so a mine of knowledge about Sri Lanka!
Blue sapphire
Sri Lanka is an ideal place especially for lovers of hiking and mountaineering, and supporters of expeditions allowing to get to know the culture, customs and life of the island's inhabitants. During the trip you will discover the beauty of Sri Lankan nature. Due to the small area of Sri Lanka you will be able to get to know many places in a relatively short time. It is worth planning your entire stay on the island in advance, because thanks to this you can see all the interesting places and experience unforgettable moments in this unique country in the world, and we are here to help you.
Western region
The western part of the island is the most populated and the most urbanized area.
North of Colombo, on the picturesque coast, numerous resorts were eagerly visited by tourists, including due to the short distance from the airport. After this part of the island, you can move the sown country road A2 or by train, because the railway line runs along the coast. This is where the largest Wilpattu National Park is located or you can go and see the dolphins. To the south of Colombo to Unawatuna you will find the richest offer of tourist centers. The most famous tourist destinations include Bentota, Wadduwa, and Kalutara. The area around Hikkaduwa is one of the best diving spots in Sri Lanka, and in Unawatuna, you’ll find a creek that allows you to have a bath all year round. The Galle Fort was entered on the UNESCO list. Along the south – west coast you can travel by the already mentioned road A2 or highway. Railway stations are located in almost every seaside resort.
Negombo coast
This is the region of the island dealing with fisheries. One can admire the view of a boat floating in the sea with characteristic rectangular sails. Every day, fishermen deliver fresh fish, shrimps, crabs and lobsters, which can be bought at a fish market near the fort. Currently, there is a prison in the fort. One of the attractions of the town is a cruise along the Hamilton Canal. To the east of the center of Negombo is a Buddhist temple with colorful paintings and sculptures.
The Negombo area is known for its long sandy beaches, crystalline water and picturesque towns and numerous fishing centers. The coast is overgrown by coconut palms, tree ferns, deeper mangoes and cinnamon trees and mangrove vegetation. Worth recommending is the town of Marawila with beautiful beaches known for its clear water and unforgettable views. Another town further north is Chilaw.
There is one of the most important Hindu temples on the island. Between Chilaw and Puttalam you can visit an ornithological reserve. A paradise for bird lovers, you will see min. cormorants, ibises and herons.
Between Negombo and Colombo there is the village of Ja - Ela where it is worth going to the Guruge park. One more information is the town of Leo, so I recommend it even more.
Colombo Coast
At the southern end of the park there is an impressive building resembling a lotus - theater and also a cultural center. It is worth visiting the National Art Gallery and the National Museum.
Bazaar in Pettah - the largest on the island, is a special place where crowds of buyers and sellers create an unforgettable view.
The popular meeting place is Galle Face Green, the largest square in the city.
On weekends, concerts and festivals take place here, and mass events are organized here. At the end of the day you will be delighted by the beautiful sunset.
In Colombo it is worth seeing the church of St. Antoni and also a Buddhist temple located on the water Seema Malaka or another on land Gangaramaya and the Hindu temple Kadiresan.
South of Colombo, a few kilometers from the center is Mount Lavinia. A large holiday resort with a charming beach. In Dehiwala you will find one of the largest zoological gardens in Asia and the Puppet Museum.
Further to the south, the Kalatur coast stretches along with the city of the same name. This is a popular place especially for tourists arriving with travel agencies. The city itself is rather uninteresting. However, it is worth seeing a few places, for example a Buddhist temple with a powerful dagoba and beautiful paintings inside it - it is sensational that you can enter it inside or the Richmond castle with gardens filled with children's sculptures - currently a children's education center. Watro stop and admire the breathtaking views in the village of Beruwela. Between Beruwela and Bentota there is a temple with the largest statue of the Meditating Buddha. The statue is 48 m high. On the teritory of the temple complex is also the holy tree Bo.
Bentota Coast
On the beach to the south of Bentota in Kosgoda, there is a place of turtle hatching together with centers dealing with their protection.
