The 17 best places to visit in Sri Lanka
Places of tourism in Sri Lanka Tourism in Sri Lanka has become a global tourist destination
Due to the wide variety of places to visit
Tourism in Sri Lanka is also famous for its beautiful beaches and golden sun shining throughout the year.
This beautiful island in the Indian Ocean offers an amazing spectacle of sunrises and sunsets
Surfing can also be enjoyed
Snorkeling among the magnificent coral reefs and spending the best times on its perfect beaches.
To help you prepare a rich tourist program in Sri Lanka
We have collected the best places of tourism in Sri Lanka in this article, which include cities, nature, beaches, and others.
Places of tourism in Sri Lanka for Arab travelers include Kandy, Colombo, Fort Rock in Sigiriya, Yala National Park, Mount Adam, Ravana Falls, Arugam Bay, Unawatuna Village, Bentota and other very beautiful landmarks.
The cost of tourism in Sri Lanka
Therefore, the cost of an average tourist trip for two people for a week in Sri Lanka is about $ 983
It includes accommodation, food, transportation, and visiting tourist places, without counting airline tickets.
- Food prices: Starting at $6 per meal.
- Hotel prices: Starting from $10 for two people for one room
- And you can book a hotel in Sri Lanka easily with the site Booking.com
The best 17 places of tourism in Sri Lanka:
1. Sigiriya Rock Fort:
The Sigiriya Rock Fortress consists of rock walls that rise 200 meters from the ground
to give way to a flat plateau at its summit. It is the most popular destination for visitors when visiting Sri Lanka.
There are steep stairs to reach the top and many frescoes you will come across on the way. At the top, you'll find the remains of an ancient civilization, including traces of a palace and a monastery.
It took real engineering ingenuity to build a structure at this height many centuries ago.
There are many beautiful caves and gardens around the rock fort
Which overlooks the wonderful landscapes of the city of Sigiriya.
- You can book a hotel in Sigiriya easily with our website Booking.com
2. Yala National Park:
Yala National Park consists of abundant numbers of Sri Lankan wildlife
The park has the highest density of leopards in the world, so the chances of seeing them are very high.
Although the leopards are the main attraction here
However, Yala National Park is also home to elephants, sloth bears, and crocodiles
It is considered one of the most important places of tourism in Sri Lanka for families.
The park is divided into five areas, some of which are designated for hunters
Until Yala became a national park in 1938.
Be sure to visit the visitor center at the park entrance for panoramic views of the area.
The closest town to Yala National Park is Hambantota
- You can book a hotel in it easily with the website Booking.com
3. Galle Fort:
It's easy to get lost in the cobbled alleys and streets inside Galle Fort.
Today the area is filled with modern restaurants, hotels, clothing and souvenir shops.
The Portuguese built a main fortress when they first landed on the island in 1505.
And when the Dutch finally took control of the city of Galle
They made a number of improvements; Including the enormous sea wall that still stands next to the fort.
Therefore, Galle Fort is a great example of the fusion of European and Asian architecture
It is considered one of the most beautiful tourist places in Sri Lanka for children.
- You can book a hotel in Galle easily with our website Booking.com
4. Adam's Peak
Mount Adam's Peak is located in the province of Ratnapura, 40 km from the city of Ratnapura, the capital of the province.
The summit is marked by the presence of a giant human footprint on it and has spiritual significance for a number of different religions
However, there is currently a Buddhist monastery at the summit.
For Buddhists, the relic belongs to the Buddha; For Christians
the trace belongs to the Prophet Adam; And to the Hindus
The relic is attributed to Shiva. This is what made the summit of Mount Adam one of the most prominent tourist attractions in Sri Lanka.
The site is a popular place of pilgrimage, especially on full moon nights when visitors ascend the mountain
See the trail through a steep staircase that has more than 5000 steps.
The road to the summit is lined with many tea stalls and food shops.
Most people start their walk at 2:30 am to reach the summit in time for sunrise.
