A small tear-drop-shaped island nation, Sri Lanka is a tourist’s paradise. Full of natural, cultural, and culinary delights, this beautiful country boasts of eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Plan a trip to this amazing nation and wash away your worries, refresh and relax your soul. Beautiful, pristine beaches, verdant forests, incredible beach-facing resorts, lazing in hammocks under gently swaying palm trees, enjoying Sri Lankan delights and more will make your vacation 2024 memorable. Sri Lanka is blessed with scenic topography, picturesque landscapes and vast expanses of sandy beaches that offer everything a discerning tourist wants for a relaxing vacation!
this country is called the ‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean’. If anyone travel around the country mind it this analogy will not seem to be an exaggeration at all. The country full of natural diversity is one of the most beautiful countries in Asia and many tourists from around the world visit the country throughout the year. Sri Lanka is also named among the 23 most ideal places in the world to visit this year by Forbes, an American business magazine. In the country, one can enjoy the beauty of the mountains, as well as one can see the wide coastline sitting by the sea.
Thrill-seeking tourists can also venture into the dense jungles of Sri Lanka for close proximity to nature. Let’s know about 10 places of peace in Sri Lanka-
1. Colombo
It is the largest city in Sri Lanka and the country’s executive and judicial capital. The city is like a showcase of history and culture, which attracts the attention of all tourists. Colombo’s architecture has Dutch, Portuguese and British colonial influences. Visit the Dutch Museum and Independence Square to learn about the country’s colonial history. A visit to the National Museum in Colombo will give you an idea of the country’s rich history and heritage.
To see the religious diversity of the country, you can visit the Jame ul-Alfar Mosque, Gangaramoya Temple, Buddhist Temple and Hindu Temple. Don’t forget to visit Colombo’s historic Dutch Hospital, Port Colombo area. The main thing is here is no shortage of places to eat in the whole city. From Ministry of Crab to Hilton’s Curry Leaf, you can go to The Lagoon Restaurant. You can go to Pettah Market to taste the local food. The tallest building in Sri Lanka is the Colombo Lotus Tower. From this 350 meter high tower, one can enjoy the aesthetic beauty of the entire Colombo. You can take a boat ride on the Beira Lake or if you have time, you can also take a dip in Viharamhadevi Park, the largest park in the city.
2. Candy
this is one of the most and famous peaceful and beautiful also cities in the island nation. Perfectly its surrounded by hills, this city has numerous tea gardens. Here is the ‘Temple of Tooth’, where part of Buddha’s tooth is preserved. Hence you will be surprised that it is a holy place for Buddhists. Sri Lanka’s most diverse festival Esala Perahera is held in Kandy in August every year. You can enjoy the taste of local food at Kandyan Muslim Hotel, Candy House or Balaji Dosai Restaurant.
One can start Kandi-darshan by visiting Sri Dalada Maligawa and Sri Maha Bodhi, part of the UNESCO recognized world heritage. You can learn about the kings of Kandy by visiting the Kandy National Museum and the Kandy Royal Palace. Those interested in Sri Lanka’s colonial history can visit the British Garrison Cemetery and the Commonwealth War Cemetery. Candy is also unmatched for its natural beauty. The best places to enjoy the natural beauty of Kandy are the Udayattakele Sanctuary and the Royal Botanical Gardens. If you want to know about the tea culture and history of Sri Lanka, you should go to the Ceylon Tea Museum.
3. Sigiriya
This beautiful place is located on top of a huge rock 180 meters high. Many call the place as ‘Cloud Palace’. Climbing up and down the rocks to Sigiriya takes a lot of time, but the scenery you can enjoy from the top makes it worth the trouble. Sigiriya is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Also visit the Pidurangala Royal Cave Temple, an ancient Buddhist temple, the giant Pidurangala rock formations and the Royal Cave Temple – another UNESCO recognized World Heritage Site. If you want to see wild Asian elephants and enjoy a jeep safari, you can go to Mineria National Park.
4. Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura is an old town in Uttar Pradesh, Sri Lanka, which will surprise and fascinate anyone with its ancient and modern character. Anuradhapura’s Birthday is third century BC. It is said that this city was built by cutting the Bodhi tree. It was under this Bodhi tree that Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment. The city had political and religious importance for the next 1300 years.
It is part of the UNESCO recognized world heritage and one of the most attractive destinations for devout Buddhists. This city is an archaeological wonder. Sri Maha Bodhi Tree can be found in the historical city. Apart from this, there are more sacred places of Buddhism in the city. Wildlife lovers can visit Wilpattu National Park, 60 km from the city. If you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of a Sri Lankan leopard.
