Top attractions in Sri Lanka: what a tourist must see | Guide Club

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Sri Lanka is one of the most attractive places in the Indian Ocean. In 2024, it was visited by two million tourists. Although the island nation’s area is small, there is a lot to go and see. Sri Lanka is famous for its picturesque hills, jungles, beaches, tea plantations and ancient cities protected by UNESCO. We have prepared a list of the best attractions in Sri Lanka with photos and descriptions. Choose the most interesting and come to see this scattering of wonders with your own eyes.

Colombo

Colombo is the largest city and port of Sri Lanka, it is often mistaken for the capital. The official capital is called Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte and is located in the suburbs of Colombo. The country’s main international airport is located nearby, through which most tourists arrive. Before heading to other places, it’s worth staying in Colombo for a while. This is where much of what is worth visiting in Sri Lanka is located. Here are just some examples of ancient and modern architecture, museums and parks.:

• Galle Face Green. There is a large pedestrian zone in the center of Colombo, stretching along the coast. Come here to take a walk, have a snack and admire the Indian Ocean. The promenade often becomes a venue for concerts and festivals.
• Jami Ul Alfar, or the Red Mosque. The mosque was built in 1909. Its red-and-white striped minarets are visible from everywhere, including from the sea. It is believed that this Indo-Saracenic-style structure was specially made so prominent that it would serve as a landmark for incoming ships.
• The World Trade Center. It is the tallest building in the city, with two towers rising to a height of 152 m. At the base there is a 4-storey shopping podium. The towers are rented by the stock exchange, radio stations and other organizations.
• Colombo National Museum. The museum is located in a beautiful white neo-Baroque building, built specifically for this purpose. The galleries introduce the history, religion and culture of Sri Lanka. The exhibition includes collections of paintings, sculptures, masks, weapons, furniture and other objects.
• The Protestant Church of Volvendaal. The most impressive example of Dutch architecture on the island. The name of the church means “Wolf Valley” because when it was built in the 18th century, the wilderness stretched around. Inside, the antique carved wood decoration has been preserved.
• Viharamahadevi Park. The largest park in Colombo with flower gardens, fountains, shady alleys and a small lake. In the park you can spend time with children, playgrounds and a mini zoo are provided for them. From March to the beginning of May, it is especially beautiful here because the trees are in bloom.

Other important attractions in Colombo include the unusual lotus flower TV tower, the huge coastal stupa Sambodhi Chaitya, the Gangaramaya Temple complex and the artificial Lake Beira in the city center.

Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle

Many of the must-see attractions on the island of Sri Lanka are concentrated in the central part of the country. This area is called the Cultural or Golden Triangle. Its corners fall on the historical capitals of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Kandy. Two more ancient cities are located inside: Sigiriya and Dambulla.

The Cultural Triangle is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Sri Lanka. It provides an insight into the island’s rich history and culture. In addition to ordinary tourists, many Buddhist pilgrims come here. The journey from Colombo takes 4-6 hours. It is advisable to take at least 5-7 days to explore the ancient cities. Let’s tell you in more detail what interesting things can be seen in each of them.

Kandy

Kandy is a picturesque city where vibrant Buddhist temples are juxtaposed with British colonial architecture. There is also a large lake with a walking coastline.

Located in Kandy, the Temple of the Tooth of the Buddha is one of the main attractions of Sri Lanka. It is believed that it really contains the tooth of the Buddha, handed over to the monarchs of Sri Lanka in the IV century. There is a belief that the country will be ruled by the one who owns the relic. It is unlikely that you will be able to see the tooth itself: it is stored in seven precious caskets, nested one inside the other. Only occasionally is it put on public display. But the temple complex is interesting without that. It is decorated with gold, paintings, carved wood and elephant tusks. There is a museum in one of the buildings. It displays lavish gifts from Buddhist leaders and rulers of various states.

The Royal Botanical Garden of Peradeniya is located in the suburbs of Kandy. Don’t miss it if you like to relax among the beautiful nature. The garden is famous for its collection of orchids, medicinal and aromatic herbs. In total, about 4,000 plant species are collected here. Shady palm alleys, ponds, and areas with colorful flower beds and clipped shrubs are provided for visitors.

