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Places to discover
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.
Lying just a stone's throw from Colombo International Airport, Negombo is a large coastal resort extending for several kilometres along the Indian Ocean coast.
Climb up this imposing rock and see the maidens of Sigiriya.
Polonnaruwa is a historic city forming a part of the 'Cultural Triangle' of Sri Lanka, acknowledged as a UNESCO world heritage site since 1982.
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.
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.
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.
Galle: a little piece of Holland in Sri Lanka.
Situated some kilometres from Colombo, on the edge of the Mahawamsa, Perdeniya is famous for its royal gardens and its botanical university.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A wonderful safari in Yala National Park.
Tissa: a place to spend the night before going on safari.
Kataragama: a holy town for the people of Sri Lanka.
To ride on the back of an elephant: Habarana
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.
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.
