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Sri Lanka✨ 10 best things to do in Sri Lanka

Things to do in Sri Lanka

1. Climb SigiriyaScale the giant rock fortress past ancient frescoes and lion's paws to a summit palace with sweeping jungle views.
2. Ride the hill-country trainHang out of the open door as the train winds past waterfalls and tea estates between Kandy and Ella.
3. Safari in YalaScan the scrubland for leopards, sloth bears, elephants and crocodiles in Sri Lanka's most famous park.
4. Walk Galle FortStroll the ramparts of a Dutch-era fort town at sunset, past boutiques, churches and a lighthouse.
5. Hike Adam's PeakJoin pilgrims on a night climb up thousands of steps to watch dawn break over the mountains.
6. Temple of the ToothHear drums and see offerings at Kandy's sacred shrine said to house a relic of the Buddha.
7. Watch whales off MirissaHead out at dawn to look for blue whales and spinner dolphins in the deep waters off the south coast.
8. Surf Arugam BayCatch long point breaks in this laid-back east-coast village during the summer surf season.
9. Tour a tea factoryLearn how leaves become your morning cuppa and sip fresh brews in the cool air of Nuwara Eliya.
10. See the Minneriya gatheringWatch hundreds of elephants gather around the reservoir in the dry season.

Sri Lanka🗺️ Where to visit in Sri Lanka

Where to go in Sri Lanka

• 
  KandyHill country · cultureThe last royal capital, set around a lake, with the Temple of the Tooth and lush botanical gardens nearby.
• 
  SigiriyaCultural Triangle · ancient siteA spectacular rock fortress and the perfect base for exploring nearby Dambulla's cave temples.
• 📍
  AnuradhapuraNorth-central · ancient cityVast dagobas, monasteries and a sacred Bodhi tree spread across one of South Asia's oldest cities.
• 📍
  PolonnaruwaCultural Triangle · ruinsEasy to explore by bike, with beautifully preserved palaces and the serene Gal Vihara Buddha statues.
• 
  EllaHill country · hikingA backpacker-favourite mountain village with the Nine Arch Bridge, Little Adam's Peak and tea-country views.
• 
  GalleSouth coast · colonial townA UNESCO-listed fort town packed with cafes, galleries and old streets inside sea-facing walls.
• 
  Yala National ParkSoutheast · wildlifeOne of the best places in Asia to spot leopards, alongside elephants and abundant birdlife.
• 📍
  TrincomaleeEast coast · beachesA natural harbour with white-sand beaches, Hindu temples and snorkelling at Pigeon Island.

Sri Lanka🌦️ Weather & best time to visit Sri Lanka

Best time to visit Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has two monsoons that hit different sides of the island at different times, so there is almost always a sunny coast somewhere. The lowlands are hot year-round, while the hill country around Nuwara Eliya is noticeably cooler.

Typical daytime highs and rain in Colombo (approximate averages).

Sri Lanka🎉 Festivals & events in Sri Lanka

• July/August
  Kandy Esala PeraheraNights of torch-lit processions with decorated elephants, dancers and drummers honouring the sacred tooth relic.
• April
  Sinhala and Tamil New YearFamilies mark the new year with games, special sweets and auspicious rituals timed to the stars.
• May
  VesakBuddhists celebrate the birth, enlightenment and passing of the Buddha with lanterns, light displays and free food stalls.
• Monthly (full moon)
  Poya daysEach full moon is a public holiday for worship at temples, and alcohol sales are usually suspended.
• July/August
  Nallur FestivalJaffna's great Hindu temple holds weeks of colourful processions and ceremonies.

Sri Lanka🧭 Sri Lanka itinerary ideas

How many days in Sri Lanka?

Sri Lanka🎒 Backpacking Sri Lanka – tips & hacks

Backpacker budget: about $25–40 a day

• Local buses and trains are extremely cheap; book reserved seats on popular hill-country trains early or take unreserved carriages for the experience.
• Ella, Mirissa, Hikkaduwa, Arugam Bay and Kandy have the most hostels and guesthouses for budget travellers.
• Eat rice and curry at local 'hotels' (small eateries) for a filling, cheap lunch, and try kottu roti in the evening.
• Tuk-tuks are handy, but agree the fare first or use a ride-hailing app in cities.
• Share a jeep with other travellers to cut the cost of safaris.

Sri Lanka🛡️ Safety & money in Sri Lanka

Emergency: 119 police · 1990 ambulance · 110 fire

Sri Lanka🛬 Getting to Sri Lanka

Most visitors fly into Bandaranaike International Airport near Colombo, which has connections across Asia, the Gulf and Europe. A smaller international airport at Mattala serves the south, and there are no land borders.

✈️ Cheap flights to Sri Lanka: airports, flight times & best time to fly →

Sri Lanka💡 Did you know? 5 facts about Sri Lanka

• Sri Lanka elected the world's first female prime minister, Sirimavo Bandaranaike, in 1960.
• Ceylon tea is still one of the island's biggest exports, and the name 'Ceylon' remains a tea brand worldwide.
• The sacred Bodhi tree in Anuradhapura is said to be grown from a cutting of the tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment, making it one of the oldest human-planted trees on record.
• Shaking your head from side to side often means 'yes' or 'okay' in Sri Lanka.
• The word 'serendipity' comes from Serendip, an old name for the island.

Sri Lanka❓ Sri Lanka travel FAQ

Sri Lanka travel questions