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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.
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.
Trincomalee is a small village on the east coast, which corresponds with the ancient Gokana described in the Sinhalese chronicles.
In the south of Sri Lanka, Hikkaduwa is a seaside resort which offers water sports, ideal for families and couples.
A pilgrimage place for four religions, this sacred mountain reveals all of its splendour at sunrise. An easy but gruelling walk, not to be missed!
Nuwara Eliya is an excellent village high in the mountains (1889m), well-known for their tea plantations.
Nanu Oya has everything on a postcard. It is the image I have of small villages in Sri Lanka. Magnificent landscapes with an impression of complete serenity.
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.
