Turning Back the Clock in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s capital and largest city is a hive of activity. As the country’s entertainment, commercial, and financial center, there is always something happening. Once you’ve settled into your accommodations, head out to explore the town. It helps to consider Colombo as comprising several areas dominated by a geographic landmark or other artificial boundary. Like Paris, Colombo has a series of numbered neighborhoods. However, unlike Paris these coexist with named districts to form a confusing pattern of overlapping jurisdictions. Viharamahadevi Park is a convenient place to start your tour. Wander through the green space and see the Golden Buddha statue. Colombo’s public library occupies the park’s southwest corner. Visit the nearby National Museum as well as the National Theater.

Head north to Gangaramaya Temple and drop in for a bit of shopping at Colombo City Centre. Nearby Bere Lake has an interesting illuminated bridge that looks great in nighttime photos. Enjoy a walk along the beach at Galle Face. The seaside park is popular with locals and is certainly one of the best things to see in Colombo. Stop in for a cocktail at the Galle Face Hotel before eventually working your way to Colombo Central. See the iconic Red Masjid, a famed mosque constructed in the early twentieth century and known for its distinctive candy cane appearance. If you have a bit more time consider visiting Diyatha Uyana, a waterfront park with a playground, colorful fountains, an aquarium, and an outdoor food court. At night enjoy a lavish meal while you delight in the rhythms of this eminently fascinating city.

Tea cultivation is a mainstay of the Sri Lankan economy. Throughout its history, various European colonial powers beginning with Portugal in 1505, have sought to control the island. Lucrative commodities such as cinnamon and tea were important sources of colonial wealth extraction. In 1842, the British smuggled a tea plant onto the island and Sri Lanka’s national industry was born. Today, Kandy District remains the heartland of Sri Lankan tea production. The lands in this central province, in addition to being incredibly beautiful, are uniquely well suited to tea cultivation. Visitors can tour a historic collection of restored plantations along the so-called Ceylon Tea Trail. The plantations, known as bungalows, are perched approximately 1250 meters above sea level. Set around Castlereigh Reservoir, each bungalow offers luxury accommodations and curated tours of tea plantations. If you’re looking for an absolutely incredible experience, this is something you don’t want to pass up.

In addition to housing the prime tea-growing regions, Central Province boasts some amazing natural scenery. Laxapana Falls are roughly 10 kilometers northwest of Castlereigh Reservoir. Hidden deep in the jungle, you can hike up to the top or visit the base and take a dip in the pools there. Reaching the falls is complicated by their relative remoteness so you might consider linking up with a tour operator. Alternatively, make for the better known Bopath Ella Waterfall located on the other side of the Peak Wilderness Sanctuary in Sabaragamuwa Province. These iconic waterfalls resemble a sacred fig leaf and are a popular natural attraction in this part of Sri Lanka.

Located in the extreme northern part of Central Province, Sigiriya is an ancient archaeological site dominated by an impressive rock fortress. The massive construction dates back to the 5th century CE. A few small Buddhist settlements there were found to have existed as far back as the 3rd century BCE. Considered by some the “Eighth Wonder of the World,” Sigiriya is hands-down one of Sri Lanka’s most important historical monuments. In 1982, UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site. Given the rudimentary construction techniques available at the time, Sigiriya stands as a true marvel of ancient engineering. In addition to the fortress complex set high up on the natural rock formation, Sigiriya features an extensive network of fortifications, gardens, ponds, canals, alleys, and fountains. Weather-worn over centuries, they may not appeal to everyone; however, they are widely considered spectacular achievements signifying a sophisticated urban planning design.

Visit the archeological museum located just outside the moat. Learn the site’s history and get a sense for how Sigiriya would have looked during its heyday. Wander past the garden complex. Notice the design elements and how the pools integrate with the landscape to store rainwater runoff. As you approach the fortress, take a moment to admire the western wall frescos from a distance. The artwork, thought to date to the original construction, features various female figures believed to be wives or concubines to the king. Note the iconic mirror wall, which legend says was polished so well it was able to reflect the king’s image. Work your way around to the Lion’s Paw on the northern side from where you can ascend to the top to the rock fortress. Enjoy the extraordinary panoramic view and marvel at how this ancient site must have awed and inspired all who set foot there. Arguably one of the world’s most important examples of ancient urban planning, Sigiriya remains as miraculous today as it surly was those many centuries ago.

Galle is a coastal city located just over 100 kilometers south of Colombo. Despite the relatively short distance between them, Colombo and Galle have seemingly little in common. Whereas Colombo is big and boisterous, Galle is laidback and feels more spread out. Find yourself a convenient place to stay and get settled in. Afterwards, head for the historic Galle Dutch Fort. The colonial-era garrison stands on an attractive peninsula. Walk the remains of the outer wall and see the lighthouse, the water hole, ramparts green, the old slave quarters, and the clock tower. Today there are various shops, hotels, and restaurants located inside the old embankments. It’s one of the best spots in the entire city so you should plan to spend some time walking around. Visit the Galle Fort National Maritime Museum and explore the long tradition of Sri Lankan seafaring. Depending on when you visit, you might catch a match at the neighboring cricket grounds too.

