Where to go
Sri Lanka Destinations
From ancient cities and misty tea country to leopard safaris and golden beaches — discover the best places to visit on your Sri Lanka tour.
Explore the island
Interactive Map of Sri Lanka
Click any place on the map to discover what to see and do there, the best time to visit and how far it is from our base in Negombo. Planning a safari? See our guide to national parks in Sri Lanka.
Northern Province
Jaffna
The cultural heart of Sri Lanka’s Tamil north, with colourful Hindu temples, a Dutch star fort, quiet islands and its own famous cuisine – a world away from the usual tourist trail.
Top sightseeing in Jaffna
- Nallur Kandaswamy TempleGolden-gated Hindu temple and Jaffna’s spiritual centre
- Jaffna Fort17th-century Dutch star fort on the lagoon
- Jaffna Public LibraryRebuilt landmark and a symbol of the city
- Nainativu (Nagadeepa)Island temples sacred to Buddhists and Hindus
- Casuarina BeachCalm, shallow beach lined with casuarina trees
- Point PedroSri Lanka’s northernmost point and lighthouse
East Coast
Trincomalee
A deep natural harbour with turquoise bays, soft white beaches and some of the island’s best snorkelling – sunny and calm when the monsoon hits the other side of the island.
Top sightseeing in Trincomalee
- Pigeon Island National ParkSnorkel with reef sharks, turtles and coral
- Nilaveli & Uppuveli beachesLong, quiet white-sand beaches
- Whale & dolphin watchingBlue whales and spinner dolphins offshore
- Koneswaram TempleClifftop Hindu temple on Swami Rock
- Fort FrederickColonial fort with resident spotted deer
- Marble BeachClear, sheltered bay ideal for swimming
North-West · National Park
Wilpattu
Sri Lanka’s largest national park – a wild, uncrowded landscape of forest and natural lakes (villus) where leopards, sloth bears and elephants roam, with far fewer jeeps than Yala.
Top sightseeing in Wilpattu
- Jeep safariQuiet tracks with very few other vehicles
- Leopard spottingOne of the best parks for leopard sightings
- The villusNatural sand-rimmed lakes full of birdlife
- Sloth bears & elephantsOften seen around the waterholes
- Kudiramalai PointRemote coastal headland steeped in history
- Kalpitiya (nearby)Dolphin watching and kite surfing
Cultural Triangle
Anuradhapura
Sri Lanka’s first ancient capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where giant white dagobas, sacred trees and monastery ruins spread across a peaceful, green sacred city.
Top sightseeing in Anuradhapura
- Sri Maha BodhiThe world’s oldest documented tree, grown from Buddha’s Bodhi tree
- RuwanwelisayaHuge white dagoba built over 2,000 years ago
- JetavanaramayaOnce one of the tallest structures in the ancient world
- Abhayagiri MonasteryVast ruined monastic complex in the forest
- Isurumuniya Rock TempleRock-cut temple famous for the ‘Lovers’ carving
- MihintaleHilltop where Buddhism arrived in Sri Lanka
Cultural Triangle
Sigiriya
The iconic 5th-century Lion Rock fortress rises 200 m above the jungle – a UNESCO World Heritage Site with royal gardens, ancient frescoes and unforgettable views from the summit.
Top sightseeing in Sigiriya
- Sigiriya Lion RockClimb past the lion’s paws to the palace ruins on top
- Frescoes & Mirror Wall1,500-year-old paintings and ancient graffiti
- Water & boulder gardensAncient landscaped gardens at the base
- Pidurangala RockSunrise hike with the best view of Sigiriya
- Village tourBullock cart, catamaran ride and a home-cooked lunch
- Minneriya National ParkThe famous elephant ‘Gathering’ (Jul – Oct)
Cultural Triangle
Dambulla
Home of the Golden Temple of Dambulla, a UNESCO-listed cave complex whose five caves hold more than 150 Buddha statues beneath painted ceilings over 2,000 years old.
