Choose from 13 Fun Things to Do in Sri Lanka
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Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa)
Located within the royal palace complex of Kandy, the Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa) houses Sri Lanka’s most important Buddhist relic. In the heart of the temple, within a two-story shrine fronted by elephant tusks sits what devotees believe to be the left upper canine tooth of the Buddha, supposedly taken from his body before cremation. The Temple of the Tooth was built between 1687 and 1707 to house the relic.
While the tooth stays hidden within a gold casket, visitors and devotees still flock to the temple during puja for a glimpse at the heavily guarded inner shrine where it is kept. Also of interest is the International Buddhist Museum, housed on the temple grounds, where visitors can learn about the history and expansion of the religion throughout Asia and the world.
Once each year during the Esala Perahera procession, the relic casket gets paraded through the streets atop a male elephant. The 10-day festival is one of the largest Buddhist festivals in the world and the most important in Sri Lanka.
Practical Info
Remember to wear clothing that covers both your legs and shoulders when visiting the temple, and be prepared to remove your shoes.
Address: Sri Dalada Veediya, Kandy 20000, Sri Lanka
Hours: Daily 5:30am to 8pm
Admission: 1000 Rs
From $ 12
Gregory Lake
Gregory Lake is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Nuwara Eliya. Originally a huge swamp area, this man-made lake was constructed in 1873 under the government of Sir William Gregory and was used as a place for relaxation and recreation during the British rule. There are a number of interesting colonial buildings in the area left over from this era.
Today, a plethora of activities and visitor facilities have been introduced around Gregory Lake. There’s the opportunity for walking, bike riding, and horse riding, while on the lake itself, there are a number of operators offering boat rides and various watersports activities. Those who wish to get out and enjoy the lake independently can even hire a distinctive two-seater swan boat.
Practical Info
Access to the lake is via a park, which has a small entrance fee. Seaplanes from Colombo land on Gregory Lake, with the journey from the capital taking around 30 minutes.
Address: Gregory Lake, Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka
Admission: Entry into park: 200 rupees
From $ 38
Gem Museum
Since the 1920 the Gem Museum has been a family-owned and run business offering up some of Sri Lanka’s most prized and beautiful gemstones to locals, travelers, dignitaries and distinguished guests.
Visitors to this spectacularly designed showroom can see flawless diamonds, crystal blue sapphires and other precious stones on display, as well as witness the craftsmanship of on-site professional goldsmiths. An interactive demo educated travelers on the process used to transform raw stones into delicate pieces that are placed in gold or platinum settings. While visitors say this is one of the best place to stock up on stones, those in the know warn it’s essential to know the ins and outs of gems to avoid steep prices for less than precious stones.
Practical Info
The Gem Museum is located at 43 Ananda Kumaraswamy Mawatha in Colombo. It is open daily from 9 a.m. until 7:30 p.m.
Address: 43 Ananda Kumaraswamy Mawatha, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Hours: Open daily from 9 a.m. until 7:30 p.m.
From $ 28
Galle Face Green
This ocean-side urban park with coastal views once served as a straight shot for firing cannons against the Portuguese. But today, it is a Mecca for travelers in search of fresh air, local sports and Sri Lankan history. That’s because this popular attraction is home to a now defunct horse track, golf course, rugby and cricket fields.
Travelers can venture to the old horse track, which is now the Crystal Ballroom of the Taj Samudra Hotel and see where the local elite once placed their bets. And while the colonial golf course, which was built in 1879, has since moved to Borella, it’s still possible to see remnants of the once popular club. While the former athletics facilities have either been shut down or moved, this vast open space still attracts plenty of folks thanks to ideal kite flying conditions, perfect picnic areas, imposing hotels and picturesque views.
Practical Info
Saturday and Sunday are the most popular days to relax at Galle Face Green. The park stretches some five hectares along the financial and business district of Colombo.
Address: A2, Colombo, Sri Lanka
From $ 7
Udawalawe National Park
Wildlife abounds in southern Sri Lanka’s Udawalawe National Park. Here, open-top jeep safaris bring visitors within close range of members of the park’s resident elephant population — some say it’s the country’s largest, with as many as 400 individuals. The park is centered around a massive man-made reservoir, which displaced hundreds of hectares when it was created in the 1970s but now draws wild buffaloes, sambar deer, crocodiles, jackals, macaques, leopards and flocks of water birds. Udawalawe’s dry weather and short, grassy vegetation provides an ideal setting for viewing these creatures.
Most park visitors arrive via an organized tour; only official vehicles and those with park-licensed guides are allowed to explore the park. For an extended stay and a greater chance of seeing some of the park’s rarer critters, visitors can also opt to stay in onsite accommodations, which include four campsites and bungalows ranging from plain rustic to rustic chic.
Just outside the park, the ETH, or Elephant Transit Home, is a popular stop often combined with a trip to Udawalawe — there, baby elephants, orphaned by the ivory trade, are rehabilitated and released to join the park’s population.
