From picture-perfect beaches to the beautiful tea plantations in the rolling landscape of its hill country, Sri Lanka is a haven of scenic spots and locales. We take a tour of the country’s most beautiful towns and cities from coastal hamlets like Mirissa to the sacred city of Kandy.
Kandy
The sacred city of Kandy, located in the hills that hug the scenic shores of Bogambara Lake some 100 kilometers northeast of Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and haven of traditional culture. The focal point of the city is the Temple of the Tooth, a beautiful structure dating back to the 16th century and one of the most sacred sites in the Buddhist faith. Each August the city streets come alive with the Kandy Esala Perahera, one of Sri Lanka’s most famous religious celebrations. The ten-day event is amongst the most grand and lavish of Buddhist festivals.
Temple of the Tooth, Kandy, Sri Lanka | © Hafiz Issadeen/Flickr
Nuwara Eliya
Nestled in the heart of Sri Lanka’s hill country, Nuwara Eliya is the country’s most important tea production hub, and thanks to its picturesque locale, it’s one of its best loved destinations to boot. Though its name translates as ‘City of Light’, Nuwara Eliya is often referred to as ‘Little England’, a reference to the city’s colonial past, still evident in 19th-century structures like the Queen’s Cottage country house and the Grand Hotel. One of the most popular ways to arrive in town is via a scenic train ride from neighboring Kandy, taking in breathtaking views of the surrounding waterfalls, mountains and tea plantations.
Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka | © Shehal Joseph/Flickr
Galle
Located on the shores of Sri Lanka’s southwestern tip, Galle is best known for its historic, beautiful Old Town, originally built by Portuguese settlers in the late 16th century, before being extensively fortified during the 17th century by Dutch colonialists. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best-preserved sea forts in South Asia. Head to the top of the Old Town’s 18th century Clock Tower for panoramic views of the Indian Ocean and other local landmarks like the stunning Galle Lighthouse, built in 1939.
Galle, Sri Lanka | © Patty Ho/Flickr
Mirissa
Around an hour’s drive east along the coast from Galle, Mirissa is a small town boasting a scenic, sandy stretch of beach fringed with palm trees and home to a succession of quaint guest houses and modest hotels. A buzzing nightlife scene has sprung amidst the town’s growing tourism industry with many bars and restaurants situated right on the water’s edge, offering gorgeous sunset views. For visitors who prefer their trips more nature-based, the waters off Mirissa are also a prime spot for whale and dolphin spotting.
Mirissa, Sri Lanka | Courtesy of Grace Beard
Anuradhapura
Dating back over 2,500 years, Anuradhapura, the former capital of the country from its founding in the 4th century BC, is the oldest city in Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle region. Today one of Sri Lanka’s eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the rich history of Anuradhapura can be seen across the bounds of the ancient city, from its many bell-shaped dagobas, including the 3rd century BC Jetawanaramaya stupa, to the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, a sacred fig tree which, planted in 249 BC, is the oldest documented tree on the planet and said to have grown from a cutting of the tree under which Buddha achieved enlightenment.
Jetawanaramaya stupa, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka | © Hafiz Issadeen/Flickr
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