All activities

White Water Rafting in Kitulgala

Raft the Kelani River at Kitulgala, Sri Lanka's centre for white water rafting. Trips of about two hours run a series of rapids in the rainforest with a licensed guide, and no experience is needed.

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Water Abseiling

Lower yourself down a waterfall on a rope in the forest at Kitulgala. Guides provide the harness, helmet and training, and abseiling pairs well with a morning of rafting on the Kelani River.

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Kitulgala Jungle Trek

Cross the Kelani River by boat and walk into the Kitulgala forest reserve with a guide. The trails pass streams and small waterfalls, with endemic birds, butterflies and plants along the way.

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Trip to Singharaja Forest for the Day

Spend a day in Sinharaja, Sri Lanka's largest lowland rainforest and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A guide leads you under tall trees and across clear streams, looking for endemic birds and other wildlife.

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Bird Watching in Sinharaja

Sinharaja is the best place in Sri Lanka to see endemic birds. With a local guide, look for the Sri Lanka blue magpie, red-faced malkoha and the mixed feeding flocks that move through the forest.

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Trekking in Sinharaja

Trek through Sri Lanka's last large primary lowland rainforest on guided trails. Routes follow streams, pass waterfalls and climb to viewpoints such as Moulawella, with plenty of chances to see birds and lizards.

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Trekking in Horton Plains

Walk the high plateau of Horton Plains, above 2,000 metres in the central hills. The circular trail crosses grassland and cloud forest to World's End and Baker's Falls, best started at dawn.

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Camping in Horton Plains

Spend a night on the high plateau of Horton Plains with an authorised operator. Camping lets you start the World's End walk before the day visitors arrive and see the plains at dawn and dusk.

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Baker's Falls

Baker's Falls is a pretty waterfall on the main walking circuit of Horton Plains. It is named after the explorer Sir Samuel Baker and is reached by a short side path through cloud forest.

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World's End

World's End is the cliff on the southern edge of Horton Plains where the land drops away by hundreds of metres. On a clear early morning the view stretches over tea country to the southern plains.

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Bambarakanda Ella Falls

Bambarakanda, near Kalupahana, is the tallest waterfall in Sri Lanka at about 263 metres. The water falls in a long, thin ribbon down a sheer rock face surrounded by pine and forest.

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Ambewella Farm

Ambewela, on the plateau between Nuwara Eliya and Horton Plains, is known for its dairy farms. Visit to see the cattle, green pastures and cool climate that make the area look like northern Europe.

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Horton Plains

Horton Plains National Park is a high plateau of grassland, cloud forest and streams at over 2,100 metres, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is home to sambar deer, endemic birds and the World's End cliff.

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Gal Oya National Park Safari

Gal Oya, in the east near Ampara, is one of the few parks in Sri Lanka with boat safaris. Cruise the Senanayake Samudraya reservoir looking for elephants swimming between islands, or explore the forest by jeep.

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Buduruwayaya Archaeological Site

Buduruwayaya is an ancient Buddhist site near Wasgamuwa, set in quiet dry-zone forest. Its best-known feature is a large reclining Buddha among old ruins.

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Wasgamuwa National Park Safari

Take a jeep safari in Wasgamuwa, a park between the Mahaweli and Amban rivers that sees far fewer visitors than Yala or Minneriya. Elephants, sloth bears and many birds live in its forest and grassland.

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Kaudulla National Park

Kaudulla National Park, north of Habarana, surrounds an ancient tank on the elephant corridor with Minneriya. Late in the dry season large herds come here to graze on the fresh grass around the water.

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Kaudulla National Park Safari

Take an afternoon jeep safari at Kaudulla to see elephants on the shores of the ancient tank. From about August to December the herds can be large, and birds such as pelicans and storks gather on the water.

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Kumana National Park

Kumana, on the south-east coast beside Yala, is one of the most important bird areas in Sri Lanka. Its centre is the Kumana Villu, a mangrove swamp where water birds nest in large numbers around May and June.

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Kumana National Park Safari

A jeep safari in Kumana, south of Arugam Bay, is quieter than one in Yala and especially good for birds. Leopards, elephants and crocodiles also live among the park's lagoons and small tanks.

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Kudumbigala Monastery

Kudumbigala is an ancient forest monastery among rocky outcrops between Arugam Bay and Kumana. Climb past cave shelters and small stupas to a rock summit with views over the jungle.

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Birdwatching in Kumana National Park

Kumana, once called Yala East, is one of the best places in Sri Lanka for birdwatching. Pelicans, storks, spoonbills and herons nest in the Kumana Villu, and rare species such as the black-necked stork have been seen.

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Telulla Archaeological Site

Telulla is a small, little-visited archaeological site near Bundala. It has the remains of eleven small stupas, an image house and other buildings that were part of an old monastery.

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Ridiyagama Safari Park

Ridiyagama, near Hambantota, is Sri Lanka's first drive-through safari park, opened in 2016. Visitors tour it in closed vehicles to see animals such as lions, elephants and deer.

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Weerawila Tissa Sanctuary

The old tanks and wetlands around Weerawila and Tissamaharama are some of the best bird areas in the south. Visit early in the morning for water birds, raptors and waders close to Bundala and Yala.

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Golf at Shangri-La’s Hambantota

Play the 18-hole course at Shangri-La Hambantota on the south coast. Designed by Rodney Wright, it runs through coconut groves and scrub beside the Indian Ocean.

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Bird watching in Bundala National Park

Bundala National Park, Sri Lanka's first Ramsar wetland, is a maze of shallow lagoons, salt pans and dunes on the south coast. From about September to March, flamingos and thousands of migrant birds arrive.

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Camping at Bundala National Park

Stay at a tented camp near Bundala, where lagoon, scrub and sea meet. Camping puts you close to the park for early bird watching and safaris.

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Minneriya National Park Safari

Watch the gathering at Minneriya, when large herds of wild elephants graze around an ancient tank in the dry season, usually from about July to October. Afternoon jeep safaris leave from Habarana and Sigiriya.

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Udawalawe National Park Safari

Udawalawe National Park, around a large reservoir on the edge of the hills, is one of the best places in Sri Lanka to see wild elephants. Jeep safaris also find buffalo, crocodiles and many birds of prey.

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Udawalawe Reservoir and Dam

The Udawalawe reservoir, created by damming the Walawe river, lies along the edge of the national park. Elephants often come to drink on its shores, and the dam supplies water to farms across the region.

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Elephant Transit Home

The Elephant Transit Home beside Udawalawe National Park cares for orphaned baby elephants until they can be released into the wild. Visitors can watch the calves being fed from a viewing area.

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Wilpattu National Park Safari

Wilpattu, on the north-west coast, is the largest national park in Sri Lanka. Its quiet forest is dotted with natural lakes called villus, and leopards and sloth bears are the main reasons to visit.

