What to see in Jaffna: the most comprehensive sightseeing guide from personal experience

An overview of the sights of Jaffna and the north, and what you can see here

It cannot be said that in Jaffna and in the north there are the most interesting sights of Sri Lanka, but there is something to see. It will be especially interesting here for those who like little-traveled tourist routes, since few people get to most of the interesting places in this part of the country, tourists are still very rare visitors here.

The region has a different history and culture from the rest of the country, since for many centuries this territory has been the home of Tamils, who profess predominantly Hinduism, and therefore most of the attractions here are different from the rest of Sri Lanka. Most of the temples here, of course, are Hindu, many historical sites are associated with south India, and some have been left by the Portuguese and Dutch since the colonial period. There are also Buddhist temples, but there are few of them, and they are not particularly beautiful.

Nevertheless, in Jaffna and in the north in general there are many interesting, important and even intriguing sights that we recommend you to visit. Here is our TOP list from personal experience:

• Jaffna Fort
• Archaeological Museum
• Nallur Kandaswamy Temple
• Saint Martin's Seminary
• Ruins of Sangili Thoppu Palace
• Old park and ruins of Dutch Kachcheri
• Mantri Manai Minister's House
• Keerimalai Naguleswaram Temple
• Sacred Spring Keerimalai Springs
• The northern point of Point Pedro
• Kadurugoda Vihara Temple
• Flamingo Watching

How to visit the sights here

You can even get acquainted with the sights in the city itself on foot, and one full day is 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. Some of the attractions can also be visited by local buses, but in this case it will take much longer. You can read more about transport and motorcycle rental in our detailed instructions here.

As for excursions, you can find them here, but so far organized tourism is very poorly developed here. There are no group excursions at all, and what you will find online or in very rare local travel agencies are expensive individual trips. You can find excursions online on these sites:

• Excursions in Jaffna on Trip.com (there are a lot of options, Russian maps work)
• Excursions in Jaffna on GetYourGuide (many options, Russian maps do not work)

But with entertainment for tourists in Jaffna, there is no trouble at all. During the day, apart from sightseeing or relaxing on the beaches, there is nothing to do at all, except just walk through the streets and markets of the city. In the evening, there are no classes for tourists either, except that you can go to the conditional embankment and evening market near the walls of the fort. But the situation there, to be honest, is very depressing: there is nothing for tourists and a lot of garbage.

We have visited all the sights of Jaffna and the north, and more than once. And as a result, we present the most complete and reliable list of interesting places with an indication of opening hours, the cost of visiting, and ways to get to them.:

Attractions in Jaffna

In this group of attractions we have collected interesting places that can be visited in Jaffna without having to travel by transport. You can reach them on foot or by bike. If you are staying at a hotel near the city center.

• Jaffna Fort (Jaffna Fort)

  

  It is one of the largest and best preserved forts in Asia, and the largest in Sri Lanka. 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.

  Today it can be visited as a tourist attraction, and for free. You can move around the territory completely freely, climb the walls, but part of the territory is inaccessible due to restoration work. There are several exhibitions about the history of the fort in the walls, but they are not always open. Learn more about Jaffna Fort here...

  Practical Information

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

  Entrance fee / ticket price: entrance fee for foreign tourists is 5 US dollars(5 USD), paid in local currency after recalculation. The local entrance is 60 rupees (0.18 USD).

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

• Archaeological Museum of Jaffna (Jaffna Museum)

  

  This is the only museum in Jaffna, and unexpectedly large and eventful for such a low-tourist place. It exhibits artifacts found during archaeological excavations in the region: a collection of coins, tools, weapons, architectural elements, and even animal bones. There is a collection indoors, and exhibits outdoors. What's bad, there are no signatures on the exhibits, and one can only guess about their origin and purpose, but in general it's still interesting and worth a visit. Learn more about the archaeological museum of Jaffna here...

  Practical Information

  🕐Working hours: from 09:00 to 16:00, seven days a week.

  💵Entrance fee / ticket price: free of charge, but at the end of the inspection you can leave a few tens or hundreds of rupees in the donation box, or in the hands of the museum staff, if they will conduct a tour for you.

