Things to do in Sri Lanka range from exploring ancient UNESCO-listed cities and sacred temples to relaxing on tropical beaches and spotting wildlife on safari. Sri Lanka offers a compact yet diverse travel experience, combining history, culture, nature, and adventure within short travel distances.
In one trip, you can climb the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, take a scenic train through tea plantations, spot elephants in national parks, explore colonial towns, and unwind along the Indian Ocean coastline. This guide lists Sri Lanka’s top attractions with practical highlights to help you plan your journey confidently.
- 1. Visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress – Central Province
- 2. Explore the Sacred City of Kandy – Central Highlands
- 3. Discover Galle Fort – Southern Province
- 4. Experience Yala National Park Safari – Southern Province
- 5. Relax on Bentota Beach – Western Province
- 6. Visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic – Kandy
- 7. Explore Nuwara Eliya & Tea Plantations – Central Highlands
- 8. Ride the Kandy to Ella Scenic Train – Hill Country
- 9. Visit Ella & Nine Arches Bridge – Uva Province
- 10. Explore Anuradhapura Ancient City – North Central Province
- 11. Discover Polonnaruwa Ruins – North Central Province
- 12. Visit Dambulla Cave Temple – Central Province
- 13. Go Whale Watching in Mirissa – Southern Coast
- 14. Explore Horton Plains National Park – Central Highlands
- 15. Experience Sri Lankan Food Culture
- FAQs
1. Visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress – Central Province
Sigiriya Rock Fortress is Sri Lanka’s most iconic landmark and a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back to the 5th century. Rising nearly 200 meters above the surrounding plains, this ancient rock citadel was built by King Kashyapa and served as a royal palace and fortress. Visitors climb a series of staircases past frescoes, mirror walls, and massive lion paws to reach the summit, which offers panoramic views of forests and reservoirs.
Highlights
- Google Rating: 4.7/5
- Location: Matale District, Central Sri Lanka
- Timings: 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM
- Price: From USD 30 (~₹2,500)
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2. Explore the Sacred City of Kandy – Central Highlands
Kandy is Sri Lanka’s cultural capital and the last royal capital of the ancient Sinhala kings. Nestled among hills and centered around a scenic lake, the city is best known for preserving Sri Lanka’s Buddhist heritage. Kandy hosts the annual Esala Perahera, one of Asia’s grandest religious festivals featuring traditional dancers, drummers, and decorated elephants.
Highlights
- Google Rating: 4.6/5
- Location: Central Province, Sri Lanka
- Timings: Open all day (attractions vary)
- Price: Free to explore; attraction tickets extra
3. Discover Galle Fort – Southern Province
Galle Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site built by the Portuguese in the 16th century and later expanded by the Dutch. Enclosed by massive stone ramparts overlooking the Indian Ocean, the fort features cobblestone streets, colonial-era buildings, churches, museums, boutique hotels, and cafés. Walking along the fort walls at sunset is one of Sri Lanka’s most popular experiences.
Highlights
- Google Rating: 4.7/5
- Location: Galle, Southern Sri Lanka
- Timings: Open all day
- Price: Free entry
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4. Experience Yala National Park Safari – Southern Province
Yala National Park is Sri Lanka’s most famous wildlife reserve and is known for having one of the highest leopard densities in the world. Spanning nearly 979 square kilometers, the park is home to elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles, deer, and over 200 bird species. Safari drives take place in open-top 4×4 vehicles, typically during early morning or late afternoon when wildlife activity is highest.
Highlights
- Google Rating: 4.6/5
- Location: Southern & Uva Provinces, Sri Lanka
- Timings: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM (safari slots)
- Price: From USD 25 (~₹2,100) + jeep fees
5. Relax on Bentota Beach – Western Province
Bentota Beach is one of Sri Lanka’s most popular beach destinations, known for its long stretches of golden sand and calm waters. Located along the southwest coast, it is ideal for swimming, sunbathing, and water sports such as jet skiing, snorkeling, and river safaris along the Bentota River. The area is also home to luxury beach resorts and Ayurveda wellness centers, making it a preferred destination for relaxation-focused travelers.
Highlights
- Google Rating: 4.5/5
- Location: Bentota, Western Province
- Timings: Open all day
- Price: Free beach access; activities priced separately
6. Visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic – Kandy
The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, known locally as Sri Dalada Maligawa, is Sri Lanka’s most important Buddhist shrine. It houses a sacred relic believed to be a tooth of Lord Buddha and has been a center of worship for centuries. Located within the Kandy royal palace complex, the temple plays a vital role in Sri Lankan history and religion. Daily rituals, known as poojas, attract thousands of devotees and visitors, offering insight into living Buddhist traditions.
Highlights
- Google Rating: 4.7/5
- Location:Kandy, Central Province
- Timings: 5:30 AM – 8:00 PM (pooja times)
- Price: Entry ticket required
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7. Explore Nuwara Eliya & Tea Plantations – Central Highlands
Nuwara Eliya, often called “Little England,” is a hill town located at about 1,868 meters above sea level and is the heart of Sri Lanka’s tea country. Established during British colonial rule, the town features cool temperatures, colonial-era buildings, and vast tea estates producing world-famous Ceylon tea. Visitors can tour working tea factories to learn about tea processing, walk through manicured plantations, and explore landmarks such as Gregory Lake and Hakgala Botanical Garden.
