- The Largest Temple Complex in Sri Lanka The Dambulla Cave Temple
The Dambulla cave temple is the most popular among Sri Lanka’s best places to visit. It covers the tourist destinations of Sri Lanka. The largest temple complex in Sri Lanka dates back to the 12th century AD with its statues and paintings. There are five rooms of different sizes in the temple complex; all rooms have Buddha looking calm and peaceful in a different position. The temple is built on a rocky black mountain that serves as a nice contrast to the temple’s white walls. From the top, don’t miss the view. From both Colombo and Kandy, you can easily access the temple.
- Home to a host of wildlife and birds-Yala National Park
Oct 23, Yala-National-Park-in-Sri-Lanka
Missing Yala National Park might bring regret to wildlife lovers while sightseeing in Sri Lanka.You are bound to run into a group of elephants bathing in streams, wildly tossing their trunks, or lazily nestling on tree branches with leopards.It’s home to a host of wildlife and birds. Among the thick green foliage of the forest, you could opt for safari drives or a nature trail. Some visitors also go to Yala to camp and enjoy barbecue under the stars. With so much to see and do here, Yala is indeed one of Sri Lanka ‘s best tourist spots. Yala is the perfect place to try your hand at photographing wildlife.
It is quite simple to get to Yala National Park. All you’ll have to do is drive from Colombo down to the Park. Taking a bus to Tissamaharama is another way.
Katagamuwa, Yala, Sri Lanka Location:
Timings: from 6 am until 6 pm
- Arugam Bay-Heaven of Turquoise For Adrenaline-Junkies
Professional sea surfing on a Sri Lankan beach at Arugam Bay
Sri Lanka has a coastline of over 1600 km and is ideal for windsurfing, speed boating, and other water sports. Azure skies and slanting coconut trees are in Arugam Bay. Arugam Bay has to be on your list of Sri Lanka’s must-see tourist places. It is located approximately 320 km from Colombo on the southeast coast.
It is the ideal place for sipping coconut water, taking in the scent of jasmine and allowing your skin to tan from the southern sun.
In addition to Arugam Bay, Unawatuna in the south is one of the best places to visit in Sri Lanka; and Tangalla again in the south, about 195 km south of Colombo.
How to get there- Colombo has and is strategically located at an international airport. So, if you fly to Colombo, then you’re pretty close to the best beaches.
Indian Flight Charges: INR 15,000 for an adult when booked two months in advance.
Benota, Mirissa, Koggala, Trincomalee, Pasikudah, Unawatuna, Tangalla and Arugam Bay are the best beaches around Colombo.
Best time to visit: November through March
- Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa-Amidst the Greenery, Ruggedness
A World Heritage Site and one of the most stunning places to see in Sri Lanka, Sigiriya or the Mount of Remembrance. This giant rock formation rises from nowhere and towers over everything in its vicinity. It’s quite a climb to the top, but you’ll get to see a panoramic view of the nearby sights and the Sigiriya fort once you get up there. The rock fortress is a piece of history perched on a rock and a visit is really worthwhile.
Not much is heard and said of Polonnaruwa, but no less is this ancient city than the southern Petra. A gem among the tourist attractions of Sri Lanka, this ruined ancient city stands in the midst of its formerly robust columns and architecture. Hiring a bike and zooming around the ruins is the best way to explore this ancient city. The site is well preserved and is a telling example of the history and culture of Sri Lanka. You can easily access Polonnaruwa via Sigiriya. From Sigiriya, you can take a tuk-tuk or a bus Or you can take a bus to Polonnaruwa from Dambulla.
- Galle-A Marvel of the 16th Century
Galle-Fort-Oct 24th
In Sri Lanka, Galle is a major city and is a one-stop destination where you can take in all the sights and sounds. Galle Fort is one of the best spots to visit in Sri Lanka. There are wide cobblestoned roads and a number of eateries and cafes in the Galle Fort area. Try to catch yourself at sunset while you’re there. There are a number of shops and galleries you can visit for trinkets. It is among Sri Lanka’s most visited places.
The Japanese Peace Pagoda is another picturesque Sri Lankan destination for sightseeing. It’s a white dome of serenity very close to Unawatuna beach.
- Jaffna-Into The Past Peep
Jaffna Fort is one of Sri Lanka ‘s key tourist spots.
The Nallur Kovil temple, although a bit crowded, is a nice pick among the best places to see in Sri Lanka. Jaffna Fort is another place of interest. This fort is located in the town centre and is a tourist hub. If you are in Jaffna, the Nagadipa Purana Vihara can not be missed. You can access the temple by boat. The temple, one of the most peaceful tourist attractions in Sri Lanka, is surreal and a wonderful place to meditate.