  🚶 How to get there: located near the city center, entrance from Navalar Rd (museum on the map). From the side of the road you need to walk along the path along the building of the cultural center, and there you will find an inconspicuous museum building.

• Jaffna Public Library

  

  The Jaffna Public Library is the most beautiful building in the city. 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. Today, the library can be viewed from the outside and see the interior, but you can't take pictures inside.

  Practical Information

  🕐Working 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.

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

• Clock Tower (ClockTower)

  

  There is a clock tower in almost every city in Sri Lanka, and it is usually a place for a landmark, a designation of the city center, a reference point and a meeting place. But in Jaffna it is still a historical landmark. It was built in 1875 in honor of the visit of Prince Albert Edward of Wales, who later became King Edward VII.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Working hours: around the clock.

  💵Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

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

• Nalur Kandaswamy Kovil Temple (Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil)

  

  This is the main Hindu temple in Jaffna and in the north of Sri Lanka in general. It was founded in 948, but destroyed by the Portuguese in the 16th century, and fully restored only in the 18th. There is an opinion that it was originally founded as a Buddhist temple, but local believers categorically refuse to recognize this. 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. Perhaps this is the first temple worth visiting in Jaffna. Read more about Nalur Kandaswamy kovil temple here...

  Practical Information

  🕐Working hours: during daytime.

  💵Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

  🚶 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.

• St. Mary's Cathedral

  

  St. Mary's Cathedral is one of the largest and most important Catholic churches in the north. Built in the 1970s by the Dutch. It is made in the form of a cross (viewed from above). You can inspect from the inside, take pictures. A very calm and quiet place when there are no services.

  Practical Information

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

  💵Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: located near the city center, you can walk (church on the map).

• St. Martin's Seminary Saint Martin's Seminary)

  

  Saint Martin's Seminary is the oldest seminary in Jaffna, celebrating its 150th anniversary in November 2019. The seminary building is beautiful, looks old. You can walk around the territory (there is a mini-zoo here), enter classes when there are no classes there, and chat with local students who are very friendly and like to communicate with foreigners.

  Practical Information

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

  💵Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: located near the city center on Kandy Rd, you can walk (seminary on the map).

• St. James' Church (Saint James' Church)

  

  Saint James’ Church is the largest and most beautiful Catholic church in Jaffna. It was built 150 years ago in the Roman architectural style. Not required to visit, but if you're around, you can drop by.

  Practical Information

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

  💵Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: located near the city center on the main street Kandy Rd, you can walk (church on the map).

• Church of the Virgin Mary Church (Our Lady of Refuge Church)

  

  This beautiful Catholic church is one of the most important in Jaffna. It is very old, but it looks like new, because only in 2017 a complete restoration was carried out here. You don't have to go to church, but if you're around, be sure to take a look, and don't forget to go inside.

  Practical Information

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

  💵Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: located in the heart of the city (church on the map).

• Nagavihara Temple

  

  Nagavihara Temple (Nagavihara Temple, also Naga Vihara) is one of the most important Buddhist temples in Jaffna, of which there are very few here, unlike the rest of Sri Lanka. In general, this is not just a temple, but part of a local Buddhist center with a hotel for pilgrims. It is not particularly beautiful, but its heart is a large white stupa and the sacred Bodhi tree, which is believed to have appeared here more than 2 thousand years ago. As legend has it, back in the third century BC, King Dewanampiyathissa received in India an outgrowth of a sacred tree, under which the Buddha received enlightenment, and brought him here. According to another version, the sacred tree was brought by his daughter, and the tree was not planted here, but only kept for a week for rituals.

  Practical Information

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

  💵Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: located in the city center on Stanley Rd (temple on the map).

• Ruins of Sangili Toppu Palace and Chankili Toppu (Sangili Thoppu)

  

  Sangili Thoppu or Cankili Thoppu is the remains of an ancient building destroyed in 1650, which was once the palace of the last king of the kingdom of Jaffna, Chankili Kumaran II. The date of construction is considered to be 1519, although this is not accurate. Unfortunately, only one arch remained from the once majestic palace, and it was severely damaged during the civil war: bullet holes are visible on it. The arch is located right along the road, and you can stop here for a couple of minutes on the way. Learn more about the ruins of the palace here...

  Practical Information

  🕐 Working hours: around the clock.

