Sri Lanka is a small island in the Indian Ocean, but its size is not indicative of its significance. Ceylon, now Sri Lanka, was once home to a thriving civilisation and today is recognised for its beautiful beaches, mountains, and rubber and tea plantations.
Top 10 Places to Visit inSri Lanka
Colonial buildings from the times when the Portuguese, Dutch, and English occupied the island may be seen all over the place. Plenty of elephants, some of which take part in local festivities, and maybe even a leopard or two can be found in a wildlife refuge. A rundown of the top attractions in Sri Lanka:
1. Bentota
Bentota is a bustling tourist town on the southern coast of Sri Lanka, complete with waving coconut palms. Bentota, one of Sri Lanka’s most well-known beaches, is primarily an Indian Ocean beach resort famed for its many opportunities for water sports like surfing, sailing, and snorkelling.
When you need a change of pace, head to a sea turtle hatchery and conservation facility, where five of the world’s seven sea turtle species are carefully observed. There are also beautiful gardens and a Buddhist temple from the Middle Ages to explore.
2. Nuwara Eliya
Tea, produced in Sri Lanka, is world-famous. Nuwara Eliya is the perfect spot to learn everything there is to know about tea. Nuwara Eliya is the centre of Sri Lanka’s tea industry because of its ideal temperature and high altitude (1,900 metres / 6,100 ft).
The process of making tea can be observed on a tour of a tea plantation. This village in the hills earned the moniker “Little England” after becoming a haven for British colonists in the early 19th century.
Tourists rush to Sri Lanka in April to celebrate the new year and admire the blooming flowers. The most well-known waterfalls in Sri Lanka are located at Laxapana, and you may also visit nearby Lake Gregory.
3. Anuradhapura
An old sacred city, Anuradhapura was founded around a fig tree cutting from Buddha’s original tree. Anuradhapura was founded in the third century BC by the first leader of a Buddhist nunnery.
After 1,300 years of prosperity, this magnificent metropolis of palaces, temples, and monuments was abandoned during an invasion in the late 10th century.
It was known to the indigenous, but not many others, until it was “discovered” by Europeans many centuries later, like Machu Picchu in Peru. Now that they’ve been uncovered, the public may marvel at these spectacular ruins.
4. Colombo
More than two thousand years ago, when its enormous natural port made it popular with ancient trades from Italy to China, Colombo became the commercial hub of Sri Lanka. It is commonly considered the capital of the country, even though the actual seat of government is in another city.
Colombo is a famous tourist destination because of its colonial history under Portuguese and British rule. Galle Face Green, a narrow park on the coast of the Indian Ocean, is a major tourist draw. The Gangaramaya Temple is another must-see, because to its unique fusion of several architectural styles.
5. Yala National Park
Yala National Park is a wildlife refuge located approximately 240 kilometres (150 miles) from Colombo, and the animals there control the roost, the ground, and the sky. There’s a tonne to do in Yala. There is a greater concentration of wildlife here than anywhere else in the world, so your trip will begin with a safari to see species like elephants, water buffalo, and leopards. In September, the park will be closed due to leopard breeding.
There are 215 different bird species in the park, 7 of which are endemic to the area. In addition to the wildlife, visitors can see the Magul Maha Viharaya, where a king and queen were married, and the ancient rock temple of Sithulpauwwa, which once housed 12,000 monks.
6. Mirissa
With its swaying coconut palms, gorgeous golden sand beaches, and lazy days spent relaxing in a hammock, Mirissa could be the tropical paradise you’ve been searching for on your next visit. The situation could not be more ideal right now.
Its crescent-shaped sanctuary is renowned throughout Sri Lanka for its breathtaking sunrises and sunsets. There are no opulent hotels to disrupt the natural beauty of the area, so you can enjoy the peace and quiet of the beach all to yourself. At night, things really heat up. Mirissa, the major fishing port on the southern coast, is also a great spot for whale and dolphin viewing.
7. Polonnaruwa
When discussing Polonnaruwa, however, the word “beauty” is better paired with the word “ruins” than with “beast.” Polonnaruwa, the second-oldest kingdom in Sri Lanka, is famous for the ruins of its historic garden city.
These remains from the 12th century are among the most well-preserved in all of India. Exotic product merchants and devotees of the city’s many temples mixed freely in Polonnaruwa.
See the well-preserved audience hall of the Royal Palace, the largest of Polonnaruwa’s fifty buildings, and the Archaeological Museum to begin your exploration of the ancient city. Another must-see is the Holy Quadrangle, which features beautiful decoration.
8. Kandy
The Central Highlands, where tea and rubber are grown in the tropical plantations, may be reached from Kandy, the second largest city in Sri Lanka. One of the most beautiful roads in Sri Lanka leads out of Colombo and through rubber plantations.
One of the holiest Buddhist temples in the world is located in Kandy, the last capital of the ancient kings. The process of parading the tooth relic across the city is celebrated with a large, vibrant event. Kandy was featured prominently in the film Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, which may be of interest to moviegoers.
9. Galle
The Dutch colonists that founded Galle in the 17th century created the city’s iconic fort. The fort’s unique architecture has made it famous, and it is located on a peninsula overlooking the Indian Ocean. Galle is a model of a well-defended metropolis.
But, the stronghold is more than simply a picturesque sight; it is now home to legal and commercial institutions. Around a third of the properties in Galle are owned by foreigners, and the city is gaining notoriety as an artistic colony and expat community.
There is also a marine museum, an important Shiva temple, and the Jesuit-built St. Mary’s Church to see while you’re there.
10. Sigiriya
Sigiriya should be at the top of the itinerary for any would-be archaeologists visiting Sri Lanka. A platform about 180 metres (600 feet) high sits atop the steep hill on which this ancient city was constructed.
Overlooking the forests below, this plateau has earned the name Lion’s Rock. Staircases and rooms leading up from the lion’s mouth provide access to the site. Gardens, fountains, and ponds can also be found here. Really neat!
The area is known as the “eighth wonder of the world” among locals. This rocky stronghold was first used as a monastery in the third century BC. It became the royal palace afterward.
