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Wall of colourful traditional Sri Lankan wooden masks

Find the spots worth marking.

Hand-picked hotels, hostels, cafés, restaurants and things to do across Sri Lanka, chosen by locals.

Trending: Best cafés in Colombo Best hotels in Kandy Hostels & poshtels in Ella Best restaurants in Colombo Things to do in Kandy Hostels & poshtels in Weligama
Photo by Anthony Lim

Start with what you need.

Every category is built around the way people actually search: near me, tonight, with a view.

Where to next?

15 destinations across the island, from the hill country to the surf coast.

Popular searches

Best cafés in Colombo Best hotels in Kandy Hostels & poshtels in Ella Best restaurants in Colombo Things to do in Kandy Hostels & poshtels in Weligama Best hotels in Colombo Things to do in Ella Hostels & poshtels in Arugam Bay Best restaurants in Kandy Hostels & poshtels in Sri Lanka Things to do in Sri Lanka

Stays we’d mark first.

Premier stays and our team’s picks from around the island.

See all stays
Hostel & poshtel · Hiriketiya

Dots Bay House

A colourful, design-led poshtel above Hiriketiya bay, with a pool, co-working, yoga and a café that hosts weekend events.

  • Mid-range
  • Pool
  • Co-working
  • Yoga
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Hotel · Town centre, Kandy

Queen’s Hotel Kandy

Kandy’s grand colonial-era hotel, more than 160 years old, right by Kandy Lake and the Temple of the Tooth.

  • Mid-range
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Boutique stay · Heerasgala, Kandy

Fox Kandy

A hillside retreat in Heerasgala, above Kandy, known for misty mornings, sweeping views and warm service.

  • Upscale
View this spot

Built for the search, not the big platform.

Local first

Spots are chosen and described by people who know Sri Lanka, so you find the family-run guesthouse and the café locals actually go to, not just the biggest listing.

Straight to the source

Every spot links to where you can book or visit, plus directions, so you can go from browsing to planning in one click.

Answers the search

Each guide is written for a real question, like where to stay in Ella or the best café with a view in Galle, and links straight to the spots.

Local guides

All guides
Travellers & locals
Getting around

The Ella train in 2026: what’s running and how to get to Ella

The Kandy–Ella line is still being repaired after Cyclone Ditwah, but the most scenic stretch is running. Here is what works right now, and the best ways to get to Ella.
Travellers & locals
Eat & drink

The best cafés in Colombo 7, picked by locals

Specialty coffee, healthy brunch and the city’s most famous tres leches: where to go for coffee and cake in Cinnamon Gardens.
Travellers & locals
Stay

Where to stay in Kandy: the best areas, compared

Lakeside, Rajapihilla Mawatha, the town centre or the hills? How to pick the right part of Kandy, with our favourite stays in each.

Run a spot in Sri Lanka? Let’s talk.

We’d love to hear from you. Get in touch and our team will share more.

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