Sri Lanka, a country in South-east Asia, is a popular tourist destination in the world for many reasons. It has beautiful beaches, beautiful mountains, a diverse landscape and rich flora & fauna. Sri Lanka has a unique, culturally rich, and family-oriented population. The country is also home to a large number of religious groups and several islands, which draw families for vacations. Here are the top 10 popular places and 5 must-visit but less popular yet the best places to visit in Sri Lanka.
Top 10 places to visit in Sri Lanka
Colombo
The commercial capital of the country creates a perfect welcome for everyone who comes to Sri Lanka. It is one of the most amazing places to visit in Sri Lanka because the country’s colonial and indigenous history is perfectly shown by its modern and urban mixed amenities.
British, Netherland and Portugal cultures have combined with the native culture to form a wonderful hybrid culture here. Not only the architecture and arts in Colombo but also the foods tell these influences.
Colombo is home to lots of museums that relate to the county’s history well. Being seated on the coast, the city of Colombo occupies a green area in front of the beach near a Fort for everyone to spend their hours freely; mostly Friday and Saturday nights.
Kandy
Kandy, being one of the sacred cities in Sri Lanka was the capital of the country during the 15th – 18th centuries when the entire coastal regions of the country were under European powers. See that you don’t miss the Sacred Temple of Tooth Relic which is a holy Buddhist shrine near the stunning Kandy Lake and the nearby National Museum of Kandy to discern the past via exhibits and artefacts. You can also visit the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, The Big Buddha Statue or one of the war cemeteries when you are here.
Mirissa
Mirissa is a picturesque beach line on the south coast of the country. The best whale and dolphin watching area in Sri Lanka is Mirissa. See that you hire an ethical tour operator before you embark yourself into whale and dolphin watching tours to get a great experience. The morning fish market here sells the fresh and best fish in the area. Coconut Tree Hill is among the best attractions here as you will get to enjoy an incredible sunset.
Sigiriya
Sigiriya rock fortress is a Sri Lanka must-see site as it is the 8th wonder of the world as declared by UNESCO. It is an incredible construction where a huge rock has been turned into a palace. You will get to walk among thousand-year-old royal palace gardens, (they are in ruins) but some of the fountains operate even today to give a magnificent sight. Also, the Sigiriya Frescoes are another thing that should not be missed here along with the sunset at the top of the summit.
Dambulla
Dambulla is one of the historical places to visit in Sri Lanka and is famous for the most well-preserved cave temple complex in the country. Dambulla cave temple complex comprises 5 caves, each carved with beautiful frescoes and paintings on the walls. It’s home to over 150 Buddha statues, god and goddess statues as well. Dambulla cave temple or the Golden Temple of Dambulla is a World Heritage Site and a must visit place in Sri Lanka.
Yala National Park
Yala National Park is one of the best places to visit in Sri Lanka to see leopards. Leopard is no longer a rare animal to this park as they come into your sights often even during one-day trips. Moreover, it has different ecosystems such as grasslands, marine environments and tropical rainforests. Several miles away from here, in Hambantota, there are important Buddhist Shrine and temples.
Minneriya National Park
An elephant lover in Sri Lanka must have a visit to Minneriya National Park. Go there during the dry season so that you can see huge herds of elephants flocked around water bodies, playing, bathing and drinking water. You can also watch the annual gatherings of these gentle giants here, from July to September.
Ella
Ella is one of the Sri Lankan destinations popular for pleasing views, cosy winds, amazing foods, comfortable guesthouses and friendly people. It’s an ideal gateway to spend a vacation or weekends leisurely; hiking and walking in the countryside. You can head to Ella from Kandy by the iconic blue train so that you will be taking the most scenic train ride in Sri Lanka. Don’t forget to visit the Nine Arches Bridge, Ella Rock and Little Adam’s Peak when you are here.
Polonnaruwa
This is a Sri Lanka must-see heritage site filled with ruins of ancient palaces, gardens and temples. Don’t forget to check out the Royal Palace of Parakramabahu, the Scared Quadrangle, Lankathilaka Temple and the Twin ponds when you are here.
Galle
A drive of 2 hours from Colombo via the first superhighway of the country would take you to Galle. The ancient sea-front Galle Fort has been the main trading hub followed by a walled city which is now acquired by luxury boutiques, hotels, restaurants and shops. But still, the historic value of the city is preserved. Moreover, the beaches surrounding the area are blessed with turquoise water, even beneath the famous Galle lighthouse.
Adam’s Peak
Another one of the best Sri Lankan destinations, yet a lesser-known one is Adam’s Peak. It is all about an upward hike of 3 hours to see the sacred footprint of Buddha and the lovely sunrise on the top. Usually, visitors start their journey late at night and arrive at the summit by dawn to witness the sunrise. The pilgrimage season lasts from December to May. It is quite a challenging climb but you can make it to the top if you take frequent stops on the way.
The 5 best but underrated places to visit in Sri Lanka
Pidurangala
Pidurangala is a small rock close to the Sigiriya Rock Fortress but a few people know about it because it is in the off-beaten path of Sri Lanka. This is a great viewpoint to see the Sigiriya Rock at a distance during sunrise. The hike of one hour to the top of the rock begins from the Pidurangala temple, and though it only takes about 20 minutes to complete it is a challenging one, especially the last few steps.
Tallala
This is one of the best places to visit in Sri Lanka if you are looking for a secluded beach destination. The pristine 1km long beach of Tallala creates a perfect spot for yoga and meditation activities as well. Tallala Retreat on the beach is popular for offering all those spa treatments to pamper everyone.
Hiriketiya
It’s a horseshoe-shaped bay in the south of Sri Lanka in the Dickwella area, which is included in the list of Sri Lanka must-see beaches. Hiriketiya beach makes a perfect swimming spot all year round. See that you don’t forget to surf, pamper yourselves with Ayurvedic spa treatments, sip a cocktail at Smoke & Bitters and have brunch at Verse Collective.
Pigeon Island National Park
This is one of the two marine parks in Sri Lanka situated close to Nilaweli Beach. The Pigeon Island National Park is the perfect destination for those who like snorkelling and scuba diving. Even if you are a beginner, you can snorkel in here with hundreds of vibrant fish and this includes swimming with blacktip reef shark as well.
Summary – Best places to visit in Sri Lanka
In short, a traveller’s life is incomplete without stepping on to Sri Lanka at least once in his lifetime. There are many things for you to do and see when you are here, starting from the stunning beaches, exotic wildlife to adventurous hikes and water sports. But all of this depends on the time you choose to visit Sri Lanka. So, if planned right the above list of best places to visit in Sri Lanka would be a guide for you to have a successful travel itinerary.