From coastal cities to towns in the countryside, Sri Lanka has everything to offer for every taste. The perfect blend of the urban and the rural, there are endless options for you to see and do on this beautiful island. Regardless of your personal preference, we bring you 6 popular and highly recommended towns to visit across Sri Lanka.
Colombo
This is the capital of Sri Lanka and is also the most commercialised town. Colombo, a port city, is the shopping capital with a mix of local and international brands. There are many things to do here starting with simply taking a walk around and experiencing first-hand the authenticity the town has to offer. We’d recommend heading to Malwaththa Road as it’s filled with life and the best spot to do some shopping for souvenirs and gifts.
Hop on a city tour bus and that in itself is the best way to explore the city. The tour will bring you to many tourist attractions such as the Lotus Tower and the Independence Memorial Hall. The Red Mosque is an architectural wonder and it’s something you should not miss.
Galle is another smaller district in Colombo. Take a stroll along the coast of the Indian Ocean during sunset at a huge urban park, Galle Face Green, as the views here are breathtaking. If you are still looking for more things to do in Colombo, check out our other article on some highly recommended activities and attractions!
Kandy
Being the second-largest city in Sri Lanka, Kandy is another popular destination. Apart from the historical and cultural monuments such as the Temple of Relic Tooth or The Royal Palace of Kandy, there are many other things to do in this town. Take a walk in the Royal Botanical Gardens, famous for its countless species of trees and plants. Simply relax and unwind on the grass or sip on some coffee at one of the nearby cafes.
The entrance fee to the garden is LKR 2000!
Kandy Lake is another attraction that exhumes peace and serenity. It’s considered to be the heart of the city because of its central location. While you are in Kandy, take the opportunity to visit some of the tea factories to learn more about the production of tea.
The last thing on your list here should be the iconic Bahirawakanda Vihara Buddha Statue, which can be seen from any angle in Kandy. It sits right on top of the hill, giving you a panoramic view of the city.
The entrance fee for the Big Buddha is LKR 250!
Bentota
Bentota is a resort town boasting one of the most beautiful beaches in Sri Lanka with golden sand and turquoise waters, perfect for a weekend getaway. There are many water sports activities to try out here such as jet-skiing, wakeboarding, windsurfing, mono skiing or canoeing.
Additionally, there are many other things to do around the town. Hop on the Madu Ganga river safari and cruise through the mangroves. It’s a bird lovers’ paradise with more than 111 bird species. Check out a historic temple that was first built in the 1700s. Kande Vigaraya is the place for Buddhist education due to its collection of many ancient Buddhist sculptures, statues and scriptures dating back to the 15th to the 19th century.
Another activity popular among tourists is diving. Dive around the Canoe Rock, South Reef or Hundirangala where you can swim around the amazing marine life such as lionfish and porcupine fish.
Mirissa
Another coastal city, Mirrisa, is where you can spend your time relaxing and unwinding from the hustle and bustle of city life. Just 3 hours away from Colombo, it is the perfect town for a short getaway! While you are there, check out the many scenic locations for the amazing views or for your next Instagram post.
Visit a tiny secluded beach in the town. It’s a secret beach with just a small bar and a woman selling coconuts. However, the sunset views here are magnificent. Simply search Secret Bar on google maps and take a tuk-tuk to this location. It’s simply 10 minutes down the road once you have alighted. Parrot Rock is a small rock you can climb up to view the entire Mirissa area. Additionally, from the rock, the views of the ocean are also stunning. During high tide, do not attempt to climb the rock as it’s quite dangerous.
Coconut Island is another scenic place to catch the sunset. Due to its coconut trees, it has also become a famous place for a picture-perfect shot. Another extremely popular activity is whale-watching. You can join one of the many tour agencies and go out onto the Indian Ocean and attempt to spot whales, dolphins and turtles. The best time for whale-watching is from the end of November to March.
Since it’s a coastal town, don’t miss the opportunity to party on the beach! There are a few beach bars here that have dance floors so sip on some cheap drinks and dance along to good music!
Ella
This countryside town is well known for its green hills and waterfalls. Check out the famous Nine Arch Bridge located just outside the town built out of rock, brick and cement in 1921. The 91-metre high bridge is famous among tourists so do get there early as the surrounding viewpoints get filled up fast.
Ella Rock is a peak that provides you with a spectacular view of the surroundings. Simply start at the Ella train stations and follow the clearly marked paths. The hike takes around 2 hours. While you’re out here, be sure to pay a visit to Sri Lanka’s second tallest waterfall, the Diyaluma falls. It’s along an off-beaten track but the view and infinity pool makes the trip up completely worth it. The waterfall is 220 metres high and in summer, you can even swim in the natural pools at the end of the waterfall. As there are no safety barriers here, be wary while admiring the waterfall.
Interestingly, due to its cool climate, Ella is an ideal place for tea leaves to grow so do take the time to visit a tea factory and learn more about this staple in Sri Lanka. We’d recommend visiting the Dambatenne tea factory as it’s where the iconic Lipton Tea is produced. When visiting the factory, you will learn more about the process of tea manufacturing and exporting. After which, you can also visit Lipton’s seat located near this factory and marvel at the amazing views.
Jaffna
The last town on this list is Jaffna, one that is historically significant with many things to see and do. The Jaffna Fort is popular among tourists who come by to enjoy the sea breeze and watch the sunset.
Located near the fort, is the Jaffna Public Library with a tumultuous past having been violently burned down, only to be damaged once again after being renovated in 1984 by bullets and bombs during the Civil War. Despite the massive destruction it went through, the library was eventually reopened again to the public in 2003.
Apart from the many Hindu temples in Jaffna, there are a few Catholic churches located along the beachside. Some include St John’s and Our Lady of Refuge Church. These churches, though modern-looking, retain many ancient, rustic elements in their interior as well as general architecture.
