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There are many reasons to love Sri Lanka. Here, we’ve listed a few of the most beautiful places to visit in Sri Lanka. Be prepared to be swept away by the beauty of this island nation – and keep your camera at the ready!

1. Royal Botanical Gardens

The Royal Botanical Gardens are located in Peradeniya, about six kilometres outside the city of Kandy. The lush gardens span some 60 hectares and is home to 4,000 different species. Don’t miss out a visit to the orchid house and remember to strike a pose at the suspended bridge. A particularly scenic and Instagram friendly spot is the palm alley which you can see as the featured photo above. All in all, the Royal Botanical Gardens are definitely one of the most beautiful places to visit in Sri Lanka.

2. Galle Fort

Visiting the UNESCO protected Galle Fort is like taking a step back in time. The seaside fortress was originally built way back in 1588 by the Portuguese and later significantly fortified by the Dutch. Today, strolling down the cobblestone lanes and roaming the fortress walls will bring history to life, and the sunsets you can catch at Flag Rock are some of the best on the island. Read more about visiting Galle Fort.

Sri Lanka Galle Fort Flag Rock

3. Sigiriya Fortress

Sigiriya Fortress, also known as Lion’s Rock, is one of the most beautifully preserved archeological sites in Sri Lanka. The UNESCO World Heritage Site and its surroundings have been inhabited for over 4,000 years. Visitors can take in the views atop the ancients fortress and feast their eyes on the vast gardens and historical frescoes etched on the walls. Locals sometimes refer to Sigiriya as the “Eight Wonder of the World.”

4. Adam’s Peak

Adam’s Peak is one of the most scenic spots in Sri Lanka. This summit point is one of the most popular trekking destinations in Sri Lanka and offers sweeping vistas overlooking the UNESCO protected Central Highlands. A sunrise trek to the highest summit will prove once and for all that Adam’s Peak is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka Kandy Adams Peak

5. Dambulla Cave Temple

Dambulla Cave Temple is also known as The Golden Temple and is regarded by many as the most beautiful and well preserved temple in the country. The cave monastery has been a holy pilgrimage site for a staggering 22 centuries. The largest cave complex in Sri Lanka, Dambulla Cave Temple houses amazing frescoes and statues in a unique cave setting. Not surprisingly, the temple is a UNESCO protected World Heritage Site.

6. Mirissa Beach

Sri Lanka is known for offering some of the most beautiful and unspoilt beaches in the world. Mirissa Beach is one of the most beautiful beach destinations on the island. The sea side village offers the best of laid back island life with a stretch of white sand beach hugged by the clear blue waters of the Indian Ocean. Check out our guide to the best beaches in Sri Lanka.

7. Train from Kandy to Ella

While not technically a place, the train ride from Kandy to Ella is without a doubt one of the most beautiful sights in Sri Lanka. This stretch of rail road track is often credited as the most beautiful train ride in Sri Lanka – or even in the world! The train ride offers amazing views of tea plantations and cascading hillside and passes by idyllic local villages. The scenery is ever changing and the train zooms through multiple bridges and tunnels along the way. Taking this train was definitely one of the highlights of our 10 days in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka Mirissa Beach
Train travel in Sri Lanka

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2 Comments

  • Avatar for Mani Mani says:

    Kandy is a major city which is situated in the Central province. The city lies in the midst of the Kandy plateaus. Kandy was declared as a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1988. It is the last capital city of the Sinhala kings before it fell into the hands of the British in 1815. The former capital citadel is considered as one of the popular tourist destinations in Sri Lanka.

  • Avatar for Ayan Asad Ayan Asad says:

    Thanks a lot for that post and the huge amount of information. It will definitely help me plan where to go and what to do. I will be scuba diving in Weligama and now want to find some other things to do and see besides the underwater world. So looking forward to my trip to Sri Lanka, now even more.

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