Top sightseeing in Dambulla
- Dambulla Cave TempleFive painted caves and 150+ Buddha statues
- Golden TempleGiant golden Buddha at the foot of the rock
- Cave terrace viewpointPanoramic views across the plains to Sigiriya
- Dambulla Economic CentreThe island’s biggest fruit and vegetable market
- Ibbankatuwa tombs2,700-year-old megalithic burial site
- Nalanda GedigeUnique stone temple blending Hindu and Buddhist styles
Cultural Triangle
Polonnaruwa
The medieval royal capital of Sri Lanka and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where well-preserved palaces, temples and giant rock-carved Buddhas are best explored by bicycle.
Top sightseeing in Polonnaruwa
- Gal ViharaFour magnificent Buddha statues carved from one rock
- Royal Palace of ParakramabahuRuins of a once seven-storey palace
- Polonnaruwa VatadageCircular relic house with exquisite stone carvings
- Parakrama SamudraHuge ancient reservoir, beautiful at sunset
- Lankatilaka Image HouseTowering brick shrine with a giant Buddha
- Cycling tourExplore the ancient city on two wheels
Hill Capital
Kandy
The last royal capital and cultural heart of Sri Lanka, set around a lake in the hills – home of the sacred Temple of the Tooth and the spectacular Esala Perahera festival.
Top sightseeing in Kandy
- Temple of the Sacred Tooth RelicSri Lanka’s most sacred Buddhist temple
- Kandy LakeGentle lakeside walk in the city centre
- Royal Botanic Gardens, PeradeniyaOrchids, giant bamboo and avenues of palms
- Kandyan cultural dance showDrummers, dancers and fire walkers
- Bahirawakanda BuddhaHilltop statue with views over Kandy
- Pinnawala (en route)Watch elephants bathing in the river
West Coast · Our home base
Negombo
Our home town, just 15 minutes from Bandaranaike International Airport – a relaxed fishing town with a lagoon, a Dutch-era canal, golden beaches and fresh seafood. The perfect first and last stop.
Top sightseeing in Negombo
- Negombo Lagoon boat rideMangroves, birdlife and fishing villages
- Dutch (Hamilton) CanalColonial canal running down the coast
- Lellama Fish MarketLively market beside traditional outrigger boats
- St. Mary’s ChurchColourful painted ceilings in ‘Little Rome’
- Negombo BeachSunsets, seafood and beach bars
- Dutch Fort gatewayRemains of the 1678 fort and clock tower
Western Province · Capital
Colombo
Sri Lanka’s vibrant commercial capital, where colonial landmarks, colourful temples, bustling bazaars and an oceanfront promenade make for a fascinating city tour.
Top sightseeing in Colombo
- Gangaramaya TempleEclectic temple and museum by Beira Lake
- Galle Face GreenOceanfront promenade, best at sunset
- Pettah MarketMaze of bazaars, spices and street food
- National MuseumRoyal regalia and Sri Lankan history
- Independence Memorial HallLandmark in leafy Cinnamon Gardens
- Lotus TowerSouth Asia’s tallest tower with 360° views
Tea Country
Nuwara Eliya
‘Little England’ in the misty highlands at 1,868 m – rolling tea estates, colonial bungalows, waterfalls and cool mountain air, with Horton Plains National Park on the doorstep.
Top sightseeing in Nuwara Eliya
- Tea factory & plantation tourSee Ceylon tea made from leaf to cup
- Horton Plains & World’s EndSunrise hike to an 870 m sheer drop
- Gregory LakeBoating and lakeside walks
- Victoria ParkColonial-era park in the town centre
- Hakgala Botanical GardenRoses, ferns and mountain views
- Ramboda FallsOne of the island’s tallest waterfalls
Hill Country · Sri Pada
Adam’s Peak
A sacred 2,243 m mountain revered by four faiths. Pilgrims and hikers climb its 5,500 steps through the night to watch an unforgettable sunrise and the peak’s triangular shadow.
Top sightseeing in Adam’s Peak
- Night climb to the summitAround 5,500 lit steps to the top
- Sunrise and the peak’s shadowA perfect triangle cast over the clouds
- Sri Pada shrineThe sacred footprint temple at the summit
- Dalhousie villageBase village for the climb
- Maskeliya tea estatesScenic views on the drive in
- Laxapana FallsOne of Sri Lanka’s highest waterfalls
Hill Country
Ella
A laid-back mountain village surrounded by tea-covered hills – famous for the Nine Arch Bridge, easy sunrise hikes and the scenic train ride from Kandy.
