Sri Lanka resorts - where to go in Sri Lanka, resort map, seasons

The island of Sri Lanka is small, its size is only 445 by 225 kilometers, and the area is 65 thousand square kilometers, which corresponds to the size of the average region in the Russian Federation. Despite this, tourists can find here a lot of resorts, each of which is distinguished by its beaches and Infrastructure, stands out for popularity and crowding or, conversely, silence and solitude. Weather conditions in different resorts of Sri Lanka at the same time are very different, so you need to choose a place of rest at a certain time of the year with caution, so as not to spoil the rest of the rainy season. Whatever it was, at any time of the year you can find a great place to relax, the main thing is to choose it correctly. The information in this article will help you with that.

And when you decide on a place, pick up tours to Sri Lanka and book them online, including with installment payment, you can use the following proven online search and booking services, or through the search form:

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Map of Sri Lanka resorts

Seasons in Sri Lanka resorts*

List of resorts in Sri Lanka

Colombo

- beach holidays
- attractions and excursions
- entertainment and night rest
- shopping
- affordable
- transport accessibility

Colombo is the largest city, financial and cultural center of Sri Lanka. Although the official capital of the country was moved in 1982 to the neighboring city of Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, Colombo is still considered the most important city of the country and is perceived by many as the capital.

Historically, the Greeks, Persians, Romans, Arabs, Portuguese, Dutch and English had a hand in the development of the city. Almost all of these cultures today are reflected in architecture and landmarks. Like most Asian capitals, Colombo is a bustling city, partly built up with modern high-rise buildings. At the same time, the city has preserved its originality and flavor, not yet turning into a stone jungle. Rather, on the contrary, most of the city consists of low-rise buildings, and in some places just real shacks.

Tourists do not often stay in Colombo, more often it is used as a temporary shelter on arrival in the country through Bandaranaike International Airport, or before finally leaving the country. Nevertheless, all the tourist infrastructure in the city is available, there is even a conditional tourist area where you can walk in the evenings. Places where you can eat and spend time in the evening abound, there are even nightclubs. Shopping can be done in large shopping centers and, much more interestingly, many markets. Fans of gambling will find in Colombo casinos that work specifically only for tourists.

Attractions in the capital abound. These are mainly architectural attractions, there are several museums, many temples, some of which are known throughout the country. If you explore Colombo without sparing money on fast travel (by taxi or tuk-tuk), then all the sights of Colombo can be seen in two or three days. Well, if one of your goals is also shopping, then you will have to add another day.

There is a beach in Colombo in the suburban area of Mount Lavinia, and you can really stay in a Colombo Hotel overlooking the ocean, and even swim on the City Beach.

The brooding guidebook by Colombo here.

Negombo

- beach holidays
- attractions and excursions
- entertainment and night rest
- shopping
- affordable
- transport accessibility

Negombo is a large city in Sri Lanka on the West Coast, 30 kilometers from Colombo. It is the fourth largest in the country (population 128,000). It is known as one of the largest fishing centers.

Negombo is a special city of Sri Lanka. Historically, a large number of Catholics live here. Throughout the city as attractions you can see Catholic churches, crosses, images of Jesus.

Negombo's proximity to Bandaranaike International Airport and the presence of beaches make it one of the most visited tourist destinations in the country. But not many tourists spend their entire vacation here, and use it only as a transshipment base before continuing their trip to Sri Lanka.

The city has a well-developed tourist infrastructure, which is actively developing, which allows you to spend a full rest here. The beaches here are of average quality (compared to the rest of Sri Lanka), and everything you need for a relaxing holiday is available. However, objectively Negombo is one of the most unsuccessful beach resorts on the island. The water here is muddy most of the time of the year due to waves and silt, which is brought by canals and rivers. The city beach outside the tourist area is dirty, there are practically no water activities, umbrellas and sun beds. At the same time, there is a developed and peaceful tourist area along the coast, very different from the bustling and noisy city center. There are many restaurants, cafes, shopping centers and even some nightlife at hotels (although in general the entire tourist area is already asleep after nine o'clock in the evening). But still spend a whole vacation here for lovers of an ideal beach holiday is not worth it.

There are other objective advantages in Negombo: there are some of the lowest prices for food and accommodation, the tourist area as a whole is well "packed" with cafes, restaurants, hotels and shops, there are a couple of alcohol shops. And in general, the very presence of a tourist area here gives Negombo a lot of advantages. Negombo is also known as a good place for diving thanks to three reefs, which are located about 20 kilometers from the coast. One of these reefs is considered the best in the country. And one more plus, Negombo is almost a year-round resort, although the conditionally rainy season stands out.

The brooding guidebook by Negombo here.

