Holidays in Sri Lanka – 14 Top Attractions

Although it is called the teardrop of India, there is nothing sad about it! Voted the most attractive place to visit by Lonely Planet in 2019 Sri Lanka is a country full of natural beauty and inexhaustible cultural riches. The mysterious smile of countless Buddhas, the sentimental charm of colonial towns, temples filled with the scent of incense and lotus, soft sand beaches and the calming sound of the ocean, national parks full of exotic animals, the best tea in the world and food with an incomparable taste and aroma - these are just a few of the attractions that await you during your holiday in Sri Lanka, tailored by Planet Escape.

Beaches and Treasures of Ceylon

SRI LANKA - Waikkal, Sigirya, Habarana, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Yala, Tangalla
Pristine beaches, green palm trees, the best aromatic curry in the world and the downright disarming smiles of the locals, who will often extend a helping hand to you.

 Security in Sri Lanka

In Sri Lanka, tourism is the third branch of the economy, which is why everyone wants tourists to come back here for holidays. After the terrorist attacks in April 2019, the Sri Lankan government introduced a state of emergency and a curfew, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of various countries advised against holidays in Sri Lanka, but the situation quickly stabilized and in July the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs lowered the warning level a trip to Sri Lanka from level three to level two. On the MFA website, you can read: "In connection with the terrorist attacks that took place in April 2019, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends that people traveling to Sri Lanka and staying in Sri Lanka exercise particular caution and follow the instructions of local authorities." To ensure safety, controls at airports, hotels, temples and major tourist attractions have been tightened, and you must also expect a large number of police on the streets.

We hope we have managed to calm your anxiety about deciding to go on holiday to Sri Lanka! It is a safe country, where the locals are very friendly towards tourists – and it is no wonder, since for many Sri Lankans tourism is the only source of income. Just leave most of your cash and passport in the hotel safe, avoid ostentation and wearing a lot of jewellery, always have a backpack or purse in your hands, and have emergency numbers with you so that you can quickly and easily call for help. When visiting temples, you should also remember to dress appropriately – covering your shoulders and knees – and that you are not allowed to take a selfie with the Buddha with your back to him.

14 Top Attractions in Sri Lanka

The monumental Lion Rock – Sigiriya

Sigiriya – enter Lion Rock

One of the most famous attractions in Sri Lanka is a lonely rock, emerging like a mighty, clenched fist from the jungle thicket, a remnant of a once active volcano. Its inaccessible, massive shape became the perfect place to build a fortress. And its builder – Kassapa, a royal bastard – had every reason to make his seat as difficult to conquer as possible: having killed his father and expelled his brother, the rightful heir to the throne, from the kingdom, he feared his return not without reason. Wanting to protect himself from the expected attack, he built a fortified stronghold. Of course, man does not live by fear alone, so the citadel, divided into two palaces – the upper one, used during the rainy season, and the lower one, inhabited during the hot dry season, included, among other things, comfortable quarters for the royal wives and concubines. Kassapa was a passionate lover of the fair sex, and for his women he prepared at the foot of the mountain a vast complex of cool baths, pools, fountains and cascading gardens. The beauty of the royal concubines, of different races and nationalities, can be admired already during the climb, passing fragments of paintings depicting them. In the 5th century, when the fortress was built, the entire front of the rock was supposedly covered with such frescoes.

The elaborate security measures did not protect Kassapa from his brother's wrath. Defeated, he committed suicide, and his palace, for some time inhabited by Buddhist monks, fell into ruin. It was not until the 19th century that British archaeologists discovered it, and in recent years Sigiriya was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The top of the mountain is reached via uneven, sometimes steep and slippery steps (we recommend wearing shoes with a harder sole), the number of which seems to increase with each turn. They are partly made of sandstone and granite, and partly of steel – they were brought from the London Underground! You can take a moment to breathe on the lion's platform, from which the rock takes its name – you will see two large lion's paws, between which there used to be an equally large mouth, hiding a staircase leading straight to the top. Unfortunately, the wooden mouth has fallen apart, only the stone paws remain. At the very top, you will find a well-deserved reward for the hardships of the climb – the view from the top of the sea of ​​green jungle stretching at your feet is truly stunning! The fortress is best visited in the morning: the temperatures are lower and the air is clearer.

