Best Tour Destinations In Sri Lanka

The major destinations in Sri Lanka are as diverse as the country itself. Ancient cities, rolling hills & tranquil beaches and, teeming bazaars & vibrant nightlife characterize the major destinations in Sri Lanka. A seamless tapestry of the glorious past meeting the cosmopolitan present, the remarkable major destination Sri Lanka offer a melee of choices to the global traveler.

Colombo
Colombo, the chic capital of Sri Lanka & the portal to this timeless country, is certainly a city of happy contrasts. Beautiful colonial structures & chic skyscrapers; bustling bazaars and global shopping brands, calming Buddhist chants and a lively night life; all existing together in this melting pot of religion, races & ethnicities. Colombo, with its historical & religious landmarks, beautiful beaches, lively shopping districts, blaring tuk-tuks and delicious “Kothu” is the window to charming Sri Lanka.

Major attractions in Colombo

• Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple.
• Viharamahadevi Park.
• Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara.
• Clock Tower cum Lighthouse.
• Pettah.
• Galle Face Green.
• Colombo National Museum.
• National Zoological Gardens of Sri Lanka.
• Beira Lake.
• Colombo Dutch Museum.

Kandy
Kandy, the beautiful city in the hill country, was the last seat of Sinhala kings and is presently a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A charming tourist destination, Kandy is visited & revisited for its picturesque landscape, sacred temples and monasteries; the most famous being the Temple of the Tooth Relic, one of the most famous Buddhist pilgrimage in the world.

Major attractions in Kandy

• Dalada Maligawa orTemple of the Tooth Relic.
• Kandy Esala Perahera.
• Degaldoruwa Rock Temple.
• Lankatilake Temple.
• Gadaladeniya Temples.
• Udawattekele Sanctuary.
• Peradeniya Botanic Gardens.
• Kandy Lake.
• The International Buddhist Museum.
• Ceylon Tea Museum.
• Naththaranpotha Craft Village

Galle
Galle, a major port city of the bygone era; fortified by the Portuguese and later ruled by the Dutch & the British, is a fragrant potpourri of history & culture. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Galle is a favorite with the tourist for its exotic beaches, old marketplaces and charming heritage buildings.

Major Attractions in Galle

• Galle Fort.
• Flag Rock.
• Lighthouse.
• Kalutara and Seenigama temple.
• All Saints Church.
• Dutch reformed Church.
• National Maritime Museum.
• Marine Archaeological Museum.
• Japanese Peace Pagoda.
• Whale Watching on Mirissa Beach.
• Sinharaja Forest Reserve.
• Jungle Beach.
• Lagoon Canoeing at Unawatuna.

Jaffna
Settled mainly by the Tamil Hindus, the North Province is the bastion of Hindu culture in Sri Lanka. Jaffna, the capital of the north, is a blend of colonial charm & ebullient Tamil culture. Earlier a war-torn province, Jaffna, with its strings of islands; holy shrines; pretty beaches and off the track itineraries, is emerging as a tourist hub of Sri Lanka.

Major Attractions in Jaffna

• Nallur Kandaswamy Temple.
• Nainativu Island.
• Nagadipa Purana Raj Maha Vihara.
• Nagapooshani Amman Kovil.
• Kadurugoda Temple.
• DambakolaPatuna Viharaya.
• Jaffna Fort.
• Public Library.
• Casuarina Beach.

Dambulla
Dambulla, in the Central Province of Sri Lanka, is home to one of the iconic attractions in Sri Lanka- the Golden Temple of Dambulla. Its history dates back to 1st century BC when the exiled King Valagam Bahu took refuge in the caves, and later converted the caves into a beautiful temple complex. Its five caves, where walls & ceilings are covered with delightful murals & frescos and are adorned with over 150 statues of Buddha in various poses, have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• Golden Temple of Dambulla.
• Royal Rock Temple.
• Dambulla Produce Market.
• Dambulla Museum.

Sigiriya
Often considered the “Eighth Wonder of the World”, the ruins of the capital of King Kashyapa, lie on the slopes & summit of a 200 meter high rock. A combination of palace & a fortress, Sigiriya (Lion Rock), built in 5th century AD, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site & a very popular tourist destination in Sri Lanka. The imposing rock fortress, taking its name from the lion paws carved at the entrance, is a marvel of art & architecture. Its delightful grooves, nicks & crevices, conceal cherished pieces of history while its splendid gardens & delightful frescos depict the tales from Buddhism.

Major Attractions of Sigiriya

• Sigiriya Rock Fortress & City.
• Kudagala Forest Reserve & Monastery.
• Minneriya National Park.
• Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage.

Hatton
The hometown of the Ceylon Tea and the tea capital of Sri Lanka, Hatton is a nature lover’s delight. This pretty town, in the Nuwara Eliya district, was established by the British to serve their tea & coffee plantations. Lush tea gardens, misty hills, tumbling waterfalls and, beautiful train rides are it major attraction. Offering access to the Adam’s Peak or “Sri Pada” and Sinharaja Reserve, parts of the town have been declared as Religious Zone by the Sri Lankan government.

Major Attractions of Hatton

• Adam’s Peak (Sri Pada).
• Singha Malai Tunnel.
• Devon Falls.
• St. Clair’s Falls.
• Sri Manickapillayar Kovil.
• Subramaniam Kovil.
• Sri Muthu Mariyamman Kovil.

Ella
This charming village, in the Uva Province, is a perfect picture of mist shrouded hills enveloped in lush greenery and gushing waterfalls. The famous Ella Gap, offering majestic & clear views across the plains of Sri Lanka, is a much preferred tourist spot. Pleasant climate, fresh mountain air and breathtaking tropical abundance make Ella a perfect place for relaxation & rejuvenation.

Attractions in Ella

• Little Adam’s Peak.
• Ravana Falls.
• Ella Gap.
• Tea Plantations.
• Sitha Caves.
• Nine Arches Bridges.