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Camping at Yala National Park

Stay at a tented camp on the edge of Yala National Park, close to the wildlife and the gate for the dawn drive. Operators provide beds, meals and guides.

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Glamping at Yala National Park

Glamping at Yala means a proper tent with a real bed, bathroom and good food on the edge of the national park. It is a comfortable way to stay close to the leopards and elephants.

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Lunugamvehera National Park

Lunugamvehera National Park, north of Tissamaharama, protects the catchment of the Lunugamvehera reservoir. It sees few visitors and links Yala with Udawalawe for elephants.

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Kataragama Kiri Vehera

Kiri Vehera is an ancient white stupa at Kataragama, one of the 16 most sacred Buddhist sites in Sri Lanka. Kataragama is also sacred to Hindus and draws pilgrims of many faiths.

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Situlpawwa Monastery

Situlpawwa is an ancient Buddhist monastery on a large rock in the Yala area, believed to date from the 2nd century BC. Climb to the stupa on top for views over the jungle.

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Akurugoda Stone Inscriptions

Akurugoda, near Tissamaharama, is one of the places in the old kingdom of Ruhuna where early writing cut in stone can be seen. The inscriptions are an important source for the island's early history.

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Kirinda Vihara Maha Devi Temple

Kirinda Raja Maha Viharaya is a Buddhist temple on a large rock by the sea at Kirinda, near Yala. It is linked to Viharamahadevi, the mother of King Dutugemunu, who in legend came ashore here.

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Tissamaharama Raja Maha Viharaya

The Tissamaharama Raja Maha Viharaya is the main temple of the old southern capital of Ruhuna. Its great white stupa is the largest in the south of the island.

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Yattala Vehera

Yattala Vehera is an ancient stupa on the edge of Tissamaharama, traditionally dated to around 2,300 years ago. It is surrounded by an elephant wall and the remains of an old monastery.

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Jaffna Library

The Jaffna Public Library grew from a small community library in the 1930s into a major centre of Tamil learning. Burned in 1981 with many rare manuscripts, it has been rebuilt in its original style.

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Luxury Catamaran Sailing to Delft Island

Sail the shallow waters of Palk Bay on a catamaran cruise from the Jaffna islands, visiting Delft and other small islands that few travellers reach. Expect quiet anchorages, swimming and village visits.

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Nallur Kovil

Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil, dedicated to Lord Murugan, is the most important Hindu temple in Jaffna. Visit during a puja, and come in July or August for its 25-day festival; men remove their shirts to enter.

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Jaffna Fort

Jaffna Fort stands beside the lagoon at the edge of town. Built by the Portuguese and rebuilt by the Dutch after 1658 as a large star-shaped fort, its ramparts give wide views over the water.

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Jaffna Archaeological Museum

The Jaffna Archaeological Museum in Nallur displays finds from the north, including Buddhist and Hindu statues, coins and pottery. It is a short visit that adds depth to a day in the city.

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Elephant Pass

Elephant Pass is the causeway that carries the A9 road and the railway across the lagoon between the Jaffna peninsula and the mainland. It was a key battleground in the civil war and has a war memorial.

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Point Pedro

Point Pedro is a fishing town on the north coast, close to the northernmost point of Sri Lanka. Its name comes from the Portuguese for rocky point, and it has a lighthouse and a busy harbour.

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Keerimalai Springs

Keerimalai Springs are freshwater springs beside the sea on the north coast, feeding stone bathing pools that Hindus consider sacred. An old Shiva temple stands close by.

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Casuarina Beach

Casuarina Beach, on Karainagar island, is the best known beach in the north. Casuarina trees line the soft sand, and the water is shallow and calm in season.

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Dambakola Patuna Sanghamitta Temple

Dambakola Patuna was an ancient port on the north coast where, by Buddhist tradition, Sanghamitta landed with a sapling of the Bodhi tree. A temple now marks the spot.

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Kandarodai Viharaya

Kandarodai, near Chunnakam, is an archaeological site known for a cluster of small, dome-shaped stupas among palmyra palms. It is one of the most unusual ancient sites in the north.

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Jaffna City Tour

See the highlights of Jaffna in a day, from the Nallur temple and the Dutch fort to the public library, the market and the islands. A guide explains the Tamil culture, food and history of the north.

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Old-New Bridge of Mannar

Mannar Island is joined to the mainland by a causeway and bridge across a shallow strait. Fragments of the old bridge, damaged in the war, still stand beside the new crossing.

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Talaimannar

Talaimannar, at the north-western tip of Mannar Island, is the closest point in Sri Lanka to India and was once the ferry gateway between the two. Today it is a quiet, windswept place with a lighthouse and old pier.

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Adam’s Bridge

Adam's Bridge, also called Rama Setu, is a chain of shoals and sandbanks running about 30 km from Mannar to Rameswaram in India. In the Ramayana it is the bridge built by Rama's army.

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Baobab Tree of Mannar

Mannar has several baobab trees, a species native to Africa probably brought by Arab traders. The most famous, at Pallimunai, has a huge trunk and is among the oldest trees in Sri Lanka.

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Bird Watching in Mannar

Mannar is one of the best places in Sri Lanka for wintering water birds. From about October to March its lagoons, mudflats and salt pans hold flamingos, waders, gulls and terns.

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Full Day Tour of Delft Island

Spend a day on Delft, the largest island off Jaffna, reached by ferry from Kurikadduwan. See the wild ponies, coral-stone walls, Dutch fort ruins, the old baobab tree and the growing stone.

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Typical Local Lunch with Crab

After a morning exploring Delft Island, sit down to lunch in a local home, with crab curry and other northern dishes. It is a simple way to learn about life on the island.

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Adam’s Peak

Adam's Peak, or Sri Pada, is a steep peak of 2,243 metres sacred to Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and Christians. Pilgrims climb about 5,000 steps by night from December to May to reach the summit for sunrise.

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Devon Falls

Devon Falls drops in three tiers for about 97 metres through tea country near Talawakele. It is named after an early coffee planter and is best seen from the viewpoint on the main road.

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St. Clairs Falls

St Clair's Falls, near Talawakele, is one of the widest waterfalls in Sri Lanka, often called the Little Niagara of Sri Lanka. It is seen from viewpoints on the Hatton to Nuwara Eliya road.

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Zip lining in Ella

Fly over tea estates and forest on a zip line near Little Adam's Peak in Ella. The lines run high above the valley, with safety briefings and equipment provided.

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Ravana Falls

Ravana Falls tumbles over several tiers of rock beside the road from Ella down to Wellawaya. It is one of the widest falls in the country and linked in legend to King Ravana.

