Sri Lanka is an island nation located in the Indian Ocean known for its spectacular beaches, thousand-year-old Buddhist temples, an abundance of wildlife, and rich archaeological history. The plethora of water sports, breathtaking sunsets, sprawling tea gardens and of course, mouth-watering Sri Lankan food, are sure to make you fall in love with this gorgeous place. Rich in culture, Sri Lanka is an intriguing blend of well-preserved local traditions amalgamated with rapid urbanization.

The island country can be visited all around the year, however December to April is considered as the best time to visit Sri Lanka. The only major point of focus is which side of the country is to be visited in a particular month. If you are deciding to visit the West and South coasts and discover the hillsides, December to March is an ideal time for it. However, April/May to September is best to see the Eastern Coast. Also, know that this country receives two different monsoon seasons at different times. So it implies that where one part of the country is wet, the other can be dry at the same time. With Sri Lanka’s position being close to the Equator, the temperature of this island country remains relatively constant throughout the year.

Sri Lankan food is spicy with rice and curry as a staple food. But you can always ask for less spicy options when you are ordering your food. Thambili, the juice from King Coconut, is very refreshing. It’s sold at the side of streets throughout the island.

The central feature of Sri Lankan cuisine is boiled or steamed rice, served with a curry of fish or meat, along with other curries made with vegetables, lentils, or fruits. Dishes are accompanied by pickled fruits or vegetables, chutneys, and sambols.

Special purchases in Sri Lanka include handicraft items made of silver, brass, bone, ceramics, terracotta and wood. Cane baskets, straw hats, reed and coir mats, spices and tea have high demeaned among tourists. There are a lot of options such as bazaars, markets, boutiques and malls where you can shop from.

The official languages in Sri Lanka are Sinhala and Tamil. The most commonly used foreign language is English due to its colonial past with the British.

1. SIGIRIYA

Declared a world heritage site by UNESCO, Sigiriya serves as a fine example of ancient urban planning. Sigiriya is a significant site of the Cultural Triangle and perhaps Sri Lanka’s most iconic historical destination. The site, also known as Lion Rock, is recognized all over the world for the remains of the ancient Sigiriya Rock Fortress and its numerous enchanting and well-preserved attractions. The complex hydraulics system at the fortress enhances the site’s reputation as a beautiful example of classical city planning.

Places to visit in Sigiriya: Sigiriya Rock, Sigiriya Museum, Pidurangala Rock, Lion’s Paws, Dambulla Cave Temple

2. NUWARA ELIYA

Nuwara Eliya is Sri Lanka’s hill station famed for its tea production. With a multitude of gorgeous attractions ranging from waterfalls and tea plantations to gardens and lakes, Nuwara Eliya is the epitome of scenic beauty. Add to that the colonial-style buildings dotting the area, a golf course and the cold climate— and you’ll feel like you have entered a world unlike Sri Lanka’s iconic landscape; no wonder it is also called Little England!

Nuwara Eliya besides being the most important site for tea production also happens to be overlooked by the Pidurutalagala. This is the tallest mountain in Sri Lanka. This city enjoys an extremely temperate climate. Indeed this place happens to be the coolest part of Sri Lanka.

Places to visit in Nuwara Eliya: Victoria Park, Pedro Tea Estate, Lake Gregory, Bluefield Tea Gardens, Strawberry Fields, Shri Bhakta Hanuman Temple, Seetha Amman Temple, Hakgala Botanical Garden

3. ELLA

Tucked into Badulla District, Ella is a laid-back town drawing travellers to Sri Lanka’s highlands with tea plantations, mountain jungles and a cool climate. At an elevation of 1,041 metres, this wildlife-rich townhouse friendly town has ancient caves, centuries-old secluded temples, and the famous Ella Gap – a cleft between two hills overlooking lofty views.

Places to visit in Ella: Ella Rock, Nine Arches Bridge, Ravana falls, Little Adam’s peak, Kinellan Tea Factory & Tea Centre

4. GALLE

Tucked into the southwest coast of Sri Lanka, Galle is a major city and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Blessed with imposing Dutch-colonial buildings, ancient churches and mosques, blond beaches, mansions and museums, quirky boutiques, and a convivial seaside promenade, Galle attracts locals, foreign travellers, history buffs and nature lovers alike. Against the riveting ocean backdrop, Galle Fort and Lighthouse display awe-inspiring Victorian relics in the snazzy neighbourhood. This fortified city was founded by Portuguese colonists in the 16th century. Stone seawalls, built by the Dutch, encircle car-free streets with Portuguese and British architecture. Galle is also known for its pristine, tropic-riven beaches like Ahungalla Beach and Unawatuna Beach, where families and friends frolic in the surf.

Places to visit in Galle: Galle Fort, Galle Fort Lighthouse, Dutch Reformed Church, Flag Rock, Unawatuna Beach

5. KANDY

Settled on a plateau encircled by lush mountains, Kandy is a large city in central Sri Lanka with biodiverse rainforests and tea plantations. Around 4 hours by road from Colombo, the city is famed for the Temple of the Tooth Relic, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Kandy is bountiful in nature with national parks like Udawattekele Sanctuary, and mystical cloud-laden peaks like Hanthana Mountain Range. Truly, the city is an epicentre of cultural, historical, spiritual and nature tourism.

Places to visit in Kandy: Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Big Buddha, Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, Kandy War Cemetery, International Buddhist Museum, Millenium Elephant Foundation, Kandy Lake, Ceylon Tea Museum

6. COLOMBO

Discovered initially by traders two millennia ago, Colombo is Sri Lanka’s largest economic corridor and tourist destination. As the island nation’s capital city, Colombo is a cosmopolitan gateway to the wonders of Portuguese, Dutch and British colonial heritage, splendid tropical landscapes and delectable cuisines. The city is well connected to other places in Sri Lanka by rail and road.

It is in Colombo that you can find it all; from the Lotus Tower, South Asia’s tallest freestanding structure, world-class casinos like Bellagio and Ballys, and cinnamon plantation hiking trails. The city identifies with the classic form of urban tourism and offers a great experience of sightseeing, shopping and nightlife. Taking an open deck bus tour is the best way to sightsee around the city on a day of pleasant weather.  Against the ocean at Galle Face Green Promenade, Galle Fort and Lighthouse showcase astonishing Victorian relics in a snazzy neighbourhood with cafes. Pettah Market acclaimed as a shopaholic’s abode by tourists and locals, features vibrant oriental themes and colourful shops.

Places to visit in Colombo: National Museum of Colombo, Gangaramaya Temple, Viharamahadevi Park, Colombo Fort, Galle Face Green Beach Park, Colombo Dutch Museum, Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara Buddhist temple, St. Lucia’s Cathedral, National Railway Museum, National Zoological Garden

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