  💵Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: the ruins are located about 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, by tuk-tuk from 400 rupees.

• Statue of the last King of Jaffna

  

  King Sangiliyan's Statue is another conventionally iconic place in Jaffna, but not particularly spectacular and interesting for tourists. The golden statue depicts King Cankili Kumaran II, the last king of the Kingdom of Jaffna. Chankili seized power and proclaimed himself king in 1617, for which he had to arrange a "massacre", during which he killed the last legitimate heirs to the throne. But he was king for only two years. The Portuguese who arrived in the country arrested him and sent him to India, where he was hanged. Therefore, King Chankili is revered as the last martyr of the royal dynasty, even though he came to power illegally.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Working hours: around the clock.

  💵Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

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

• The Old Park and the ruins of Kachcheri (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. They are protected by the state as an architectural landmark. We couldn't find out for sure what it was, but there were two versions from local residents: It was a monastery, or government offices were located here. The place is very atmospheric and ideal for fans of photo shoots. Read more about the old park and the ruins of Kacceri here...

  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.

• Jamuna Eari Swimming Pool

  

  The Jamuna Eari pool (also Yamuna Eri) was once part of the royal palace, and was intended for bathing women of the royal dynasty. Unfortunately, there is nothing left of the palace here, and today the old pool is surrounded by modern buildings. It is said that the pool was carved in the 13th century right in a large solid piece of rock that is hidden in the ground, and the water was brought from India from the Yamuna River, a tributary of the sacred Ganges River. In shape, it is made in the form of a Tamil letter, which is similar to the inverted letter "P" or the Latin "U". There was a beautiful garden in the middle of the pool. Despite its historical value and the fact that it was protected as a historical monument in 1948, in fact the place is in disrepair.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Working hours: around the clock.

  💵Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: the pool is located two kilometers from the city center (swimming pool on the map). You can get there on foot or by any bus in the direction of Point Pedro, by tuk-tuk for 400 rupees. You need to get off by bus next to the statue of the last king of Jaffna, and then walk 5 minutes.

• Mantri Manai Minister's House

  

  These are the historical ruins of the residence of the Chief Minister of the Kingdom of Jaffna, whose architecture and exact age are still the subject of debate among historians. 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. The monument is in disrepair, visit with caution. It is most convenient to explore Mantri Manai as part of a walk through the historical district, combining it with neighboring attractions — the Sangili Toppu Arch, the Jamuna Eari pool and the statue of the last king. Read more about the House of Minister Mantri Manai here...

  Practical Information

  🕐 Working hours: around the clock.

  💵Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: the pool is 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, by tuk-tuk for 400 rupees.

Attractions outside the city

The following is a list of attractions that are located in the vicinity of the city and further beyond in the north of Sri Lanka. You can visit them only by transport, some, fortunately, by local buses. The rest will have to be reached by tuk-tuks or rented transport (see more details about transport in Jaffna and what to use).

• Kirimalai Temple (Keerimalai Naguleswaram)

  

  Keerimalai Naguleswaram temple, or Naguleswaram Shiwa Kovil, or Thirutambaleswaram Kovil is one of the most famous and revered Hindu temples in the north of Sri Lanka. It is located next to the sacred spring Keerimalai, and usually they are visited together. It is believed that the temple was built in 543-505 BC, and is the oldest in the region. Nearby there is an archaeological site where the ruins of the old Keerimalai Ambalama temple are well preserved, and some of them are impressive in their appearance and somewhat resemble the famous ruins of Angkor. Learn more about Keerimalai Naguleswaram Temple here...

  Practical Information

  🕐Working hours: during daytime.

  💵Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

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

• Sacred spring of Kirimalai (Keerimalai Springs)

  

  This is a sacred water source, revered by Hindus, and has been visited by locals for many centuries. They believe that the water here has a miraculous healing power. But these are not hot springs. You can not drink water, they only bathe in it.

  There are two swimming pools: a large men's one with an ocean view, and a separate smaller one for women. There is a locker room, a place to relax in the shade. 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. Learn more about the sacred spring of Keerimalai Springs here...

  Practical Information

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

  💵Entrance fee / ticket price: free of charge, but sometimes collect a nominal parking fee of 30 rupees(0.09 USD), as well as 50 rupees for using the toilet and locker room (0.15 USD).

