The 23 best things to do in Sri Lanka

Telegraph

7 hours ago

Sri Lanka's diversity is reflected in the wide variety of things to do and see, from relic-rich cultural sites, atmosphere-laden temples, colonial-era forts, wildlife reserves home to elephants, leopards and sloth bears, and acres of lush tea plantations.
There are cycling routes, scenic walks and opportunities to surf, paddleboard and raft along pristine rainforest-edged rivers. Plus cookery classes, hosted foodie tours and history walks for those keen to learn a little more about the culture of this welcoming nation and meet some friendly locals.
All our recommendations below have been hand-selected and tested by our resident destination expert to help you discover the best things to do in Bali. Find out more below, or for more Sri Lanka inspiration, see our guides to the best hotels, restaurants, bars and beaches.
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Best for families
Idle Bikes bicycle rides
Uncover Galle's hinterland on two wheels
These tours are as culturally enriching as they are a way to let off steam, as you discover a rural world of centuries-old temples, paddy fields and nature reserves. Guides are warm, well-spoken and eager to point out kingfishers, langur monkeys, peacocks and dinosaur-like monitor lizards to the delight of younger riders. Bicycles are well-maintained and there are baby seats, tag-alongs and junior bikes.
Insider tip: Ask to add a clay-potted feast of traditionally-cooked rice and curry at Tiger Hill Rock – Idle's three-acre paddy-view garden home to resident hornbills and tropical trees.
South coast surfing
Seek out southern surfing spots
Sri Lanka is a firmly established surfing destination with breaks to suit all ages and abilities, plus a raft of options for inexpensive lessons and board hire. Head to Weligama's sandy bay if you're a beginner, or Ahangama and Midigama for more serious surfing. The southern surf season is from November to April (after which the focus turns to the east coast's Arugam Bay).
Insider tip: Stay in one of Shoreditch-meets-Sri Lanka boutique hotel PALM 's A-Frame cabanas (or the more substantial three-bedroom Palm Haus) and you'll get 10 per cent off surf lessons (with post-surf video analysis) at top-rated local surf school Ticket To Ride.
Scenic train journeys
Ride the hilly Main Line Railway
One of the best ways to experience Sri Lanka's vertiginous hill country is to hop on the scenic Main Line Railway. Focus on the dramatic two-and-a-half-hour stretch between Nanu Oya and Demodara, which passes Pattipola Station (at 6,225ft/1,897m, this is the railway's highest point), tea estates, cloud forests and terraced farmland, and takes you over the Nine Arches Bridge.
Insider tip: This is a popular route, and tickets for reserved seats sell out quickly. It's marginally quieter (which means more chance of getting tickets) if you travel from east to west. Travel west from Hali Ela if you'd also like to experience Demodara's 360-degree sub-station loop.
Uda Walawe National Park
Elephant-spotting in the south
You're almost guaranteed to spy wild elephants amongst the grassy plains of Uda Walawe, backed by the misty hills of the Southern Highlands. Children will enjoy seeing maternal herds and tussling calves from customised open-sided jeeps (available for hire at the entrance), alongside a supporting cast of water buffalo, crocodiles, deer and more than 200 bird species.
Insider tip: Uda Walawe is within easy day-tripping distance of southern beaches such as Hiriketiya and Mawella, and an afternoon safari here is a good way to break up the long journey between Weligama or Galle and the southern hills.
Address: Uda Walawe. The main entrance is located off Thanamalvila Road, five miles east of the Uda Walawe Reservoir.
Opening hours: Daily, 5.30am to 6.30pm (the ticket counter closes at 5pm)
Price: ££
Mask making in Galle Fort
Craft your own kolam mask
Sri Lanka's colourful, balsa-wood masks grace doorways and souvenir stalls across the island, and at workshops within Galle Fort's Sudharmalaya Buddhist temple, you can craft your own. Your host will demonstrate how to chisel the soft wood into traditional kolam (folk) characters – children can sculpt or paint ready-made masks depending on their age.
Insider tip: There are mask museums in the west coast town of Ambalangoda, an hour's drive from Galle, but to see the kolam masks in action, ask social enterprise Ceylon Soul to organise a puppetry play.
