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Last updated on February 4th, 2025 at 08:23 am
The laid-back town of Ella is one of the most popular destinations in Sri Lanka and you’ll inevitably find yourselves wondering what to do in Ella if you’re contemplating a trip to Sri Lanka soon.
In this comprehensive guide, we’re showing you what to do in Ella in a thorough list of the best things to do there, alongside tips and practical information that will help you plan the perfect trip to Ella.
What To Do in Ella at a Glance
Even though Ella is a small town, there are quite a few fantastic things to do there. First of all, Ella is a great place to use as a base if you’re an avid hiker. There are several hiking trails in the area.
Apart from enjoying its beautiful nature, though, Ella is also one of the best places in Sri Lanka to delve into the country’s rich cultural heritage.
From historic tea factories to impressive Buddhist temples, Ella is a window to Sri Lanka’s culture.
Moreover, the small town of Ella enjoys a prime location in the heart of Sri Lanka’s Hill Country. This renders it an ideal place from which to explore the entire mountainous region that adorns the country’s central part.
Watch Our YouTube Video About What To Do in Ella Sri Lanka
Where Is Ella?
Ella is one of the most famous towns in Sri Lanka’s Hill Country. The latter is a verdant area in central Sri Lanka, dominated by hills and mountains, mostly covered with tea plantations.
Is Ella Worth Visiting?
A formerly lazy town tucked away in the lush greenery of Sri Lanka’s Hill Country, Ella is becoming more and more popular with international tourists as it combines everything you could ask for.
Beautiful nature, top-quality hospitality infrastructure and a fantastic location that allows you to explore more of Sri Lanka on easy day trips.
Moreover, for anyone planning a trip to Sri Lanka – or even Asia – for the first time, Ella is an excellent starting point. That’s because Ella facilitates the transition from Western habits to Asian culture and mentality.
Ella achieves that by being one of few places in Sri Lanka where, for example, Western food and entertainment are readily available, alongside traditional local cuisine and the Sri Lankan slow pace of life.
No matter how friendly to foreign tourists Ella is becoming, though, it’s lost nothing of its authentic character. This is probably the main reason why Ella is worth visiting.
How Many Days in Ella
Most probably, Ella will be just one of several stops on a longer Sri Lanka itinerary. Two full days are the minimum time to spend there if you want to discover Ella’s charms without rushing.
To explore more of Sri Lanka’s Hill Country and around on easy day trips from Ella, you should add at least two more days.
Best Time To Visit Ella
Ella enjoys constant temperatures throughout the year, the most pleasant ones in the entire country if you ask us.
In Ella, it’s not as hot as in Colombo, the coasts and the lowlands, nor as cold as it can get in nearby Nuwara Eliya. Therefore, Ella is a year-round destination.
However, if you’re planning to go hiking in Ella, you might want to opt for the driest weather possible. But it’s quite tricky to determine the thin line between the rainy and dry seasons in Ella.
In general, Sri Lanka has two distinct monsoon seasons and two inter-monsoon periods:
- Southwest Monsoon: May to September
- Northeast Monsoon: December to February
- First Inter-Monsoon Season: March & April
- Second Inter-Monsoon Season: October & November
In some cases, for example, when you plan a trip to Colombo in the west or visit Galle in the south, it’s quite straightforward when to visit to avoid heavy rainfalls.
However, Ella’s location in Sri Lanka’s central mountainous region complicates things a bit. In other words, you’ll most probably experience rain in Ella, no matter when you go.
Yet, some months are indeed drier than others. To make the most of Ella’s pleasant weather without torrential downpours, the best time to visit Ella is between January and April or in the summer months.
That said, we visited Ella in November – one of the worst months in terms of rain – and noticed a pattern.
Although it was pouring with rain in late afternoon, evening and almost all through the night, mornings welcomed us with clear skies.
Therefore, our early morning hiking adventures in and around Ella were never hindered by rainy weather. We can’t say the same about our evening pub crawls, though.
