Adorned with dagobas (stupas), Anuradhapura is Sri Lanka’s most evocative place to explore. Most of the ruins of Anuradhapura remain as temples or holy places today. This ancient city is home to not only temples but also pools and budget accommodation places. Your trip to Anuradhapura for 2 days might turn into 4 or even 5 when you get along with the relaxed paced lifestyle of theirs. Make sure that you cover the top places to visit in Anuradhapura as they will give you a glimpse of the history of this place. Although the weather in Anuradhapura remains the same throughout the year, the best time to visit Anuradhapura has been recorded to be April and September. During these months, the city receives less rainfall and it is a dry season which makes it perfect for sightseeing. So, if you want to explore this place without any hassle then you know when to plan your trip.

The city of Kandy is nestled amid rolling tea plantations and green jungle, protected by the Mahaweli River. Kandy, Sri Lanka’s historic capital, is known for housing a tooth of the Buddha, the country’s most holy Buddhist relic, as well as botanical gardens, temples, and a manmade lake. Kandy boasts a number of must-see sites. You can go for walks in the misty hills around the hotel or take on more difficult hikes in the highlands if you’re a nature lover.

Kataragama is a pilgrimage town in Sri Lanka that is significant to Buddhists, Hindus, and the indigenous Vedda people. South Indians also visit the temple to pray. The Kataragama temple, a shrine dedicated to Skanda Kumara, also known as Kataragamadeviyo, is located in the town.

Kitulgala is a tiny town in Sri Lanka’s west coast. The Bridge on the River Kwai, which won an Academy Award, was filmed on the Kelani River in Kitulgala, albeit only the concrete foundations for the bridge exist today.

Koggala is a tiny seaside town on Sri Lanka’s south coast, near a lagoon, and is part of the Galle District. Koggalais bordered on one side by a reef and on the other by Koggala Lake, a vast lake into which the KoggalaOya’s numerous tributaries flow. Koggala features one of Sri Lanka’s longest beaches and is adjacent to the renowned tourist town of Unawatuna. However, unlike Unawatuna, Koggala remains comparatively undeveloped as a tourist attraction and is mostly untapped.

Picturesque Negombo is interesting mostly because of its proximity to the international airport, which is only 10 kilometers away; many visitors arrive from long-haul flights and stroll to one of the region’s beach hotels, or stay here as their final step before returning home. Negombo’s activities and attractions have made it an ideal destination for family vacations and honeymoons in Sri Lanka.

Nuwara Eliya is a city in central Sri Lanka’s tea country highlands. Roses and tree ferns abound in the organically landscaped Hakgala Botanical Gardens, which also serve as a haven for monkeys and blue magpies. A beautiful Hindu shrine nearby, Seetha Amman Temple, is ornamented with holy images. Galway’s Land National Park, which is densely wooded, is a haven for indigenous and migratory bird species such as bulbuls and flycatchers.

Pasikudah is a seaside tourist town in Sri Lanka’s east coast. It is known for having one of the world’s longest lengths of shallow shoreline, allowing you to walk for kilometers into the ocean with only your knees submerged. The ocean at Pasikudah is perfect for swimming and snorkeling because of its turquoise, calm waters. Pasikudah’s beaches are among the most beautiful in the country, ensuring a fantastic beach vacation for everyone who visits this charming city.

Pinnawela is a lovely village on the banks of a river near Kegalle, a town halfway between Colombo and Kandy, Sri Lanka’s commercial and cultural capitals. The picturesque village is home to the world’s biggest elephant herd in captivity, as well as the world’s only elephant orphanage. Many newborn elephants, as well as a blind elephant and a handicapped elephant, are housed there.

Polonnaruwa is the capital of the Polonnaruwa District in Sri Lanka’s North Central Province. The Polonnaruwa New Town is located in Kaduruwela, whereas the rest of Polonnaruwa is the royal old city of the Kingdom of Polonnaruwa.

Ratnapura is a popular city in southern Sri Lanka known for its gemstone industry. It’s also notable for being the starting point for a route that goes to Adam’s Peak, which is considered sacred. Ratnapura is home to various gem mines and a fascinating Gem Museum, making it a thriving center for gem trading for both local and international dealers. Ratnapura is home to some of the world’s most famous jewels, including the Star of India, Blue Belle of Asia, and The Star of Adam.

