A small teardrop-shaped island nation, Sri Lanka is a tourist’s paradise. Surrounded by natural, cultural and culinary delights, this lovely country boasts eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Plan a trip to this wonderful country and let your worries drift away, leaving your soul refreshed and relaxed. Pristine beaches, lush forests, wonderful resorts facing the beach, relaxing in hammocks under gently swaying palm trees, enjoying delicious Sri-Lankan dishes.
Sri Lanka’s tropical climate, beautiful beaches, and amazing cuisine are just some of the many reasons to put this South Asian country on your travel list. Here are the best Sri Lanka tourist places to visit for nature lovers and culture enthusiasts.
The most famous Sri Lankan tourist destinations
Sigiriya
Rising significantly from the country’s central plains, the mysterious rocky outcrop of Sigiriya is perhaps Sri Lanka’s most impressive sight. This Sri Lankan tourist destination has nearly vertical walls that soar to a flat top containing the ruins of an ancient palace, said to have been the focal point of the short-lived kingdom of Kassapa.
The early morning views through mist-shrouded forests are mesmerizing, but leave time for the fascinating museum on site. Once you’ve climbed the rock, try hiking up the neighboring hills for stunning views of Sigiriya, towering above the surrounding forest.
Mirissa and the southern beaches
Mirissa is arguably Sri Lanka’s most beautiful beach. A strip of powdery white sand lies above the clear blue water. Mirissa is one of the most popular beach destinations in southern Sri Lanka.
This area has it all, beautiful Sri Lankan beaches, great waves for surfing and waters teeming with marine life, from turtles to large blue whales. Spend the day enjoying fresh coconuts in hammocks, eating delicious food from beachside restaurants, and getting around by motorbike.
Uda Wales National Park
This huge stretch of savannah centered on the Uda Walawe reservoir is where Sri Lanka turns to East Africa – a vast expanse of grasslands, waterholes and forests, home to buffalo, sambar deer, crocodiles, Tropical birds and lots of elephants. This is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Sri Lanka.
Udawalawe National Park is full of tourists from all over the world who come to Udawalawe, to hop on a jeep and see wild elephants with their own eyes!
Arugam Bay
Arugam Bay is a hidden gem located on the east coast of Sri Lanka. Since it is located far from the capital and other tourist attractions, it is not really popular among tourists. As a result, it has managed to retain its small-town charm while also becoming popular among tourists. Tourists who want to explore some new Sri Lankan tourist destinations.
Arugam Bay sums up much of what makes Sri Lanka famous – it’s a tropical coastal village with loads of interesting highlights nearby; Fascinating Kudumbagala Monastery, stunning Elephant Rock and adventurous Kumana National Park.
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Ella has long been one of the most popular destinations in Sri Lanka, sought after for its laid-back atmosphere and picturesque hiking trails. This is also the starting or ending point of the famous Kandy-Ella train route, often considered the most scenic train route in the world.
Gliding through emerald tea fields on the train from Colombo to Ella with the wind in your hair and the scent of the tropics wafting in the breeze is the stuff of travel dreams. Ella is the place to ease up on the tourist pace with a few leisurely days of rest in your choice of some of the country’s best guesthouses. However, take time for a pleasant walk through tea plantations to temples, waterfalls, and viewpoints.
Arguably the most famous attraction in Ella is the Nine Arch Bridge. This beautiful bridge is surrounded by tea fields and lush greenery and has become the postcard of Sri Lankan tourism.
Adam’s Peak
Sacred to Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and Christians, Adam’s Peak (Sri Pada) has been a place of pilgrimage for more than a thousand years, pilgrims have trudged by candlelight to the summit, to stand in the footsteps of Buddha (or Lord Shiva, or Biblical Adam, depending on tradition), contemplate the universe, and take in the stunning landscape.
In addition to being a tourist mecca, Adam’s Peak is also extremely popular with tourists because of its captivating beauty and unparalleled trekking trips. This place is also known as Sri Pada (sacred footsteps) and Samanala Kanda. (butterfly mountain). The 6th century Tamil epic Manimekalai mentions Samantakuta peak on Ratnadipa island as the site of Buddha’s footprints. Adam’s Peak is also found in the writings of explorer Marco Polo and traveler Ibn Battuta.
Kandy
Sri Lanka’s ancient cities may have a longer history, but Kandy has the power of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kandy is a holy city. Set amid the misty hills and dense forests of Sri Lanka’s central province, Kandy lies about three hours northeast of the capital Colombo.
Kandy is one of the largest and most culturally significant cities in Sri Lanka. The island’s cultural capital is famous for being home to the Sacred Tooth Relic Temple, the central shrine said to contain a tooth of Buddha himself.
For the Sinhalese people, this is the holiest place on the island due to the importance and spiritual significance of this temple. For tourists, Kandy offers more tangible rewards: nostalgic wanders around the old town, impressive views of the central lake, a series of interesting museums, and in the vicinity several botanical gardens The island’s most beautiful flora.
But Kandy is much more than its number one attraction; It’s a city of delightful chaos, with bustling streets, ancient temples, colonial architecture, aristocratic gardens and dazzling Kandy Lake forming the perfect backdrop for a few days of rest among the green hills of Sri Lanka.