Travel Resources To Help You Plan Your Ella Trip
10 Best Things To Do in Ella Sri Lanka
1. Ride a Scenic Train
Sri Lanka boasts one of the world’s most beautiful train journeys. This is no other than the Colombo to Badulla route. For many, the best part is the Kandy to Ella bit.
If you’re a train lover, you can’t miss this epic train ride. If you don’t care much about trains, this experience will convert you.
Sri Lanka’s railway system dates back to the 19th century. Back then, the first train line from Colombo to Kandy was commissioned to facilitate the transport of tea from the Hill Country to the capital.
For centuries, the iconic blue train has been transferring people and goods before becoming one of Sri Lanka’s most sought-after attractions quite recently.
Taking it slow during this unique train ride is one of the top things to do in Ella – or Sri Lanka for that matter. The journey from Kandy to Ella is quite long, but you won’t get bored.
In fact, time flies as Sri Lanka’s beautiful countryside unfolds before your eyes.
Lush hills, endless stretches of tea plantations and the occasional waterfall alternate ceaselessly, composing a picture of unfathomable natural beauty.
Inside the train, the vibe is equally captivating, especially if you’re travelling third-class, as this is where authenticity awaits.
Travelling by train is one of the best ways to mingle with locals in Sri Lanka, munching on local delicacies you can buy on board or watching from open doorways as the scenery tries to outrun the train.
By the way, although you’ve seen this a lot on social media, please refrain from hanging out of the open doors while the train is moving.
Even though this isn’t a high-speed train, there are still risks and you wouldn’t want to jeopardise your own or other people’s safety.
If you don’t have enough time for the entire journey between Kandy and Ella or if the logistics are too painful, it’s worth hopping on the train for at least a couple of stops, just to get a small taste of this unparalleled train ride.
In this case, we recommend taking the train from Ella to Demodara – the next stop – and back. This way, you’ll also have the chance to admire what must be Sri Lanka’s prettiest bridge.
2. Marvel at a Gorgeous Bridge
Which brings us to our next suggestion on this list of what to do in Ella.
Also called The Bridge in The Sky, Nine Arch Bridge is an eye-catching construction that seamlessly blends with the beauty of the surrounding lush landscapes.
The bridge is a fine example of British colonial architecture. It’s considered an engineering wonder as it’s entirely made of stone and concrete.
Legend has it that all the steel that was meant to be used for the bridge was reallocated to other war-related uses by the British. You see, the bridge’s construction coincided with the outbreak of World War I.
Thanks to the locals’ ingenuity, though, Nine Arch Bridge is still standing, without any steel support.
Nowadays, the bridge is one of the most popular attractions in Sri Lanka. It’s a favourite place to visit for locals and tourists alike.
From afar, Nine Arch Bridge is a sight to behold, one of the most photogenic bridges we’ve ever laid eyes on.
The closer you get, though, what amazes you is the lively ambience on and around the bridge. Especially if you arrive just before the train crosses the bridge.
People walk along the train tracks in search of that perfect spot that will offer them spectacular views of the train approaching or crossing the bridge.
When that happens, no words can describe the uniqueness of the moment.
Sometimes, the train stops for a few minutes so that non-passengers can go near it and snap that perfect shot. This is more likely to happen at weekends, when the vibe near the bridge is even more festive.
Make sure you time your visit to avoid missing the train crossing the bridge. Timetables change often, so it’s best to check with your hotel in Ella for updated train schedules.
If you don’t take the train from Ella to Demodara as suggested above, you can reach Nine Arch Bridge by tuk tuk from Ella Town.
Your tuk tuk driver will drop you off on the main street. Then, you’ll have to walk a downhill path to reach the bridge. On the way back, this path is quite steep. Yet, it’s totally worth it.
