White sand seashores, an enormous and sophisticated historical past, beautiful mountains and scrumptious meals: Sri Lanka actually does have all of it. As soon as ravaged by struggle, it’s now a thriving and vibrant nation that rewards the traveller keen to go off the overwhelmed path in the hunt for journey.
With tourism to this little slice of paradise growing by the 12 months, it stays considerably of a hidden gem, however make no mistake: that is the proper time to plan a go to, earlier than the remainder of the world heads there, too. Usually, the most effective time to go to is February and March.However what to do? It is unimaginable to tick off each vacationer hotspot, particularly in case your vacation is being deliberate round work. Nevertheless, there are some must-see locations that ought to be on the record: listed below are our picks for what to see, the place to remain and (most significantly) the place to eat.
What to see: the North
Jaffna
Hardly any vacationers make all of it the best way to Sri Lanka’s northernmost metropolis of Jaffna, however those that do will likely be rewarded with vibrant tradition, glorious meals and a refreshingly low-key really feel. The house of the nation’s Hindu Tamil inhabitants, Jaffna feels distinctly completely different to the remainder of Sri Lanka: swing by for jaw-dropping temples, the spiciest and finest crab curry within the nation and the long-lasting Jaffna Fort, which is now an atmospheric smash.
Anuradhapura
The non secular centre of Sri Lanka’s Buddhist inhabitants, Anuradhapura is an intriguing mixture of smash and spiritual centre. Dotted with stupendously giant stupas – earth-filled brick domes that always comprise relics – that are nonetheless used as a spot of worship, it’s a fantastic place to get a way of Sri Lanka’s multifaceted historical past. Hiring a driver to take you round is a should.
The Center
Tea Nation
Individuals who love an excellent outdated cuppa definitely shouldn’t miss the chance to see the way it’s made – not solely is a visit to the hilly tea nation fascinating, it’s additionally gorgeously verdant. These eager to make a visit ought to head to Nuwara Elia, one of many outdated British colonial centres. Fairly other than the weird British buildings nonetheless seen there (the outdated submit workplace and close by Grand Lodge, thegrandhotelnuwaraeliya.com, which serves a conventional excessive tea, are specific highlights), it’s a fantastic leaping off level to go to a few of the close by tea plantations. Glenloch Tea Manufacturing unit is particularly good and features a free tour, however merely driving by way of the fields of rising tea vegetation is surprisingly atmospheric. Then, get the prepare from Nanu Oya to Ella for some unbeatable views.
Kandy
Serene Kandy, surrounded by hills and abutted by a lake, isn’t price greater than a day’s go to, nevertheless it undoubtedly has a attraction all its personal. Fairly other than visiting the Temple of the Sacred Tooth (the place the Buddha’s proper molar is claimed to be saved, although not in public view), which is an expertise in itself, a Kandyan dance present is a must-see, not least for the fire-walking that takes place on the finish of the night time. There are three venues that supply them: the outdated Purple Cross Hall, the Kandyan Cultural Centre and the Dance Hall. Purchase tickets (a few kilos) on the door.
Ella
The hippy centre of Sri Lanka, Ella has grown from a small village to a rapidly-expanding vacationer hotspot. Stuffed with huge bamboo huts that look plucked straight from Bali, a stroll down the strip at night time is a feast for the eyeballs. Nevertheless, it’s additionally a fantastic place to get some critical mountaineering carried out, with the long-lasting Ella Rock close by in addition to sections of the Pekoe Path. Ella can also be residence to the long-lasting 9 Arch Bridge: an enormous colonial-era construction that traverses a jungle-filled valley and provides spectacular views for passengers within the trains that cross over it. After all, this being Sri Lanka, pedestrians are welcome to walk over the bridge for picture opps too: simply thoughts the tracks.
Sigiriya
This historical rock fortress (sigiriyafortress.com) is jaw-dropping to take a look at, and never as tough to climb as you may assume. Hailed as a Unesco World Heritage Web site, it towers over the forested plains that encompass it: because the tales go, Sigiriya was as soon as a monastery, then the house of a king (who constructed a palace on its very prime, à la Machu Picchu) and nonetheless bears traces of its former glory. For a good higher view, climb close by Pidurangala rock at daybreak for an epic dawn that exhibits Sri Lanka at its most stunning.
The Pekoe Path
Hitting up Sri Lanka’s vacationer hotspots is all very effectively, however the Pekoe Path (thepekoetrailsrilanka.com) provides a technique to see the nation barely in a different way. Created by Miguel Cunat with the intention of encouraging vacationers to find little-visited tea villages, the path stretches greater than 300km and is damaged into 22 separate levels that stretch about 15km in size. Excellent, in different phrases, for leaping on and off – and those that do will likely be rewarded with some gorgeous walks by way of tea plantations and countryside.
