Places You Can’t Afford To Miss While Visiting Sri Lanka, ‘The Teardrop of India’

Sri Lanka, a jewel-like island in the center of the Indian ocean is a place that makes one feel and awakens the soul. The so-called Teardrop of India due to its peculiar shape and closeness to the subcontinent, this tropical paradise can amaze the traveling people with its impressive landscapes, rich culture, and open minded people. The spiritual and ancient nature of the culture, the green tea gardens, golden beaches, and ancient ruins merge very well with the lush and fertile lands of the island.

Each and every part of Sri Lanka is a story, a story of kings and temples, of spice-merchants and adventurers, of a land that has successfully maintained the delicate equilibrium between development and conservation. Be it a stroll through the smoky hills, a trip through old citadels or a rest in the sun with the waves swishing through the palms Sri Lanka is not just any other place to rest.

This island country is not just a tourist destination, it is a pre-sense tour. Its quiet beaches, mystical excavations, colorful wildlife, and smelling dishes form a piece of cloth that amazes all types of travelers. Early morning ascents to evening cruises, all the experiences are very personal and close.

Here is a list of places you should not miss as you go on a trip to Sri Lanka and experience a trip to the island that you will never forget.

1. Sigiriya 

Sigiriya (also referred to as the Lion Rock), soaring into the sky out of the flat central plains is one of the most incredible sites in Sri Lanka. This UNESCO world heritage is a fortification, a palace and a work of art cut out of a huge rock.

On your way to the top of the twists and turns of the staircases, the frescoes of heavenly maidens painted hundreds of years ago appear to murmur some stories about the kingdom of the past. There are panoramic views of gorgeous forests and glittering lakes at the top. The ruins of the royal palace of King Kashyapa are left here when you are at the top, and they are a monument both to human pride and to the skill of the architect.

Being an archeologist, or a mere admirer of breathtaking scenery, Sigiriya will make you feel smaller and dazzled, a real crown jewel of Sri Lankan culture.

2. Kandy 

Kandy is the spiritual centre of Sri Lanka and is hidden in between the rolling hills and shrouded tea estates. It is a city which vibrates with piety, history, and colour. The heart of it is the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic which is a sacred Buddhist place, purportedly containing a tooth of Lord Buddha himself. The rhythmic chants and odor of the offering in the temple make the atmosphere of serenity creating an atmosphere of relaxation of the mind.

Then go on a walk in the Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya where the orchids are in perpetual blossom. Groove to Sri Lankan culture in the evening in a traditional Kandyan dance, loaded with colorful costumes and beats on the drum.

Kandy is a perfect combination of spiritual and natural beauty, and it allows the travelers to enjoy a flavor of the traditions of living in Sri Lanka.

3. Ella 

Deep into the Uva Province, is Ella, a postcard-perfect mountain village which is the epitome of the natural beauty of Sri Lanka. Having misty hills, green tea fields, and flowing waterfalls, it is a place where trekkers and the world dreamers can find their place.

Take a hike to Ella Rock and be in awe of the spectacular scenery or meet the Nine Arch Bridge, where trains pass through green woodlands, and it seems to be like the pages of a storybook. Explore tea gardens, encounter smiling locals and enjoy a cup of freshly brewed Ceylon tea as clouds lazily move over the valley.

Ella is not merely the location, but it is a feeling. It is an undiscovered location that cannot be overlooked whenever a person decides to explore the hill country of Sri Lanka due to the peace, the cool wind, and the smell of tea in the air.

4. Galle

Where there is a convergence of colonial history with the coastal charm, Galle is a museum of living on the seashores. The Galle Fort which is the zenith of the city constructed by the Portuguese, and later strengthened by the Dutch is a UNESCO World Heritage site that is oozing with the old world.

Explore its paved streets with its old cafes, art galleries and shops. Follow the sun setting behind the Indian Ocean on the ramparts of the fort or go to the Dutch Reformed Church to get a glimpse of the colonial architecture. Galle is the ideal combination of history and art and relaxation: the time there is slow, and there is no single street with no story.

