Why is Sri Lanka the Place To Travel? |10 Best Places to Visit in Sri Lanka

Why would you want to travel to Sri Lanka? Sri Lanka suffered for many years from civil war. But after settling it's problems, it is now open to the world again. Sri Lanka is a beautiful island nation, south of India in the middle of the Indian Ocean. It features spectacular beaches, rich wildlife, a remarkable history and endless opportunities for adventures. It has flavorful food, famous tea, fun trains, oodles of elephants. Welcoming people, timeless ruins, rolling surf, and cheap prices make it a great travel destination that it is today.

If you are planning to explore this beautiful country, this article is going to help you make a perfect plan. Following are 10 best and most popular places to visit in Sri Lanka.

1: Sigiriya
Situated in the central Matale District near Dambulla. Sigiriya is a 5th-century ancient rock fortress of great archaeological and historical significance. This is one of the finest examples of ancient urban planning in Sri Lanka. It is a UNESCO declared World Heritage Site. It is said that the site was selected by King Kasyapa as his capital and he decided to build a palace on top of the rock.

The most notable and remarkable attraction of the site is its huge gateway in the form of a lion. Both the royal palace and capital were abandoned after the death of the king. The verdant jungle and its vast plain along with the historical and archeological significance make Sigiriya one of the best places to visit in Sri Lanka.

2: Yala National Park
Sri Lanka is an excellent wildlife safari destination with a good number of fantastic national parks and obviously Yala is the best of all the national parks in Sri Lanka. Separated in five different blocks, Yala is the second largest national park in Sri Lanka after Lunugamvehera National Park. With the highest leopard concentration in the world, Yala is simply the best place to spot leopards.

Besides that, there are 21 fresh water fishes, 18 amphibian species, 47 species of reptiles, 44 species of mammals, and endless number of bird species found in Yala National Park. So, while exploring Sri Lanka, make sure you don’t miss out experiencing the best of Yala.

3: Polonnaruwa
Polonnaruwa is a compact ancient city that features loads of 12th-century sculptures and the famous the Gal Vihara which comprises of 3 huge Buddha figures. The city was declared the capital by the King Vijayabahu I, who in 1070 defeated Chola invaders to re-unite country. The ancient city of Polonnaruwa is a UNESCO declared World Heritage Site. There are plenty of historically and archeologically important attractions to see. This ancient city is one of the best places to visit in Sri Lanka.

4: Colombo
Colombo, the capital of the country, is a modern city filled with shopping malls, al fresco cafes, restaurants and quality hotels. If you want to experience the modern Sri Lanka, you can’t leave out exploring Colombo from your things to do list. All major government offices and residences are found in Colombo.

While in Colombo, you can visit the Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple and Dehiwala Zoo, relax and enjoy music in Galle Face Green, indulge in a Massage in one of Colombo’s popular spas, experience its vibrant nightlife, and know about the history of Sri Lanka visiting Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara and National Museum of Colombo.

5: Kandy
Kandy is the second largest city in Sri Lanka. It is home to The Temple of the Tooth Relic which is one of the most sacred places of worship in the world for the Buddhists. In 1988, the temple was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. If you want to experience the best of Sri Lanka’s culture, you have to attend the the Esala Perahera Festival in Kandy in August every year. To celebrate the festival people from all across the country gather in Kandy and Elephants are paraded in the courtyards of the temple.

6: Nuwara Eliya
Nuwara Eliya is one of Sri Lanka’s most beautiful regions. With rolling hills, the impressive Hakgala Botanical Gardens and some world-class golf courses. The cool hill country of Sri Lanka offers its visitors with a welcoming antidote to heat the low-laying plains and the coast. The landscapes of tea gardens and some stunning waterfalls will make sure you fall in love with Sri Lanka.

7: Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
Visiting the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage can be a unique and exciting experience of your lifetime. It is home to a good number of orphaned wild, young, and adorable elephants. Located in the hilly countryside near Kegalle, the orphanage offers you to opportunity to see the baby elephants fed, bathed and cared for.

8: Ancient city of Anuradhapura
Established in 4th century BC, Anuradhapura is the oldest capital of Sri Lanka. It was the capital of the country until the start of 11th century AD. The sacred Bo Tree of Anuradhapura which has grown from a branch of Bodhi tree is regarded as a great source of enlightenment for the Buddhists. Countless number of parks along with the remains of The Seated Buddha, Brazen Palace, of The Kuttam Pokuna, the towering Ruwanweliseya Dagaba and many different temples make Anuradhapura one of the most popular places to visit in Sri Lanka.

9: Galle
Galle is a fortified city located on the southwestern tip of Colombo. The Galle Fort, a UNESCO declared World Heritage Site, is believed to be the largest remaining fortress build by the European occupiers in Asia. Beside the fort, Galle’s major attractions include its natural harbor, St. Mary’s Cathedral, the National Maritime Museum, and Amangalla the historic luxury hotel. If you are an adventure enthusiast, you will love scuba diving, swimming and surfing in Galle.

10: Botanical Garden of Peradeniya
While visiting Sri Lanka, you will have endless opportunities to admire the beauty of nature. And a visit to Peradeniya Gardens of Sri Lanka will enable you to freshen you mind and enjoy every second of your stay. It is home to more than 4000 species of trees collected and planted in these gardens from all the corners of the world.

Hope you enjoyed seeing the true beauty of Sri Lanka. If you want to travel to Sri Lanka, make sure it is high on your bucket list. If anybody has been here or plans to get, let us know your thoughts in the comments below.