Another place with a beautiful beach is Hikkaduwa. Four shipwrecks are a big attraction for scuba divers here. It used to be a Ceylon mecca for hippies. Before entering the town, there is a statue of Buddha founded by the Japanese government. The height of the statue corresponds to the height of the tsunami of 2004, there is a monument of tsunami victims nearby.
Galle, one of the largest cities in Sri Lanka, consists of two competing parts. The older one, dominated by the Dutch influence with the National Maritime Museum or the oldest Protestant church on the island, and the younger one presents a typical Sri Lankan culture with small houses and marketplaces.
We find here an international cricket stadium - a sport very popular in Sri Lanka, fishing, commercial and military ports, and a charming promenade with a seventeenth-century fort inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
I recommend a fish market by the beach, where you can help fishermen to pull the net and admire their catch.
Southern region
This is one of the more exotic but conservative places. It is a bastion of traditional Sinhala culture. The beautiful gardens and groves of coconut palms enchant you. To the east of the town of Koggala there is a coast with lovely beaches, especially in the vicinity of Mirissa, Unawatuna and Tangalle. This is a region popular for foreign and local tourists. This area offers many sightseeing opportunities.
We can see an exotic temple, an ancient city or a sea geyser and another Bundala national park, and the Yala national park best known for its safari. Here you will also see fishermen on stilts.
To the south along the coast, you can use the A2 road and you can get to Matara via a highway or a train.
Neighboring with Galle Unawatuna is a small tourist destination but with good hotel facilities and for those who like nightlife – clubbing. A hill is rising above the town
with the Stupa of Peace built by the Japanese. A great view extends from here
to the bay and the fishing port of Galle, there is a Buddhist temple nearby, where there is peace and quiet.
A place worth recommending is Mirissa will always be associated with pleasant memories. This is where you can treat yourself to the sunrise by walking on a clean beach with crystal clear water. Descent to the ocean is gentle. It is both a great place for surfing and at the same time for families with children, because there are several shallow, rock-separated coves. The fishing port is the beginning of a trip to the “sea safari” with whale watching – blue whales and dolphins.
Going further south, we reach the city of Matara. This is the last stop on the southern railway line. It has an interesting beach along which a promenade leads. In the morning, you will be surprised by the morning breeze, and in the evening it is worth taking advantage of the night swimming in the ocean, observing the local inhabitants, which is a safe place. Cape Dondra is the southernmost region of Sri Lanka. You can admire the views by going to the top of the lighthouse located there.
Tangalla near this extraordinarily well-developed city (hence the former president of Sri Lanka, which explains the development of the city), there are golden beaches. it’s worth taking a stop at one of them during the trip and take a dip in the azure waters of the Indian Ocean. To the west of the city, you can see a natural curiosity, or rocks, from which, at the right oceanic waves, a geyser of seawater gushes up for a few meters. Going from the parking lot towards the rocks, we pass numerous starganas with drying fish and lazily sleeping dogs.
Between Matara and Tangalle, about 1.5 km inland you can visit another Buddhist temple with a 50-meter statue of Buddha. Behind the statue, there is a building and by going to the top, we can look into the Buddha’s head. The temple also includes tunnels
with paintings of life-sized figures of demons and suffering showing punishment
for life incompatible with moral principles – this is not a place for children.
Tissamaharama is a city that already existed in antiquity famous for its historic stupas and an artificial lake on which you can relax. The lake probably was in II century BC and it was used for irrigation. It is a good base for the nearby national parks of Yala and Bundala.
Weligama is one of the few places in Sri Lanka through which the main road does not run. This town is known for lace making. There is a 3 km beach here together with fish market and colorful fishermen’s boats. Opposite the main beach, 180 m away from the shore, there is a small island – the only private island in the country.
