Nuwara Eliya is a city in the central Sri Lankan tea region. Hakgala Botanical Gardens, which is naturally landscaped, exhibits roses and tree ferns and shelters monkeys and blue magpies. Nearby Seetha Amman Temple is adorned with holy figures and is a beautiful Hindu shrine. Nuwara Eliya is visually stunning and has plenty of good places to tour. Read on further to know about the best places to visit in Nuwara Eliya on your Sri Lanka tour packages!
The town was established in 1846 by Samuel Baker, the Lake Albert adventurer, and the Upper Nile. The atmosphere of Nuwara Eliya lent itself to being the prime refuge at Ceylon for British civil servants and planters. Nuwara Eliya, known as Little England, was a hill country retreat where British colonialists could enjoy their holidays by engaging in activities like fox hunting, deer hunting, elephant hunting, polo hunting, cricket and golf.
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Best time to visit Sri Lanka
The best season to reach the west and south coasts and hills are typically from December to June, whilst the worst weather on the east coast is from April / May to September. Two major monsoon seasons decide the island’s weather, and because they cycle, Sri Lanka may be used as a year-round holiday destination.
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9 Best Places to Visit in Nuwara Eliya
- Victoria Park
- Pedro Tea estate
- Gregory Lake
- Lovers Leap
- Seeta Amman Temple
- Galway’s Land National park
- Hakgala Gardens
- Town Walk
- Ramboda Falls
1. Victoria Park
Victoria Park is a well-kept park situated right in the center of Nuwara Eliya. This is the best location to see endangered birds and several unusual flowering plants for family trips that visitors can enjoy watching. The park also has a play area for children, as well as some rides which make the place enjoyable for all ages. The park’s lovely gardens, serene wetlands and several other spectacular locations will also render it a perfect place to click stunning photos on your Sri Lanka honeymoon packages. Victoria Park sits in Nuwara Eliya city centre and is one of the best places to visit in Nuwara Eliya. You have to pay an admission charge before you get in. It is an ideal place for picnics and morning walks.
2. Pedro Tea estate
The Pedro Tea Estate s one of the popular tea estates about 3.5 km away from Nuwara Eliya city. It is renowned for its Pure Ceylon Tea production, grown on Pidurutalagala Mountain terraces. With the support of the staff, you can visit the fields, and even collect some tea leaves. There is also an outdoor cafe where you can sip some quality Pure Ceylon tea, and even buy some for souvenirs to take home. You will visit the tea factory here, where the tea is refined and packed before exporting. The best time to visit the property is either in the morning or after 14:00.
3. Gregory Lake
Lake Gregory is a reservoir located in the town of Nuwara Eliya. It is one of the best places to visit in Nuwara Eliya for tourists to enjoy some recreational activities. During the British era, the lake was named after Sir William Gregory in 1873. Tourists can roam around the lake with the aid of hired boats. This lake serves as the ideal picnic place and by employing bicycles, visitors will enjoy the lake too. During April, the best time to visit this lake is.
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4. Lovers Leap
The Lover’s Leap is a majestic waterfall nestled amid the hills of the tea plantation. Tourists will visit this area when they visit the Pedro Tea Estate because of the nearby waterfalls. The waterfall is associated with many myths and stories, which make it much more exciting and attractive. Visitors have to walk up the hill to get to the waterfalls, which are one of Nuwara Eliya’s lesser-known and less-visited tourist places, so tourists can experience the area in a comfortable way. It is situated 3.5 kilometres from the city centre and is conveniently accessible via local transport.
5. Seeta Amman Temple
The Seetha Amman Temple is a tiny temple situated in Seetha Eliya village in Sri Lanka. It is about a kilometer from the Botanical Gardens of Hakgala and about five to six kilometres from Nuwara Eliya’s central city. It is a shrine from the Ramayana for Sita Devi, Mother Earth’s daughter and wife of Lord Rama. The temple is founded on the site where King Ravana felt Sita Devi would be held as a prisoner. The temple grounds still have footprints from Lord Hanuman, and the Seetha river from where numerous deities have been retrieved. If you are a believer in Ramayana, this is one of the must-visit and best places to visit on your Sri Lanka honeymoon packages.
6. Galway’s Land National Park
Located 3 km from the Nuwara Eliya, The Galway’s Land National Park is one of the city’s only well-known national parks and is one of the best places to visit in Nuwara Eliya. The park is made up of many exotic birds and animals which coexist to shape biodiversity. The park opens to aid birdwatchers early in the morning.
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7. Hakgala Gardens
The second-largest botanical garden in Sri Lanka is the Hakgala Botanical Garden. It is part of the Strict Nature Reserve of Hakgala, and was founded in 1861. It has a wide variety of plants and some exotic species of animals with the whole garden divided into different sections, dedicated to different species of plants such as ferns, cacti, orchids, etc. It is located on the Badulla Highway and is about 5 kilometres from Nuwara Eliya city. It is claimed that in reality, the Hakgala Gardens are a part of the Ramayana trail, ‘Ashok Vatika.’ Since these gardens are on elevated land, the temperature varies mainly from mild to fairly dry.
8. Town Walk
A Nuwara Eliya walking tour involves scenic views over the wooded hills of Sri Lanka. One can go for a walk through the tea plantations and see the many sightseeing places nearby. It is known as ‘Little England’ and has old colonial and Tudor architecture buildings, making it a pleasant place to walk around. There are also many historical sites and temples in the town which are very valuable to different cultures. This area is the best place to chill, rewind and sample diverse lifestyles, stretching a few kilometers.
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9. Ramboda Falls
Ramboda falls are situated in the district of Pussellawa in the town of Kandy. The region is known for spectacular landscapes including highlands, ridges, lakes, streams, and hilly mountains. The highest of the falls was the Ramboda attractions.
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FAQs on Best Places to Visit in Nuwara Eliya
Q: Which are the best attractions to explore in Nuwara Eliya?
A: This city is well-known for its scenic beauty and is home to wonderful attractions. You must plan to visit Lover’s Leap waterfall, Horton Plains National Park, Gregory Lake, Pedro Tea Estate, Victoria Park and many more such beautiful places.
Q: Is it possible to visit tea plantations in Nuwara Eliya?
A: Indeed, You can partake in tea plantations guided tours to places like Pedro Tea Estate or Bluefield Tea Gardens and explore more about tea-making process and enjoying scenic views.
Q: Are there hiking trails in Nuwara Eliya?
A: Yes, national park like Horton Plains National Park offers stunning hiking trails that offers beautiful vistas of surroundings.
Q: Which are the best waterfalls in Nuwara Eliya?
A: Lover’s Leap waterfall, Ramboda Falls, and Devon Falls are some fantastic waterfalls in Nuwara Eliya.
Q: What is the best time to explore Nuwara Eliya?
A: The best time to visit Nuwara Eliya is from February to April. During this time, weather is pleasant along with lush greenery.
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