The South
Yala Nationwide Park
Sure, you possibly can see elephants right here – in addition to, doubtlessly, the slightly rarer leopard. Sri Lanka is a hotspot for wildlife, and Yala Nationwide Park (yalasrilanka.lk) is the apparent place to go to seek out them. Tour corporations abound, providing vacationers the possibility to take guided Jeep journeys into the jungle for a day of sightseeing. One of the best place to e-book one is from Tissamaharama: lots of the motels provide each half and full-day journeys and it’s by far the best possibility; for the total expertise, think about a visit to the neighbouring Jetwing Lodge (jetwinghotels.com/jetwingyala), which provides guests the possibility to camp on the sand dunes by the ocean.
Galle
Do they get any cuter than Galle? Strolling by way of this cobblestone city usually seems like being transported straight again to Europe, or to the dilapidated grandeur of Havana in Cuba. A lot of the city was constructed by the Portuguese earlier than being handed over to the Dutch and ultimately the British, and in the present day Galle retains a lot of its old-world attraction. It rewards the traveller who takes the time to walk its winding roads, that are in flip filled with boutique retailers. A tiny gem.
Hiriketiya
Head to Hiriketiya when you can: in a number of years, this sleepy browsing village will likely be a hotbed of resorts and vacationer exercise. A lot of constructing is going on right here, however for the second, it stays a must-see – the crescent bay the place surfers spend their days coaching makes for glorious individuals watching, the eating places are quiet and the superb Jo’s is an efficient place to whereas away the nights, Lion beer in hand. Plus, cocktail mecca Smoke and Bitters is a mere ten-minute stroll away. What extra may you ask for?
The seashores
Miles of sweeping, golden sand, framed by lapping blue waves: sure, the south coast is the most effective place to go in the event you’re in the hunt for some prime seaside time. Anyplace between Wellagama and Galle will see you proper, however Hiriketiya and Mirissa provide some particularly good sunbathing spots, as does Tangalle, which is residence to the well-known Medaketiya, Marakolliya and Rekawa seashores. Even higher, many of those locations are additionally nesting spots for turtles, that are surprisingly straightforward to seek out: clearly, they take pleasure in a little bit of R’n’R as a lot as we do.
The place to remain
Teardrop Inns
This chain of boutique motels provides unbeatable service in a few of the most stunning places on the island. Head to the rolling hills of Nuwara Elia to go to Goatfell, a four-bedroom former plantation bungalow with gorgeous views (or certainly neighbouring motels Camellia and 9 Skies); on the west coast, the motels of Balapitiya and Bentota provide infinite seashores, abutted by infinity swimming pools by which to sip cocktails.
Alternatively, these craving a metropolis escape ought to head to Fort Bazaar in Galle, a former seventeenth century constructing that has been flawlessly renovated and boasts one of many metropolis’s finest eating places in Church Road Social. Don’t miss the cooking courses right here, both: hosted by one of many resort’s cooks, it’s a novel probability to go to Galle’s markets and select meals that will likely be cooked in entrance of your eyes, Sri Lankan-style.
Double rooms at Goatfell begin from £620 per night time on full board and double rooms at Fort Bazaar (excluding breakfast) begin from £455 primarily based on two individuals sharing. For bookings go to: teardrop-hotels.com
Santani
Heading to Sri Lanka for some peace and quiet? You’ll be able to’t do higher than Santani. Hidden away within the hills above Kandy, it is a wellness centre par excellence. Keep in one of many Mountain View cabins for epic views of the rolling hills surrounding the resort – daytime actions embrace yoga, hikes and visits to the spa, which provides an enormous vary of therapies along with a sauna and heat salt-water tub. And did we point out the restaurant? Surrounded on all sides with glass, it’s an schooling in Sandi stylish, and gorgeous place to eat breakfast earlier than heading out for the day.
Rooms begin from £455 an evening for 2 individuals. For bookings go to santani.com
Jetwing Inns
Jetwing has been a mainstay in Sri Lanka for over fifty years and has motels situated everywhere in the island. Based by Sri Lankan businessman Herbert Cooray, its rooms are spacious, its meals glorious (Peninsula, the restaurant in its Jaffna location, is a must-visit) and repair attentive. Highlights embrace the aforementioned Jaffna resort, which boasts town’s solely rooftop bar and epic views that stretch all the best way to the ocean, its Colombo department and the jungle hideaway of Vil Uyana close to Sigiriya, which is beautiful and leafy and one of many solely locations within the nation you possibly can see the uncommon slender loris.
Room begin from £410 an evening for 2 individuals. For bookings go to jetwinghotels.com
Stafford Bungalow
One other outdated plantation bungalow, Stafford has six rooms obtainable to hire, all lovingly embellished in teak and plush furnishings. Located as it’s, half an hour’s drive from Nuwara Eliya, it’s a fantastic jumping-off level to discover the Pekoe Path – and scones on the sprawling garden are a should.
Rooms begin from £526 an evening for 2 individuals. For bookings go to staffordbungalow.com
Sri Sharavi
Fancy some solar on Sri Lanka’s well-known south coast? Then head to Sri Sharavi. Positioned close to the beachfront city of Mirissa, it sits beachfront with views of the rolling Indian ocean and provides all the things from whale-watching to yoga; in the event you’re feeling flush, then hire one of many resort’s villas, which have sea views and wood verandas beneath which to chill out through the warmth of the day earlier than leaping within the pool.