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Ella Rock Hike

Ella Rock is the big ridge facing Ella town across the valley. The hike to the top takes three to four hours return, partly along the railway and through forest, to a viewpoint over the hills.

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Little Adam's Peak

Little Adam's Peak is the easiest hike in Ella, a walk of about an hour through tea fields to a rounded summit. It is popular at sunrise for views over the valley and Ella Rock.

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Diyaluma Falls

Diyaluma Falls drops about 220 metres from the edge of the Koslanda plateau, making it the second highest waterfall in Sri Lanka. It is close to the main road between Haputale and Wellawaya.

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Upper Diyaluma Trek

Trek to the top of Diyaluma Falls, near Koslanda, to swim in natural rock pools above a drop of about 220 metres. Go with a guide and avoid the pools after heavy rain.

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Ravana Cave

Ravana Cave is a cave in the cliffs near Ella, reached by steep steps from the road towards Wellawaya. It is linked to the Ramayana story of Sita's captivity.

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Nine Arches Bridge & Demodara Rail Hike

The Nine Arches Bridge is a stone railway viaduct between Ella and Demodara, set among tea estates. Walk along the track or through the hills and time your visit with a train; services run between Nanu Oya, Ella and Badulla.

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The Demodara Loop

At Demodara, between Ella and Badulla, the railway spirals around a hill and passes under itself through a tunnel. It is one of the most unusual pieces of railway engineering in Sri Lanka.

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Dhowa Rock Temple and Cave

Dowa Raja Maha Viharaya is a cave temple beside the road between Ella and Bandarawela. An unfinished standing Buddha is carved into the rock face, and the cave has old paintings.

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Dunhinda Falls

Dunhinda Falls, on the Badulu Oya north of Badulla, drops about 64 metres in a cloud of spray, which gives it the name Bridal Falls. A forest path of about 1 km leads to the viewpoint.

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Lipton’s Seat

Lipton's Seat is a viewpoint above the Dambatenne tea estate near Haputale, named after the tea merchant Sir Thomas Lipton. Go early in the morning for clear views over the hills.

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Adisham Bungalow

Adisham Bungalow is a stone country house in the forest near Haputale, built in the early 20th century for Sir Thomas Lester Villiers. It is now a Benedictine monastery, with gardens open to visitors on certain days.

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Kadadora

Kadadora, in the Kotmale area, is known as the hiding temple. The old temple was submerged by the Kotmale reservoir and appears again when the water level falls.

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Ashok Vatika

Ashok Vatika is the royal garden where, in the Ramayana, King Ravana held Sita captive. Sri Lankan tradition places it at Seetha Eliya near Nuwara Eliya, where a temple to Sita stands.

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Divurumpola

Divurumpola, on the road between Nuwara Eliya and Welimada, is one of the main Ramayana sites in Sri Lanka. Tradition holds that Sita underwent her trial by fire here, and a Buddhist temple stands on the spot.

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Mandaram Nuwara

Mandaram Nuwara is a small farming village at the foot of Pidurutalagala, off the main tourist routes. Misty hills, vegetable terraces and pine forest make it a quiet place for walks.

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Visit Tea Plantations & Factories

Tea is the defining crop of the hill country. Visit an estate and factory around Nuwara Eliya to see how high-grown Ceylon tea is plucked, withered, rolled and dried, then taste the result.

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The Post Office and other Colonial buildings

Nuwara Eliya was developed by the British in the 19th century, which is why it looks like an English town. See the red-brick post office, the Grand Hotel, the Hill Club and old bungalows.

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Lake Gregory

Lake Gregory, on the southern edge of Nuwara Eliya, was created in the 1870s under Governor Sir William Gregory. Walk the lakeside path or take a boat out on the water.

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Victoria Park

Victoria Park is the main public garden in Nuwara Eliya, named in 1897 for Queen Victoria's jubilee. Flower beds, a stream and many birds make it a pleasant stop in the town centre.

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Hakgala Botanical Gardens

Hakgala Botanical Gardens lie on the slopes of Hakgala Rock, about 10 km from Nuwara Eliya. Started in 1861 as a cinchona garden, they are known for roses, ferns and orchids.

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Pidurutalagala - the tallest peak in Sri Lanka

Pidurutalagala, at about 2,524 metres, is the highest mountain in Sri Lanka and rises behind Nuwara Eliya. Access to the summit is restricted because of a military installation.

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Nuwara Eliya City Tour

Explore Nuwara Eliya, the hill station often called Little England, on a guided day. The tour links colonial buildings, Lake Gregory, Victoria Park, a tea factory and Hakgala gardens.

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Strawberry Farms

Nuwara Eliya's cool climate is one of the few in Sri Lanka where strawberries grow well. Visit a farm to see how they are grown and try fresh fruit and desserts.

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Nuwara Eliya Horse Racing Course

The Nuwara Eliya racecourse lies in the centre of town at about 1,868 metres, one of the highest in the world. Races are held in the April holiday season.

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Nuwara Eliya Golf Club

Nuwara Eliya Golf Club, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest golf clubs in Asia. Its 18-hole course runs through the centre of the hill town.

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Moon Plains

Moon Plains is an area of montane grassland just outside Nuwara Eliya. Its viewpoint, sometimes called Mini World's End, looks over the surrounding mountains on a clear day.

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Sri Baktha Hanuman Temple

The Sri Baktha Hanuman temple stands on a hillside at Ramboda, between Kandy and Nuwara Eliya, looking over the Kotmale valley. It is dedicated to Hanuman and is a stop on the Ramayana trail.

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Seetha Amman Temple

Seetha Amman Temple, at Seetha Eliya near Hakgala, is a small Hindu temple dedicated to Sita. Tradition places the Ramayana's Ashok Vatika here.

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Ramboda Falls

Ramboda Falls drops over several tiers of rock beside the main road between Kandy and Nuwara Eliya. It is one of the easiest waterfalls in the hills to see.

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Bomburuella Waterfall

Bomburu Ella, beyond Welimada, is made up of many streams pouring side by side over a wide rock face. It is reached by a forest walk and sees few visitors.

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Dunsinane Falls

Dunsinane Falls flows between two tea estates near Pundaluoya, north-west of Nuwara Eliya. It drops in two parts through forest and tea.

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Waterfall Hopping

The eastern side of the Knuckles range, around Huluganga and Bambarella, has many waterfalls close together. Spend a day walking between them with a guide and swim in the pools in the dry months.

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Laggala

Laggala, also called Lakegala, is a sharp rock peak at the northern end of the Knuckles range near Dunuwila. It rises steeply above farmland and is linked in local tradition to the Ramayana.

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Dunuwila

Dunuwila is a quiet farming area with a lake below the northern slopes of the Knuckles range, close to Laggala rock. Paddy fields, water and mountain views make it a peaceful stop.

