We absolutely love Sri Lanka. It’s packed with UNESCO heritage sights, amazing temples, fascinating wildlife and stunning beaches. With such a massive choice, everyone’s top five sights will differ, so we’ve based our must see list on our favourite memories – the atmospheric, the special and the spectacular.
We’re not dismissing Sigiriya, Ella or Kandy, but we enjoyed the following places more:
Galle Fort:
Tip:
Polonnaruwa:
One of Sri Lanka’s UNESCO listed big hitters, the ancient city of Polonnaruwa is a vast archeological site featuring hundreds of ancient structures. Even if you only visit the central core of The Quadrangle it’s worth the trip. 800 years ago, Polonnaruwa was a busy city. Today, it’s roughly divided into 5 main groups and a bike is the best way round.
Don’t miss: the Royal Palace and nearby bathing pool; the Gal Vihara – a remarkable collection of carved Buddha images; the Rankot Vihara the 4th largest dogoba in Sri Lanka; and the remarkable raised Quadrangle – an impressive group of well preserved temples, monuments and relic houses.
Tip:
Go late or early in the day to avoid the crowds and it’s still possible to get some of the sites to yourself.
Dambulla Cave Temple:
Tip:
Buduruwagala:
This phenomenal 1000 year old monument was a chance discovery. We wanted a stop off between Udawalawe and Ella and found Buduruwagala 4 kilometres off the main road. The site is centered around a gigantic 15 metre Buddha carved in a cliff with six smaller figures nearby. We were the only visitors at this remote, atmospheric monument.
Tip:
It’s possible to walk the the rural dirt road to Buduruwagala. It passes fields and a lake teeming with birds and wildlife.
Nuwara Eliya and plantation tour:
We didn’t expect to love this area as much as we did. It sounded too touristy, cold and wet. The latter is certainly true. When we arrived from the heat of Ella two hours away, it was pouring down, cold and foggy. Nuwara Eliya doesn’t have any dramatic sights, but it exudes “Little England”charm with its Colonial bungalows, formal parks and pleasure lake. When the rain clears, the views are amazingly lush and it’s a perfect base for exploring waterfalls and tea plantations.
We went to Damro Labookellie Estate Tea Factory on the road to Kandy. What we got was an unexpectedly fascinating tour and some amazing free tea and cake. It was our only tourist tour in Sri Lanka, but remains one of our favourite experiences.
Tip:
If you don’t have warm clothing check out the Winter Market (or Bale Bazzaar) in the centre of town for fleeces and rain wear year round.
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