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Amangalla, Sri Lanka

Things to do guide

The best things to do in Sri Lanka

Updated 1 October 2026 · 17 things to do

Pictured: Amangalla

Sri Lanka is a small island with a very large to-do list. In a single trip you can climb a fifth-century rock fortress, ride one of the world's great train journeys through tea country, watch elephants gather at a reservoir, eat your way through a banana-leaf curry and finish with a whale-watching trip off the south coast.

Distances look short on the map and feel longer on the roads, so the best plans pick a few regions and take their time. A classic loop runs from the Cultural Triangle through Kandy and the hill country to the beaches of the south. Come hungry and bring a sense of humour for the traffic.

Don't miss

  1. 1Sigiriya
  2. 2The train from Kandy to Ella
  3. 3Galle Fort
  4. 4Yala National Park
  5. 5Whale watching from Mirissa

Ancient cities and temples

The cultural heart of Sri Lanka, inland and north of Kandy.

  1. Sigiriya

    Landmark

    The Sigiriya rock fortress rising above the forest canopy
    Photo: Shamilapathirana, CC BY-SA 4.0

    A sheer granite rock rising straight out of the jungle, crowned by the ruins of a fifth-century palace. You climb through mirrored walls, past ancient frescoes of celestial maidens and between a pair of giant lion's paws, then step out onto the summit for views across a patchwork of forest and lakes.

    The water gardens at the foot are among the oldest landscaped gardens in Asia. Sigiriya is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most famous sight in the country.

    Tip: Go at opening time or late afternoon to beat both the heat and the crowds.

  2. Dambulla Cave Temple

    Landmark

    The golden stupa at the Dambulla cave temple
    Photo: Pierre André Leclercq, CC BY 4.0

    A hillside of caves filled with gilded Buddha statues and ceilings painted with scenes from the Buddha's life, still a working Buddhist place of worship. The caves are reached by a stepped climb with views over the plains towards Sigiriya.

    Tip: Cover your shoulders and knees, and remove shoes and hats before entering the shrines.

  3. Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic

    Landmark

    The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy
    Photo: Philip Nalangan, CC BY 4.0

    In Kandy, beside the lake, this is the most sacred Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka, said to house a tooth of the Buddha. Pilgrims arrive with lotus flowers, drums beat during the evening ceremonies, and the whole place hums with devotion.

    Kandy is the hill capital, and its annual Esala Perahera procession, with drummers, dancers and decorated elephants, is among the most famous festivals in Asia.

  4. Polonnaruwa

    Day trip

    The medieval capital of Sri Lanka is a sprawl of ruined palaces, temples and giant stone Buddhas scattered across a park. Gal Vihara, with its reclining and standing Buddhas carved into a single granite outcrop, is the highlight. Hire a bicycle to cover the site in the cool of the morning.

Hills, tea and trains

  1. The train from Kandy to Ella

    Activity

    Tea-covered hills seen from the hill-country train between Kandy and Ella
    Photo: Adam Jones from Kelowna, BC, Canada, CC BY-SA 2.0

    One of the world's great rail journeys: a slow, swaying ride through emerald tea plantations, misty forests and little hill stations, with locals leaning out of open doors to wave. It's as much a part of the trip as the destinations at each end.

    Tip: Reserved seats on the scenic trains sell out well ahead, so book early.

  2. Nine Arch Bridge

    Landmark

    The Nine Arch Bridge at Demodara near Ella
    Photo: Dr.S.Rajivraja, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Near Ella, this curving stone-and-brick viaduct sits in a jungle valley, and the best view is when a train rolls across. It's a short walk from town, and a favourite spot for a photograph and a snack from a nearby stall.

  3. Horton Plains and World's End

    Nature

    The cliff edge at World's End in Horton Plains
    Photo: Pamuditha2000, CC BY-SA 4.0

    A high plateau of grassland and cloud forest in the central highlands, with a circular walk to World's End, where the land drops away in a sheer cliff of hundreds of metres. Arrive at dawn, when the view is clearest, before the mist rolls in.

    Tip: It is cold at dawn. Pack a jacket, and start early.

  4. Tea estates near Nuwara Eliya

    Nature

    Nuwara Eliya is the heart of Ceylon tea country, a cool hill town with colonial-era houses and steep slopes of tea bushes. Visit a working estate to see how the leaf is plucked and processed, then taste the result with a view of the hills.

