Cultural sites, breathtaking wildlife preserves, and sandy beaches are just a few of the things that make Sri Lanka special. This ultimate bucket list shares the best things to do in Sri Lanka!
Sri Lanka is an island nation off of India’s southernmost point. It’s a travel destination that’s brimming with stunning landscapes and a vibrant culture that I fell in love with during the short two weeks I spent in Sri Lanka. I actually ventured to Sri Lanka solo and it’s now one of my favorite places for solo female travel in Asia!
Before you embark on your adventure to Ceylon, I be sure to take note of these best things to do in Sri Lanka! This list shares everything from classic Sri Lanka attractions, hiking trails, noteworthy food spots, Instagram spots, and more.
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When is the best time to visit Sri Lanka?
The country is often broken up into two halves – the southwestern and northeastern coasts – because of the country’s two distinct monsoon seasons. The south-west side of the island experiences its rainy season May-September, and the north-east sees rainy season usually October-January.
With the monsoon seasons in mind, the best time to visit Sri Lanka is often considered December to mid-April. However, Sri Lanka generally experiences year-round pleasant weather and a little rain never hurt anyone. Traveling in the shoulder season also means less crowds to contend with.
↠ Read More: 25 Travel Tips for Sri Lanka
40 of the Best Things to Do in Sri Lanka
1. Spend some time in Jaffna
Located in the northern tip of the country, Jaffna is often left off of travelers’ Sri Lankan itinerary. Although far from the usual Cultural Triangle route in the country, if you have the time and budget, Jaffna boasts some of the most beautiful and ornate temples in the country, amongst other things.
Jaffna is known for its large Tamil community, the Jaffna Fort, and the golden arches of the hindu Nallur Kandaswamy temple.
2. Climb to the top of Sigiriya Lion Rock
The Sigiriya Lion Rock is an ancient fortress stationed 200 meters high atop a massive rock formation. The grounds feature various ruins that date back over 1,500 years and were built by an ancient Sri Lankan king that were later abandoned after his death.
The Lion Rock is located in the small town of Sigiriya, and is arguably one of the most iconic views of Sri Lanka. You absolutely must check out this impressive fortress whether from the ground or at the very top. But to get to the top, there are a staggering 1,200 stairs that you’ll have to climb! The view is well worth the effort though.
Visitors must pay an entrance fee of LKR 2900 ($30) to be admitted.
3. Hike Pidurangala Rock for views of Sigiriya’s Lion Rock
For those looking for another vantage point of the famous Lion Rock, plan for a hike to the top of Pidurangala Rock. This hike is much less crowded and a lot cheaper. From the top of Pidurangala, you can enjoy stellar sunrise views and a fantastic view of the iconic fortress across the forest.
On your way to the top, you’ll pass the Pidurangala Royal Cave Temple where a striking sleeping Buddha statue watches you pass. Admission to the Pidurangala Rock is about LKR 500 ($3).
4. Tour the Anuradhapura Sacred City
To get a glimpse of Sri Lanka’s colorful history that extends back thousands of years, consider visiting the Sacred City of Anuradhapura. This ancient city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, most famous for its well-preserved ruins and the ancient Bodhi fig tree believed to date back to Buddha and that also happens to be the oldest known tree planted by humans.
Admission to the Anuradhapura Ancient city is LKR 4550 ($25). Watch out for scammers trying to sell counterfeit tickets. There are bike rentals or tuktuks stationed outside the city offering more efficient ways to see the ruins. The tuktuks charge about $25 or so, and can be worth it if you’d like to reserve energy and see a lot of sites. Bikes are often LKR 250 ($1.25) per person per day.
5. Rent a bike and ride around the Polonnaruwa Ancient City
Polonnaruwa is another UNESCO ancient city that dates back to over 800 years ago. The city is filled with ancient ruins, temples, statues and stupas that are worth visiting and admiring. Similar to Anuradhapura, there are tuktuk and bike rentals available to visitors. The grounds are pretty large and it can get hot during the day so I do recommend renting at least a bike to cover more ground, quickly.
The entrance fee for the Polonnaruwa Ancient City is LKR 4500 or about $25. Bike rentals will run you about $2 for the day and tuktuks roughly LKR 2000 ($20).
