Beaches
Must see
Mirissa Beach
Mirissa, Matara District
A curved golden beach on the south coast, known for whale watching, surfing and the view from Coconut Tree Hill.
Travel guide
Tourist places in Sri Lanka
Beaches, waterfalls, temples, ancient cities and national parks across Sri Lanka, with opening hours, entry fees and how to get there.
16 places
Historical & heritage sites
Must see
Sigiriya Rock Fortress
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.
Historical & heritage sites
Must see
Galle Fort
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.
Hindu kovils
Must see
Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil
Nallur, Jaffna District
The best-known Hindu temple in Jaffna, dedicated to Lord Murugan, with a golden gopuram and a famous festival every year.
Buddhist temples
Must see
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
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.
National parks & wildlife
Must see
Yala National Park
Tissamaharama, Hambantota District
Sri Lanka’s best-known wildlife park, famous for leopards, elephants, sloth bears and birdlife, seen on jeep safaris.
Lakes & reservoirs
Gregory Lake
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.
Historical & heritage sites
Nine Arch Bridge
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.
Waterfalls & rivers
Ravana Falls
Ella, Badulla District
A tall roadside waterfall below Ella, linked with the legend of King Ravana.
Beaches
Casuarina Beach
Jaffna District
A long, shallow beach on Karainagar island, lined with casuarina trees and popular with families.
Buddhist temples
Dambulla Cave Temple
Dambulla, Matale District
Five cave shrines on a rock above Dambulla, filled with Buddha statues and painted ceilings. A UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Historical & heritage sites
Jaffna Fort
Jaffna, Jaffna District
A star-shaped fort first built by the Portuguese and rebuilt by the Dutch, beside the Jaffna lagoon.
Mountains, hikes & viewpoints
Little Adam’s Peak
Ella, Badulla District
An easy hike through tea gardens near Ella with wide views over Ella Gap.
Islands
Pigeon Island National Park
Trincomalee, Trincomalee District
A small marine park off Nilaveli with coral reefs, reef sharks and turtles, reached by boat.
Parks & gardens
Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya
Kandy, Kandy District
Sri Lanka’s largest botanic garden, famous for its orchid house, giant Java fig tree and avenues of palms.
Buddhist temples
Ruwanwelisaya
Anuradhapura, Anuradhapura District
A great white stupa in the ancient city of Anuradhapura, built in the 2nd century BC by King Dutugemunu.
