Sri Lanka Travel Places: Highlights & The 8 Top Best Destinations

By Jenna Jolie

Sri Lanka is a wonderful tourist destination with a variety of locations to see. This island offers visitors a staggering variety of habitats and tourist sites to explore and experience. It is situated in the Indian Ocean off the coast of India.

Take a journey to some of the best Sri Lanka travel places, and you might find it tough to return home. Discover the finest romantic encounters in Sri Lanka, including breathtaking locations and well-known tourist destinations, by reading on.

Top 8 best Sri Lanka travel places for tourists

1. Adam’s Peak

Adam's Peak, a 7,359-foot-tall peak in Sri Lanka, is one of the most well-known pilgrimage destinations in the Indian subcontinent and is frequently visited by followers of practically all major religions. Aside from the lore associated with the sacred location, Adam's Peak provides breathtaking sunrise views.

Adam's Peak is one of the must-see attractions on a trip to Sri Lanka since it is a place of significant religious significance, offers a reasonable challenge for experienced hikers, and has stunning beauty all around.

What to know about pilgrimage in Adam’s Peak?

Adam's Peak is a well-known destination for pilgrims because of its significance in religion. At the site of the holy footprint is a temple where visitors can worship and observe Buddhist rituals. When a pilgrim reaches the top of the trek, a huge bell at the temple is frequently rung. The Sinhalese New Year, which often occurs in April, and Poya, or the full moon days, are the two most popular seasons for pilgrimages.

Adam's Peak is a well-known destination for pilgrims 

2. Sigiriya

Sigiriya, which UNESCO designated as a world heritage site, is a beautiful illustration of the prehistoric town layout. Perhaps Sri Lanka's most famous historical location and an important Cultural Triangle landmark is Sigiriya.

Where is Sigiriya located?

It is situated centrally in the Matale district, close to Dambulla town.

What to do in Sigiriya?

Visitors interested in learning more about the history of the place can visit the Sigiriya Museum, which is located at the base of the rock.

Pidurangala, another intriguing archaeological site nearby, is home to the ruins of a network of cave temples. Beautiful views of Sigiriya Rock can be seen by climbing to the summit of Pidurangala Rock.

Visit Sigiriya to discover the splendor, power, and elegance of Sri Lanka's former kingdoms.

Sigiriya Rock is the most famous historical location in Sri Lanka

3. Udawalawe National Park

The Udawalawe reservoir, which was constructed on the Walawe River, gives the park its name. The national park received the animals that were relocated as a result of the development. It was created in 1972, making it one of Sri Lanka's first national parks.

Farmers used to use shifting cultivation in the region that this national park now occupies, but they were later evicted. Water birds and Sri Lankan elephants are particularly well-known residents of this national park in Sri Lanka. There are close to 600 Sri Lankan elephants in the park, and you can locate herds of more than 50 of them here.

4. Anuradhapura

Visitors can catch a glimpse of the past by traveling to Anuradhapura, one of the nation's ancient capitals and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You're not only touring ruins in this location; there is a bustling, contemporary community right next to an ancient one. It is one of the oldest continually inhabited places on Earth, according to the present population (starting in the 4th century, BCE).

The ruins are spectacular, with several statues, ponds, temples, and other buildings in disrepair. There are also more contemporary buildings, and the temple is still a bustling center of devotion. A very old tree serves as the complex's focal point. According to some estimates, the Sri Maha Bodhi is the oldest alive tree ever planted by a person.

5. Ella

Looking for the top tourist destinations in Sri Lanka? Enjoy the breathtaking views of a magnificent breach in the southern mountain wall as you pass through Ella Gap. This hill station is nothing short of stunning. It is located in the heart of a gorgeous rural area with little vegetable plots, tea plantations on the hill slopes, and woods on the tops. Unquestionably, Ella is one of Sri Lanka's most picturesque destinations.

Ella is among the top tourist destinations in Sri Lanka

6. Mirissa

One of Sri Lanka's most alluring beach hideaways and tourist destinations is the small village of Mirissa, where you may spend your days relaxing in a hammock and watching whales. As soon as you step foot in this tropical paradise, the outside world will vanish. Your list of stunning locations in Sri Lanka to visit for a wonderful vacation unquestionably needs to include Mirissa.

