Green Holiday Travels > Travel News & Updates > Sri Lanka Travel Guide about What to See, Eat, and Do

Sri Lanka Travel Guide about What to See, Eat, and Do

Sri Lanka is a country rich in diversity, with lively street markets coexisting with greenery and ancient temples. We’ll look at the must-see locations, delicious dining, and thrilling activities in this travel guide. Sri Lanka has something to offer everyone, whether it’s scaling the towering Sigiriya Rock, enjoying a spicy Kottu Roti, or taking a picturesque train ride through tea plantations. You will learn about this island’s true nature through activities like wildlife safaris in Yala and lounging on the beaches in the south. Let’s explore the best resource for discovering Sri Lanka’s distinctive culture and breathtaking scenery.

Must-See Attractions in Sri Lanka

Sigiriya Rock Fortress

Sigiriya, an ancient rock fortress in Sri Lanka, rises 200 meters high. Once a royal palace, its impressive frescoes and stunning views attract visitors worldwide. The UNESCO World Heritage site is famous for its intricate gardens, mirror wall, and lion-shaped entrance.

Galle Fort

Sri Lanka’s Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a magnificent illustration of colonial architecture. With its museums, cobblestone streets, and amazing views of the Indian Ocean, this 16th-century Portuguese and Dutch fortified building provides a window into the past.

How to Enjoy a Weekend in the Galle City

Temple of the Tooth Relic

The Temple of the Tooth Relic, located in Kandy, Sri Lanka, houses a sacred tooth of Buddha. This revered site attracts thousands of pilgrims, who offer prayers in its richly decorated halls. The temple’s stunning architecture and spiritual significance make it a must-visit destination for Buddhists and tourists alike.

Yala National Park

Yala National Park in Sri Lanka is renowned for its abundant birdlife, leopards, and elephants. It is a haven for wildlife. With its varied landscapes, which include lagoons and deep jungles, this enormous reserve provides amazing safari experiences. For those who enjoy the outdoors and want to get up close and personal with wildlife, this place is ideal.

Arugam Bay

Arugam Bay, located on Sri Lanka’s southeast coast, is a world-famous surf destination known for its flawless beaches, lively nightlife, and relaxing atmosphere. In addition, the region provides access to neighbouring wildlife parks, like Kumana National Park, making it a popular destination for both nature lovers and surfers

Nuwara Eliya

Known as “Little England,” Nuwara Eliya is a quaint town in the hill country of Sri Lanka. With its colonial architecture, misty mountains, and tea plantations all around, it offers calm weather and beautiful scenery. The well-known tea estates, Lake Gregory, and Horton Plains National Park are among the highlights.

Mirissa

Mirissa is a gorgeous beach town in Sri Lanka that is well-known for its turquoise waters and golden sands. Visitors like lounging on the beach, snorkelling, and whale watching. The vibrant nightlife and delicious seafood are offered in this lively atmosphere. Adventurers and those seeking a tranquil retreat will love Mirissa.

Horton Plains National Park

A beautiful natural reserve in Sri Lanka is called Horton Plains National Park. It offers beautiful views from the well-known World’s End cliff, which descends 1,200 meters, as well as verdant grasslands and cloud forests. Hikers on the picturesque trails can see deer, leopards, and a variety of birds.

Polonnaruwa

Polonnaruwa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Sri Lanka, showcases ancient ruins and impressive temples. Visitors can explore the stunning Gal Vihara rock sculptures and the Royal Palace. History buffs and travelers should not miss this historic city, which provides a window into Sri Lanka’s illustrious past.

Delicious Sri Lankan Cuisine

Rice and Curry

The national dish of Sri Lanka, offers a flavorful mix of rice paired with a variety of spicy curries, delivering a unique blend of tastes and aromas.

Hoppers

Sri Lankan hoppers are bowl-shaped, crispy pancakes made from fermented rice flour, often served with coconut sambol, curries, or a fried egg on top.

Kottu Roti

Kottu Roti is a popular Sri Lankan street food made by stir-frying chopped roti, vegetables, eggs, and meat, creating a delicious, flavorful dish.