Going to Weligama from the west via A2, we will meet with an unusual view of the perch in the ocean near the shore. Fishermen on stilts – this is one of the most famous views from Sri Lanka. Almost every travel offer, each guide on the cover has a photo of them. Bamboo piles with a bench are embedded in the bottom of the ocean about 30 m from the shore in relatively shallow waters, which is why mostly small fishes are caught here, eg sardines. Currently, it is no longer their reason, but a tourist attraction, but being in the area it is worth seeing this view.
Another place, especially important for the Sri Lankans, is Kataragama, the holy city of many religions. The religious complex has a mosque and Buddhist temples and Hindu. There are many gods here. It is a tradition to swim in the Manik River on the way to the temple complex. Regardless of the confession, all pilgrims treat this place with great respect. In the evening, you can see many interesting rituals in the complex, including kavadi ritual dance. For centuries there has been an unchanging festival in its form here at the turn of July and August.
Southwest region with sapphire in the background
This region is famous for the natural wealth of the country which is precious stones, from the Sinharaja reserve entered on the UNESCO list, or also the fifth highest mountain in Sri Lanka, Sri Pada or Adam’s Peak. In this region you can also visit the orphanage of the elephants in Pinnawala.
Ratnapura, the capital of Sabaragamuwa province, is one of the world’s largest centers for the extraction and trading of precious stones, among which the most important it’s sappers and rubies. The very name of the city literally means the City of Jewels.
A visit to the precious and semi-precious stones mine will be a very interesting experience and an opportunity to purchase a beautiful souvenir from travel. A rare specimen, which you can get on the island is a moonstone, characterized by a silvery-pearl glow. Mines are mostly deep wells reinforced with wooden stamps about 20 m deep. The work is done manually in very primitive conditions. My unforgettable memory is a handful of sapphires in my hands – I will not say it makes an impression.
Sinharaja Forest Reserve is a nature reserve covering a fragment of the original rainforest. One-day terkking trips deep into the wild jungle is a great opportunity to get acquainted with the flora and fauna of the island. It is worth using a guide whose sharp eye will allow us to see more. A walk through a damp, stifling but mysterious forest is an unforgettable experience. The name of the forest means literally – the Lion King, but we will not meet him here, it has more reference to the lion found in the emblem of Sri Lanka.
Adam’s Peak – Sri Pada – you can reach the summit from November to May. The height is 2243 m above sea level. Considered by the inhabitants of the island as a sacred place. Over one-and-a-half-meter deep in the ground, some consider the footprint of Buddha’s foot, others Shiva, Christians and Muslims think it’s Adam’s footprint, and Christians in India say it’s the footprint of Saint. Thomas. Wandering to the top can be started from various sites, eg from Dalhousie, Kuruwit or Maskeliya. The goal is to reach the top of the mountain at dawn. Before going to the top, you should take a bath in the river or stream as part of the cleansing. Climbing to the top takes about 3.5 hours.
Mountain region
It is a region covering the part of two provinces of Central and Uva.
It is here that the highest peak of the country, 2524 m above sea level, rises. however, this area is limited to tourism because there are military bases here. Everyone who visits the island should find a charming place.
Here, too, nature is protected in the Horton Plain National Park, and the Central Plateau in 2010 was also on the UNESCO list. Areas that are not overgrown with jungle are covered with unusually picturesque tea plantations. The tea fields are the main attraction here. A walk among them and a meeting with the collectors is a must-visit point on the island. I recommend everyone to admire these views during a three-hour journey by train, it is one of the most beautiful railway routes in the world. Mountains, passes and valleys, tea plantations, beautiful vegetable gardens and enchanting waterfalls – this is what you will see during this trip. You can breathe here from the tourist hustle and bustle. For a hungry adventure I recommend a trip on the train and not on the train. Wato, feel the wind in your hair.
The most visited places are Nuwara Eliya and Ella. From Kandy we will get here a picturesque route among the mountains.
Nuwara Eliya is the informal capital of this region.