3. Enjoy a Unique Hiking Experience
Ella Rock Hike
For hiking lovers, Ella is the best place to visit in Sri Lanka. The wider Ella area offers many opportunities for scenic hikes amidst lush greenery.
The most famous hike in Ella is the one that takes you to the top of Ella Rock. Although classified as a moderate hike, it can be quite challenging.
Sadly, during our recent trip to Ella, we didn’t have enough time to hike to Ella Rock. Next time we’re in Sri Lanka, though, we’ll certainly not miss this spectacular sunrise hike to Ella Rock.
Little Adam’s Peak Hike
What we did was hike to Little Adam’s Peak instead, Ella’s easier and second most famous hiking trail.
Little Adam’s Peak is a pyramid-shaped hill that you can walk to from Ella Town. The trail allows you to hike amidst vast tea plantations in absolute peace and quiet.
When you reach the top of Little Adam’s Peak, you’ll be greeted by stunning panoramic views of the surrounding area, including Ella Rock and Ella Gap, the valley between Ella’s tall mountains.
To start the hike, walk to Ella Flower Garden Resort. From there, it’s a pleasant stroll along a flat path to Little Adam’s Peak Trailhead.
That’s where it gets tricky. From this point onwards, there are quite a few steps to climb to reach the top. But the amazing views that await are worth every single step.
Along the way, you’ll see Ravana Zipline, Sri Lanka’s first zipline. For adventure seekers, this zipline activity offers breathtaking vistas of Ella’s gorgeous scenery from the best vantage point.
Instead of hiking to Little Adam’s Peak on your own, you can also join this guided sunrise hike to the top.
By the way, don’t confuse Little Adam’s Peak with Adam’s Peak. The latter is a similarly shaped yet a lot more challenging peak to climb, more than a four hours’ drive from Ella.
4. Hear Waterfalls Roar
Another thing Ella is known for is its abundance in magnificent waterfalls. Near the main town of Ella there are several beautiful waterfalls to explore, including Bambarakanda Falls, the tallest waterfall in Sri Lanka.
The second-highest waterfall in Sri Lanka is Diyaluma, an hour’s drive from Ella. This is one of the easiest waterfalls to admire as you can see it from the main road.
However, if the weather and your schedule allow it, you can hike to Upper Diyaluma Falls. These waterfalls are a lot more impressive. At least, that’s what we were told, as neither the weather nor time were on our side when we visited.
The easiest waterfall to visit from Ella is Ravana Falls, one of Sri Lanka’s widest waterfalls. Situated a 10-minute drive from Ella, Ravana Falls is a popular spot that blends natural splendour with a vibrant ambience.
While there, don’t forget to taste delicious corn from the street vendors – if the area’s many monkeys don’t convince you to hand it over to them with their puppy eyes.
We fell for their innocent looks and shared a King Coconut with them.
5. Explore The Legend of a Mythical King
Ravana Falls was named after Ravana, a demon king of Sri Lanka. Ravana was the main antagonist in Ramayana, one of the two important epics of Hinduism.
According to this epic, among several other evil deeds, Ravana kidnapped Princess Sita of India. Legend has it that he hid Sita in a cave behind Ravana Falls.
Nowadays, you can visit Ravana Cave. It’s a cavern on a cliff that you can reach after climbing a bit too many steep steps. Some of these can also be quite slippery.
There’s not much to see inside the cave, as only a small part is open to the public. The rest is blocked by a huge rock. It sounds – and probably is – quite underwhelming.
However, if you want to stay fit with a rather strenuous hike, it’s worth climbing up to the cave. Once there, let your imagination run wild to the times of the fearsome Ravana.
On your way back from Ravana Cave, a small detour will take you to the nearby Ravana Ella Temple. This is a small Buddhist temple carved on the rock.
6. Visit a Peaceful Monastery
Although other religions are also observed, Sri Lanka is officially a Buddhist country.
Buddhism in Sri Lanka is tangible, a part of everyday life, and there are several Buddhist temples you can visit to learn more about the Buddha and his teachings.
