What Are the Amazing and Most-Visited Sri Lanka Tourist Places for Your 2023 Trip?

Sri Lanka is a brilliant holiday spot offering a vast array of sights and activities. This island, nestled in the Indian Ocean just off the coast of India, offers holidaymakers a stunning selection of landscapes and attractions to immerse themselves in. For breathtaking outdoor scenery and unforgettable safari trips, parks like Yala, Minneriya, and Udawalawe are simply unmissable. Plus, Sri Lanka is a haven for beach enthusiasts.

Colombo

Colombo, the capital city, seamlessly melds contemporary urban conveniences with the nation's vibrant native and colonial past. Due to its pivotal role in the global spice trade, Sri Lanka has always been of immense interest to European merchants.

The nation was once under the dominion of the Portuguese, the Dutch, and more recently, the British. All these influences interweave with the local traditions, resulting in a delightful cultural mix. This fusion can be seen in the cuisine, evident in the architecture and arts and is especially prominent in Colombo.

Colombo is packed with museums, accommodations offered by popular chains such as Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, and a plethora of activities that offer a deeper insight into Sri Lankan heritage. Situated on the coast, the city boasts a vast green area and beachfront right at its heart.

Kandy

Kandy is the place to immerse yourself in Sri Lankan history. Situated in the heart of Sri Lanka, this city was once the seat of power for the Sri Lankan royal dynasty, serving as the principal capital before the days of colonial rule.

The height of the so-called ‘Kandian Era’ spanned the 15th to 18th centuries, a period when Kandy retained its sovereignty while much of the coastal areas fell under the control of European nations.

Make a point of dropping by the city's National Museum of Kandy, which falls among the most popular things to do in Sri Lanka. A stone's throw away, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic stands as an immensely significant Buddhist site, nestled within the royal palace grounds. Should you find yourself in Kandy during August, you'll witness a grand festival honouring the temple and its sacred relics.

Kandy is enveloped by rolling hills, teeming with verdant tea estates. Several of these plantations welcome visitors, offering enlightening tours and a chance to sample their brews.

Galle

The city of Galle is roughly a two-hour journey from Colombo, accessible via one of Sri Lanka's premier modern motorways. This historic trading port bears testament to its colonial past centred around a grand, 17th-century coastal fort.

Galle Fort is a perfectly preserved walled town, now brimming with chic hotels, boutiques, and eateries, though it's also home to local residents. The entire enclave has the distinction of being a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It's an ideal spot for a leisurely stroll – the entirety of the Fort area is devoid of cars. Navigating the area is a breeze, given that the sea bounds you on three sides. It's among the top spots in Sri Lanka for families, given its compact nature and plethora of tourist-friendly establishments.

Beyond the confines of the fort, Galle is flanked by some splendid beaches.

Yala National Park

Situated on the southeast coast of the island, this national park is famed for its leopard safaris. While leopards are a rare sight, the park boasts a significant number of them, making it feasible to catch a glimpse even on a day visit. The park also shelters a considerable number of Asian elephants, unique to Sri Lanka.

Beyond its wildlife, the park offers a remarkable diversity of landscapes and ecosystems. You can experience the coastal and beach terrains, track leopards through expansive grasslands, or delve into tropical rainforests.

Also, within Yala, there are several significant Buddhist temples and shrines, just paces away from the resort town of Hambantota.