Sri Lanka is an incredibly beautiful country filled with plenty of attractions to see and enjoy. However, there are certain places that you should not miss when visiting the country.
One of the best places to visit in Sri Lanka is Nuwara Eliya. Here you can experience the beauty of tea gardens and witness cascading waterfalls.
Colombo
Colombo is a thriving city full of cultural and historical charm. It is also a bustling commercial hub, with many skyscrapers rising up around the city.
This city has a diverse culture that combines elements of European, Indian and Asian influence. This is evident in the architecture, language and food of Colombo.
Sri Lanka’s National Museum is a great place to learn about the country’s past. It displays a collection of 18th-century galleries that showcase various art pieces that depict the cultural heritage of Sri Lanka.
Another must-visit museum in Colombo is the Dutch Period Museum. This museum has a vast collection of historical artefacts and ship models.
Yala National Park
Yala National Park is home to a diverse range of wildlife. It’s a great place to spot Asian elephants, sloth bears, spotted deer, sambar deer and the elusive Sri Lankan leopard.
Its landscape encompasses a diverse array of habitats, from dry monsoon forests and thorn scrub to open planes of grassland and freshwater wetlands. It’s also home to a large population of migratory birds.
The best time to visit Yala National Park is during the shoulder season, from May to July and September to November. This is a great way to avoid crowds and experience better wildlife sightings.
Yala National Park is one of the most popular national parks in Sri Lanka and it’s a must-visit. It’s the perfect destination for wildlife enthusiasts and is renowned for its awe-inspiring landscape. It’s also a sacred place for Buddhists and Hindus.
Kandy
Kandy is a beautiful city in Sri Lanka that is filled with old colonial buildings. It is also known as the home of Buddha’s tooth relic which can be seen in the Temple of the Tooth.
Another popular attraction is the Royal Botanical Gardens of Kandy. It is a beautiful garden with a huge variety of plants and trees that can be explored on foot.
The Tea Museum is a great place to learn more about the country’s unique tea culture. It is built on the original 1925 Hantana Tea Factory and has strong exhibits of tea legends James Taylor and Thomas Lipton.
If you’re looking for something a little different, try a cooking class where you will learn some traditional recipes and cook a Sri Lankan meal with a local chef. It is also a great way to see some of the local culture and get an insight into how they live.
Udawatta Kele Sanctuary
Udawatta Kele Sanctuary is an enchanting forest reserve in the Kandy area. It is a rich storehouse of endemic flora and birds.
- It is situated behind the Temple of Tooth Relic in Kandy and is 257 acres in size. This forest was first designated as a forest reserve in 1856 and became a sanctuary in 1938.
- The dense forest cover prevents the sunlight from reaching the ground, giving it a cool climate. The jungle has a wide variety of plants and wildlife including snakes.
- The ponds in the sanctuary house fish species like tilapia and are home to reptiles and amphibians. The jungle also has a variety of birds such as Layard’s Parakeet, Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot, Yellow Fronted Barbet and Black Crested Bul Bul.
Tissamaharama
Tissamaharama is a charming, smaller city in Sri Lanka that offers some unique experiences. It may not be as well known as other places in the country, but it’s definitely worth a visit.
The town is a starting point for exploring Yala National Park and Kataragama. It also provides access to three nature reserves that protect over 350 animal and bird species.
It’s a good place to go for jeep safaris to find wild elephants, leopards and other animals. In addition, it’s home to Kosgoda sea turtle hatchery where you can watch baby sea turtles grow up.
Another popular landmark of the town is Sandagiri Vehera Dagoba, a Buddhist temple that’s considered one of the oldest in the country. It enshrines a variety of relics including a rare conch shell.