The towering rock outcrop of Sigiriya, rising from the lush and mysterious tropical forest cover of Sri Lanka’s central plains, is definitely a beautiful sight to see. The sheer-sided outcrop of reddish gneiss towering 200 meters above the surrounding plains is one of the most spectacular natural sights. Take one of our top Sigiriya tours and discover the unique site with a visit to the historic palace, fortress, and more for those wanting a deep insight into Sri Lanka’s cultural core.

Tangalle is one of the more established beach resorts in the region, with a series of modest guesthouses – and a few of expensive hotels and villas – set around the coves and beaches that line the beachfront here. However, tourism has never taken off as quickly as the residents would like, and Tangalle remains very low-key in comparison to the resorts further west.

Trincomalee is one of Sri Lanka’s main cities, and the administrative capital of the Trincomalee District in the Eastern Province is roughly 263 kilometers northeast of Colombo and 243 kilometers southeast of Jaffna. Trincomalee is one of the country’s Tamil-majority cities. Trincomalee has its own airport, which is 13 kilometers from the city center.

This village, about 40 kilometers south of Colombo, is recognized for its high-quality bamboo baskets and mats, as well as the best mangosteens. The golden beach of Kalutarais surrounded by lovely palm trees and is ideal for swimming. This small, yet bustling town is home to markets, modest stores, and busy highways, as well as the GangatilakaVihara, one of the few Buddhist monuments open to the public and a great gem worth seeing.

Kalpitiya is a rural hamlet with Portuguese and Dutch influences located north of Colombo, about three hours drive from the capital city. Kalpitiyais known for its natural beaches, which are frequented by turtles, as well as its rural fishing communities. The months of December to March are ideal for visiting Kalpitiya since the sea is quiet, making it a great area to go dolphin and whale watching off the coast of the Indian Ocean.

Arugam Bay is a vibrant town, famed around the world for its exhilarating surfing opportunities, poised on the south-east coast of Sri Lanka. If surfing is not for you, there are many other things to explore in Arugam Bay. Stroll along the spectacular beaches, or relax with a local yoga class. You will be able to see elephants grazing on the shores of the tank in Lahugalla National Park, and if you head further afield to Kumana, you may be lucky enough to see leopards sleeping on a granite outcrop or a sloth bear feasting on the fallen red berries of a weera tree. There are a handful of stunning secluded beaches to hunt out – from the bay at Okanda, where you can also visit the colorful Hindu kovil (currently the resting place for pilgrims on their way to Kataragama), to Peanut Farm and the beach at Whisky Point. Make sure to head to MuduMahaVihara too, one of the many fascinating temples around the area.

Positioned 200 km east of Colombo and 28 km south of Badulla city, Bandarawela is one of the key cities with visitor points of interest. Bandarawela metropolis had rather a lot of development at some point of the British colonial era and buildings consisting of ‘Cargills building’, ‘Bandarawela lodge’, and ‘Tennis club’ undergo proof to their influences. Bandarawela is a metropolis that has mild weather all year around due to the fact it is situated at a better altitude. Bandarawela is one of the famous places among nearby guests as it is a vacation spot that offers relaxing environmental conditions and soothing weather to make the family gatherings exciting and remarkable.

If you desire the vacation where you stretch out under the tropical sun, with a scrumptious drink of King Coconut, Bentota can absolutely be your fantasy come to life. The rural city hiding the symptoms of city lifestyles is a delight to the attention of travellers because the area still possesses staggering greenery which gives the seaside the air of paradise untouched. Although strewn with restaurants and resorts you may find that it does not disturb the scenery. The traveller, well conversant in tourists mind their personal ways, making it feasible to indulge inside the glorious sunsets in absolute peace

Retaining a fascinating coastal line that is conducive for bathing nearly the entire year, Beruwala, Sri Lanka is an ideal escape for beach loving traveller. Situated within the district of Kalutara, the uncommon city is located a bit over an hour faraway from Colombo. Organising itself as one of the principal holiday destinations within the island, Beruwala boasts of outstanding infrastructure and roadways.