Built atop a hill overlooking Ella’s beautiful countryside, the Buddhist Mahamevnawa Monastery looks as though it touches the sky. Its brand new 33-metre-tall pagoda adds largely to this effect.
Completed in August 2024, the pagoda dominates the hill and serves as a visual reminder that the earthly and spiritual worlds aren’t that far apart after all.
Inside the pagoda, soft-hued statues of the seven latest Buddhas are arranged in a way to tell a story that can captivate even the non-initiated to Buddhism teachings and history.
Yet, what we loved the most about our visit to this peaceful monastery was the kindness of its monks. Some of them are available for heartfelt chats or brief tours of the monastery and pagoda.
Regardless of religion or background, this serene setting with its incredible views and the glimpse into the simplicity that characterises the monks’ lives it offers is definitely a nice place to find inner peace.
This activity allows you to book a visit to the monastery alongside a round trip by tuk tuk.
7. Spend a Night Out
That’s quite an abrupt change of subject, but, on a more secular note, if you’re wondering what to do in Ella, this town is one of the best places in Sri Lanka to enjoy a night out.
By this, we don’t necessarily mean clubbing. To be honest, our clubbing days are long gone. Therefore, we’re not the right people to advise you on the matter.
However, Ella is the perfect place to enjoy a late dinner and a couple of drinks at one of several restaurants and bars scattered across the centre of this bijou town.
Apart from delicious Sri Lankan cuisine, in Ella, you can also find international dishes that you may have missed in other parts of Sri Lanka, such as pizza or pasta.
Moreover, Ella’s laid-back vibe is best enjoyed in the town’s bars with a glass of Lion – the local brew – in hand and by the sound of live music performances.
Places like Cafe Chill and 360 Ella reflect this easy-going ambience. You can have dinner or drinks or both there.
8. Delve Into Sri Lanka’s Tea Culture
One of the best reasons to visit Sri Lanka is to delve into the country’s rich tea culture.
Tea lovers will be fascinated by the history of tea production in Sri Lanka, but also the wide variety and top quality of tea products there. Not to mention that tea is one of the best souvenirs to buy from Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka’s central highlands – the area collectively known as the Hill Country – boast the ideal conditions for the production of high-quality tea: humidity, cool temperatures and rain.
Brief History of Ceylon Tea
James Taylor, a British tea planter, saw an opportunity and took it when he introduced the cultivation of tea in Sri Lanka, still a British colony known as Ceylon back then.
Together with British merchant Thomas Lipton, they brought Ceylon’s tea industry to new heights. Up to this day, the Ceylon Tea brand name and the emblematic lion logo are synonymous to exquisite tea.
Uva Halpewatte Tea Factory
Ella is one of the best places in Sri Lanka to learn more about the history of Ceylon Tea. The latter is intertwined with the country’s own history and identity.
For that alone, a visit to a tea plantation and factory is one of the best things to do in Ella.
During our recent trip to Ella, we had the pleasure of visiting Uva Halpewatte Tea Factory where we enjoyed an insightful introduction to the fascinating world of tea production, followed by a tour of the tea plantation.
There, we became tea pickers for a few minutes. We were led by a 72-year-old real-life tea picker who deserves nothing but our utmost respect and admiration for doing such an incredibly hard job for so many decades.
An eye-opening tea tasting session followed before we moved to the on-site shop to buy more tea than we could fit in our luggage.
Uva Halpewatte Tea Factory offers several tours. You can book your tuk-tuk ride to Uva Halpewatte Tea Factory and choose your preferred tour once there.
Lipton’s Seat
Alternatively, you can head to what must be Ella’s most famous tea-related attraction: Lipton’s Seat.
This spectacular viewpoint is said to have been a favourite spot for Sir Thomas Lipton to marvel at the views of his lush tea plantations.