Hikkaduwa

- beach holidays
- attractions and excursions
- entertainment and night rest
- shopping
- affordable
- transport accessibility

Hikkaduwa (Hikaduwa, Hikadua, Hikkaduwa) is a small town and popular resort on the west coast, about 100 kilometers south of Colombo.

Hikkaduwa is one of the most popular and developing resorts in Sri Lanka. They come here, first of all, for a beach holiday and a well-developed resort infrastructure.

There are many hotels in Hukkaduwa, different categories and prices, a lot of budget accommodation. Restaurants and cafes for tourists are found at every turn, and many of them have a menu in Russian. Shops for tourists (jewelry, souvenir, tea), travel agencies, bicycle and motorcycle rentals, currency exchange offices abound. There are several large supermarkets in the northern part of the area and several markets, banks and ATMs.

The beach in Hikkaduwa, in general, is not bad and very long, 10 kilometers. Almost throughout it is quite wide, however, in places it narrows greatly. The entire beach line is built up with hotels, and you will not see any Palm Beach in the style of "bounty" here: restaurants and hotels go directly to the shore, getting closer to the water every year. Everywhere on the beach there are schools of surfing and diving (including training in Russian), equipment rental. In general, this is one of the best places in Sri Lanka for surfing, and almost the dive capital of the country: there is a coral reef and several sunken ships. If you move further north, already beyond Hikkaduwa, there are still many undeveloped, but very pleasant beaches, some of which are located rare hotels. It is objective to say that because of the constant waves, this place is more suitable for surfing than for calm swimming.

In the evenings, tourists usually stroll along the beach or along the picturesque Galle Road in search of a cafe or restaurant, but there is also nightlife in Hikkaduwa. On Fridays, the Vibration Hotel hosts a very noisy night party with modern music, so a sleepless Friday night for Disco Lovers is provided here. On other days, the resort falls asleep early, and you can find evening entertainment only in bars on the beach.

There are no attractions in the resort area itself, but there is something to see in the surroundings. Excursions to turtle farms, gem mines, a national park, and temples in the surrounding area are popular.

The brooding guidebook by Hikkaduwa here.

Bentota

- beach holidays
- attractions and excursions
- entertainment and night rest
- shopping
- affordable
- transport accessibility

Bentota is a town and resort on the southwestern coast of Sri Lanka, 65 kilometers south of Colombo. It is one of the most popular beach resorts on the island. The city is quite small, the population is only 37,000 people.

This is a developed, exclusively beach resort, with the infrastructure inherent in such a place: there is an abundance of cafes and restaurants, travel agencies, rental of transport. Entertainment Bentota does not abound, no nightlife. Here you can find some water activities on the beaches, go diving or snorkeling (there is a large water sports center here), go on excursions. Otherwise, the organization of leisure, especially on land, will be only in your hands.

The main guests of the resort are package tourists( tourists on vouchers), while active independent young people prefer to spend time in a more democratic Hikkaduwa, where there is at least some evening party. Bentota is also quite a popular place for newlyweds. In general, the resort is less crowded than other popular resorts in the south and west of Sri Lanka.

The beaches in Bentota are not bad, especially outside of Bentota itself in the surrounding areas (Induruvu, Kosgoda). In terms of waves, it is somewhat calmer than in Hikkaduwa due to the fact that some beaches are closed by coves, and you can almost always find a place without big waves. If we continue to compare the local beaches again with Hikkaduwa, then they are objectively better here: they are longer and more diverse, and the strip of sand is wider. As for the purity of the water, do not trust the enthusiastic sources on the Internet that there are the best beaches in Sri Lanka and the cleanest water.

Very carefully you should approach the choice of the location of the hotel. So, in the very center of the city there is a developed infrastructure, but if you choose hotels on remote beaches, except for the hotel and the beach there may not be anything nearby. There are not many budget hotels and hostels here.

The brooding guidebook by Bentota here.

Beruwala

- beach holidays
- attractions and excursions
- entertainment and night rest
- shopping
- affordable
- transport accessibility

Beruwela (also Beruwella, Beruwala, Beruwala) is a resort town on the west coast of Sri Lanka, about 55 kilometers south of Colombo and five kilometers north of Bentota.

Rest in Beruvel is most often a package beach holiday, there are almost no independent travelers here. On the Internet you can find a description of Beruvela as a wonderful beach resort with developed infrastructure and ideal sandy beaches with coconut trees. But the reality of this place is far from such descriptions. In 2004, the resort was hit hard by a tsunami: beaches were washed away, hotels and houses destroyed. But unlike other resorts, the management gave up on this place, refusing to restore. As a result, today it is a forgotten, dilapidated dirty town, which is not suitable for a comfortable stay. It seems that the resort is dying rather than developing.

The brooding guidebook by Beruvela here.

