Surrounded by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka is a natural paradise with landscapes of green mountains, tropical forests, rice fields, waterfalls... From ancient Buddhist temples to the Sigiriya Fortress, to the towns of Kandy and Nuwara Eliya in the mountains, the wildlife of Yala National Park, which has one of the highest concentrations of leopards in the world, the idyllic palm-fringed beaches of the south coast, this small island is incredibly diverse, made special by its relaxed atmosphere and the kindness of its inhabitants.
Trip to Sri Lanka - What to do?
Trip to Sri Lanka - What to see?
- Sigiriya
The Lion’s Rock, a huge rock plateau, houses the ruins of the former royal palace of the former capital.
- Anuradhapura
Sri Lanka’s first political and religious capital is now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can discover the palace, its temples and monuments.
- Polonnaruwa
The second capital of the country, Polonnaruwa is now a place of temples, where you can admire its multiple Buddhas of the Kalu Gal Vihara.
- Kandy and the Buddha’s Tooth Temple
The second largest city of the country houses in particular one of the relics of Buddha, namely his tooth, located in the Tooth Temple. You can also enjoy a walk on the lake
- Dambulla Caves
These 5 caves, located in the heart of a hill, contain countless Buddha status and frescoes, making this place one of the sacred places of Buddhism.
- Galle
In this city we dive into the country’s colonial past. Don’t miss the fort and lighthouse, as well as the 18th-century Reformed Dutch Church.
Sri Lanka Trip - Activities
- Beaches
Sri Lanka is famous for its beaches, especially those of the South. You can head to Trincomalee for quiet beaches (Uppuveli and Nilaveli ), or Arugam Bay for a world-famous surfing sport.
- Tea Plantation
Sri Lanka is one of the largest tea producers in the world. You have the choice of the plantation you want to visit, between the Newburgh estate in Ella, that of Pedro in Nuwara Eliya and Dambatenne in Haputale.
- National parks and forest reserves
The two most famous national parks are Yala and Uda Walawe, where you can admire many animals. The Sinaharaja Forest Reserve also bears witness to the tropical climate and the green flora.
- Adam’s peak
Climb the 5,500 steps early to admire the sunrise. This sacred place would be the last place on earth where Buddha lived.
Sri Lanka trip - Where to eat?
A brief overview of the typical dishes to enjoy during your trip to Sri Lanka
Dishes:
- Hoppers
These are small traditional pancakes made of rice flour and coconut milk. The best known is to taste it with an egg on top
- Rice and curry
It is THE typical dish of the country. Curry can be made from meat or vegetables, accompanied by rice. So there are countless versions of rice and curry.
- Kottu roti
Very common in Sri Lankan street food, this dish is made with rotis (fine wheat pancakes cut into small slices) cooked on an iron plate with vegetables.
- Biryani
Family dish, it is a chicken rice with spices
Desserts:
- Watalappan
A coconut and spice flavored flan, typical of Sri Lanka
- Kiribath
Coconut rice, a staple of local cuisine.
Drinks:
-The arrack
It is the typical alcohol of the country, made from coconut. Be careful if you drink it pure, it is strong enough!
Sri Lanka trip - Where to stay?
Polonnâruvâ
Giritale Hotel
Overlooking the lake and the mountains, it is the ideal place to stay near the temples.
Address: Giritale, 51,000 Polonnâruvâ, Sri Lanka
https://www.booking.com/hotel
Galle
The Bungalow - Galle Fort
Taking back the colonial charm of the city, this hotel is located in the center of the city. Big more for decoration.
Address: Church Cross Street 5, 80000 Galle, Sri Lanka
https://www.booking.com/hotel/
Kandy
Sevana City Hotel
Modern hotel with a superb view from the pool.
Address: 84 Peradeniya Road, Kandy, 20000 Kandy, Sri Lanka
https://www.booking.com/hotel