Explore the Best Places in Sri Lanka
The vibrant town of Unawatuna remains one of the top holiday destinations, even considered by some to have one of the best beaches in Asia. During the Dutch colonial period, the Dutch settlers, who fought for Galle in 1640, built houses for their officers in this town, some of which are seen to date, in their untouched exteriors.
Today, the town is alive during most times of the year, drawing tourists and fun-seekers to its tranquil beaches. The coral reef and shipwrecks in this area can be explored through the many scuba diving and snorkeling activities offered by various diving centres along the beach. Rich in biodiversity, Unawatuna is home many endemic birds as well as an enthralling variety of fish and turtles. The Turtle Hatchery of Habaraduwa gives visitors the opportunity to observe the hatching process of endangered turtle species.
Mirissa’s harbour is known as the best place to charter a boat for whale and dolphin watching from November to April. The tourist settlement on the coast at Mirissa has sprung up in response to backpackers flocking there to enjoy hours of paragliding, body boarding and sea kayaking as well as snorkelling and diving. For surfing, the seas are ideal during the months of September to April.
The beach at Mirissa is popular with budget and mainstream tourists although upmarket properties are opening close by. It lies off the south coast road at 150km from Colombo and can be reached quickly via the new Southern Expressway from Colombo to Matara. The best beach cove stretches east of the headland that separates Mirissa from Weligama Bay and is lined with sunbeds and restaurants in thatched shacks.
The ancient kingdom of Kandy is home to the Temple of the Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha as well as Edwardian buildings, a king-made lake, a nature reserve and exciting shops.
As the second largest city of the island and the capital of the Central Province, Kandy has grown from being a medieval kingdom to a friendly, busy city set in forested hills and surrounded by tea plantations and close to the Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya. As well as the Temple of the Tooth, there are many Buddhist monasteries and Hindu places of worship to visit, and cultural dance performances to watch.
Kandy is a convenient base to stay for a few days while exploring the Cultural Triangle as there are comfortable hotels to suit every budget. The city is easily accessible from Colombo by rail, road and float plane
At an altitude of over 1,800m above sea level the picturesque landscape of Nuwara Eliya is known as “Little England” because of the resemblance of its homesteads to English bungalows, and it’s cool climate (there are even log fires in some hotels).
Nuwara Eliya is overlooked by Piduruthalagala, the highest mountain in Sri Lanka. In colonial days it was the retreat from the coastal heat for British residents and even today rituals like horse racing, boating on the lake, beautiful flower garden competitions and golf tournaments are held during the local holiday season months of April and August.
Most of Sri Lanka’s fresh flowers, fruits and vegetables are grown in the area and there are also dairy and strawberry farms. The Hakgala Botanical Gardens near the town is a prime attraction, as is a trek across Horton Plains.
Ella is a small hill country village now much developed with independent guesthouses, bordered by mountains, estates and waterfalls, with spectacular views and a history of dramatic legend. In the great Indian epic, Ramanaya, dating from more than 1,000 years before Christ, it is written that Sita Cave, 2km from Ella, was used by Ravana, king of Lanka, to conceal Sita, the beautiful wife of Rama. This attracts many visitors from India who are following the Ramanaya story. Equally appealing is the view through Ella Gap as well as Ravana Falls.
Ella is also a popular stop on the backpackers’ trail from west to east Sri Lanka and many small cafés and low budget guesthouses have opened up beside the main road through the village to cater for them. The quaint hamlet, at 204km from Colombo, is best reached by train.
