What to see in Sri Lanka
In the second week of February, 2026 we travelled for 9 days in Sri Lanka, from Bangladesh. Sri Lanka felt like a soothing paradise to me. Sky blue, mountains green, ocean blue. The greens and blue—very bright.
We have taken a popular (yet 100% worth) route in Sri Lanka - from Colombo to Kandy, to Nuwara Eliya, to Ella, to Mirissa, to Galle, and finally back to Colombo. In this blog, we will cover what we have explored in each place, any hack to make your journey easy etc.
This blog is mostly focused on the places. For itinerary, planning, budgeting, small details about places and travel hacks, see our Sri Lanka Travel Guide
Kandy
Kandy is a beautiful hill station, with breezy weather.
How to Reach
From Colombo we took the Dunhinda Odyssey Express train, and reached Kandy.
What to See
Peradeniya Royal Botanics Garden
GEM
This is a massive botanical garden with a variety of things - huge trees, forests, river and golf course like huge open ground where we took a nap after strolling in the park. The park entrance fee is LKR 3,000 for SAARC country nationals.
Kandy Lake
The lake is small and has a good vibe. A light walk around the lake feels soothing.
Tips: We stayed at Galkaduwa 360 villa in Kandy. From the rooftop, we experienced a windy afternoon and an offbeat sunset. The hilltops look soothing during the sunset, specially the white Buddha stupas give the place a sacred and calm vibe. If you are in Kandy, don’t forget to climb your rooftop and just be there to take it in!
Weather
Sunny, for 10 minutes at 4 in the afternoon, there was a little shower of rain
What to Wear
Summer dress is okay, it can be very windy in Kandy, so maybe a collared shirt or scarf would be handy in the evening
Nuwara Eliya
Nuwara Eliya is a pretty tea state which holds beautiful hiking trails, colonial architecture and a British vibe in it.
How to Reach
We took the hyped train (for a reason!), Dunhinda Odyssey Express train, along the scenic route of Kandy to Ella. We dropped off at Nanu Oya station in Nuwara Eliya. The journey itself is amazing! You get mesmerized at the tea gardens on the hill slopes, the countless waterfalls—it’s a train ride of a lifetime!
What to See
Lover’s Leap Waterfall
OFFBEAT
A 15 minute hike through a forest takes you to the gorgeous, fierce waterfall. And guess what - no one is there except a few other crazy travellers like you! Our driver took us to a hill for a beautiful sunset.
Horton Plains National Park
GREAT PICK FOR HIKERS
Checkout our Horton Plains hiking guide
Ambewela
GOOD STRAWBERRIES, GOOD VIBES
This is a pretty village where we stopped on our way back from Horton Plains. We dined at Jagro strawberry farm, their strawberry cheesecake topped with fresh strawberries is a must try. There are picturesque windmills beside the strawberry farms. There are a number of dairy farms as well.
Lake Gregory
STROLL WITH A VIEW
You would probably come across this lake on your journey. You need to pay LKR 500 for an entry. Walking around the lake feels soothing.
Weather
Sunny and warm in the day, cloudy in the afternoon, cold and windy in the evening
What to Wear
Light t-shirt during the hike, but must have a jacket in the morning and evening
Ella
Ella translates to “waterfall” in Sinhala. It has many many falls. It’s a lovely hill station and has a cozy town as picturesque. The sunsets here are soulful.
How to Reach
Take the Odyssey Express train second class, for a ride of a lifetime. You will practically be riding inside the clouds, over the tea gardens, along pine trees on hill stations.
Tips: Book your train ticket ahead, check out our train ticket guide.
What to See
Nine Arches Bridge
This is an architectural marvel - the hike up to the bridge is amidst a forest. The bridge is spectacular, and the jungle around it has made the bridge a natural element. The place can get crowded, as people come here to take pictures with the bridge. But the crowd feels festive—everyone behaves like kids at the sound of the distant train whistle. The scenic trains come often, and actually stop on the bridge, for people to enjoy. The train drivers are so friendly, they wave at the crowd!
Little Adam’s Peak
BEGINNER FRIENDLY HIKE; SOOTHING VIEW
The hiking trails are a mixture of natural trains and man-made stairs. Around the trail, there are activities like fair swings. At the top, you see shades of green and blue mountains lining the horizon. When you look below, you see the pretty Ella roads along the hills, tiny buses passing it. It gets windy. The sunset is just calm and soulful. We noticed that the crowd in Sri Lanka consist of mostly offbeat tourists - so wherever you go, you manage to find solitude, even if there is a couple sitting ten feet distant, it feels private!
Weather
Sunny during the day, cold during the evening, needs a light blanket
What to Wear
Summer dress, light jacket in the evening
Mirissa
How to Reach
We took a taxi from Ella to Mirissa that cost us LKR 18,000. The road was smooth, wide highway, with beautiful countryside. It took us about two and a half hours to reach. On the way, we stopped at the Ravana waterfall.
What to See
Coconut Tree Hill
FIERCE OCEAN AND STUNNING COLORS
Explore the Mirissa beach. Come while the sun is still hot. I have never seen an ocean this blue, water this sparkling, waves this fierce, this is where artists get their idea of blue! I have been to the Andaman sea, the Bay of Bengal. Nothing amazed me. No wave made me feel this excited. If you are not a fan of beaches, try Sri Lanka!
The beaches at Mirissa have quartz like sand, so walking barefoot also gives your feet some massage. You can go to the famous coconut tree hill for sunset. Even though it gets crowded, people keep themselves private, so you enjoy a quiet sunset.
Weather
Very sunny
What to Wear
Summer dress
Galle
How to Reach
Take a tuk tuk from Mirissa. On the way, we stopped at Weligama (surfing beach), Midigama, Ahangama, still fishing point, Koggala turtle hatchery and Unawatuna beach. All the beaches were beautiful, Midigama and Unawatuna were especially mesmerizing. We walked for some time on Unawatuna's golden sand beach. In Koggala turtle hatchery, we had a tour of turtles. The guide was very informative.
What to See
Galle Fort
ICONIC
Galle fort is a picturesque old town with ramparts around it, beautiful architecture and the mighty Indian ocean crushing into the ramparts.
You can do a circuit of Galle fort starting from the rampart to the clock tower to the lighthouse to rampart again. It took us more than an hour to complete the 3 km route. We sat on the rampart to view the sunset like others and enjoyed the breeze.
The roads of Galle fort are so artistic and vibrant with many restaurants, gem shops inhabiting the old Dutch architecture buildings. Just walk around, and dine in!
Weather
Very sunny, there's a light breeze in the open place specially around the rampart of Galle fort, which is comforting.
What to Wear
Summer dress.
Colombo
How to Reach
The Galu Kumari train runs parallel to the Indian Ocean. Ocean waves were hitting the train tracks!
What to See
One Galle Face Green
ONE OF A KIND; A CITY PARK RIGHT BESIDE THE INDIAN OCEAN
The park is lively with people running kites, kids playing around. This is our most favorite capital - where a mighty ocean hits the city park. You walk around Colombo fort, feeling lost in time. Catch an amazing sunset from the capital of Sri Lanka.
Weather
Very sunny.
What to Wear
Summer dress.
I hope you give Sri Lanka a shot! Leave any question for us in the Comments, we will get back to you!
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