The list below is put together by bloggers (me included) who have visited Sri Lanka for several times. While this is not officially listed as among the most beautiful places of Sri Lanka, travel bloggers have witnessed first hand the beauty of the places listed below and could honestly say that these places deserve to be called beautiful in its own right.
Travel Sri Lanka
Kandy
Kandy is a place that really belongs to a tour of Sri Lanka, especially if you like culture. Kandy is the second largest city in Sri Lanka, but due to the large lake it still looks rural. Stroll along Kandy Lake, visit the market and the highlight of Kandy: the Pink Temple of the Tooth, or Sri Dalada Maligawa. The “Tooth of Buddha” (which is seen as one of the holiest objects in Buddhism) is preserved here.
If you want to go to Kandy in the summer, it is good to know that every year (this year from 16 to 26 August 2018) thousands of people travel to Kandy because of the Esala Perahera festival. The festival lasts 10 days and takes place in honor of the Buddha relic. There are processions every day.
Nuwara Eliya
The area around Nuwara Eliya is also a must see. The city itself is called ‘Little England’ because of the many colonial houses that you still see, but the surrounding nature is also very beautiful. Nuwara Eliya is in the middle of tea plantations and bright green hills. You will of course visit a tea factory here; I visited the famous Macwoods tea factory. There are also waterfalls in the area.
The area of Nuwara Eliya really is one of the most beautiful places in Sri Lanka!
Horton Plains
Not far from Nuwara Eliya you will find the Horton Plains. This National Park is the highest plateau in Sri Lanka and definitely worth a visit. You can spot various birds and animals here, including leopards! You can also walk to ‘the end of the world’: World’s End. Just like I did then, go out very early when it is still fresh.
Adam’s Peak
A little more towards Ratnapura is Adam’s Peak. In Sri Lankan it is called Sri Pada. Sri Pada is an important place of pilgrimage for both Buddhists, Hindus and Christians. They all believe that Sri Pada was the place where Buddha, or Shiva, or Adam, put his foot on earth for the first time. You will also find his footprint on the mountain. For many people it is therefore a magical place and one of the most important places of pilgrimage in the country. Real active people can make a hike to the top here. You can do the walk in about 3 hours. In addition to hiking, you can also cycle in the area.
Ella
Are you looking for peace and some cooling? Then go to Ella. Unfortunately I didn’t have time to stay in this mountain village, but what I read about it sounded great. Ella is a lovely Sri Lankan mountain village surrounded by waterfalls, tea fields and valleys. Here you go to enjoy beautiful views and to walk; to Ella Rock, or, less heavily, to Little Adam’s Peak, not to be confused with Adam’s Peak itself.
Ratnapura
Ratnapura is the center of the precious stone industry. In 2016 the world’s largest blue sapphire was discovered here . The gem has been named ‘Star of Adam’. The legend is that when Adam was sent from the Garden of Eden, he would have ended up in Sri Lanka. Adam’s tears would have turned to precious stones when he asked God for forgiveness.
Yala National Park
Do you like National Parks and do you enjoy spotting wild animals? Then you have to go to Yala. Yala is a protected natural area. Wild elephants, leopards, buffalo, bears, monkeys, many species of birds and many more animals live in the jungle of Yala.
Other places you would definitely like to see in Sri Lanka includes Galle (look for the whales), Unawatuna (great beaches and wooden houses), Hikkaduwa (beaches you can surf, bars, and busy main street), Kalutara (find the temple), Negombo (your trip starts here – near the airport. Check out the fishing village), Pinnawela (the elephant orphanage is found here), Anuradhapura (more temples but more ancient), Polonnaruwa (historic city with lots of ruins and huge Budha sculptures), Dambulla (if you want to see the golden temple), Sigiriya (the Lion Rock is here), Trincomalee (spot some whales here in spring and autumn), and many more to list down.
So next time you would like to travel, get a ticket going to Sri Lanka. The people are very welcoming. Expect to see a place rich in culture and heritage.