Land of warmth and Kandy
Endless beaches, timeless ruins, welcoming people, elephants, rolling surf, fun trains, famous tea and flavourful food make Sri Lanka irresistible. Here’s a must-see-and-do top 10.
1. Stunning beaches
There are long, golden-specked ones, there are dainty ones with soft white sand, there are wind- and wavebattered ones, and ones without a footstep for miles. Some have a slowly, slowly vibe and some have a lively party vibe, but whichever you choose, the beaches of Sri Lanka really are every bit as gorgeous as you’ve heard. In a land where beaches are simply countless, consider the beaches of Tangalla, each with its own personality, and each beguiling in its own way, yet all easily visited in a day.
2. Travelling by train
Sometimes there’s no way to get a seat on the slow but oh-so-popular train to Ella, but with a prime standing-room-only spot looking out at a rolling carpet of tea, who cares? Outside, the colourful silk saris of Tamil tea pickers stand out in the sea of green; inside, you may get a shy welcome via a smile. At stations, vendors hustle treats, including some amazing corn and chilli fritters sold wrapped in somebody’s old homework paper. Munching one of these while the scenery creaks past? Sublime.
3. Uda Walawe National Park
This huge chunk of savanna grassland centred on the Uda Walawe reservoir is the closest Sri Lanka gets to East Africa. There are herds of buffalo (although some of these are domesticated!), sambar deer, crocodiles, masses of birds, and elephants – and we don’t just mean a few elephants but hundreds of the big-nosed creatures. In fact, we’d go so far to say that for elephants, Uda Walawe is equal to, or even better than, many of the famous East African national parks.
4. Ancient Anuradhapura
At Anuradhapura, big bits of Sri Lanka’s cultural and religious heritage sprawl across three square kilometres. In the centre is one of the world’s oldest trees, the Sri Maha Bodhi (more than 2000 years old). That it has been tended uninterrupted by recordkeeping guardians for all those centuries is enough to send shivers down the spine.
The surrounding fields of crumbling monasteries and enormous dagobas (stupas) attest to the city’s role as the seat of power in Sri Lanka for a thousand years. Biking through this heady past is a thrilling experience.
5. Soaring Sigiriya
The rolling gardens at the base of Sigiriya would themselves be a highlight. Ponds and little artificial rivulets put the water in these water gardens and offer a serene idyll amid the sweltering countryside. But look up and catch your jaw as you ponder this 370m rock that erupts out of the landscape. Etched with art and surmounted by ruins, Sigiriya is an awesome mystery, one that the wonderful museum tries to dissect. The climb to the top is a wearying and worthy endeavour.
6. Bundala National Park
With all the crowds heading to nearby Yala National Park, its neighbour to the west, Bundala National Park, often gets overlooked. But with the park’s huge sheets of shimmering waters ringing with the sound of birdsong, skipping it is a big mistake. Bundala has a beauty that other parks can only dream of, and is one of the finest birding destinations in the country. If herons and egrets aren’t glam enough for you, the crocodiles and resident elephant herd will put a smile on your face.
7. Adam’s Peak Pilgrims
For more than a 1000 years, pilgrims have trudged by candlelight up Adam’s Peak to stand in the footprints of the Buddha, breathe the air where Adam first set foot on Earth, and see the place where the butterflies go to die.
Today, tourists join the throng of local pilgrims and, as you stand in the pre-dawn light atop this perfect pinnacle of rock and watch the sun crawl above waves of mountains, the sense of magic remains as bewitching as it must have been for Adam himself.
8. Kandy Cultural Capital
Kandy is the cultural capital of the island and home to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, said to contain a tooth of the Buddha himself. For the Sinhalese, this is the holiest spot on the island, but for tourists Kandy offers more than just religious satisfaction: there’s a pleasing old quarter, a pretty central lake, a clutch of museums and, in the vicinity, some beautiful botanical gardens. For more blessings from the gods, there’s also a series of fascinating ancient temples.
9. Unmissable Galle Fort
Human and nature have joined forces in Galle Fort to produce an architectural work of art. The Dutch built the streets and buildings, the Sri Lankans added the colour and style, and then nature got busy covering it in a gentle layer of tropical vegetation, humidity and salty air. The result is an enchanting old town that is home to dozens of art galleries, quirky shops, and boutique cafes and guesthouses, plus some splendid hotels. For tourists, it’s without doubt the No 1 urban attraction in the country.
10. Surfing at Arugam Bay
The heart of Sri Lanka’s growing surf scene, the long right break at the southern end of Arugam Bay is considered Sri Lanka’s best. From April to September, you’ll find surfers riding the waves; stragglers catch the random good days as late as November. Throughout the year you can revel in the surfer vibe: there are board-rental and ding-repair joints, plus plenty of cheap hangouts offering a bed, beer or both. If you need solitude, there are nearby breaks up and down the coast.