There are numerous things to do in Sri Lanka, a tiny country of islands in the Indian Ocean. Sri Lanka delivers something for everyone in every imaginable field and environment, from the breathtaking experience of whale watching in Mirissa Port to the astonishing train ride from Kandy to Ella, from the mesmerizing experience at the Elephant orphanage to the scuba diving experience at Hikkaduwa. The typical rafting and camping excursions are also available in Sri Lanka, however, they are done in a much bigger and more picturesque way.
Top 10 Things to Do in Sri Lanka: The Jewel of Indian Ocean
A stroll through the famed Bogawantalawa Valley's tea estates is another amusing activity in Sri Lanka, which is widely renowned for being a utopia for tea lovers. The opportunity of going surfing in Arugam Bay and rock climbing in Bambarakanda are open, up for grabs, and undoubtedly a must-attempt for folks who enjoy the extreme adventure. Sri Lanka is like a big explosion in a little package. Look at the broad range of experiences and activities offered to everybody who steps foot in its idyllic surroundings. Colombo is the shrine of all pampered luxury tourists, offering ultra-modern amenities, towering structures, retail centers, and exciting nightlife making numerous choices for places to visit in Sri Lanka.
- Climb Sigiriya: Measure Sigiriya Fortress
- Whale Watching at Mirissa Fishery Port: Appreciating God’s Creations
- Casino Night in Colombo: Let’s Get the Party Started
- Visit a Turtle Hatchery at Bentota: Exploring the Home of Turtles
- Train Ride from Kandy to Ella: A Scenic Ride Through the Dense Forest
- Exploring Colombo Tea Garden: A Pleasant Visit
- Peradeniya Royal Botanical Garden: Picnic with Loved Ones
- Visiting Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage: The Magnificent Creation of Almighty
- Go Scuba Diving: Dive into the Gorgonian Gardens
- Hot Balloon Ride: The Thrilling Ride Amidst Nature
1. Climb Sigiriya: Measure Sigiriya Fortress
If you decide to visit there, you could come across the King Kasyapa-built Sigiriya Fortress, which is over 1600 years old. Three ramparts and two moats encircle this gigantic enclosure giving it security. One of the famous things in Sri Lanka was first believed to be King Kasyapa's private palace. This is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Sri Lanka if historic monuments interest you. The Sigiriya Rock Fortress nevertheless disappoints travelers with its enchantment and splendor. It provides phenomenal 360-degree views of the surrounding hills, forests, greenery, lakes, and even monuments of Sigiriya.
- Location: 31 min (16.8 km) from Sri Lanka via Inamaluwa
- Timings: Opens daily from 7 AM to 5:30 PM
- Best time to visit: This area should be visited early in the morning or late in the afternoon
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2. Whale Watching at Mirissa Fishery Port: Appreciating God’s Creations
In the depths of the sea, you can see amusing dolphins playing and presenting on an impressive-looking display. If you have good fortune, you might additionally be entitled to casually observe the powerful blue whale. Experience the thrilling whale-watching trip from Galle to the fisheries port at Mirissa, which is The main spot to view blue and sperm whales is Dondra Point, which is near Mirissa. Blue whales, Bryde's whales, killer whales, and pilot whales could all be seen. One of the best tasks to do in Sri Lanka is whale watching.
- Best Time: Mornings are the best time to witness dolphins and whales
- Best Months: The best months to visit will be December, February, and March
3. Casino Night in Colombo: Let’s Get the Party Started
Colombo is the site of several wonderful tourist attractions which will sure to please travelers as they can find interesting things to do in Colombo. Do not skip exploring the local casinos while you are here. With their exceptional interiors and individualized services, these types of businesses are ideal for keeping you preoccupied. Bally's, Bellagio, MGM Colombo, and Marina Colombo are Colombo's four most alluring casinos. Bally's is a widely recognized Sri Lanka tourist destination and is situated in the heart of the city. The wildly popular MGM Bellagio lies on the main Duplication Road, next to the Majestic City Shopping Mall and Marina, an esteemed casino on Marine Drive.
- Timings: The casinos are open 24/7 on all days of the week
4. Visit a Turtle Hatchery at Bentota: Exploring the Home of Turtles
Several turtle hatcheries are situated right next to Bentota's beaches which is one of the popular beaches in Sri Lanka. Visiting one of these educational establishments to gain knowledge about these incredible wonders of Mother Nature is one of the most fascinating things to do in Sri Lanka while on your getaway From the moment they are born until they head out to sea, these hatcheries, like the Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery, offer an ideal setting for the turtles to care for themselves. Apart from caring for the turtles produced here, the staff of these hatcheries works extensively to locate injured or endangered turtles outside and bring them in for safety and protection. The Sri Lankan government has taken such measures to protect and conserve both these species' ecosystems and their descendants.
- Location: 10 to 15 minutes tuk tuk ride south from Bentota
- Things to keep in mind: Avoid disturbing the nesting turtles with light
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5. Train Ride from Kandy to Ella: A Scenic Ride Through the Dense Forest
The scenic train ride from Kandy to Ella is one of the adventures that should be on the list of things to do in Kandy. One of the most spectacular journeys is by railroads from Kandy to Ella. The jaw-dropping views and lush environment will leave you dumbfounded. The train will take you by tea, agricultural land, waterfalls, mountains, clouds, and mist, offering you an appearance that you are in a scene from a romantic film. Furthermore, you may relish delicious meals from neighboring hawkers who provide crispy poppadoms and freshly cut mango and pineapple bits dusted with cinnamon.