Unawatuna

- beach holidays
- attractions and excursions
- entertainment and night rest
- shopping
- affordable
- transport accessibility

Unawatuna is a small coastal town (or rather even a village) on the south coast. It is located just a few kilometers from the larger city of Galle, the capital of the district of the same name, and is its suburb or district. Previously, this place was a tiny fishing village, but with the arrival of tourists, the place has developed, and today there are always even more guests here than locals.

Unawatuna is one of the most popular beach holiday destinations in Sri Lanka, especially among independent tourists and travelers. In popularity on the island, it is second only to Hikkaduwa and Bentota. The main feature and advantage of the resort is that you can relax here almost all year round. The main beach of the resort is conveniently located in the Bay, and even protected from waves by a coral reef, so even in strong winds the sea here remains much calmer than on other beaches. And while holidays at other popular resorts in some seasons become impossible due to wind and strong waves, in Unawatuna the sea remains calm.

The main part of vacationers here are independent tourists. This is facilitated, first of all, by the lack of large hotels and complexes with developed infrastructure and their territory, suitable for package holidays. Those accommodation options that are available today in Unawatuna, for the most part are small hotels and hostels, and many of them were formed directly in the homes of local residents (real home hostels).

From entertainment here you can do water sports and entertainment, snorkeling, diving, take walks in the nearby jungle Massif, or go to the neighboring Southern Beaches. For surfers, this place is completely unsuitable, the waves are too weak. There are no attractions here, and if you are a lover of something interesting, you will have to go on excursions or rent transport and travel around the island and the surrounding area.

Nightlife in Unawatuna is not particularly developed,but it is. On Saturdays and Fridays, noisy progressive parties are held in bars right on the beach, and on weekdays bars play progressive house, chill-out, and live music late into the night. There are always a lot of young people here, and it is quite realistic to organize a party on the beach.

As for shopping, with the exception of a shop and shops for tourists, a couple of fruit markets and an alcohol store a couple of kilometers from the center of Unawatuna, there are no shops and supermarkets here.

The brooding guidebook by Unawatuna here.

Galle

- beach holidays
- attractions and excursions
- entertainment and night rest
- shopping
- affordable
- transport accessibility

Galle is a major city and port in southern Sri Lanka, the capital of the southern province and a popular tourist destination, located about 145 kilometers from Colombo International Airport and 115 from Colombo city, near Unawatuna.

Galle is, first of all, an excursion place, and not a beach resort. The city is located on the coast, and it even has its own city beach, but it can not be considered as a place for a beach holiday.

As for excursions and historical attractions, in this matter Galle has no equal on the south coast of Sri Lanka. The highlight of the city is the ancient fort, the construction of which was completed by the Dutch in 1663. In 1988, the fort was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, and today is one of six historic UNESCO sites in Sri Lanka. Inside the fort there are architectural attractions, museums, a lighthouse and much more. But the sights of the city are not limited only to the fort: there are several more temples, a Catholic Church, and a lot of ancient architecture in the form of buildings in the European style.

As a rule, Galle is visited in the form of a day excursion from the southern resorts. But in the city you can stay for a few days, all the conditions here are for this. The atmosphere of the city is very pleasant and suitable for leisurely walks to explore the sights and architecture. In the tourist area inside the fort, where the Old Town was formed, you can walk for hours, and when you get tired, you can sit in one of the many cafes. Also interesting are the local market and the fishing beach, where you can watch how fish are caught with nets directly from the ocean, and immediately sold. But in no case should you consider Galle as a place for the period of your entire vacation. There are no beaches, no entertainment, except for walks, and after a couple of days it becomes very boring.

Galle is the most developed city in the south, and therefore it is constantly visited by tourists from the southern beaches to buy necessary things that can not be found in the resorts; exchange money in the bank; find a pharmacy or seek medical help. Galle is also a major transportation center in the South.

The brooding guidebook by Galle here.

Weligama

- beach holidays
- attractions and excursions
- entertainment and night rest
- shopping
- affordable
- transport accessibility

Weligama is a small town and resort village in the South, in Matara district, on the shore of Sandy Bay. The town is small, the population is only 75,000 people. The distance to Colombo from Weligama is 144 km, to Galle – 33 kilometers.

This is a resort for surf lovers. Most of its coastline consists of wide golden sandy beaches without reefs and stones. But idly sunbathing tourists are few. There are stable waves and a well-developed surf infrastructure. Many tourists ride for their own pleasure, not chasing sports glory. This is a great place for beginners, and perhaps the best surf spot in the south of the island. There are surf schools for beginners, including the Russian surf school SurfDiscovery arranges its camps here.

The tourist infrastructure here is generally poorly developed, tourist services can be obtained only in hotels or hostels. There are almost no shopping opportunities, you can only buy the most necessary things in a few shops or a Food city supermarket, in the markets. Fishermen sell fish and seafood right on the shore. There are cafes and restaurants, but not many. Sometimes dance shows are arranged. Local hotels offer Ayurvedic treatments.