Top sightseeing in Ella
- Nine Arch BridgeColonial railway viaduct in the jungle
- Little Adam’s PeakEasy hike with sweeping valley views
- Ella RockLonger hike to a dramatic summit
- Kandy to Ella train rideOne of the world’s most scenic rail journeys
- Ravana FallsWaterfall linked to the Ramayana legend
- Flying Ravana ziplineFly over the tea fields
East Coast
Arugam Bay
A world-famous surf town and laid-back beach village on the east coast, with lagoons, wildlife and quiet bays to explore when the season is on.
Top sightseeing in Arugam Bay
- Surfing at Main PointWorld-class right-hand point break
- Whisky Point & Peanut FarmBeginner-friendly breaks and quiet beaches
- Kumana National ParkBirds, elephants and leopards
- Pottuvil Lagoon safariMangroves, crocodiles and elephants
- Elephant RockShort climb for sunset views
- Muhudu Maha ViharayaAncient beachfront temple ruins
Southern Plains · National Park
Udawalawe
The best place in Sri Lanka to see wild elephants – large herds roam the open grasslands around the reservoir all year, along with buffalo, crocodiles and eagles.
Top sightseeing in Udawalawe
- Udawalawe jeep safariElephant herds almost guaranteed
- Elephant Transit HomeOrphaned baby elephants at feeding time
- Udawalawe ReservoirCrocodiles, birds and sunset views
- BirdwatchingEagles, peacocks and kingfishers
- Water buffalo & crocodilesCommon sights near the water
- Easy add-onCombine with Yala, Ella or the south coast
Deep South · National Park
Yala
Sri Lanka’s most famous wildlife park, with one of the highest leopard densities in the world plus elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles and over 200 species of birds.
Top sightseeing in Yala
- Jeep safariEarly morning and late afternoon are best for leopards
- Leopards, elephants & sloth bearsThe ‘big three’ of Yala
- Kataragama TempleSacred pilgrimage site for several faiths
- Sithulpawwa Rock Temple2,000-year-old monastery inside the park
- KirindaRocky beach and hilltop temple
- Bundala National ParkWetlands, birds and flamingos
West Coast
Bentota
Golden beaches, a palm-fringed river and calm waters make Bentota a favourite for beach holidays, water sports and resorts – just two hours from Negombo.
Top sightseeing in Bentota
- Bentota BeachWide golden beach ideal for relaxing
- Madu River safariMangroves, cinnamon island and island temples
- Kosgoda Turtle HatcherySee baby turtles hatch and be released
- Brief GardenArtist Bevis Bawa’s tropical garden
- LunugangaGeoffrey Bawa’s famous country estate
- Water sportsJet ski, banana boat and windsurfing
South Coast
Galle
A UNESCO-listed 17th-century Dutch fort city with cobbled streets, boutique cafés, ramparts and a lighthouse overlooking the Indian Ocean.
Top sightseeing in Galle
- Galle Fort ramparts walkBest at sunset
- Galle LighthouseThe fort’s iconic landmark
- Dutch Reformed Church18th-century church with old tombstones
- Unawatuna BeachSheltered bay for swimming
- Japanese Peace PagodaWhite stupa on Rumassala hill
- Koggala stilt fishermenSri Lanka’s famous traditional fishermen
South Coast
Mirissa
A palm-fringed crescent bay on the south coast and one of the best places in the world to see blue whales – with beautiful beaches, surf and laid-back cafés.
Top sightseeing in Mirissa
- Blue whale watchingSightings from November to April
- Coconut Tree HillThe island’s most photographed palm grove
- Secret BeachSmall hidden cove for swimming
- Parrot RockClimb for sunset views over the bay
- Weligama surfingGentle waves for beginners
- Turtle snorkellingSwim with sea turtles nearby
Not sure where to go?
Let Us Plan Your Perfect Route
Tell us how many days you have and what you love — culture, wildlife, beaches or hiking — and our Negombo-based team will design a private itinerary that connects the best destinations at a relaxed pace.