Best Tourist places in Sri Lanka

Best Tourist locations in Sri Lanka.Sri Lanka an amazing island situated in the Indian ocean which is recognized worldwide as the pearl of the Indian ocean with tremendous captivating beauty, history and culture. If you are an admirer of wildlife and nature, a history freak or an adventurous spirit Sri Lanka offers a package for you.

1. Sigiriya – The Lion Rock

Sigiriya also called the Lion Rock is a world heritage site and has become a powerful symbol of archaic Sri Lankan history. This is an ancient rock fortress set in the fifth century by the King Kashyapa settlements on the plateau and having a marvelous view over the country. However, the climb to the top is well merited and is nothing that one cannot attempt with a bit of hard work. During the trip, you will come across such a sight as paintings, gardens, carved paw of lion and other significant installations of Peru.

On the top you will come across the remains of a royal palace – the king’s place of residence at that. There is nothing more inspiring than the extensive greenery of spacious meadows and greenery in all directions. The facts of Sigiriya which make this place outstanding are based not only on the historical aspect of Sri Lanka as the ancient kingdom and great engineering and architectural achievements that existed there but also on incredible nature.


2. Kandy – The Cultural Capital

Lying in the central province of Sri Lanka amidst the hill country, Kandy is Sri Lanka’s center for culture and spirituality. Sri Lanka is also blessed with the world famous ‘Temple of the Tooth Relic’ major to the Buddhists. The temple has the left canine of Lord Buddha and devotees come from the nook and cranny of the world to participate in this pilgrimage.

It is also well known for its beauty or scenic points. The sceneries at Kandy certainly offers beautiful backdrop for photography; the Kandy Lake, especially when the area is adorned with greenery represents the best for a walk. For nothing should be missed is the annual Esala Perahera which is a colourful cultural dance festival with actors, dancers and drummers followed by Elephants.

Not only it is a cultural place; Kandy holds the key to the beautiful tea estates, Knuckles Mountain which is famous for trekking tours.

3. Ella – The Hill Country Haven

This natural serene beauty attracts those tourists who want to have some quality time while exploring the beauty of Ella in Sri Lanka. This assimilation is inhabited by small hill town that borders beautifully thick hilly forests, tea gardens, and waterfalls. Ella is most popular for being relaxed, and so it is more than suitable for relaxation.

Another famous trail which is a must to visit Ella is Ella Rock from where one can get mesmerized view of the lush green mountains. The Nine Arches Bridge which is an architectural brilliance is another on the list of places to visit. It is very beautiful to watch a train moving over the bridge when the hills are surrounded by a haze.

Ella also remains a perfect spot to visit neighbor Ravana Falls and Little Adam’s Peak which have aesthetic ravel and trekking points.

4. Galle – The Colonial Gem

Consequently, Galle is a historical city situated along the southern coast of Sri Lanka with enlightenment of colonization systems. More exciting to visit is the Galle Fort, it was constructed by the Portuguese in the 16 ^{th} century and then lay down by the Dutch. Exploring through the small streets of the fort is like taking a stroll in a historical city with its remaining old world charm with its classic colonial buildings, great cafes and unique shops.

Add to this the fact that the entire fort is located by the beach, giving the scenery an equally good combination of history and leisure. This famous lighthouse is situated in the fort and from here one can have the splendid view in to the Indian Ocean Visitors can go for swimming and snorkeling just 14 km at Unawatuna Beach.

Galle is one of the most special locations, as it combines several historical and cultural traits with natural ones in the territory of Sri Lanka.

Best Tourist places in Sri Lanka

5. Yala National Park or a wildlife wonderland as people may prefer to call it is one of the most popular national parks in Sri Lanka that is home to one of the most important and endangered animal species in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka has a vast variety of wildlife species but among the most successful National parks to visits is Yala national park. Yala is clearly the most visited national park in Sri Lanka and famous for the largest density of leopards. In fact Yala provide one of the highest leopard concentrations anywhere in the world thereby becoming wildlife lovers’ paradise.