As for Veligama beach, it is generally not bad. A wide sandy strip with a length of about 3 kilometers is hidden in the bay, while the view is not spoiled by dense buildings near the water, and in some parts it claims to be an ideal Palm Beach. At the same time, the beach is almost always sparsely populated, without any entertainment, except, perhaps, surfing. True, it is worth objectively saying that the conditions for swimming here are not the best: the beach is quite shallow, the sand is clay and slippery, not very clean. From the East, Weligama is adjacent to another popular resort – Mirissa, and it is much more suitable for swimming without a board.

The brooding guidebook by Veligama here.

Mirissa

- beach holidays
- attractions and excursions
- entertainment and night rest
- shopping
- affordable
- transport accessibility

Mirissa is a small town and beach resort area in the South. Mirissa was formed first as a purely tourist resort area, and only then a modest urban infrastructure was formed here. There are almost no houses of local residents here, and everything is focused only on tourism. In addition to tourism, the village also lives by fishing, most of which, again, is aimed at guests of the resort.

They come here for excellent beaches, quiet rest, solitude and doing nothing. If you compare Mirissa with the other two most popular resorts in the South-Unawautna and Hikkaduwa, it is much quieter. Compared to them, Mirissa is a real wilderness, but this is the main "feature" of the resort.

Tourist infrastructure is available here, but only the most necessary. For shopping, you need to go to neighboring cities. Even a bank, ATM and currency exchange offices are not here either. There is a place to eat, cafes and restaurants abound.

Entertainment here is the minimum, and, frankly, most tourists here get bored after a week of rest. The main local entertainment is, of course, the beaches of Mirissa. They are simply wonderful, and almost worthy of the title of "bounty". True, the main beach is subject to strong waves, but if you go a little east (towards Matara), then there are a couple of bays with very calm water. The presence of waves in the main Bay is successfully used by surfers, and this is one of their favorite places. And next door is Weligama Beach – the best place in the south for surfing. In the eastern part of the beach, where the waves do not interfere, you can do a little snorkeling, although sophisticated and experienced divers here will not be surprised. For all these activities, there is a rental of boards and snorkeling equipment.

A special entertainment, thanks to which Mirissa is visited even by tourists vacationing at other resorts – boat trips to blue whales. Local waters are the wintering place of these giants, and therefore they can often be seen here.

There is little to do in Mirissa in the evening. There are no discos and noisy bars here, the area falls asleep very early, and after 9 pm all cafes close. The only exception is Friday evening, when a noisy party takes place on the beach until midnight. On weekdays, there are many cafes on the beach where you can dine on freshly caught seafood in a romantic setting overlooking the ocean. This is probably the only weekday evening entertainment in Mirissa.

The brooding guidebook by Mirissa here.

Dikwella

- beach holidays
- attractions and excursions
- entertainment and night rest
- shopping
- affordable
- transport accessibility

Dickwella (Dickwella, Dickwella, Dikwella) is a small town and resort in the South. Sometimes Dikwella refers to the resort of Tangalle or even to Matara, but in fact it is an independent, albeit small, city and a full-fledged resort.

Dickwella is known for its beautiful beach, perfectly protected from waves, and it is for a quiet beach holiday that tourists come here. Tourism here is poorly developed, and there are only basic conditions for recreation in the form of hotels and restaurants. There is no entertainment here, except for the beach, walks around the city and trips to excursions in the south or throughout the island. There is no tourist area with Entertainment and hotels, and rare hotels are scattered along the shore. There are no travel agencies, motorcycle rental, entertainment on the beaches either. There are not many restaurants and cafes in the coastal zone, but if you go out into the city, you can find good inexpensive cafes focused on locals along the main road.

At the same time, the city of Dickwell itself is not such a remote and God-forsaken place. This is quite a busy shopping and fishing town, which has a large market, several banks and ATMs (it is worth noting that in the more popular and touristically developed Mirissa there is neither a bank nor an ATM), a Cargills Food supermarket and several more supermarkets. There is even an alcohol store, which is not, for example, in Unawatuna. All urban life in the city is concentrated along the busy Tangalle Road which connects Matara and Tangale. But it is only necessary to walk a little from the road towards the beach, as all this noise and bustle is immediately forgotten, because the beach here is very quiet and calm.

The brooding guidebook by Dickwell here.

Tangalle

- beach holidays
- attractions and excursions
- entertainment and night rest
- shopping
- affordable
- transport accessibility

Tangalle (also Tangalla, Tangalle) – one of the largest cities in the south, a popular beach resort. Sometimes Tangalla as suburbs or beaches include the neighboring town of Dickwella, Kudawella Beach (Kudawella) and others.

