Travel guide
Beaches, waterfalls, temples, ancient cities and national parks across Sri Lanka, with opening hours, entry fees and how to get there.
16 places
Sigiriya, Matale District
A 5th-century royal citadel on top of a 200 m rock, with the famous Lion’s Paw gate, frescoes and water gardens. A UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Galle, Galle District
A walled old town built by the Portuguese and rebuilt by the Dutch in the 17th century, full of cafés, churches and colonial streets. A UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Mirissa, Matara District
A curved golden beach on the south coast, known for whale watching, surfing and the view from Coconut Tree Hill.
Nallur, Jaffna District
The best-known Hindu temple in Jaffna, dedicated to Lord Murugan, with a golden gopuram and a famous festival every year.
Kandy, Kandy District
Sri Dalada Maligawa, beside Kandy Lake, houses the relic of the tooth of the Buddha and is one of the most sacred places for Buddhists.
Tissamaharama, Hambantota District
Sri Lanka’s best-known wildlife park, famous for leopards, elephants, sloth bears and birdlife, seen on jeep safaris.
Jaffna District
A long, shallow beach on Karainagar island, lined with casuarina trees and popular with families.
Dambulla, Matale District
Five cave shrines on a rock above Dambulla, filled with Buddha statues and painted ceilings. A UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Nuwara Eliya, Nuwara Eliya District
A lake in Nuwara Eliya made in colonial times, with boat rides, a lakeside park and cool hill-country air.
Jaffna, Jaffna District
A star-shaped fort first built by the Portuguese and rebuilt by the Dutch, beside the Jaffna lagoon.
Ella, Badulla District
An easy hike through tea gardens near Ella with wide views over Ella Gap.
Ella, Badulla District
A stone railway viaduct with nine arches, set among tea and jungle near Ella. Watching a train cross it is a classic hill-country moment.
Trincomalee, Trincomalee District
A small marine park off Nilaveli with coral reefs, reef sharks and turtles, reached by boat.
Ella, Badulla District
A tall roadside waterfall below Ella, linked with the legend of King Ravana.
Kandy, Kandy District
Sri Lanka’s largest botanic garden, famous for its orchid house, giant Java fig tree and avenues of palms.
Anuradhapura, Anuradhapura District
A great white stupa in the ancient city of Anuradhapura, built in the 2nd century BC by King Dutugemunu.
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