- Kandy Commonwealth War Cemetery-The Brave Martyrs Remember
Yes, the war cemetery is well maintained and the grounds are well maintained, a strange one in the list of best places to visit in Sri Lanka. It is, in general, a very humbling experience. This cemetery is difficult to find without a guide, but it is worth the effort once you get there.
Venue: Kandy, Sri Lanka
Timings: from 7 am till 4 pm
- Temple Of Tooth At Kandy-Eyes And Soul Treatment
Tooth temple in Kandy
Again, the Temple of the Tooth is a popular one among Sri Lanka’s tourist places. Due to the history attached to it, this temple in Kandy is iconic. This temple is worth a visit, with a quaint setup and interesting artefacts.
Location: Veediya Sri Dalada, Kandy 20000, Sri Lanka
Timings: from 5.30 am until 8 pm
- Nuwara Eliya-Get closer to nature in Pristine
In Sri Lanka, the lush green hill station of Nuwara Eliya
Nuwara Eliya is most famous for its scenery and tea gardens. For a romantic vacation or for someone who is looking for a relaxing trip, it is a perfect place to visit. Nuwara Eliya is a hilly paradise and another great addition to Sri Lanka’s tourist attractions, with misty clouds, lush green sloping hills and a train that looks like it came from the Harry Potter films. In Nuwara Eliya, the popular places to visit include Victoria Park, Bale Bazaar, Moon Plains, Ramboda Falls and st, clair fort.
- Trincomalee- An Unmissable Getaway from the Beach
Among many similar tourist spots in Sri Lanka, Trincomalee is blessed with a beautiful beach. If you are up for an underwater diving tour, then you will be given the best experience by SLDT (Sri Lanka Diving Tours). Besides water sports, Trincomalee also has many temples and beaches. There is also a war cemetery surrounded by lush gardens, which makes it one of Sri Lanka ‘s finest places to see.
- Polonnaruwa Sacred City-Explore Sri Lanka ‘s Golden Past
This town was once Sri Lanka’s ancient kingdom, and walking into it still gives a feeling of the Golden Age. There are still ruins of palaces, shrines and stupas inside this city, which makes It one of Sri Lanka’s top tourist attractions.All of these landmarks bring the historical remains that hold a glorious past to a close.This place has a lot to explore and offers a glimpse of this side of Sri Lanka ‘s golden past. It is among the best tourist spots in Sri Lanka.
Key Highlights: The statue of Parakramabahu I, who ruled during the Golden Age, should not be missed.Alongside that one can also see the magnificent view of the Lotus Pond Which is made of petals in a lotus shape and built on four-tiers.
- Anuradhapura-The Ancient World’s Greatest Monastic City
This is one of Sri Lanka’s top tourist sites, which is also claimed to be one of the World Heritage Sites. After the arrival of the Bodhi Tree, which is also called the “tree of enlightenment,” the place became important. The place, under the reign of King Kirthi Sri Rangasingha, protects the tree and keeps it away from the wild elephants.
The Best Time to Visit: April and September
Location: The Anuradhapura-Padeniya Highway is approximately an hour away.
Price: 25 dollars (INR-1781)
- Bridge In The Sky Nine Arch Bridge
Also called the Bridge in the Sky, the Nine Arch Bridge is among the iconic sights of Sri Lanka. It is in the small mountain town of Ella and offers visitors a splendid view of the surrounding area’s lush greenery and tea fields.What makes the bridge unique is that it consists of stone, cement and brick. No use of any steel is available. It is one of Sri Lanka’s best places to visit for a memorable holiday.
The Best Visit Time: Sunrise
- Mihintale-Buddhism’s Birthplace
Mihintale ranks among the top tourist attractions in Sri Lanka. It is the birthplace of Buddhism and annually attracts hundreds of pilgrims to this site. It is a mountain located near Anuradhapura town where many religious and historical structures can be visited.
- National Park of Udawalawe: a must-visit place for wildlife enthusiasts
A must-visit place for wildlife lovers is Udawalawe National Park. It is one of those few places where sightings of elephants are fairly frequent. You get an opportunity to get a glimpse of many animals, including peacocks, water buffalo, crocodiles, jackals, monkeys and deer, not only elephants. For the best experience of Sri Lanka’s top attractions, take an early morning safari when the animals are most active.
Venue: Udawalawa, Sri Lanka
Timings: between 6.00 AM and 6.00 PM