Tangale is one of the most beautiful beach places in the South, while the resort, although well known, is never oversaturated with tourists. The beaches here are very beautiful and very deserted. But at the same time it is one of the most unfortunate places for swimming because of the constant big waves, perhaps the most wavy in the whole South. This is just an ideal place for those who only want to enjoy the ocean and do nothing, but active people here can seem very boring.

The usual urban infrastructure of Tangalle is quite developed: there are internet cafes and ATMs, several banks where you can exchange money. At the same time, the purely tourist infrastructure here is poorly developed. There are plenty of hotels here, but there is no separate tourist area. There are few restaurants and cafes for tourists (mostly they are at hotels). It is cheaper to eat in cafes for locals, but you will have to spend time to find such establishments with good quality dishes and service. There are few travel agencies on the street, literally a few, and therefore, to search for excursions, tourists most often turn to hotel staff for help. At the same time, the services of guides through hotels are most often just a tuk-tuk driver who knows the way to interesting places and knows how to connect a few words in English.

Entertainment except for the beaches here is almost no. You can go diving or snorkeling, but the conditions due to the constant waves are not the most successful. Boat trips along the canals or on the lagoon are also a popular pastime. Another entertainment in Thangal is turtle watching, as it is one of the few places in Sri Lanka where turtles come ashore to lay their eggs in the sand. You can see it on the beach Rekawa (Rekawa Beach) a few kilometers east of the center of Tangale. Watch the turtles in the evening or at night, in the dark. That's when they come ashore to lay their eggs in the sand. You can even buy special night tours from 2200 rupees, and if you are not lucky enough to see turtles, the money is returned.

The brooding guidebook by Tangalla here.

Koggale

- beach holidays
- attractions and excursions
- entertainment and night rest
- shopping
- affordable
- transport accessibility

Koggala (also Kogala, Koggale, Koggala, Koggale) and Habaraduwa are small resort villages in the South. The port city of Galle is 17 km away, while Unawatuna resort is 10 km away. The small local population lives on income from tourism.

Koggale cannot be considered one of the most popular and developed, but there is everything Basic for recreation here. It should be considered as an option if the noisy Unawatuna does not suit you and you want to stay away from the crowds of tourists. Although, frankly, in perfect silence you will not find yourself here, because through the entire resort, just a couple of hundred meters from the shore, there is a busy Matara Road.

Koggala is a beach holiday. It is believed that this is a resort with beaches, little affected by civilization. This is true if we take the underdevelopment of the infrastructure for untouched. The local beach is good, and people come here to escape from the hustle and bustle and enjoy a relaxing holiday on wide and gentle sandy beaches, among coconut palms and mangroves. The sandy coastline is very long, and in general from Kogala to Habaraduva the beach stretches for almost three kilometers. There are conditions for surfing. From October to March, diving centers operate. You can go scuba diving along the coral reefs. Tourists go water skiing, travel on yachts. But all this is ideal, and if you do not look for entertainment and activities yourself, you will have to limit yourself to lying on the beach. There is nowhere to even walk outside the hotels – only the beach and the main road.

The infrastructure here, as already mentioned, is poorly developed. All life is concentrated along the Matara road, where there are shops and a bank with an ATM. Currency exchange is possible only in the bank, there are no separate exchangers.

The brooding guidebook according to Koggala here.

Trincomalee

- beach holidays
- attractions and excursions
- entertainment and night rest
- shopping
- affordable
- transport accessibility

Trincomalee (also Trinco, Trincomalee, Trincomalee) is a town and resort on the northeast coast. It is located in a cozy Bay that protects the city from the winds, and compared to other resorts in Sri Lanka, the climate here is drier and hotter, and when other resorts are out of season, there is beautiful weather.

Trincomalee attracts with its quiet rest, pristine nature and, of course, long and wide beaches. According to some tourists, the beaches here are the best in all of Sri Lanka.

The best and most developed beaches of Trincomalee are Uppuweli and Nilaveli. Long, wide, with soft yellowish sand and calm sea, where waves do not interfere with swimming - these are the main criteria that attract tourists to these beaches.

In addition to a beach, relaxing holiday in Trincomalee, you can find something interesting for lovers of history and excursions. This city combines several cultures and religions: Muslim, Christian, Hindu and Buddhism. Accordingly, each of them left its contribution and imprint in the history of the city. Walking around Trincomalee and exploring its surroundings, you can find a Muslim mosque, a Buddhist temple, the ruins of an ancient Hindu settlement.

A variety of activities in Trincomalee can be enjoyed by diving or snorkeling. To do this, it is best to go to the coral island of Pidgeon, which is located near the coast. In the Marine surroundings of the island is a beautiful underwater world, all kinds of fish scurrying in the water column among the corals. But evening and even more night entertainment can not be found here.

