-
Negombo, Sri Lanka
Start your trip in Colombo, Sri Lanka’s capital city. Here you’ll discover a
unique mixture of modern and traditional, where towering skyscrapers and
luxurious rooftop bars sit next to stunning mosques, traditional houses, and
bustling street markets. After a busy day of sightseeing, head to one of the
beautiful parks to relax and see unique tropical plants, trees, and flowers.
Alternatively, take a wander down to the city beach, where you can watch locals
flying their kites in the coastal breeze or cheering as they score points
playing cricket. However, Colombo is not the closest city to the airport. For
more convenience, head to Negombo, a laidback town that’s right next to the
airport. It’s a great place to stay for cheaper accommodation with swimming
pools where you can relax and unwind after the flight. The beaches are also far
more picturesque in this city.
-
Kandy, Sri Lanka
Kandy is Sri Lanka’s second-largest city and one of the most beautiful you’ll
find in all of Sri Lanka. Discover the old colonial buildings that line the
edges of a vast lake in the center, keeping an eye out for exciting wildlife and
unique plants. Plus, the buzzing streets filled with coconut sellers and stalls
are just a stone’s throw away from this fantastic nature. Don’t forget to pay a
visit to the Royal Botanical Gardens, a fantastic tranquil wilderness in the
city, full of a diverse range of plants, trees, and flowers. As you look around,
you’ll notice that the mountains and tropical rainforests are never far away!
It’s this proximity that makes Kandy a great jumping-off point for day trips.
-
Sigiriya, Sri Lanka
Lion Rock in Sigiriya is one of the country’s most famous landmarks. The
enormous natural formation sticks out of the flat landscape, towering above
forests and grasslands filled with elephants. On top of the 200-meter
square-shaped rock, you’ll find the remains of an ancient palace and gardens and
many rock drawings along the way. Additionally, Lion Rock is one of the eight
UNESCO World Heritage sites in Sri Lanka, which is another reason to add it to
your Sri Lanka route!
-
Kandy, Sri Lanka
Head back to Kandy to catch the most beautiful train ride in Sri Lanka. This
long train ride is one of the top things to do on any Sri Lanka route, taking
you through stunning rolling hilltops, rainforest, and luscious green tea
plantations. Hang out the door with the wind in your hair and feel the weather
get cooler as you move higher up into the mist and the clouds of the Sri Lanka
highlands. Get Kandy Train Tickets here.
- Royal Botanic Gardens
- Kandy View Point
-
Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka
The train from Kandy goes all the way to Ella, making a few stops on the way.
Get off a little earlier and spend a night in the natural beauty of Nuwara
Eliya, an area famous for tea plantations. It’s especially well known as being
home to the Lipton plantation, one of the world’s most famous tea growers and
exporters! In fact, the history of colonization here by the English has even
affected the architecture, with lots of English-style bungalows dotted through
the fields, giving Nuwara Eliya the nickname ‘Little England’.
-
Ella, Sri Lanka
Visit one of the most blissful and natural places in Sri Lanka: Ella. The small
town has a laid-back hippy vibe, complemented by the great mountains and hills
that tower over the town. Stay in a hilltop guesthouse with incredible views,
and use it as a base to climb to Adams Peak, Ella Rock, or the mesmerizing Nine
Arch Bridge. When you’re done hiking, head for one of the many picturesque
waterfall pools for a refreshing dip. Ella is one of the most beautiful places
in the country and an absolute must-do in Sri Lanka!
-
Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka
Ready to catch some waves? Arugam Bay is the most famous surfing spot in Sri
Lanka. It’s so popular that many surfers make this their home between April and
October when the days are sunny and warm, and the waves are great. It’s easy to
see why people spend so much time here, with the relaxed way of life, living in
a wooden beach hut, surfing and sunbathing by day, and enjoying all the
fantastic bars and restaurants by night. This is where you’ll truly find
hammock-swinging and coconut-sipping vibes! Join a tour, jump in a jeep, and
get ready for the adventure of a lifetime. As you cross over bumpy dirt roads,
around lakes, and through bushland, you’ll see vast groups of wild elephants and
other animals. There are plenty of national parks to choose from in Sri Lanka,
some of the most popular being Udawalawe National Park or Yala National Park.
-
Mirissa, Sri Lanka
Head south to the paradise beach town of Mirissa. Take off your shoes and say
goodbye to regular life as you slow down, feel the sand between your toes and
the waves against your feet. Mirissa isn’t just about the beach, though; there
are beautiful coconut tree forests to explore, fascinating tidal islands, and
endless great restaurants.
- Parrot Rock Ridge
- Mirissa Coconut Tree Hill
- Raja and the Whales
-
Unawatuna, Sri Lanka
It’s also a great jumping-off point to local sights nearby, like Galle Fort,
Koggala Lake, or even the bright lights of Colombo! You could quickly lose track
of time in this beautiful little beach town, and it’s the perfect place to relax
and unwind at the end of your Sri Lanka route.
-
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Finish your trip and stay close to the airport in Colombo. If you have a little
extra time before your flight, visit Barefoot handicraft and its fantastic
restaurant or tick of some of the sights you may have missed at the beginning of
your trip.