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Yahangala

Yahangala is a rock in the northern Knuckles area where, in local Ramayana tradition, King Ravana's body was laid after his death. It can be seen from around Laggala and Dunuwila.

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Pitawala Pathana

Pitawala Pathana is a grassland on a gently sloping slab of rock in the Knuckles range, near Riverstone. A short walk leads to a cliff edge known as Mini World's End, with views over the lowlands.

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Hiking and Trekking in Knuckles Range

The Knuckles range, north-east of Kandy, is one of the best areas in Sri Lanka for hiking, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Trails run from short walks to multi-day treks through cloud forest and villages.

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Meemure

Meemure is a remote village in a valley of the Knuckles range, surrounded by mountains, forest and streams. A winding road leads there, and homestays offer a taste of traditional village life.

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Mini World’s End

Mini World's End is a viewpoint at the edge of an escarpment in the Knuckles range, reached on foot from Deanston. On a clear day it looks far over the lowlands.

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Corbet's Gap

Corbet's Gap, locally Attala Wettuwa, is a pass high in the Knuckles range on the road down to Meemure. It is a starting point for walks and one of the best viewpoints in the range.

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Elephant Rock Point

Elephant Rock is a rock headland south of Arugam Bay with a gentle surf break and a short climb to the top. It is a favourite spot for sunset views over the coast and lagoon.

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Peanut Farm

Peanut Farm is a surf spot south of Arugam Bay, named after fields that once grew behind the beach. Its two breaks are quieter than the main point and suit a range of levels.

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Whiskey Point

Whiskey Point is a surf spot about 15 minutes north of Arugam Bay, with gentle waves that suit beginners. A few cafes and guesthouses stand behind the beach.

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Surfing in Arugam Bay

Arugam Bay is Sri Lanka's best known surf destination, with the season running from about April to October. The Main Point offers long right-hand waves, and other breaks nearby suit beginners.

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Pottuvil Lagoon Safari

Paddle or boat through Pottuvil lagoon, just north of Arugam Bay, past mangroves full of birds. Monitor lizards and crocodiles are often seen along the banks.

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Panama Lagoon Safari

Explore the lagoons and wetlands around Panama village, south of Arugam Bay. They are rich in birds, and elephants sometimes come to the water in the evening.

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Lahugala National Park Safari

Lahugala Kitulana is a small park inland from Arugam Bay, important for elephants that gather around its tanks. A short safari here is easy to add to a stay on the coast.

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Yoga in Arugam Bay

Yoga and surfing go together in Arugam Bay. Many surf camps and guesthouses run classes, which help with flexibility and recovery between sessions in the water.

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Trincomalee Harbour

Trincomalee Harbour is one of the largest and deepest natural harbours in the world. It was prized by the Portuguese, Dutch and British, and a key naval base in the Second World War.

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Fort Frederick

Fort Frederick guards the headland between Trincomalee town and its harbour. Still used by the army, it is open to visitors walking through to the Koneswaram temple, with spotted deer grazing inside.

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Trincomalee Beaches

Trincomalee is surrounded by long sandy beaches, including Uppuveli and Nilaveli. They are at their best from about April to September, when the south and west coasts have the monsoon.

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Pigeon Island

Pigeon Island, off Nilaveli, is one of two marine national parks in Sri Lanka. Snorkel over coral among reef fish, turtles and blacktip reef sharks in the calm season.

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Koneswaram Temple

Koneswaram is one of the most sacred Hindu temples in Sri Lanka, dedicated to Shiva and set on Swami Rock high above the sea. Visit during an evening puja for the views and atmosphere.

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Luxury Catamaran Sailing and Whale Watching in Trincomalee

This seven-day catamaran cruise explores the east coast from Trincomalee, with time for whale and dolphin watching, snorkelling and quiet beaches. It runs in the calm season on the east coast.

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Whale & Dolphin Watching in Trincomalee

Deep water close to the shore makes Trincomalee one of Sri Lanka's main places for whale and dolphin watching. Blue whales, sperm whales and dolphins are seen, mainly from about March to August.

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Golf in Trincomalee

Eagles' Golf Links is an 18-hole course at China Bay, run by the Sri Lanka Air Force. It overlooks the bay and harbour.

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Day Tour of Trincomalee

See the best of Trincomalee in a day, from Koneswaram temple and Fort Frederick to the harbour, the beaches and the Kanniya hot wells.

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Pasikuda Beach

Pasikuda is a bay on the east coast north of Batticaloa, protected by a reef. The water is so shallow and calm in season that you can wade far out.

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Water Sports at Pasikudah and Kalkudah

Pasikudah and neighbouring Kalkudah offer snorkelling, diving, jet skiing and boat trips over the reef. Conditions are best from about April to September.

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Batticaloa Lighthouse

Batticaloa Lighthouse stands where the lagoon opens to the sea. It is a good spot to watch fishing boats and the sunset over the water.

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The Singing Fish and the Kallady Bridge

The Kallady bridge crosses the Batticaloa lagoon. On calm nights, local legend says, singing sounds rise from the water below.

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Tangalle Beach

Tangalle, a fishing town on the south coast, has a string of long golden beaches on either side. They are quieter than the beaches further west, though the sea can be rough.

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Goyambokka and Pallikaduwa beach

Goyambokka and Pallikaduwa are two small bays just west of Tangalle. They are sheltered and among the best places in the area for swimming in season.

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Medaketiya and Medilla beach

Medaketiya and Medilla are the long, wide beaches east of Tangalle town. They are good for walks, with guesthouses behind the sand.

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Mulkirigala Rajamaha Viharaya

Mulkirigala is a group of Buddhist cave temples on a tall rock inland from Tangalle. Steps lead up past shrines with paintings and reclining Buddhas to a summit with wide views.

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Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary

Kalametiya, east of Tangalle, is a protected area of coastal lagoons, mangroves and marsh. Boat trips at dawn show herons, storks, kingfishers and many other water birds.

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Kayaking in Tangalle Lagoon

Paddle a kayak through the lagoons and mangroves around Tangalle, looking for birds and monitor lizards. Early morning trips are cooler and best for wildlife.

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Tangalle Dutch Fort

Tangalle's Dutch fort is a small, plain structure near the harbour. The Dutch valued Tangalle as a trading post, and the fort is now used as a prison, seen from outside.

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Rekawa Lagoon

Rekawa lagoon, just east of Tangalle, is small and wrapped in mangroves. Boat trips here pass birds and fishing villages.

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Turtle Watch Rekawa

Rekawa beach, about 10 km east of Tangalle, is one of the most important turtle nesting beaches in Sri Lanka. A community project leads night visits to see turtles come ashore to lay eggs.

