If golden beaches, rising waves, misty mountains, mighty elephants, stealthy leopards, giant whales, a majestic past, lovely tea and warm smiles could sum up a country, that would be Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka is blessed with breathtaking natural beauty, from its pristine beaches and turquoise waters to its lush rainforests and mountain ranges. The country is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including elephants, leopards, and hundreds of species of birds
Clairs Falls, Tawalantenne, Arugam Bay and many more. Because of the artistic diversity of places to visit in Sri Lanka, it has become a very popular destination for tourists. Sri Lanka is also known for the exotic beaches and the golden sun shining all around the year.
Colombo
The top city in this list has to be the capital of the country. Although the colonizers have left a long time ago but this city’s colonial past is pretty evident in its infrastructure. Mixture of modern and colonial architecture this city should be on everyone’s must visit places in Sri Lanka list. One of the largest cities in Sri Lanka, Colombo has many scenic sights, famous tourist spots, and various activities to do and caters to everyone from party lovers to history buffs alike.
Places of interest: Colombo Lotus Tower, Beira Lake, Colombo Dutch Museum, National Museum of Colombo, Sri Lanka Planetarium, Red Mosque, Viharamahadevi Park, Pettah Floating Market, Mount Lavinia Beach, National Museum of Natural History, Gangaramaya Temple, Galle Face Green, etc.
Galle Fort
Just 120 km from the Colombo, Galle is one of the oldest cities in Sri Lanka. Once an old trading route, the city of Galle is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Strolling around the town will surely make you feel as if you are strolling back in time because of the prevalent historical and cultural landmarks. Once a fortified town it now flourishes in the ruins of the same fort. The gem of Sri Lanka’s southern province Galle is littered with cute cafes, art galleries, and churches and mosques that are based on the Dutch and Victorian era designs.
Places of interest: Galle Fort, Fort’s Wall, Galle Fort Lighthouse, Clock Tower, National Maritime Museum, Old Dutch Market, Jungle Beach, Dutch Reformed Church, Japanese Peace Pagoda, Hikkaduwa Beach, All Saints Anglican Church, Unawatuna Beach, Koggala Turle Hatchery, Old Gate, Flag Rock, Dalawella Beach, Sinharaja Forest Reserve, etc.
Kandy
The second largest city and the cultural capital of Sri Lanka, it is the goto place for photography lovers. Plush green hills covered in colorful houses, majestic Kandy Lake reflecting the city’s skyline and the Royal Palace which once housed the kings and queens of bygone era, every sight is worth capturing by your lens. Located right in the heart of the country, it houses one of the most sacred relics of Buddhism in the world – the tooth of Gautam Buddha, which makes it one of the most important cities in Sri Lanka in terms of religious importance.
Places of interest: Temple of the Tooth, Kandy Lake,Sri Maha Bodhi Viharaya, New Ranweli Spice Garden, Royal Palace of Kandy, Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens, Ceylon Tea Museum, Lankatilaka Temple, Udawattakele Forest Reserve, St Paul’s Church, National Museum of Kandy, Esala Perahera Festival etc.
Nuwara Eliya
Cool climate, abundant greenery and surrounded by hills, Nuwara Eliya – City of Light, is the place to be if you are planning an escape from your fast paced life. Also known as “Little England”, the city of Nuwara Eliya is famous for its waterfalls, tea estates, golf course and the scenic train route from Kandy. One of the most scenic cities in Sri Lanka, Nuwara Eliya has been a favourite destination for a perfect family holiday in Sri Lanka from the times since British ruled the country.
Places of interest: Adam’s Peak, Victoria Park, Horton Plains National Park, World’s End, Pedro Tea Estate, Pidurutalagala, Gregory Lake, Queen’s Cottage, Galway’s Land National Park, Kirigalpotta, Hakgala Gardens, Nanuoya Falls, Lovers Leap, Thotupola Kanda, Town Walk, Ambewala Farm, Moon Plains, Kudahagala, Ramboda Falls, St. Clair’s Falls, Bluefield Tea Gardens, Laxapana Falls, Kolpathana Falls, Aberdeen Falls, etc.