Highlights
- Google Rating: 4.6/5
- Location: Central Province, Sri Lanka
- Timings: Daytime visits recommended
- Price: Free to explore; tea factory tours priced separately
8. Ride the Kandy to Ella Scenic Train – Hill Country
The Kandy to Ella train journey is considered one of the most scenic train rides in the world. Covering approximately 155 kilometers, the journey takes 6–7 hours and passes through misty mountains, tea plantations, waterfalls, and rural villages. Built during the British era, the railway line winds through tunnels and across historic bridges, offering nonstop panoramic views.
Highlights
- Google Rating: 4.8/5
- Location: Kandy to Ella, Central Sri Lanka
- Timings: Multiple daily departures
- Price: From LKR 1,000 (~₹300)
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9. Visit Ella & Nine Arches Bridge – Uva Province
Ella is a small hill town known for its relaxed atmosphere, hiking trails, and dramatic scenery. One of its most famous landmarks is the Nine Arches Bridge, a colonial-era railway bridge built entirely of stone, brick, and cement without steel. Surrounded by dense greenery and tea fields, the bridge has become one of Sri Lanka’s most photographed sites, especially when a train crosses it.
Highlights
- Google Rating: 4.7/5
- Location:Ella, Uva Province
- Timings: Open all day
- Price: Free entry
10. Explore Anuradhapura Ancient City – North Central Province
Anuradhapura is one of Sri Lanka’s oldest ancient capitals and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, dating back over 2,000 years. It served as the center of Sinhalese civilization for more than a millennium and is revered as a sacred city in Buddhism. The vast archaeological complex features massive stupas, ancient monasteries, royal palaces, and advanced irrigation systems that still function today.
Highlights
- Google Rating: 4.7/5
- Location: North Central Province, Sri Lanka
- Timings: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Price: Entry ticket required
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11. Discover Polonnaruwa Ruins – North Central Province
Polonnaruwa was Sri Lanka’s second ancient capital and reached its peak during the 11th and 12th centuries. Today, it stands as a well-preserved UNESCO World Heritage Site showcasing royal palaces, Buddhist temples, statues, and reservoirs. The Gal Vihara, a group of colossal Buddha statues carved from a single granite rock, is one of the most remarkable highlights.
Highlights
- Google Rating: 4.6/5
- Location:North Central Province, Sri Lanka
- Timings: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Price: Entry ticket required
12. Visit Dambulla Cave Temple – Central Province
The Dambulla Cave Temple, also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla, is the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it consists of five main caves adorned with over 150 Buddha statues and extensive ceiling and murals dating back more than 2,000 years. Situated atop a rock formation, the temple offers panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.
Highlights
- Google Rating: 4.7/5
- Location: Dambulla, Central Province
- Timings: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Price: Entry ticket required
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13. Go Whale Watching in Mirissa – Southern Coast
Mirissa is Sri Lanka’s most popular whale-watching destination and one of the best places in the world to spot blue whales in their natural habitat. Located on the southern coast, the waters off Mirissa are part of a major migratory route, with sightings most common between November and April.
Highlights
- Google Rating: 4.6/5
- Location: Mirissa, Southern Province
- Timings: Early morning boat departures
- Price: From USD 40–60 (~₹3,300–5,000)
14. Explore Horton Plains National Park – Central Highlands
Horton Plains National Park is a protected high-altitude plateau located at over 2,100 meters above sea level. The park is known for its unique montane ecosystem, cloud forests, and endemic wildlife. One of its main attractions is World’s End, a dramatic cliff with a sheer drop of nearly 880 meters, offering breathtaking views on clear mornings. The park also features Baker’s Falls and several hiking trails.
Highlights
- Google Rating: 4.7/5
- Location: Central Highlands, Sri Lanka
- Timings: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Price: Entry ticket required
15. Experience Sri Lankan Food Culture
Sri Lankan food culture is deeply rooted in spice, regional diversity, and centuries-old culinary traditions. Rice and curry are the staple meal, typically served with multiple vegetable, meat, or seafood curries flavored with coconut milk and spices. Popular dishes include hoppers, kottu roti, string hoppers, and fresh seafood along the coast.
Highlights
- Google Rating: 4.8/5 (average food experiences)
- Location: Nationwide
- Timings: All day
- Price: Budget-friendly to mid-range
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FAQs
What are the best things to do in Sri Lanka for first-time visitors?
You should visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress, explore Kandy and the Temple of the Tooth Relic, take a scenic train ride to Ella, go on a wildlife safari, and relax on southern beaches.
What shouldn’t you miss in Sri Lanka?
You shouldn’t miss Sigiriya, a cultural triangle site, a hill-country train journey, a wildlife safari, and Sri Lankan food experiences.
What are the best things to do in Sri Lanka during the day?
During the day, you can explore ancient cities, go on safaris, hike hill-country trails, visit tea plantations, and tour temples and museums.
What are the best things to do in Sri Lanka at night?
At night, you can enjoy cultural dance shows, beachside dining, night markets in cities, and relaxed evenings in hill towns.
What are the most kid-friendly activities in Sri Lanka?
Yes. Safari parks, beaches, scenic train rides, cultural villages, and interactive museums are suitable for families with children.
What are the best cultural things to do in Sri Lanka?
You can explore UNESCO-listed ancient cities, visit sacred Buddhist temples, attend traditional festivals, and learn about colonial history.
What are the top food experiences in Sri Lanka?
Top food experiences include rice and curry, hoppers, kottu roti, seafood dishes, and traditional sweets like kavum and kokis.
What are the best shopping areas in Sri Lanka?
You can shop in Colombo markets, Galle Fort boutiques, Kandy markets, and local handicraft stores for spices, tea, and souvenirs.
What’s the best time of year to visit Sri Lanka for sightseeing?
The best time to visit Sri Lanka is December to March for the west and south, and April to September for the east coast, depending on the monsoon seasons.
