10 of Sri Lanka's greatest hits for holidaymakers
Surrounded by the azure waters of the Indian Ocean, the tear-shaped island of Sri Lanka sits close to India, its ethnic twin. Known for its lush jungles, abundant wildlife, excellent cuisine and welcoming people, the island is, however, culturally divided.
The north is dominated by Tamils, and where Hinduism is practised, whereas in the south, Sinhalese is the dominant language, with most inhabitants practising Buddhism.
Here, we share 10 of the top places to visit and things to do from north to south to get a feel for this diverse island nation, especially if it's your first time visiting Sri Lanka.
Getting to Sri Lanka: browse holidays for all budgets with TUI*, as well as escorted tours for all interests with TUI Tours*.
Sigiriya
Sigiriya, the 900-metre-high Lion Fortress, also known as Lion Rock, is probably Sri Lanka's most famous landmark. Built by King Kashyapa (477 to 495 CE), the rocky citadel rises spectacularly from the surrounding plains of Anuradhapura.
After overthrowing his own father, King Dhatusena, Kashyapa sought a fortification away from the angry populace. Having decided on this arresting rock formation, he first carved enormous lion paws at its entrance, perhaps to deter his detractors.
He decorated it with fanciful frescoes, stunning gardens, pools and fountains, many of which are still present. Stairs lead from the gardens below to the ruins of the palace at the summit.
Trincomalee
Based on Sri Lanka's east coast, Trincomalee is best known for the water-based activities of the vast Trincomalee Bay. But it is the Koneswaram Temple, constructed into the cliffs over the Indian Ocean, that dominates the landscape.
This Hindu place of worship, erected in honour of Lord Shiva, is well known as a place of pilgrimage for women who want to conceive. These pilgrims create little cradles made of wood and hang them in special sections of the temple in supplication to the deity.
The Holy Bathing Pond at Kerrimalai
The Holy Bathing Pond is reputed to have curative powers as well as drawing locals and visitors to its beautiful ocean location. There is religious significance to Kerrimalai: local legend focuses on an ascetic named Nagula Muni, who was healed of facial deformities and, in gratitude, built a popular local shrine.
The swimming pools are segregated, with the women's pond surrounded by a towering wall, and the men's pond, to the delight of onlookers, open with diving, acrobatics and other antics providing enormous entertainment.
The Pekoe Trail
Opened in 2024, the extensive walking route of The Pekoe Trail covers 300 km through Sri Lanka's lush Central Highlands. It meanders past tea plantations where workers engage in the arduous work of planting and harvesting precious tea leaves.
Walkers will pass through rural villages and towns, by illustrious temples and Anglican churches, and British-era country clubs where cricket and rugby were once played.
The trail begins in Kandy, home of the revered Tooth Temple, and heads for Ella, known for its Nine Arches Bridge, before ending in the hilltop city of Nuwara Eliya, surrounded by tea planations.
Galle
Galle, a thriving port city and popular destination on Sri Lanka's southwest coast, is named after its imposing fort.
Originally built by the Portuguese in 1588, the fortress was extensively developed by the Dutch in the 17th century. Today, museums, chic shops and cafés thrive within its historic, UNESCO-listed walls, while the ramparts at sunset are not to be missed.
Galle is also known for its fishing community and the fleet of boats that bring in a fresh catch daily, including yellowfin tuna, marlin and reef fish. It's worth noting that the nearby port of Matara is excellent for whale watching, too.
The Peraliya Tsunami Memorial
The village of Peraliya in the popular holiday region of Hikkaduwa on Sri Lanka's south coast was devastated by the Boxing Day tsunami, which occurred on 26 December 2004.
One of the most destructive natural disasters in history, it led to the deaths of more than 225,000 people across 14 countries, with a minimum of 31,000 lost in Sri Lanka.
Peraliya was one of the worst-affected areas, not least because the wave hit a commuter train travelling from Colombo to Galle, killing 1,200 passengers, making it the world's deadliest railway disaster. For this small community, the impact was disastrous.
To honour those who lost their lives or loved ones, an enormous statue of Buddha was built in tribute and opened two years to the day after the tsunami. It stands 18.5 metres tall, the same height as the devastating wave which wrought havoc.
