The Cultural Triangle
The ancient heart of Lanka — Sigiriya, Dambulla, Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura, linked by paddy fields and reservoirs built by kings.
Sigiriya · Dambulla · Polonnaruwa · Anuradhapura
Journeys through this region
Destinations
An island of many worlds
Eight regions and fifty places, each with its own landscape, culture and rhythm.
Kandy & the Royal Highlands
The last royal capital, home to the Temple of the Tooth, botanical gardens and the gateway to the hills.
Kandy · Peradeniya · Matale
Journeys through this region
Tea Country
Mist, waterfalls and emerald estates around Nuwara Eliya and Hatton — the birthplace of Ceylon tea.
Nuwara Eliya · Hatton · Horton Plains
Journeys through this region
Ella & Uva
A laid-back hill village of viewpoints, hikes and the iconic Nine Arch Bridge.
Ella · Haputale · Ravana Falls
Journeys through this region
Yala & the Wild South
Dry scrub, lagoons and rocky outcrops with the world’s highest density of leopards.
Yala · Udawalawe · Bundala
Journeys through this region
Galle & the South Coast
Colonial heritage in Galle Fort and a string of golden bays from Bentota to Tangalle.
Galle · Mirissa · Weligama · Tangalle
Journeys through this region
Trincomalee & the East
Calm turquoise seas, coral reefs and quiet beaches — at their best from May to September.
Trincomalee · Nilaveli · Pasikudah
Journeys through this region
Jaffna & the North
A distinct Tamil culture of colourful kovils, island ferries and some of the island’s finest cuisine.
Jaffna · Delft · Nainativu
Journeys through this region
Places to Visit
Fifty places worth the journey
Places to visit in Sri Lanka
Cultural Triangle
Sigiriya
The fifth-century Lion Rock fortress, its frescoes and symmetrical water gardens rising from the jungle.
Lion Rock · Pidurangala · Water Gardens
Related journeys
Cultural Triangle
Dambulla
A golden cave temple complex filled with ancient murals and more than 150 Buddha statues.
Cave Temple · Golden Buddha · Kandalama
Related journeys
Cultural Triangle
Polonnaruwa
The medieval royal capital of palaces, lotus ponds and the granite Buddhas of Gal Vihara.
Gal Vihara · Royal Palace · Parakrama Samudra
Related journeysCultural Triangle
Anuradhapura
The first great capital, with colossal stupas and the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi tree.
Ruwanwelisaya · Sri Maha Bodhi · Jetavanaramaya
Related journeysCultural Triangle
Mihintale
The hilltop where Buddhism arrived on the island, reached by a long stairway of ancient steps.
Maha Stupa · Kantaka Chetiya · Aradhana Gala
Related journeys
Cultural Triangle
Habarana
A village crossroads surrounded by lakes and forest, ideal for safaris and village experiences.
Hurulu Eco Park · Village tours · Lotus lakes
Related journeys
Cultural Triangle
Ritigala
A forested mountain hiding the ruins of an ancient monastery for ascetic monks.
Forest Monastery · Banda Pokuna · Herbal forest
Related journeysCultural Triangle
Aukana
Home to a towering 12-metre standing Buddha carved from a single granite rock face.
Aukana Buddha · Kala Wewa · Village paths
Related journeysWildlife
Minneriya
The ancient reservoir where hundreds of elephants meet each dry season in the Great Gathering.
Minneriya Tank · Kaudulla · Elephant herds
Related journeysHill Country
Kandy
The last royal capital, centred on its lake and the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.
Temple of the Tooth · Kandy Lake · Bahirawakanda
Related journeysHill Country
Peradeniya
Royal Botanical Gardens with giant fig trees, orchid houses and the Mahaweli river.
Botanical Gardens · Orchid House · Mahaweli River
Related journeysHill Country
Matale
Spice gardens and a vibrant Hindu temple on the route between Kandy and the Cultural Triangle.
Spice gardens · Muthumariamman Kovil · Aluvihare
Related journeysHill Country
Knuckles Range
A rugged UNESCO mountain range of cloud forests, waterfalls and remote villages.
Meemure · Pitawala Pathana · Corbet’s Gap
Related journeysHill Country
Nuwara Eliya
“Little England” — a cool hill town of colonial bungalows, a racecourse and rolling tea estates.
Gregory Lake · Pedro Estate · Victoria Park
Related journeysHill Country
Hatton
Gateway to Adam’s Peak and a landscape of luxury tea bungalows above Castlereagh reservoir.
Castlereagh Lake · Tea bungalows · Adam’s Peak
Related journeysHill Country
Horton Plains
A high plateau of misty grasslands leading to the sheer drop of World’s End.
World’s End · Baker’s Falls · Sambar deer
Related journeysHill Country
Adam’s Peak
The sacred mountain climbed by pilgrims of four faiths to see the sunrise from the summit.
Sri Pada · Pilgrim trail · Sunrise shadow
Related journeysHill Country
Ella
A relaxed hill village of hikes, viewpoints and the Nine Arch Bridge.
Nine Arch Bridge · Ella Rock · Little Adam’s Peak
Related journeysHill Country
Haputale
A ridge-top town with views to the coast and the famous Lipton’s Seat.
Lipton’s Seat · Dambatenne · Adisham Bungalow
Related journeysHill Country
Bandarawela
A sunny hill town with a mild climate, colonial hotels and quiet tea trails.
