The 10 Best Things to Do in Sri Lanka

August 3, 2017 Osvaldo Hartline

Sri Lanka from Asia region, is best know for Historic Sites. Discover best things to do in Sri Lanka with beautiful photos and great reviews from traveller around the world here!
Restaurants in Sri Lanka

1. Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic

Sri Dalada Veediya, Kandy 20000, Sri Lanka +94 81 2 234226
Excellent
45%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
15%
Poor
3%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 9 reviews

Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic

Sri Dalada Maligawa (Sinhala: ශ්‍රී දළදා මාළිගාව) or The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is a Buddhist temple in the city of Kandy, Sri Lanka. It is located in the royal palace complex which houses the Relic of the tooth of Buddha. Since ancient times, the relic has played an important role in local politics because it is believed that whoever holds the relic holds the governance of the country. Kandy was the last capital of the Sinhalese kings and is a UNESCO world heritage site partly due to the temple. The temple which houses the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha is one of the holiest shrines in the entire Buddhist world.

Reviewed By 15traveladdict9 - Horsham, United Kingdom

The temple is beautifully decorated. The floral offering tables are full to bursting with blooms. Take time to notice the roof and wall paintings. You are allowed to take photographs inside the temple. The air is filled with incense and the scent of the flowers.

2. Pidurangala Rock

Pidurangala,Sigiriya, Sigiriya 21120, Sri Lanka
Excellent
84%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 1 reviews

Pidurangala Rock

Pidurangala is a massive rock formation located a few kilometers north of Sigiriya in Sri Lanka. It has an interesting history closely related to that of the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Climbing to the top of Pidurangala Rock is more strenuous than climbing Sigiriya. If you are fit and adventurous it is a climb worth making. It will take you about two hours. There is far less to see on this site than Sigiriya

Reviewed By SamuelHarvey - Hong Kong, China

Yes. Start by Lion Rock; you get pissed at the amount of tourists and the lines getting bigger and lengthier by the minute for the Lion Rock. When you’ll arrive at Pidurangala, you will feel free and quite peaceful to say the least. We did nothin back to back and they are quite near from one another.
Try to avoid mid day since the heat is quite intense (although there’s plenty of shadow).
We did the climb in less than an hour and it doesn’t require climbing experience.

3. Nandana Tea Factory

Matara-Akuressa Highway, Matara 81000, Sri Lanka +94 77 792 0019
Excellent
95%
Good
5%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 94 reviews

Nandana Tea Factory

Reviewed By family_fareX3

A little under 20 km from Matara (and a bit over half an hour by tuktuk) is the Nandana Tea Factory run by the Wanigasekara family.
Its a great visit with a leisurely and informative walk thru the Gardens with Gunasome, the third generation owner. You won't experience a more informative or entertaining botany lesson than this with many herbs and other medicinal plants explained (and occasionally tasted)
This is also a really interesting contrast to the big tea factories as Nandana is a small producer that services around 900 small local farmers.
There is then a tour of the tea factory followed by tastings.
You can choose to buy tea at the end (and we did) but there was no pressure to do so. There is also a small but nice selection of cakes and nibbles to purchase.

4. R. M. S Antique And Brassware

no 5 Police Road, Ella 90090, Sri Lanka +94 77 929 7811
Excellent
88%
Good
9%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 167 reviews

R. M. S Antique And Brassware

RMS Antique and Brassware stock only authentic Sri Lankan antiques, artifacts, crafts and gifts. Products range from hand-painted traditional oil paintings to colonial metalware, as well as a wealth of hand-carved artefacts from across the country. We are committed to only authentic and genuine products, and believe in supporting local craftsmen and women. With a friendly, warm and helpful staff we welcome all antique enthusiasts and amateur collectors alike.

Reviewed By Icilama

Madu's shop is THE place to go shopping for presents and souvenirs in Ella. It has everything you need from decorative items to useful objects (masks, gems, jewelry, tea pots, brassware, postcards, etc.) at the best prices.
What's more, Madu, the owner, is the sweetest guy ever. He's always up for a nice chat, will explain you every object that he sells with huge kindness. The place is up to the man. I can only recommend R.M.S. Antique shop.

