General information about Nuwara Eliya

General information about Nuwara Eliya

Nuwara Eliya (Nuwara Eliya, also "Nuralia", City of light) is a city in central Sri Lanka 160 kilometers from Colombo, 75 kilometers from Kandy (Nuwara Eliya on the map). This is a small city with a population of just over 27 thousand people. It is the highest mountain city and resort of Sri Lanka, 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, the conditions here are just perfect: a lot of sun and low temperature. It is also a very popular place for recreation and tourism – the most popular high-altitude resort of the island.

Nuwara Eliya appeared solely thanks to the British. The first explorer of these places in 1819 was the British officer John Davy (John Davy), and founded the city in 1846 by Sir Samuel White Baker (Samuel White Baker). Being an explorer and discoverer, he immediately saw here a prospect for the rest of British subjects, since the climate here was most similar to the British, and the place even received the unofficial name "Little England".

Holidays in Nuwara Eliya

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.

In addition to the city of Nuwara Eliya and its surroundings, a very interesting entertainment is the road itself here through the central provinces of Sri Lanka. Especially interesting is the train ride, which is considered one of the most picturesque in the world.

In our guide to Nuwara Eliya, we have collected all the necessary information that will allow you to organize your own trip, learn all about attractions, hotels, ways to get there, Transport and other issues for independent travel.

Tourist infrastructure in Nuwara Eliya

Nuwara Eliya was originally created as a place for recreation, so the tourist infrastructure here is well developed, but there are some features.

There are many hotels, but very little budget accommodation, and almost no options for the most budget backpacker travelers. Hotels are almost always in abundance, but if you want to save money, it is better to book cheap options in advance. Read more about hotels in Nuwara Eliya here...

In the city centre, there is a large shopping area with shops and stalls in the bus station area, formed by a triangle of New Bazar rd, Lawson rd and Queen Elizabeth streets. Only there you can find alcohol shops (see alcohol in Sri Lanka and where to buy it), ATMs and banks, currency exchange at a good rate, many inexpensive cafes for locals. Alcohol shops are mainly concentrated on Lawson rd.

There are two large "Super K" Supermarkets: one downtown on New Bazar rd, the second new on PBC Hwy near Lake Gregory. These are large and shopping supermarkets with a good selection of local and foreign semi-finished products. There are also supermarkets Cargills and Lanka Sathosa also in the center.

There will be no problems with food here, there are cafes, restaurants, inexpensive local establishments. Not far from the center in Araliya Food Court you can eat more expensive than in local cafes, but much cleaner and tastier.

You can find and book accommodation in Nuwara Eliya on these sites or through the search form. All sites have a Russian interface and Russian-language customer support, a lot of reviews from real guests.

• 🛌 Search for hotels in Nuwara Eliya on Yandex.travel
• 🛌 Search for hotels in Nuwara Eliya on Trip.com (💥 our choice)
• 🛌 Search for hotels on Ostrovok.ru

Weather in Nuwara Eliya, seasons, when to go

Nuwara Eliya is a cool high-altitude resort, the average temperature throughout the year is 15 degrees. In the winter months of January-March, temperatures can even drop below 0, but this is very rare.

If you are going to visit Nuwara Eliya as an independent resort for a few days, it is best to go between February and August. At this time, the most comfortable weather. But in February in the evenings it is still cool, you need to take warm clothes with you. Keep in mind that hotels here are without heating, so you will have to freeze even in a hotel room.

The most unsuccessful months for a trip are October-November, as this is the Doge season, besides it is cold. Sometimes the rainy season passes to December, and increased cloud cover can last until February. And even if the rains at this time are not frequent, the constantly overcast sky and fogs hide the beauty of the landscapes for which they come here.

A large influx of local tourists here is observed during the celebration of the Sri Lankan New Year (in April), and in August.

Tourist seasons in Nuwara Eliya by month, when is the best time to go

Current weather in Nuwara Eliya and forecast

Attractions and entertainment in Nuwara Eliya

Almost all the sights of Nuwara Eliya are natural formations and beauty, including man-made ones. But there are practically no outstanding historical or architectural sights, temples, since the city was founded by the British in the XIX century. In the city itself you can see the colonial architecture, several churches and temples, but nothing particularly interesting.

But in the vicinity you can see the indescribable beauty of tea plantations on the slopes of the hills, beautiful parks and Botanical Gardens, many waterfalls. A special place is the Horton plateau and "the edge of the Earth", for which they even come here specifically. Learn more about the sights and entertainment of Nuwara Eliya here...

How to get to Nuwara Eliya

Nuwara Eliya is located in the center of the island 160 kilometers from Colombo and Bandaraike International Airport, 75 kilometers from Kandy (Nuwara Eliya on the map). You can get here from other resorts in the country and from the airport by taxi, bus or train.

The train route to Nuwara Eliya is considered one of the most scenic in the world. It passes through beautiful hills and mountains sheltered by tea plantations. Especially for tourists in the first class there are cars with a viewing platform at the top (Observation Deck), we recommend going there. The most beautiful section of the route starts after Kandy. But the observation deck is not available on all trains, please check before buying. Learn more about all the ways to get to Nuwara Eliya here...

Useful tips

• Hotels in Nuwara Eliya. Upon arrival at the bus or railway station, you will be attacked by "helpers" offering hotels and tours in the city. Under all sorts of deceptive pretexts, they will try to lure you to hotels where they will receive a commission for you. Do not take their word for it that the hotel to which they will take you is located near the center, most often just the opposite. It is best to come to Nuwara Eliya with a hotel already pre-booked, or check their offers carefully.
• More about hotels. budget hotels are best booked in advance, there are few of them here. And in April and August it is better to book any hotel in a couple of months, as prices rise significantly.
• Tea factories. if you are not eager to bring tea from the heart of Sri Lanka from a Tea Factory, you can refrain from buying tea from tea factories during excursions. The prices there are too high, and the tea is the same as sold in other shops at the resorts.
• Warm clothes. even in the warmest season in Nuwara Eliya in the evenings can be cool, bring warm clothes. Warm linen does not wave either, since in most budget hotels there is no heating, and the heater is issued for an additional fee. In winter, snow may fall briefly.
• Currency exchange. In Nuwara Eliya, you can change cash currency at a good rate. The most favorable rate can be found in the exchangers at jewelry stores in the shopping district on New Bazaar rd.