- Location: The journey starts from Kandy railway station, which is 95 km from Colombo
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6. Exploring Colombo Tea Garden: A Pleasant Visit
Sri Lanka is famously known for its numerous varieties of tea. You can observe the land covered with a blanket of lush green tea plantations which requires a separate tea tour itself. The magical aroma of tea and herbs covers the lands making it incredible to explore. If you are a tea lover then it is heaven for you as you can taste the processed tea directly from the factory. Due to the serene beauty of this plantation, this place is usually flocked by couples for photography, also making it one of the romantic things to do in Sri Lanka for couples.
- Location: Starts from the Bogawantalawa Valley and other plantations that range at 1500m above sea level.
- Things to do: Photographing, Nature walk, Tasting various tea blends
7. Joyful Day in Peradeniya Royal Botanical Garden: Picnic with Loved Ones
Peradeniya Gardens is a vast 147 acres of natural land that consist of more than 4000 species of plants and more than 10,000 varieties of trees, therefore it serves as the biggest serene garden in Sri Lanka and a visit to this garden should come to the list of things to do in Sri Lanka. The most unique factor of this garden is the stunning giant Bamboo of Burma which grows 12 inches each day to a height of 40 meters. You can also find the Cannonball tree, Double Coconut Palm, Javan fig tree, and more than 200 varieties of Palm trees with a plethora of flora.
- Location: 6 KM from central Kandy, Colombo
- Timing: 7:30 AM to 5 PM
8. Visiting Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage: The Magnificent Creation of the Almighty
The same purpose as the turtle hatcheries in Bentota, the Elephant Orphanage also serves abandoned, injured, and abused elephants to rehabilitate them with care and nourishment. The orphanage is catering to more than 40 elephants currently in which most of them were babies. Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is constantly working for the well-being and welfare of the elephants of Sri Lanka. One of the crazy things to do in Sri Lanka is to watch these adorable yet mischievous elephants bathe in the river near the orphanage, pull each other's tails and try to get away from the hands of their caretaker. A trip to this orphanage will surely help you create alluring memories for a lifetime.
Location: Rambukkana, Sri Lanka
Timings: 8:30 am–5:30 pm, Milk feeding shed- 8:30 am–4 pm
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9. Go Scuba Diving: Dive into the Gorgonian Gardens
If you are searching for adventure in Sri Lanka then Gorgonian Gardens is the best option to choose from. dive into the clear water and spot the amazing marine life. The Gorgonian Gardens is located in Colombo which offers exceptional beauty with a wide range of coral reefs, shipwrecks, and flora with rich marine life. The gorgeous diving site is only 20 minutes away from Colombo and offers a tranquil beauty underwater that can easily make your heart throb. You will be appreciating the alluring ecosystem of Sri Lanka after visiting the site.
Location: Colombo
10. Hot Balloon Ride: The Thrilling Ride Amidst Nature
The exclusive destination in Sri Lanka offers a chance to experience the thrill and serenity of the secluded village while you float in the clouds in a vibrant hot air balloon. This activity is something you should not miss while holidaying in Sri Lanka with your loved ones. Appreciate the majestic and surreal landscapes of the village and create some everlasting memories to cherish for a lifetime.
Location: Approximately 4 hours from Colombo
Now that we’ve completed our list of things to do in Sri Lanka, now you must try out some of these things to get the best out of your Sri Lanka vacation. Enjoy diving in the sea, caressing the elephants and turtles, hiking the mountain, and appreciating nature, try everything your heart wants in Sri Lanka as the place has a plethora of things to offer the tourists including culture, history, nightlife, beaches, hills, jungles, ancient monuments, wildlife, and excellent food make it a paradise, which can be witnessed through Sri Lanka tour packages.
FAQs for Things to Do in Sri Lanka
There are a lot of amazing places to visit and things to do in Sri Lanka that you can’t miss, such as Climb Sigiriya, Whale Watching at Mirissa Fishery Port, Casino Night in Colombo, Visit a Turtle Hatchery at Bentota, Train Ride from Kandy to Ella, Exploring Colombo Tea Garden, Hot Balloon Ride, Go Scuba Diving.
Sri Lanka delivers something for everyone in every imaginable field from the breathtaking experience of whale watching in Mirissa Port to the astonishing train ride from Kandy to Ella, from the mesmerizing experience at the Elephant orphanage to the scuba diving experience at Hikkaduwa.
If you want to cover all the major attractions and adventures of Sri Lanka, you would require 6-7 days at least.
The best months to travel to the west and south coasts are typically December to April, while the best months to explore the east coast of Sri Lanka are May to October.
Some of Sri Lanka’s famous cuisines include Fish ambul thiyal ,Kottu, Kukul mas curry (chicken curry), Parippu (dhal curry), Lamprais, etc that should be tasted while vacationing in Sri Lanka.
Some things are prohibited to take to Sri Lanka and some of them are given below:
- Cosmetics, Medicinal drugs, and devices
- Telecommunication Equipment
- Foreign currencies more than US$ 15000 or equivalent
- Animals, Plants (including specimens), and their parts
- Firearms, Ammunition, Air Guns, and Explosives
- Liquor and Wines
- Gold, Jewellery, Gems, and other Precious Metals
Moonstone carvings, Buddha figurines, Ayurvedic products, tea, batiks, and gems are some of the most popular things to shop for in Sri Lanka.
Whale Watching Cruise, Peradeniya Gardens, Wildlife Safari, and White Water Rafting are some of the activities that can be enjoyed with your family.