Most park visitors arrive via an organized tour; only official vehicles and those with park-licensed guides are allowed to explore the park. For an extended stay and a greater chance of seeing some of the park’s rarer critters, visitors can also opt to stay in onsite accommodations, which include four campsites and bungalows ranging from plain rustic to rustic chic.
Just outside the park, the ETH, or Elephant Transit Home, is a popular stop often combined with a trip to Udawalawe — there, baby elephants, orphaned by the ivory trade, are rehabilitated and released to join the park’s population.
Practical Info
The park is located 125 miles south of the capital city of Colombo; its entrance is near the seven-mile (11-kilometer) post between Timbolketiya and Thanamalwila on Pelmadulla-Timbolketiya A18 road. The best time to visit is just after dawn and before dusk, when the animals are most active. The last park tickets are sold around 5 p.m.
Address: Sri Lanka
Admission: Half-day guided jeep safaris range widely in price.
From $ 17
Sigiriya Rock Fortress
A rocky mountain plateau rising some 660 feet above the relatively flat landscape in central Sri Lanka supports one of the country’s most significant cultural and historical sites: an ancient sky palace.
Atop this massive rock column, King Kassapa I built a palace complex in the late fifth century. Experts say less than 20 percent of the original structures survive today.
While for some it’s enough just to visit the onsite museum and glimpse the monolith from below, most visitors attempt to climb the approximately 1,200 steps to the summit of Sigiriya. Through an entrance guarded by lion’s feet, visitors ascend to Mirror Wall, a narrow passageway which now appears as an orange ring near the base of the rock. There, a smooth, lacquered wall reflects original frescoes of deities painted on the rock face opposite. Afterward, a not-for-the-faint-of-heart series of spiral staircases lead to more frescoes and to the final Lion Staircase, where visitors make their final ascent to the summit Sky Palace. All vantages afford much-needed breaks and breathtaking views of the jungle below. The summit’s terraced gardens and water gardens, along with the remaining foundations of early structures, leave everyone marveling at this remarkable feat of sky-high engineering.
Atop this massive rock column, King Kassapa I built a palace complex in the late fifth century. Experts say less than 20 percent of the original structures survive today.
While for some it’s enough just to visit the onsite museum and glimpse the monolith from below, most visitors attempt to climb the approximately 1,200 steps to the summit of Sigiriya. Through an entrance guarded by lion’s feet, visitors ascend to Mirror Wall, a narrow passageway which now appears as an orange ring near the base of the rock. There, a smooth, lacquered wall reflects original frescoes of deities painted on the rock face opposite. Afterward, a not-for-the-faint-of-heart series of spiral staircases lead to more frescoes and to the final Lion Staircase, where visitors make their final ascent to the summit Sky Palace. All vantages afford much-needed breaks and breathtaking views of the jungle below. The summit’s terraced gardens and water gardens, along with the remaining foundations of early structures, leave everyone marveling at this remarkable feat of sky-high engineering.
Practical Info
Sigiriya is approximately 3.5 hours from Colombo by car and 2.5 hours from the city of Kandy. Many country-wide tours include visits to this UNESCO World Heritage site. Hot and humid weather can make the three-to-four-hour climb to Sigiriya’s summit arduous, so come prepared with lots of water and appropriate clothing.
Address: Sri Lanka
Admission: USD $30 admission fee for non-residents
From $ 12
World Buddhist Museum
This one-of-a-kind museum, also known as the International Buddhist Museum, showcases the growth and history of Buddhism across all of Asia. Travelers who journey through the galleries, exhibit halls and displays will find artifacts, art work,
and other items that tell the story of how the culture and religion expanded from east to west.
Visitors are asked to follow a specific path that winds through models of sacred buildings, photographs and a number of Buddhist artifacts. Whether travelers are well-versed in the religion or new to the scene entirely, guests agree that most anyone will leave the World Buddhist Museum with a deeper understanding of the tradition and the beliefs associated with this global religion.
Practical Info
The museum is located behind the Temple of the Tooth and entry is 500 Rps per person. No photography is allowed inside the museum.
Address: Temple of the Tooth, Kandy, Sri Lanka
Admission: 500 Rps
From $ 20
Gangaramaya (Vihara) Buddhist Temple
This stunning temple located in the heart of Colombo is one of the city’s most iconic religious structures. Travelers who venture to this top attraction will find colorful history, distinct architecture and deep religious roots.
Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple borrows elements from Thai, Indian, Chinese and Sri Lankan architecture. Visitors who wander the grounds—either solo or with a guide—will find elements that are distinctive of each unique tradition throughout. The structure is situated near Beira Lake and is home to a temple, pagoda, assembly hall for monks, museum, library, residential hall and several other key structures. But travelers say it’s the rows of praying Buddhas and quiet reflecting pools and elaborate interiors that make Gangaramaya worth a visit.
