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.
205km north of Colombo, Anuradhapura is the largest city of the beautiful Cultural Triangle. If the new town does not charm you, you should not miss the splendours of the ancient city.
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.
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.
Ella is a sleepy little town lying lost amongst the mountains. It serves mainly as the starting point for the ascension of Little Adam's Peak, which is located close by.
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.
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.
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.
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.