Sri Lanka has bounced back well after years of political turmoil and COVID 19. It’s still a great place to see magnificent ruins, uncrowded beaches, and wildlife-rich national parks.
It’s also home to fantastic boutique hotels and unique hiking trails. It’s the perfect destination for a luxury-minded traveller looking for something new.
Colombo
Colombo is the most populous city in Sri Lanka. It’s also the island’s financial centre, with head offices of many major banks, insurance companies and brokerage houses. In addition, the port handles much of the country’s trade.
The influence of the city’s colonial past (it was a British, Dutch and Portuguese colony at different times) is evident everywhere. From architecture to cuisine and even proper names, the era is reflected in everyday life.
For those interested in learning about the island’s culture, the Colombo Museum is a good place to start. It has a collection of artifacts, including furniture and artwork. Transportation in the city is easy with bus and train services. Taxis can be pricey and are not metered, so always negotiate the fee beforehand.
Kandy
The capital of Sri Lanka’s precolonial Kandyan kingdom, this city is famed for its sacred Buddhist sites. Its most important attraction is the Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa), whose holy tooth relic is revered and celebrated during the annual Esala Perahera procession.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the temple and its surroundings are worth spending time exploring. Other highlights include the Royal Palace Complex and the 88 ft-high Buddha statue on the Bahirawakanda Hill.
In the nine years since the end of the civil war, the city has regained its luster. Vibrant shops sell traditional saris and sarongs for women, and local eateries serve up flavorful street food and spiced tea. A calming lake and elegant botanical gardens offer a serene contrast to the bustling streets.
Galle
Alive with Dutch heritage, the magnificent UNESCO-listed Galle Fort is the slow beating heart of this city. Within the fort’s walls, modern businesses and restaurants share space with centuries-old churches and warehouses.
Stroll the outer ring of the fort walls or clamber up Flag Rock, a clifftop lighthouse that offers sublime ocean views. It’s a top spot for watching the sunset, especially during golden hour, when many locals gather to watch cliff divers plunge into the sea.
Inside the fort, the National Maritime Museum surveys the region’s maritime history and marine ecosystems. All Saints Anglican Church is another architectural highlight, painted a dazzling white in Gothic Revival style. Other highlights include the Meera Mosque, a prayer space that’s been in use for three centuries, and a 17th-century Dutch warehouse now housing the National Museum.
Nuwara Eliya
The Hakgala Botanical Garden is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Nuwara Eliya. The low-temperature climate of this region has allowed local planters to grow a wide variety of exotic plants. This park is also home to 10 Sri Lanka endemics and exotic bird species.
The town of Nuwara Eliya is often referred to as “Little England,” and there are many remnants of its British colonial past. The quaint clock tower and red brick post office are just two examples.
The town is small enough to explore on foot, but most visitors prefer to hire a private vehicle or take a day tour from Kandy. A day tour can include a scenic train ride, stops at Victoria Park and Gregory Lake, as well as a visit to a tea factory.
Yala
A safari here is your best shot at spotting a leopard, and elephant sightings are basically guaranteed. In fact, the park has one of the highest leopard densities in the world.
The region’s varied habitats—deciduous forest, scrubland, wetlands and lagoons—give it a wide range of wildlife. And the landscapes are gorgeous, with rocky outcrops and sandy coastlines.
Conclusion:
The highlight is the flora, but there are also a few cultural sites worth visiting. Sithulpawwa has ancient rock paintings, while southwest is Magul Maha Viharaya, a pilgrimage site with ruins of an old Buddhist temple.
