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An update from Evaneos

Best places to visit in Sri Lanka

Even though Sri Lanka is only a small country, it's not always easy to choose an itinerary because the pearl of the Indian Ocean provides several possibilities to discover and explore.

To help you to put together a holiday that suits you, a team of travellers, part of the Evaneos Travel community, has sorted through the country's regions. Here they're giving you their advice and opinions. You can also take inspiration from their travel tales to prepare your holiday, being sure to discover all the beauties of the Ceylan island.

You'll almost definitely go through Colombo, the country's capital, a city in the midst of a change between its old colonial districts, brand new buildings and growing market. In the south, Galle, a historical city conceived of by Vauban, will be one of the must sees of your trip. And of course, you mustn't miss out on the impressive Sigiriya rock and its old palace, a UNESCO listed site.

If you're a lover of nature and mountains, throw yourself into climbing Adam's Peak to discover nature in its raw state. And if you want to stray from the beaten path, go to the Trincomalee region in the east of the country, a place which is still not often visited. Then a stop off in one of the several national parks of the country, such as Uda Walawe will be the perfect opportunity to do a safari.

A trip to Sri Lanka is a unique occasion to discover the culture of Ceylan tea, which made the island known throughout the whole world. Take the mountain train and lose yourself in the tea plantations meeting tea pickers. If you're interested in Buddhism, make a stop in Kandy and the Dent Temple, or go to discover the ancient cities Polonnâruvâ or Anurâdhapura.

A pilgrimage place for four religions, this sacred mountain reveals all of its splendour at sunrise. An easy but gruelling walk, not to be missed!
In the countryside, around 200 kilometres north of Colombo, Anuradhapura was the capital of Sri Lanka until the eleventh century. The modern city faces the ancient city which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Haputale is a charming and picturesque little village which will enchant you. It's surrounded by tea plantations as far as the eye can see. It's located in the heart of Sri Lanka to the south of the island.
Kataragama: a holy town for the people of Sri Lanka.
Mihintale is a sacred site which is home to the oldest stupas in Sri Lanka. It is situated in the heights of the Mahinda mountain at the centre of the island closer to the northern point.
Situated some kilometres from Colombo, on the edge of the Mahawamsa, Perdeniya is famous for its royal gardens and its botanical university.
Sigiriya is world famous for its Lion Rock, a major site classed as UNESCO World Heritage.
The Yala National Park is in a most beautiful setting. It is the country's second biggest park, located in south-east Sri Lanka.
Ella (Sri Lanka)
Ella
4.5/5
The favourite place of backpackers in Sri Lanka: Ella.
213km from Colombo, Polonnaruwa is a marvellous site which you can easily explore by bike.
Trincomalee is a small village on the east coast, which corresponds with the ancient Gokana described in the Sinhalese chronicles.
Galle (Sri Lanka)
Galle
4.3/5
A fortified city classed as UNESCO World Heritage, Galle is definitely my favourite place in Sri Lanka.
Arugam Bay is a coastal village in the East of Sri Lanka which fills up during the surf season from June to September and empties the rest of the year.
In the past, Dambulla was only ever a simple hermitage, but today it is one of the most sacred locations in the country. Its troglodyte temples are named as UNESCO world heritage sites and attract pilgrims from all over the country.
To ride on the back of an elephant: Habarana
In the south of Sri Lanka, Hikkaduwa is a seaside resort which offers water sports, ideal for families and couples.
Kandy (Sri Lanka)
Kandy
4/5
Temples, an old colonial city, a royal garden and a lake - all nestled in the mountains. There are so many reasons to visit that you cannot avoid a stop in Kandy during your trip to Sri Lanka.
The Minneriya National Park is a genuine pachyderm sanctuary located on the plains in northern Sri Lanka. It's the perfect place for lovers of elephants and wildlife in general. You can see elephants living in their natural environment.
Tissa: a place to spend the night before going on safari.
With its arid, deserted landscapes and its large water holes located next to the roads, around which herds of buffalo and elephant gather to drink, Uda Walawe is a dream destination for safari enthusiasts.
3 hours from Colombo, Mirissa is a small and pretty seaside resort situated on the southern coast of Sri Lanka.
Nanu Oya (Sri Lanka)
Nanu Oya
3.5/5
Nanu Oya has everything on a postcard. It is the image I have of small villages in Sri Lanka. Magnificent landscapes with an impression of complete serenity.
Negombo (Sri Lanka)
Negombo
3.5/5
40km to the north of Colombo, Negombo is a very pretty fishing village which stretches the length of a beautiful beach in the Indian ocean.
Unawatuna (Sri Lanka)
Unawatuna
3.5/5
Unawatuna, lying at the south-west tip of Sri Lanka and just a short distance from the city of Galle, is a very touristy coastal resort.
Matale (Sri Lanka)
Matale
3/5
The town of Matale, which lies along the spice garden road and stands at the gateway to Sri Lanka's mountainous region, is an interesting place for a quick visit.
A very highly regarded mountain resort in the 1920s, Nuwara Eliya today serves as a popular place for tourists to stop and see on their way to Sri Lanka's mountainous region. Having said that, however …
Colombo (Sri Lanka)
Colombo
2.7/5
Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, is much smaller than its Indian neighbours but it has the same disadvantages: poverty, overpopulation and the constant racket of cars and buses. All the same, you can find many interesting things there.