The brooding guidebook by Trincomalee here.

Kandy

- beach holidays
- attractions and excursions
- entertainment and night rest
- shopping
- affordable
- transport accessibility

Kandy (Kandy, Mahanuwara) is a city in the center of the island of Sri Lanka, the capital of the central province and the cultural center of the country, the former ancient capital.

Kandy is a high-altitude city located at an altitude of 500 meters above sea level, surrounded by mountains and hills covered with green blankets of tea plantations. In 1988 it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, and since then it has always attracted tourists. It is part of the Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka.

Most tourists visit Kandy in the form of a one-or two-day group excursion, more often en route to other attractions of the island in the center of the country. For such a trip you can see only the main attraction-the Temple Of The Tooth of the Buddha (Sri Dalada Maligawa). But the culture of the city during such a visit is not fully realized by tourists, and to feel the spirit of the cultural capital of the country, you need at least a few days. Therefore, if you have the opportunity to come to Kandy on your own for 2-3 days, and see its sights yourself, take a leisurely walk through the streets of the city, markets, chat with residents, attend a traditional dance performance and walk on coals, you will not regret it. If you want to fully get acquainted with the central region of the country, make trekking trips to the mountains, engage in active recreation, practice meditation, it will take at least a week.

In addition to Kandy itself, a very interesting attraction is the road to the city itself through the central provinces of Sri Lanka. It passes through picturesque mountains sheltered by endless tea plantations and filled with natural and architectural attractions. Kandy can also be a starting or intermediate point to visit other tourist places of the center of the island, such as Nuwara-eliya, Ella, Horton plateau, Adam's Peak and others.

The brooding guidebook by Kandy here.

Nuwara Eliya

- beach holidays
- attractions and excursions
- entertainment and night rest
- shopping
- affordable
- transport accessibility

Nuwara Eliya (Nuwara Eliya, also "Nuralia", City of light) – a small city with a population of just over 27 thousand people, the highest mountain city and resort of Sri Lanka, is located at an altitude of 1868-1884 meters above sea level. The surroundings of Nuwara Eliya are the best places in Sri Lanka where the best varieties of tea are grown.

Due to its high altitude, Nuwara Eliya has become a popular destination for tourism. Moreover, its popularity began to grow from colonial times, when the British were fleeing here from the merciless tropical heat. Indeed, Nuwara Eliya is much cooler than the rest of Sri Lanka, and perhaps the only place on the island where you can really freeze, because the temperature in the winter months here even set records, dropping one degree below zero.

The city has a special appearance, since it was almost all originally designed and built by the British. It does resemble England in architecture and climate, and architecture is one of its attractions. You can come here on your own for a few days, and just walk around the city among the old colonial buildings, take sightseeing routes around the neighborhood, maybe even visit other tourist cities of central Sri Lanka. More often they come here as part of organized sightseeing tours for one or two days from the beach resorts of Sri Lanka. Consider Nuwara Eliya, as a place for a good rest, is not worth it.

The brooding guidebook by Nuwara Eliya here.

Ella

- beach holidays
- attractions and excursions
- entertainment and night rest
- shopping
- affordable
- transport accessibility

Ella (Ella, also Elle) is a town in Badulla province in central Sri Lanka, 200 kilometers from Colombo, 130 from Kandy and 50 from Nuwara Eliya. It is located at an altitude of 1040 meters above sea level, and along with Nuwara Eliya is one of the most popular mountain resorts in the central part of the island.

In fact, Ella is a small village, but it is so popular with tourists, mainly independent travelers and backpackers, that an excellent tourist infrastructure has been formed here, several hundred hotels have appeared, there are cafes, restaurants and even some entertainment for tourists. But above all, Ella is visited because of the natural attractions around: many tourist routes through the mountains and hills, waterfalls, viewing points with spectacular views of the mountains, tea plantations and even the ocean, which is 35 kilometers away.

Rest here is mostly calm, without noisy entertainment and Late-Night festivities. Tourists come here for one or two days to climb one or two neighboring peaks, see waterfalls, visit a cave temple, walk along the railway tracks to the demodar bridge. Rarely does anyone stay here longer. Also from Ella it is convenient to visit the small towns of Haputale and Bandarawela, the provincial capital of Badulla, and the Horton Plateau National Park, although this is not the most convenient starting point for the latter. Here you can also enjoy massages and spa treatments based on ancient Ayurvedic recipes. The best spas in Ella are Hela Osu Suwapiyasa and Lanka Grand Herbal Spa.

The brooding guidebook by Ella here.

