Buddha statues and painted ceilings over two thousand years old. - Polonnaruwa Ancient City (Polonnaruwa)
A compact medieval capital of palaces and shrines best seen by bicycle. - Gal Vihara (Polonnaruwa)
Four serene Buddha figures carved from a single granite face. - Sri Maha Bodhi (Anuradhapura)
A sacred fig tree said to be grown from a cutting of the Buddha's own tree. - Ruwanwelisaya (Anuradhapura)
A huge white stupa that glows at dusk as pilgrims gather. - Mihintale (Mihintale)
A hilltop where Buddhism is said to have reached the island, with stairs to a rock summit. - Ritigala Forest Monastery (Ritigala)
Ruined meditation platforms deep in the jungle on a remote mountain. - Aukana Buddha Statue (Aukana)
A tall standing Buddha carved from rock beside an ancient reservoir. - Sigiriya Museum (Sigiriya)
A small museum explaining how the rock palace and water gardens were built.
Nature and Outdoors
- Pidurangala Rock (Pidurangala)
A scramble past a reclining Buddha to the classic sunrise view of Sigiriya. - Minneriya National Park (Minneriya)
The dry season gathering of elephants on the reservoir shore. - Kaudulla National Park (Kaudulla)
Herds of elephants and birdlife around an ancient tank. - Hurulu Eco Park (Habarana)
A quieter forest reserve for elephant drives when the bigger parks are busy.
Stays
- Jetwing Vil Uyana (Sigiriya)
Thatched dwellings set among paddy fields and wetlands near the rock. - Heritance Kandalama (Dambulla)
Geoffrey Bawa's jungle draped hotel built into a cliff above a lake.
Shopping and Markets
- Dambulla Dedicated Economic Centre (Dambulla)
The island's biggest wholesale vegetable market, a riot of colour at dawn.
Places to Visit in Ella
Things to Do
- Nine Arch Bridge (Demodara)
A colonial viaduct over the jungle where you can watch the blue train cross. - Kandy to Ella train (Ella Railway Station)
One of the world's most scenic train rides through tea estates and tunnels. - Uva Halpewatte Tea Factory (Ella)
A working tea factory where you can see how leaf becomes Ceylon tea.
Nature and Outdoors
- Little Adam's Peak (Ella)
An easy walk through tea to a ridge with sunrise views. - Ella Rock (Ella)
A longer hike to a cliff top looking down the Ella Gap. - Ravana Falls (Ella Wellawaya Road)
A tall waterfall right by the road, at its best after rain. - Lipton's Seat (Haputale)
The viewpoint where Thomas Lipton surveyed his estate, best before the clouds roll in. - Horton Plains National Park (Nuwara Eliya)
Highland grassland and cloud forest leading to the sheer drop of World's End. - Diyaluma Falls (Koslanda)
A tall waterfall with natural rock pools at the top for swimming.
Arts and Culture
- Dowa Rock Temple (Bandarawela)
A quiet cave temple with an unfinished Buddha carved into the rock. - Adisham Bungalow (Haputale)
An English country house turned monastery, with gardens and homemade jams.
Restaurants
- Cafe Chill (Main Street, Ella)
The village's lively hub for rice and curry, cocktails and music.
Stays
- 98 Acres Resort and Spa (Ella)
Chalets on a tea estate with views of Little Adam's Peak. - Living Heritage Koslanda (Koslanda)
A secluded eco retreat near Diyaluma in a private forest. - Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya (Nuwara Eliya)
A Tudor style hotel from the British era, ideal for high tea.
Places to Visit in Galle
Arts and Culture
- Galle Fort (Galle)
A living UNESCO fort town of ramparts, lanes and colonial houses. - Dutch Reformed Church (Church Street, Galle Fort)
An eighteenth century church floored with old Dutch gravestones. - National Maritime Museum (Galle Fort)
Shipwreck finds and fishing history in an old Dutch warehouse. - Japanese Peace Pagoda (Rumassala)
A white stupa on the hill with views over the bay. - Mulkirigala Rock Temple (Mulkirigala)
A quiet cliffside cave temple reached by long stairways. - Martin Wickramasinghe Folk Museum (Koggala)
The home and folk collection of one of Sri Lanka's great writers.
Things to Do
- Galle Fort Lighthouse (Galle Fort)
The fort's white lighthouse, best visited before sunset on the ramparts. - Mirissa whale watching (Mirissa Harbour)
Boat trips to see blue whales and dolphins from December to April. - Weligama surf lessons (Weligama Bay)
A long sandy bay with gentle waves ideal for first time surfers. - Koggala Lake boat trip (Koggala)
A boat ride to island temples and a cinnamon farm.
Nature and Outdoors
- Unawatuna Beach (Unawatuna)
A sheltered bay that is usually calm for swimming in season. - Jungle Beach (Rumassala)
A small cove for snorkelling, reached on a short jungle walk. - Coconut Tree Hill (Mirissa)
A palm topped headland that has become the coast's favourite photo spot. - Rekawa Turtle Watch (Rekawa)
Community guided night walks to see turtles nesting on the beach. - Hiriketiya Beach (Dikwella)
A horseshoe bay with surf, cafés and a relaxed crowd.
