Explore Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka Attractions
From Sigiriya Rock and Yala leopard safaris to hill country trains and pristine beaches — discover the best places to visit and things to see across Sri Lanka.
Must Visit Cultural Triangle
Sigiriya Rock Fortress
Climb this 5th-century rock citadel rising 200 metres above the jungle. UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Trending Hill Country
Ella
A misty mountain village loved by backpackers and luxury travellers alike, surrounded by emerald tea estates.
South Coast
Galle Fort
UNESCO-listed Dutch colonial fort with charming cafes, boutique hotels and sweeping ocean views.
Hill Country
Kandy
Sri Lanka's cultural capital and home to the revered Temple of the Tooth Relic.
Wildlife Parks
Yala National Park
The world's highest leopard density. Also home to elephants, sloth bears and crocodiles.
South Coast
Mirissa
Gorgeous crescent beach — Sri Lanka's top whale watching departure point.
Cultural Triangle
Polonnaruwa
A UNESCO-listed ancient capital with magnificent Buddhist shrines, palaces and moats.
Hill Country
Nuwara Eliya
Little England in the clouds — Sri Lanka's highest city, ringed by world-famous tea estates.
East Coast
Trincomalee
One of the world's finest natural harbours — and home to stunning Nilaveli beach.
East Coast
Arugam Bay
One of Asia's top surf spots, with a chilled-out vibe and world-class point breaks.
Cultural Triangle
Anuradhapura
Sri Lanka's first ancient capital — a vast UNESCO site with towering dagobas and the sacred Bodhi Tree.
North & Jaffna
Jaffna
The Tamil cultural capital of Sri Lanka — ancient kovils, island cycling, and a distinctive cuisine.
South Coast
Hikkaduwa
Sri Lanka's original beach resort — coral reef snorkelling, surf breaks and beach bar life.
South Coast
Bentota
Luxury beach resort town with river safaris, water sports and colonial-era hotels.
South Coast
Hiriketiya
A sheltered horseshoe bay perfect for beginner surfing and yoga retreats.
South Coast
Dikwella
Wild, unspoilt beach with Sri Lanka's largest seated Buddha statue nearby.
East Coast
Nilaveli
White-sand beach near Trincomalee — gateway to Pigeon Island coral reef.
East Coast
Uppuveli
Quiet, beautiful beach just north of Trincomalee, perfect for escaping the crowds.
Northwest
Kalpitiya
Sri Lanka's kitesurfing capital, with dolphin watching and dolphin safaris.
East Coast
Batticaloa
The Singing Fish lagoon, Dutch fort ruins and a city slowly rediscovering tourism.
North Sri Lanka
Mannar
Remote island with ancient baobab trees, bird watching and the ruins of a Portuguese fort.
Hill Country
Adam's Peak
Sri Lanka's sacred mountain — an overnight pilgrimage climb for a legendary sunrise.
Hill Country
Nine Arch Bridge
The iconic colonial viaduct framed by jungle — Ella's most photographed sight.
East Coast
Pigeon Island
Sri Lanka's best snorkelling — blacktip reef sharks and coral gardens off Nilaveli.
North Sri Lanka
Delft Island
A wild, windswept island of wild ponies, coral walls and ancient ruins near Jaffna.
Hill Country
Ambuluwawa
A striking multi-religious tower and biodiversity complex with 360° hilltop views.
Hill Country
World's End
An 870-metre sheer cliff drop at Horton Plains — one of Sri Lanka's most dramatic viewpoints.
Hill Country
Ravana Falls
Mythological waterfall beside the road near Ella — popular swimming and photo stop.
Hill Country
Diyaluma Falls
Sri Lanka's highest waterfall at 220m, with natural rock pools at the top.
Wildlife Parks
Bundala National Park
Ramsar wetland reserve and prime flamingo habitat on the south coast.
Wildlife Parks
Wasgamuwa
Remote highland park with large elephant herds and sloth bears, near the Cultural Triangle.
Wildlife Parks
Kumana National Park
East coast wilderness bordering Yala — birds, leopards and a famous waterbird nesting colony.
Wildlife
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
Watch 80+ rescued elephants bathe in the river — Sri Lanka's most iconic wildlife experience.