White water rafting in Kithulgala
Adventures along the jungle-edged Kelani River
The Kelani River, Sri Lanka's fourth longest, originates in Adam's Peak and passes adventure hub Kithulgala on its journey to the ocean. From this hamlet, enveloped by rainforest and mist-wrapped hills, rafting trips voyage a four-mile section of the river, navigating class two and three rapids, as well as languid stretches where you can jump in for a swim.
Insider tip: There are many rafting operators in Kithulgala, but Borderlands is the longest-standing, takes safety seriously and has well-trained instructors. They also offer canyoning as a tag-on, where you can abseil and creep along crevices.
Best free things to do
Discover Galle Fort
Potter around a 17th-century fortress
You don't need a ticket to enter the 130-acre Galle Fort, one of Sri Lanka's eight World Heritage Sites. Its heady, incense-perfumed grid of streets is a joy to explore. For the best views, walk atop the mighty Indian Ocean-washed ramparts in a clockwise direction from behind the Galle Dutch Hospital – a restored colonial building which is now a popular shopping district – to its wider western basions, home to grazing cattle, daring cliff jumpers and impromptu afternoon cricket games.
Insider tip: The fort's northern bastions, Sun and Moon, loom above Galle's International Test Cricket Stadium. This is a great (and free) place to view a match. For big games, hawkers conveniently appear, selling beers, local snacks and ice creams.
Climb Adam's Peak
Walk in the footsteps of pilgrims
You need determination, not rupees, to summit 2,300-metre-high Adam's Peak, Sri Lanka's fourth-highest mountain and sacred pilgrimage spot for all four of Sri Lanka's religions. Marked by a temple, which protects a footprint-shaped indentation, you start the rewarding (yet tough) three-hour climb at night from the village of Nallathanniya, also known as Dalhousie, aiming to reach the top for sunrise.
Insider tip: Start early to avoid the inevitable bottleneck as you approach the temple and bring warm socks (and layers) to wear at the top, as it can feel very cold.
Area: Dalhousie, Central Highlands
Contact: Freelance guide Mohamed Nawas Thalal (known to locals as Jim), for a local-led walk; 0094 77 062 3147
Opening times: n/a (but best between December to May)
Chase waterfalls
Paddle in crystal-clear mountain pools
The summit of the 220-metre veil of water of Diyaluma Falls (Sri Lanka's second tallest), found in the island's mid-hills, secretes a series of pools for paddling with views of forested hills. It's a 30-minute walk through swaying grass from the trailhead (and tuk tuk drop-off point) off the B236 near Poonagala to the upper pools, where a path descends to rock-hewn ponds with an infinity edge.
Insider tip: Stay at Living Heritage Koslanda, less than a mile away, and ask them to package up a picnic of rice and curry (or sandwiches) and organise tuk tuks.
Area: Badulla
Website:. alltrails.com
Opening times: n/a
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Best for cultural immersion
Polonnaruwa
Tour an exquisite ancient city
You could visit either one of Sri Lanka's Unesco-protected ancient cities (the other being Anuradhapura), though Polonnaruwa's site is shady, more compact and its treasured collection of Buddha statues, ruined temples, palaces and tombs is much better preserved. Hire bicycles at the entrance for peddling around the grassy site and beyond to Gal Vihara's four serene rock-carved Buddhas.
Insider tip: Nature lovers can join researchers from the Smithsonian Primate Research Centre on a 5.30am or 7.30am walking tour in Polonnaruwa (£63 per person; excludes entry tickets to Polonnaruwa).
Address: The main entrance is off Polonnaruwa Road, but you'll need to buy your ticket first at the museum, half a mile to the south.
Opening times: 7am to 6pm daily
Price: ££
Summit Sigiriya
Hike to the top of a former rocktop palace
Thanks to the 1,200-odd steps, a hike to the summit of the 180-metre granite so-called Lion's Rock will get your heart racing, as will the 360-degree views from the ruins of the short-lived palace at its peak (best at sunrise). Places to pause on the way up include a 'Mirror Wall' with centuries-old graffiti, a pair of giant brick lion's paws and the fifth-century frescoes of bare-breasted maidens.
Insider tip: For equally impressive panoramas and fewer crowds, take a dawn hike up neighbouring rock Pidurangala to watch the sun ascend over Sigiriya. Book through Pepper, who can arrange a guide and breakfast picnic worthy of the views.