Anuradhapura

The northernmost point of the Cultural Triangle is the city of Anuradhapura. It was the capital from the 4th century BC to the 11th century AD. For 1,500 years, it was one of the largest and most stable cities in Asia, the cradle of southern Buddhism and a place of mass pilgrimage. At the end of the 10th century, Anuradhapura suffered greatly from a military invasion and gradually fell into decline. Now it is an open-air museum, where the ruins of ancient temples and Buddhist stupas have been preserved. There are also active sanctuaries. Many people want to visit the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi Temple. It is famous for the fact that the oldest living tree in the world, planted by man, grows here. This is a sacred ficus, grown, presumably, from the cuttings of the very tree under which the Buddha experienced enlightenment.

Anuradhapura is home to the Jetavanarama Stupa, which was one of the three tallest structures in the world at the time of its completion in the 3rd century AD. It was second only to the two pyramids at Giza. Initially, its height was 122 m, by now it has decreased to 71 m. Another stupa, the Tuparamaya, is considered the oldest on the entire island, although it has been rebuilt many times after the destruction. We recommend taking the time to visit the Anuradhapura Archaeological Museum. The works of art and household items on display are collected from historical sites throughout Sri Lanka.

The ancient city of Polonnaruwa

Polonnaruwa was the capital of Sri Lanka for about three centuries during the Middle Ages. There are many ruins of the XII century — palaces, temples, tombs, stone statues of Buddha. The Archaeological Park has hundreds of ancient structures. Since the attractions are spread over a large area, it is convenient to ride between them on a rented bike.

One of the places you should definitely visit in Sri Lanka is the Gal Vihara Rock temple in Polonnaruwa. It is famous for four relief Buddha statues carved on the surface of a large granite rock. These images are considered the pinnacle of Sinhalese rock carvings. The largest sculpture depicts a reclining Buddha passing into parinirvana. It is also one of the largest sculptures in Southeast Asia, with a length of 14 m. The best quality of execution is considered to be a statue of a standing figure with a height of about 7 m. It is not known exactly who she portrays: the Buddha himself or his disciple Ananda. The reason for the disagreement is the sad expression on his face, which is unusual for images of Buddha in Sinhalese sculpture.

Sigiriya

Sigiriya is a flat—topped rock that rises 170 m above the valley. In the 5th century A.D., a palace was built on it, surrounded by powerful walls and painted with preserved frescoes. Later, until the 14th century, a Buddhist monastery was located here. There is a long staircase leading to the top. Its base is called the Lion’s Gate because of the huge paws that probably remained from the ancient sculpture. It is assumed that initially visitors had to pass through the lion’s mouth. Part of the way up runs along a carefully polished wall, which is called a mirror wall.

At the base and on the slopes of the cliff, landscaped gardens have been preserved, which are among the oldest in the world. They include pools, fountains and dams, rock gardens and concentric terraces. The Lion’s staircase starts from the upper terrace. From the top of Sigiriya, you can enjoy views of the emerald ocean of forests and fields. It is better to get up in the morning, when there is still no heat and there are not so many tourists.

To see Sigiriya from the side, you can climb a cliff called Pidurangala a couple of kilometers to the north. It takes 20-30 minutes to climb, along the way you can see several small temples and a 12.5 m long statue of the reclining Buddha. Many tourists climb Pidurangala at sunset. But at dawn, the views are no less beautiful, and there are fewer visitors.

Dambulla

Dambulla is home to the largest and best preserved temple complex in Sri Lanka and all of South Asia. The Golden Temple of Dambulla was founded in the 1st century BC.. It is an important center of pilgrimage and cultural heritage, attracting believers and tourists. The complex consists of five main caves, each of which is decorated with magnificent frescoes and statues. There are a total of 153 Buddha statues inside. Of these, 73 are covered with gold, hence the name. The total area of the wall paintings exceeds 2,000 sq. m. The images are bright and complex, thanks to the successful composition of the paints they are well preserved.

The caves are located at an altitude of 160 m. The temple is surrounded by picturesque nature, which gives it a special atmosphere of tranquility and sanctity. There is a long staircase leading up, at the foot of which there is a 30-meter-high statue of a seated Buddha sparkling with gold. The largest of the five caves measures more than 50 by 20 m. It’s called the cave of the Great Kings. It houses dozens of statues of Buddha, Hindu deities and ancient rulers. The ceiling is decorated with frescoes illustrating the life of the Buddha and important events in the history of the country. In the Cave of the Divine King there is a 14-meter statue of the reclining Buddha, and next to it are statues of his disciple Ananda and the god Vishnu. Corridors connecting them in the colonial style have been built in front of the caves.

Dambulla is located near Sigiriya, which can be seen from the cave complex. Both of them belong to the main attractions of Sri Lanka, and tourists usually visit them together.