Located at 1983 m above sea level When driving here, remember about the large temperature difference. In the evening, it’s worth having a warm fleece with you, and the hotels offer blankets that really come in handy. It is a bustling city with picturesque views, Victorian architecture and London weather.
It is worth going to the post office here and combine business with pleasure, that is, send a card to your family or friends and view the Tudor style post office building. The neat 18-hole golf course belonging to one of the oldest golf clubs in Asia is impressive.
The city also has a stud and racetrack, as well as Hill Club – a club of British gentlemen. If you want to rest and stroll, I recommend two places. The first one is Viktoria Park where kids will have fun on a very well-equipped playground, and the second is Gregory Lake – a beautiful lake. For government purchases, I recommend a bazaar, where at affordable prices you can buy clothing sewn for European fashion designers and a fruit market. We can rest in one of the many cafes or pastry shops.
To the south-east of the city is the second largest botanical garden, and near the gardens you can see the widest and most spectacular waterfall Sri Lanka, rising at about 30m. The road leading to it is not easy but the view rewards the hardships. Driving west of the city on the A7 road, we can admire two more waterfalls, one 80 m high and another 97 m high. Even further to the west, something for lovers of extreme sports. Place of Kitulgala, in the area of which many scenes of the film “Bridge on the River Kwai” were filmed. The Kelul Ganga river, which flows through Kitulgala, “played” the main role in it. It’s a great place for rafting or kayaking. For less adventurous places, the area invites to natural pools and slides.
Ella – the Ella valley is one of the most beautiful places on the island and a good base for those who like trekking. The most popular hiking destination is Little Adam’s Peak located 2 km from the town center. A beautiful route among tea fields leads to the foot of the mountain, which is reached by stairs. At the top you can enjoy a beautiful view of the valley and Ravana waterfalls. This is a tour for everyone. The whole distance is only 5 km. The aforementioned waterfall is about 25 m high and the inhabitants of the island often stop there to take a bath. Further south we can admire one of the highest on the island Diyaluma waterfall – 220 m.
Horton Plain National Park – a foggy forest, characteristic for this region, which is covered by an evergreen rainforest, grows in it. There is a lot of wild animals in the park but it is a place for hiking and admiring views. There are two trekking routes in the park and it is worth starting them at dawn, because later fogs limit visibility. The reward for the trip are two attractions on the route, that is two gaps 200 m high and 800 m known under the name of Small and Big End of the World.
Cultural triangle
Sri Lanka is not just beautiful nature. Worth seeing are the ruins of historic cities and rock fortresses. This is where you will get to know the culture and history of the island. The region is designated by three cities: Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Kandy. Between the three cities there are two more places to see – Dambulla and Sigiriya. It is here in the “cultural triangle” that there are the greatest treasures of the cultural heritage of the island. This is also the next Minneriya National Park. We invite you here for our Szafirowy Ogród hotel where you can relax.
the oldest capital of Ceylon.
An ancient city founded in the third century BC. The city hidden deep in the jungle and separated by irrigation systems and swamps was an excellent fortress. Not only the city of Sri Lankan rulers important in antiquity but also the center of Buddhism. Hence the large number of temples, dagobas and monasteries. This is one of the most important centers of Buddhism, and this is due to the growing here, the oldest tree in the world, the holy tree Bo, planted from the seeds of the tree, under which the Buddha suffered enlightenment. You should circle it an odd number of times. Sri Lankans when coming to temples often approach monks for a white thread that is tied at the wrist - it protects against evil.
Monuments are scattered over a large area, therefore sightseeing on foot is not recommended. Having a car with a driver, the problem solves itself, and sightseeing is a pleasure.
A one-day ticket includes the entrance to three monastery complexes and three museums, including the archaeological museum.
Often the question arises, which old capital is worth visiting Anuradhapura or Polonnaruwa? When considering the choice, it is worth knowing that Polonnaruwa occupies a smaller area and the ruins are better preserved.
When planning a sightseeing tour, it is also worth knowing that Polonnaruwa is closer to the fortress of Sigiriya and the Minneriya National Park. Like Anuradhapura, the city is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List and was also the capital of Ceylon.