Address: The ticket office is close to the main entrance, three miles northeast of Kimbissa.
Opening times: 5am to 6.30pm daily (last tickets issued at 5pm)
Price: ££
Dambulla's Cave Temples
Serene art-adorned caves
The artistry of these five cave temples eked out of a 160-metre-high granite outcrop is quite astonishing. Murals cover nearly every undulating curve and crevice, while elegantly carved statues of the Buddha, his disciples and former kings, are particularly dramatic in the largest, Cave 2. It's best to work backwards, starting from Cave 5 (leaving the best two for last).
Insider tip: There are two routes to the top (20-30 minutes' walk each) – neither is particularly easier than the other and both involve flights of stairs. You must remove your shoes at the summit, so bring socks if you would prefer not to walk barefoot.
Address: The ticket office is located opposite the Rangiripaya Temple and a large car park.
Opening times: 7am to 7pm daily (ticket counter closes at 5.30pm)
Price: ££
Nallur Kandaswamy
Visit Jaffna's most vibrant Hindu kovil
Much of the culture of Sri Lanka's far north has been influenced by its proximity to India, and this vast temple dedicated to Lord Murugan opens your eyes to the region's Tamil Hindu culture. Ornate passageways and life-sized murals transport you to another realm. It feels deeply peaceful, even during the immersive cacophony of pooja, when bells, chanting and heady incense permeate the air (occurring seven times a day).
Insider tip: You'll learn a lot more by booking Visit Nallur Like a Local, whose Tamil host talks you through Hindu rituals and points out key sights inside. Footwear must be removed and men must enter bare-chested (women should cover their shoulders and legs).
Address: Kovil Road, Nallur, around two miles northeast of Jaffna Fort.
Opening times: Saturday to Thursday: 4am to 5.30am, 7.30am to 12.30pm, 3pm to 6pm. Fridays: 4am to 6pm.
Price: Free (donations appreciated)
Walk with a Veddha
Discovery walks with a local chieftain
Sri Lanka's first inhabitants were forest-dwelling Veddas, who still exist in small tribes in the island's remote eastern jungles. Their way of life is fascinating yet fragile, so village visits are discouraged. Instead, follow an axe-wielding chieftain on an ethical walk through their farmland and hunting grounds, as he points out medicinal herbs, foods for foraging and ancient caves.
Insider tip: This is one of a number of local experiences (others include jungle picnics, viewpoint treks and boat safaris where you might see elephants) curated by off-grid Gal Oya Lodge, which uncovers a rarely visited part of the island.
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Best for nature and adventure
Hot air ballooning
Bird's eye views of the Cultural Triangle
Float above vast paddy fields, flag-festooned villages and coconut palms, with potential views of Dambulla's Golden Buddha and Sigiriya (if the wind's in your favour), on these balloon flights that launch from the Kandalama Lake. Flights usually start high (often grazing clouds – if there are any) before descending low enough for you to pick out tree-jumping monkeys, grazing water buffalo and playgrounds of surprised, waving school children.
Insider tip: Many families enjoy this experience; however, the intermittent roar of the burner could frighten children. Consider also the height of the basket – children less than 4 feet tall will not be able to see out (and they cannot be held).
Whale watching
Seeking out whales responsibly
Sri Lanka's seas harbour a vast repository of marine life, including spinner dolphins, marine turtles and blue and sperm whales. Mirissa is the most reliable (but busiest) place to spot whales (from December to April), though you can also see them from Trincomalee (May to September). Choose a responsible operator like Sail Lanka Charter, which covers both regions.
Insider tip: Book Sail Lanka Charter' s modern catamaran exclusively for a seven-hour charter, which starts with cetacean-seeking before sailing back towards shore for free time snorkelling and paddleboarding in Weligama's bay.
Hike the Pekoe Trail
Self-guided hill country trails
The hilly, tea-dominated Central Highlands are visually stunning yet also hold rich cultural value. Each of the 22 stages of the 186-mile Kandy to Nuwara Eliya Pekoe Trail takes you deep into undulating tea estates, pine forests and tradition-steeped communities. A guide will enhance your walk, though the Trail Pass (£7.50 per stage) unlocks an app with GPS-enabled maps.
Insider tip: Six-mile-long Stage 16, from Ella to Demodara, is one of the easiest and most family-friendly stages, taking you right past the Nine Arches viaduct and Demodara's 360-degree sub-station loop.