6. Visit the historic temples of Dambulla
If you’re making time to see the Lion Rock in Sigiyra, you might find it worth your while stopping over in Dambulla. This small yet bustling city is home to the cool Dambulla Cave Temple, where 150 Buddha statues line the interior walls of deep caverns. Other popular attractions in Dambulla include the black waters of Kalu Diya Pokuna and the elephant safaris of Minneriya National Park.
7. Get off the grid and hike Riverston
Nicknamed the Mini World’s End, Riverston mountain is in the Knuckles Forest Reserve region of Sri Lanka. It’s a good stopping off point between Dambulla and Kandy. It’s a rural part of the country, where dense forests cover mountains, and few tourists venture. If you’re big into hiking and are hunting for unique things to do in Sri Lanka, hiking Riverston is a must.
8. Take a stroll through the Kandy Royal Botanical Garden
Kandy’s botanical garden is a beautiful place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. The gardens lie in the western part of the city, near the flowing Mahaweli River. Blooming orchids, towering palms, and more than 4000 species of flora and fauna can be seen in the gardens.
Adult admission to the Kandy Royal Botanical Garden is LKR 1500 ($7.50).
9. Climb to see the Bahiravokanda Vihara Buddha Statue in Kandy
The giant Buddha statue overlooking the city of Kandy is another iconic sight in Sri Lanka. Come not only to marvel at the sheer size of the statue but also for wonderful views of the city below. This was def my favorite part my short visit in Kandy. This is a religious temple, so be sure to wear appropriate clothing (shoulders and knees covered).
Admission to the Bahiravokanda Vihara Buddha Statue is LKR 250 ($1.25). The statue is nestled a bit out of the downtown area so I opted to take a tuktuk to the top.
10. Visit the Temple of the Tooth
The Temple of the Tooth is a sacred Buddhist temple in Kandy that has beautiful interior and exterior architecture and grounds. It’s part of the royal palace and is best known for housing the relic of the tooth of Buddha. The famous tooth isn’t always on display, so be sure to do your research if you wish to visit when it is.
To enter the temple, you’ll need to pay an entrance fee of LKR 1500 ($7.40). Before you can go inside, make sure you’re wearing conservative clothes and you’ll need a sarong to wrap around your body. You also must take off your shoes to go inside, and the temple also has a shoe “locker” room for safe keeping, for a small fee. If you’re in need of a sarong, the temple entrance is lined with sarong rental stalls that charge about LKR 500 ($2.50) for an hour or so. It’s also possible to purchase flowers to offer at the temple.
11. Go shopping at the Kandy Market
For a glimpse into the life of the locals, stop by Kandy Market and take in the sights and sounds of the vendors offering fragrant fruit, meat, tea, spices and other fares. I loved joining the hustle and bustle of local life and picked up a few snacks for myself, for later. One of my favorite things about Sri Lanka was the endless supply of fresh and delicious fruit, and the local market is the best place to go for it!
12. Take the famous train journey between Ella and Kandy
No trip to Sri Lanka is complete without riding the famous train route that runs between Kandy and Ella. The train passes through some of the most beautiful tea fields in the world and is an entire experience in and of itself. The ride runs for a total of 7 hours from end to end, but stops off at other popular stops like the small city of Nuwara Eliya or the trailhead for Adam’s Peak.
The best views are in the third class carriages where the doors and windows are all open, but seats are first come, first serve. You may have to stand and alternate seats throughout the ride, only adding to the adventure.
The route is pretty popular amongst tourists and locals, so I recommend picking up your tickets a day or two in advance at the Kandy (or Ella if that’s where you’re starting) train station. First class is also an option, where you’ll be signed an actual seat, but the windows don’t open in first class.
13. Hike Sri Pada aka Adam’s Peak
Adam’s Peak, also known as Sri Pada, is an epic hike that towers 2,243m (7,359ft). Adam’s Peak is a different mountain than Little Adam’s Peak, so be careful! Most travelers decide to take embark on their hike in the wee hours of the morning in hopes of making it to the top in time to see the sunset. The hike takes about 5-7 hours in total and there aren’t any entrance fees to the trail.
To get to the Adam’s Peak trailhead, you’ll need to take a train to Hatton, and then a bus or tuktuk to the village of Dalousie. Hatton is a stop on the famous Kandy-Ella train ride, so most opt to stop off on their way between Kandy/Ella.
