10 Top Experiences in Sri Lanka

Galle Fort

Man and nature have joined hands in Galle Fort to produce an architectural masterpiece. The Dutch built the streets and buildings, the Sri Lankans added color and style, and then nature got busy covering it in a gentle layer of tropical vegetation, humidity, and salty air. The result is an enchanting old town, which is now home to a collection of art galleries, quirky shops, boutique cafes, and guesthouses. It’s without any doubt the number one urban attraction in the country.

Horton Plains & World's End

The wild, wind-swept Horton Plains, high up in Sri Lanka's stunning Hill Country, are utterly unexpected in this land of tropical greens and blues. You'll need to wrap up warm (a morning frost isn't unknown) but the dawn hike across these bleak moorlands — a World Heritage Site — is one of the most enjoyable walks in the country. And then suddenly out of the mist comes World's End, a precipice that affords views over what seems like half of Sri Lanka.

Uda Walawe National Park

A huge chunk of savannah grassland centered on a reservoir, Uda Walawe National Park is the closest Sri Lanka gets to the East African experience. There are herds of sambar deer, crocodiles, masses of birds, and elephants, and we don't just mean a few elephants. We mean hundreds of magnificent creatures. In fact, we'd go so far as to say that elephants

Uda Walawe is equal to, or even better than, many of the famous East African national parks.

Ancient Anuradhapura

In Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka’s cultural and religious heritage sprawls across 3 sq km. In the center is the over 2000-yer-old Sri Maha Bodhi, the oldest tree known to have been planted by a human. The surrounding fields of crumbling monasteries and enormous dagobas(temples) attest to the city’s role as the seat of power in Sri Lanka for 1000 years. Several of the ancient sites remain in use, and the frequent ceremonies there give Anuradhapura a vibrancy that you may not find at other ruins.

Soaring Sigiriya Rock

The rolling gardens at the base of Sigiriya are as much of a highlight as the structure itself. Ponds and little manmade rivulets create these water gardens and offer a serene idyll amid the sweltering countryside. But look up and catch your jaw as you ponder this 370m rock that erupts out of the landscape. Etched with art and surmounted by ruins, Sigiriya is an awesome mystery. The climb to the top is a wearying but worthy endeavor that will reward you with panoramic views.

Jaffna & the Rediscovered North

Parts of the north still wear the scars of war with abandoned houses ridden with bullet holes. But that doesn't take away from its distinctive charm. In Jaffna, pay homage to towering, ornate Hindu as Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil and taste south India-style cuisine. With Jaffna as a base, explore the seemingly endless coastline of" the region's mainland and islands. Get off the beaten path on coast roads, causeways, and wooden-boat rides to isolated islands.

Whale watching in Mirissa

The sandy jewel of the south, Mirissa is also Sri Lanka’s best base for a whale-watching boat safari. Every morning in season boats leave the beach in search of a creature like no other-the massive blue whale. Also found in the blue waters around Mirissa are sperm whales and dolphins. In the evenings, you can plant yourself on a candle-lit table by the sea with the waves curling at your feet.

Shopping in Colombo

Part of the magic of Colombo is going on a retail binge. The goods are generally cheaper than back home and you can pick up novelties such as gorgeous lace mosquito nets and glaring demon masks, apart from sparkling gems, inexpensive clothing, and souvenir sets of tea. Though traffic can slow you down, you will never have to travel long distances to get from one outlet to another. Make sure you pay tribute to the famous Odel while keeping in mind the more niche boutique and chic stores in the Fort area and along the leafy streets of Cinnamon Gardens. The markets in Pettah heave and hurl with goods and offers.

Stunning Beaches

You can rarely traverse any part of the Sri Lankan coast for long without coming upon a stunning beach, generally with attractive hotels nearby. There are long, golden-specked ones, dainty ones with soft white sand those with a lively vibe, and some without a footstep for miles.

Hills & Heritage, Kandy

A short and scenic train ride from Colombo will take you into the hills to Kandy, the cultural capital of the island, and home to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, which is said to contain a tooth of the Buddha himself. For the Sinhalese, this is the holiest spot on the island, but for tourists, Kandy offers more than just religious satisfaction: there’s a pleasing old quarter, a pretty central lake, and a clutch of museums. In the evening you can catch an elaborate performance by fire-breathing dancers.