Practical Info
The temple is located at 61 Sri Jinarathana Road, Colombo 2. It is just northwest of the Viharamahadevi Park and the National Museum.
Address: 61 Sri Jinaratana Road, Colombo, Sri Lanka
From $ 5
Galle Fort
The Sri Lankan city of Galle was founded by Portuguese explorers in the sixteenth century. In 1640, the Dutch moved in and began fortifying the town by constructing an 89-acre (36-hectare) fort on the town’s promontory, surrounded on three sides by the Bay of Galle. Today, the old town of Galle and its fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1988, ranks among the best preserved European-built fortified cities in Southeast Asia.
The fort remains so much more than a historical attraction. The town is very much still alive. The walled city still houses government buildings, businesses, museums, cafes, and shops. The narrow streets are filled with residents going about their business. The ramparts overlook the Indian Ocean and provide a popular viewing spot at sunrise.
Practical Info
Visitors who wish to linger in Old Galle can stay in one of several boutique hotels housed in Dutch colonial villas.
Address: Galle, Southern Province, Sri Lanka
Hours: 24/7
From $ 11
Galle Fort Lighthouse
Galle Fort Lighthouse is located within the historic Galle Fort in Sri Lanka and is one of just 14 remaining lighthouses in the country. In fact, this is Sri Lanka's oldest light station and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The original structure was built in 1848, but was destroyed in a fire in the 1930s. The current lighthouse was built 100 meters away from the original site upon ramparts standing six meters above ground level. The light station itself is just over 26 meters tall, giving it a panoramic view of the harbour.
Galle Fort Lighthouse overlooks a small beach, and there are a number of shops and restaurants nearby. The area provides some fantastic views and photo opportunities, although unfortunately visitors are unable to enter the lighthouse to climb up it.
Practical Info
The Galle Fort Lighthouse can be found on the southern coast of the island in the bay of Galle. Galle Fort can be explored either independently or as part of a guided walking tour.
Address: Galle Fort, Rampart Street, Galle 80000, Sri Lanka
From $ 11
Colombo National Museum
Some of the galleries in this stunning white museum date as far back as the late 1800s, and as a result travelers who pass through what is undoubtedly the nation’s top cultural attraction may feel like they are actually traveling back in time.
Visitors will find iconic art, ancient history and deeply rooted traditions just beyond the stone Buddha that sits at the entry of Colombo National Museum. Whether it’s well-preserved swords, ornate masks or hand-carved furniture, Sri Lanka’s largest museum exhibits some of the most striking pieces of both its past and present.
Practical Info
The Colombo National Museum is located at Albert Cres Col 7 and it open from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. daily. Entrance fees are Rs 250 for adults and Rs 150 for children.
Address: Albert Cres Col 7, Colombo 00700, Sri Lanka
Hours: Open from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. daily
Admission: Adults: Rs 250; Children: Rs 150
From $ 7
Kosgoda Sea Turtle Conservation Project
The Kosgoda Sea Turtle Conservation Project is a small venue in Kosgoda that’s run by volunteers and relies on donations to help protect Sri Lanka’s turtles from extinction.
The central aim of the project is to monitor local sea turtle activity and to conserve the local nesting sites. A crucial element is the hatchery, where rescued eggs can hatch safely, away from the clutches of potential predators (or poachers) before being released into the ocean at night. In addition, a selection from each hatching are kept at the sanctuary for a short period for 'headstarting' before their release.
Another of the project’s aims is to increase public awareness of how endangered the creatures are and just how important it is to help protect them as a species. Volunteers are on hand to show guests around the various tanks to see (but not touch) the different types of turtles. These volunteers are generally well-informed and encourage visitors to ask questions and find out more about the project.
Practical Info
The site of the Kosgoda Sea Turtle Conservation Project is situated on the main Galle Road connecting Colombo to Galle. The Kosgoda Railway Station is also only a few kilometers away.
Address: 13A Galle Road, Kosgoda 80570, Sri Lanka
Hours: Open daily 9am-5pm
Admission: 500 rupees
From $ 25
Independence Square
Colombo’s Independence Square is a top attraction for travelers looking for a taste of local life. That’s because this picturesque square is a gathering place for residents and visitors alike. With plenty of green, open space, historical buildings and quiet cafes, Independence Square is the ideal spot to spend a relaxing evening in Colombo.
Visitors can wander the newly added Arcade, which showcases some of the city’s best local handicrafts and designer goods, or take an up-close look at the monument dedicated to the very first prime minister. Visitors to Independence Square will find locals taking a stroll, jogging on pristine paths or riding bikes over well-paved roads most any time of day.
Practical Info
Independence Square is easily accessible using a taxi or tuk tuk. Independence Memorial Hall, the national museum of Sri Lanka, is located near the square and worth checking out.
Address: Colombo 07, Colombo, Sri Lanka
From $ 5