Lying between the more explored parts of India and Southeast Asia, Sri Lanka's history, culture, and natural beauty make it an undeniably alluring destination. A historians playground, Sri Lanka has a history that dates back 3000 years and is one of a few places offering as many as eight UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the world-renowned Dambulla Royal Cave Temple and Golden Temple. Like its massive neighbour India, Sri Lanka is a diverse country, home to many religions, ethnicities and languages. Its size, however, means that visitors can spend time meditating in a 2000-year-old temple in the morning, touring the sacred home of the world's oldest living human-planted tree in the afternoon and savouring mouth-watering local rice and curry dishes for dinner. It is also still blessed with various wildlife that has survived on this small island for centuries alongside this human civilisation, including the mighty Sri Lankan Elephant. A true gem, Sri Lanka has something for everyone - from the modern city of Colombo with its skyscrapers to national parks teeming with elephants and miles of pristine beaches that offer epic surf.
Colombo, a commercial and tourist hub on the west coast of Sri Lanka. The vibrant canal city boasts golden beaches and a photogenic promenade, gorgeous temples, and chic restaurants among impressive skyscrapers. Must-see attractions include the grand and atmospheric Asokaramaya Buddhist Temple, and Hindu Sri Ponnambalam Vanesar Kovil, known for its exquisite interiors. A historic Dutch quarter beckons to be explored - the Dutch Hospital and Dutch Period museum are quite fascinating, and the artisan colonnaded craft stores lend a special air to the area. Nature lovers will enjoy walking through the beautiful Talangama Wetland which fringes the city or taking a short break from the city bustle in the Viharamahadevi Park, known for its delightful flowering trees and local snake charmers.
Situated in Sri Lanka’s North Central Province, Anuradhapura is an ancient city and UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its extensive Buddhist heritage and archaeological remains. The city developed around Sri Maha Bodhi, a sacred fig tree believed to have grown from a sapling brought from India more than 2,000 years ago. The surrounding ancient city contains an impressive collection of dagobas, monasteries, palaces and other monuments set among landscaped gardens and woodland. Many sites remain active places of worship and pilgrimage. Highlights include the enormous Abhayagiri Dagoba, the intricately decorated Ruwanwelisaya Dagoba, surrounded by a frieze of elephants, and Jetavanarama Dagoba, one of the largest ancient brick structures in the world. Visitors can explore the ruins and discover the history of one of Sri Lanka’s most important ancient cities.
Set amidst the rolling green hills of Sri Lanka's central highlands, Kandy is a historic and culturally vibrant city with a distinctive blend of royal heritage, spiritual significance and natural beauty. As the island's former royal capital, it offers a fascinating insight into Sri Lanka's traditions and history. At its heart lies the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in the world. Visitors can stroll around scenic Kandy Lake, explore colourful, bustling markets, discover the magnificent Royal Botanical Gardens at nearby Peradeniya, or experience traditional Kandyan dance and drumming performances. The surrounding hills, lush landscapes and nearby tea-growing regions add to its appeal, making Kandy an engaging destination for cultural discovery, scenic exploration and an authentic taste of Sri Lankan life.
Located in Sri Lanka’s Central Highlands, Nuwara Eliya is a picturesque hill town known as ‘Little England’ for its colonial-era architecture, manicured gardens and cool mountain climate. Surrounded by rolling hills, tea plantations and cascading waterfalls, it offers a refreshing retreat from the island’s warmer lowlands. Visitors can tour tea estates and factories to learn about the production of Ceylon tea, or follow scenic trails to Lover’s Leap Waterfall, which overlooks the surrounding countryside. Hakgala Botanical Gardens is another highlight, with its colourful rose beds, orchids and towering trees set against a mountainous backdrop. In the town, Lake Gregory provides opportunities for leisurely walks and boating, while the nearby Seetha Amman Temple offers a glimpse into Hindu traditions associated with the Ramayana. Nature lovers can also explore Galway’s Land National Park, known for its forest habitats and birdlife.
Set along Sri Lanka's southeastern coast, the laidback town of Hambantota is the capital of its eponymous province. The town features a rich Malay heritage, beautiful colonial architecture, and sweeping sandy beaches, and boasts a newly constructed seaport, cricket stadium, and international airport. Dubbed the salt capital of Sri Lanka, Hambantota is set amidst a spectacular landscape of arid savannah and fringed by dazzling white salt pans with lush forests to its southwest. The town serves as an excellent base from which to explore the area's spectacular scenery and variety of wonderful attractions including the Bundala and Yala National Parks, where visitors can spot an array of wildlife.
Watch the sunset over the Indian Ocean at exquisite Bentota Beach. This stretch of tropical coastline on the west coast of Sri Lanka offers pristine beaches fringed by a string of resorts, well hidden in the tropical foliage bordering the beach. Water sport activities are on offer for adrenalin seekers, otherwise head to the Bentota River to explore the mangrove waterways, where you'll find a plethora of colourful birds and a variety of small reptiles. If you’re looking for the ‘Riviera’ of Sri Lanka, this is it.