Other cities worth visiting in Sri Lanka

In addition to the capital and the sights of the cultural triangle, there are many more resort towns and villages on the island worth visiting. Many of them offer wonderful beach holidays, but not only.

• Negombo. The fifth most populous city in the country is located near Colombo and the international airport. There are many tourists and a well-developed infrastructure. In Negombo, guests can relax on the luxurious sandy beach, which stretches for 6 km. Another center of attraction is the fish market, where all kinds of seafood delicacies are brought every morning.
• Nuwara Eliya. The British colonial-style town at the foot of Sri Lanka’s highest mountain is famous for its picturesque tea plantations. Since this is the mountainous part of the island, you need to dress warmly. During guided tours of the surrounding area, you will see landscapes of rare beauty and the clouds remaining below. There is a botanical garden with a rose garden and orchids near the city. Galway National Park is a small national park located right in the city center in the middle of a dense mountain forest. It is home to dozens of native and migratory bird species.
• Ella. To see the beauty of Sri Lanka, you can come to the town of Ella. It is convenient to use it as a base for hiking in the surrounding area. There are many tea plantations and climbing peaks around. For example, Ella Rock with the best panoramic platform or Maly Adamov Peak. Nearby Ella is the multi-cascaded Ravana Waterfall. There are caves near it, and it is believed that the demon Ravana hid the heroine of the Ramayana Sita in one of them. If hiking is not suitable for you, we recommend that you take a train from Ella to Nuwara Eliya. In addition to the beautiful scenery, you will see the nine-arched brick bridge of Demodar on the way. It is the largest bridge on the island.
• Halle. The third largest city in Sri Lanka is supposedly mentioned in the Old Testament under the name Tarshish. But it reached its peak under the Dutch in the 18th century. Galle is famous for the fort, built in 1588 by Portuguese colonialists and later fortified by the Dutch. It is a small town surrounded by walls. Inside there are colonial—style houses, museums, churches, mosques. From the southern bastion of the fort, you can admire the seascape, which is especially beautiful at sunset.
• Mirissa and Veligama. These two resort towns are located close to each other on the southwestern coast of Sri Lanka. Tourists come here for the wide beaches with powdery light sand and palm trees. In Mirissa, you can learn to surf or swim with turtles. From November to April, during the migration season of blue whales, you can see them during a boat tour. The beaches of Veligama are good for experienced surfers, the hot season lasts from October to April. The famous landmark of Veligama is a three—meter bas-relief of Kushta Raja Gala, carved in stone, dating from the 7th-9th centuries.

Natural attractions of Sri Lanka

Surrounded by the Indian Ocean and warmed by the equatorial sun, Sri Lanka is famous for its landscape diversity. It has tropical forests and grassy plains, mountains and mangrove swamps. Here are the best places to visit in Sri Lanka, where you can see extraordinary landscapes, exotic animals and birds.

Yala National Park

Located in the southeast of the island, the national park occupies the second place in terms of area, but it is the first in terms of the number of tourists coming here. There are 44 species of animals in Yala, including elephants, monkeys, bears, buffaloes and wild boars. In some areas, the density of these animals is so high that you will probably see even a rare leopard during a safari tour. There are more than 200 species of birds, including peacocks in their natural habitat.

The park attracts with its diversity: there are sea beaches on the coast, jungles, open meadows, freshwater lakes and rivers. Such different conditions ensure the richness of the animal and plant world.

Kumana National Park

Kumana is adjacent to the Yala National Park on the east side, but there are much fewer visitors here. This means that there are more opportunities to see untouched nature without numerous tourists around. Although the animals in Cumana are not so densely concentrated, there are still chances to see a leopard, and even more so elephants, wild buffaloes, crocodiles and turtles. But the main attraction of Kumana is the bird sanctuary, located in the mangrove swamps. There are more than 400 species of birds here, and even a beginner can see about 50 of them on their first visit. The best time to observe is the nesting season in May and June. It is better to arrive at dawn, when the birdsong is especially loud and friendly.

Horton Plateau National Park

One of the most beautiful places in Sri Lanka is located in the central highlands, near Nuwara Eliya. A long hilly plateau with a height of more than 2,000 m above sea level is adjacent to two mountain peaks — the second and third highest on the island. The Horton Plateau National Park is small, with an area of just over 3 square kilometers. But tourists come here from everywhere to see an incredible sight — the 1,200 m high cliff of the “End of the World”. There is a trail leading to it, which also passes by the 20-meter Baker Waterfall. The circular route is about 10 km long and can be completed in about three hours. You need to walk carefully, because the trails can be slippery, and there are no protective railings.