String Hoppers

String hoppers, or idiyappam, are steamed rice noodles served with curry or coconut milk. They offer a soft, melt-in-the-mouth breakfast experience.

Seafood

Seafood from Sri Lanka is flavourful and fresh. Savour delectable meals that feature seafood, crabs, and prawns that are all cooked with flavourful spices.

Things to Do

Wildlife Safaris

Take exhilarating safaris with wildlife in the national parks of Sri Lanka. See exotic birds, leopards, and majestic elephants in their natural environments. This is the ideal adventure for those who enjoy the outdoors and animals.

Beach Activities

Sri Lanka offers exciting beach activities like surfing, snorkeling, and whale watching. You can relax on golden sands, swim in crystal-clear waters, or explore vibrant coral reefs. There’s something for every beach lover on this beautiful island.

Cultural Experiences

Sri Lanka offers rich cultural experiences like traditional Kandyan dancing, visiting ancient temples, and exploring historic cities. You can witness colorful festivals, join local rituals, and enjoy the country’s unique art, music, and crafts that showcase its heritage.

Hiking and Trekking

In Sri Lanka, trekking and hiking provide spectacular views of mountains, cascades, and forests. Discover well-known routes such as Horton Plains, Ella Rock, and Adam’s Peak. Adventure seekers will love the varied landscapes, which offer a memorable outdoor experience.

Tea Plantations

Tea plantations in Sri Lanka provide jaw-dropping views of hillsides carpeted with tea bushes. You can visit tea factories, travel to locations like Ella and Nuwara Eliya, and even sample the famed Ceylon tea directly from the plantation.

FAQs about What to See, Eat, and Do in Sri Lanka

What is the best time to visit Sri Lanka?

The best time to visit Sri Lanka is during the dry season, from December to April. However, the country can be visited year-round, with different regions experiencing different weather patterns.

What is the currency used in Sri Lanka?

The currency used in Sri Lanka is the Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR).

Is it safe to drink tap water in Sri Lanka?

It is generally not recommended to drink tap water in Sri Lanka. Stick to bottled water or filtered water.

What is the typical dress code in Sri Lanka?

Sri Lanka is a conservative country, and it’s important to dress modestly, especially when visiting religious sites. Avoid wearing revealing clothing.

What is the best way to get around Sri Lanka?

The best way to get around Sri Lanka depends on your budget and itinerary. Tuk-tuks, trains, and buses are popular options for transportation.

Excellent rating
Based on 10 reviews

5* Experience of The Wonder of Asia - Sri Lanka thanks to Green Holiday Since the get go, I had an awesome experience with Chamila, always responsive and our Airport to Airport service (from pickup, travel, hotels 3* and 4* to arranging last night transit hotel then final airport drop at midnight) deserve 5*. Our guide/driver is friendly and always ready to act as per our requirements.

bong T

10/10 would recommend We had an amazing 13 day holiday visiting Sri Lanka. We went on 3x safaris, spent time at the beach, did a cooking class and plenty of sightseeing. Our driver, Romesh was absolutely excellent. He ensured we always had the best seats, tickets and safari drivers. Nothing was too much trouble to ask. After visiting Sri Lanka for the first time, we are so glad we booked with Green Holiday Travels as it made our holiday experience a breeze.

Steph C

Full profesjonalizm Amazing trip, everything was organised perfectly. Amazing views and trips I strongly recommend Green Holiday Travels Ptv

Jakub J

Fantastic experience Amazing trip. Chamila has done a great job. Our driver Denis was an excellent companion. Thanks to everybody. Will look forward to another trip

MAHESH C

Memorable and enjoyable 15 days in Sri Lanka with Green Holidays The green holidays organised our whole trip to Sri Lanka according to our suggestions and requirements. We had a perfect, peaceful and enjoyable 15 days holiday. Pradeep and Rashmi booked the accommodation, vehicle for travel and the the driver/guide within a very short time. They were very prompt in responding to our messages and accommodating our last minute changes. The hotels they booked were comfortable, check in was so smooth and the service was good. We were able to do much more than we anticipated because of their coordination. Our guide/driver Romesh was very polite, trustworthy and punctual. We travelled with Romesh from Colombo to Batticaloa, Jaffna, Kandy and Galle in his car without any incidents and reached safely at the airport on time for our return flight. We thank Pradeep, Jay, Rashmi and Romesh for making our trip a pleasant and an enjoyable one.