- You can book a hotel in Ratnapura easily with our website Booking.com
5. Kandy
Known for its spirituality and natural charm, Kandy offers visitors peace and relaxation
This beautiful Sri Lankan city is also a popular attraction for Buddhists.
There are a number of temples and meditation centers with dense nature around and exciting walking paths.
The Temple of the Tooth is a very sacred place in Kandy and one of the most important attractions when visiting Sri Lanka
Because it contains a tooth of Buddha. Legend has it that the tooth was taken from Buddha while he was on his deathbed
Therefore, he was smuggled to Sri Lanka from India, and this was done by hiding him in the hair of a princess, after her father's kingdom was besieged.
To instantly become a place of great significance and to be celebrated and showcased throughout history.
However, many attempts to steal or destroy the tooth have been recorded.
- You can book a hotel in Kandy easily with our website Booking.com
6. Arugam Bay:
Arugam Bay is one of the most beautiful places of tourism in Sri Lanka and is considered a destination for surfers in the world
This small town on Sri Lanka's east coast epitomizes the great surfing lifestyle.
Main Point surfing is a short walk from the town centre
However, it is recommended for experienced surfers only.
Other than that, Whiskey Point or Peanut Farm are two great beaches for beginner surfers
You can reach them via a short tuk-tuk ride.
Often elephants and peacocks can be seen beside the road, outside the town.
Restaurants and hotels line Arugam's main strip
Where you can dine and savor traditional Sri Lankan curries along with full English breakfasts.
- You can book a hotel in Arugam Bay easily with our website Booking.com
7. Mirissa City:
Mirissa is the best beach destination in Sri Lanka.
The beautiful beaches are fringed by tall palm trees and lined with modern restaurants and hotels
Which offers Western dishes at Sri Lankan prices.
Off the beach, we find the famous Parrot Rock, which contains a small staircase that leads to the top
It offers great views of the ocean and coast.
Day trips from Mirissa include whale watching, snorkeling and surfing.
Do not miss the opportunity to discover Mirissa when visiting Sri Lanka if you are a beach lover.
- You can book a hotel in Mirissa easily with our website Booking.com
8. Dambulla Cave Temple:
Dambulla Cave Temple is a sacred Buddhist temple. There is no entrance fee to the temple on full moon days
However, these days are very crowded due to the religious significance of this lunar phase
This temple is visited by many Buddhists from all over the world.
There are more than 80 caves in the area but the most famous are the five caves
It is equipped with wonderful statues and paintings dating back to 1000 BC.
Prehistoric Sri Lankans lived inside these caves
So it is not surprising that they had established temples indoors at that time.
Dambulla Cave is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Sri Lanka, with millions of visitors annually.
- You can easily book a hotel in Dambulla with our website Booking.com
9. Ravana Falls:
The beautiful Ravana Falls is used for bathing in the hot summer months.
In the rainy season, the water flow is exceptionally strong and it is an impressive sight.
The falls are part of the Ravana Ela Sanctuary, a nearby cave complex rich in local legends.
The caves are well located on the main road towards Ella town
It is a common stopping point for visitors during the trek.
Many monkeys live in the surrounding trees and can often be seen on the side of the road
And she is eating. Ravana Falls is one of the best natural attractions when visiting Sri Lanka.
- You can book a hotel in Ella easily with our website Booking.com
10. Udawalawe National Park
You can see many animals in the Udawalawe National Reserve, in addition to peacocks
jackals, water buffalo, crocodiles, monkeys, and deer.
Safaris are most popular in the early morning hours when the animals come out of their hiding places.
You will be amazed by the biodiversity of the park and its diverse landscapes.
The reserve is surrounded by mountain ranges to the north, with wetlands and rivers hugging pastures and forests at the base of the mountains.
If you love wildlife, then the Udawalawe National Reserve is the best place for you during tourism in Sri Lanka.
- You can easily book a hotel in Udawalawe with our website Booking.com
11. Kataragama Festival:
The Kataragama Festival is one of the most popular annual events in Sri Lanka
It is held every year in July or August in honor of a Hindu deity.
This event takes place over two weeks, and people from all over the world visit it.