Galle Lighthouse

Visit the colonial town – Galle

The charming seaside town is a place where traces of three colonial powers that once ruled this piece of the Teardrop of India – Portugal, the Netherlands and Great Britain – have converged like a lens. The combination of these influences resulted in the creation of a rare beauty of the old town – a fort whose mighty stone walls, today decorated with festoons of moss, protected against the onslaught of hostile armies and provided shelter to the numerous merchants, adventurers, traders and missionaries who flocked here. All the nations living here built quays, residences, warehouses, courts, churches, mosques and monasteries, and Galle became a colourful melting pot of cultures and religions. Today, this magnificent, multi-dimensional past is evidenced by its monuments, which are completely unusual for Asian culture – colonial houses with red roof tiles, whitewashed walls and colourful shutters, beautifully restored hotels, giving a second life to old residences, impressive churches and picturesque, pastel streets, which are a pleasure to walk along, absorbing the atmosphere of bygone centuries. The old town and the adjacent Dutch fort, several interesting museums presenting the complicated fate of this place, verandas and balconies with colonnades characteristic of Dutch architecture, beautifully decorated wooden doors, a lighthouse, Protestant churches, a mosque and a Muslim school – it is no wonder that tourists consider a visit to Galle to be a must-see during their holidays in Sri Lanka. Indeed, this place exudes such charm that missing it would be a great loss. And if you miss the taste and smell of real, aromatic coffee, which is so hard to find on the tea island, this is where you will find the hospitably open doors of the best cafes!

Sri Lanka – Polonnaruwa

Discover the ruins of the ancient capitals of Ceylon - Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa

Although the ruins overgrown with jungle do not make an impressive impression at first glance, it is enough to imagine that for almost 1500 years, from 380 BC to the beginning of the XNUMXth century, a civilization flourished here, and Anuradhapura It served as the first capital of Sri Lanka, so that we can look at the remains of the local palaces and temples with a completely different eye. According to legend, the city was founded by a Buddhist nun, Sanghamitta, who offered the King of Sri Lanka, Devanampiyatissa, a scion of the sacred Bodhi tree, the same tree under which Siddhartha Gautama gained enlightenment and became Buddha. This tree still grows here today, being the oldest plant in the world! Anuradhapura was such a huge city that its defense in the event of an armed attack would be impossible, so with the fall of the Sinhalese state, the capital was deserted. The jungle and its inhabitants – monkeys, elephants and other wild animals – took over the rule over this area, and the trace of the gigantic capital remained only in legends about the “huge, rich and mysterious” city. Anuradhapura was rediscovered only in 1820 by the British, who for a long time did not realize the real size of their discovery. Today it is estimated that the former capital covers an area of ​​almost 40 km², and a significant part of it has still not been explored by archaeologists. This vast area is best explored by bike, tuk tuk or even by car with a driver - the city is so vast that walking is too tiring and time-consuming. Anuradhapura is famous for its historic places of worship - stupas, called dagobas in Sri Lanka, temples and monasteries. Many of them have been preserved in surprisingly good condition, and the paintings, decorations and sculptures can arouse admiration. Around the temples and on the trees, multi-coloured flags flutter - white symbolise requests for a child, blue and red are supposed to bring success in exams and in finding a job.

About 100 km from Anuradhapura is located Polonnaruwa, which in ancient times was the royal summer residence. After the fall of the first capital, this city became the most important metropolis on the island. In its heyday, in the years 1153-1186, Polonnaruwa delighted with its mastery - it was a charming, triple-walled garden city, whose palaces and temples blended harmoniously into the landscape. Today, you will see remnants of its former glory here - massive brick buildings, large statues of Buddha and monasteries and stupas decorated with sculptures. Although the city did not survive for too long, only 200 years, it remained the spiritual and cultural center of Ceylon for a long time, and in recent years the complex was entered on the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List and belongs to the so-called Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka. During your holiday in Sri Lanka, you absolutely must see at least one of these capitals – both are very impressive, but Polonnaruwa is easier to get to and has an additional attraction – a great archaeological museum, one of the most interesting in the whole country, where you can learn about the history of the city and see objects found among the ruins.

