Places worth the journey

Each place has its own pace and its own season. We describe what a visit is like and show only facts we have checked, with their sources.

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Central hill country

Kandy. View destination

A hill city around a lake: the last capital of the Sinhala kings and home to the Temple of the Tooth Relic.

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Cultural heartland

Sigiriya and Dambulla. View destination

A ruined royal capital on a granite rock above the forest, and a living cave temple close by.

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North central plains

Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa. View destination

Two ancient capitals, one sacred and one royal, among the oldest cities in Sri Lanka.

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Central hill country

Nuwara Eliya. View destination

Cool air, tea estates and misty viewpoints high in the central hill country.

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Southern hill country

Ella. View destination

A small hill-country place for ridge and valley walks, tea slopes and views from the scenic railway.

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South-west coast

Galle. View destination

A fortified old town on a rocky headland, founded by the Portuguese and shaped under Dutch rule.

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South-east

Yala. View destination

A national park in the south-east known for elephants and leopards, with safaris at first and last light.

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South coast

Mirissa. View destination

A beach and fishing town on the south coast, best known for whale watching in season.

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South-west wet zone

Sinharaja rainforest. View destination

Sri Lanka's last large stretch of primary lowland rainforest, a World Heritage forest best met on foot.

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Central hill country

Adam's Peak (Sri Pada). View destination

A sacred mountain and pilgrimage place, climbed through the night to reach the summit at dawn.

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East coast

Trincomalee. View destination

A town on the east coast, known for whale watching in its own season.