  🚶 How to get there: located 20 kilometers north of Jaffna (sources on the map). You can get here by bus 768 and 769 to Keerimalai Temple, and walk to the spring for a couple of minutes, it is located just across the street from the temple.

• Vallipura Aalvar Temple (Vallipura Aalvar Kovil)

  

  It is the second most important Hindu temple in the north of Sri Lanka after Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil, one of the oldest and largest. It is believed that it is located in the village of Vallipura, but when you arrive there, you will find that it is almost in the middle of the desert, and the nearest inhabited places are several kilometers away from it. Despite this, there are always a lot of believers and pilgrims here, especially during religious holidays in September and October, and every Saturday. Read more about Vallipura Aalvar Kovil temple here...

  Practical Information

  🕐 Working hours: open from 06:00 to 18:00, Puja rituals take place daily 07:00, 09:30 , 12:00, 16:15, and in addition on Saturday at 06:00.

  💵Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: located 35 kilometers from Jaffna (temple on the map). You can get here only by rented transport or taxi.

• The northern point of Point Pedro

  

  The northernmost point of the island of Sri Lanka, Point Pedro, is a landmark place for tourists. Here, at the tip of Sakkotei cape, there is a sign indicating that this is the northernmost point of the island, and tourists usually take selfies against its background. Indeed, to visit here, and ideally also at the southernmost point (this is cape and Dondra lighthouse) seems like a rather interesting idea. But you should be prepared for a little disappointment. Unfortunately, this place is not at all picturesque, like Cape Dondra. There is mud around, and the views of the ocean and the shore will not please you at all. Learn more about Point Pedro here...

  Practical Information

  🕐 Working hours: around the clock.

  💵Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: Point Pedro is located 32 kilometers from Jaffna in the village of the same name (Point Pedro on the map). You can get here only by taxi or rented transport. You can also get to the village itself by bus 750 or 751, and get to the observation deck on foot.

• Kadurugoda Temple (Kadurugoda Vihara)

  

  This is the ruins and archaeological site of an ancient Buddhist temple dating back to the heyday of Anuradhapura. The exact time of construction has not yet been established, so the appearance of the temple is still attributed to a long period from 377 BC to 1017 AD. Anyone can visit the archaeological park. You can walk around the territory and inspect the ruins discovered by archaeologists, but you can not get close to the pagodas, they are fenced. In general, it will take no more than 10 minutes to visit the place. Read more about the ruins of the Kadurugoda Vihara temple here...

  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.

• Mavidappuram Kandaswamy Temple (Maviddapuram Kandaswamy)

  

  It is a large and important Hindu temple. According to one of the legends, it was built 5,000 years ago to keep one of the most important Hindu shrines. According to another version, it was built in the 8th century. The more real story is that the present structure of the temple was erected in the 17th century to replace the previously destroyed one, and it has survived to this day almost in its original form, although it has undergone multiple restorations. Moreover, repair work does not stop today. Learn more about Maviddapuram Kandaswamy Kovil temple here...

  Practical Information

  🕐Working hours: during daytime.

  💵Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

  🚶  How to get there: Located in the village of Maviddapuram, which is considered sacred because of the many temples located here, and especially the sacred temple Keerimalai Naguleswaram temple. It's a 20-kilometer drive from the city center (temple on the map). You can get there from the bus station on routes 768 and 769. The temple is located right by the road, but the entrance is on the other side.

• Maruthanarmadam Anjaneyar Temple (Maruthanarmadam Anjaneyar)

  

  This is a small modern temple that you will meet on the way to the temple and the sacred springs of Keerimalai. You can not miss it in any way, because the entrance to it is guarded by a huge statue of the god Hanuman (monkey god), called Anjaneyar in Tamil. It is notable for the fact that it is the largest statue of this deity in Sri Lanka, its height is 22 meters. The temple itself is also remarkable: very beautiful inside, decorated with modern materials, and even with an electronic scoreboard. Read more about the temple of Maruthanarmadam Anjaneyar Kovil here...

  Practical Information

  🕐Working hours: during daytime.

  💵Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: located 10 kilometers north of Jaffna (temple on the map). You can get here by buses 768, 769 and others going to the bus station in Tellippalai.

