Colombo

First stop would be Colombo, Sri Lanka’s capital. This place is well known for its colonial heritage, modern lifestyles such as retail therapy and fine dining. There are plenty of cultural and historical places to check out here in Colombo.

The Fort District is where most tourists would have to go for sightseeing as this is where most of the historical sites are at. And Pettah is another place to visit in Colombo. It is a bazaar with a whole range of boutiques and shops.

Then there is the two museums in Colombo are also two good attractions to visit. They are the Dutch Period Museum and The National Museum.

And of course a visit to Colombo’s biggest Park is a must. It is the Viharamahadevi Park. It is well known for its beautiful flowers and trees. The Old Town Hall faces the park from the North east. If you’re lucky enough you will be able to catch working Elephants at the park. And there is also the Independence Hall which has a very remarkable structure to it.

There are also Art Galleries in Colombo showcasing the unique creations of the well known artists. There is the National Art Gallery, Lionel Wendt Centre and Sapumal Foundation.

And also a famous attraction for locals and tourists alike is the Dehiwala Zoo. The zoo has undergone a renovation and has been improved for the benefit of its visitors.

Other activities that can be enjoyed by tourists in Colombo would be swimming, meditation, golf and also the famous Ayurveda and Spa.

North of Colombo

Then travelling up to North of Colombo there is the largest national park in Sri Lanka which is the Wilpattu National Park. This park is home to more than 50 leopards and Elephants each. There are also spotted deer, sloth bears, wild pigs, crocodiles and more. Negombo beach is also another place to visit to get away from the hectic city of Colombo. The beach town is a very interesting place and it’s also heavily influenced by the Catholic Church.

South of Colombo

Further down south of Colombo would be the famous Bentota filled with resorts. It has resorts ranging from Southern Palm Villa, Ayubowan, Hotel Serendib, Bentota Beach Hotel, Taj Exotica, Club Villa, Villa Mohotti Walauwa and much more.

Kosgoda is a big tourism draw thanks to the hatching turtles there. Many tourists and volunteers head there to release baby turtles into the sea.

THE SOUTH

The south is one of the best examples of preserved colonial life in Asia. This place is filled with so much green and also many important places such as the temples at Kataragama.

Highlights of the South would be Galle which has a lot of colonial influences from the Dutch Colonial Era. If you do plan to stay here its best to book your stay in the Galle Fort Hotel.

And also in The South there is the Unawatuna and Midigama beach which are well known for its beauty and also as a surfer’s paradise respectively.

Another place to visit in the South would be the Yala National Park. You will get to see herds of elephants, leopards and a whole lot of other animals like different species of birds and reptiles. A safari here is a must if you do make a trip down to the South.

HILL COUNTRY

The hill country is a very relaxing place to visit to spend your vacation at. There are many places to visit and also catching the famous Kandy Esala Perahara here if you can would be a good choice as it will be an unforgettable experience.

Making a trip to Kandy Lake is a must as it is a magnificent place of attraction in Kandy. And also the temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic would be a must if you are taking part in Kandy Esala Perahara. This temple is Sri Lanka’s most important temple as it is home to the tooth of a Buddha.

Then there is Adam’s Peak as the name suggests it was the place where Adam first set foot on earth from heaven. This beautiful and breath taking attraction is located at the southern part of Hill Country. The best activity do here would be to have a 7km climb from Dalhousie to get to the top which normally takes 3 to 4 hours.

Another famous attraction would be the Horton Plains National Park & World’s End. It is an excellent place to hike as two of Sri Lanka’s second and third highest mountains are located here. And as the name suggests the plateau comes to an abrupt end giving it the name World’s End. This place has several wildlife animals such as leopards, deers and boars are here. Moreover this is the only national park in Sri Lanka where visitors are allowed to walk on their own.

THE EAST

There are many places to visit in the East such as Arugam Bay where you can have a beach holiday with the friendly people there. It’s a great place to kick back relax and have some great seafood. Other activities such as surfing, swimming, cycling and even nature watching are available in Arugam Bay.

And also the beaches around Batticalao and Trincomalee are not to be missed.

JAFFNA & THE NORTH

Jaffna has a fascinating cityscape. And it has a rich and powerful insight to anyone who visits the place. It will surely give them a better idea of the war-scarred former centre and also help better understand the history of Sri Lanka.

Jaffna also has two off shore islands which is Nainativu and Delft.

ANCIENT CITIES

Sigiriya is an ancient city that is a must to visit in Sri Lanka as it’s not only the island’s best geological formations but also a archaeological legacy.

Then there is Mihintale are great place to go to if you have a deep interest in Buddhism. You will be able to enjoy a breath taking view of Anuradhapura’s great dagoba from the top of the sacred hill.

Another great ancient city to visit would be Polonnaruwa. It is close to several national parks which in turn are much more easily accessible to visitors. The sights include Archeological Museum, Royal Palace group, Quadrangle, Nothern group, Southern group and last but not least the Rest house group was you can take a break from all the sightseeing. It is a good idea to cycle throughout the sightseeing in Polonnaruwa as it would be much easier and also less tiring.