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Is Sri Lanka worth visiting? If this question has been lingering in your heads, you’ve come to the right place.
In this article, we’re listing the top 12 reasons to visit Sri Lanka, this teardrop-shaped island in the Indian Ocean.
A hidden gem compared to other destinations in Asia, such as Thailand or Indonesia, Sri Lanka is an authentic island country waiting to be discovered. But why is Sri Lanka worth visiting?
We could find a quick answer in numbers. With eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, 26 national parks and endless stretches of enchanting coastline, Sri Lanka has something for everyone.
But let’s get into more detail.
Travel Resources For Your Sri Lanka Trip
Is Sri Lanka Worth Visiting? Top 12 Reasons To Visit Sri Lanka
1. Ideal For Your First Trip To Asia
If you’ve never been to Asia before, you shouldn’t underestimate the culture shock.
From the extremely humid weather to the new tastes and flavours to the unfamiliar language and traditions, travelling to Asia for the first time may take some getting used to.
This is why it’s best to start your exploration of Asia in a country that’s not stressfully huge or overwhelmingly full of tourists.
Sri Lanka’s laid-back vibes can give you enough time to adjust to the new environment before actually starting to fully enjoy your Sri Lanka trip.
When we visited Sri Lanka for the first time back in 2019, it was our first-ever trip to Asia. Our earliest memory of Asia was the humid wave that hit us the moment we stepped outside the airport.
From then onwards, Sri Lanka took over, gradually making us feel more comfortable and at home with every passing moment.
2. Compact Size
Located off the coast of Southern India, Sri Lanka is a very compact island country in the Indian Ocean. Its small size makes it easy for travellers to see and experience more of its treasures in less time.
Contrary to other popular destinations in South Asia, such as Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia or India, it’s possible to see the best of Sri Lanka in just 10 days.
We’ve published two versions of our 10-day Sri Lanka itinerary to give you an idea of all the incredible things you can see in Sri Lanka in less than two weeks.
3. Rich History & Cultural Heritage
Sri Lanka is home to eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites. That’s quite remarkable considering the country’s small size.
At the top of the UNESCO list are the historical sites of Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, Kandy with its renowned Temple of the Tooth, Dambulla Cave Temple and Anuradhapura.
These ancient cities and sacred sites comprise the so-called Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka.
Moreover, Sri Lanka has many remnants from the 16th to the 19th centuries when it was colonised by the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British, in that order.
If you plan to visit Galle, Galle Fort and its fortifications are a fine example of the island’s colonial architecture. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Galle Fort reflects the country’s historical importance.
Between our two trips to Sri Lanka, we managed to visit all of the island’s UNESCO Sites but one: the ancient ruins of the Sacred City of Anuradhapura.
However, if you have time for just one UNESCO site, make it the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. In our humble opinion, this ancient rock fortress is the most impressive UNESCO World Heritage Site in Sri Lanka.
4. Buddhism & Hinduism Traditions
Sri Lanka is a primarily Buddhist country with countless impressive Buddhist temples and stupas dotting its urban or rural landscapes.
A visit to any Buddhist temple is a unique chance to learn more about Sri Lanka’s religious history or find inner peace among friendly locals, regardless of your faith or religious background.
Stepping inside the peaceful Mahamevnawa Monastery that dominates a hill overlooking Sri Lanka’s stunning Hill Country was one of our favourite things to do in Ella.
Sri Lanka is also dotted with several Hindu temples. The pilgrimage town of Kataragama is the perfect place to explore how these two religions co-exist in harmony, having left the darkness of Sri Lanka’s civil war behind.
Kataragama is a magical place, an enchanting open space dominated by Buddhist and Hindu temples with people taking part in fascinating processions or rituals.
The best time to visit Kataragama is in the evening when everything is illuminated to perfection. Before you go, check with a local to time your visit with a traditional procession or similar event.
5. Stunning Nature
Besides its UNESCO Cultural Sites, Sri Lanka also features two Natural World Heritage Sites. The Sinharaja Forest Reserve and the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka.
Both are highlighting the island’s unique biodiversity and ecosystems.
Sri Lanka is also home to 26 national parks where you can enjoy nature and observe wildlife in the best possible way.
We haven’t been on an Africa safari yet, but we believe others when they say that Sri Lanka offers the best wildlife safari opportunities outside of Africa.
Our close encounter with elephants at Minneriya National Park is one of the most memorable experiences we’ve ever had.
