Top Tourist attractions in Sri Lanka that you must visit

When vacation times are close at hand, everyone gets busy planning where to go and what to see or do. Do you visit an exotic island with wonderful sandy beaches as far as the eye can see, or do you go somewhere more exciting, where adventure sports await you? How about a colourful cultural experience? One popular destination that suits all these different travellers is the beautiful island nation of Sri Lanka. Whether you are looking to go on a family tour in Sri Lanka with your kids or a honeymoon tour in Sri Lanka for just the two of you, there are many must-see locations in the country that will appeal to travellers of all ages.

Here are some of the not-to-be missed places to visit while vacationing in Sri Lanka.

The capital city of Colombo is just a short one-hour’s drive from the airport and is the hub of the business district. There are many star-class hotels for those who love to bask in luxury, and more affordable accommodation for those who are on a budget. Colombo is the best place to visit for shopping, from cheap trinkets to branded items, you can find it all here, at the many shopping malls and districts around the city. Whether you are looking for clothing, jewellery, or absolutely anything else, this is the place to be at. In addition, it also has a diverse range of restaurants serving cuisine from around the world, as well as popular Sri Lankan fare.

Kandy, up in the hills, is another popular destination that should not be missed when visiting this beautiful island. If you are travelling between the months of July and August, you could witness one of the most colourful cultural events in the country, the Esala Perahera (also known as the Festival of the Tooth), which is a sacred procession of majestic elephants, fire dancers, traditional dancers and so much more, that is held each year to pay homage to the tooth relic of the Lord Buddha. It is surely a sight to see, and the ideal event for photography buffs.

In addition to the procession, Kandy has many museums which carry remnants from a long-gone era of majestic kings who ruled the country, as well as many temples and other cultural sites. The Temple of the Tooth Relic is a sacred place which holds the blessed tooth relic of the Lord Buddha, and certainly a beautiful place to visit while in the hill country.

Higher up in the hills you will find the cool climes of Nuwara Eliya, with its lush green tea estates, and colourful tea pickers busy at work. Ceylon Tea is revered the world over for its delicious aroma and taste, and what better way to spend an afternoon that visiting a tea factory and ending it by sipping a lovely cup of tea. In addition, you can visit the beautiful Horton Plains and check out the wildlife like friendly Elk and exotic Leopards, or take a cool walk along the Gregory Lake, arm in arm with your forever love.

The first and second Kingdoms of Sri Lanka, Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, still holds the majesty of a long-gone era of courageous rulers who sought to make a name for their beloved country with feats of engineering that have never been seen before. The ancient cities hold remnants of palaces and temples built in ancient times, and certainly worth visiting while in Sri Lanka.

Sigirya is certainly a must-visit site when visiting this country. It is nothing short of an engineering marvel, and an awe-inspiring site. An entire kingdom built atop a huge rock; one can only imagine how the people of ancient times managed such a feat. It is a long climb up to the top f the fortress, but well worth the effort and the time. Sigiriya is named as a UNESCO world heritage site for good reason!

The south of Sri Lanka is all about beaches; the sun and the surf. Whether you are into marine life, or want to catch some waves, there are many locations along the southern coast of Sri Lanka which you should visit. They are also the ideal locations to simply relax under the warm sun and get that beautiful tan going. If you are more of the adventurous type, you can take a boat ride in Mirissa to watch the majestic whales and exotic dolphins, or try your hand at stilt fishing (without falling into the water of course!).

Also located in the Southern region of the country, Yala is more famous for its wildlife, due to the existence of the popular Yala National Park. Here, you will be able to see beautiful elephants, leopards, sloth bears and so much more, and even stay within the park in one of the many wildlife bungalows available for tourist or local guests. Safari rides are easy to arrange, and quite reasonable, and after a tiring day out in the wilderness, you can come back to rest and unwind beside a cool shimmering pool at one of the many star-class hotels you find in that area.

Closed off to tourists and visitors for many years due to the war that was prevailing in that region, Jaffna has now fully opened up and is a hub of tourist activity. There are many beautiful places to visit and see while travelling in the North, including beautiful beaches, sacred temples such as the Hindu Kovils and the Nagadeepa Viharaya, and of course something that should not be missed is the exotic and delicious Jaffna cuisine, from crab and prawn curries to other delicious dishes that will tantalise your tastebuds.

For those who love the surf and seafood, Arugam Bay is the spot to visit! The beautiful, large waves of the Bay is idea for surfing and this area has become quite popular for the sport in recent times. It is the location for adventurers of all kinds, whether sports or those who prefer gastronomy; with so many seafood restaurants dotting the beachside of Arugam Bay, you will be amazed and awed at what you can find.

Nilaveli, with its white sandy beaches, and aqua marine waters, is the best place for sun worshippers. You can rest and unwind under coconut trees gently swaying in the breeze, and dream of nothing more than living forever in this beautiful seaside destination. Getting to Nilaveli is a breeze too; you can easily get a car hire in Sri Lanka with a driver to take you to any one of the beautiful hotels that dot this beach for a most relaxing stay.

The places to visit and see in this gorgeous country, does not end with these however; there is so much more, and a vacation spanning just a few weeks will simply not be enough to see them all. Get in as much culture as you can while you visit here, and don’t forget that one of the best things in this country are its friendly and extremely accommodating people! Enjoy your travels!