Sri Lanka offers numerous attractions in both natural and cultural terms. Here I present 15 of these sights!
Located in the northern part of the Indian Ocean, south of India’s shores, slightly north of the Equator. Its sandy coastline is rich in palm trees, while the interior of the island is abundant in lush vegetation and wildlife. The inland areas alternate between tea plantations, rice fields, and tropical rainforests.
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Best places in Sri Lanka
Yala National Park
One of Sri Lanka’s most popular national parks. The park consists of five separate sectors, but only two are open to the public: Yala West (also known as Ruhuna) and Yala East.
The park is famous for its impressive wildlife: elephants, crocodiles, water buffalos, and hundreds of bird species live here, including many endemic species. It’s home to one of the world’s largest leopard populations.
The most popular activity is jeep safari: the best time to start is at sunrise or sunset when animals are most active.
Adam’s Peak
This iconic mountain in southwestern Sri Lanka holds spiritual significance for the country’s four main religious communities: Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, and Christians all revere it as a holy site.
The mountain’s unique feature is the distinctive foot-shaped rock formation at 2,243 meters, which different religions interpret differently. For Buddhists, the footprint is Buddha’s imprint from when he visited Sri Lanka. Hindus consider it Lord Shiva’s footprint. Muslims and Christians believe it belongs to Adam, who, according to legend, first touched Earth on this mountain after being expelled from the Garden of Eden.
The steep path to the summit is traveled by many pilgrims annually, especially during the pilgrimage season from December to May. Most start early in the morning to reach the summit by sunrise.
Mirissa Beach
One of Sri Lanka’s most beautiful and visited beaches on the country’s southern coast, near Matara.
The picturesque beach features fine, golden sand, turquoise sea, and a landscape dotted with palm trees. Its shallow shore makes it perfect for children.
Mirissa’s specialty is that it’s one of the best places in Sri Lanka for whale and dolphin watching. Blue whales, humpback whales, and various dolphin species can be seen in the Indian Ocean, primarily between November and April.
Jaffna
A city in northern Sri Lanka that serves as the center of the country’s Tamil culture.
For centuries, it was the center of Tamil kingdoms and played a strategic role during Portuguese, Dutch, and British colonial periods. Due to this diverse historical background, the city has preserved a significant portion of Tamil culture and traditions.
Its most significant attraction is the fort, built by the Portuguese and later modified by the Dutch. The seaside fort provides insight into Jaffna’s colonial past and military history.
Two temples must be highlighted. The Nallur Temple is one of the city’s most important Hindu temples. Nagadeepa is a sacred Buddhist pilgrimage site located on an island near Jaffna.
Sinharaja Forest Reserve
Located in southwestern Sri Lanka, it’s one of the country’s most important conservation areas and has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1988.
The forest is home to hundreds of endemic plant and animal species found nowhere else in the world. Many of the plant and animal species living here are part of Sri Lanka’s unique tropical ecosystem, including rare orchids, ferns, and exotic woody plants.
It’s particularly famous for its colorful bird life. About 95% of the birds living here are among Sri Lanka’s endemic bird species, including Sri Lankan magpies, red-faced malkohas, and blue-tailed sunbirds.
Visiting is recommended mostly through organized tours, as it’s difficult to navigate without a guide due to the forest’s density and complexity.
Colombo
Sri Lanka’s capital and largest city, located on the country’s western coast along the Indian Ocean.
Its history spans more than 2000 years, as it lay on an important ancient trade route connecting Asia and Europe. The city was occupied by the Portuguese, Dutch, and British during the colonial period, and each left their mark on the architecture, culture, and religious life.
A significant building is the Gangaramaya Temple. This is one of Colombo’s most important Buddhist temples. The Pettah Bazaar, one of the city’s oldest markets, is a must-visit.
Its most important cultural institution is the Colombo National Museum. The country’s largest and oldest museum showcases Sri Lanka’s history, art, and cultural heritage. The exhibitions here range from relics of ancient kingdoms to modern times.
Lipton’s Seat
When in Sri Lanka, a tea plantation visit is a must!
The name might be familiar to many. It was named after Sir Thomas Lipton, who established his tea empire here. He founded the Dambatenne plantation in the late 19th century and built his tea production center here.
