Places to Visit in Sri Lanka

Welcome to the jewel of the Indian Ocean – Sri Lanka! Sunshine Lanka Travels invite you to embark on a remarkable journey to discover the mesmerizing beauty of Sri Lanka. This enchanting island country is packed with breathtaking landscapes, vibrant culture, and rich history. If you are planning a trip to this tropical paradise, here are some must-visit places that will leave you in awe.

Galle Sri Lanka

Nestled within imposing 17th-century Dutch fortifications, Galle Fort is the heart of the town and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As you enter this well-preserved fortress, you'll be transported back in time.

Horton Plains National Park

Horton Plains National Park is a national park in the central highlands of Sri Lanka that was designated in 1988. It is located at an elevation of 2,100–2,300 m and encompasses montane grassland and cloud forest.

Udawalawe National Park

Udawalawe National Park is famous for the animals that are preserved in here. The most famous among them is sightseeing of elephants.

Temple of the Tooth in Kandy

The Temple of the Tooth Relic or Sri Dalada Maligawa is a Buddhist temple in Kandy, Sri Lanka. It is located in the royal palace complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy, which houses the relic of the tooth of the Buddha.

Dambulla Cave Temple

Dambulla cave temple also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla is a World Heritage Site (1991) in Sri Lanka, situated in the central part of the country.

Polonnaruwa

The Ancient City of Polonnaruwa has been declared a World Heritage Site.The second oldest of all Sri Lanka’s kingdoms, Polonnaruwa was first established as a military post by the Sinhalese kingdom.

Anuradhapura

Anuradhapura is a major city located in north central plain of Sri Lanka. The city is now a World Heritage Site famous for its well-preserved ruins of the ancient Sinhalese civilization.

Adam’s Peak

Adam's Peak or Śrī Pāda is a 2,243 m (7,359 ft) tall conical sacred mountain located in central Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka National Museum

Sri Lanka National Museum of Natural History is a museum that covers the natural heritage of Sri Lanka. The museum is located closer to the National Museum of Colombo.

Minneriya National Park

Minneriya National Park is a national park in North Central Province of Sri Lanka. The area was designated as a national park on 12 August 1997, having been originally declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1938.

Sinharaja Forest Reserve

Sinharaja Forest Reserve is a forest reserve and a biodiversity hotspot in Sri Lanka. It is of international significance and has been designated a Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Nuwara Eliya

Nuwara Eliya is a city in the tea country hills of central Sri Lanka. The naturally landscaped Hakgala Botanical Gardens displays roses and tree ferns, and shelters monkeys and blue magpies.

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is a captive breeding and conservation institute for wild Asian elephants located at Pinnawala village.

Bentota

Bentota is a resort town on Sri Lanka’s southwest coast. Its long Bentota Beach stretches north, where it becomes a sandy strip known as Paradise Island, parallel to Bentota Lagoon.

Colombo

Colombo is the executive and judicial capital and largest city of Sri Lanka by population.It is the financial centre of the island and a tourist destination.

Jaffna

Jaffna is a city on the northern tip of Sri Lanka. Nallur Kandaswamy is a huge Hindu temple with golden arches and an ornate gopuram tower.

St. Clair Falls

St. Clair Falls is one of the widest waterfalls in Sri Lanka and is commonly known as the “Little Niagara of Sri Lanka”. It is one of six waterfalls affected by the Upper Kotmale Hydropower Project.

Arugam Bay Beach

Arugam Bay Beach is the perfect place to visit to enjoy water-based activities and scenic views. Gently swaying coconut trees, sandy, white beaches bordering turquoise waters is a treat to tired souls.

Ella

Ella is a small town in the Badulla District of Uva Province, Sri Lanka governed by an Urban Council. The area has a rich bio-diversity, dense with numerous varieties of flora and fauna.

Yala National Park

Yala National Park is a huge area of forest, grassland and lagoons bordering the Indian Ocean, in southeast Sri Lanka. It’s home to wildlife such as leopards, Herds of elephants, deer, monkeys, buffaloes, birds, sloth bears, crocodiles, as well as hundreds of bird species and many more.

Sigiriya