The most picturesque places and the best sights of the north and Jaffna

The unique beauty of the north of Sri Lanka

The north of Sri Lanka is a completely different world from the southern part of the island. In our opinion, it is here that the most authentic atmosphere and the most picturesque places have been preserved, where mass tourism has not yet reached. We have traveled this region far and wide, and we are ready to share the most impressive sights that every independent traveler should see.

TOP 6 most picturesque places not to be missed

Based on our experience, we have identified six places that make the strongest visual impression and will definitely remain in memory for a long time:

• The old park and the ruins of Kacceri is the undisputed leader in order to take beautiful photos
• Jaffna Fort – majestic ruins overlooking the ocean
• The bottomless well of Nilavarai – crystal clear turquoise water
• Nalur Kandaswamy Temple is the most colorful and atmospheric temple in the region
• The sacred spring of Kirimalai – swimming with ocean view
• Flamingo watching is a unique nature show

The most picturesque places in Jaffna

These attractions are located within the city or in the immediate vicinity of it, and they can be visited even in one day.

• Jaffna Fort – picturesque ruins by the sea

  

  In our opinion, Jaffna Fort is the most impressive place in the city. It is especially beautiful here at sunset, when the walls of the fort are painted in golden tones, and the ocean turns leaden blue. We like to come here in the evening – you can climb the walls and watch the sun set behind the ruins.

  It is one of the largest and best preserved forts in Asia. Initially, a Portuguese fortress was erected here in 1618, but in 1658 the Dutch captured it and built their five-pointed fortress on top of it, which is why it is also known as the Star Fort.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Opening hours: from 07:00 to 18:00 seven days a week.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: entrance for foreign tourists is $5, paid in local currency after recalculation.

  🚶 How to get there: located in the center of Jaffna(fort on the map).

• Nalur Kandaswamy Kovil Temple (Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil) – a riot of colors

  

  This is the main Hindu temple in Jaffna and in the north of Sri Lanka in general. We especially like its architecture – tall multicolored gopurams (towers) decorated with hundreds of sculptures of deities. The temple was founded in 948, but destroyed by the Portuguese in the 16th century, and fully restored only in the 18th.

  Tourists can safely move around the temple and inspect it, go inside, but you can not take pictures inside the temple building. There are always a lot of believers here, rituals are held – this adds a special atmosphere to the place.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Working hours: during daytime.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free of charge.

  🚶 How to get there: the temple is located about two kilometers from the city center (temple on the map). You can get there on foot or by any bus in the direction of Point Pedro.

• Jaffna Public Library is an architectural gem

  

  The Jaffna Library is, without exaggeration, the most beautiful building in the city. In our opinion, its architecture in the Indo-Saracenic style deserves special attention. It was built in 1933, but in 1981 it was consumed by fire, and after that it also suffered during the civil war. After the end of hostilities, it was the first building in the city to be restored.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Opening hours: open for tourists from 16:30 to 18:00, Monday is a day off. You can view the library from the outside at any time.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free of charge.

  🚶 How to get there: located in the center of Jaffna(library on the map).

• The Mantri Manai Minister's House is the most atmospheric ruins

  

  These are the historical ruins of the residence of the Chief Minister of the Kingdom of Jaffna. Even in a dilapidated state, this place retains a special charm: graceful arches and walls overgrown with greenery create some of the most atmospheric and photogenic views in Jaffna, especially at sunset. We especially like the play of light and shadow through the ancient arches.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Opening hours: around the clock.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free of charge.

  🚶 How to get there: located two kilometers from the city center (ruins on the map). You can get there on foot or by any bus in the direction of Point Pedro.

• Dutch Kachcheri Ruins

  

  The old park is abandoned and does not represent anything by itself, but on its outskirts along the main road Kandy Rd. there are ruins of the colonial period, called Kachcheri. The place is very atmospheric and ideal for fans of photo shoots. Here you can walk and take photos for hours.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Working hours: around the clock.

  💵Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: the park and the ruins are located a couple of kilometers from the city center (park on the map.

Scenic spots outside Jaffna

The surroundings of Jaffna hide real pearls, for which it is worth renting a transport and going on a trip to the north of Sri Lanka.

• The bottomless well of Nilavarai is a natural wonder

  

  Crystal clear turquoise water in the Bottomless Well of Nilavarai creates a hypnotizing visual effect – because of the depth and incredible transparency, the bottom seems elusive. This is an ideal place to refresh yourself on a hot day: you can swim here, entering the water from a comfortable concrete platform, or just watch the play of light and fish in the depths.