Sri Lanka - Tea Plantations in Nuwara Eliya

See how Ceylon tea is grown

Coffee or tea? In Sri Lanka, there is only one answer to this question: tea! Ceylon is famous for this drink all over the world, and over 5% of the country's population, the fourth largest world producer of tea, works in tea plantations and factories to harvest the leaves. It is sometimes hard to believe that the first bushes of this plant appeared in Sri Lanka only in 1824, brought from China as an original specimen intended for a botanical garden. It was not until the 60s, with the arrival of James Taylor, that tea cultivation began on a larger scale. At that time, the leaves used to brew the divine drink beloved by the British were primarily imported from China and grown in India - and it was to India that Taylor went, where he learned all the secrets of tea cultivation and production. The first plantation, established in 1867, had an area of ​​just 19 acres, and the first load of tea sent to England weighed just 23 pounds, or about 20 kg. How well tea felt in the Sri Lankan hills, often shrouded in fog and wet by rain, could be seen after only a dozen or so years, when the export of processed leaves exceeded 23 tons.

Today, Ceylon tea is widely known, and a visit to a teahouse, a walk through the plantation, tasting the different types and flavors of this infusion is one of the greatest pleasures of traveling in Sri Lanka. Did you know that the taste of tea is determined by the altitude at which it grows? That 18 kg of fresh leaves make 5 kg of tea? Or maybe you are interested in the fact that some of the machines used to process the leaves are 100 years old? A vacation in Sri Lanka is the best opportunity to discover all the secrets hidden in an inconspicuous, yet so full of flavor and aroma, tea tin!

Mirissa – dream surfing conditions!

Try your hand at surfing in Mirissa

Located in the south of the island Mirissa it is not only a large port, but above all a beautiful sandy beach in the shape of a crescent moon, which is quickly gaining popularity among surfers, who flock here from November to March, when the rainy season prevails on the east coast. The waves here are large and strong, and the best conditions are early in the morning and late in the afternoon. The clean, clear waters here are suitable for both beginners and experienced surfers. The location between the rocks and the hill means that the wind blowing from the mainland has almost no effect on the waves. We especially recommend the point on the right end of the beach, where, in addition to many guesthouses, there are also many restaurants and bars from which the energizing sounds of Bob Marley's music come. And if you don't like or can't surf, but want to spend at least part of your holiday in Sri Lanka on this beautiful, sandy beach? Mirissa is ideal for snorkeling, fishing and whale and dolphin watching!

Jeep safari in Minneriya

See elephants during Sri Lanka safari

The huge, monumental rock-like bodies of elephants emerge from the undergrowth… Here is Minneriya, a place made for observing these majestic animals. In the relatively small park, located near Polonnaruwa, on Lake Minneriya, there are up to 300 wild elephants, which, during an organized ride with a guide, sitting in a safe jeep, you can get almost within arm's reach. It is best to come here during the dry season, from May to September, because the vegetation during this period is quite sparse and it is harder for the animals to hide in it. There is also a lack of water at this time, so taking a position by the lake - the largest natural watering hole - guarantees an unforgettable view of elephants quenching their thirst.

Sri Lanka is home to Ceylon elephants, which differ from their African cousins ​​in terms of size (they grow up to 3,5 m tall and weigh 6 tons) and the shape of their ears. Interestingly, they rarely grow tusks, incorrectly called tusks. For this reason, Sri Lankan elephants are almost never threatened by poaching – the greatest danger to them is the spread of agricultural fields, and consequently the reduction of natural habitats.