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Weligama Bay and Beach

Weligama, meaning sandy village, lies on a wide, curving bay between Galle and Mirissa. Its long beach is lined with surf schools, cafes and fishing boats.

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Surfing in Weligama

Weligama's gentle, sandy-bottom waves make it one of the easiest places in Sri Lanka to learn to surf. Schools and board hire line the beach, and the season runs from about November to April.

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Diving & Snorkelling in Weligama

Weligama's bay has shallow reefs and rocks for snorkelling, and dive centres along the coast run trips to deeper sites. Turtles and reef fish are often seen in calm months.

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Taprobane Island

Taprobane is a tiny rocky island in Weligama bay, once owned by the Count de Mauny and later the writer Paul Bowles. It is now a private villa, seen from the beach.

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Batik Art of the South

Batik is a way of decorating cloth with wax and dye. Visit a workshop on the south coast to see how the patterns are made, and try it yourself.

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Coconut Tree Hill

Coconut Tree Hill is a small headland at the eastern end of Mirissa, covered in tall palms leaning over the sea. It is one of the most photographed spots on the south coast.

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Secret Beach

Secret Beach is a small cove on the western side of Mirissa, behind a rocky headland. It is quieter than the main bay and good for swimming in calm weather.

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Mirissa Beach

Mirissa has a curved sandy beach backed by palms, restaurants and guesthouses. Swimming is best from about November to April, and the sunsets over the bay are a highlight.

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The Dondra Head Lighthouse

Dondra Head Lighthouse stands on the southern tip of Sri Lanka near Matara. At about 49 metres, it is one of the tallest lighthouses in South Asia.

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Whale & Dolphin watching in Mirissa

Mirissa is the main base for whale watching in Sri Lanka. From about November to April, boats look for blue whales, sperm whales and dolphins in the deep water offshore.

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Diving and Snorkelling in Mirissa

Mirissa has dive sites from shallow reefs to deeper rocks, with turtles, reef fish and sometimes wrecks. Diving is best in the calm months from about November to April.

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Surfing in Mirissa

Mirissa has a reef break at the western end of the bay that draws intermediate surfers. Beginners can head to the softer waves at Weligama nearby.

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Koggala Lake

Koggala Lake is a large, calm lagoon inland from the coast east of Galle, dotted with small islands. Boat trips visit a temple island, a cinnamon island and mangroves.

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Stilt Fishermen of the South

Stilt fishing is a traditional way of fishing on the south coast, with fishermen perched on poles set in the shallows. Today many pose for photographs between Koggala and Weligama and expect a tip.

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Koggala Beach

Koggala beach is a long, quiet stretch of sand between Galle and Weligama, far less developed than Unawatuna. Currents can be strong, so ask locally before swimming.

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Habaraduwa Beach

Habaraduwa, on the coast road between Unawatuna and Koggala, has quiet, wide beaches with fewer hotels. A turtle hatchery is nearby.

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Hiyare rainforest and reservoir

Hiyare is a small lowland rainforest and reservoir about 20 km inland from Galle. Its trails are good for birds, butterflies and a quiet walk.

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The Jungle Beach

Jungle Beach is a small cove on the far side of Rumassala hill, between Unawatuna and Galle. Forest runs down almost to the sand, and the water is good for snorkelling in season.

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Unawatuna Beach

Unawatuna, about 6 km east of Galle, has one of the best known beaches in Sri Lanka. The curved bay is partly sheltered by a reef and good for swimming from about November to April.

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Unawatuna Beach Swing

The rope swings tied to leaning palms near Unawatuna became famous online and are now a popular photo stop. Go early or late to avoid the queues.

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Rumassala Japanese Peace Pagoda

The Japanese Peace Pagoda is a white stupa on Rumassala hill between Unawatuna and Galle, built by Japanese monks. It looks out over the sea and Galle harbour.

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Yatagala Raja Maha Viharaya

Yatagala Raja Maha Viharaya is a rock temple inland from Unawatuna, among large granite boulders. It has a reclining Buddha and old murals.

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Diving and Snorkelling in Unawatuna

Unawatuna is one of the main dive bases on the south coast. Shallow reefs close to shore suit snorkellers, and boats run to wrecks and deeper reefs.

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Visit a Tea Factory in Galle

A lot of Ceylon tea is grown in the low country inland from Galle. Visit a factory to see how the strong low-grown teas are made and taste them.

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Yoga and Ayurveda in the South

The south coast around Galle, Koggala and Weligama has many yoga retreats and Ayurveda centres. Choose a single class or massage or a full programme.

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Galle Fort Experience

Galle Fort is the best preserved colonial fortified town in South and South-East Asia and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walk the ramparts and explore its churches, museums and streets of old houses.

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Habaraduwa Turtle Hatchery

The Habaraduwa turtle hatchery, between Galle and Koggala, was set up in 1986. Learn about the sea turtles that nest on the coast and see hatchlings before release.

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Kanneliya Rainforest

Kanneliya is a lowland rainforest about 35 km inland from Galle, part of a UNESCO biosphere reserve. Trails lead to streams and waterfalls with endemic birds and plants.

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High Tea at Amangalla

Amangalla is a luxury hotel in a 17th century building inside Galle Fort, once the New Oriental Hotel. Afternoon tea on its veranda is a Galle tradition.

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Diving in Galle

Galle has been a port for centuries, and the sea around its harbour holds many shipwrecks. Dive centres visit wrecks and reefs from about November to April.

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Hummanaya (Blowhole)

Hummanaya is a natural blowhole at Kudawella near Dikwella. When waves rush into a rock cleft, water shoots high into the air, most strongly in rough seas.

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Surfing in Hiriketiya

Hiriketiya is a small horseshoe bay just east of Dikwella, with waves for beginners and intermediates and a relaxed beach scene. Boards and lessons are easy to find.

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Dikwella Beach

Dikwella, between Matara and Tangalle, has a bay partly sheltered by reefs and sand bars. It is one of the better swimming beaches on this part of the coast.

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Diving And Snorkelling In Dikwella

The coast around Dikwella has shallow reefs with corals and reef fish, and the water is often clear in calm months. Snorkel from the shore or join a dive trip.

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Dikwella Beach Swing

Dikwella has its own palm-tree swing, hung from a tree leaning over the sea. It gets far fewer visitors than the swings near Unawatuna.

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Weherahena temple

Weherahena, near Matara, is a Buddhist temple known for its long underground tunnel shrine lined with paintings and a very large Buddha statue.

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Dickwella Lace Centre

Beeralu is the traditional bobbin lace of the south coast, thought to have arrived with the Portuguese. At the Dickwella lace centre, local women show how it is made by hand.

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Diving and Snorkelling in Hikkaduwa

Hikkaduwa was one of the first places in Sri Lanka known for diving. A shallow reef runs along the shore for snorkelling, and dive centres visit wrecks and deeper reefs.

