Jaffna, in the far north, is the centre of Sri Lankan Tamil culture, with Hindu temples, a Dutch fort, palmyra palms and islands linked by causeways. Long closed to visitors during the civil war, it is now open and makes a rewarding trip for its history, food and quiet coast.
Top things to do in Jaffna
Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil
The golden temple to Lord Murugan is the most important Hindu temple in Jaffna. Its 25-day festival in July and August draws large crowds. Men remove their shirts to enter.
Jaffna Fort
Built by the Portuguese and rebuilt by the Dutch in the 17th century, the star-shaped fort is one of the largest in the country. Walk the ramparts for views over the lagoon.
Jaffna Public Library
The library was burned in 1981, destroying a large collection of rare manuscripts, and has since been rebuilt in its original style.
Delft Island
Ferries and boat trips reach Delft, with wild ponies, coral-stone walls and Dutch ruins. Allow a full day.
Keerimalai springs
Freshwater springs by the sea on the north coast, believed to have healing powers, next to an old Shiva temple.
Point Pedro
The northernmost town in Sri Lanka, with a lighthouse and fishing harbour.
Casuarina Beach
On Karainagar island, a shallow beach lined with casuarina trees.
Nainativu
A boat from Kurikadduwan reaches Nainativu, with the Nagapooshani Amman kovil and a Buddhist temple marking a visit by the Buddha in legend.
Dambakola Patuna and Kantarodai
Dambakola Patuna is linked to the arrival of Sangamitta with the sapling of the Bodhi tree. Kantarodai has a cluster of small ancient stupas.
Jaffna Archaeological Museum and Elephant Pass
The museum in Nallur displays local finds. Elephant Pass, on the causeway that joins the peninsula to the mainland, has a war memorial.
Best time to go
The weather is usually best from about January to September. The north-east monsoon brings rain from about October to December.
How long to spend
Two or three days cover the city, Nallur, the fort and a day on the islands.
Getting around
Tuk tuks and hired cars are easiest; trains run from Colombo and Anuradhapura. Food is a highlight, especially crab curry and other seafood.
Food
Jaffna cooking is distinct from the south, with spicy crab curry, odiyal kool seafood soup, palmyra products and ice cream at the old parlours near the bus station.
Plan your visit
Dress modestly at temples. For history, background and how to get there, see the Jaffna travel guide, and for accommodation see hotels in Jaffna.
Related posts
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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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.
Image Credit: ShutterStock
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.
Image Credit: ShutterStock
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.
Image Credit: ShutterStock
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.
Image Credit: ShutterStock
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.
Image Credit: ShutterStock
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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