Rooms begin from £465 an evening for 2 individuals. For bookings go to srisharavibeachvillas.com
The place to eat
Smoke and Bitters
This cocktail bar is rightly well-known throughout Sri Lanka and is effectively price making the journey to Hiriketiya for. That includes a few of the finest cocktails we’ve ever tasted (Pepper’s Vice, made with clarified milk punch, was a selected spotlight), this institution is correct subsequent to the seaside, provides a killer meals menu that would stand shoulder-to-shoulder with any London restaurant and has an ever-changing menu that retains issues contemporary. Prime marks. Pehebiya Rd, Dickwella, Matara, Hiriketiya.
Hideaway
These wanting to hang around in Kandy or Arugam Bay can’t go far fallacious with Hideaway (hideawayarugambay.com). Gorgeously embellished with wooden and distressed plaster, Hideaway is a superb spot for night cocktails, dinner or certainly brunch. Meals choices are a combination – sure, there’s Sri Lankan meals right here, together with the compulsory curries – however in the event you fancy one thing a bit completely different, the octopus is an efficient shout, as is the hummus bowl. Hideaway Resort, Ulle, Pottuvil.
Ministry of Crab
Sri Lanka is known for its crabs, and Ministry of Crab (ministryofcrab.com) is without doubt one of the finest locations to eat them. Located within the beautiful Outdated Dutch Hospital in central Colombo, the menu provides crab sizes from half-kilo to Crabzilla (2kg and above) served with butter, garlic and chilli, pepper or Sri Lankan curry. It’s not low cost, however hey: you get what you pay for, and it’s scrumptious. Outdated Dutch Hospital Advanced, 04 Hospital St, Colombo 00100.
AQUA Forte
Italian – in Sri Lanka? Sure, we all know, however Aqua (aquaforterestaurant.com) is a particular case. Located in Galle’s atmospheric outdated city, this beautiful little restaurant is the proper place to sip on a calming glass of wine and luxuriate in some surprisingly good Italian fare, together with burrata, octopus and contemporary ravioli. Espresso-heads may relaxation assured that it opens within the morning for espresso and contemporary pastries. 62 Leyn Baan St, Galle 80000.
Church Road Social
Galle’s outdated city is teeming with eating places, however Church Road Social (teardrop-hotels.com/fort-bazaar) needs to be among the finest. Located in Teardrop Lodge’s Fort Bazaar, the menu is ever-changing (however scrumptious), the environment are beautiful – select to eat on the coated veranda, within the fairy-light strewn courtyard or within the restaurant correct – and it does a imply cocktail. Strive the Arrack Assault and tuna sashimi; each are glorious. Fort Bazaar, 26 Church St, Galle
Duni’s
One of many extra unassuming locations on this record, however a fantastic place to strive the standard Sri Lankan breakfast staple, hoppers (a bowl constructed from fried egg, full of curries). Aimed firmly at Western audiences, this small wood shack in Hirikiteya provides quite a lot of flavoured hoppers, good coffees and – for these much less eager on curry for breakfast – quite a lot of smoothie bowls. XP74+68, Nilwella
Galaxy Lounge
Visiting this restaurant (galaxysrilanka.com) entails making a trek to the east coast’s Arugam Bay, nevertheless it’s price it. Comprised of a collection of hammocks and spacious cabanas, the vibes are chill, the beachside location is chiller and the meals is excellent: so good that the Sri Lankan cricket group got here again for seconds. Swing by for the native fare of rice and curry dishes. Galaxy Rd, Arugam Bay 32500.
Roadside stalls
Need to strive some genuine Sri Lankan fare? Your finest wager may effectively be a stop-off on the best way to your subsequent vacation spot. Sri Lanka teems with roadside stalls that supply road meals par excellence – freshly-made rotis, sambal (a paste constructed from grated coconut and chilli) and kottu roti (an egg, bread and vegetable stir-fry). It’ll possible blow the highest of your head off (spice is the order of the day in Sri Lanka), nevertheless it’s a must-try.
Sana’s Place
Head to the east coast and also you’ll discover one of many nation’s most fascinating eating places within the eclectic and ever-evolving Sarvodaya Street close to Trincomalee. Prime of the pile is Sana’s, a two-level restaurant embellished in shades of driftwood that provides meals contemporary from the ocean – the lobster is particularly good. Nilaveli Seaside Rd, Trincomalee 31000.
Matey Hut
Is it haute-cuisine? No, nevertheless it’s a fantastic place to strive some traditional native fare. Located within the vacationer hotspot of Ella, this hut (sure, it’s a hut) welcomes a revolving door of vacationers eager to strive all the things from its curries (a close to infinite record of vegetable choices awaits) to its kottu roti. It’s all scrumptious, and as among the finest locations to eat in Ella, it fills up quick: get there early to keep away from queues.