Adam's Peak

- beach holidays
- attractions and excursions
- entertainment and night rest
- shopping
- affordable
- transport accessibility

Adam's Peak or Sri Pada or Samanalakanda (Samanala Kanda, butterfly Mountain) is a peak with a height of 2243 m. in the west-central mountainous part of Sri Lanka (see Adam's peak on Sri Lanka map). It is one of the highest mountains of the island, and one of the significant tourist attractions of Sri Lanka and places of pilgrimage for believers of all religions. It is believed that here is a footprint left by God. Tourists go here to meet the dawn, and of particular interest to lovers of landscapes is the regular pyramidal shadow, which casts a peak at dawn. Visiting Adam's Peak is free, access is open around the clock.

The climb to the top is quite difficult, because the shortest route from the village of Dalhousie will have to overcome a distance of about 5 km to a height of about 300 floors, or almost 1000 meters, and in time it can take 3-5 hours in one direction. If you go from Ratnapura, you will have to climb at all to 1800 meters. However, as practice shows, everything is possible, and even elderly pilgrims rise here. If you want to see the dawn, you need to start climbing to the top at 2 AM (If you are physically well prepared and there will be no "traffic jams" on the way up, you can get out at 3 am) in order to be in place by 6:00 or 6:30 and not miss the sunrise.

The brooding guidebook at Adam's peak here.

Anuradhapura

- beach holidays
- attractions and excursions
- entertainment and night rest
- shopping
- affordable
- transport accessibility

Anuradhapura (Anuradhapura, Anura) – the first ancient capital of the Sinhalese Kingdom that once existed on the island. The first mention of a settlement in this place dates back to the 6th century BC. And it became the capital in 377 ad. Then the city was called Anuradha. It was a very developed city, but in the 9th century it was destroyed by South Indian invaders. After that, the capital was moved to Polonnaruwa.

Today, Anuradhapura is a popular sightseeing destination for tourists, as well as very significant and very visited by Buddhist pilgrims. Tourists here are attracted by numerous ancient monuments (most of them, unfortunately, are restored), included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Basically, these are ancient bell-shaped stupas, called Dagoba in Sri Lanka (shrines in which Buddha particles are kept), statues, temples, palaces, artificial reservoirs. A special attraction and place of pilgrimage is the Mahabodhi tree, one of the main symbols in Buddhism. In general, Anuradhapura is one of the most interesting cities in the country from an excursion point of view.

Very close to Anuradhapura is another remarkable place- Mihintale. These are the ruins of ancient temples located on the mountain. Mihintale, although much inferior in scale to Anuradhapura, is no less interesting. Be sure to visit Mihintale if you find yourself in these places.

The brooding guidebook according to Anuradhapura here.

Dambulla

- beach holidays
- attractions and excursions
- entertainment and night rest
- shopping
- affordable
- transport accessibility

Dambulla (Dambulla, Dambulla) is a major city and tourist attraction (cave temple) in the central province of Matale in Sri Lanka. Its central location made this city a major commercial center. There are many wholesale markets for agricultural products, so that trading activity does not subside even with the arrival of night.

Dambulla is a very popular place among tourists, and is better known not as a city, but as a separate tourist attraction - "cave temples of Dambulla", which is also called The "Golden Temple of Dambulla". Most tourists visit the cave temples, which were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1991, with a tour or self-drive, without even staying in the city.

Nevertheless, the city has a basic tourist infrastructure that will allow you to spend a couple of days here, if necessary, or just spend the night if you need to make a stop along the route. Dambulla can also be used as a base for visiting Sigiriya. There are no other reasons to visit Dambulla. In the evenings, there is absolutely nothing to do here, even it is not easy to find where to eat.

The brooding guidebook according to Dambulla here.

Sigiriya

- beach holidays
- attractions and excursions
- entertainment and night rest
- shopping
- affordable
- transport accessibility

Sigiriya is a popular tourist destination in the central province of Sri Lanka in The Cultural Triangle. It can even be said that this is the most famous landmark of the country and the calling card of the island. In the vicinity of Sigiriya, a modest tourist infrastructure has been formed, so this place can be visited not only as an attraction, but also to stay here for a rest for a day or two.

Sigiriya is not a resort or a city in the traditional sense. In fact, it is a rock occupying a central position on which and around which the ancient City of Sigiriya was formed. It is about this attraction that we are talking about when talking about Sigiriya. In 1982, this place was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The ancient city of Sigiriya was formed in the V century AD by the efforts of King Kasapa I (Kasyapa I, ruled 473-495). On a rock 200 meters high he built a fortress and moved the capital there from Anuradhapura. The King liked the rock very much, because its natural shape made the plateau at the top almost impregnable. And he had much to fear. According to legend, Kasapa from childhood yearned for power and wealth, and for this he betrayed his younger brother and even killed his father. The younger brother, wishing to avenge his father, gathered and prepared an army to destroy the elder brother-traitor.