Due to the high altitude, the plateau is cooler and windier than in other parts of the country, especially on the coast. The weather changes frequently, so don’t forget to wear warm clothes. During the daytime, the view from the “End of the World” is often obscured by fog and clouds, especially during the rainy season. After 9 a.m., only a swirling white wall is visible. But if you arrive early, you can see from a dizzying height a small town, villages, tea plantations and a valley stretching to the sea.

Minneria National Park

In the central part of the island, near the town of Polonnaruwa and the Sigiriya Cliffs, there is another attraction in Sri Lanka that you should definitely visit. It is a national park where elephants, macaques, deer, crocodiles and countless birds live. Part of the park is occupied by a dense forest, where it is difficult to see animals, but the trees and grasses are beautiful in themselves. The larger area is covered by open meadows and wetlands with a large abundance of wildlife.

During the dry season from April to October, Minneria is especially interesting. At this time, a significant part of the water dries up, and green pastures take its place. Hundreds of elephants and other herbivorous animals gather at the remaining lake to drink. The shallow waters are home to flocks of aquatic birds — storks, cormorants, herons, pelicans.

Sinharaja Rain Forest

The Sinharaja Biosphere Reserve protects the rainforest in the southwest of the country. Its name means “Lion King” in translation. Since the forest covers the slopes of a wide mountain range, a significant part of it is constantly in thick rain clouds. This is the wettest area of the island with an incredible variety of animals, birds and vegetation. About 50% of all Sri Lankan endemics are found here. There are especially many rare birds that are easy to see, unlike the elusive large animals. You can only move around the reserve on foot along specially paved trails, accompanied by a caretaker or a private guide.

Adam’s Bridge

India and the island of Sri Lanka are separated by the Indian Ocean. But among its deep waters there is a natural bridge of small islands, sandbanks and coral reefs. The narrow land chain connecting Sri Lanka with the continent is clearly visible from a height. At high tide, it sinks into the water to a depth of 1-1.25 m, although dry areas remain. The length of this bridge is 48 km.

Adamov Bridge is a serious obstacle for sea vessels. There is a project to deepen it and create a navigable section, as well as a road and railway bridge. But these projects have many opponents, as the natural bridge has cultural and religious significance. It is believed that it is mentioned in the Ramayana: Shiva built it to save Sita, who was abducted and hidden in Sri Lanka. Now Adamov Bridge is a popular place to observe nature. There are various species of birds, marine flora and fauna here.

St. Clair Falls

The top attractions of Sri Lanka would be incomplete without one of the island’s most beautiful waterfalls, called Little Niagara. It is also located in the central Highlands region, about 30 km from Nuwara Eliya. The waterfall consists of two cascades about 80 m and 50 m high. The width reaches 50-60 m.

The waterfall is surrounded by forests and emerald-colored tea plantations, so it is a place with magnificent views and an atmosphere of serenity. Here you can take extraordinary photos, have a picnic and just relax in nature. The flow of water looks especially picturesque during the rainy season from May to September. But in 2018, a dam was built upstream, and now the type of waterfall depends on how much water is discharged from it.

Adam’s Peak

Adam’s Peak is the fifth highest mountain in Sri Lanka. It is located about two hours drive from Nuwara Eliya, its height is 2,243 m above sea level. From the top of this mountain, you can enjoy beautiful views of the lake, valley and rainforested hills. But she became famous for another reason. There is a stone at the top with a depression that looks like a footprint. For more than a thousand years, believers have been climbing here to honor the sacred footprint left by Adam, Buddha or Shiva, depending on the religion of the pilgrim.

A Buddhist shrine with a bell has now been built around the boulder, which every pilgrim can ring. It is better to climb Adam’s Peak from December to May. At other times, the ascent is complicated by heavy rains, winds and fogs. The way up the stairs takes about 2.5 hours, the descent is faster.

When choosing what to see in Sri Lanka from the sights, you need to take into account the rainy season. You can go at any time of the year, but to a more convenient part of the island. From October to April, the southwest remains dry and sunny, and from May to September, the northeast. If you find yourself on the other half, be prepared for tropical downpours. During the dry season, the water and air temperatures on the coast are kept at 30 degrees. If you want to stay cool, you can relax in the central part of the island, where the daytime temperature is about 20 degrees.

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