5. Yala National Park 

Yala National Park is a dream to the wildlife lovers. It is a large area of scrub forest lagoons and is known to contain one of the greatest densities of leopards in the planet.

Get into a safari truck and watch the nature around you bring the wilderness alive as you hear the trumpeting of the elephants in the distance, the peacocks showing off their colors and the crocodiles lying on the rivers. You have seen the leopard sneak into the bushes, and that experience is something that you will never forget.

Yala is not only about the animals; it is about the experience of the rhythm of nature that has not been tamed yet and the understanding that there is also a wild poetry.

6. Mirissa

Mirissa in the south coast of Sri Lanka is the very last retreat in the tropics. Its crescent shaped beach, with the wave of golden sand and swaying palms beckon you to take your time and just be.

Go on a whale-watching tour in the daytime – this is among the best areas in the world to see blue whales. Dine out by the beach later in the evening having a fresh seafood dinner as the sun sets into the ocean in the sky in blazing pink and orange hues.

Mirissa is either swimming in the sea, surfing, or merely basking in the sunshine, time seems to be standing still in Mirissa, where an island atmosphere of bliss prevails.

7. Anuradhapura 

A trip through the soul of Sri Lanka starts with the city of Anuradhapura which is one of the oldest cities in the world. This is a UNESCO heritage site that was the first capital of the island and it is a holy place amongst the Buddhists.

Tour the giant Ruwanwelisaya stupa, the Sacred Bodhi Tree (which is said to have grown out of the same tree that Buddha received enlightenment under), and the stone carvings that tell centuries of religion.

A stroll across Anuradhapura is like going back to history – its eternal tranquility and its architectural wonder provide an idea of the spiritual greatness of the ancient Sri Lankan civilization.

8. Nuwara Eliya

Nuwara Eliya, also referred to as Little England, is a cool hill station, which is covered by tea gardens and foggy meadows. The colonial atmosphere of the town is manifested in the bungalows, golf courses, and rose gardens.

Visit a tea plantation to see the process involved in producing the world-renowned Ceylon tea – picking the tea leaves by hand to the finished scented tea. The dwarfed hills are, with wicker baskets upon the shoulders of workers, picture-perfect scenery.

You should not fail to visit Gregory Lake where you can take a boat ride through the green hills or visit Horton Plains National Park where there is a scenic cliff referred to as Worlds end.

9. Polonnaruwa

Enter the medieval capital of Polonnaruwa which is a UNESCO world heritage site that does a grand job in maintaining the golden era of Sri Lanka. In this case, old palaces, temples and sculptures narrate an advanced civilization.

The Gal Viharaya with huge Buddha figures carved out of granite is a work of art which represents calmness and flawlessness simultaneously. As you enter the ruins and have to maneuver around monkeys and tropical trees, one can easily think of the greatness that existed.

Polonnaruwa is not only a place where artifacts are buried, it is also a living treasure of Sri Lanka that is brilliant in art, architecture and governance.

10. Dambulla

The Dambulla Cave Temple is a stone spiritual masterpiece of the greatest size and is the most well preserved complex of a cave temple in Sri Lanka. This UNESCO site is located on the top of a hill and has more than 150 statues of Buddha, gods and kings, as well as walls painted with colorful frescoes.

The atmosphere in the caves is sacred – cold and still, and centuries of worship. The views of the surrounding countryside are sweeping to the top and make the experience complete.

Dambulla is a symbol of ideal unity between religion and art: a site that people who are attracted to the spiritual aspect of Sri Lanka must visit.

Final Thoughts

Sri Lanka is not only a destination, but a living breathing poetry of nature, culture and history. Everything in this place is cinematic, starting with the old ruins of Anuradhapura, the quiet shores of Mirissa, the colours, the smells and the smiles, which will remain in your memory even after you get away.

You want adventure, peace, enlightenment, The Teardrop of India is open armed. There is not a temple, tea field, or tide that does not mirror the soul of Sri Lanka; eternal, emotional and so memorable.