Chilaw, located at the northern tip of the Chilaw Lagoon, 85 km north of Colombo, is considered one of northwestern Sri Lanka’s three predominant fishing harbours, except Negombo, which is 50 km in addition south, and Puttalam, that’s 55 km to the north of Chilaw. The port and the seashore and the river mouth of DeduruOya five km further north are Chilaw’s primary attractions. Chilaw is a Roman Catholic diocesan city. Despite the fact that the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel has a record of centuries of strength, the construction is contemporary and in Sri Lanka’s standard historicizing style of church structure.

Colombo is Sri Lanka’s economic hub and largest by wide variety. Colombo metropolitan location has a populace of 5.6 million, and 756,993 within the city limity, consistent with the Brookings organization. it’s miles the island’s economic center and a vacation spot for travelers. Colombo is arguably the maximum popular traveler destination in Sri Lanka. The coastal city is a stunning location to spend a few days just relaxing, indulging within the local meals and leisure activities. The town nevertheless has many colonial-generation and early-history systems.

Dambulla! A town where history blends with herbal splendor. Take a break out of your stressful existence for a few days and cross live in a world that makes you privy to how terrific lifestyles can be. one of the pleasant points of interest in Dambulla is the Cave Temple. Dambulla Cave Temple is likewise referred to as the Golden Temple of Dambulla. it’s far the largest and the best preserved cave temple complicated in Sri Lanka. it’s miles the house of marvelous Buddha pictures and wonderful Rock paintings of vibrant colors and shapes.

In the Sri Lankan hills, there’s a lot more than tea brewing. Ella has a lot going on beneath its sea of canopies, despite its secluded location in the southern Hill Country. Lounge-style cafés offering cappuccino and even a restaurant plate up fish and chips bridge the gap between solitude and society – no wonder the town is dubbed locally as ‘Little England.’

Galle is a magical place: it’s Sri Lanka’s best-preserved colonial town and an intriguing slice of time-warped island history. Massive coral bastions encircle streets of low-slung Dutch homes, while the waves of the Indian Ocean break close beyond. In Galle Fort, a Unesco World Heritage Site, history is omnipresent.

Habarana is a tiny town in Sri Lanka’s Anuradhapura District. The area contains some mid-range and higher-end hotels marketed at package travelers, and also serves as a jumping-off point for other surrounding attractions. Habarana is a popular tourist site for safari enthusiasts since it serves as the starting point for safaris in the adjacent Habarana jungle and the Minneriya sanctuary, which is home to a large number of elephants. In this small city, elephant back riding is also a popular activity.

With a history dating back to the 3rd century BC, this is a must-see destination in Sri Lanka. From a dusty old town known for fishing and salt production, Hambantota has evolved into a popular tourist destination. There are numerous wildlife parks, beautiful beaches, hotels and restaurants, and historic religious sites. If you’re passing through Hambanthota, don’t forget to try the buffalo curd.

Hikkaduwa is a seaside tourist town in Sri Lanka’s southwest. It’s noted for its strong surf and beaches, especially Hikkaduwa Beach, which is lined with restaurants and cafes and has palm trees. The Hikkaduwa National Park, which is a coral sanctuary and home to marine turtles and rare species, is located in the shallow waters opposite Hikkaduwa Beach. Inland, the Buddhist shrine GangaramaMahaViharais embellished with hand-painted murals.

Traveling in Sri Lanka’s north is a truly off-the-beaten-path experience. The islands around the peninsula are fascinating, and adventurous travelers will be rewarded with a fascinating glimpse into this historically significant part of the country. The peninsula is made up of the city of Jaffna, with its crumbling but beautiful architecture, the surrounding countryside, which is marked by the Palmyra tree and unique agriculture, and the islands of Kayts, Delft, and Nainativu.

Yala National Park’s grassy plains and thick woodlands, which were formerly a hunting area for the British under colonial rule, are now a playground for a robust leopard population. Yala hugs the island’s southeast coast, producing a semi-arid habitat with a varied assortment of birds in its lagoons and beaches.