• Old lighthouse Kankesanthurai (Kankesanthurai Lighthouse)

  

  The old Kankesanthurai Lighthouse is located next to the beach of the same name, and was once very important for maritime navigation. Fishing and cargo boats cruising in the water area and heading to the port of KKS Harbour next door were guided by it. It was built in 1893, the height is 22 meters. But today the lighthouse is no longer in operation. Until recently, it was possible to go upstairs and look at the beach and the coast from above, but now the stairs have collapsed, the lighthouse has been closed. In addition, it is located on the territory of a military-protected facility, and you can only look at it from the side if you drive by.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Working hours: around the clock.

  💵Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: located 20 kilometers north of Jaffna (lighthouse on the map). You can get there by bus number 769.

• The ancient gate of Theru Moodi Madam

  

  This is a historical landmark that is located far from Jaffna in the town of Point Pedro. It is definitely not worth going here on purpose, since you will spend no more than a couple of minutes inspecting this monument, but if you ride in this place on rented transport, you can make a stop here for a thousand minutes. The word "Madam" or "Ambalam" from Tamil can be translated as "a place of rest for travelers" or "Monastery at the end of the street." The road passed through the gate and is now passing, and it was possible to take shelter from the rain or the sun, and take a little break. Built around 1898-1901, it has recently been renovated and restored.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Working hours: around the clock.

  💵Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: located 30 kilometers from Jaffna in the town of Point Pedro (Theru Moodi Gate on the map). You can get there by bus No. 750 and No. 751, and then 5 minutes on foot.

• Point Pedro Lighthouse

  

  The Point Pedro Lighthouse is another old lighthouse on the north coast, unfortunately also inactive and closed at the time of our visit. Previously, it was possible to climb it (to a height of 32 meters) and see a good panorama of the coast, but perhaps it will be reopened as a tourist attraction. Built in 1916. At its foot there is a good sandy beach for picnics, but not suitable for swimming because of corals and sharp stones under water.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Working hours: around the clock.

  💵Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: located 35 kilometers from Jaffna in the town of Point Pedro (lighthouse on the map). You can only get there by your own transport.

• Temple of Murugan Selvachannithy (Selvachannithy Murugan Kovil)

  

  The Selvachannithy Murugan Kovil Hindu Temple is another important temple in the region, and is particularly notable for being dedicated to the deity Murugan, also known as Skanda, Kumara or Karttikeya. This is the god of wars and the leader of the army of the gods in Hinduism.

  Practical Information

  🕐Working hours: during daytime.

  💵Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: located 35 kilometers from Jaffna in the town of Point Pedro (temple on the map). You can only get there by your own transport.

• Varatharaja Perumal Temple (Ponnalai Varatharaja Perumal)

  

  One of the oldest and important Hindu temples in the region. Most of the year it is almost empty, there are few believers here, because it is very far from the city. But once a year a very important festival takes place here, and then the temple is filled with believers and pilgrims. This is not to say that this is a must-visit place, but if you go to Casuarina Beach or Kareitivu Island. It is forbidden to take photos inside.

  Practical Information

  🕐Working hours: during daytime.

  💵Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: located 35 kilometers from Jaffna in the town of Point Pedro (lighthouse on the map). You can only get there by your own transport.

• Flamingo Watching

  

  One of the peculiar entertainments for which tourists come to Jaffna and the north is the observation of animals, in particular flamingos and other birds. 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. Learn more about Flamingo watching in Jaffna here...

  Practical Information

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

  💵Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: If you hire a tuk-tuk, the drivers themselves know where to take you, and even tell you how to behave. 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.

• The bottomless well of Nilavarai

  

  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 — for a full immersion in the experience, we recommend taking a scuba diving mask. 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. Read more about the Bottomless well Nilavarai here...

  Practical Information

  🕐 Working hours: around the clock.

  💵Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

  🚶 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.

• Delft Island

  

  Delft Island is not just a tourist attraction, it is a whole independent resort, the most separated and inaccessible in Sri Lanka. But you can visit it from Jaffna for one or more days, as a separate attraction. And, in our opinion, there is nothing to do there for longer. 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 here...

  Practical Information

  🕐 Working hours: around the clock.

