Top Cities in Sri Lanka that are Worth Exploring

Sri Lanka, the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean” is one of the most beautiful island countries to explore. From beaches to century back monuments and mountains, the country has everything a traveller hungers to explore. The rich culture and tradition is worth exploring. Home to more than 60% of Buddhist population, Sri Lanka defines the importance of true religion. Cities and towns of Sri Lanka carry amazing pieces of architecture and blend of old and modern culture.

When you are in Sri Lanka, you just cannot miss exploring cities. We bring you with the list of top cities and town to explore:

• Kandy

Located in the hilly region and the scenic shores of Bogambara Lake, Kandy is 1000 km northeast of Sri Lanka’s Colombo, the capital city. Kandy is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is hugely influenced by traditional culture. One of the focal points of this city is the Temple of the Tooth, which dates back to the 16th century. It is one of the sacred temples for the Buddhist community. The street of Kandy comes alive during the Kandy Esala Perahera festival. This 10-day religious festival is worth witnessing. Kandy also has some hot spots for shopping and enjoying some of the best Sri Lankan cuisines.

• Nuwara Eliya

If you want to stay away from the hustle of the city and explore the town of Sri Lanka called Nuwara Eliya which is also the important tea production hub. The name of this town means the City of Light, and is often referred as Little England. The town has the 19th century structure named Queen’s Cottage country house and the Grand Hotel. One of the happening parts of this town is the toy train ride giving the complete view of waterfalls, mountains and tea plantations.

• Galle

Located on the shores of southwestern part of Sri Lanka, Galle is the most beautiful city having the mixed blend of old and modern structure. Originally built by Portuguese settlers in the 16th century, Galle is currently among the list of UNESCO World Heritage. Visit towards the Old Towne’s 18th century Clock Tower to get the panoramic views of the Indian Ocean, Galle has some interesting landmarks to explore like- Galle Lighthouse which was built in 1939.

• Mirissa

Drive to the east of Galle for an hour, and you reach Mirissa, a small but bustling town. It has the most serene beach lined up by palm trees and home to some old guest houses. Over the past few years, the town has witnessed the arrival nightlife having clubs and lounges where tourists and locals throng to have fun nights. Some of the bars and restaurants are located on the water edge giving the best sunset view.

• Anuradhapura

Anuradhapura is the oldest town in Sri Lanka dating back to 2500 yrs. and was the capital of the island country. Presently, the town is the eight UNESCO World Heritage site and is rich with some old architectures. There are some interesting things like the bell-shaped Dagobas and the third century Jetavanaramaya stupa, along with the Jaya Maha Bodhi. The Jaya Maha Bodhi is a 249 BCE tree and is the oldest in the planet.

• Ella

This sleepy town with the scenic valley, Ella offers a peaceful stay. Away from the bustling city life, the town has some interesting places to explore. This includes the Uva Halpewatte Tea Factory. Once you are in this town, don’t miss exploring the countryside and hiking to meet the waterfall- The Ravana Ella Falls. There are plenty of homestays and mountain lodges for accommodation purposes.

• Kataragama

One of the holiest towns in Sri Lanka, Kataragama is the home to the Maha Devala temple. There are religious spots for Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims, bringing people together. The Kataragama Perehera festival that takes place annually attracts thousands of pilgrims coming from Jaffna, Kandy and Colombo. If you are a nature lover, then visit Yala National Park to get close to some of the wild animals. You can book an accommodation for a night so you can explore this place well.

• Haputale

One of the oldest towns and hill stations in Sri Lanka, Haputale is located Dambatenne Tea Estate and is the longest tea plantation area. The scenic view of this place includes mountains and hills. The estate founder- Scottish tea baron Sir Thomas Lipton has changed the face of this place. There are some other exciting places in Haputale to explore like the Adisham Bungalow, Thangamale Bird Sanctuary and the Bamabarakanda Falls.

Sri Lankan towns and cities are worth exploring and will certainly make your trip memorable. To explore these cities, you need to plan in advance, so you can book your accommodation and total days to explore. One of the best ways is to book through PickYourTrails where you will find different Sri Lanka packages to customize and book.