Dowa Temple · Tea trails · Colonial hotels
Related journeysHill Country
Belihuloya
A riverside hideaway of natural pools and forest walks between the hills and the plains.
River pools · Forest walks · Waterfalls
Related journeysWildlife
Yala
Scrubland, lagoons and rocky outcrops with the world’s highest density of leopards.
Block 1 · Sithulpawwa · Patanangala
Related journeysWildlife
Udawalawe
Open grasslands around a reservoir, home to hundreds of wild elephants.
Elephant Transit Home · Udawalawe Reservoir · Grasslands
Related journeysWildlife
Wilpattu
The island’s largest national park, dotted with natural lakes known as villus.
Villus · Kudiramalai · Leopard trails
Related journeysWildlife
Tissamaharama
An ancient reservoir town and peaceful base for safaris in Yala and Bundala.
Tissa Wewa · Tissa Dagoba · Kataragama
Related journeysWildlife
Bundala
A Ramsar wetland of lagoons and salt pans, famous for flamingos and migratory birds.
Flamingo lagoons · Salt pans · Turtle beaches
Related journeysWildlife
Kumana
A remote eastern park of mangrove swamps and nesting waterbirds.
Kumana Villu · Mangroves · Okanda
Related journeysWildlife
Sinharaja
A UNESCO-listed primary rainforest rich in endemic birds, frogs and orchids.
Rainforest trails · Endemic birds · Waterfalls
Related journeysWildlife
Kitulgala
A riverside rainforest village known for white-water rafting and birdwatching.
Kelani River · Rafting · Rainforest birds
Related journeysWildlife
Kataragama
A sacred town revered by Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims, at the edge of Yala.
Maha Devale · Kiri Vehera · Menik Ganga
Related journeysSouth Coast
Colombo
The vibrant capital of colonial landmarks, markets, galleries and seafront sunsets.
Galle Face Green · Pettah · Gangaramaya
Related journeys
South Coast
Negombo
A lagoon fishing town with Dutch canals and beaches, minutes from the airport.
Fish market · Dutch canal · Negombo Lagoon
Related journeys
South Coast
Kalpitiya
A windswept peninsula famous for kitesurfing, dolphins and Bar Reef.
Kitesurfing · Dolphin watching · Bar Reef
Related journeys
South Coast
Bentota
A river-meets-sea resort town and home of Geoffrey Bawa’s Lunuganga estate.
Bentota River · Lunuganga · Brief Garden
Related journeysSouth Coast
Hikkaduwa
A lively beach town of coral reefs, surf breaks and sea turtles.
Coral reef · Surf breaks · Turtle beach
Related journeysSouth Coast
Galle
A UNESCO-listed Dutch fort town of ramparts, churches and boutiques.
Galle Fort · Lighthouse · Ramparts
Related journeysSouth Coast
Unawatuna
A sheltered crescent bay with calm swimming, jungle beach and hilltop pagoda.
Jungle Beach · Japanese Peace Pagoda · Rumassala
Related journeysSouth Coast
Koggala
The home of the stilt fishermen and a lagoon dotted with small islands.
Stilt fishermen · Koggala Lake · Martin Wickramasinghe Museum
Related journeysSouth Coast
Weligama
A wide sandy bay of gentle waves, ideal for learning to surf.
Surf school · Taprobane Island · Weligama Bay
Related journeysSouth Coast
Mirissa
Crescent beaches, coconut-palm viewpoints and blue whale watching.
Coconut Tree Hill · Whale watching · Secret Beach
Related journeysSouth Coast
Tangalle
Long, quiet beaches and luxury villas on the island’s deep south coast.
Rekawa turtles · Mulkirigala · Quiet beaches
Related journeysSouth Coast
Hiriketiya
A small horseshoe bay of palm trees, surf and laid-back cafés.
Hiriketiya Bay · Dikwella · Surf breaks
Related journeysNorth & East
Trincomalee
A natural harbour city with clifftop temples, whale watching and white beaches.
Koneswaram · Fort Frederick · Marble Beach
Related journeysNorth & East
Nilaveli
Long white beaches and the coral reefs of Pigeon Island National Park.
Pigeon Island · Nilaveli Beach · Snorkelling
Related journeysNorth & East
Pasikudah
One of the longest stretches of calm, shallow water in Asia.
Pasikudah Bay · Kalkudah · Lagoon
Related journeysNorth & East
Batticaloa
A lagoon city of Dutch forts and the legendary “singing fish”.
Dutch Fort · Lagoon · Kallady Bridge
Related journeysNorth & East
Arugam Bay
A world-class surf point with nearby lagoons full of elephants and crocodiles.
Main Point · Pottuvil Lagoon · Kudumbigala
Related journeysNorth & East
Jaffna
The cultural heart of Tamil Sri Lanka, known for its kovils and cuisine.
Nallur Kovil · Jaffna Fort · Jaffna Library
Related journeysNorth & East
Delft Island
A remote island of wild ponies, coral walls and ancient baobab trees.
Wild ponies · Baobab tree · Dutch ruins
Related journeysNorth & East
Mannar
Flamingo lagoons, baobab trees and the sacred Thiruketheeswaram kovil.
Vankalai Sanctuary · Baobab tree · Thiruketheeswaram
Related journeys
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