Meanwhile, on the top of the plateau, the king built his palace, around which were laid out Gardens, in which almost the first fountains in the world beat. The entrance to the mountain was made in the form of a huge lion, and therefore the place was called Sigiriya, which literally means "Lion Mountain". Despite this protection, King Kasapa was defeated and the capital was again moved to Anuradhapura. Later, the city was used as a Buddhist monastery until the XIV century, and then for many centuries was abandoned. This place became known to the general public only in 1907, when a British researcher described it in his essays.

The brooding guidebook according to Sigiriya here.

Polonnaruwa

- beach holidays
- attractions and excursions
- entertainment and night rest
- shopping
- affordable
- transport accessibility

Polonnaruwa (Polonaruwa, Polonnaruwa, Polonnaruva) is a city in the north-central province of Sri Lanka, 212 km from Colombo. It is best known as the second capital of the state and an ancient city, and the ruins in the Polonnaruwa Archaeological Park are one of the most popular attractions in Sri Lanka, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982.it is part of the Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka.

It is to look at the ancient ruins that many tourists interested in the history of the island, both independently and as part of excursion groups, seek to get here. It is safe to say that Polonnaruva is not at all inferior to the much more famous and popular Sigiriya and Anuradhapura. And, in a sense, it is even more interesting than them. So, the local archaeological park is much larger than Sigiriya in scale. If you spend a few hours exploring Sigiriya, then it takes several days to see everything here. As for the comparison with Anuradhapura, our opinion is that Polonnaruva is much more diverse and interesting.

The city is large by local standards. There is all the necessary tourist infrastructure, and it is concentrated within the New Town (New Town). There are plenty of hotels here, where you can also eat. And that's all, there is no entertainment here. Even travel agencies are not easy to find. Therefore, usually tourists in the city stay no more than 2 days, and we advise you to do the same.

And, perhaps, it is impossible not to mention one more local attraction in addition to the Archaeological Park – living wildlife. Near the city there are several picturesque places where eco-tours are organized. You can buy them in hotels or travel agencies on the street.

The brooding guidebook by Polonnaruwa here.

Jaffna

- beach holidays
- attractions and excursions
- entertainment and night rest
- shopping
- affordable
- transport accessibility

Jaffna or Jaffna is a city in northern Sri Lanka, the capital of the northern province. Located 400 kilometers from Colombo, it is the most remote city from the economic capital of the country (Jaffna on the map of Sri Lanka).

Jaffna and the north have always been predominantly Tamil, and remain so to this day. A few years after the end of the Civil War, it was possible to get here only with a special permit, today the region is completely open to tourists, there are no checkpoints, the situation is very calm.

Jaffna and the north are a special region in Sri Lanka. It has a different culture and traditions from the rest of the country because it is a traditional Tamil (Hindu region), there is a South Indian influence in everything, even in the cuisine. There are many Hindu temples here, and the people are very friendly (however, as in all of Sri Lanka). Even the climate and nature are different here, because this is the driest and hottest place in the country.

There are almost no beaches here, and those that are, are very far from the city. The tourist infrastructure is not yet very well developed, so you will have to think over and implement the route to get acquainted with the region yourself. But we can definitely say that Jaffna and the north are places that every real traveler in Sri Lanka should visit.

Travel Guide by Jaffna here.

Ambalangoda

- beach holidays
- attractions and excursions
- entertainment and night rest
- shopping
- affordable
- transport accessibility

Ambalangoda is a small town and beach on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka between Hikkaduwa and Bentota (Ambalangoda on the map of Sri Lanka). Sometimes this town is considered a suburb or beach of Hikkaduwa, but in fact it is an independent city and resort. To most tourists, the city is known as the center of traditional wooden masks. Indeed, it so happens that this is the best and most famous place where you can buy or see traditional wooden carved masks or wooden dolls. But Ambalangoda is also a good beach resort.

The tourist infrastructure in Ambalangoda is minimal, but everything you need for a simple beach holiday is available. Along the main street Galle Road - A2, passing through the whole city away from the beach, and not as in Hikkaduwa almost close to the shore, there are shops and a couple of supermarkets, local cafes, banks, exchange offices, etc. In general, everything is like in any Lankan city. Closer to the beaches, the situation is almost rustic: quiet and peaceful. In general, you will live here in the same way as the locals: only occasionally meeting other foreign guests.

But you need to understand that there is no special tourist infrastructure here. You will not be able to find travel agencies and excursions, there are few restaurants oriented for tourists, and on the beach there are not even sun loungers for rent, let alone entertainment. Within the boundaries of the city on the beach there is generally only one single cafe Chill Pill Beach Restaurant.

Travel Guide according to Ambalangoda here.

🕒 17 April, 2026