14. Spend a day or two amongst green tea fields in Nuwara Eliya
Also known as Little England, Nuwara Eliya is a quaint and beautiful village on the way to Ella. It’s nestled in central Sri Lanka’s tea country and features rolling tea plantations, the dense forest of Galway’s Land National Park, and colonial tea bungalows. Many tourists stop over for a day or two on their way between Kandy and Ella.
15. Hike Little Adam’s Peak
Little Adam’s Peak is another popular hike and is definitely one of the best places to visit in Ella. Many people decide to trek to the top in time to see the sunrise, and if you come early enough, you may have the chance to meet to the famous mountain dogs who take the day’s first hikers to the top. We were the lucky and got to meet the mountain pup and he was an absolute treat!
Little Adam’s Peak isn’t that difficult of a hike and takes only about an hour to reach the top. Unlike other hikes in the region, the trail is pretty well marked and easy to find. You’ll pass the famous 48 Acres Resort on your way up and down.
16. Hunt for Ella Rock
Ella Rock is another popular hike that visitors in Ella do. The trail is notorious for being difficult to find, and it doesn’t help that many locals with an entrepreneurial spirit may try to lure you off the main trail while enticing you to buy their goods. Be on the lookout for false trails, and instead follow this careful guide that shows the step by step route for how to find Ella Rock.
I also recommend leaving early in the morning to beat not only the crowds, but the late morning clouds that often move in and obstruct the view.
17. Enjoy a lavish breakfast at the 98 Acres Resort in Ella
The 98 Acres Resort is one of the best places to stay in Ella for those interested in a luxurious experience. As a budget backpacker who enjoys the finer things in life, I opted to visit the resort for brunch instead of sleeping there, and it was a treat! I actually stopped in after my early morning hike to Little Adam’s Peak, and rewarded myself with their all-you-can-eat buffet and fabulous views.
18. Learn how to cook at a Sri Lankan cooking class
Sri Lankan food is absolutely delicious and often features vegetables or lentils in curry, soups, rice dishes, and pickled sides – to oversimplify things. Many people really enjoy the local cuisine, so much so that one of the best things to do in Sri Lanka is joining a cooking class! Most of the cooking classes I encountered were in Ella or the central region, but I’m sure it’s possible to find them in any major city.
The best cooking classes in Sri Lanka are often touted as the classes offered by the Ella Spice Garden and Matey Hut – both of which are located in Ella.
19. Take in bird’s eye views at the top of Lipton’s Seat
Located in the small village of Haputale, Lipton’s Seat gets its name from the founder of Lipton Tea Company. Haptule is located about an hour from Ella, making it a good day trip for those visiting the region. You can take a tuktuk to the top or opt to hike to the viewpoint. Be sure to visit in the early morning to get a clear view before the clouds roll in.
You’ll need to pay a LKR 100 ($0.50) entrance fee, and an additional LKR 50 ($0.25) for parking if coming with a tuktuk or scooter.
20. Hike to the top of the epic Diyaluma Waterfall
Diyaluma Waterfall is the second tallest waterfall in all of Sri Lanka, and is absolutely beautiful! It’s one of the country’s off-the-beaten-track destinations, although it’s growing in popularity in thanks to being featured on Instagram by top travel bloggers. The trail can be difficult to find and you may need to ask locals in the area how to get there. I received assistance from a young boy and offered him money for his help.
↠ Read More: Hiking to the top of Diyaluma Waterfall
21. Check out the Ravana Waterfall
A short ten minute bus ride from Ella City, Ravana Waterfall is a stunning sight to see. Albeit there’s not much to do in the area other than the falls, the short $0.25 bus ride is worth it just to check it out. You may even catch sight of people bathing in the waters. There are souvenir and food stands set up near the waterfall for visitors.
22. Take a tour of a Sri Lanka Tea Plantation
Sri Lanka is world-famous for its tea plantations and massive tea exports. That means no trip is complete without checking out at least one of Sri Lanka’s tea plantation tours and sipping copious amounts of Sri Lankan tea at every opportunity. The best spots for tea are found in Kandy, Ella, Nuwara Eliya among others. Some of Sri Lanka’s popular tea plantations include the Hanthana Tea Estate Factory (Kandy), Dambetenne Tea Factory (Haptule), and the Pedro Tea Estate (Nuwara Eliya).
I chose to tour and visit the UVA Halpewatte Tea Plantation in Ella and had so much fun seeing the tea manufacturing process and sampling the various teas they offer. Depending on what time of year you visit, the factory may be at different stages of the tea process: growing the leaves, picking the leaves, drying the leaves, etc. so your tour experience may differ from others. The tour runs about LKR 525 ($3).
