Best places to visit in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Essentials

This selection spans Sri Lanka’s UNESCO World Heritage sites, colonial history, and diverse natural landscapes. It includes the 5th-century rock citadel of Sigiriya, the sacred Buddhist relics at Kandy’s Temple of the Tooth, and the ancient ruins of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa. Coastal highlights feature the 16th-century Dutch fortifications in Galle and Colombo’s vibrant Red Mosque. Natural sites range from the leopard-populated plains of Yala National Park to the tea-growing highlands of Ella, home to the colonial-era Nine Arch Bridge.

Venkasub / CC BY-SA 3.0

Sigiriya

Sigiriya or Sinhagiri is an ancient rock fortress located in the northern Matale District near the town of Dambulla in the Central Province…

Wouter Hagens / Public domain

Sri Dalada Maligawa

Sri Dalada Maligawa, commonly known in English as the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, is a Buddhist temple in Kandy, Sri Lanka.

Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications

A UNESCO World Heritage site featuring 16th-century fortifications originally built by the Portuguese and extensively fortified by the Dutch. The site includes a working lighthouse, bastions, and a blend of European architectural styles with South Asian traditions.

Schnobby / CC BY-SA 3.0

Yala National Park

Yala National Park is the most visited and second largest national park in Sri Lanka, bordering the Indian Ocean.

PIERRE ANDRE LECLERCQ / GFDL

Dambulla Cave Temple

This UNESCO World Heritage site consists of five caves containing 153 Buddha statues and extensive 18th-century murals. It is the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka, serving as a pilgrimage site for over 22 centuries.

Dan arndt / CC BY-SA 4.0

Nine Arch Bridge

A colonial-era viaduct in Ella constructed entirely from stone, brick, and cement without the use of steel. Completed in 1921, the bridge spans 91 meters and stands 24 meters high amidst mountain tea plantations.

Michael Gunther / CC BY-SA 4.0

Sacred City of Anuradhapura

Anuradhapura is a major city located in the north central plain of Sri Lanka.

PIERRE ANDRE LECLERCQ / GFDL

Royal Botanical Gardens

Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya are about 5.5 km to the west of the city of Kandy in the Central Province of Sri Lanka.

Mlechanteur / CC BY 3.0

The Royal Palace of Polonnaruwa

Poḷonnaruwa, also referred as Pulathisipura and Vijayarajapura in ancient times, is the main town of Polonnaruwa District in North Central…

Manon Martin / CC-BY-SA

Little Adam's Peak

A 1,141-meter peak in Ella offering panoramic views of the Ella Gap and surrounding tea estates. The summit is reached via a trail through plantations followed by a series of stone steps.