Find your next escape
Best Places to Visit in Sri Lanka
From ancient cities and misty hills to coastal towns and national parks, explore the places to visit in Sri Lanka region by region.
Explore by Region
14 guides · 103 places to know
Anuradhapura · Matale · Polonnaruwa · Kurunegala
Cultural Triangle
Ancient capitals, rock fortresses and cave temples in the dry-zone heart of the island, with elephant parks close by.
Ancient wondersAnuradhapura DistrictAnuradhapuraRead guide
Ancient wondersMatale DistrictPidurangala RockRead guide
Ancient wondersPolonnaruwa DistrictGal ViharaRead guide
More places in the Cultural Triangle
Full guides are on their way. Where we have tours, experiences or stories, the place opens a search.
- SigiriyaMatale
- Dambulla Cave TempleMatale
- Nalanda GedigeMatale
- Aluvihare Rock TempleMatale
- Wasgamuwa National ParkMatale
- Sri Maha BodhiAnuradhapura
- RuwanwelisayaAnuradhapura
- MihintaleAnuradhapura
- RitigalaAnuradhapura
- Avukana Buddha StatueAnuradhapura
- HabaranaAnuradhapura
- Hurulu Eco ParkAnuradhapura
- PolonnaruwaPolonnaruwa
- Minneriya National ParkPolonnaruwa
- Kaudulla National ParkPolonnaruwa
- YapahuwaKurunegala
Badulla · Nuwara Eliya · Matale · Kandy · Kegalle · Ratnapura
Hill Country
Tea estates, waterfalls, cool mountain air and the scenic railway that winds from Kandy to Ella.
Into the hillsBadulla DistrictNine Arch BridgeRead guide
Into the hillsNuwara Eliya DistrictHorton PlainsRead guide
Into the hillsMatale DistrictRiverstonRead guide
Into the hillsKandy DistrictAmbuluwawaRead guide
Living heritageKandy DistrictKandyRead guide
More places in the Hill Country
Full guides are on their way. Where we have tours, experiences or stories, the place opens a search.
- Temple of the Sacred Tooth RelicKandy
- Royal Botanic Gardens, PeradeniyaKandy
- Hanthana Mountain RangeKandy
- Knuckles Mountain RangeMatale
- Pinnawala Elephant OrphanageKegalle
- KitulgalaKegalle
- Nuwara EliyaNuwara Eliya
- Gregory LakeNuwara Eliya
- Hakgala Botanical GardenNuwara Eliya
- Seetha Amman TempleNuwara Eliya
- HattonNuwara Eliya
- St Clair’s FallsNuwara Eliya
- Devon FallsNuwara Eliya
- Adam’s PeakRatnapura
- RatnapuraRatnapura
- BelihuloyaRatnapura
- EllaBadulla
- Little Adam’s PeakBadulla
- Ella RockBadulla
- Ravana FallsBadulla
- HaputaleBadulla
- Lipton’s SeatBadulla
- BandarawelaBadulla
- Dunhinda FallsBadulla
- Diyaluma FallsBadulla
- Bambarakanda FallsBadulla
Matara · Galle · Hambantota
South Coast
Colonial Galle, surf towns, whale watching and long palm-lined beaches from Hikkaduwa to Tangalle.
More places in the South Coast
Full guides are on their way. Where we have tours, experiences or stories, the place opens a search.
- Galle FortGalle
- UnawatunaGalle
- Jungle BeachGalle
- HikkaduwaGalle
- KoggalaGalle
- AhangamaGalle
- AmbalangodaGalle
- Madu RiverGalle
- Kosgoda Turtle HatcheryGalle
- WeligamaMatara
- Coconut Tree HillMatara
- MataraMatara
- Dondra Head LighthouseMatara
- HiriketiyaMatara
- Hummanaya BlowholeMatara
- TangalleHambantota
- Rekawa Turtle BeachHambantota
- Mulkirigala Rock TempleHambantota
Hambantota · Ratnapura · Monaragala
Wild South
The big safari parks of Yala, Udawalawe and Bundala, the Sinharaja rainforest and the pilgrim town of Kataragama.
