Colombo is the commercial capital and the most populated city in Sri Lanka. The city is just 32 kilometers away from Katunayake international airport. 

Colombo considered the capital city of Sri Lanka until Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte took the position in 1980s. The city stands with the monuments left by three main foreign invaders; Portuguese, Dutch and British. It reflects a vibrant mixture of European clothing, lifestyle with local traditions. The Old Parliament building located at the heart of Colombo is of high architectural value. The building was constructed by the famous architect Austin Woodeson. This splendid building in appearance resembles the Parthenon, the chief temple of the Greek Goddess, Athene, on Acropolis hill at Athens. The building currently used as the Presidential Secretariat.

Popular Places –

Gangaramaya Temple (Beira Lake), Galle Face Green, Viharamahadevi Park, National Museum, Lotus Tower, Independence Square, Mount Lavinia Beach, Ayurveda Treatments, Old Dutch Hospital, Dutch Museum, Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque, Street shopping at Pettah

Sri Lanka is blessed with a magical, lush coastline that swiftly allures tourists. Southern coast ismost often sparsely populated with both local and foreign tourists. It is an ideal choice to relaxand refresh in the sea breeze. 

Galle is a major city in the south coast area that has a long historical value, running back to the colonial area. Galle Fort is one of the most popular tourist destinations as a fortified city foundedby Portuguese colonialists in the 16 th Century. However, it also has monuments and relics that give strong evidence of subsequent colonialists, the Dutch and the British. Galle Lighthouse is a splendid architecture standing at the southeast tip of the Fort.

Arugambay is considered to be one of the finest surfing points in Sri Lanka because of its geographical location. It’s a tiny shaped surf beach located 314 km away from Colombo in Ampara district. Best time to visit is in the months of May until September. The town has managed to retain its small-town charm while gaining popularity among tourists and can be another British street.

Things to do

• Kumana – one of the best places for avifauna .
• Lahugala – a destination to observe wild elephants.
• Kudumbigala -It’s a Buddhist temple with a rich history located just under 30km south of Arugam Bay.
• Elephants rock- 
• Take a Lagoon safari

Events

The surfing championship is being held under the patronage of the Tourism board every year.Hosted most of the international surfing competitions in Arugam Bay.

Jaffna’s intriguing, unimposing, slightly off the beaten path and a thoroughly rewarding place to discover Sri Lankan Tamil culture.

Inescapably, decades of war, emigration, embargoes and loss of life and property deeply affected this historic town, but the city is surprisingly green and leafy, with attractive palm-shaded colonial-era suburbs and beautiful temples and churches. Jaffna’s days of isolation are long past with new projects and upgraded transport connections.

Ancient sights both in the centre of town and on the outskirts make for compelling attractions. And while there is enough to do after dark to create a nascent buzz, it’s still mellow enough that you won’t get run over while walking.

The city is an ideal base for forays to the idyllic islands just to the west and trips along the coastline and lagoons of the surrounding peninsula.

Places to See

Maruthanarmadam Shri Aanjaneyar Temple , Jaffna Archeological Museum, Jaffna Fort, Nallur, kandhasami Kovil and Public Library.

You will find Kandy to be a lovely mountain town bugging the edge of the lake and surrounded by countryside which is an ideal weather condition for a beginning , and worth a 3 hours ride out of Colombo. Meanwhile you will find history has marked in almost every part of the city. In this busytown traditional arts, crafts and culture still flourishes. The temple of tooth, also known as ‘ Sri Dalada Maligawa ‘is the replica of where the left tooth of Lord Buddha is kept. The temple has pure white architecture , exhibits the Sri lankan culture, resonating the history of Buddhism . Its importance forecast as it is the last capital of the king monarch in Sri Lanka.

The tooth was safely kept inside a box behind a glass window, which can only be viewed specific hours of the day.

Another major aspect which follows with the temple is the perahera season, which is a procession that has taken place in Sri Lanka from the ancient times. The pageant is considered to be one of the colourful events overflowing with vibrancy and grandeur. Thus it venues mainly in July – August , The sacred tooth relic of the lord Buddha is carried along with mesmerizing dancing pageant and decorated elephants as a tribute to Lord Buddha.

Apart from these you could spend more time in spectacular Kandy lake to experience an amazing eve. Moreover if your trip to Sri Lanka is not in that time period you can watch these Kandyan Dancing shows at Kandyan art centre.

This small city in the Badulla district in Uva Province is one of the alluring tourist destinations in Sri Lanka. The city is abundant with lush green and an opulent eco system. Located at an altitude of 1,041 meters, the weather at Ella is humid with moderate air temperature. 

You can enjoy the countryside while having a taste of traditional cuisine and the simple yet alluring lifestyle of its inhabitants. The tranquility in nature will surely soothe your mind and binds you to live with it. 

Trekking Ella rock would be a marvelous experience for thrill seekers. The journey takes around 04 hours where you can spot various species of fauna and flora. You may come across spectacular views on your journey of climbing up and you will be bound to its nature. Your hiking experience can extend further with a trek to Little Adam’s Peak. The journey is much shorter than Ella Rock – around 02 hours. The excursion begins with tea plantations with greenery landscapes. 

