Trincomalee
Located on the northern edges of a huge natural harbor of the same name, Trincomalee is a bustling port city home to both historical sites and plenty of scenic natural spots. Head to Swami Rock, (not only home to the 17th century Fort Frederick, Sri Lanka’s largest Dutch fort, and the beautiful Koneswaram Temple but also said to be one of the best places for blue whale watching in the world) before relaxing on one of Trincomalee’s many picturesque, sandy beaches.
Trincomalee, Sri Lanka | © Charith Gunarathna/Flickr
Ella
A sleepy little town nestled in a scenic valley in Sri Lanka’s hill country, Ella is a peaceful retreat a world away from the country’s bigger, bustling metropolises. Take a tour of the nearby Uva Halpewatte Tea Factory and plantations to learn about and sample Sri Lanka’s most famous export, and make sure to explore the surrounding hillsides. A hike to the top of Ella Rock offers stunning, panoramic views of the countryside, while an hour’s hike south takes you to a beautiful waterfall, the Ravana Ella Falls.
Ella, Sri Lanka | © Sarah Owermohle/Flickr
Kataragama
Considered amongst the most holy of all Sri Lankan destinations, Kataragama is home to the Maha Devala temple, a multi-religious sacred site visited by Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims alike, and the annual Kataragama Perehera festival which attracts thousands of pilgrims each year, often from as far afield as Jaffna in the country’s northernmost reaches. For nature lovers, the sacred city makes a great base for exploring the neighboring Yala National Park, a haven of wildlife home to elephants, leopards and hundreds of species of birds.
Kataragama, Sri Lanka | © Eleleleven/Flickr
Tangalle
With four kilometers of scenic, sandy coastline, it’s perhaps no wonder that the beaches of Tangalle are often hailed as the best on Sri Lanka’s southeastern shores. Though Tangalle’s idyllic coastline is no doubt perfect for relaxing, the more adventurous visitor can explore the local waters via a scuba diving trip or witness marine turtles nesting at Rekawa Beach. For history and archaeology buffs, a trip to Mulkirigala Raja Maha Vihara, an ancient Buddhist temple perched high on a rock northwards of the town, is a must-see.
Tangalle, Sri Lanka | © Claire Rowland/Flickr
Haputale
A picture-perfect tea-growing towns, Haputale is the location of the Dambatenne Tea Estate, one of the country’s longest-running tea plantations and home to Lipton’s Seat, a scenic spot with gorgeous views over the surrounding mountains and hills that was the favored lookout for its namesake and estate founder, the Scottish tea baron Sir Thomas Lipton. Other local points of interest include the beautiful 19th-century Adisham Bungalow, built in the Tudor style and nestled within the bounds of the Thangamale Bird Sanctuary, while around an hour’s drive westward of town resides the stunning Bambarakanda Falls, Sri Lanka’s tallest waterfall.
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