At Yala National Park, it’s not impossible to see a leopard hiding in the trees. But we weren’t that lucky. However, we did spot buffaloes plunging in lakes, deer, Komodo dragons and endemic birds from the comfort of our jeep.
The untouched Sinharaja Rainforest was yet another great place we visited. There, we had the chance to watch indigenous birds, like the Sri Lanka blue magpie, in their natural habitat.
But even if you don’t make it to either of these UNESCO-listed areas of natural beauty, don’t worry.
Once you’re out of the big cities, on your way to your next destination, the wonder of nature will immediately surround you, offering breathtaking views at every turn.
6. Epic Train Rides
One of the best ways to marvel at Sri Lanka’s stunning landscapes is by experiencing some of the world’s most scenic train rides.
Sri Lanka has no shortage of fascinating routes but probably the most exciting of all is the train ride crossing the Hill Country.
The iconic blue train runs from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya and Ella, right in the heart of the country’s beautiful tea fields.
Nine Arch Bridge is one of the best places near Ella to see scenic trains crossing the lush landscape of the Hill Country.
For a scenic seaside ride with gorgeous views over the Indian Ocean, take the train from Colombo’s Central Station to Galle on the island’s south coast.
7. Pristine Beaches
One of the main reasons why travellers choose to plan a trip to Asia is because they want to spend time on the beach. Sri Lanka beaches are marvellous and utterly pristine.
Think about endless stretches of golden sand as far as the eye can see, tall palm trees moving gently to the wind and the wide blue ocean all to yourselves.
The most popular beaches in Sri Lanka are located in the south. Unawatuna and Dalawella are a short drive from Galle.
Weligame is one of the best surfing beaches in Sri Lanka for beginners, while Mirissa is ideal for whale watching.
But even if you’re not planning to visit the south, the east coast of the island is also home to stunning sandy beaches. Arugam Bay Beach is ideal for avid surfers, while Nilaveli Beach is one of the best places to visit in Trincomalee.
8. Ceylon Tea
If you’re wondering what to buy in Sri Lanka, black Ceylon Tea is one of the best souvenirs to bring back home. Sri Lanka’s pride is black tea rather than green or white tea.
Tea cultivation and production was introduced to Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon, by the British in the 19th century.
Thanks to its cool climate and rainy weather in the Hill Country, Sri Lanka has been producing exquisite-quality tea ever since.
If you’re tea lovers like us, make sure you include a visit to one of the lush tea plantations in the Hill Country in your itinerary.
We’ve been to tea plantations in Nuwara Eliya and Ella. Both times we experienced a tour of the tea factory and the plantation.
In Ella, we also picked tea leaves from the fields. The tea tasting at the end was insightful and a must-do in Sri Lanka.
9. Authenticity
Perhaps the most attractive thing about Sri Lanka is that it remains an authentic, almost entirely unspoilt destination. At least for now and, hopefully, forever.
Sri Lanka does not, even remotely, suffer from the bad effects of mass tourism.
A drive across this island nation suffices to realise that the way of life, especially in rural areas, has stayed as it was decades ago.
It seems that life in Sri Lanka still goes on at that sweet, slow pace we only have a distant memory of as it is now long lost, even in Greece, which used to be famous for its relaxed way of life.
Moreover, Sri Lanka is not a crowded country. Sri Lanka’s capital, Colombo, may feel too busy at times but only compared to other more easy-going places in Sri Lanka.
What made a huge impression on us, though, were the beaches. Nowhere have we enjoyed such spectacular beaches without being surrounded by maddening crowds.
This small country in the Indian Ocean is indeed heaven on earth.
That said, this doesn’t mean that the country is lacking in tourism infrastructure. Sri Lanka features high-quality facilities regarding accommodation, transportation and all other services related to the tourism industry.
Yet it remains an off-the-beaten-path destination that offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy unique experiences and delve into the authentic local lifestyle. A true responsible traveller’s dream destination.
If, on the other hand, you are city people, Sri Lanka’s vibrant capital will not disappoint either.
Colombo is a modern city with a magnificent skyline and superb rooftop bars. At the same time, it preserves its old-fashioned charm.
This is most striking in Pettah, the oldest part of the city and one of the best places to visit in Colombo. Pettah Market is simply irresistible with its local touch and mesmerising sounds, smells and tastes.
10. Year-Round Destination
No matter how cliché this may sound, it’s actually true. Sri Lanka is the perfect year-round destination.