We start the visit from the archaeological museum, where you can only buy an admission ticket. Due to the extensive sightseeing area, I recommend the car with the driver again. It is worth starting to visit the museum also because of the mock-ups of the building, whose ruins can be seen later in the archaeological sites. The mock-ups show the size of the building and help builders appreciate it. The preserved skeleton of the then inhabitant allows to know how small people were then living. The beautiful, richly carved statues of Hindu deities bring in the admiration. The museum is located above a large water reservoir, which adds to the charm.
Polonnaruwa is a historic city with the temple of Lord Shiva, the ruins of the royal palace and the holy square with Buddhist temples, stupas and statues of Buddha, eg Gal Vihara.
The road to the Golden Temple begins with a not too interesting Buddhist museum at the foot of the mountain where the right temple begins. It has an amazing atmosphere. Beautiful caves located high above the town captivate with intensely colored paintings and 150 Buddha sculptures. The oldest part of the complex comes from the first century BC. There are five temples here and it is worth visiting the tour from the last temple. I remind you that we are visiting them barefoot so it is worth taking the socks, wanting to go through the heated courtyard.
A great base for exploring the area is Habarana. I invite you cordially with Leo to our "Sapphire Garden" - a guesthouse where you will feel at home. It is not only a good place to stay, but it is from here you can go on safari to Minneriya National Park to meet elephants.
If you want to get to know the Sri Lankan village, I recommend a trip to one of them. It starts with a ladder-driven cart drawn by oxen, then a catamaran through a small reservoir. On the other side you are looking at cultivated fields and you are invited to one of the clay houses where the landlady prepares a meal for you. You can actively participate in these preparations. After an exhausting day, you can relax in one of the Ayurveda healing massage salons.
In Ayurvedic medicine, the combination of herbs, diets, massages, hydrotherapy and oils is used to treat stress, diabetes, migraine, asthma, arthritis and high blood pressure. Health and well-being are available to everyone - this is what ancient Ayurveda says. To achieve them, however, you must learn how to connect body, soul, mind and senses in unity. Sri Lanka is a perfect place to conduct Ayurvedic treatment.
Initially, the royal palace was later transformed into a Buddhist monastery. A high solid rock grows in the middle of the jungle. You can climb it partly by stone, partly by metal stairs.
It is wise to start the wandering before breakfast, because later the sun makes it difficult to climb. The effort really pays off. Along the way, you can admire the remains of beautiful frescoes with women, a mirror wall or a platform of a lion. The upper palace is today only a foundation but you can easily imagine rooms, a throne room and swimming pools. However, what really impressed me is the view stretching around. Amazing. Flat and green. It is hard to believe that among the greenery there are roads and houses that live everyday life there. Climbing and returning do not take more than 3 hours.
A great alternative to see Sigiriya from a different perspective is Pidurangala Rock, the twin sister of Priderock. The road to the top may not be easy, especially at the very top, but the views reward all the hardships and one thing is certain you will not meet a crowd of tourists there.
Founded at the end of the 16th century, the small temple houses a valuable relic - the Buddha's tooth. Remember to dress your arms and cover your knees is mandatory. The Buddha's tooth is placed in seven stupa-shaped caskets put into one another.
The tooth is exposed to public view once every seven years. In the complex you can see a library with notes on palm leaves, a new temple with a large Buddha statue, the Buddha Tooth Museum and the International Museum of Buddhism. Near the temple there is a royal palace, and next to the finger of the Museum of Elephant Raja with a stuffed elephant. Next to the Buddha's Tooth Temple are the Royal Forest Gardens or a reserve with tropical forest. One of the attractions of Kandy is participation
in a show of traditional Sri Lankan dances.