Restaurants
- Lucky Fort Restaurant (Galle Fort)
A family kitchen serving many small curries with rice.
Cafés
- Pedlar's Inn Café (Pedlar Street, Galle Fort)
A classic fort café for coffee and cake in an old colonial building.
Bars and Nightlife
- Amangalla Verandah (Galle Fort)
An elegant old hotel veranda for an evening drink inside the fort walls.
Shopping and Markets
- Barefoot Galle (Pedlar Street, Galle Fort)
Colourful handwoven cloth and gifts from the Colombo design brand.
Stays
- Jetwing Lighthouse (Galle)
A Bawa designed hotel on the rocks just outside the fort.
Places to Visit in Yala
Nature and Outdoors
- Yala National Park (Yala)
Leopards, sloth bears, elephants and crocodiles in the island's best known park. - Kumana National Park (Kumana)
A remote bird rich park on the east side of Yala with far fewer jeeps. - Udawalawe National Park (Udawalawe)
Reliable sightings of elephant herds on open grassland. - Elephant Transit Home (Udawalawe)
See orphaned baby elephants being fed before they return to the wild. - Bundala National Park (Bundala)
Lagoons with flamingos and huge flocks of waterbirds. - Tissa Wewa (Tissamaharama)
An ancient reservoir with birdlife and sunset views.
Arts and Culture
- Kataragama Temple (Kataragama)
A sacred site for Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims, magical at evening puja. - Sithulpawwa Rock Temple (Yala)
An ancient monastery on a rock inside the park area.
Things to Do
- Kirinda Beach and Temple (Kirinda)
A temple on boulders above a wild, windswept beach.
Stays
- Cinnamon Wild Yala (Yala)
A lodge on the park boundary where animals wander past the cabins. - Jetwing Yala (Yala)
A beachside hotel next to the park for early safari starts.
Events
- Kataragama Festival (Kataragama)
A July and August festival of processions and devotion drawing pilgrims across faiths.
Places to Visit in Trincomalee
Nature and Outdoors
- Nilaveli Beach (Nilaveli)
Long pale sand and calm water on the east coast from May to September. - Pigeon Island National Park (Nilaveli)
Snorkelling with reef sharks and turtles over coral just offshore.
Arts and Culture
- Koneswaram Temple (Fort Frederick)
A cliff top Hindu temple high above the sea.
Things to Do
- Trincomalee whale watching (Trincomalee)
Boat trips for blue whales in season.
Places to Visit in Arugam Bay
Things to Do
- Arugam Bay Main Point (Arugam Bay)
A famous right hand surf break in the east coast season.
Nature and Outdoors
- Kudumbigala Monastery (Panama)
Forest hermitages and a rock with jungle views.
Places to Visit in Jaffna
Arts and Culture
- Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil (Jaffna)
Jaffna's grand Hindu temple, centre of a spectacular summer festival. - Jaffna Fort (Jaffna)
A star shaped Dutch fort overlooking the lagoon.
More to Explore
We are still checking these with fresh sources, so confirm opening times before you go.
- Saraswathie Lodge (Bambalapitiya, Colombo)
Tamil vegetarian rice and curry served on banana leaves, the way locals eat lunch. - Slightly Chilled Lounge Bar (Anagarika Dharmapala Mawatha, Kandy)
A rooftop bar with views over the lake and town. - Kandyan Arts Association (Kandy Lake, Kandy)
Local crafts such as lacquerwork, brass and textiles sold by makers. - Habarana village tour (Habarana, Sigiriya)
A bullock cart ride, lake crossing and home cooked lunch with a farming family. - Rastha Hotel (Sigiriya, Sigiriya)
A local roadside spot for simple rice and curry and kottu. - Ancient Village Restaurant (Sigiriya, Sigiriya)
Rice and curry in a garden setting close to the rock. - Ravana Zipline (Ella, Ella)
A zipline across the tea covered valley for a rush of speed. - Matey Hut (Ella, Ella)
A tiny family kitchen famous for its home style rice and curry. - Chill Ville (Ella, Ella)
Hillside café with views for an unhurried afternoon. - Chill Bar (Main Street, Ella, Ella)
Evening drinks and music on Ella's busy main street. - Bandarawela Market (Bandarawela, Ella)
A busy hill town market for vegetables, spices and local snacks. - Church Street Social (Galle Fort, Galle)
Sri Lankan and Western dishes in a colonial courtyard at the Fort Printers area. - Galle Literary Festival (Galle Fort, Galle)
A literary festival bringing writers from around the world to the fort when it runs. - Tissamaharama rice and curry hotels (Tissamaharama, Yala)
Simple local places feeding safari drivers before dawn starts. - Rio Ice Cream (Nallur, Jaffna)
A local favourite for sundaes after visiting the temple.