Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, has a long history as a port on ancient east-west trade routes. The city of the sky-rising buildings, the federation of street sellers – the one-of-a-kind semi culture of trading, the city with the bustling business and places you could roam around all the way. Watch the sun drift down to the ocean while eating an authentic isso-wade (a prawn food item) at the beaches.
Kandy is a large city in central Sri Lanka. It's surrounded by mountains, which are home to tea plantations and rainforest. The city's heart is scenic Kandy Lake (Bogambara Lake), which is popular for strolling. Kandy is famed for sacred Buddhist sites, including the Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa) shrine, celebrated with the grand Esala Perahera annual procession.
Dambulla cave temple also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla is a World Heritage Site in Sri Lanka, situated in the central part of the country. This site is situated 148 kilometers east of Colombo and 72 kilometers north of Kandy. Dambulla is the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. The Dambulla city would also give you an admirable experience of one of Sri Lanka’s biggest wholesale markets – where the leafy and greeny vegetables be distributed to all the countries.
The name ‘Nuwara Eliya’ translates to “City of Light”. It is situated in the central hills of the country at an elevation of 1,868m above sea level and enjoys the coolest climate in Sri Lanka. It was called “Little England” as driven by the climate, it became the sanctuary of British civil servants and planters of the vast tea estates with Ceylon tea being famous the world over. The beautiful flowers, strawberries and hiking and trekking sites around the location Nuwara Eliya offers a plenty of sites you could watch which may drag you to a deeper history.
Ella in Sri Lanka is a small laid-back town surrounded by the beautiful greens of tea. There are a lot of things to do in Ella. Take one of the most beautiful train rides from Nuwara Eliya to Ella and fall in love with the surroundings. You will probably end up staying longer than you actually planned to. Ella has a comfortable climate where the nights are cool and the daytime around 28 degrees.
Galle is a city on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka. It’s known for Galle Fort, the fortified old city founded by Portuguese colonists in the 16th century. Stone sea walls, expanded by the Dutch, encircle car-free streets with architecture reflecting Portuguese, Dutch and British rule. Notable buildings include the 18th-century Dutch Reformed Church. Galle Lighthouse stands ort’s southeast tip.
Hikkaduwa is a seaside resort town in southwestern Sri Lanka. It’s known for its strong surf and beaches, including palm-dotted Hikkaduwa Beach, lined with restaurants and bars. The shallow waters opposite Hikkaduwa Beach shelter the Hikkaduwa National Park, which is a coral sanctuary and home to marine turtles and exotic fish.
This sacred city was established around a cutting from the 'tree of enlightenment', the Buddha's, brought there in the 3rd century by Sanghamitta, the founder of an order of Buddhist nuns. Anuradhapura, a Ceylonese political and religious capital that flourished for 1,300 years, was abandoned after an invasion in 993. The city, now a World Heritage site, was the centre of Theravada Buddhism for many centuries.
Polonnaruwa was the thriving commercial and religious Centre of Sri Lanka some 800 years ago. The second most ancient kingdom of Sri Lanka – a wide choice of places which once was the home to Kings and Queens, gave shelter to armies who fought to protect their motherland lies with the same glory. Gigantic tanks, palaces built on stories and hideouts of ancestors of Sri Lanka would allow you captures worth the walk.
Sigiriya or Sinhagiri is an ancient rock fortress located in the northern Matale District near the town of Dambulla in the Central Province, Sri Lanka. The name refers to a site of historical and archaeological significance that is dominated by a massive column of rock nearly 200 meters high. In 1982 UNESCO declared Sigiriya as one of the seven World Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka and is Asia’s best preserved city of the first millennium.
Trincomalee is a port city on the northeast coast of Sri Lanka and the harbour is one of the world's finest natural harbours. Within its grounds, the grand Koneswaram Temple stands on Swami Rock cliff, a popular vantage point for blue-whale watching. Trincomalee is home to the fine beaches of Nilaveli, Uppuveli and the off-shore Pigeon Island.
Also known as Ruhunu Park, Yala National Park is located towards the South East of Sri Lanka bordering the Indian Ocean. Designated as a wildlife sanctuary in 1900, Yala National Park is home to one of the highest leopard densities in the world. Apart from leopards, Yala is home to elephants, crocodiles, monkeys, water buffaloes and 215 species of birds including 6 endemic bird species. When visiting Yala be sure to tag along on a safari ride to see these majestic animals up close and personal in their natural habitat. It is a must visit location to the tourists, wildlife photographers and wildlife enthusiasts alike. Be sure to visit the ancient Sithulpahuwa Viharaya and the Magul Viharaya when you visit Yala
Located on the southeast coast of the island, Arugam Bay is the surfer's hot spot in Sri Lanka. Its also considered as one of the top 10 surf spots around the world. you will be able to find the best waves from April to September and sometimes still November. If you are a pro surfer try out the waves of Arugam Bay. Even if you are a beginner need not worry as there are plenty of surf schools around the area along with board shops and beach bars for you to enjoy. You can swim in the sea too but keep in mind the tough waves