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Surfing in Hikkaduwa

Hikkaduwa has been a surf town since the 1970s, with several breaks for different levels. The season runs from about November to April.

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Partying in Hikka

Hikkaduwa is one of the liveliest beach towns in Sri Lanka after dark, with beach bars, music and parties in season.

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Local Street Food in Hikkaduwa

Try Sri Lankan food at local prices in Hikkaduwa, from kottu and hoppers to fresh seafood at small roadside places.

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Turtle Hatchery

Kosgoda, about 4 km from Ahungalle, is known for its sea turtle hatcheries. Learn how eggs are collected and protected, and see hatchlings before release.

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Madu River Mangrove Safari and Fish spa

Take a boat through the Madu River lagoon near Balapitiya, past mangrove islands, a cinnamon island and a small temple. Many trips stop for a fish spa on the way.

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Spa, Ayurveda & Yoga in the South West

The south-west coast from Wadduwa to Bentota has one of the largest groups of Ayurveda resorts in Sri Lanka. Book a single treatment or a full programme with doctors, therapies and yoga.

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Bentota Beach

Bentota, about 1.5 to 2 hours from Colombo, has one of the best known resort beaches in Sri Lanka. The long beach meets the Bentota river, and the sea is calm from about November to April.

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Water Sports in Bentota

Bentota is Sri Lanka's best known resort for water sports. The calm river is used for jet skiing, windsurfing, banana boats and wakeboarding.

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Diving and Snorkelling in Bentota

Bentota has dive sites a short boat ride offshore, including rocky reefs and wrecks. Diving is best in the calm months.

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Lunuganga Estate

Lunuganga was the country estate of Geoffrey Bawa, Sri Lanka's most famous architect, who shaped its garden over about 50 years.

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Beruwela Beach

Beruwala, about 1.5 hours from Colombo, has a long sandy beach lined with resort hotels. The sea is calm from about November to April.

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Brief Gardens

Brief Garden was the home and garden of Bevis Bawa, the elder brother of Geoffrey Bawa, near Aluthgama. Walk through its terraces, sculptures and the house filled with art.

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Beruwala Harbour & Fish Market

Beruwala has one of the largest fishing harbours in the area. Come early in the morning to see colourful boats unload and the catch being sold.

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Richmond Castle

Richmond Castle is a grand early 20th century mansion near Kalutara, set in gardens by the Kalu Ganga. Built for a local Mudaliyar, it mixes Indian and European styles.

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Kalutara Bodhiya

The Kalutara Bodhiya, beside the Galle Road at the mouth of the Kalu Ganga, is one of the most visited Buddhist sites on the west coast. Visitors can enter its hollow white stupa.

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Water Sports in Kalutara

Kalutara sits where the Kalu Ganga meets the sea, and operators along the coast offer jet skiing, banana boats and river trips in season.

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Fa Hien Cave

Fa Hien Cave, or Pahiyangala, is a huge rock shelter near Bulathsinhala, inland from Kalutara. It has evidence of prehistoric human occupation, and a temple now stands in the cave.

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Siddhalepa Ayurveda Spa

Siddhalepa Ayurveda Health Resort is a beachside resort at Wadduwa, south of Colombo, run by a well-known herbal medicine maker. Programmes combine doctors' consultations, herbal treatments and yoga.

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Manavari Kovil

Manavari is a Hindu temple north of Chilaw, an important stop on the Ramayana trail. Tradition holds that Rama installed a lingam here.

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Munneswaram Kovil

Munneswaram, just east of Chilaw, is one of the most important Hindu temples in Sri Lanka, dedicated to Shiva. It draws large crowds at its festival in August or September.

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Negombo Lagoon

The Negombo lagoon is a large estuary just south of the town. Boat trips pass mangroves, fishing villages and traditional outrigger canoes.

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Negombo Beach

Negombo beach runs north from the town along the main hotel strip, 20 to 30 minutes from the airport. It is a convenient place to rest at the start or end of a trip.

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Muthurajawela wetlands

Muthurajawela is a large coastal marsh between Negombo and Colombo. Boat trips look for water birds, monitor lizards and crocodiles.

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Negombo "Lellama'' Fish Market

Lellama is Negombo's main fish market, near the lagoon mouth. Come early in the morning when the boats unload and the auctions are at their busiest.

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Angurukaramulla Temple

Angurukaramulla temple is the best known Buddhist temple in Negombo, with a dragon entrance and a large seated Buddha.

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Negombo Dutch Fort

Negombo's fort stands near the lagoon mouth. Not much is left, but the gate and clock tower recall the Portuguese and Dutch periods.

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St. Mary´s Church

St Mary's Church on Grand Street is the best known church in Negombo, a town so Catholic it is called Little Rome. Its painted ceiling is the highlight.

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Negombo City Tour

See Negombo in a day, from the fish market and lagoon to the Dutch fort, churches and the canal, close to the airport.

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Whale & Dolphin Watching in Kalpitiya

Kalpitiya is one of the best places in Sri Lanka to see spinner dolphins, sometimes in pods of hundreds. Boats leave early in the morning from about November to April.

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Kite surfing in Kalpitiya

Kalpitiya is Sri Lanka's leading spot for kitesurfing, with strong, steady winds from about May to October. The lagoon suits beginners, and schools offer courses and trips.

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Day Trip To Munneswaram Temple

Visit Munneswaram, near Chilaw, one of the most important Hindu temples in Sri Lanka, dedicated to Shiva and linked to the Ramayana.

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Golden Cave Temple of Dambulla

The Dambulla cave temple is the largest and best preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Five caves hold more than 150 Buddha statues and painted ceilings.

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Nalanda Gedige

Nalanda Gedige is an ancient stone shrine near Matale, in the centre of Sri Lanka. It mixes Hindu and Buddhist styles and stands beside a reservoir.

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Hot Air Ballooning in Dambulla

Fly over the Cultural Triangle at dawn in a hot air balloon, looking down on forest, lakes and rocks such as Sigiriya. Flights run in the drier months.

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Sigiriya Rock Fortress

Sigiriya, the Lion Rock, is a 5th century rock fortress and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Climb past water gardens, frescoes and the Lion Gate to the palace ruins on the summit.

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Spa and Ayurveda in Sigiriya

After climbing rocks and touring ruins in the Cultural Triangle, relax with a spa or Ayurveda treatment at one of the hotels around Sigiriya.

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Village tour

A village tour near Habarana is a half-day look at rural life in the dry zone. Ride a bullock cart, cross a lake by canoe and share a home-cooked meal.

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Ritigala Mountains and Monastery

Ritigala is an isolated mountain range between Anuradhapura and Habarana. Its forested slopes hide the ruins of an ancient forest monastery with stone paths and meditation platforms.