Eastern region
Beaches, beaches, beaches…
The east coast is largely different from the west, but due to its high attractiveness, large hotels are also starting to build here. In this part of the island you can still find unspoiled beaches and wildlife. It is a great place to relax away from the tourist crowd. Sometimes the only companions on the beach are the cows basking in the sun. The cultural landscape of the region is very diverse. This is the favorite region of the island’s inhabitants to surf. Arugam Bay is one of the best places in the world to practice this sport.
Trincomalee – a port city built on a peninsula is a great place for a family holiday on the Indian Ocean – especially in the off-season. During walk It is worth seeing the Fort Frederick military facility from the colonial times around the city. Currently, there are various military services here, but the facility is accessible to tourists.
In the fort, at the end of the headland, there is one of the most important Hindu temples Koneswaram. Thousands of believers come here asking for offspring. It is worth coming here because of the beautiful ocean views. The main attraction of the city is the Maritime Museum and the Navy. To the northeast of the city there are hot springs which
they look like baths in appearance.
Batticaloa – a city with beautiful beaches and lagoons, but also a thriving shopping center. You can see a Dutch fort on a small island with a beautiful view of the lagoon.
Northern Region - Jaffna
The least popular tourist region with a different flora and fauna. The tourist infrastructure is poor here and the roads are rather poor. The area still carries the hallmarks of the past war.
Jafna – the city most reminiscent of Indian cities with rich culture and many monuments. It is a territory that gathers the Tamils. It is worth seeing a huge fort with a museum, a library once considered one of the largest in Asia. Opposite the library you can relax in the park. Another place worth visiting is the Archaeological Museum and souvenirs are worth buying in the city center at the bazaar. 3 km from the center there is one of the most important Hindu temples on the island – the temple of the god of war. Another Hindu temple is the temple of the goddess Amman on the island of Nainativu, where you can get a ferry. Point Pedro is the northernmost part of the island with a small fishing port.
The most beautiful beaches of Sri Lanka
After sightseeing, it’s time to relax.
Where the best place to rests and regenerates strength?
It does not matter where it would be by the water. Sri Lanka as an island is surrounded by a blue, crystal clear ocean, so we have plenty of water.
The beaches of Sri Lanka differ quite significantly in shape, length, color of sand and available infrastructure. Everyone can find a place for themselves depending on whether they prefer active rest or sunbathing.
The island is also a great place for water sports such as surfing, windsurfing, diving, snorkeling, water skiing and jet skis. The climate here allows you to enjoy sunny and oceanic baths practically all year round only depending on the season in another part of the island.
In the winter season, the best beaches are on the south coast and in the summer
on the east.
Sri Lanka is not famous for its beautiful coral reefs. The local reef is trace and heavily damaged. A place where you can try snorkeling and diving is the island of Pigeon Island on the north-eastern coast of the island. Admission to it is payable because you have created a marine nature reserve here, but the best coral reef in Sri Lanka.
In the southern part of the island, recommended beaches are: Unawatuna is located high in the ranking of beaches in the world, located in the vicinity of Galle, one of the safest beaches with well-developed infrastructure, but therefore also rather crowded.
Mirissa – swimming in the sea can be difficult due to intense waves, but it is a great place for surfing. It attracts mainly amateurs of peaceful rest in silence and beautiful surroundings. We will not find here either a developed tourist infrastructure or huge crowds.
Tangalle is known for its pearly sand and fishing port.
Hikkaduwa a place where most of the events with large tourist resorts take place.
Bentota with a large, wide sandy beach. You go to the beach, you look right – empty, look left – empty. A paradise for people who value privacy.
The eastern part of the island: 14 km north of Trincomalee there is one
of the most beautiful beaches in Sri Lanka Nilavelli. The water here is shallow and calm and the beach is wide, therefore it is a great option for families with children. However, it is worth taking umbrellas,
because the lack of vegetation means that there are no shady places. The second beach where you can look for peace and quiet is the Uppuveli beach. Here the palm trees grow very close so they provide shade. Arugam Beach is the best surf for Sri Lanka and one of the best surfing beaches in the world.
