Sri Lanka is one of the most beautiful island nations in the world and it has been attracting tourists from all around the world due to its diverse flora and fauna. The charming island is one of the places that every traveller should visit at least once in a lifetime. The beauty of Sri Lanka comprises a wide range of attractions right from classy beaches to ancient temples. Adding to that, there is a spectrum of wildlife that adds beauty to the island country. While there are many places that you should visit in Sri Lanka, We at Pickyourtrail have collated some of the best places in Sri Lanka that you can’t afford to miss.
Top 7 Places to visit in Sri Lanka
Lavishing landscapes, Mighty Mountains, Beautiful Beaches – Sri Lanka is filled with amazing places to enjoy your vacation. However, it will take weeks if not months to cover all the must-visit places in the island nation. Hence we at Pickyourtrail have put together a list of top 7 best places in Sri Lanka that you should visit atleast once in your lifetime. Read on to know more about the top 7 places to visit in Sri Lanka.
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1. Yala National Park
Sri Lanka is a haven for all wildlife lovers and the corners of the country are filled with beautiful species. And you can see all the variety of species in a single spot – Yala National Park. It is one of the best places in Sri Lanka, especially for all animal lovers. You can choose to go on a safari from the city of Colombo. The Park is known for being the home to the highest concentration of leopards in the world. There are also many other species like Monkeys, Elephants, Crocodiles, Lions, different species of birds and tropical animals.
2. Polonnaruwa
Polonnaruwa is a centre of ancient history and Heritage. Dating back up to 800 years ago, it was one of the most important religious and commercial centres of Sri Lanka. There are archaeological masteries spread all across the city and they represent the might of this city of heritage. The place is filled with hundreds of statues, tombs, stupas and many ravishing ruins. There is a reason this place is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Polonnaruwa Museum is present at the heart of the city and contains the impressive walls of the Lankatilaka and the unique Gal Vihara. The ancient artists have made several statues of Buddha made with Granite. Don’t miss to witness the majestic 14m reclining Buddha statue!
Also read: Things to do in Sri Lanka
3. The Capital City of Colombo
Colombo on its own is a beautiful place in Sri Lanka to visit. Apart from being the capital city of Sri Lanka, Colombo has also got a rich heritage, beautiful culture, street food and other mouthwatering culinary aspects. The city is also famous for its tuk-tuks, a popular way of going around the city. Catch one and go around to majestic places like Gangaramaya Temple, National Museum, Galle Face Green and Beira Lake. The city always keeps you on your feet with people buzzing around and beautiful places to visit surrounding you.
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4. Mirissa, The Beach Village
Mirissa is one of the best beach towns in the country which gives you the perfect holiday vibes. The place is a perfect combination of beautiful beaches, adventurous water sports and delicious food. It is also one of the must-visit places in Sri Lanka if you are looking for vibrant nightlife. One of the blockbuster activity to do here is Whale watching. Hundreds of travellers merge here just to get a glimpse of the gigantic creature. You can’t definitely afford to miss this beautiful beach village on your visit to Sri Lanka.
5. Galle, Flavour of Dutch
Galle is one of the most popular cities in Sri Lanka and a place you should definitely visit in the country. You can witness the flavour of Dutch architecture throughout the city, especially the pretty villas with seaside views, which are a treat to the eyes. Galle is a traveller’s paradise with a lively atmosphere and it impressed every explorer who set feet in its land. The city also provides a variety of activities that feeds your adrenaline.
The city is also home to the Galle Dutch Fort, which is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It is a beautiful piece of the walled enclave and the sea surrounds it on three sides. It’s a blend of two European heavyweight architecture as the Portuguese started the construction and the Dutch finished it. With all its might and elegance, the city of Galle is definitely one of the best places to visit in Sri Lanka.
Also Read: The UNESCO Heritage Site list has more across the globe
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6. Adam’s Peak aka Sri Pada
The Adam’s Peak is a mountain in the central region of Sri Lanka standing at a cute little height of 2.243 m. It has been a pilgrimage site for almost 20 Centuries. It is one of the most sacred places in the country which all Sri Lankans respect. The Christian’s believe it is the mark of the first step that Adam took after he was exiled from the Garden of Eden. On the other hand, the Buddhists believe that it is a footprint of Buddha while the Hindus believe that it is the footprint of Shiva.
Apart from being a place of rich history, Adam’s Peak also gives you a good trekking experience. The best way is to start during midnight and reach the peak in time for the sunrise. The trekking can be tedious as it will take 3-4 hours to reach the summit and almost 2 hours for the return journey. But all the effort is definitely worth it for the spectacle that the place has to offer. This is for sure one of the best places in Sri Lanka. However, avoid visiting the place during Sri Lankan New year (mid-April), weekends and during full moons as the region will be too crowded.
7. Sigiriya Rock Fortress, The Lion Rock
Rightly named the Lion Rock, Sigiriya is a mighty monument built atop a gigantic rock. It gets his name from the giant lion paws present at the entrance of the fortress. You can visit this place as part of the one day trip from Colombo. The Fortress is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites and most travellers who visit this place describe it as the eighth wonder of the world. This fortress also has an interesting back story. The story goes like King Kashyapa, the illegitimate son of King Dhatusena killing his father to seize the throne and to escape from the hands of the rightful heir Moggallana, he built a palace on top of the Sigiriya rock. The place is filled with gracious gardens, amazing architecture and much more making it one of the best places to visit in Sri Lanka.
Has this list made you want to visit this beautiful country? We haven’t even scratched the surface of this ravishing tropical island. Pack your bags and get ready for your very own trip to Sri Lanka. You can also connect with one of our Travel Consultants through WhatsApp to initiate your plan to visit the country. At Pickyourtrail, you can also customise your very own travel itinerary. Unwrap Sri Lanka with Pickyourtrail!