  💵Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: To get to Delft, we have to take tuk-tuks or bus number667 to the pier (30 kilometers from the center of Jaffna), then take the free ferry. You can find out more about how to get there and schedule in the guide at the link.

• Fort Hammenhiel

  

  This is a secluded historical fort of the XVII century on its own island, which offers guests an atmosphere of authenticity and a complete absence of crowds. It can only be reached by boat from the hotel of the same name, while the crossing is paid entirely for the flight, which may be unprofitable for single travelers. On the island you can freely explore the well—preserved premises and climb to the observation deck overlooking the sea - in our experience, 10-15 minutes will be enough for a leisurely inspection. This place is not a must-see, but it can be a quiet addition to the route if you have free time left after exploring the main attractions of Jaffna and don't mind spending money on it. Read more about Hammenhill Fort here...

  Practical Information

  🕐Working hours: during daytime.

  Entrance fee / ticket price: entrance to the fort and the island is free, but you need to buy a boat ticket at the hotel from 3500 rupees (10.47 USD).

  🚶 How to get there: located 25 kilometers from the center of Jaffna (Hammenhill Fort on the map). Despite the short distance from the center, it takes almost an hour to go by taxi, tuk-tuk or rented transport. You need to go to the Fort Hammenhiel hotel using the navigator. You can also take the bus route No. 782 from the central bus station of Jaffna, but it rarely goes and plus you still have to walk 2 kilometers to the hotel from the bus stop. Tickets for the entire boat in both directions are purchased at the hotel reception, regardless of the number of people.

• Kayts Island Fort (Kayts Island Fort)

  

  Fort Cates Island is a modest ruin near the water, near the fishing village of Velanay, which give the impression of an abandoned and forgotten place. Its main feature is the view of the well—preserved Hammenhil Fort on the neighboring island, which opens directly from the walls. In our experience, the inspection will not take more than a couple of minutes: there is no infrastructure, information signs or convenient descent to the water. We recommend stopping here only in passing if you really have a lot of free time, as a special trip to these ruins is unlikely to meet expectations. Read more about Fort Cates Island here...

  Practical Information

  🕐 Working hours: around the clock.

  💵Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: located in the north of Sri Lanka, 22 kilometers from the center of Jaffna (Kates Island Fort on the map). Despite the short distance from the center, it takes almost an hour to go by taxi, tuk-tuk or rented transport. Asphalt leads almost to the fort itself, only the last few tens of meters of primer along the shore. You can also get here by bus route 88 from the central bus station of Jaffna to the village, and walk a little.

• Karungali Pusuddy Murgan Temple (Karungali Pusuddy Murugan Kovil)

  

  Karaungali Pusuddi Murgan Kovil is a small but very colorful Hindu temple dedicated to the god Murugan, the leader of the army of gods, the patron saint of war, courage and wisdom, especially revered among Tamils. Its main feature is the bright and colorful gopuram tower, traditionally decorated with many sculptures. In our opinion, it's not worth going here on purpose, but if you are already heading to Hammenhil Fort and passing by, then it makes sense to make a short stop for 5-10 minutes to take a picture of the facade and get into the local atmosphere.

  Practical Information

  🕐Working hours: during daytime.

  Entrance fee / ticket price: entrance to the fort and the island is free, but you need to buy a boat ticket at the hotel from 3500 rupees (10.47 USD).

  🚶 How to get there: located 22 kilometers from the center of Jaffna (Karungali Pousuddy Murugan Temple on the map). Despite the short distance from the center, it takes almost an hour to go by taxi, tuk-tuk or rented transport. You can also take bus route 782 from Jaffna Central Bus Station.

• Urani Springs

  

  Urani Springs is an unusual freshwater swimming pool located very close to the ocean coast, but far from Jaffna. Unfortunately, now this place looks abandoned: in the dry season the water shallows, the bottom is covered with algae, and bathing becomes unhygienic. But locals say that during the rainy season from September to December it is cleaned, it is filled with water, and they swim here with pleasure. However, unlike similar sources of Keerimalai Springs, these sources are not sacred. Therefore, we do not recommend visiting them, except to make a stop on the way to Point Pedro, and even then only during the rainy season.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Working hours: around the clock.

  💵Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: located 30 kilometers from the center of Jaffna (Uranium sources on the map).