Sri Lanka is only a four hour flight from the UAE and has enough culture, history, and natural beauty to suit every traveler. So whether 5th century fortresses or pristine white beaches are your thing, there’s plenty to do in Sri Lanka to suit you.
Here’s our pick of the best:
1. Colombo
You might be tempted to skip the capital in favor of the mountains or beaches but there’s lots to see and do here if you have a spare day at the beginning or end of your trip. Favorite must-sees include the National Museum of Colombo, Pettah Market and the nearby Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, which is one of the few places where you can be sure the animals are treated well.
To see everything the city has to offer, read more: Top 12 things to do in Colombo
2. Sigiriya Rock
This is one of Sri Lanka’s most staggering sights but you’ll need to work hard to see the best of it. The biggest pull for visitors is the 5th century fortress which sits at the top of a huge stone structure with almost vertical (the stairs are hard work!) walls. Highlights at the site include the frescoes that are believed to be the King’s concubines or celestial nymphs, depending on who you believe. You’ll find them in a gallery halfway up the spiral staircase that winds up the rock face. The landscaped Royal Gardens at the base of the rock are also beautiful, as are the water gardens. The major highlight, of course, is the summit, which covers around 1.6 hectares and was once the home of King Kasyapa. Time has eroded most of the original building and only a few foundations still exist. Nevertheless, the views and atmosphere are worth the visit. Direct flights run daily from Colombo to Sigiriya.
Address: Sigiriya, Sri Lanka
3. Visit a national park
The climate, landscape and native wildlife of Sri Lanka mean you can take your pick of national parks to visit. Most of the bigger ones such as Udawalawe National Park in the south and Yala National Park in the south east are home to elephants, leopards and water buffalo. Both parks have accommodation nearby as well as inside the park themselves, or you can take a day safari with a guide.
4. See some colonial architecture
Galle Fort is one of the most impressive – and largest – examples of colonial architecture in Sri Lanka and dates back to 1588. It was built by the Portuguese but later fortified by the Dutch in the 1640s. It’s one of the busiest tourist attractions in Sri Lanka but that just adds to the fun atmosphere. The Unesco World Heritage Site is also a large cultural centre and hosts various arts and literary festivals throughout the year. Attractions inside the fort include ancient churches, jail cells and the Old Gate British coat of arms. It’s a huge site – around 90 acres – so make a day of it and have fun wandering the cobbled alleyways.
Address: Church St, Galle 80000, Sri Lanka
Opening times: Daily, 24 hours
5. Visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
This huge temple in the hill city of Kandy is the country’s most significant Buddhist temple because it houses the famous tooth of the Buddha. Visitors and worshippers are allowed into the room with the tooth during prayer times, but because it’s kept in a mini stupa-shaped casket you won’t actually see it. The temple gets very busy with people bringing offerings of flowers, or just busloads of tourists, so pack light and wear modest clothes. If you’d like to know more about the temple when you’re there, you can pay for one of the ‘guides’ who hang around outside the temple. It’s not an official service but for around Rs600 (Dh15) you’ll get a full and accurate history! There are also free audio guides at the main ticket office.
Address: Sri Dalada Veediya, Kandy 20000, Sri Lanka
Opening times: The temple is open 5.30am – 8pm. Prayers are offered at 5.30am – 6.45am, 9.30am – 11am, and 6.30pm – 8pm
Entry: Rs1,500 (Dh35) for non-Sri Lankans
6. Go surfing in Sri Lanka
This is by far one of the most popular things to do in Sri Lanka and attracts tourists from countries including Japan, the UK and Australia. There are local tournaments held at some of the most popular spots which attract abilities of all ages. Arugam Bay on the east coast is one of the top places, with a long season running from around March through October (the monsoon is in the winter months but the temperatures are still pleasant if you don’t mind a bit of rain!). There’s lots of small surf schools along the beach so it’s good for all abilities but because of its popularity, it can get busy. Other popular places to surf in Sri Lanka include Hikkaduwa on the south west coast, Weligama Beach and Mirissa Beach. These three are particularly good places for beginners to surf in Sri Lanka.
7. Visit a tea plantation
Catch a train from Colombo – this is one of the most fun things to do in Sri Lanka regardless of where you’re going – and venture into the country’s incredible tea plantations. The mountains are filled with field upon field of tea plants, harvested by hand and then shipped across the world. One of the most popular areas is in Nuwara Eliya, where you’ll find some of the biggest tea factories that are well set up for visitors. You can take guided tour, learn about ethical trading and labour, see the harvesting process and, of course, buy some Ceylon tea to take away with you.
8. Enjoy a Sri Lanka beach
The beauty of Sri Lanka is there’s so much to see and do in what is a relatively small country. You can hike in the green mountains or laze on a beach, all in the same vacation. There are SO many options for the latter with the east, south and west coasts all having great weather – depending on the time of year – and a ton of beaches to choose from. To the south is Galle, Mirissa, and the very laid-back Hikkaduwa, which is also popular with surfers, and to the east and north-east are the popular Arugam Bay and Trincomalee beaches. You can’t really go wrong with the beaches in Sri Lanka so you if you’re feeling adventurous, it’s easy to get from one beach spot to the next in a tuk tuk or taxi and just find accommodation when you arrive.
9. Dambulla Cave Temple
Dambulla Cave Temple is another of Sri Lanka’s Unesco World Heritage Sites, and located around 150km east of Colombo. The site dates back to the first century BC and some of them are incredibly well preserved despite their age. There are around 80 caves in the whole complex but visitors tend to visit the main five which hold the more important attractions – paintings and statues relating to or of Buddha. The caves sit on top of a 160-meter rock but don’t panic, it’s not a steep climb because fortunately the rock is gently sloped on one side. Dambulla is truly one of the country’s most incredible sights so make sure it’s on your list of things to do on your vacation.
Address: Kandy – Jaffna Hwy, Dambulla, Sri Lanka
Opening times: Daily, 7am – 6pm
Entry: US$10 (Dh37) per person
10. Climb Adam’s Peak (Sri Pada)
If you’re an active type of traveler, Sri Lanka is the perfect vacation destination. It has hundreds of hiking and walking trails, but the crème de la crème for serious walkers is Adam’s Peak. It’s named, in English at least, Adam’s Peak as it’s thought to be the place where Adam first returned to earth after being banished from heaven. Its local name is Sri Pada, which translates in English to Buddha’s Sacred Footprint. It stands at 2,200 meters and the climb to the top includes more than 5,000 slightly crumbly steps and a steep trek. It’s not the most strenuous trek but probably not suited for the very unfit. The climate is best for the climb between around January and May.
*Content published in June 2018. Information correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change and/or availability.
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