Jaffna
The bijou northern city of Jaffna is situated on a peninsula that is known for its lagoons, mangroves and islands. Jaffna Fort, built by the Portuguese in the 16th century and renovated by the Dutch, is on one such island and a popular spot to visit at sunset.
The city's attractive Public Library is open to visitors, though only city dwellers can check out books. Jaffna is slowly opening to tourism after the protracted Civil War, which took place from 1983 to 2009.
For many years, the North of Sri Lanka was a no-go zone due to the hostilities, though eventually there was a military victory for the South, which controversially resulted in a high death toll. Noteworthy that Liberation Day in the South is marked as Genocide Day in the North.
Colombo
Colombo is a sprawling metropolis that contrasts modern high rises with architectural 'ghosts' of the past. The remaining vestiges of colonialism include the Mount Lavinia Hotel, where staff at the entrance wear pith helmets.
In the city centre, vibrant nightlife is juxtaposed with ancient tradition, and you'll discover significant temple complexes such as the Seema Malaka, an adjunct of the Gangaramaya Temple, lying peacefully in the middle of a lake.
Ridi Vihara Cave Temple
This historic Buddhist monastery of Ridi Vihara is famous for its cave temple and as the location of an important vein of silver ore discovered by a group of traders in 200 BCE.
The cave complex is known for its exquisite murals, inscriptions and sculptures, plus an enormous reclining statue of Buddha, as well as a smaller solid gold Buddha kept behind glass.
The monastery is most visited by those looking to delve into Sri Lanka's Buddhist philosophy, as meditation sessions take place inside the holy cave and are frequently led by Professor Sinharaja Thammits. Though this adds a spiritual element to your excursion, there are also local culinary treats to try out here, too.
Elephant Pass
When travelling north on the highway to Jaffna, stop at Elephant Pass to see the war memorial. This was the site of a significant encounter during Sri Lanka's Civil War, with the focus being on a large battle-scarred tank situated off the road.
At the time, a Sinhalese military camp was based here, and the Tamil Tigers (as the opposition fighters were known) planned to use this tank to infiltrate the unsuspecting regiment late at night. One soldier woke in time to avert the attack but sacrificed his own life in the process. The memorial gives the Sinhalese viewpoint of this conflict.
Climate in Sri Lanka
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum daytime temperature °C |  31 |
31 |
32 |
32 |
31 |
30 |
30 |
30 |
30 |
30 |
30 |
30 |
| Hours of sunshine (daily) | ||||||||||||
| Days with some rainfall |  5 |
5 |
 9 |
 14 |
14 |
15 |
 11 |
11 |
14 |
 16 |
15 |
10 |
| Sea temperature °C |  28 |
28 |
29 |
 30 |
29 |
28 |
 27 |
27 |
28 |
28 |
28 |
28 |
The above guide shows the climate in Colombo. Find out more about conditions across the country in our complete guide to the climate in Sri Lanka.
Ready to explore Sri Lanka? Check out the latest offers on TUI holidays and TUI escorted tours to boost your getaway for less.
More about Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka by month
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Explore holiday destinations
- Beach holidays
- City breaks
- Family holidays
- Half term holidays
- Spring holidays
- Summer holidays
- Autumn holidays
- Winter sun holidays
- Honeymoons
- Coolcations
- Compare places
- Ski resorts
Save with latest deals & discounts
- Holiday offers
- Top travel brands
- Airlines & flights
- Discount hotels
- TUI
- Jet2holidays
- Neilson
- Marella Cruises
- Holiday Extras
- Pierre & Vacances
- Caledonian Travel
- Club Med
Airport parking
- Manchester Airport
- Stansted Airport
- Bristol Airport
- Luton Airport
- Birmingham Airport
- Edinburgh Airport
- Gatwick Airport
- Glasgow Airport
- Newcastle Airport
Airport lounges
- Manchester Airport
- Birmingham Airport
- Bristol Airport
- Edinburgh Airport
- Glasgow Airport
- Heathrow Airport
- Newcastle Airport
- Stansted Airport
- Gatwick Airport
Be inspired
Get your weekly fix of holiday inspiration from some of the world's best travel writers plus save on your next trip with the latest exclusive offers
We promise not to share your details
