12 Best Things to Do in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka may be a small geographically, but there is a lot to see and do. This is what I feel to be the 12 Best things to do in Sri Lanka.
Links will take you to more in-depth posts i.e. my ‘daily diary’ where you can get directions, useful information and some not-so-useful information i.e. my general thoughts on things.
12 Best things to do in Sri LankaI spent 16 days in Sri Lanka and it was no-where near enough time. I could easily have filled another 3-4 weeks of constant travel and sightseeing. There are a lot of things I didn’t do due to time constraints. This list of the 12 best things to do in Sri Lanka is only from the things that I actually did.
1. Anuradhapura Ancient City – AnuradhapuraCost: 3250LKR (Approx $25USD)
The first thing on my list of best things to do in Sri Lanka is Anuradhapura Ancient City.
Ruwan Well
There is a lot to see in Anuradhapura Ancient City including the moonstone, ancient ruins, Ruwan Well, museums and much more.
Moonstone
Despite what Tuk Tuk drivers will tell you, it is possible to walk to all the sites. Another option is to hire a push bike.
Samadhi Buddha
2. Dambula Cave Temple – DambulaCost:1500LKR (Approx $11.50USD)
The Dambulla Rock Temple is a temple carved out of a cave. There are some impressive Buddha carvings and paintings and it is a nice (not to strenuous) climb up the stairs.
Big Buddha at Golden Temple
Be sure to buy your ticket before you start climbing otherwise you will need to go back down to get one.
Inside Dambulla Cave Temple
3. Getting to the Pidurangala Rock Temple – SigiriyaCost: 500LKR (Approx $4USD)
Located close to the more famous Sigiria Ruins but not nearly as expensive (Sigiria costs $35USD) is the Pidurangala Cave and Rock Temple.
Look closely to the far right and you can see the big Buddha statue. It was a much better view in person.
It’s a nice stroll to it, or take a tuk tuk to the start, then take a casual walk to the top.
A big Buddha halfway up the Pidurangala cave ‘mountain;
On a clear day you can get a good view of the Sigiria Ruins. Unfortunately I was not there on a clear day.
4. Peradenia Botanical Gardens – KandyCost: 1100LKR (Approx $8.50USD)
The Peradenia Botanical Gardens are a great escape from the busy city of Kandy, and are well worth the short bus ride.
View from the suspension bridge
The gardens have a lot to offer with giant bamboo, a suspension bridge, palm avenues, an orchid house and much more.
Outdoor Garden
It is a very pleasant way to spend a morning or afternoon.
Just one of the many Orchids in the Orchid House
5. Temple of the Tooth – KandyCost: 500LKR (Approx $4USD) for SAARC country citizens (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) or 1000LKR (Approx $8USD) for everyone else.
The Temple of the Tooth is located smack bang in the middle of the city of Kandy and is said to house an actual tooth of Buddha (hence the name). It is considered one of the most (if not the most) sacred sites in Sri Lanka.
Unfortunately I didn’t actually go into the Temple of the Tooth because I was eager to get out of Kandy, but I wish I had.
The Temple of the Tooth is one of the most sacred sites in Sri Lanka
6. Catching the Train From Kandy To EllaCost: 400LKR for a 3rd class seat (Approx $3USD)
The scenery on the train from Kandy to Ella is absolutely breath taking.
The whole journey is just shy of a 7 hours ride, but even just doing a section of it is worthwhile.
View of tea fields from the train
7. Little Adam’s PeakCost: Free
About a 2km walk from the town of Ella is a pleasant walk up a hill through tea fields to Little Adams Peak.
The pathway is well maintained so the climb is fairly easy, and the view from the top is worth the walk.
View from the top of Little Adams Peak… maybe this is Mt Ella??
8. Galle Fort – GalleCost: Free
Just across the road from the Galle Bus Station is Galle Fort.
Along the outside you can walk on the walls and spend some time on the small beaches.
Off the walls the Fort has a museums, restaurants, accommodation, souvenier shops, a post office, a school and many archaeological sites.
Coastal view from the walls of Galle Fort
9. Jungle Beach – UnawatunaCost: Free
A short bus ride from Galle is Unawatuna. Inside this small town is Jungle Beach.
I had a pretty interesting walk from Unawatuna beach along the cliff face and through the jungle paths to get to the Jungle Beach. Actually, I enjoyed the walk more than the beach.
Jungle Beach – this is the second beach. The first was very crowded
10. Kalutara Bodhiya TempleCost: Free
I saw a lot of temples in Sri Lanka, but this one was definitely my favorite.
At about 1800 the play drums inside the temple and the echo is amazing.
Inside the Bodhiya Temple where at 1800 the platy drums
11. Ayurvedic MassageCost: 2000LKR (Approx $15usd) for a 1 hour Ayurvedic Massage and a 15 minute Sirodara Puncha Karma therapy.
A massage using herbal oils that apparently have strong healing powers. The healing powers are debatable in my mind, but the massage was very good none the less.
Sirodara Puncha Karma is basically oil dripping on your head while you lie there. Surprisingly relaxing.
Sirodara Puncha Karma… You lie under this with tissue over your eyes and the oil drips onto your head.
12. Colombo Pettah MarketsCost: Depends what you buy
The last thing on my best things to do in Sri Lanka list is the Colombo Pettah Market. If you are into markets, this is the place to go.
Kids playing cricket where the Pettah Market would be if it was not a holiday
Want More Things to do In Sri Lanka?Amazing Foods. Food is always a thing to do for me, and it plays such a big part in my travel experience that I almost always give it a post all to itself.
Daily Entries for Sri Lanka. There is so much more to be done in Sri Lanka other than this things to do in Sri Lanka list. Check out these daily post entries to see in detail what I did and saw day to day including directions and other useful information.
What Would You Put on Your List of Best Things to do in Sri Lanka?The post 12 Best Things to Do in Sri Lanka appeared first on Survive Travel.
