Nuwara Eliya
One of Sri Lanka's newest (2006) and smallest (29 sq hectares) national parks, Galway's Land is a dense patch of montane forest a couple of kilometres…
Must-see attractions in The Hill Country
The Hill Country
A local landmark, Farr Inn was a hunting lodge for high-ranking British colonial officials, but now incorporates a basic but expensive cafe and a visitor…
Nuwara Eliya
This is one of the country's most attractive, and best-maintained, town parks. A stroll around its paths, past manicured lawns, is a pleasure. The park…
The Hill Country
Five kilometres north of Badulla are the 63m-high Dunhinda Falls. The best time to see them is June and July, but they’re worth a visit at any time. From…
Mackwoods Labookellie Tea Factory
The Hill Country
On the A5, 11km northwest of Nuwara Eliya, the Labookellie Tea Factory is a convenient factory to visit as it’s right on the roadside. Its tours are very…
The Hill Country
The 19m-high Rawana Ella Falls are about 6km down Ella Gap towards Wellawaya. During rainy months, the water comes leaping down the mountainside in what…
The Hill Country
Established by a local gemmologist, this impressive private collection of precious stones (plus quartz, fossils and artefacts) is a good place to learn…
The Hill Country
The Kolawenigama Temple, 6km southwest of Deniyaya, is of modest proportions, but has a unique structure that resembles Kandy’s Temple of the Sacred Tooth…
Haputale
This woodland west of town is called a bird sanctuary, but it's more of a highland forest with a pleasant ridge-top walking trail. You can access the…
The Hill Country
The main objects of veneration here are statues of the gods Kataragama, Saman and Vishnu. Uniquely, the devale was constructed in Kandyan style rather…
The Hill Country
Around 27km north of Nuwara Eliya, tours of this factory are fairly informative, explaining cultivation, types of tea and the drying and packing processes…
The Hill Country
The impressive Kiruwananaganga Falls, some of the largest in Sri Lanka (60m high in stages and up to 60m wide during the height of the rainy season), are…
Kandy
The 14th-century Natha Devale is the oldest of Kandy's devales. It perches on a stone terrace with a fine vahalkada (solid panel of sculpture) gateway…
Kandy
Construction of this impressive red-brick colonial-era church began in 1843 and was completed five years later. Built in neo-Gothic style, it originally…
Kandy
One of the principal viharas (Buddhist complexes) in Kandy, the Malwatte Maha Vihara is located across the lake from the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.
The Hill Country
This superb early-17th-century rock temple is just west of Kotapola, 11km south of Deniyaya. There's a steep access road then steps up to the site, which…
Kandy
The Vishnu Devale is reached by carved steps and features a drumming hall. The great Hindu god Vishnu is the guardian of Sri Lanka, demonstrating the…
Kandy
The brightly painted tower gateway of the Kataragama Devale demands attention amid the bustle on Kotugodelle Vidiya. Murugan, the god of war, has six…
Kandy
The very popular, simple-looking Pattini Devale temple is dedicated to the goddess of chastity. It's frequented by pregnant women and those seeking a cure…
The Hill Country
A large Buddhist complex that includes a whitewashed dagoba in spacious grounds in the southeast of town. During festivals the resident elephant may be…
The Hill Country
On the northwest side of town, this attractive stone church dates back to 1908, and was later extended in 1936 and 1938. Its tower was added in 1952.
Kandy
A very well-maintained park and woodland, originally laid out by Sri Wickrama Rajasinha, with good walking trails.
The Hill Country
This huge rocky outcrop looms over Ella. It's a popular hiking destination.
The Hill Country
Initially created to protect abandoned or orphaned elephants, this is one of Sri Lanka’s most popular attractions. It's a highly commercialised experience…
Nuwara Eliya
This lake is popular with domestic tourists who enjoy strolling the footpaths, taking out a swan-shaped pedal boat (30 minutes Rs 500) or trotting around…
The Hill Country
This cave is associated with the Ramayana story. Located in a cleft in the mountain that rises to Ella Rock, the cave is reputed to be where the king of…
Kandy
Adjacent to the Audience Hall, the Rajah Tusker Hall displays the stuffed remains of Rajah, the famous Maligawa elephant who died in 1988. Rajah was the…
The Hill Country
This museum, on the corner of the main road from Wellawaya and the road to the Buduruwagala Buddhas, has stone and terracotta artefacts from nearby…
The Hill Country
The town’s somewhat neglected National Museum displays the fossilised remains of various animals (including rhinos and elephants) discovered in gem pits…
Ella
The tours at this green-tea factory are pretty rushed and the guide may or may not be informative – some are more intent on flogging leaves. Newburgh is…
The Hill Country
There’s a full-size replica of the Aukana Buddha at this vihara on top of a hill overlooking town; you can walk to it through Pompakele Forest Park.
The Hill Country
This small and beautifully melancholic cemetery is maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. It is the final resting place for those who died…
The Hill Country
The 6m-high Katugas Falls, 3km north of town, are quite scenic, but crowded on Sundays and public holidays.
Nuwara Eliya
Located just south of Victoria Park, this temple has a small white stupa.
