Top 10 Places to Visit in Sri Lanka

Here are the top places to visit and things to do in Sri Lanka.

Arugam Bay       

Arugam Bay is located in Sri Lanka. Arugam Bay is locally known as a popular surfing and tourist destination.

Sigiriya

Sigiriya  is a city in the Central district of Sri Lanka. In 477 CE, prince Kashyapa seized the throne from King Dhatusena, following a coup assisted by Migara, the king’s nephew and army commander. Kashyapa, the king’s son by a non-royal consort, usurped the throne from the rightful heir, Moggallana, who fled to South India.

 A popular tourist destination, Sigiriya is also renowned for its ancient paintings (frescos), which are reminiscent of the Ajanta Caves of India. It is one of the eight World Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka. It is also declared by UNESCO as the 8th Wonder of the World.

               

Polonnaruwa    

Polonnaruwa is a city in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka. The second most ancient of Sri Lanka's kingdoms, Polonnaruwa was first declared the capital city by King Vijayabahu I, who defeated the Chola invaders in 1070 AD to reunite the country once more under a local leader.

               

Anuradhapura  

Anuradhapura is a city in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka. From the 4th century BC, it was the capital of Sri Lanka until the beginning of the 11th century AD. During this period it remained one of the most stable and durable centers of political power and urban life in South Asia. The ancient city, considered sacred to the Buddhist world, is today surrounded by monasteries covering an area of over sixteen square miles. The city, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and one of the eight World Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka.

Colombo

Colombo is the largest city and the financial and commercial capital of Sri Lanka. The era of colonialism ended peacefully in 1948 when Ceylon gained independence from Britain. Due to the tremendous impact this caused on the city's inhabitants and on the country as a whole, the changes that resulted at the end of the colonial period were drastic. An entire new culture took root. Changes in laws and customs, clothing styles, religions and proper names were a significant result of the colonial era.

               

The National Museum of Colombo Also known as the Sri Lanka National Museum is the largest museum in Colombo. Among its exhibits contains regalia of the 17th century Kandyan Kings.

Unawatuna       

Unawatuna is a small beach resort village in Southern Sri Lanka.Unawatuna is a major tourist attraction and famous for its beautiful beach and corals. It is famous for its Turtle Hatchery.  A hatchery run by individuals just off the Beach to conserve turtle eggs laid on the wide long beach stretching all the way to the hotels in Koggala. Hawksbill, loggerhead and green turtles nestle here.

Yala National Park

In 1560 Spanish cartographer Cipriano Sanchez noted Yala National Park in his map "is abandoned for 300 years due to insalubrious conditions." Chief Justice Sir Alexander Johnston wrote a detailed account on Yala in 1806 after travelling from Trincomalee to Hambantota. On March 23, 1900 the government proclaimed Yala and Wilpattu reserves under the Forest Ordinance. Today Yala is the most visited and second largest national park in Sri Lanka. Yala Natinal Park is one of the best places for sightings of wild elephants, the park is home to many animals including buffaloes, leopards, monkeys, circles, crocodiles, wild boars and bears.

Ella        

Ella is a beautiful small sleepy town on the southern edge of Sri Lanka's Hill Country. Check out the Rawana Ella Falls are about 5km away on the road south through Ella Gap. They're quite spectacular.

Kitulgala

Kitulgala is located on Kelaniya river. Large numbers of people make the excursion from Colombo at weekends to enjoy the beautiful scenery, play in the river, and have an excellent rice and curry lunch at the local restaurants.

               

Beruwela

Beruwela is a beach resort in Western Sri Lanka. It marks the spot for the first Muslim settlement on the island, established by Arab traders around the 8th century AD. A large population of Sri Lankan Moors, many of them are gem merchants, still live in the town-- particularly in the "China Fort". Beruwala is also home to Al- Fasiyatul Nasriya Muslim Balika Maha Vidyalaya, which is the first and oldest girls school in Sri Lanka. It was damaged by tsunami on boxing day in 2004.