Sadly, we didn’t have enough time to visit Lipton’s Seat during our recent trip to Ella. But don’t be us. Book this guided tour to Lipton’s Seat with a visit to a nearby tea factory for an unforgettable experience in Ella.
9. Continue Your Tea Journey
If you’re into tea as much as we are, you should consider continuing your exploration of Sri Lanka’s Hill Country to Nuwara Eliya.
Also known as Little England, Nuwara Eliya is historically considered the most important town for the production of Ceylon Tea.
Nuwara Eliya has the coolest climate in all of Sri Lanka. Combined with the area’s special terrain, these conditions are responsible for the production of what tea experts often consider the world’s finest tea.
Like Ella, in Nuwara Eliya, you can also join tours of tea plantations and factories. During our trip to Nuwara Eliya a few years back, we visited Pedro Tea Estate.
Although you can join a guided day trip to Nuwara Eliya from Ella, we’d recommend allocating a couple of days to Nuwara Eliya before or after Ella instead.
This way, you can explore the Hill Country even further, taking in its charms at a slow pace and understanding what makes this area so unique. Not to mention it’s quite a long drive between the two towns.
10. Spot Wildlife on an Exciting Safari
On the contrary, a day trip to Yala National Park from Ella is doable and not as exhausting.
Yala is Sri Lanka’s second-largest and most visited national park. We won’t lie. Yala’s popularity does take away a bit of its charm, as it can get ridiculously busy.
However, Yala is the closest national park to Ella. Therefore, if you have time for a safari from Ella, it’s better to visit Yala National Park than skip a Sri Lankan safari experience altogether.
Yala National Park consists of forests, grasslands, wetlands and even sandy beaches. While there, you can spot several kinds of birds and monkeys, wild water buffalos, elephants and many more.
Yet, the star of Yala Park is the leopard. This national park is known to have one of the world’s highest leopard densities.
But, sadly, this doesn’t guarantee that you’ll actually see a leopard. After a four-hour safari on a 4×4 jeep, we didn’t manage to see any leopards.
That said, it seems that we got close at some point. At least that’s what we figured when jeep drivers suddenly started calling each other on the phone before tens of vehicles frantically headed in the same direction.
Apparently, there was a leopard sighting somehwere. But by the time we got there – at times stuck in traffic along narrow forest roads – the leopard was gone.
However, this doesn’t mean that a safari at Yala Park isn’t an exciting experience anyway. Observing any kind of wildlife is always an emotional experience, one to cherish for life.
Therefore, book your Yala safari experience, but make sure you don’t get your hopes up about seeing a leopard.
Savour the moment, enjoy the scenery and appreciate all the animals you spot. If leopards show up, tell them we said hi.
How To Get To Ella
When considering a trip to Sri Lanka, don’t let the country’s relatively compact size fool you. You must brace for long drives or train rides as it takes much time to get from one place to another.
Assuming that you’re landing at Bandaranaike International Airport near the capital city of Colombo, one of the best ways to get to Ella is, without a doubt, the aforementioned iconic train.
However, the train ride from Colombo to Ella takes between eight and ten hours. Therefore, it’s best to get to Kandy first and, ideally, spend a couple of days there. Then, take the train from Kandy to Ella.
To get to Kandy from Colombo, you can book a private transfer with 12go.
Where To Stay in Ella
Ella boasts some of the best hotels in Sri Lanka. Some of these are in the heart of the town. Others are tucked away in Ella’s green hills, offering panoramic views for as far as the eye can see.
For us, nothing beats a central location and this is why we recommend EKHO Ella. This 4-star hotel combines the best views with a fantastic location. The heart of Ella Town is just a short walk away.
Now that you know exactly what to do in Ella and around, it’s time to start planning your trip to this cool town hidden in plain sight in Sri Lanka’s magnificent Hill Country.
WORDS & EDITING: Maria
IMAGES: Katerina
Disclosure: We visited Ella on a press trip organised by Sri Lanka Tourism. However, all opinions are our own, as always.