Besides leopards, other animals living in Yala include elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles and bright-coloured birds of various sorts. The best method of viewing the whole range of environments in the park, that include the montane forest, savannah, and the Coastal and Marine features is on a jeep safari.

But that is not all, the park also houses Sithulpawwa a buddhist temple that gives an archeological plus to your wildlife experience.

6. Nuwara Eliya: The English Colonial Town of Sri Lanka

This is a scenic town situated in the central highlands of Sri Lanka and frequently called “Little England. The climate is pleasant and predominantly British, plus the buildings and layout of the town remind more of a British colony that India.

A trip to this town would not be complete without visiting a tea plantation and factory where it is processed and some of the best Ceylon tea tasted. A photographers delight the tea gardens, mainly containing neatly aligned tea bushes as far as the eye can see are all green.

It also neighbors the Horton Plains National Park from which you get a stupendous view of World’s End with a vertical drop of 1,200m or 4,000 ft. Endemic fauna also inhabits the park of which the Sri Lankan sambar deer and the purple-faced langur are famous.

7. Bentota – The Beach Paradise

Sri Lanka boast of its beautiful beaches, Bentota beach is one of the best and is situated at the south western part of the country. Bentota, with its golden sand, tall palms looming nearby, and clean sea is among the best places for beach lovers.

It is also a good place for a water sport tourism with activities such as scuba diving, wind surfing, jet skiing and so on up to snorkeling. For tourists desiring for the tranquility of the river, tourists will be privileged to have a boat ride at the Bentota River.

Aside from stunning views on nature, Bentota offers visitors to visit the Brief Garden, the sunny-clear landscaped estate of a Sri Lankan artist Bevis Bawa. The garden is private and quite pleasant and really useful to get out of the sun.

8. Polonnaruwa – The Ancient City

Polonnaruwa is yet another World Heritage site and one of the Sri Lankan ancient cities. The temples, palaces as well as statues of previous kings, are well preserved to provide the visitor with a feel of the country’s ancient wealth.

The attraction such as the Gal Viharaya and the group of subtly carved sculptures of the Buddha and other monuments are found here. It is almost incredible how these statues are designed and well polished.

Certainly, one of the best ways t get around Polonnaruwa and to visit all the sites is by bike because it lets you take your time and to fully appreciate the calm atmosphere of the place. Both the ruins of the city and its rather interesting history make it a perfect travel destination for any historian.

9. Mirissa – A Centre for Whale Watching

While the capital city of Sri Lanka is Colombo, the most inspiring town, that is worth visiting for its clean sandy strips and the cheetah-reaching whale watching, is Mirissa. It is one of the top destinations for this activity in the world from November to April, Mirissa is actually one of the biggest hotspots for Blue and Sperm whales.

Besides whale watching, the beautiful sandy stretches of Mirissa are ideal for swimming, sun bathing and even surub. This town has a relaxing feel to it, plus due to the tropical vegetation, many tourists find it perfect for a quiet vacation.

Parrot Rock – just a small cliff on the coast, but an excellent place to watch the sunset.

10. Dambulla Cave Temple

Dambulla cave temple or the Golden Temple of Dambulla is a most famous Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka. This historical site includes five grottoes, all of which house statues and paintings on the life of Buddha.

The temple stands on a hill so it provides good views of the countryside around the area. This is one of the most important religious sites in Sri Lanka that is spiritually charged and which offers tourists a serene environment free from undue noises of commercialization.

Conclusion

Sri Lanka, is a fascinating island that offers a mixture of geographical marvels, social history, and culture. However, no traveler type can miss the beautiful island tourist attractions, impressive ancient temples, cities and historical sites, beautiful sandy beaches, and great wildlife sanctuaries. Whether it is the historic fortress and palace ruin complex at Sigiriya, highland tea country of Nuwara Eliya or_closed landscape filled with wild beasts in Yala National Park, Sri Lanka provides a holiday that’s worth a lifetime.