The festival is full of elephant parades and performers as well as many traditional dances with musicians and acrobats.
The Kataragama Festival is worth a visit when visiting Sri Lanka to learn about the local culture.
- You can book a hotel in Kataragama easily with our website Booking.com
12. Gal Vihara Temple:
Gal Vihariya is located in the ancient city of Polonnaruwa and is a popular Buddhist site
Therefore, it has many caves and large Buddha sculptures that have been carved into the rock faces.
It is very well preserved, although it was laid in the twelfth century.
The Gal Viharia Temple is ideal to visit when visiting Sri Lanka for hiking lovers.
- You can book a hotel in Polonnaruwa easily with our website Booking.com
13. Unawatuna Village:
The small town of Unawatuna is famous for its beautiful white beach which is a great place to relax
A popular destination for diving to see colorful fish, turtles and colorful coral reefs.
There are many great restaurants along the beach
Which welcomes visitors with sun loungers and relaxation.
Do not miss the opportunity to swim in the turquoise blue waters of Unawatuna beaches while visiting Sri Lanka.
- You can book a hotel in Unawatuna easily with our website Booking.com
14. Mihintale Mountain:
Mount Maihintale is located near the town of Anuradhapura and houses a peak that has great spiritual significance for the Buddhist community.
It is believed that a Buddhist monk named Mahinda met King Devanampyatissa on top of the mountain
This meeting was the reason for the spread of Buddhism in the country.
Therefore, the monk Mahinda impressed the king with the calm and peaceful nature of the Buddhist faith, which made the king renounce war
He goes on to spread peace across the country.
There are many impressive religious and historical structures around Maihintale and hundreds of pilgrims visit the site every year
As it has become one of the most important tourist attractions in Sri Lanka since a long time.
- You can book a hotel in Anuradhapura easily with our website Booking.com
15. Nine Arches Bridge
The Nine Arches Bridge is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Sri Lanka and is located in the small mountain town of Ella.
This viewpoint provides stunning panoramic views of the surrounding area
Which consists of green spaces and tea fields.
Visitors can watch the trains roll down the bridge and make their way down the tracks.
Therefore, this bridge was built in the early days of railway expansion in Sri Lanka
It is particularly impressive because it is made of cement, stone and brick, without the use of iron.
- You can book a hotel in Ella easily with our website Booking.com
16. Bentota City:
Bentota is a wonderful coastal city in Sri Lanka. It is located in the charming southwest of Sri Lanka
It is a stunning part of rural Sri Lanka with green suburbs in the background, dotted with tall coconut palm trees.
Bentota is also famous for its charming virgin beaches and beautiful gardens, which made it a prominent destination for tourism in Sri Lanka.
- You can book a hotel in Bentota easily with our website Booking.com
17. Colombo
The capital, Colombo, is the first destination for visitors when tourism in Sri Lanka, and it is a major cosmopolitan city that has changed a lot in the past two years.
The city is currently witnessing a major boom in the construction of tall skyscrapers, new roads, many luxury hotels, and a giant TV tower that also includes a hotel and a large commercial center, in addition to a new port.
Places of tourism in Colombo include the Royal Colombo Golf Club, Paradise Road, Colombo National Museum, World Trade Center, Peteta Floating Market, Khan Clock Tower and other landmarks worth visiting.
- You can book a hotel in Colombo easily with our website Booking.com
Information about tourism in Sri Lanka:
- The roots of tourism in Sri Lanka go back centuries, when the famous traveler Marco Polo visited it in the 12th century AD and said it was the most beautiful island of its size in the world.
- The number of tourists coming to Sri Lanka has grown significantly, reaching nearly 2.5 million tourists in 2018.
- Domestic tourism is very flourishing in Sri Lanka, as the number of local visitors in the country has reached more than 6 million visitors, most of whom are school students who go on trips to the parks and botanical gardens for the purpose of entertainment and studies.
- One of the most important reasons for the development of tourism in Sri Lanka is the diversity of tourist attractions that include natural reserves and rare animals, beautiful beaches, charming landscapes, botanical and zoological gardens, historical and religious monuments.