Sri Lanka has constant temperatures all year long. These range from 25°C to 30°C in coastal areas and 15°C to 18°C in the Hill Country.
Furthermore and, perhaps, most importantly, there are two separate monsoon seasons in Sri Lanka. This means that there is always a sunny side of the island to go to, without worrying about rainfall and strong winds.
There are also two inter-monsoon periods. The first is in October and November and the second is in March and April.
To cut a long story short, head to the east coast from May to September and to the south and west coasts from December to February. However, there is always a chance of downpours in Central Sri Lanka, at any time of the year.
As far as beaches are concerned though, this plan works like a charm. So, no matter when you take time off work, wait no longer. Book those flights to Sri Lanka.
Later, while planning a trip to Sri Lanka, you can figure out which part of the island you should spend more time on.
11. Easy-Going Vibes
Sri Lanka is a very easy-going destination, which is an appealing reason to visit in its own right. It has this superpower to make everyone feel at home.
Sri Lanka was our first trip to Asia and we thought we would somehow feel that we were strangers to this place. At least for the first couple of days. Yet, we didn’t. Sri Lanka felt cosy and familiar from day one.
Moreover, Sri Lanka is a destination that addresses all sorts of travellers. Be it super experienced travellers, adventure seekers or the average holiday-goers, Sri Lanka guarantees to satisfy everyone’s needs and wishes.
12. The Kindest People on Earth
Every time we go back home after a trip to Sri Lanka, we get asked the same questions. What did you like about Sri Lanka the most? Is Sri Lanka worth visiting?
Without ever giving it much thought, our reply always revolves around the same idea: the people.
Yes, what we like about Sri Lanka the most is its people. Our number one reason why Sri Lanka is worth visiting and what makes us keep going back to Sri Lanka is its people.
Even if, someday, for some reason, Sri Lanka’s jaw-dropping tea fields, beautiful beaches or the elephants’ cute faces cease to reside in our memories, its people will never leave us because they live in our hearts.
Sri Lankans are utterly kind-hearted, polite and friendly. Not once did we meet someone in Sri Lanka who was either grumpy or unwelcoming. It’s no overstatement to say that the hospitality of the Sri Lankan people is legendary.
For the entire duration of both our stays in their beautiful country, Sri Lankans did nothing but open their homes, arms and hearts to us.
They always greeted us with the sweetest of smiles. And when it was time to say our goodbyes, we could see it in their eyes that they would genuinely miss us.
We are now friends for life. We’ve lost count of how many times we heard that. We were moved to tears each and every time, though. Because it was crystal clear that Sri Lankans meant every word.
FAQs About Visiting Sri Lanka
What are some must-visit destinations in Sri Lanka?
In Sri Lanka, there’s a must-visit destination for every type of traveller. Popular tourist destinations include the ancient city of Anuradhapura, the imposing Sigiriya Rock Fortress and the breathtaking beaches along the southern coast.
For nature lovers, the misty mountains of the Hill Country should not be missed.
What is the food like in Sri Lanka?
Sri Lankan cuisine is a treat for your taste buds.
From street food staples, like vegetarian Kottu and Hoppers, to the country’s aromatic carries to the fresh fruit that await at every turn, all the delicious food in Sri Lanka is an unforgettable experience in its own right.
Can I go whale watching in Sri Lanka?
The waters of Sri Lanka’s southern coast are ideal for dolphin and whale watching, including sightings of sperm whales. Make sure you book a whale-watching activity in advance.
Are tuk tuks a good way to get around Sri Lanka?
Tuk tuks are a fun, easy and safe way to get around Sri Lanka, especially in small towns. They are widely available, offering a unique experience and a glimpse into local life.
So, after reading this list of the top reasons to visit Sri Lanka, what do you think? Is Sri Lanka worth visiting? If you ask us, we’d say yes in a heartbeat.
Even though we’ve been to Sri Lanka twice already, deep in our hearts we know we’ll never stop going back to revisit our favourite places and discover new ones or just hang out with our local friends.
After you visit Sri Lanka for the first time, we’re sure you’ll feel the same. The Pearl of The Indian Ocean will keep bringing you back for more.
WORDS: Maria & Katerina
IMAGES: Katerina
EDITING: Maria
Disclosure: We visited Sri Lanka on two separate press trips organised by Sri Lanka Tourism – in 2019 and 2024. However, in our Is Sri Lanka Worth Visiting? article, we share nothing but our personal opinions, as always.