An Island of Many Worlds

Best: December to April & July to September Explore

Sigiriya

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

Central Highlands

Best: January to April Explore

Kandy

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

Uva Highlands

Best: January to May & July to September Explore

Ella

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

Southern Wilderness

Best: February to June Explore

Yala National Park

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

South Coast

Best: December to April Explore

Galle Fort

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

South Coast

Mirissa

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

Central Tea Highlands

Best: January to April & July to August Explore

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.

Best: May to October Explore

West Coast

Bentota

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

North Central

Best: December to April & July to SeptemberExplore

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.

Best: Year-round Explore

Cultural Triangle

1 day

Dambulla

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

Best: Year-round Explore

South Coast

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.