The great advantage of this park is the fact that the elephants living there live in freedom, and human interference is limited to a minimum. Of course, it is not a completely natural environment, and hundreds of jeeps filled with tourists aiming cameras at the animals certainly disrupt the balance in some way, but the conditions here are still much better than in places where elephants are used solely for human entertainment, kept in boxes, beaten and brutally accustomed to carrying tourists.

Traditional fishing in Sri Lanka

See what traditional fishing looks like in Sri Lanka

As you drive along the coast near the towns of Ahangama, Koggala, Welipenna, Kathaluwa and Thalarambe, you will certainly catch a very original sight – men perched on thin sticks resembling stilts, every now and then putting something into a bag. These are fishermen, fishing in the traditional way, called ritipanna in Sinhalese. Although looking at the calmly sitting fishermen, you might get the impression that this method of fishing does not require much effort, that would be a mistake. Just imagine having to balance on a narrow crossbar, attached to a vertical pole set in the seabed, to gain respect for the Sri Lankans who practice this art. They have to show great patience and perseverance, maintaining absolute silence and calm for several hours so as not to scare the fish swimming around. For this reason, the crossbar on which they sit is so thin – the shadow cast by a thicker one could disturb the sea creatures. Fishermen hold onto a stake with one hand and cast the rod with the other. When a fish takes hold, they must gently, so as not to lose balance, transport it to a bag attached to their waists. Interestingly, this method of fishing was very common until 2004, when a powerful tsunami caused a change in the shape of the ocean floor. Today, fishermen perched on stakes can be seen primarily on the southern coast, where they fish with equal dedication to the tourists pointing their lenses at them, demanding a fee for taking a photo. But there is no point in regretting those rupees: the view of silhouettes silhouetted against the horizon, especially at dawn and dusk, is worth a lot. Or maybe you will treat your holiday in Sri Lanka as an opportunity to acquire a new skill and sit on a narrow pole yourself, trying to catch at least one fish from the water?

Adam's Peak in Sri Lanka

Climb the Holy Mountain at night – Adam's Peak

 A holiday in Sri Lanka can be a wonderful adventure not only for lovers of relaxing on sunny beaches, visiting historical monuments and sipping Ceylon tea! Although this country does not lead the ranking of the best places for mountain tourism, trekking enthusiasts may feel pleasantly surprised. Although the most famous of the local mountains, Adam's Peak, is not impressive in height - it is only 2243 m above sea level - it is a unique place in every way. At its peak there is a temple hiding a real treasure - a rocky depression, considered to be a footprint. Whose? For over a thousand years, several religions have claimed it! Buddhists claim that it is the Buddha's footprint, Muslims - that of Muhammad, Hindus see here a memento of Shiva, and Christians maintain that the footprint was left by the biblical Adam, who stood here on one leg in penance after being expelled from paradise. Regardless of who is right, one thing is certain – the panorama from the top can be dizzying, especially at sunrise, when the triangular peak of the mountain casts a shadow on the clouds hovering below the peak. However, to enjoy this view, you have to set off in the middle of the night and climb several thousand steps, climbing a winding, rocky road. This hike, although quite tiring, is not beyond the capabilities of an average walker. If you go here on a weekend, Sri Lankan New Year (mid-April) or during a full moon, you will hike to the top in a crowd of thousands of other pilgrims, moving at a snail's pace in a queue longer than the one for Giewont! So it is better to come here at a different time, but remember that between May and October the mountain is often covered in a veil of clouds, there are rains and strong winds. The best time to visit is between December and May, especially because then the path is lit by the glow of lanterns. And one more thing: although Sri Lanka is primarily associated with almost tropical heat, it is certainly not hot before and after sunrise, at an altitude of over 2000 meters. So, in order to enjoy the riot of colors in the sky shimmering with shades of pink, yellow, orange and blue, take a warmer jacket with you, which you can later put in your Planet Escape backpack when you descend the slopes covered with evergreen subtropical forest.

