10 of the most beautiful places to visit in Sri Lanka

When most people think of Sri Lanka, they probably think of the beach and tea. Of course, Sri Lanka does these very well but there’s so much more to the country than people realise. Here are a few of my favourite picturesque places on this gorgeous island…

Tangalle

Tangalle is a big town in Hambantota District located in the Southern Province. Its beach is known to be a great surfer’s beach due to the magnificent waves. It is a typically picturesque place with long sandy shores, leaning palm trees and deep turquoise water. The Tangalle Bay Hotel (which is shaped like a cruise ship) also calls this beautiful corner of Sri Lanka home.

Nuwara Eliya

Upcountry begins with the pretty city of Nuwara Eliya overlooked by Pidurutalagala, the tallest mountain in Sri Lanka. With its bustling market and numerous waterfalls it is the heart of the tea country and is considered the most important location for tea production in the country.

Adam’s Peak

Adam’s Peak, is a tall conical mountain located in central Sri Lanka. Many climb the mountain as part of a religious pilgrimage as it’s believed to have Buddha’s footprint on a rock formation near the summit. It is climbed in the early hours of the morning to arrive at dawn and see the sunrise. At the top is a bell that you ring corresponding to how many times you have reached the summit.

Sigiriya

If you only have time to see one ancient site in the country, then I would personally choose the UNESCO world heritage site Sigiriya – it’s a very beautiful and awe-inducing place to visit in Sri Lanka. Built by an eccentric monarch in the 5th century, a giant pair of stone lion’s paws still guards the staircase that leads to the summit, which was once occupied by a royal palace. There are also well-preserved fresco’s carved into the rock and the vast surrounding water gardens are also worth a visit.

Polonnaruwa

Eight hundred years ago, Polonnaruwa was the bustling second capital of Sri Lanka and a thriving commercial and religious hub. Today it’s a site full of archaeological treasures where hundreds of ancient structures reside from tombs and temples to statues and stupas. Look out for the incredible Brahmanic monuments built by the Cholas and the monumental ruins of the amazing garden-city, which dates back to the 12th century.

Tea country

You cannot visit Sri Lanka without exploring its beautiful tea plantations which seem endless and are often surrounded in a atmospheric mist. For starters try the Ceylon Tea Trails which are a collection of four colonial tea plantation houses set in gorgeous hill country, all offering impeccable service and fine cuisine. Also nearby are a network of walking and cycling trails which offer the perfect way of exploring.

Yala National Park

Situated in the Southeast part of the island in the semi-arid climate region is the most popular National Park in Sri Lanka. It also happens to be the most beautiful. The park is known for its large variety of wild animals and is important for the conservation of Sri Lankan Elephants and aquatic birds. The western part of Yala has the highest leopard concentration in the world and is worth a visit for this alone.

Kandy

This major city located in the Central Province, easily makes this list. It was the last capital of the ancient kings’ era of Sri Lanka and today its a important place to visit. Located in a valley surrounded by a huge lake it’s always a joy to wander around. The main attraction is the Temple of the Tooth which houses the sacred relic of Buddha’s tooth. It is a very spiritual place, even if you are not religious.

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage

This important place is known for having the largest herd of captive elephants in the world. Established in 1975 by the Sri Lanka Department of Wildlife Conservation, the orphanage was set up to care for baby elephants that have lost their mothers and have been found in the surrounding jungle. It’s a lovely and heartwarming place where you can even follow the elephants down to the river and watch them bathe – a truly beautiful sight!

The Hill Club

Situated on 26 acres of land at the base of a wooded hillside, the Hill Club looks over the town of Nuwara Eliya. It’s a left over relic from the colonial era which history fans are bound to love. It was founded in 1876 by a group of British coffee planters as a private club for gentlemen. As well as 39 cozily appointed bedrooms they also have a ladies lounge, a billiards room, bars and an elegant dining area.

I hope you enjoy visiting Sri Lank’s most beautiful places for yourself!