5. Swallow
Galle is one of the cities where Sri Lanka’s colonial rule began. Galle Fort is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The presence of European architecture can easily be seen everywhere in the city. This city was first established by the Portuguese. The port city is currently the capital of Sri Lanka’s Southern Province. One can enjoy the historic Galle Lighthouse and Galle Fort built on the sea shore. Within the fort you can visit the maritime museum and archaeological exhibits.
6. Nuara Elia
Locally known as ‘Little England’, the town is situated on a hill and people mainly visit there to enjoy the breathtaking natural beauty. The city is located at an altitude of 6 thousand’s feet above sea level. The city can be called nature’s paradise. Places to visit here include Horton Plains National Park, Pedro T State, Moon Plains, Gregory Lake, Galway’s Land National Park, etc. Ravana hid Rama’s wife here. There is now a temple there as a memorial to Sita. Sita was waiting for her husband here while imprisoned by Ravana.
7. Jaffna
Once the capital of the ancient Tamil kingdom, Jaffna is now the capital of Uttar Pradesh, Sri Lanka. The beach of the coastal town is very beautiful to see and attractive to tourists also. A fusion of both Tamil and Sri Lankan cultures can be seen in this city. The city was once a Dutch and Portuguese colony. The fort was first built by the Portuguese in 1619. The Dutch renovated it 40 years later. To know more about the city, visit Jaffna Public Library and Jaffna Archaeological Museum. This city has many ancient temples. Among these are Nallur Kandaswamy Temple, Kerimalai Nagulswamy Temple, Nagadeepa Temple, Nagapushani Amman Temple.
8. Jaffna Fort
Nallur Kovil and Jaffna Fort are some of the major attractions and sights in Sri Lanka. The fortified structure speaks volumes about Sri Lanka’s defense strategy. Another nearby place worth checking out is the Nagadwip Purana Vihar, known for its serenity and tranquility. The best time to visit Sri Lanka is from December to April when temperatures are moderate and outdoor travel is a pleasant experience.
9. Nuwara Eliya
A picturesque destination surrounded by the natural beauty of the country, Nuwara Eliya is known for its extensive tea plantations. Visitors love to come to this place to enjoy the landscape unfolding between rolling hills, misty clouds and a train that seems straight out of the pages of a fairy tale. Soak in the beauty of the landscaped Hakgala Botanical Garden with blue magpies, ferns and roses and seek blessings from the Lord at a Hindu temple located here. Other nearby attractions worth checking out are Moon Plains, Bell Bazaar, Victoria Park, St. Clair’s Falls, Ramboda Falls, etc.
10. Mihintal
The birthplace of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, Mihintale attracts a large number of visitors every year. Not only Buddhist pilgrims but people of different religions love to visit this attraction and feel the sense of peace over them. Its location surrounded by an emerald green forest makes it a beautiful destination to visit in Sri Lanka.
Conclusion
Summary of places to visit in Sri Lanka
- Sigiriya: Explore the ancient stone citadel of Sigiriya known for its stunning frescoes, landscaped gardens and panoramic views from the summit.
- SE: Discover the charming hill station of Ella surrounded by tea plantations, waterfalls and scenic hiking trails like Little Adam’s Peak and Ella Rock.
- Galle: Stroll through the historic Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its colonial architecture, narrow streets, boutique shops and seaside promenade.
- Kandy: Visit Sri Lanka’s cultural hub, Kandy, the Sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic, the picturesque Kandy Lake and the colorful Peradeniya Botanical Gardens.
- Mirissa: Relax on the golden sands of Mirissa Beach, go whale watching in the deep blue waters or enjoy a scenic boat ride to explore nearby islands and coral reefs.
- Polonnaruwa: Explore the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with well-preserved ruins of medieval period palaces, temples and statues.
- Nuwara Eliya: Experience the natural beauty of Nuwara Eliya, also known as “Little England”, with its lush green tea plantations, cool climate and colonial-era architecture.
- Dambulla: Visit the Dambulla Cave Temple, a complex of cave temples decorated with intricate Buddhist murals and over 150 Buddha statues, offering spiritual and cultural insight.
- Yala National Park: Embark on a safari adventure at Yala National Park, known for its diverse wildlife including leopards, elephants and rare species of birds amidst stunning natural landscapes.
- Anuradhapura: Explore the ancient city of Anuradhapura, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with impressive dagobas, monastery ruins and the sacred Bodhi tree, offering a glimpse of Sri Lanka’s rich history and heritage.
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