With its top tourist attractions, Sri Lanka is truly spellbinding and will appeal to all types of travellers. The small island nation is chock-full of adventure activities like surfing and trekking. There are several highly religious sites for religious devotees and unbelievable historical tourist attractions for history buffs in Sri Lanka. No one can dispute Sri Lanka’s incredible natural beauty. Whether it be en route to a perfect surf break, visiting a historical site or on a pilgrimage, lush greenery and exotic animals are never far away.
What is the best place to visit in Sri Lanka?
If you are looking for the best travel destinations in Sri Lanka, then you have come to the right place. The ten incredible Sri Lanka travel destinations on our list will give you amazing experiences.
Number 10. Bentota
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Located on Sri Lanka’s southern coast, Bentota is a multi-tasking tourist town with coconut palms swaying in the breeze. One of Sri Lanka’s most popular beaches, Bentota is first an Indian Ocean beach resort where water activities, such as surfing, sailing and snorkeling, abound. You can visit a sea turtle hatchery and conservation center, which monitors five of the seven species of sea turtles. An old Buddhist temple dating back to the middle ages can also be visited, as well as a 17th century fortress and lush gardens.
Number 9. Hikkaduwa Beach
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Located 90 minutes from Colombo, this beach offers water sports like surfing, bodyboarding, snorkeling, and scuba diving. All the gear is easily available for rent from one of the beachfront stands. In November and March, the best waves are found here, making it one of the most popular surfing areas in the country.
Number 8. Yala National Park
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Yala National Park is a wildlife sanctuary about 240 km (150 miles) from Colombo, where animals rule the roost. There are plenty of things to do in Yala. Your visit begins with a safari to see animals, including elephants, water buffalo and leopards, found here in higher density than any other place in the world. Note: the park closes for September’s leopard breeding season. Additionally, the park is home to 215 bird species, including seven native species. As well as wild animals, there is the ancient rock temple of Sithulpauwwa, which once housed 12,000 monks, and the Magul Maha Viharaya, which was once the site of a royal wedding.
Number 7. Polonnaruwa
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The word “beauty” and the word “beast” usually go well together, but in Polonnaruwa, beauty goes better with “ruins.” The second oldest kingdom in Sri Lanka, Polonnaruwa is known for its ancient garden city ruins. There are some of the best preserved ruins from the 12th century in the country. Polonnaruwa was a place where traders of exotic goods mixed with worshippers.
Number 6. Mirissa
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Mirissa might just be the answer to your dreams if you’re looking for a tropical paradise: swaying coconut palms, golden sand beaches, hammocks and days spent rocking away. It doesn’t get much better than this. Sri Lanka’s crescent-shaped paradise is renowned for its stunning sunsets and sunrises. Since there are no luxury resorts to mar the landscape, it’s just you, the beach, and quiet during the day. At night, the pace picks up. It is a good place to watch dolphins and whales in Mirissa, the largest fishing port along the south coast.
Number 5. Udawalawe National Park
This large wildlife park is in the southern part of the country, about an hour’s drive from the resort area of Hambantota. Located on the border of the wet and dry zones of the country, the park has a variety of terrain and environment. Elephants reside in the park in large numbers, along with crocodiles, water buffalo, and other animals. Outside of Africa, it’s one of the best places to see elephants in the wild.
Number 4. Galle
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Galle’s most famous attraction is its Dutch colonial fort built in the 17th century. It stands on a promontory overlooking the Indian ocean and is known for its architectural style. Galle is considered an excellent example of a fortified city. Today, the fort houses courts and businesses as well as being a pretty place. It is becoming known as an arts colony and as a city with a large expat community – a third of the city’s homes are owned by foreigners. There is also a natural harbor, Sri Lanka’s oldest lighthouse, a maritime museum, a key Shiva temple and the Jesuit-built St. Mary’s Cathedral.
Number 3. Kandy
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Kandy is a great place to learn about and experience Sri Lankan history. Located in central Sri Lanka, the city was the former capital of the Sri Lankan royal dynasty before colonialism. A period known as the Kandian Era occurred between the 15th and 18th centuries, when the area remained independent while most coastal regions were colonized by European powers.
Visit the National Museum of Kandy, which displays exhibits and artifacts that illustrate the history of the region and its people. A very holy Buddhist shrine, part of the royal palace complex, is nearby at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. In the heart of Kandy, Kandy Lake offers a peaceful refuge from the heat. There are hiking paths that circle the lake, dotted with temples and shrines.
Number 2. Colombo
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In addition to modern urban amenities, the capital city boasts a diverse history of indigenous and colonial cultures. Sri Lanka has long held strategic importance for European trading powers since it is a key stop on the world spice trade routes. It has been colonized by Portugal, the Netherlands, and, most recently, the British, and all these cultures blend with the indigenous culture to create a wonderful hybrid. In Colombo, you can taste these influences in the food, see them in the architecture and feel them in the arts.
Number 1. Sigiriya
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Sigiriya should be on the list of must-see places to visit in Sri Lanka for wannabe archaeologists. This ancient city is built on a steep slope, topped by a plateau almost 180 meters (600 feet) high. This plateau is referred to as Lion’s Rock because it overlooks the jungle below. From the lion’s mouth, staircases and rooms lead to the site. There are also ponds, gardens, and fountains here. Locals consider the site to be the eighth wonder of the world. Originally a monastery, this ancient rock fortress dates back to the third century BC. A royal residence was later built on the site.
In summary, Sri Lanka is a country of contrast. The country’s natural beauty, rich culture, and colourful history make it a great destination for tourists. Travelling to Sri Lanka for a few days or even weeks is an experience for travellers, even if they are only spending a short time in the country. And these listed 10 best places to visit will make your visit to Sri Lanka a memorable one.
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