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Parakrama Samudraya

Parakrama Samudra, the Sea of Parakrama, is a vast reservoir beside Polonnaruwa built by King Parakramabahu I in the 12th century. It still irrigates the fields around the city.

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Polonnaruwa Vatadage and the Quadrangle

The Quadrangle is the sacred heart of ancient Polonnaruwa. Its circular Vatadage, with guardstones and moonstones, is one of the finest buildings of the period.

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Gal Viharaya and the Alahana Pirivena group

The northern part of Polonnaruwa holds the Gal Vihara, four Buddha images carved from a single granite face, and the monastery buildings of the Alahana Pirivena.

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Polonnaruwa Day Tour

Polonnaruwa was Sri Lanka's capital from the 11th to the 13th centuries. A guided day covers its palaces, temples, stupas and the Gal Vihara.

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Isinbassagala Ruwangiri Rajamaha Viharaya

Isinbassagala Ruwangiri Rajamaha Viharaya is a Buddhist temple on a rock outcrop beside the A9 road near Medawachchiya. Climb to the top for wide views over the dry zone.

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Mihintale

Mihintale, about 12 km east of Anuradhapura, is where Buddhism is said to have come to Sri Lanka. Steps lead up to stupas, caves and a rock summit with wide views.

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Jetavanaramaya Stupa

Jetavanaramaya is a huge brick stupa in Anuradhapura, begun by King Mahasena in the 3rd century AD. It was once among the tallest structures in the ancient world.

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Abhayagiri Monastery Complex

Abhayagiri was the largest monastery of ancient Anuradhapura, covering around 200 hectares. See its great stupa, the Twin Ponds and the Samadhi Buddha.

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Mahamewna Park

Mahamewna Uyana was a royal pleasure garden of ancient Anuradhapura, later given to the Buddhist order. The sacred city's main shrines stand within it.

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Sri Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi

The Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura is a sacred fig tree grown from a cutting of the tree under which the Buddha reached enlightenment. It is one of the holiest sites in Sri Lanka.

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Ruwanwelisaya Dagoba

Ruwanwelisaya, the Great Stupa, is one of the most sacred stupas in Sri Lanka, built by King Dutugemunu. Its white dome is surrounded by a wall of elephant sculptures.

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Aukana Buddha Statue

The Aukana Buddha is a standing statue about 12 metres tall, carved from a granite rock face near the Kala Wewa reservoir. It is one of the finest ancient statues in Sri Lanka.

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Anuradhapura Day Tour

Anuradhapura was Sri Lanka's first great capital, and its sacred city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A guided day covers the Sri Maha Bodhi, the great stupas and monasteries.

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Weragantota

Weragantota, near Mahiyangana on the Mahaweli river, features in Sri Lanka's Ramayana tradition. Local belief holds that Ravana first brought Sita here, and the name is linked to the landing of his aerial chariot.

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Kandy Temple of the Tooth Relic

The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy houses a tooth relic of the Buddha and is the most important Buddhist shrine in Sri Lanka. Visit during a puja, with shoulders and knees covered.

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Kandy Esala Perahera

The Kandy Esala Perahera is Sri Lanka's best known festival, held each year in July or August. Over about ten nights, decorated elephants, dancers, drummers and fire performers parade through the city.

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Royal Palace of Kandy

The Royal Palace of Kandy was the seat of the last independent kingdom in Sri Lanka, which fell to the British in 1815. Its buildings stand beside the Temple of the Tooth.

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Lankatilaka Temple

Lankatilaka Raja Maha Viharaya stands on a rock outcrop west of Kandy, built in 1344 under King Bhuvanekabahu IV. Its tall image house and valley views make it one of the finest temples near the city.

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Gadaladeniya Temple

Gadaladeniya Raja Maha Viharaya is a 14th century stone temple on a flat rock at Pilimathalawa, west of Kandy. Its design shows South Indian influence.

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Embekke Devalaya

Embekke Devalaya, west of Kandy, is a shrine to the god Kataragama. It is best known for the carved wooden pillars of its drummers' hall, among the finest wood carvings in Sri Lanka.

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Royal Botanical Gardens

The Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya, about 6 km west of Kandy, are the largest in Sri Lanka. See the orchid house, avenues of palms, a spice garden and a giant Javan fig tree.

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Kandy Lake

Kandy Lake lies beside the Temple of the Tooth and was created in 1807 by Sri Vikrama Rajasinha, the last king of Kandy. A shaded path runs around it.

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Udawattakele Forest Reserve

Udawattakele is a forest reserve on the ridge just behind the Temple of the Tooth, once the royal pleasure garden. Paths lead through tall trees with monkeys and birds, minutes from the town centre.

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Kandyan Dancing and Cultural Shows

Kandyan dance is the best known classical dance of Sri Lanka. Evening shows in Kandy present dance, drumming and fire walking in about an hour.

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Victoria Golf & Country Resort

Victoria Golf and Country Resort, at Digana about 30 to 40 minutes east of Kandy, has an 18-hole course on rolling hills above the Victoria reservoir.

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Gem Shopping in Kandy

Sri Lanka has been known for gems for over two thousand years, and Kandy has many gem shops and a small gem museum. A visit shows how sapphires and other stones are mined and cut.

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Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, near Kegalle on the road between Colombo and Kandy, is run by the Department of Wildlife. Visitors watch the elephants feed and bathe in the river.

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Hiking and Trekking in Kandy

Kandy makes a good base for walking. The Hantana range near the city offers half-day hikes through tea and forest, and the Knuckles range is within reach for longer treks.

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Kandy City Tour

See the last royal capital in a day, from the Temple of the Tooth and the lake to the Peradeniya gardens, the market and a Kandyan dance show.

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Ambuluwawa Temple & Campaign Site

Ambuluwawa is a mountain beside Gampola, about 20 km south of Kandy. Its summit holds a biodiversity complex with a tall spiral tower and wide views over the hills.

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Kandy / Nuwara Eliya - Ella Train Excursions

The hill country railway to Nanu Oya, Ella and Badulla is one of the most scenic train rides in Asia. As of October 2026, trains run between Nanu Oya, Ella and Badulla, but not between Kandy and Nanu Oya.

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Visit a Spice Garden

Spices drew traders to Sri Lanka for centuries. A spice garden visit near Kandy shows how cinnamon, cardamom, pepper and nutmeg are grown and used in cooking and Ayurveda.

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Bahirawakanda Vihara Buddha Statue

Bahirawakanda Vihara is the temple on the hill above Kandy, with a large white statue of the Buddha in meditation. The views over the city are best in the late afternoon.

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Colombo City Tour

See the best of Colombo in a day, from colonial Fort and the markets of Pettah to temples, parks, Galle Face Green and the new towers by the sea.