Kumana National Park
Leopard spotting away from the crowds
Yala National Park is well known for its density of leopards, but it can get crowded in peak season. Consider venturing further east to Kumana National Park instead (beyond Yala's fluid eastern border). Its scrub forests, rocky outcrops and lakes also foster a healthy population of leopards (plus elephants, crocodiles and more than 250 bird species), but with far fewer jeeps.
Insider tip: For an immersive three-night safari experience, book Kumana Under Canvas, a mobile safari camp in Kumana with stylish tents pitched in a wooded lakeside glade over an hour's drive from the park entrance. Includes food and expert-led game drives.
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Best for food and people
Cook like a local
Hosted cookery experience in Galle
Having catered to royal families, mayors and sea captains over the years, Shahira now shares her cherished family recipes (peppered with first-hand foodie tales) from the kitchen of her home in Galle. Don't miss the chance to learn her southern-style biriyani recipe, a heady cardamom-spiced Muslim dish of slow-cooked meat and cashew nuts with saffron rice.
Insider tip: You might meet Shahira's son, Atheeq, from Ceylon Soul around the lunch table, the architect of other insightful Galle Fort experiences, such as hosted walking tours and treasure hunts.
Kandy Food Trail
Hosted food experience in Kandy
Discover Kandy's diverse regional cuisines and fresh food markets on Pepper's Kandy Food Trail. Tuck into curries, deep-fried snacks and kithul-sweetened treats from street vendors, curry houses and restaurants as part of a multi-sensorial walk hosted by local Ujith. It usually ends with cold beers or G&Ts at a 19th-century bar.
Insider tip: Alternatively, end your tour at Kandy's Temple of the Tooth – aim to get there around 6.15pm for the evening pooja when the chamber housing the Buddha's tooth is ceremoniously revealed, and drums, chanting and incense fills the air.
Area: Kandy
Website: pepper.life
Price: ££
Orange Field Tea Factory
Exclusive owner-hosted tea tour
Many tea factories dot the Central Highlands, but this tidy factory near Kandy, which processes tea from 750 small-scale growers, cares for its workers, sees few tourists and there's no hard selling of tea. Better still, it is the factory owner, Sebastian, who expertly guides you past juddering, oscillating machinery, taking time to explain each intricate process.
Insider tip: One of the closest hotels to the factory is Ellerton, 20 minutes away. Owner Luca has a good connection with Sebastian and organises tours for his guests in advance.
Colombo City Walks
History-focused walking tours
If you have a day in Colombo, join a walking tour hosted by passionate history-loving guide Mark Forbes (or his lovely wife, Ruvi). On these three-hour ambles, you'll visit Colombo Fort's colonial-era relics, such as the Former General Post Office and time-warped Grand Oriental Hotel, before seeking out Bombay sweets and hidden temples in the chaotic streets of the neighbourhood Pettah.
Insider tip: Alternatively, join Sensory Indulgences' fun Food Coma experience, which explores Colombo's multi-ethnic cuisine by night. On these after-dark misadventures, sample arrack in 'dodgy' Second World War bars, snack on street food and visit legendary curry houses.
Lunuganga Garden Tour
Visit Geoffrey Bawa's iconic garden
Lunuganga was the country residence of the late visionary architect Geoffrey Bawa, a fiercely private refuge where he experimented with Tropical Modernism and fine-tuned his designs. It's now a boutique hotel and while resident guests can potter at will, the daily guided tours – hosted by those who knew Bawa personally – add depth and context as you are regaled with amusing anecdotes, and shown hidden statues, easily missed follies and secret views.
Insider tip: Brief, the enigmatic house and garden of Geoffrey's brother Bevis (a landscape architect) is nearby. Its intimate series of gardens are enlivened by statues, mossy arches and urns; indoors are fantastical Donald Friend-painted murals.
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How we choose
Every activity or experience to do in this curated list has been expertly chosen by our destination expert, to provide you with their insider perspective. We cover a range of areas and styles, from popular city beaches to lesser-known corners, to best suit every type of traveller. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest openings and provide up-to-date recommendations.
Emma Boyle
A holiday to Sri Lanka turned into an epic 16-year adventure in the country, during which I developed a love for leopard-spotting, coconutty curries and single estate teas.