Scenic Sri Lanka: Top Destinations to Visit This Long Weekend 

1. Ella

Are you trying to find the best spots to go in December in Sri Lanka? Enchant yourself with the breathtaking views that come from Ella Gap, which overlook a magnificent opening in the southern mountain wall. This hill station is just stunning, nestled in the center of stunning scenery with tiny vegetable plots, tea plantations on the hillside, and forests on top. Without a doubt, Ella is among the most breathtaking locations in Sri Lanka.

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2. Nuwara Eliya

Known as one of the most picturesque tourist destinations in Sri Lanka, Nuwara Eliya, a 19th-century hill station, has managed to preserve its colonial charm with its faux Tudor houses, golf course, and gentlemen’s clubs. It’s among the most breathtaking places in Sri Lanka to take a picturesque train journey. As the train transports you from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya, take in the breathtaking vistas of the surrounding tea plantations, waterfalls, and dramatic mountains. The ride would be too good to end! Trekking is a fun way to enjoy Kandy’s natural beauty. It is among the safest destinations in Sri Lanka for COVID-19 travelers. The top destinations in Rishikesh to see in two days should include Nuwara Eliya on your schedule. 

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3. Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage

Is there anything more endearing than watching young elephants soaking in a river? There are numerous reasons why the Pinnawalla Elephant Orphanage is regarded as one of the top sights in Sri Lanka. If you desire to stay in this paradise, it won’t be difficult to believe.

The distance to this location from Kegalle town is 13 kilometers, and one may get there by any public transportation. This is a well-liked vacation spot that offers guests an entirely unique experience. Observing the young elephants running around and getting into mischief is an experience of a lifetime. All of this is not visible somewhere else. There are numerous little reasons to visit this location, which will make you fall in love with it. Because it’s one of the top sites to see in Sri Lanka, be sure to stop by here anytime you’re in the country for a sightseeing vacation. 

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4. Polonnaruwa

The following location on the list is a city well-known for its temples, and it has to be among the greatest family travel destinations in Sri Lanka. At the Polonnaruwa ruins, you may easily lose a whole day daydreaming about life in the ancient city. It is hard to be amazed by the ruins here, which are well-preserved and full of archeological treasures with hundreds of old structures like tombs and temples, statues, and stupas. 

Everyone is aware that one of the top tourist destinations in Sri Lanka is its temples, which are among the nation’s many historical and cultural landmarks. One such location that is particularly well-liked by tourists and where one may see Sri Lankan life in its true form is Polonnaruwa.

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5. Adams Peak

The next stop is Adam’s Peak, one of the most captivating tourist destinations in Sri Lanka. Adam’s Peak is one of Sri Lanka’s most breathtaking locations. Scale the slopes after dark to witness an unforgettable dawn that will leave you speechless. 

One of the top tourist destinations in Sri Lanka, Adams Peaks is recognized as a hotspot for biodiversity and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The breathtaking views from this location are unmatched across the country. Both the location and the name of this place are distinctive. This location located in the middle of Sri Lanka, and the one feature that makes it famous is Sri Pada. In essence, Sri Pada is regarded as the Buddha’s footsteps. 

This is at the summit of the mountain in the shape of a rock formation. In addition to its significance for spirituality and religion, this location is renowned for the beauty that its vibrant vegetation offers. In addition, you will be treated to some very breathtaking views of the surrounding area if you climb to the summit of the hill. Therefore, the few challenges you will face are worthwhile given the kind of experience the location offers. 

6. Mirissa

One of Sri Lanka’s most charming beach hideaways is the small village of Mirissa. Here, you may spend your days lounging in the sun on a hammock and watching whales. You’ll forget the outside world as soon as you step foot in this idyllic beach town. For a fantastic vacation, Mirissa ought to be on your list of stunning locations in Sri Lanka. 

The bustle and throng of the city is not to everyone’s taste. A lot of us desire peaceful vacations in serene locations. Therefore, if you’re in Sri Lanka and you’re one of these people, you should go to this lovely village called Mirissa. 

You will have an up-close look at local life as this is the village where fisherman make up the majority of residents. Even better, you can go fishing with the pros and see whales and other large fish. Here you may find some of the more popular and delicious fish, such as tuna. Eat the delicious local food while you are visiting this village. 

7. Yala National Park

Yala National Park has one of the largest densities of leopards in the world; come here to be amazed by them. This National Park is a big cat paradise, including grassy plains, forests, lagoons, and shoreline. Sri Lanka’s stunning locations, which combine tradition and natural beauty in a harmonious whole, will win your heart and rank among the country’s must-see locations. A journey will become truly unforgettable if one visits all of these breathtaking locations. This location appears once more on the list of Sri Lanka’s most popular tourist destinations. The distance from Bentota town is approximately 200 kilometers. 

Among all the wildlife sanctuaries in Sri Lanka, this one is among the most well-liked, not just in that specific region. To travel through the Sanctuary’s forests, one should rent a jeep. There will be lots of adventure and enjoyment on this voyage of yours. When traveling through the bush in a jeep, one can even see plenty of elephants and leopards. One can already picture how thrilling such a ride would be by reading this story. Thus, if one is ever in Sri Lanka, Yala National Park is one location that they simply must not miss. 

8. Colombo

The city of Colombo, which is unquestionably one of the greatest vacation destinations in Sri Lanka, comes in second on the list. If you do not go to the capital city of Sri Lanka, Colombo, your trip will be incomplete and this will be utterly unjust. This city has a number of locations that you may visit and that will undoubtedly catch your attention. 

Overall, the city is quite gorgeous; words cannot express how beautiful it is. One can prepare a list of locations to visit and reserve a cab or tuk-tuk to explore the entire city. One will undoubtedly be able to see the entire city in a one day. Definitely one of the top tourist destinations in Sri Lanka is this vibrant capital city. 

9. Jaffna

In search of locations to visit that are religious in Sri Lanka? Because it is home to some of the most exquisite temples in the country and is a top destination for spiritual retreats, this area is also known as the “city of temples” in Sri Lanka. The Nallur Kovil Temple is the most frequently visited temple in this location. Out of all the temples, this one consistently receives the most visits and is the busiest. The visitors that come to visit this temple also visit other adjacent temples. The Jaffna Fort is this location’s other main attraction in addition to these temples. This fort is not only a stunning sight to behold, but it also represents Sri Lanka’s past.

Thus, the city of Jaffna is not limited to spiritual seekers; everyone with a passing interest in history and culture is welcome to visit. The Nagadeepa Vihara Purana temple is another popular destination in Jaffna in addition to these major locations. It is essential to visit this temple, which is renowned for its grandeur and beauty. This temple is easily accessible by waterways; therefore, you can rent a boat and visit this location. You can go for meditation and enjoy the most tranquil surroundings in the surrounding area. 

10. Ulpotha

Sri Lanka is also well-known for its studies in yoga and ayurveda. There are some excellent yoga centers in Ulpotha village, and you can practice there in the middle of the forest. It appears as though you are in heaven, and it is a very enjoyable place to spend time.

There are lots of Ayurvedic and yoga retreat centers. You should therefore come here to become more interested in these subjects, even if you are not really interested in them. This is regarded as one of Sri Lanka’s most tranquil tourist destinations!