EXPERIENCE SRI LANKA
Bucket List
Here are our recommendations to experience the best of what Sri Lanka has to offer.
Bambarakanda is Sri Lanka’s highest waterfall
I would highly recommend this spot. Its rustic and ideal even for the solo traveler.
Eco Wild Glamping Bambarakanda
Bambarakanda is Sri Lanka’s highest waterfall
I would highly recommend this spot. Its rustic and ideal even for the solo traveler.
Kandy to Ella train ride: the most scenic train ride in Sri Lanka. You can book tickets online
Kandy Train Station Platform 2
Kandy to Ella train ride: the most scenic train ride in Sri Lanka. You can book tickets online
Dolphin watching in Kalpitiya. November to April is Dolphin watching season on the west coast
Dolphin /Whales watching Boat Tours Kalpitiya
Dolphin watching in Kalpitiya. November to April is Dolphin watching season on the west coast
The Sinhalese king Kashyapa I (reigned 477–495) built a palace in the shape of a monumental lion on the several acres of ground at the summit, intending it to be a safeguard against his enemies. However, the king was defeated in 495, and the palace fell into ruin.
It is a well-planned monastic complex that includes cave temples, bathing pools, lovely ponds, and Asia's oldest surviving landscaped gardens. Today, Sigiriya is famous for its fresco's paintings in the pocket of the rock. The “lion stairway”, the “mirror wall” and the “water gardens” are its other highlights.
There's a reason UNESCO ranks Sigiriya as the 8th Wonder of the World and once you see it you'll completely understand. Sigiriya is a stunning ruin of a castle built atop a tall rock mountain. An engineering marvel, water was piped from the pools at the base of the rock mountain, all the way up to the castle.
Sigiriya Lion Rock
The Sinhalese king Kashyapa I (reigned 477–495) built a palace in the shape of a monumental lion on the several acres of ground at the summit, intending it to be a safeguard against his enemies. However, the king was defeated in 495, and the palace fell into ruin.
It is a well-planned monastic complex that includes cave temples, bathing pools, lovely ponds, and Asia's oldest surviving landscaped gardens. Today, Sigiriya is famous for its fresco's paintings in the pocket of the rock. The “lion stairway”, the “mirror wall” and the “water gardens” are its other highlights.
There's a reason UNESCO ranks Sigiriya as the 8th Wonder of the World and once you see it you'll completely understand. Sigiriya is a stunning ruin of a castle built atop a tall rock mountain. An engineering marvel, water was piped from the pools at the base of the rock mountain, all the way up to the castle.
The most revered site in Sri Lanka, it is locally known as the Sri Dalada Maligawa and is a place of worship established in the 16th century AD. Situated adjacent to the royal palace complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy, the shrine overlooks the vast expanse of the Kandy Lake.
The golden-roofed Temple of the Sacred Tooth houses Sri Lanka's most important Buddhist relic – a tooth of the Buddha. During puja (offerings or prayers), the heavily guarded room housing the tooth is open to devotees and tourists. However, you don't actually see the tooth.
215 locals recommend
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
Sri Dalada VeediyaThe most revered site in Sri Lanka, it is locally known as the Sri Dalada Maligawa and is a place of worship established in the 16th century AD. Situated adjacent to the royal palace complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy, the shrine overlooks the vast expanse of the Kandy Lake.
The golden-roofed Temple of the Sacred Tooth houses Sri Lanka's most important Buddhist relic – a tooth of the Buddha. During puja (offerings or prayers), the heavily guarded room housing the tooth is open to devotees and tourists. However, you don't actually see the tooth.
Galle Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, originally built by the Portuguese in the 16th century and then further developed by the Dutch and the British over the next 350 years. It covers nearly 4sqkm and is protected by 12 bastions and connecting ramparts.
In spite of all the changes made over the years, the Galle Fort still remains a unique monument complex said to be "the best example of a fortified city with a fusion of European architecture and South Asian traditions built by Europeans in South and Southeast Asia".
Galle Fort
Galle Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, originally built by the Portuguese in the 16th century and then further developed by the Dutch and the British over the next 350 years. It covers nearly 4sqkm and is protected by 12 bastions and connecting ramparts.
In spite of all the changes made over the years, the Galle Fort still remains a unique monument complex said to be "the best example of a fortified city with a fusion of European architecture and South Asian traditions built by Europeans in South and Southeast Asia".
Unawatuna is one of the most popular beaches in the South as well as the entire island. It is popularly known as a family friendly area especially with the shallow water levels most ideal for swimming. Locals flock in the evening to bathe in the sea. The west end of the beach leads to some rocks and stairs to go up a small hill with a pagoda and a big Buddha statue. It makes for a nice little walk with a beautiful view overlooking the beach.
123 locals recommend
Unawatuna Beach
Unawatuna is one of the most popular beaches in the South as well as the entire island. It is popularly known as a family friendly area especially with the shallow water levels most ideal for swimming. Locals flock in the evening to bathe in the sea. The west end of the beach leads to some rocks and stairs to go up a small hill with a pagoda and a big Buddha statue. It makes for a nice little walk with a beautiful view overlooking the beach.