More places in the Wild South
Full guides are on their way. Where we have tours, experiences or stories, the place opens a search.
- Bundala National ParkHambantota
- TissamaharamaHambantota
- Udawalawe National ParkRatnapura
- Sinharaja Forest ReserveRatnapura
- KataragamaMonaragala
- BuduruwagalaMonaragala
Ampara · Trincomalee · Batticaloa
East Coast
Calm bays at Trincomalee and Pasikudah and the surf of Arugam Bay, at their best from May to September.
Into the hillsAmpara DistrictPeacock HillRead guide
Coastal escapesAmpara DistrictArugam BayRead guide
More places in the East Coast
Full guides are on their way. Where we have tours, experiences or stories, the place opens a search.
- TrincomaleeTrincomalee
- NilaveliTrincomalee
- UppuveliTrincomalee
- Pigeon Island National ParkTrincomalee
- Koneswaram TempleTrincomalee
- Marble BeachTrincomalee
- PasikudahBatticaloa
- KalkudahBatticaloa
- BatticaloaBatticaloa
- PottuvilAmpara
- Kumana National ParkAmpara
- Lahugala Kitulana National ParkAmpara
- OkandaAmpara
Colombo · Gampaha · Kalutara · Galle
West Coast
Colombo, the lagoon town of Negombo and the resort beaches south to Bentota, where most journeys begin and end.
More places in the West Coast
Full guides are on their way. Where we have tours, experiences or stories, the place opens a search.
- Galle Face GreenColombo
- Gangaramaya TempleColombo
- Mount LaviniaColombo
- Kelaniya Raja Maha ViharaGampaha
- NegomboGampaha
- Muthurajawela MarshGampaha
- KalutaraKalutara
- BeruwalaKalutara
- Brief GardenKalutara
- BentotaGalle
- LunugangaGalle
Jaffna · Mannar
The North
Jaffna’s Tamil culture, Hindu temples, quiet islands and the wide, empty coast around Mannar.
More places in the The North
Full guides are on their way. Where we have tours, experiences or stories, the place opens a search.
- Nallur Kandaswamy TempleJaffna
- Jaffna FortJaffna
- Casuarina BeachJaffna
- Point PedroJaffna
- NainativuJaffna
- Delft IslandJaffna
- Keerimalai SpringsJaffna
- MannarMannar
- Adam’s BridgeMannar
Puttalam
North West Coast
Wilpattu’s leopards, the Kalpitiya lagoon with dolphins offshore, and wetlands full of birds.
Places to know
Full guides are on their way. Where we have tours, experiences or stories, the place opens a search.
- Wilpattu National ParkPuttalam
- KalpitiyaPuttalam
- Anawilundawa Wetland SanctuaryPuttalam
- Munneswaram TemplePuttalam
Planning your places to visit
Quick answers on where to start, which regions suit a first trip, when to go and how a guided tour can tie it all together.
What are the best places to visit in Sri Lanka?
Favourites include Sigiriya Rock Fortress, the ancient cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy, the scenic train ride to Ella and the Nine Arch Bridge, Galle Fort, Mirissa for whale watching, and safaris in parks such as Yala, Udawalawe and Minneriya.
Which regions of Sri Lanka should I visit on a first trip?
Most first-time visitors combine the Cultural Triangle, the Hill Country around Kandy and Ella, and a stretch of coast. Around 10 to 14 days lets you do that at a comfortable pace; with 7 days, focus on two or three regions rather than rushing.
When is the best time to visit places in Sri Lanka?
Two monsoons affect different coasts at different times. The south and west coasts and the Hill Country are generally at their best from December to April, while the east coast is usually best from around May to September.
Can I visit these places on a guided tour?
Yes. Our private tours and day experiences cover many of these places with local guides, and we plan the route around the season you travel in.