Colombo
Gangaramaya Temple
Colombo's most eclectic Buddhist temple — a surreal collection of Buddha statues and religious art.
Colombo
Galle Face Green
Colombo's beloved oceanfront promenade — street food, kite-flying and Indian Ocean sunsets.
South Coast
Matara
Southern city with Dutch fort, surf beach and the southernmost railway station.
Hill Country
Kitulgala
Sri Lanka's adventure capital — white water rafting, canyoning and the filming location of The Bridge on the River Kwai.
Hill Country
Haputale
A ridge-top hill town with sweeping views to the coast and the legendary Lipton's Seat viewpoint.
Cultural Triangle
Mihintale
The mountain where Buddhism arrived in Sri Lanka in 247 BC — ancient dagobas and sacred steps.
Cultural Triangle
Ritigala
Hidden jungle monastery ruins in a Strict Nature Reserve — Sri Lanka's most atmospheric ancient site.
Cultural Triangle
Yapahuwa
A 13th-century rock fortress and former royal capital with an ornate decorative stairway.
East Coast
Pasikuda
The East Coast's most famous beach — a shallow turquoise lagoon with excellent snorkelling on the fringing reef.
North Sri Lanka
Nainativu
A tiny sacred island near Jaffna with both a revered Hindu temple and an ancient Buddhist vihara.
Hill Country
Hatton
Gateway to Adam's Peak — base town for the iconic overnight pilgrimage climb and surrounding tea country.
West Coast
Kalutara
The closest beach destination to Colombo — golden sands, a famous hollow dagoba and the start of the coconut coast.
South Coast
Talpe
Ancient rock pools, iconic stilt fishermen at dawn and boutique villas just 10km from Galle.
South Coast
Mawella Bay
A sheltered lagoon and colourful fishing village — one of the south coast's best-kept secrets near Tangalle.
South Coast
Madiha
Quiet reef beach between Mirissa and Matara with snorkelling, sea turtles and far fewer crowds.
South Coast
Talalla
Undeveloped bay with beginner surf, yoga retreats and a slow pace that the bigger beaches have lost.
Cultural Triangle
Pidurangala Rock
The USD 3 alternative to Sigiriya — a sunrise hike with the best view of Lion Rock on the planet.
Colombo
Colombo
Sri Lanka's vibrant capital — colonial architecture, world-class food and a thriving arts scene.
Cultural Triangle
Dambulla Cave Temple
Five magnificent cave temples carved into a 160m rock — Sri Lanka's largest and best-preserved cave sanctuary.
South Coast
Unawatuna
One of Sri Lanka's most popular beaches — a sheltered bay with calm water, snorkelling and beach bars.
South Coast
Weligama
The best place to learn to surf in Sri Lanka — a wide bay with gentle beach breaks and dozens of surf schools.
South Coast
Ahangama
Stilt fishermen heartland, Kabalana reef break and the quieter side of the south coast between Galle and Mirissa.
South Coast
Tangalle
Wild, unspoilt beaches and sea turtle nesting sites on the deep south coast.
West Coast
Negombo
The gateway city near the airport — Dutch canals, a famous fish market and a lively beach strip.
Wildlife Parks
Minneriya
Home to the famous elephant gathering — hundreds of elephants congregating around an ancient reservoir (Aug–Oct).
Wildlife Parks
Udawalawe
The best park in Sri Lanka for reliable elephant sightings — large herds guaranteed on almost every safari.
Wildlife Parks
Wilpattu
Sri Lanka's largest national park — leopards, sloth bears and villus (natural lakes) in the dry north-west.
Hill Country
Horton Plains
Cloud forest plateau with the dramatic World's End viewpoint and Baker's Falls — a cool, misty escape.
Wildlife Parks
Sinharaja Forest
Sri Lanka's last viable lowland rainforest — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and haven for endemic birds.
Hill Country
Knuckles Range
A dramatic UNESCO-listed mountain range with multi-day trekking, waterfalls and remote village stays.
North & Jaffna
Islands of Jaffna
A chain of remote islands off the Jaffna Peninsula — causeway drives, ancient temples and isolated beaches.
City of Gems
Ratnapura
Sri Lanka's City of Gems — blue sapphires, ruby and cat's eye, gem mine tours and the National Gem Museum.