10 Places to Visit in Sri Lanka that need to be on your bucket list!

Commonly referred to as the pearl in the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka is one of the top tourist destinations for people from all over the world. The island offers a wide range of attractions that brings in the tourists flocking in the months of December and April to its west and north coast and to its east coast from May to October. Call it Ceylon or Ilaṅkai, the nation offers a wide range of activities and sight seeing with cultural , historical and natural importance. Here is my humble attempt to shortlist the top 10 places to explore everything SriLanka has to offer on your next vacation! Read along to check out the top ten places in SriLanka that need to be on your bucket list.

10 Best Places to Visit in Sri Lanka

1. Dambulla Cave Temple
2. Sacred City of Anuradhapura
3. Mihintale
4. Yala National Park
5. Arugam Bay
6. Galle
7. Nine Arch Bridge
8. Polonnaruwa Sacred City
9. Nuwara Eliya
10. Ravana Falls

1. Dambulla Cave Temple

The Dambulla Cave Temple is the most popular attraction located in the central part of Sri Lanka. It is the largest and well-preserved cave temple that dates back to as early as the third century BC. This abode of serenity is one of the longest-standing examples of the architectural skills of the monks of ancient Sri Lanka. Consisting of 5 rooms,  the temple is home to a collection of one hundred and fifty statues of the Buddhist Order and the country’s history. A must-visit to truly connect with the past and also for the views of the flatlands surrounding the Dambulla Rock. 

2. Sacred City of Anuradhapura

Located in the northeastern region of Sri Lanka, Anuradhapura is famous for its well-preserved ruins of an ancient Sinhala civilization. It is home to the tree of enlightenment, an ancient pipal tree that is believed to have originally been a branch of the Bo tree at Bodh Gaya, India, under which Gautama Buddha had attained enlightenment.

3. Mihintale

A small town just 12 km away from the sacred city of Anuradhapura, Mihintale is considered to be the birthplace of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. Home to a sequence of beautiful shrines, stupas, and caves strung out across wooded hills,  it is sure to mesmerize you.

4. Yala National Park

Are you an animal lover? Would like to go on date with nature that you will remember forever? Then this is the place for you. The Yala National park is a one-stop destination for everything from  Bird Watching to Beach Walks to Safari Rides to even Camping! 

5. Arugam Bay 

Located on Sri Lanka’s southeastern coast, the Arugam bay attracts tourists from all over the world for exploring its beaches, historic temples, lagoons, and the nearby Kumana National Park. It has rated one of the top 10 surf destinations in the world over the years and is also the only international surf competition venue in Sri Lanka. All you adventure junkies out there, this is your place to be.

Also read : The Do’s and Don’ts guide for your Srilanka vacation

6. Galle

Galle is one of the historical hotspots the island has to offer.  Home to the famous Maritime Museum, located on the southern coast of Sri Lanka, a section of the city is recognized as a UNESCO Heritage site. For all you history geeks, this is your go-to place! 

7. Nine Arch Bridge

Also known as the Bridge in the Sky , this bridge is truly one of its kind and a sight to behold in Sri Lanka. It is located in Demodara, between the Ella and the Demodara railway stations and spans over 30ft in length. What is so unique about this bridge? you might ask.  It is the very fact that it was built entirely using stone, brick and cement. Steel was not used in the building of this bridge and despite that it has stood the test of time. 

8. Polonnaruwa Sacred City

The Polonnaruwa Sacred City is another historical hotspot that Sri Lanka has to offer to the world. Flooded with tourists from all over the globe, the Sacred city is a one-stop destination for checking out ancient stupas, shrines, palaces,  monasteries, tanks, and parks, each one weaving a story of its glorious past. The monumental ruins of the spectacular garden city created by Parakramabahu I in the 12th century are truly a sight to behold. Be sure to drop by and soak in its glory!  🙂

9. Nuwara Eliya

Nuwara Eliya is the place to be if you are a wild spirit because the spirit of this place is equally untamed. It is commonly referred to as Little England due to its cool climate and colonial-style houses. Located in central Sri Lanka, it offers everything scenic to explore right from farmlands to lakes. Be sure to visit the evergreen tea gardens, their ancient temples, Horton Plains National Park, a UNESCO heritage site , the famous Lover’s Leap Falls, and shop to your heart’s content at the Bale Bazaar.

Also read : 9 Best Places to Visit in Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka in 2021

10. Ravana Falls

Named after the Ramayana’s supervillain, the Ravana Falls is truly a sight to behold during the local wet season. The sound of gushing water is sure to mesmerise you. Located just 2kms away from Ella city, near the falls, The Ravana Ella cave is also a must-visit. It is known to be the place where Ravana had held Sita hostage here at the Falls and the cave.

Ready to explore Sri Lanka on your next vacation? Then, go ahead and explore PickYourTrail ! We are India’s leading customisable travel company that gives travellers the freedom to customise their itinerary based on their budgets, requirements, and interests completely online. Go ahead and create one for yourself. Happy vacationing to you! 😀