Jaffna & the North
This photogenic Murugan (Skanda) temple has a very ornate, if faded, gopuram (gateway tower) and a gold-clad image in its sanctum. Walk back through the…
Must-see attractions in Jaffna & the North
Jaffna & the North
This temple is 1.1km north of the start of the Karaitivu causeway on the mainland. It's visible on the right as you start your crossing. There's a…
Jaffna & the North
The charming, waterfront Selvachannithy Murugan Kovil (also known as Sella Sannathy Kovil) is an important Murugan temple and a scenic stop, with a lively…
Jaffna & the North
These mysterious and elaborately carved ruins of a gate over the road are thought to date to Dutch colonial times. It's about 100m east of the heart of…
Jaffna & the North
Chaatty Beach is no white-sand wonder, but it’s passable for swimming and has changing rooms, picnic gazebos and snack vendors. It's just 11km from Jaffna.
Jaffna
An elegant modern park with impressive fountains. It reopened in 2010 after war damage was repaired. It has a fun children's play area.
Jaffna & the North
Simply a very fine beach, not far east of the Point Pedro Lighthouse. It's often good for swimming when the water is calm.
Jaffna
This is the grandest church in Jaffna, a classical Italianate edifice used by Anglicans that dates to 1827.
Jaffna
This unusual structure looks like a whitewashed version of a Gloucestershire village church.
Jaffna & the North
This museum is unlikely to impress if you’re arriving from the ancient cities, but some of the pinched-faced terracotta figures from Kilinochchi (4th to…
Jaffna & the North
The island is not endowed with beautiful stretches of sand, but Keeri Beach has good swimming, though no shade. Expect some trash. It's fringed by a small…
Jaffna
Easily overshadowed by the nearby Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil, this temple tries hard to be noticed with especially vibrant colours.
Sri Nagavihara International Buddhist Centre
Jaffna
The solitary Sri Nagavihara International Buddhist Centre was quickly rebuilt after government forces retook Jaffna in 1995.
Jaffna & the North
A grand mosque awash in aqua tiling, with shiny gold onion domes. It's at the centre of the market area.
Vannarpannai Vaitheeswaran Kovil
Jaffna
This beautiful temple with a restrained colour palette dates back to the Dutch colonial period.
Jaffna & the North
A shambolic temple. The view of the lake is the one reason to bother.