Railway viaduct near Bandarawela

Enjoy the picturesque scenery while traveling by train from Ella to Nuwara Eliya

What if you got on a train – not just any train, but one that looked like it had been taken straight from an adventure movie – and sat down in the open doorway, enjoyed the view of tea fields shrouded in a delicate mist, green hills illuminated by the sun, winding stone viaducts, light scattered between tree leaves, tiny villages and vast plantations? Don’t worry, you won’t fall out! The train’s speed doesn’t exceed 30–40 km/h for most of the route, so you can safely sit on the threshold of the carriage and point your camera at the landscapes passing by. It’s not without reason that this route is considered one of the most picturesque in the world! If you feel hungry during the journey, don’t worry – you can easily buy various snacks and drinks. We especially recommend the roasted peanuts, packed in a newspaper cone…

And what about the beginning and end of the route? Imagine a small mountain town surrounded by an evergreen, tropical garden, where you will find both plenty of pubs and massage points, as well as fantastic trekking trails - you can go to Little Adam's Peak or Ella Rock, walk through a tea plantation, visit the Ravana waterfall immortalized in the Indian epic Ramayana. Ella is exactly like that, a town bustling with life and full of tourists, and at the same time one of the most beautiful in Ceylon. This is where our favorite hotel 98 Acres is located, delightfully located among forest-covered mountains, from whose windows there are breathtaking views. The journey is best finished at the station next to Nuwara Eliya, a town founded by the British called "Little England" - not only because of the beautiful, well-preserved colonial architecture, but also thanks to the climate, definitely closer to the aura of Albion than tropical Sri Lanka.

Temple of the Buddha's Tooth

Temple of the Tooth in Kandy – see the most valuable tooth in the world

Located in the heart of Sri Lanka Kandy It was once the capital of ancient kings. Even today, it remains one of the most important cultural and religious centers of the country, being the place where the most precious relic for Sri Lankan Buddhists is kept – the tooth of Buddha. Sri Dalada Maligawa, also known as the Temple of the Sacred Tooth, is the most important pilgrimage site in Ceylon, next to Adam's Peak, where crowds of believers gather every day, taking part in the puja ritual, during which the golden reliquary, where the priceless relic is kept, is presented. This ceremony takes place three times a day, but the tooth remains hidden from the eyes of the faithful – they can only see the chest that contains it. Only high dignitaries, clergy and special guests can be honored to see the relic itself, only a few times a year.

According to legend, the tooth was stolen from Buddha while he was lying on a funeral pyre, and in 313 AD it was smuggled to Sri Lanka in the hair of Princess Hemamali, who was fleeing India from the Hindu army. Having found refuge in Ceylon, she offered the tooth to King Kirthi Sri Meghavarna, who built a temple for the relics in Anuradhapura. As capitals changed, the tooth travelled throughout Sri Lanka, finally reaching Kandy in the XNUMXth century. Its fate can be traced by viewing the colourful paintings on the walls and ceiling of the temple.

Sea Turtle

Relax on the beaches Tangalle and see how the turtles hatch

Tangalle, once a fishing village and now a quiet town, stretches along one of the most beautiful stretches of the southern coast. The local bays and sandy beaches, not only full of charm, also attract a small number of tourists - violent waves and underwater rocks mean that swimming conditions are not the best here. However, this does not mean that there is no entertainment in this place! When you get tired of lying on the golden sand in the shade of palm trees, just rent a scooter or jump into a tuk tuk and set off to conquer the area: see the geyser in Hoo-maniya, the largest Buddha on the island in Wewurukannala and the magnificent rock temples in Mulkirigala. And if you prefer the wonders of nature to cultural attractions, go to Rekawa Beach, about 10 km from the town, where five of the seven species of sea turtles in the world lay their eggs from April to September. It is best to come here after dark, with a flashlight, but remember that during the nesting season the beach is guarded 24 hours a day, and noise or too much light can scare the animal away. The entrance fee goes to the Turtle Conservation Project, an organization that protects turtles, including by paying residents of nearby villages not to hunt turtles or collect eggs, which are considered an aphrodisiac. Interestingly, Rekawa Beach is one of the very few places in Sri Lanka where turtles hatch directly on the sand, and not in special hatcheries. So if your vacation in Sri Lanka falls during this period, take the opportunity to watch the turtles at this important moment in their lives. Keep quiet, and they certainly won't hold it against you!