Located at approximately 1,970 meters above sea level, it offers incredible views of the surrounding mountains, valleys, and tea plantations on clear days, with visibility extending to five surrounding provinces.
During the tour, we often see tea pickers who still work by hand. Of course, at the end, we can taste the freshly made tea.
Anuradhapura
One of Buddhism’s most important holy sites, it was the political and religious capital for about 1,300 years.
According to tradition, its founding is linked to a sacred fig tree. This tree developed from a branch of the tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment. The over 2,200-year-old tree, the Sri Maha Bodhi, still lives today, spreading from a shrine to cover part of the city center.
Its most important monuments include the Isurumuniya shrine built in the 3rd century BC, founded by laypeople following miracles around the sacred tree; the 110-meter-high Ruwanwelisaya dagoba built in the 2nd century BC; the Abhayagiri monastery from the 1st century BC; and the world’s tallest stupa, the Jetavanaramaya dagoba, dated to the 4th century AD.
Nine Arch Bridge
This railway bridge is one of Sri Lanka’s most popular tourist attractions.
The bridge is part of the Demodara railway line connecting Ella and the capital, Colombo. Built in the 1920s during the British colonial period, it was constructed entirely of stone, brick, and cement without iron due to the lack of reinforced concrete. The structure is a marvel of technical knowledge and engineering work of that time.
The 91-meter-long and 24-meter-high bridge offers a fantastic sight, especially when trains pass over it. The nearby paths and viewpoints are popular spots for photographers.
Polonnaruwa
Polonnaruwa became the country’s capital after the destruction of the former temporary royal residence, Anuradhapura, in 993. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Its still-visible medieval monuments date from the era of the conquering Cholas and the Sinhalese rulers of the 12th-13th centuries. The settlement reached its peak in the 12th century, then emptied after a long decline at the end of the 13th century.
The city’s most significant monuments are from the 12th century, including a massive garden with an irrigation system still usable today, a palace with a council chamber and bath, the Gal Vihara cave temple with a 14-meter-long reclining Buddha statue, and the „House of Eight Relics”.
Minneriya National Park
Located in central Sri Lanka near Polonnaruwa, it’s one of the country’s most important conservation areas.
The park is especially popular for elephants, as it hosts the famous „elephant gathering” here annually, a unique natural spectacle worldwide. During the dry season, particularly from July to October, hundreds of elephants from different parts of the country gather around Minneriya Lake for water and food.
Sigiriya
A mountain fortress located on the 200-meter-high Lion Rock in the central part of the country.
The fortress, whose ruins are visible today, was built at the end of the 5th century during the reign of King Kashyapa I on top of the heavily eroded volcanic rock rising from tropical vegetation. The rock walls along the path leading to it were decorated with paintings, many of which have been preserved in excellent condition.
The main parts of the massive citadel dominating the area consist of halls, baths, bridges, gardens, and fountains.
Sacred City of Kandy
This Buddhist center houses Sri Lanka’s most important relic, one of Buddha’s teeth.
Its most important monuments are the palace complex with a wooden public audience hall, the famous pilgrimage site the two-story Temple of the Tooth, and the Temple of the Flower Garden. In the center of the city lies the artificially created Kandy Lake with a circumference of 4 kilometers.
Kandy is still considered a sacred city by millions of Buddhist followers. A procession is held annually to honor the relic kept in the Temple of the Tooth.
Galle
This coastal settlement in southwestern Sri Lanka has been shaped by multiple cultures over the centuries.
It was first under Portuguese, then Dutch and British rule. Its architecture shows a mixture of European and Southeast Asian style elements, with its fortified city center mostly dating from the first third of the 18th century. The fort was reinforced with 14 bastions and enclosed an area of approximately half a square kilometer.
Prominent features included the Governor’s Palace, the armory, the powder magazine, baroque churches, the bastions, and the city gate.
Dambulla
The five cave temples of Dambulla, located in the center of Sri Lanka, represent the country’s largest and best-preserved cave temple complex.
The temples’ history dates back to the beginnings of Buddhism. The first temple contains a 14-meter-long reclining Buddha statue. The fourth temple is the oldest, while the fifth cave temple was renovated in the style of the 1820s.
The richly decorated temple interiors house a total of 154 Buddha statues. Approximately 2,100 square meters of surface area is covered with wall paintings.