MayG6451

Travel in peace and with Personal contact of Green Holidays We used the services of Green Holiday for our stay in Sri Lanka. They arranged the complete tour picking us up at the Bandaranayaka Airport and taking us to Jaffna, Batticaloa, Bentota, Colombo and Kandy including Ella. Green Holiday provided us with a Chauffeur/ tour guide ( Upul) who knew so much about SriLanka and its History and personally took care of our safety and was with us to ensure our check in at the hotels was flawless. Upul is a honest trustworthy person to rely on and was very caring. Thanks to Green Holidays for providing a knowledgeable person to be with us throughout the trip. We had the pleasure of dealing with Pradeep who planned out our trip to our liking with several changes requested by us and was available on the phone anytime 24/7 to discuss and review options. Rashmi from Green Holidays was our local contact in case of any emergency or for information once we were in in Sri Lanka. We were glad to have the assurance of a personal contact while on vacation. Green Holidays has earned our trust to make our vacation relaxing and trouble free. We recommend Green Holidays as a reliable trustworthy company to book your vacation packages. Their team worked vigorously to ensure our vacation is pleasant, memorable and safe.

Emmanuel P

We had such an amazing trip and we are back with lots of lovely memories. Thanks to Green Holiday for arranging a wonde We had been to Srilanka for 5 days and we did have such a fantastic trip. The whole place was very clean and the natural look was just fantastic

Koushik S

Great driver, great Organisation My boyfriend and i took a two week holiday on sri lanka. One week on road, one week beach holiday. Apart from a little mishap at the start when our arrival time was wrongly put at 09.30 instead of 05.30. However all it took was a quick phone to Dilan our driver who rushed to pick us up immediately. Due to delays on the way here and a little visa issue (always double check your passport numbers twice people) we arrived in the arrival hall at 07.30…once we had called the adventure began at 08.15. Dilan was an absolute godsend. Kept us entertained with facts about the areas we were visiting, made good conversation during our long journeys and got us there safe and sound every time. Dilan would also help us plan out our day and was honest enough when something was either gonna be a rushjob or whenever he felt we weren’t gonna get the best bang for our buck at a certain attraction. which we really appreciated, since we had completely missjudged the traffic and the distances on this journey. He also helped us handle check-ins and check-out and as we later found out when we made excursions of our own, he also kept pesky scammers away whenever we went to visit a place on foot. As for the rest of the trip everything went incredibly smoothly. Hotel staff were super friendly with us and safaris and other tour providers were informed well in advance so that we would literaly rock up, get into another car or jeep or were handed over to a local guide and be on our way right away. So long story short, we would like to thank Green Holiday and Dilan for making our trip the adventure of a lifetime and wholeheartedly recommend them to anyone traveling in sri lanka.

Sam B

Great experience Our experience with this company was great. Our guide Upul was very helpful, patient and knowledgeable. We learned almost everything about the history of Sri Lanka from her. The man knew the answer to absolutely everything a really amazing guide and great driver. I can only recommend

Robert P

Absolutely reliable company with best guides. First of all, this company we used for arranging our whole vacation in Sri Lanka worked just perfect. We had no issue whatsoever. For travelling around the island for several days we had a guide Upul. He just was the best! Not only he was driving us around safe, he also knew about history, gave us all the explanations in a very interesting way. He took us in many great, beautiful and even fun places, always stood by our side, guiding us through crowds to the most interesting points and telling us all the information - about history, religions, politics, traditions, nature, you name it. Upul was truly able to answer any question we had. On top of that, he was always smiling, in a good mood, treated us with dignity and patiency. We truly appreciated it and thanks to him and a perfect organization we had the best time in Sri Lanka. I also want to say, that the company manager got in touch with us on the second day, asking how satisfied we were with Upul, checking if everything was ok. It was a nice thing to do. Overall, I truly recommend this company if you want to spend your vacatin with no hassle and great guiding.