23. Snap a photo of the train passing over the beautiful Nine Arch Bridge
Another insta-famous landmark in Ella, the Nine Arch Bridge is a historic brick bridge set against rolling green tea fields. Getting to the bridge requires either a 30 minute walk along the train tracks from Ella, or a $2 tuktuk ride. Once at the bridge many people hike around to get different views.
Try to time your visit to see the passing trains, which is usually at 9:30. 11:30. 15:30. You can verify the train schedule at the train station or with someone in the town as it can vary. The bridge can get crowded so your best bet is to arrive early if possible.
24. Walk to the famous World’s End in Horton Plains National Park
A protected area of grassland and cloud forest, Horton Plains is a beautiful national park to walk and explore while visiting central Sri Lanka. There is the standard entrance fee to enter of about $25 USD, but it’s worth it to see the famous World’s End – a steep cliff overlooking the park.
25. Go surfing at Arugam Bay
A popular surfing destination, Arugam Bay is a great place to beach, learn to surf, and kick back and relax. It’s located on the eastern side of Sri Lanka’s southern shores, and has a different monsoon season than the rest of the southern coast. Travelers visit Arugam Bay mostly for it’s chill vibes and beach scene as there aren’t many “exciting” attractions in area besides the ocean and the Kumana National Park where waterfowl nest.
26. Walk to the Insta-famous Coconut Tree Hill on Mirissa Beach
When doing any research into Sri Lanka, the groove of palm trees off of Mirissa Beach are sure to pop up in your internet searches. A nice place for photographers to snap the sunrise or sunset, the 20 minute stroll to this outcropping is a must. Watch out for the stray dogs who roam the area! They were not happy with my visit.
↠ Read More: The Best Things to Do in Mirissa
27. Venture to Jungle Beach in Unawatuna
A few kilometers from Unawatuna Beach, Jungle Beach gets its name from the pretty walk through palms to reach the sand and sea. It’s a smaller and quieter place in Unawatuna to enjoy the water and soak up some rays.
28. Visit the Japanese Peace Pagoda in Unawatuna
A large white pagoda erected to honor the victims of the 2004 tsunami, the Japanese Peach Pagoda is a stunning memorial overlooking the water. Come to pay your respects to those who lost their lives and marvel at the beauty of the area.
29. Go scuba diving on Sri Lanka’s southern coast
Sri Lanka’s southern coast is known for excellent scuba diving, and I highly recommend it! I’m not a certified scuba diver, so I chose to do a discover dive instead. A discover dive is nice because they show you safety things and teach you how to dive, then take you underwater for 30 minutes at a safe depth of about 30 meters.
I went scuba diving while visiting Mirissa so I can personally recommend the Mirissa Dive Academy. I paid abut $60 for my tour and met many travelers who were actually getting their scuba certificate while visiting Mirissa.
20. Try out the famous Palm Swing on Delawella Beach
Another Instagram hot spot, this exciting palm swing is owned by the Dream Cabana Guesthouse and it draws many folks who want to try swinging over the ocean waves. They charge LKR 500 ($2.50) for a swing and offer king coconuts and other refreshments for your beach break.
31. See the fishing boats and fishing stilts in Weligama
Weligama is a small fishing village on the way from Mirissa to Unawatuna and is famous for the stilt fisherman that live there. The village has much more going for it than that, and is a great place to learn to surf and catch some waves.
32. Catch some rays on the beaches of Tangalle
Perfect for beach goers, Tangalle has some of the most beautiful beaches in the country. It attracts many travelers interested in relaxing in quiet and low-key paradise compared to the other beaches along the southern coast. When choosing lodging, opt for a local guesthouse or villa for the best experience. Popular things to do in Tangelle include surfing, visiting the Mulkirigala Rock Monastery, and birdwatching at the Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary.
33. Go on a wildlife safari in Udawalawe, Yala and Any National Park
One of the best things to do while visiting Sri Lanka is to visit a national park and go on a safari to see the local wild animals. Sri Lanka is home to Asian elephants, leopards, peacocks, water buffalo, bears, and more! Stop by Yala National Park, the largest in the country, for leopards and a greater variety of wildlife or check out Udawalawe for some of the best elephant spottings on the island. Kaudulla National Park is another popular choice.