5. Elephant Freedom Project

Rambukkana Karandapana Road, Kegalle 71000, Sri Lanka
Excellent
87%
Good
9%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 244 reviews

Elephant Freedom Project

Visit us and experience a special elephant encounter which is suitable for young and old, families, couples and single travelers. This is your chance to get a memorable impression of a day in the life of a Sri Lankan captive elephant who is not being used for working nor riding. The small family run Elephant Freedom Project offers refuge, freedom from work and hardship to the elephant Nilame. At the project she is free from working in the riding industry and the wood logging. The Elephant Freedom Project aims to give Nilame a good and safe home, which is made possible thanks to your visit!

Reviewed By KjzLrs - Mandal, Norway

When choosing an elephant project around Kandy, you have quite a few different options.
The reason why we chose Elephant Freedom Project, was the fact that they didn't offer elephant riding. Instead, we walked, fed and washed the elephant.
We haven't visited any other orphanage, but this place really seems to care for the animals.
This was a great experience for both kids and adults. Our guide was very friendly
and knowledgeable and made our visit enjoyable.

6. Tsunami Photo Museum

Templeroad | just north of Hikkaduwa, Telwatta, Sri Lanka +94 91 3 900884
Excellent
80%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 161 reviews

Tsunami Photo Museum

Reviewed By Maioha - Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany

This was our third visit to the Tsunami Photo Museum and, again, a reminder of the terrible tsunami that struck that part of the Sri Lankan coast. Each time we go there, we gather more insight into the tragedy that occurred there, especially the estimated 2,000 who died in the train nearby on that fateful Boxing Day morning.

7. Gal Vihara

Polonnaruwa, Polonnaruwa 51000, Sri Lanka 94777835266
Excellent
71%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 649 reviews

Gal Vihara

Reviewed By Honisoiquimalypense - Derby, United Kingdom

This set of Buddhas was held up to be the best examples of rock carving by the ancient Sinhalese on the island - and I can honestly say - THEY ARE!! There are 4 buddha statues carved out of the granite rock face (in he 12th century) - and from left to right are (from left to right) the "seated image, "the Vidyhadhara Guha", the 'standing image" and the "reclining image". Size ranges from just over 4 feet for the Vidyhadhara Guha" to over 46 ft long for the "reclining buddha".
The carving of the buddhas and the surrounding rock ( in places) is very intricate. what gets you when you see the whole vista is the sheer size of it and the fact that it has remained in such good shape. To this end they have now erected a roof over it. I laso kiled the fact the in "internal" structure of the granite "flows" through the statues.
It is just plain lovely!!!!!!!

Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka +94 77 783 5266
Excellent
66%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1 reviews

Mihintale

Reviewed By Marco M - Trieste, Italy

Very interesting place, even if it's overshadowed by more wellknown and visited Anuradhapura, Pollonaruwa and Sighiriya. The ascent is vey rewarding, Panorama from the rock is very nice. Pay attention to the monkeys, they are agressive and potentially dangerous. Hide food and drinks as they will try to stole it.

9. Community Tsunami Museum

95th Km of Galle Road, Hikkaduwa 80240, Sri Lanka +94 77 731 6664
Excellent
67%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 441 reviews

Community Tsunami Museum

Community Tsunami Museum is aimed educating communities on Tsunami and preserve the memories of 2004 Tsunami. This museum is the continuation of the efforts of Third Wave Volunteers lead by Dr. Alison Thompson (author of The Third Wave - A volunteer Story and the director of Film Third Wave). This museum will take you a touching journey through science and history of 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami.

Reviewed By EuropeanDiversity - Cologne, Germany

Our guide book recommended this small place also because it was supposed to be free. When we entered, they informed us that there was a fee which we did not think was appropriate for what was offered.

10. Royal Botanical Gardens

Peradeniya Road, Peradeniya 20400, Sri Lanka +94 81 2 388088
Excellent
63%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3 reviews

Royal Botanical Gardens

Reviewed By ChinDerrick - Segamat District, Malaysia

One of the popular attractions in Kandy,the garden includes medicinal plants,spices, orchids,palm trees and you can see the trees near the river full with Indian flying fox(bats). Ride the bus heading to Panideniya for only 20 Rupee. Entrance fee for foreigners is 1500 Rupee.

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.