Galle is far less chaotic than Colombo so it’s a nice place to catch your breath. Spend some time exploring the city at a leisurely pace and consider venturing to some nearby attractions. Go for a stroll by the seaside marine walk or just find a nice café in which to spend a bit of down time. Galle has several art galleries, many of which are located in the fort area. Discover the local art scene where you’ll find a great appreciation for Sri Lankan culture. There are several excellent beaches in the area, including Unawatuna Beach, which we profile below. If you’re visiting Galle, we recommending checking out the areas around Unawatuna. The major attractions in Galle cluster around the fort so expect to spend the majority of your time there. Don’t neglect other parts of town, however. These may not have the same historical resonance, but they’ll give you a fantastic window into contemporary Sri Lanka.

Unawatuna sits opposite Galle across the bay. You can arrive here via public bus or via the popular motorized transport called a tuk-tuk. Common in South and Southeast Asia, tuk-tuks tend to be three-wheeled motorcycles and work almost exactly taxis. At times able to avoid traffic jams, they are an effective way to get around. Visit the famous Japanese Peace Pagoda, a unique Buddhist temple offering expansive views of the ocean and surrounding landscapes. The neighboring Unawatuna Observation Point sits on a beautiful natural coastline where you can snap some excellent photos around the bay and back towards Galle. Eventually make your way to Unawatuna Beach, a popular stretch with great swimming and surfing. Give yourself plenty of time to relax on the sands as this is definitely one of the best things to do in Unawatuna.

The waters around Unawatuna are great for snorkeling and scuba diving. Look into booking a tour with one of the operators near the beach. There is a popular coral reef nearby with some truly spectacular underwater scenery. See an array of fish including bat fish, napoleon wrasse, golden moray eels, plus many other colorful inhabitants. Dive down and explore The Rangoon, an old shipwreck that settled in the water with its mast intact. Given the wreck’s condition, this is among the most popular dives in the region. As the tourism industry in Unawatuna is fairly mature, you should have no problem finding an operator offering a package suitable for your skill level. Given the area is often ranked among the world’s best beaches, be sure to make a stop if you’re eager for that ideal vacation experience.

Set along Sir Lanka’s northeastern coast, Trincomalee is well-known among divers and snorkelers. Book a tour out to Pigeon Island National Park, which boasts incredible waters perfect for visitors of any skill level. In Trincomalee proper, find yourself accommodations near the beach. The impressive row of skiffs on display is a testament to the importance of finishing in the local economy. Trincomalee’s long stretch of pristine white sands make for iconic photos. Visit the small Maritime and Naval History Museum near Dutch Bay. Once the official residence of the Dutch colonial commissioner, the 17th century manor now houses a range of naval artifacts and other exhibits.

A central attraction in Trincomalee is the ruins of Fort Frederick. Originally constructed as a Portuguese military barracks in 1624, the perimeter walls used debris from a destroyed Hindu temple. The fort’s strategic location on a compact peninsula allowed for unobstructed views on three sides with only a narrow approach to defend. Today the Sir Lankan military maintains a presence here, but it has relaxed restrictions in recent years making it easier to visit and explore the grounds. Find your way to the far end of the peninsula where you can see the colorful Koneswaram Temple, which though destroyed when the fort was originally constructed has been rebuilt and restored over the years. It is once again an important place of pilgrimage. On the far side of the temple is Lover’s Leap. Legend has it the daughter of a Dutch military officer flung herself into the sea at this spot in despair at her broken relationship. Each year in the spring, pods of blue whales pass near here on their migratory routes. These amazing creatures are the largest animals on the planet and people come from around the region to witness their annual migration. Without a doubt it’s one of the most popular annual attractions in Trincomalee.

Sri Lanka is an altogether fantastic destination with much to recommend. Experience the culture and energy in Colombo or explore magnificent natural scenery in the central highlands. Find yourself some relaxation along the beach or discover ancient ruins and incredible architecture. No matter your fancy, you can easily build a great itinerary. The destinations we profiled here will give you an introduction to the many things on offer around Sir Lanka. How you choose to explore mostly depends on what you want to see and how much time you’re able to budget. Though it’s not always easy to move between distant cities, transportation and tourism infrastructure is improving rapidly. As Sri Lanka eagerly courts international visitors there’s arguably never been a better time to go. If you’ve always had a desire for an exotic island adventure, let this be the year you scratch Sir Lanka off your bucket list. What are you waiting for?