34. Learn more about Sri Lanka’s history at the Dutch Galle Fort
The city of Galle is a busy city home to the famous fort from Dutch colonial times. Come to step back in time and enjoy the colonial architecture and the ocean views. Be sure to stop for lunch at Lucky Fort Restaurant for some of the best curry around!
35. Go shopping and wander around Galle Market
After wandering around the fort, stop by the market before leaving the city to stock up on your favorite Sri Lankan spices and goods. You can find the insta-famous bright blue storefront here.
36. Visit the beachs of Hikkadua
Hikkadua is a beautiful beach destination in southwestern Sri Lanka that’s known for its great surfing. The main Hikkadua Beach is lined with cool bars and restaurants that attract backpackers from all around the world. The Hikkaduwa National Park, a coral sanctuary, is next door and offers more incredile things to do and see. Hikkadua is about 40 minutes north of Galle.
37. Get your adrenaline pumping with an adventure sport tour
There are many opportunities in Sri Lanka for adrenaline junkies! If you’re into exciting adventures, consider these tours in Sri Lanka:
- White water rafting down the Kelaniya River in Kitulgala
- Hot air balloon ride over Dambulla
- Jet ski on Bentota Beach
38. Explore Sri Lanka’s capital, Colombo
You’re most likely flying in and out of Colombo, Sri Lanka’s largest city. It’s not often considered an exciting place to visit in Sri Lanka, especially compared to all of these fantastic destinations, but if you have time there’s fun to be had in the city. The best things to do in Colombo include visiting the National Museum, learn more about the history of the city’s colonial architecture, visit local temples and just get lost in the city streets.
39. Get a massage or treatment at an Ayurvedic Spa
Ayurveda in Sri Lanka is an ancient form of medicine that promotes well being and healing through various means. The traditional practices of Ayuverdic treatments date back thousands of years and historically are sometimes cited as the first examples of a systemic healthcare system.
If you’re up for a new culture experience, I recommend visiting an Ayurvedic spa for a classic Sri Lankan massage. I visited a spa in Ella and got a full body massage that involved stretching, a head massage, and a whole lot of oil. Think of it as a whole-body facial with less focus on deep tissue massage and more on the actual skin.
Be sure to carefully research and read reviews of a spa before visiting, as tourists have unfortunately had some negative experiences. To give you an idea of price, I paid about LKR 3000 ($15) for a 60 minute treatment.
40. Have a beach day in Negombo before flying home
Negombo is a city to the north of Colombo and is the closest city to the country’s international airport (even though it’s named Colombo). Many backpackers opt to spend the day of or day before of their flight home enjoying their last few hours of Sri Lanka sunshine at Negombo Beach.
Please Skip These Popular Things to Do in Sri Lanka
As incredible as Sri Lanka is, there are some attractions that many tourists partake in, that I recommend skipping. As travelers and tourists, it’s our responsibility to do our best to engage in ethical and eco-friendly travel as much as we can and it’s super important to be informed. Here are the popular Sri Lanka attractions you should skip…
Don’t Visit a Turtle Hatchery
Visiting a turtle hatchery to see baby turtles is a very popular thing to do in Sri Lanka. Any place that keeps the turtles in tanks and lets people touch and play with the baby turtles however, can be extremely harmful to the wildlife. I’ve heard of tours where you can relax on the beach and watch the natural process from a distance, without touching or picking up the turtles, which should be a fine and eco-friendly thing to do. Be sure to do your research if this is a must on your to-do list.
You can read more about Spin the Windrose’s negative experience here.
Don’t Visit Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
A destination made extremely popular by influential Instagrammers, Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage may seem like an honest establishment on the surface. However, I’ve read reports that this place actually doesn’t treat the elephants very well and is indeed extremely unethical.
Check out what Hand Luggage Only has to say on the matter here.
Don’t Ride an Elephant
In my opinion, you should never, ever pay to ride an elephant or pet a tiger, or do an activity that takes wild animals from their homes and makes them tourist attractions. Elephants that are in captivity for people to ride are often not treated well and live in horrible conditions. These animals are also not made for humans to ride and it can be harmful to their bodies.
Learn more about the facts behind elephant cruelty at World Animal Protection’s website.
Where are your favorite places to visit in Sri Lanka? Share below!
Hi! Thank you! If you read my article closely I also say you should not visit Pinnawala Orphanage. I agree, you should not go anywhere that treats the animals cruelty.