What is most attractive about Arugam Bay is its pristine beach. The white sandy beach is perfect to lull around lazily swinging on a hammock. But Arugam Bay which is situated about 342 kms east of Colombo is not just a location with a nice beach. It is most famous for surfing and is home to a number of quality surf breaks.
Arugam Bay Beach
What is most attractive about Arugam Bay is its pristine beach. The white sandy beach is perfect to lull around lazily swinging on a hammock. But Arugam Bay which is situated about 342 kms east of Colombo is not just a location with a nice beach. It is most famous for surfing and is home to a number of quality surf breaks.
Nilaveli (Open-land of the moon-shine) is located north-west of the Island. It is one of the most beautiful beaches in Sri Lanka renowned for its soft white sand and breath-taking bays. Nilaveli is famous for recreational water sports such as scuba diving.
27 locals recommend
Nilaveli Beach
Nilaveli (Open-land of the moon-shine) is located north-west of the Island. It is one of the most beautiful beaches in Sri Lanka renowned for its soft white sand and breath-taking bays. Nilaveli is famous for recreational water sports such as scuba diving.
Kanneliya–Dediyagala–Nakiyadeniya or KDN is a forest complex in southern Sri Lanka. The forest complex designated as a biosphere reserve in 2004 by UNESCO. The KDN complex is the last large remaining rainforest in Sri Lanka other than Sinharaja.
Kanneliya Rain Forest
Narangas Waterfall RoadKanneliya–Dediyagala–Nakiyadeniya or KDN is a forest complex in southern Sri Lanka. The forest complex designated as a biosphere reserve in 2004 by UNESCO. The KDN complex is the last large remaining rainforest in Sri Lanka other than Sinharaja.
Anagimale Ella Waterfall is situated in the Kanneliya Forest Reserve in Galle district. The falls are a 3 km trek from here and is an easy site to reach. The falls stand at a height of 46 meters. The Anagimale Ella Waterfall is surrounded by a variety of flora and fauna and is most lively in the months of May to June. There are various kinds of orchids and many species of butterflies to be found in the area surrounding the waterfall.
The Anagimale Ella Waterfall is the waterfall which is located closest to the entrance of the Kanneliya Forest Reserve. Another waterfall which is the Narangas Ella Waterfall is situated much deeper inside the forest.
Anagimale Waterfall
Anagimale Ella Waterfall is situated in the Kanneliya Forest Reserve in Galle district. The falls are a 3 km trek from here and is an easy site to reach. The falls stand at a height of 46 meters. The Anagimale Ella Waterfall is surrounded by a variety of flora and fauna and is most lively in the months of May to June. There are various kinds of orchids and many species of butterflies to be found in the area surrounding the waterfall.
The Anagimale Ella Waterfall is the waterfall which is located closest to the entrance of the Kanneliya Forest Reserve. Another waterfall which is the Narangas Ella Waterfall is situated much deeper inside the forest.
Originally built as an experimental cultivation of Cinchona and then a tea cultivation, it was finally transformed in 1884 into one of the most popular Nuwara Eliya attractions. The gardens are famous for the number of Orchid and Rose species, along with the other 10,000 species of flora planted here.
73 locals recommend
Hakgala Botanical Gardens
Peradeniya-Badulla-Chenkaladi HighwayOriginally built as an experimental cultivation of Cinchona and then a tea cultivation, it was finally transformed in 1884 into one of the most popular Nuwara Eliya attractions. The gardens are famous for the number of Orchid and Rose species, along with the other 10,000 species of flora planted here.
Minneriya National Park
A11Elephants - need we say more?
Colombo Lotus Tower
AC6For an ariel view of Colombo and it's suburbs
Get up close and personal with these gentle giants. Time your visit to watch them cooling off in the river.
63 locals recommend
Elephant Orphanage - Pinnawala
B199Get up close and personal with these gentle giants. Time your visit to watch them cooling off in the river.
Anuradhapura is famous for being the ancient capital of Sri Lanka. It's also famous for having well preserved ruins of the Sinhala civilization, giving it much historical significance.
Ancient Round Well ඓතිහාසික වට පොකුණ
Anuradhapura is famous for being the ancient capital of Sri Lanka. It's also famous for having well preserved ruins of the Sinhala civilization, giving it much historical significance.
The Aukana Buddha statue is not only the tallest ancient Buddha statue in Sri Lanka, it is also arguably the most elegant. It lies to the west of the large Kala Wewa tank near Anuradhapura and stands 12m, completely free-standing and carved from a single rock.
While the statue is often said to have been made at the behest of King Dhatusena, another theory is that it was done by an individual named Barana.
Aukana Rajamaha Viharaya
The Aukana Buddha statue is not only the tallest ancient Buddha statue in Sri Lanka, it is also arguably the most elegant. It lies to the west of the large Kala Wewa tank near Anuradhapura and stands 12m, completely free-standing and carved from a single rock.
While the statue is often said to have been made at the behest of King Dhatusena, another theory is that it was done by an individual named Barana.