Nine Arches Bridge is another popular tourist attraction. This alluring train track was built in 1921 when the British ruled Ceylon. Construction activities of the bridge commenced by the time World War I took place in Europe. Hence, steel allocated for this site had been used for war related projects. In fact, the locals had to proceed the construction activities with bricks and cement, but without steel. Hence the bridge is known for its architectural value as well. A train journey across the nine arches bridge will give you a spectacular view with green highlands. You can also feel the breeze aside Diyaluma Falls (the second highest waterfall in Sri Lanka) and Ravana Falls.

Places to visit

Ella Rock, Little Adam’s Peak, Nine Arches Bridge, Diyaluma falls, Ravana falls

Major attractions of the area include the largest and best preserved cave temple complex of Sri Lanka, sigiriya rock fortress located in the division and the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, famous for being built in just 167 days. The area also boasts the largest rose quartz mountain range in South Asia, and the Iron wood forest, or Na Uyana Aranya.

Despite its slightly commercial air, this remains an important holy place and should not be missed.

Ibbankatuwa prehistoric burial site near Dambulla cave temple complexes is the latest archaeological site of significant historical importance found in Dambulla, which is located within 3 km of the cave temples providing evidence of the presence of indigenous civilisations long before the arrival of Indian influence on the Island nation.

The area is thought to be inhabited from as early as the 7th to 3rd century BC. Statues and paintings in these caves date back to the 1st century BC. But the paintings and statues were repaired and repainted in the 11th, 12th, and 18th century AD. The caves in the city provided refuge to King Valagamba in his 14-year-long exile from the Anuradhapura kingdom. Buddhist monks meditating in the caves of Dambulla at that time provided the exiled king protection from his enemies. When King Valagamba returned to the throne at Anuradapura kingdom in the 1st century BC, he had a magnificent rock temple built at Dambulla in gratitude to the monks in Dambulla.

At the Ibbankatuwa Prehistoric burial site near Dhambulla, prehistoric (2700 years old) human skeletons were found on scientific analysis to give evidence of civilisations in this area long before the arrival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. Evidence of ancient people living on agriculture have been detected in this area for over 2700 years according to archaeological findings. (750 BC)

It was earlier known as Dhamballai and was ruled by Kings like Raja Raja Chola and Rajendra Chola during their tenure in the late 10th and early 11th centuries.

One of the best travel destinations in Sri Lanka is Trincomalee. It is a city blessed with historical value and resplendent nature. 

The unique rock formation of the island made it one of the most heavily defended places in the history of Sri Lanka by the British Navy. 

Trincomalee harbour plays a very significant role in the history of Sri Lanka. Since ancient times this had a rich maritime history and many invaders took advantage of the ocean. All fleets need a safe harbour and Sri Lanka is indeed blessed with the naturally fortified harbour in the Eastern Province town of Trincomalee.

As it resembles kovils of ancient era dating back to the 12th century. Also it has influences of Dutch dating back to the 17 th century.

The King Rajasinghe the second who ruled the country for 52 years wanted to get rid of the Portuguese at any cost for that he sought the assistance of the Dutch to expel the Portuguese.

Things to see

The Koneshwaram, Hindu Kovil, Fort Ostenburg, Orlando Beach, Trincomalee War Cemetery, Uppuveli Beach, Kanniya Hot Water Springs, Maritime And Naval History Museum, Army Museum Orr’s Hill and Dutch Bay

Polonnaruwa served as the island’s capital from the 11th to 13th centuries, a relatively brief but glorious epoch that witnessed a flowering of Buddhist arts and architecture.

Kings ruled the central plains of Sri Lanka from Polonnaruwa 800 years ago, when it was a thriving commercial and religious centre for the country. The glories of that age can be found in the archaeological treasures that still give a pretty good idea of how the city looked in its heyday.

You’ll find the archaeological park a delight to explore, with hundreds of ancient structures – tombs and temples, statues and stupas – in a compact core. The Quadrangle alone is worth the trip.

Places to See 

• Gal Vihara (Rock Temple)
• Parakrama Samudra
• Vatadage – 39, Hetadage
• Lankathilaka Image House
• Archaeological Museum
• Royal Palace and Audience Hall.

Nuwara Eliya is in the hill country region in Sri Lanka. The city was founded by Sir Samuel Baker as a retreat for the British officials during the colonial era. As a matter of fact, the city has bungalows used by the British, antique tudor-style hotels and pretty gardens.
As a result, the city resembles an English background and therefore accompanies the name ‘Little England’. With a high elevation from the sea, Nuwara eliya overlooks Mt. Piduruthalagala, the highest mountain in Sri Lanka. You can enjoy the tranquillity of nature with cascade of waterfalls around.

Places to visit 

• Gregory lake, 
• Victoria park, 
• Moon plains,
• Ambewela farm, 
• Hortain plains,
• Hakgala botanical garden, 
• Lovers’ leap, 
• Mt. Pidurutharagala, 
• Bakers waterfalls,
• St. Clair’s falls, 
• Aberdeen falls, 
• Devon falls