Since fishermen make up the majority of the population in this area, you will get a very close-up look at daily life there. To see whales and other large fish, you can even go fishing with the locals.

7. Jaffna

Jaffna and the northern islands, which were once the scene of intense fighting, have since been restored, providing an interesting glimpse of Sri Lanka that may have existed if Hinduism had prevailed earlier in the island's history. Up north, everything seems different—the singsong sound of Sinhala has been replaced by a staccato Tamil accent; the dagobas (stupas) have been replaced by vibrant Hindu temples; even the menu has been changed to point northward toward India. With new hotels and a renewed feeling of purpose, Jaffna has never looked better. Rent a bike and take a rickety ferry to an island like Neduntivu to escape the tourist crowds.

8. Secret Beach

"Secret Beach" is another beach in Sri Lanka that is considered to be among the most beautiful landscapes. Before, not many people were aware of Secret Beach. However, news spread as soon as travelers saw how beautiful this tiny beach bay was. Since then, it has grown to be one of Sri Lanka's most visited locations!

You can take a tuk-tuk or walk to Secret Beach, which is in Mirissa.

When you go to Secret Beach, you'll witness the stunning ocean and a serene bay. Because the small beach is protected by rocks, the sea is quiet and ideal for swimming. It is tranquil and shallow enough to simply lay in and unwind.

Secret Beach is one of Sri Lanka's most visited locations

Highlight list of the best Sri Lanka travel places:

1. Ella – See The Charm Of The Countryside
2. Nuwara Eliya – Embedded in Thick Greenery
3. Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage – Check out The Giant Beasts
4. Polonnaruwa – The Historic Ruins
5. Adams Peak – The World Heritage Site of UNESCO
6. Mirissa – Watch the whales
7. Yala National Park – Among the Animals
8. Colombo – Visit the crowded city
9. Jaffna – Investigate The Historical Buildings
10. Ulpotha – The Ayurveda Land
11. Trincomalee – The Temple City
12. Kandalama – The Surreal Village
13. Tissamaharama – Picture Worthy Place
14. Anuradhapura – See The Bodhi Tree
15. Horton Plains National Park – Of Lakes And Greenery
16. Sinharaja Forest Reserve – Tropical Beauty
17. Udawalawe National Park – With Wild Animals
18. Tawalantenne – Ideal Road Trip Location
19. Arugam Bay – Pristine Beaches
20. Commonwealth War Cemetery – For The Warriors
21. Unawatuna Beach – Beautiful Beaches
22. Sigiriya Museum – Visit The Historical Place
23. Peradeniya Botanical Gardens – See The Flowers Blooming
24. Dondra Lighthouse – Instagram Worthy
25. Dambulla Cave Temple – Witness The Murals
26. Old Dutch Fort At Galle – Picturesque Beauty
27. Sigiriya Rock Fortress – The Historical Beauty
28. Beira Lake – The Surreal Lake
29. Temple Of The Tooth Relic – One Of A Kind Temple
30. Bentota Beach – Beautiful Sunrise And Blue Waters
31. National Museum Of Colombo – Know The History
32. Bahiravokanda Vihara Buddha Statue – Gigantic Architecture
33. Nine Arch Bridge – Ride Amidst The Greenery
34. Gal Viharaya – Know The Ancient History
35. Ravana Falls – Explore The Surreal Beauty
36. Spice Garden – Add Some Spice To Your Vacation
37. Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara – For Serenity
38. Ruwanwelisaya – A Sacred Buddhist Site
39. St. Anthony’s Church – Explore The Masterpiece
40. International Buddhist Museum – Experience The Spirituality
41. Mahiyanganaya Sorabora Lake, Uva Province – Explore The Greenery
42. Dehiwala Zoo – Experience The Wilderness
43. Bambarakanda Falls, Ohiya – A Treat For The Eyes

These most gorgeous locations in Sri Lanka will win your heart since they are a comprehensive package of tradition and natural beauty. A journey will be unforgettable if you visit all of these stunning locations. 

So why are you still waiting? Plan your Sri Lanka vacations by applying for an e-Visa on Sri Lanka Immigration Service’s website, and you will get the best service ever!