  Based on personal experience, we note that the infrastructure is minimal: there is parking and a small market with souvenirs and food, but there are no showers. If you are looking for a unique natural place on the way from Jaffna to stop for a while and get a vivid impression, then Nilavarai is a great option.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Opening hours: around the clock.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free of charge.

  🚶 How to get there: located 14 kilometers from the center of Jaffna on the way to the northern point of Point Pedro (Bottomless well on the map). Theoretically, you can get here by bus, but preferably by rented transport or tuk-tuk.

• Sacred spring of Keerimalai (Keerimalai Springs) – swimming with a view of the ocean

  

  It is a sacred water source revered by Hindus. But for us it is, first of all, an incredibly picturesque place – a large outdoor pool with fresh water is just a few meters from the ocean. It is especially beautiful here at sunset, when the sun sets directly into the water.

  There are two swimming pools: a large men's one with an ocean view, and a separate smaller one for women. You can swim in clothes (as some locals do), or undress to a swimsuit, but women, even in swimsuits, need to wrap themselves in a towel or sheet.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Opening hours: from 08:30 to 21:00.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free of charge, but sometimes collect a symbolic parking fee of 30 rupees (0.09 USD).

  🚶 How to get there: located 20 kilometers north of Jaffna (sources on the map). You can get here by bus 768 and 769.

• Watching flamingos is a pink wonder of nature

  

  One of the most spectacular entertainments for which tourists come to Jaffna and the north is watching flamingos. In our experience, the sight of hundreds of pink birds against the background of turquoise water is an unforgettable sight. It is especially beautiful at dawn, when the light is especially soft.

  Moreover, it is not necessary to hire a guide or go to national parks for this, you can watch animals right in their natural environment.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Opening hours: Bird watching is best early in the morning during the migration season from September to April

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free of charge.

  🚶 How to get there: If you hire a tuk-tuk, the drivers themselves know where to take you. If you are going to travel around the neighborhood on your own by rented transport, then the easiest way is to go to the bulk bridges connecting the Jaffna peninsula with the nearby islands of Velanai, Kareitivu and others.

• Delft Island – an adventure far from civilization

  

  Delft Island is not just a tourist attraction, it is a whole independent adventure. In our opinion, this is one of the most atmospheric places in the north of Sri Lanka. There is a special, almost surreal atmosphere here – wild ponies roam among the ruins of Dutch buildings, and the ocean surrounds the island from all sides.

  Delft has several historical sites of the colonial era, there are natural places and mysterious holy relics. But we told you more about the island of Delft, what and how to visit there, in a separate guidebook. Learn more about Delft Island.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Opening hours: around the clock.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free of charge.

  🚶 Getting there: to get to Delft, you need to take tuk-tuks or bus number667 to the pier (30 kilometers from the center of Jaffna), then take the free ferry.

• Kadurugoda Vihara

  

  This is the ruins and archaeological site of an ancient Buddhist temple dating back to the heyday of Anuradhapura. The temple itself, although an important historical and religious place, but the most famous place is the ruins on the site of the old temple, somewhat reminiscent of the famous Angkor Wat.

  Practical Information

  🕐Working hours: from 08:30 to 17:00.

  💵Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: the ruins are located in the town of Chunnakam, 10 kilometers from the center of Jaffna (temple on the map). You can get here by your own transport, taxi, or take the bus number 768 at the Jaffna bus station, get to Chunnakam and get off on the B380 road, then walk a little more than a kilometer.

How to plan a route to the most picturesque places

Based on our experience, we recommend that you set aside at least 3-4 days to explore the most picturesque places in the north of Sri Lanka:

• Day 1: Jaffna attractions – fort, library, Nalur Kandaswami Temple
• Day 2: The northern direction is the source of the Kirimalai, temples, flamingo watching
• Day 3: Delft Island or a trip to the Bottomless Well and Point Pedro

You can even get acquainted with the sights in the city itself on foot, and one full day will be enough for this. But to see the rest of the interesting places in the region, you will have to rent a transport (here you can rent a motorcycle from 3000 rupees), or hire a tuk-tuk with a driver.

The north of Sri Lanka and Jaffna offer unique picturesque places that have not yet been spoiled by mass tourism. In our opinion, now is the best time to visit this region – as long as it retains its authenticity and charm. Good luck on your journey!