The Temple Complex in Dambulla

Visit the Dambulla Rock Temple Complex

Step by step, step by step… The path to the top is quite long (although much shorter than to Sigiriya), fortunately the dense trees cast pleasant shade, and the funny monkeys provide a great excuse for frequent stops. During your holiday in Sri Lanka, you will have certainly become accustomed to the omnipresent Buddha images, sometimes a real challenge to your sense of taste, so turn a blind eye to the giant golden statue and the kitschy dragon with bared teeth, and head for the very top. Once you have had your fill of the beautiful view from the top, we invite you to the temples in Dambulla! It takes a moment for your eyes to adjust to the semi-darkness, but you will soon see the real treasures.

This fantastic cave complex is called Rangiri, or golden rock. Its history dates back to the 14st century BC, when the exiled King Valagamba hid in the depths of the caves for 150 years. When he regained the throne after defeating the Tamils, he founded Buddhist temples in the caves as a form of gratitude. They were expanded over the centuries – today there are five caves, which contain about 14 Buddha statues in various sizes and positions, colorful, eye-catching paintings, statues of Sri Lankan kings and Hindu gods. A sleeping Buddha XNUMX meters long, carved from a single boulder, Buddha protected by multi-headed cobras, King Valagamba, depicted in trousers and a European crown… and to top it off, the sweet smell of lotus, offered here as an offering.

Sri Lanka is famous for its very spicy cuisine!

Try Sri Lankan curry

 If, like us, your mouth waters at the thought of spicy, aromatic dishes, then a vacation in Ceylon will be a real hit! Sri Lankan cuisine It is not without reason that it is called rice & curry, being a fantastic combination of contrasting flavours – sweet coconut milk, spicy curry leaves, hot ginger, mild cumin and fragrant nutmeg. And that is just the beginning: add turmeric, fenugreek, pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, chili… Mixed and roasted, sometimes combined with oil, they create a richly flavoured concoction added to a variety of ingredients: meat, fish or vegetables. The most popular is chicken curry, cooked with roasted curry, curry leaves, lots of chili and a pinch of lemongrass. Or maybe fish curry, juicier than poultry curry thanks to the addition of coconut milk? If you prefer meatless dishes, you will definitely like curry made of jackfruit, cut into cubes or long, narrow strips, cooked in coconut milk, with lots of spices. You must also try the delicious, creamy dhal curry, a dish popular in Sri Lanka almost as much as rice – orange lentils cooked with turmeric and fenugreek, among other things. The beetroot curry is also very original, cut into thin slices and stewed in delicate spices. Crispy, sweet and spicy at the same time, beetroot can be addictive!

The largest animal in the world

See the largest animals on Earth – whales

If the word whale immediately brings to mind the vast expanse of ocean, where the mighty body of the white Moby Dick is hiding, then you should definitely spend part of your holiday in Sri Lanka searching for and observing these mighty creatures! In winter, they migrate to the warm waters of tropical oceans to give birth to their young and provide them with the best possible conditions before the demanding journey to the Arctic north. In Sri Lanka, you can find two places on the shores of which these largest animals in the world appear - Mirissa, located at the very southern end of the island, and Trincomalee, located in the north. In Mirissa, the best time to watch whales is from November to April, while in Trincomalee, where these large mammals continue their migration - from June to October. So, early in the morning, get on the boat that will take you on your cruise (it is better not to opt for the cheapest version, but choose one where you will at least get breakfast, life jackets and... a seat), stand at the railing and look out for blue whales, sperm whales, Bryde's whales, as well as dolphins, killer whales and the largest fish in the world – whale sharks.

Of the different types of whales, blue whales are the largest mammals that have ever lived on Earth. These giant mammals, named for their blue-gray skin, can weigh 200 tons, grow to 30 meters long, and live for up to 90 years! If you see fountains of water gushing from the ocean surface, it's a sign that a whale is about to emerge from the ocean!