Stilt Fishermen of Koggala
The south coast’s iconic stilt fishermen, perched on poles above the surf between Koggala and Ahangama.
- Budget
- Experience
Pigeon Island Snorkelling
A protected marine national park off Nilaveli, with coral reefs, reef sharks and turtles in clear water.
- Mid-range
- Experience
Minneriya Elephant Safari
Jeep safaris to see wild elephants at Minneriya, famous for “The Gathering” of herds in the dry season.
- Upscale
- Experience
Mihintale
The hilltop where Buddhism is said to have come to Sri Lanka, with stupas, ancient steps and sweeping views.
- Budget
- Experience
Jaffna Fort
A star-shaped Dutch-era fort on the Jaffna lagoon, with ramparts to walk at sunset.
- Budget
- Experience
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
Sri Lanka’s most sacred Buddhist temple, home of the relic of the Buddha’s tooth, beside Kandy Lake.
- Budget
- Experience
Esala Perahera
Kandy’s spectacular annual procession of dancers, drummers and decorated elephants, held over ten nights in July or August.
- Budget
- Experience
Little Adam’s Peak
Ella’s easiest big-view hike, a gentle climb through tea plantations to a ridge with views across the valley.
- Budget
- Experience
Horton Plains & World’s End
A high, misty plateau with a dramatic cliff edge, World’s End, and Baker’s Falls on a scenic loop walk.
- Upscale
- Experience
Ravana Falls
A tall, tiered waterfall right beside the road below Ella, linked to the legend of King Ravana.
- Budget
- Experience
Nine Arches Bridge
Ella’s famous colonial-era railway bridge, curving through the jungle and tea, best seen as a train crosses.
- Budget
- Experience
Kandyan Cultural Dance Show
An hour of traditional Kandyan dance, drumming and fire walking, held every evening in central Kandy.
- Mid-range
- Experience
Anuradhapura Sacred City
Sri Lanka’s first great capital, with giant stupas and the Sri Maha Bodhi, the oldest documented human-planted tree.
- Upscale
- Experience
Casuarina Beach
A calm, shallow beach lined with casuarina trees on Karainagar island, a short drive from Jaffna.
- Budget
- Experience
Pidurangala Rock
The rock next to Sigiriya, with the best view of the Lion Rock itself, best climbed at sunrise.
- Budget
- Experience
Pottuvil Lagoon Safari
A peaceful boat trip through the mangroves of Pottuvil Lagoon to see birds, monitor lizards and crocodiles.
- Mid-range
- Experience
Learn to Surf in Weligama
Sri Lanka’s best bay for first-time surfers, with gentle waves, sandy bottoms and surf schools all along the beach.
- Mid-range
- Experience
Galle Fort Ramparts Walk
A sunset walk around the walls of Galle Fort, past bastions, the lighthouse and colonial streets. Free and unforgettable.
- Budget
- Experience
Adam’s Peak (Sri Pada)
Sri Lanka’s sacred mountain, climbed overnight by pilgrims of every faith to watch sunrise from the summit.
- Budget
- Experience
Polonnaruwa Ancient City
Sri Lanka’s medieval capital, a UNESCO site best explored by bicycle, with the famous Gal Vihara rock-cut Buddhas.
- Upscale
- Experience
Whale Watching in Mirissa
Boat trips from Mirissa to see blue whales, sperm whales and dolphins off Sri Lanka’s south coast.
- Upscale
- Experience
Surf Hiriketiya Bay
A small horseshoe bay with a mellow beach break for beginners and a reef break for experienced surfers.
- Mid-range
- Experience
Koneswaram Temple
A colourful Hindu temple on Swami Rock, high above the ocean at Trincomalee.
- Budget
- Experience
Lotus Tower
South Asia’s tallest tower, with an observation deck and sweeping views over Colombo, Beira Lake and the ocean.
- Mid-range
- Experience
Ella Rock
Ella’s most rewarding hike, a steeper half-day climb to a summit with views over the whole valley.
- Budget
- Experience
Damro Labookellie Tea Centre
A working tea estate on the road into Nuwara Eliya, with free factory tours, tea tasting and views over the plantations.
- Budget
- Experience
Gangaramaya Temple
Colombo’s most eclectic Buddhist temple, packed with treasures, plus the serene Seema Malaka pavilion on Beira Lake.
- Budget
- Experience
Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya
Sri Lanka’s finest botanic gardens, just outside Kandy, with an orchid house, giant Java fig and avenues of royal palms.
- Mid-range
- Experience
Pettah Market & the Red Mosque
Colombo’s busiest bazaar district, a maze of market streets around the striking red-and-white Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque.
- Budget
- Experience
Kandy View Point
The classic view over Kandy Lake, the Temple of the Tooth and the city, a short walk up from the lake.
- Budget
- Experience
The Hill Country Train to Ella
One of the world’s great train rides, through tea plantations, tunnels and mountains. In 2026 it runs between Nanu Oya and Ella.
- Budget
- Experience
National Museum of Colombo
Sri Lanka’s oldest and largest museum, in a grand colonial building in Colombo 7, home to the throne of the Kandyan kings.
- Budget
- Experience
Gregory Lake
Nuwara Eliya’s lakeside park, with boat rides, pony rides and walking paths, popular with local families.
- Budget
- Experience
Surf Arugam Bay
Sri Lanka’s most famous surf, with the long right-hander at Main Point and gentler waves at Whiskey Point and Baby Point.
- Mid-range
- Experience
Coconut Tree Hill & Parrot Rock
Mirissa’s two famous viewpoints: a palm-covered headland and a little rock island off the beach.
- Budget
- Experience
Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil
Jaffna’s grandest Hindu temple, with a golden gopuram, daily pujas and a huge annual festival.
- Budget
- Experience
Jungle Beach & Japanese Peace Pagoda
A hidden cove and a hilltop peace pagoda on the Rumassala headland near Unawatuna.
- Budget
- Experience
Dambulla Cave Temple
Five painted caves filled with Buddha statues, a UNESCO World Heritage Site high on a rock above Dambulla.
- Mid-range
- Experience
Sigiriya Rock Fortress
The 5th-century Lion Rock fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with frescoes, a mirror wall and summit palace ruins.
- Upscale
- Experience
Some links are affiliate or partner links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Planning what to do in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka packs ancient cities, tea country, wildlife and beaches into a small island, so it is tempting to try to do everything. The best trips pick a few bases and go deeper. We are adding experiences destination by destination, starting with the places we know best.
Know an experience we should feature? Tell us.