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Tuk Tuk rides

Tuk tuks, called three-wheelers in Sri Lanka, are the quickest and most fun way around Colombo. Take a guided tuk tuk tour or use a ride app for short trips.

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National Museum

The Colombo National Museum, opened in 1877, is Sri Lanka's largest museum. It displays royal regalia, ancient sculpture, masks and colonial-era objects in a white Italianate building.

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Colombo Fort and its Colonial Heritage

Colombo Fort is the city's historic core and business district. Walk among colonial buildings such as the Cargills store, the Old Dutch Hospital and the old lighthouse clock tower.

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The Beira Lake

Beira Lake lies in the centre of Colombo, bordered by Fort, Slave Island and Pettah. The Seema Malaka shrine stands on the water, and paths and swan boats line its shore.

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The Galle Face Green

Galle Face Green is a long lawn and promenade beside the sea in central Colombo, laid out in the 1850s. Come in the late afternoon for kites, sunsets and street food.

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Gangarama Temple and Seema Malaka Meditation Centre

Gangaramaya is one of Colombo's best known Buddhist temples, with a museum full of gifts from devotees. Across the road, Geoffrey Bawa's Seema Malaka shrine sits on Beira Lake.

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Independence Square and Park

Independence Square, in Cinnamon Gardens, is the national monument to Sri Lanka's independence in 1948. The surrounding park and the Arcade make it a pleasant place to walk.

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Viharamahadevi Park & Street Art

Viharamahadevi Park is the largest and one of the oldest public parks in Colombo, opposite the Town Hall. Artists often display their work on the railings nearby.

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Royal Colombo Golf Club and Course

The Royal Colombo Golf Club, founded in 1879, is one of the oldest golf clubs outside Britain. Its course lies in the heart of the city.

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Streets of Pettah

Pettah, just east of Colombo Fort, is the city's oldest and busiest market district. Each street specialises in something, from spices and fabrics to electronics.

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Best Places to shop in Colombo

Shopping in Colombo ranges from the street markets of Pettah to design shops such as Barefoot, Paradise Road and Odel, and Laksala for crafts.

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Best Cafes in Colombo

Independent cafes have opened all over Colombo, from colonial buildings to garden courtyards, serving good coffee, cakes and light meals.

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National Art Gallery

The National Art Gallery stands on Green Path in Colombo 7, next to the National Museum. It shows works by Sri Lankan artists, including portraits and landscapes.

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New Parliament and the Diyawanna

The Parliament of Sri Lanka stands on an island in Diyawanna Lake at Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, designed by Geoffrey Bawa. The lakeside paths around it are popular for walks.

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Visit the Geoffrey Bawa House

Number 11, the Colombo home of architect Geoffrey Bawa, can be visited on guided tours. It shows how he joined small houses into one with courtyards, light and art.

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Visit the Geoffrey Bawa Office (Present: Gallery Café)

Geoffrey Bawa's former office on Alfred House Road is now the Gallery Cafe, run by Paradise Road. Its courtyards make a calm place for a meal.

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Zoological Gardens (Dehiwala Zoo)

The National Zoological Gardens at Dehiwala, south of central Colombo, are among the oldest zoos in Asia, with animals from Sri Lanka and around the world.

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Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya

Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya, about 10 km north-east of central Colombo, is one of the most sacred temples in Sri Lanka. Its murals and the Duruthu Perahera in January draw many visitors.

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Colombo Lotus Tower

The Colombo Lotus Tower, about 350 metres tall, dominates the city skyline. Its observation deck gives views over the city and coast.

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Sri Kailawasanathan Swami Devasthanam Kovil

Sri Kailawasanathan Swami Devasthanam, also known as the Captain's Garden temple, is widely described as the oldest Hindu temple in Colombo.

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Anjaneyar Temple-Dehiwela

The Sri Anjaneyar temple in Dehiwala is dedicated to Hanuman, known here as Anjaneyar. It is a stop on the Ramayana trail close to Colombo.

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Shri Ponnambalawaneswaram Kovil

Sri Ponnambalawaneswaram is a Shiva temple in Kotahena, unusual in Sri Lanka for being built entirely of granite in the South Indian style.

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St. Anthony's Church Kochikade

St Anthony's Shrine in Kochchikade, near the harbour, is one of the best loved churches in Sri Lanka. People of all faiths come to pray here, especially on Tuesdays.

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St. Lucia's Cathedral

St Lucia's Cathedral in Kotahena is the seat of the Catholic Archbishop of Colombo and one of the largest churches in Sri Lanka.

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Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque (Red Mosque)

The Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque, known as the Red Mosque, stands on Second Cross Street in Pettah. Built in 1909, its red and white brickwork is one of Colombo's best known sights.

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Traditional Puppet Art Museum

The Traditional Puppet Art Museum in Colombo displays rukada, the string puppets of Sri Lanka, and explains the families who have kept the craft alive.

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Saskia Fernando Gallery

Saskia Fernando Gallery, founded in 2009, is one of Colombo's leading contemporary art galleries, showing Sri Lankan artists.

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Nelum Pokuna

Nelum Pokuna, meaning lotus pond, is Colombo's main venue for large performances. The theatre opened in 2011 and hosts concerts, dance and drama.

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Mount Lavinia Beach

Mount Lavinia is the nearest proper beach to central Colombo, about 12 km south of Fort. Come for sunset dinners at the beach restaurants.

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World Trade Centre

The World Trade Centre in Colombo Fort is a pair of 39-storey glass towers, one of the city's landmarks.

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Best Places to eat in Colombo

Colombo has the widest choice of restaurants in Sri Lanka, from rice and curry and seafood to fine dining and international food.

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Spa & Ayurveda in Colombo

Colombo has a wide range of spas, from hotel spas to Ayurveda centres following traditional Sri Lankan methods.

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Best Places to have Sri Lankan food in Colombo

Sri Lankan food is full of spices and coconut. Try rice and curry, hoppers, kottu and string hoppers at local restaurants across Colombo.

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Diving in Colombo

The sea off Colombo hides many shipwrecks and reefs from centuries of shipping. Dive centres run trips in the calm months.

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Yala National Park Safari

Yala National Park in the south-east is Sri Lanka's most visited park and one of the best places in Asia to see leopards. Elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles and many birds live among its scrub and lagoons.

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Pidurangala Rock

Pidurangala is a large rock about 1 km north of Sigiriya. Its summit, reached past an old cave temple, gives the classic view of the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, best at sunrise.

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Wasgamuwa National Park

Wasgamuwa is one of Sri Lanka's quieter national parks, covering dry forest, scrub and grassland between the Mahaweli and Amban rivers. It is known for elephants and sloth bears and sees few jeeps.

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