City: Sri Lanka
Top Things to do in Sri Lanka
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What to do and see in Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka: The Best Gardens
Coordinates: 7°N 81°E / 7°N 81°E / 7; 81
Restaurants in Sri Lanka
1. Euphoria Spice and Herbal
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 350 reviews
We offer free Sri Lankan spice and ayurveda tours.Please book in advance for lunch and cookery classes. ( Please note that our restaurant is operated only on reservations). Location:If you are coming from Matale or Kandy, we are located 15km away from Matale in the Dambulla road in the town called "Madawala Ulpotha" infront of Temple Mahamewnawa. If you are coming from Dambulla, we are located 30 km from Dambulla in the Kandy-Dambulla road. We can also be identified as number 88.
Reviewed By gerardl134
We spent there few hours and enjoy every minute???? Visit in spice garden was very interesting and guide demonstrated wide knowledge about plants . Cooking classes are still in our minds... Shall explaind all spices, rules and gave us opportunity to be real part of meal preparation- Finally all was so delicious that our stomaches almost exploded. At the end there was option to buy some spices, teas etc but without pressure that we have to buy something... Recommended place!
2. Ashram Sri Lanka - Sri Lanka itinerary
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 47 reviews
At Ashram Sri Lanka, our tranquil retreat is more in-line with the Ashrams of the past. We offer simplicity. We offer a clean and peaceful space. Our Ashram is nestled in a beautiful environment, surrounded by nature in all its magnificence, with fields of greenery and flowers that envelop the senses. We share in nature’s space. We nurture our environment and show it compassion. We believe that our oneness with ourselves and our shared environment ultimately connects to the larger universe and beyond. A retreat with us will provide you with the time and space you need for introspection, reflection, contemplation and meditation. The ultimate aim of meditation is to seek freedom from the wheel of ‘sansara’ – the cycle of birth and death. Even though it is a difficult task, it can be obtained through effort and dedication. And if one aspires to achieve spiritual growth and its benefits through serious meditation Ashram Sir Lanka is the place for you.
Reviewed By Clavetteur - Marlow, United Kingdom
I had misgivings about booking a tour guide and driver for 20 days, but Sam's outstanding feedback here, and his very reasonable price tipped the balance. I'm happy to say it was a good decision. Sam has a thorough knowledge of great places to visit, and was always ready to adapt plans to suit us. He is also a very interesting person who makes new friends constantly, and who dedicates much effort and money to providing drinking water filters to disadvantaged families. At one point my wife said that I should try to find a Sam in each country we visit, but of course he is a one-off. Sam likes to show Sri Lanka as it is, and how the local people live. So lunch would often be typical Sri Lankan food in a roadside cafe (often rice and curry sauces) eaten with the fingers of the right hand. Unfortunately our stay at the Ashram was spoiled by the booming base sound coming from a three-day party in the local village. But Sam was quite willing to cut short our stay and move on. The Ashram is a place for chilling out and winding down, not suitable if your looking for action. Sri Lanka is a beautiful island with so many things to see and do. With hindsight, we would have liked more than two nights in Eliya, and would probably give Colombo a miss. Thank you to Sam for helping us fall in love with Sri Lanka.
3. Honey Bee Garden
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 238 reviews
We expert for cooking classes,if you like to enjoy our foods come & see the difference.
Reviewed By 507rafia
This was up there with the best evening we had in Sri Lanka. An incredible chef/host who taught us so much. We learnt how to use different pressings of coconut milk from a fresh coconut and then made 4 different curries (red lentil, pumpkin, aubergine and green bean) along with coconut roti and dip (all vegetarian). Cooking lasted around 90 mins and then you sit down and enjoy the fruits of your labour. By far the tastiest thing we've eaten all trip! You have all the recipes emailed to you, and we can't wait to go home and start cooking them ourselves. Also just great cooking tips in general. Please don't miss out.
4. Royal Botanical Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,766 reviews
Reviewed By swift314 - Sheffield, United Kingdom
Beautiful gardens just outside of the town, quite large well laid out and easy to navigate , lots of unusual plants and trees with a large poulation of fruit bats at the top end of the gardens. Well worth a trip and easy to spend 3 or 4 hours here. Nice orchid house and a variety of animal and bird life.
5. Ella Spice Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 556 reviews
Reviewed By oshiga - Terrace, Canada
We participated in the cooking class and garden tour at Ella Spice Garden and would highly recommend this activity to others looking to spend an afternoon preparing a traditional Sri Lankan meal. Our hosts communicated well with us, kept us engaged in the cooking class and lead us in the preparation of two curries, dahl and coconut sambol. We were all encouraged to participate and although this is more of an observational class rather than an immersive participatory cooking class, we feel that the instructions given during the class along with the notebook provided to jot down recipes and notes, will allow us to reproduce these recipes at home. The Spice Garden shop is also open at the end of the meal which gave us a great opportunity to purchase ingredients that are difficult to procure once home.
6. Popham's Arboretum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 157 reviews
The IFS-Popham Arboretum, Sri Lanka's only dry zone arboretum was established over five decades ago on 7.5 acres of thorny scrub jungle and abandoned 'Chena' land in Dambulla which is in the geographical center of our island, where history and culture merge amidst a natural landscape of water and mountains. The arboretum is not only about trees. There and many species of Birds, Butterflies, Dragonflies, Spiders and Mammals including Bats that can be seen within the premises.
Reviewed By inoshperera - Colombo, Sri Lanka
This is a must-visit place around Dambulla for nature lovers. Many different animals inside a relatively small space. However, the yellow route we took, took around 1hour to walk. There are many places around to snap a nice photo. The caretaker is very informative. You can give a donation of your choice to help maintain the place
7. Seethawaka Wet Zone Botanic Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 87 reviews
Reviewed By indikaeranga - Colombo, Sri Lanka
I travel there more than 2 times. It has nice view. Its better to visit there evening or morning. There have natural water springs as well. Environment is cool.
8. Urban Wetland Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 21 reviews
Reviewed By Being_Realist - Nugegoda, Sri Lanka
Great location and fully equiped with a great track for you to take a relaxing run amidst the forest like nature found in the latter section of the park. They also have a small area which you can do proper excersises. Also the garton ark restaurant is also found inside this lovely park.
9. Henerathgoda Botanical Garden
10. Brief Garden - Bevis Bawa
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 531 reviews
THE HOME & GARDEN OF BEVIS BAWA The legendary garden of Bevis Bawa played host to Sir Lawrence Olivier, Vivien Leigh, Agatha Christie and to many more. The Garden at Brief still holds the stamp of his becoming personality. Pass through the tall, statue capped gateway set in the thick bamboo hedge and you enter Bevis’s universe. An then along the junglly perimeter path, through the Japanese garden, across the wide lawns and by the round pond and the water steps. Everywhere in the garden its creator’s presence is visible. Entrance Fee LKR 2,000/- per person
Reviewed By mands_carter - Petersfield, United Kingdom
The tuc-tuc ride to the gate is up some tiny little roads which is quite strange for such a notable attraction. The guided tour of the house was excellent with a very knowledgable guide who was able to describe a lot about Bevis Bawa and his life in Sri Lanka. It's great that he left his house and gardens to local people and they are doing a great job in presenting it to the public. The gardens are beautiful and this place is a lovely peaceful haven.
