Sri Lanka
Top Sights
1. Sigiriya
One of Sri Lanka's seven World Heritage Sites, this rock-top fortress dates back to the 5th century A.D. and has acted as a royal palace and Buddhist monastery. This is a site of historical and archaeological significance that is dominated by a massive column of rock nearly 200 metres high.
2. Yala National Park
Home to wildlife such as leopards, elephants and crocodiles, as well as hundreds of bird species. Inland, Sithulpawwa is an ancient Buddhist monastery. Nearby caves contain centuries-old rock paintings. Southwest, Magul Maha Viharaya also has ancient Buddhist ruins.
3. Kandy
The last capital of the ancient kings of Sri Lanka. It's set on a plateau surrounded by mountains, which are home to tea plantations and biodiverse rainforest. Kandy is famed for sacred Buddhist sites, including the Temple of the Tooth shrine, celebrated with the grand Esala Perahera annual procession.
4. Nuwara Eliya
Nuwara Eliya is a city in the tea country hills of central Sri Lanka. The naturally landscaped Hakgala Botanical Gardens displays roses and tree ferns, and shelters monkeys and blue magpies. Nearby Seetha Amman Temple, a colorful Hindu shrine, is decorated with religious figures. Densely forested Galway's Land National Park is a sanctuary for endemic and migratory bird species, including bulbuls and flycatchers.
5. Galle
Galle’s most famous attraction is its 17th century fort built by Dutch colonists. Sitting on a promontory overlooking the Indian ocean.
6. Arugam Bay
Soft sands for surfers or just to relax. Arugam Bay, known locally as "Arugam Kudah", is a bay situated on the Indian Ocean in the dry zone of Sri Lanka's southeast coast, and a historic settlement of the ancient Batticaloa Territory.
7. Polonnaruwa
Polonnaruwa is known for the ruins of this ancient garden city. The 12th century ruins are some of the best preserved in the country.
8. Mirissa
Mirissa is the largest fishing port on the south coast and is a good place to go dolphin and whale watching. Mirissa is a known for its golden sand beaches.
9. Colombo
Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, has a long history as a port on ancient east-west trade routes, ruled successively by the Portuguese, Dutch and British. That heritage is reflected in its its architecture, mixing colonial buildings with high-rises and shopping malls. The imposing Colombo National Museum, dedicated to Sri Lankan history, borders sprawling Viharamahadevi Park and its giant Buddha.
10. Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura is an ancient sacred city of palaces, temples and monuments Dating back to the third century BC, Anuradhapura was established by the founder of an order of Buddhist nuns.
11. Bentota
Bentota is a resort town on Sri Lanka’s southwest coast. Its long Bentota Beach stretches north, where it becomes a sandy strip known as Paradise Island, parallel to Bentota Lagoon. Coral-rich dive sites include Canoe Rock. On Bentota River, centuries-old Galapota Temple has a large Buddha statue. Southeast is Lunuganga, the estate and gardens of architect Geoffrey Bawa. Northeast is his brother Bevis's Brief Garden.
