An Island of Many Worlds

Best: December to April & July to September

Sigiriya

The legendary fifth-century Lion Rock citadel rising dramatically above emerald jungle canopies.

Central Highlands

Kandy

The sacred royal hill capital, sanctuary of the sacred Tooth Relic and living bastion of Sinhala culture.

Best: January to April

Uva Highlands

Best: January to May & July to September

Ella

A bohemian mountain haven of sweeping valley gaps, colonial railway bridges and cascading jungle waterfalls.

Southern Wilderness

Yala National Park

The untamed realm of apex leopards, wild Asian elephants and dramatic coastal scrubland lagoons.

Best: February to June

South Coast

Galle Fort

A living 17th-century UNESCO maritime fort where European colonial history meets tropical ocean air.

Best: December to April

South Coast

Mirissa

A crescent of golden sand, coconut-crested headlands and the world’s premier blue whale playground.

Central Highlands

Best: January to April & July to August

Nuwara Eliya

The colonial 'Little England' of manicured tea gardens, cool mountain mist and Victorian heritage.

East Coast

3 to 4 days

Trincomalee

Sapphire coastal bays, historic cliffside Hindu shrines and pristine coral atolls on the Indian Ocean.

Bentota

Golden resort beaches, mangrove lagoon sanctuaries and the tropical modernism of Geoffrey Bawa.

Cultural Triangle

Best: December to April & July to September

Anuradhapura

The sacred cradle of ancient Sinhala civilization with 2,500 years of living Buddhist heritage.

Southern Wilderness

1 to 2 days

Udawalawe National Park

A sanctuary of thriving wild Asian elephant herds, open savannahs and the famous Elephant Transit Home.

Dambulla

The magnificent UNESCO Royal Rock Cave Temple sanctuary adorned with centuries of Buddhist murals and statues.

Unawatuna

A turquoise horseshoe bay of golden sands, coral reefs, coastal cafes and secluded Jungle Beach.

West Coast

1 to 2 days

Negombo

A historic coastal trading enclave of breezy beaches, Dutch canals and lively traditional fishing harbours.

West Coast

1 to 2 days

Colombo

Sri Lanka's dynamic oceanfront capital where colonial heritage blends with modern luxury and world-class dining.

Best: Year-round