Wildlife

  1. Yala National Park

    Wildlife

    A leopard in the bush at Yala National Park
    Photo: Eli Solidum, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Sri Lanka's most famous national park, in the south-east, is known for its leopards, as well as elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles and a big variety of birds. Jeep safaris leave early in the morning and in the afternoon, when the animals are most active.

    Tip: Book a licensed jeep and driver through your hotel, and go early.

  2. Udawalawe National Park

    Wildlife

    An open, easy-to-spot landscape of grassland and scrub, where herds of wild elephants gather at the reservoir. It's one of the most reliable places in Sri Lanka to see elephants, and it makes a good stop between the hills and the south coast.

  3. Whale watching from Mirissa

    Wildlife

    A blue whale seen on a whale-watching trip from Mirissa
    Photo: Arian Zwegers, CC BY 2.0

    Off the south coast, the continental shelf drops away quickly, bringing blue whales and other species close to shore. Boats leave Mirissa harbour at dawn for a few hours at sea. The season runs from around November to April, and sightings are never guaranteed.

    Tip: Choose an operator that follows responsible whale-watching guidelines, and take seasickness tablets.

Coast and beaches

  1. Galle Fort

    Landmark

    The wall of Galle Fort and its lighthouse
    Photo: Jan Kranendonk (https://www.jankranendonk.nl), CC BY-SA 4.0

    A Dutch-built fortress on the south-west coast, where cobbled lanes, whitewashed houses, old churches, boutiques and cafés sit inside ramparts that you can walk all the way round. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and sunset on the walls is a ritual.

    Tip: Walk the ramparts in the late afternoon, as the heat fades.

  2. Unawatuna

    Beach

    The beach at Unawatuna
    Photo: Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 3.0

    A crescent of sand just along from Galle, with calm, shallow water, palm trees and a long line of beach cafés. It's the kind of place where you plan an afternoon swim and find the sun has set. Snorkelling over the nearby reef is a good lazy option.

  3. Mirissa Beach

    Beach

    A palm-fringed bay on the south coast with a relaxed beach-bar scene, and a small offshore rock to climb at low tide. It's where most travellers base themselves for whale watching, and the sunsets are excellent.

Eat and drink

  1. Rice and curry

    Food

    A Sri Lankan rice and curry meal with papadum
    Photo: me, CC BY-SA 4.0

    The national meal: a heap of rice surrounded by a small feast of vegetable curries, dhal, a fiery sambol and a crunchy papadum. You eat it with your right hand, and portions are generous. A good version on a banana leaf can be the best meal of your trip.

  2. Hoppers

    Food

    Bowl-shaped, crisp-edged pancakes made from fermented rice flour and coconut milk, often with a fried egg in the middle. Eat them for breakfast or dinner with a spicy sambol on the side. String hoppers, delicate steamed noodle nests, are a good alternative.

  3. Kottu roti

    Food

    Kottu roti packed in a takeaway box
    Photo: Chamal N, CC BY-SA 3.0

    Street food made to be heard before it's seen: flatbread is chopped and stir-fried on a hot griddle with vegetables, egg, spices and chicken or cheese, to the clatter of two metal blades. Find a busy stall in the evening and follow your ears.

Where to stay in Sri Lanka

Not sure which area suits you? Read our guide: Where to stay in Sri Lanka →

Getting around

Distances are short but roads are slow, so allow more time than the map suggests. Many visitors hire a car with a driver, which also helps with local knowledge. The trains are scenic, cheap and often sell out, and tuk-tuks are the way to travel around towns.

When to go

Sri Lanka has two monsoons, so something is always in season. The west and south coasts and the hills are generally at their best from December to March. The east coast is better from around April to September. Pack for rain in the hills at any time.

Questions about visiting Sri Lanka

What is Sri Lanka best known for?
Ancient temples and ruined cities, tea plantations, leopards and elephants in the national parks, golden beaches, and curries. Sigiriya and the Kandy to Ella train are the best-known sights.
Is Sri Lanka worth visiting?
Yes. For its size, Sri Lanka packs in history, wildlife, scenery and beaches, and it is easy to combine them in a single trip.
What is there to do in Sri Lanka with kids?
Elephant spotting on a jeep safari at Udawalawe, beaches such as Unawatuna, a whale-watching trip from Mirissa and a ride on the hill-country train are all good family days out.
How many days do you need in Sri Lanka?
Ten to fourteen days lets you combine culture, hill country and beaches without rushing. A week works if you stick to two regions.
Do you need a car in Sri Lanka?
Most visitors hire a car with a driver for longer journeys, because roads are slow and winding. Trains, buses and tuk-tuks work well for shorter hops.

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