Negombo is known for its long sandy beaches and centuries old fishing industry. There are many things to see in Negombo which include the Negombo Lagoon, the fish market which is the second largest market in the country, St. Mary’s church and more. Despite it being a popular beach destination, there is significant history behind the town.
Yapahuwa was one of the medieval capitals of Sri Lanka. The entrance to the kingdoms’ citadel was built in front of a massive rock that reaches a height of almost 100 m. Built on top of a rock, midway between Kurunegala and Anuradhapura; Yapahuwa is a citadel that dates back to the time of King Buvanekabahu. It was a temporary capital in a defendable location during the Dravidian invasions of 1272.
The city is one of the most important historical and cultural sites in Sri Lanka and is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is home to many ancient monuments and ruins, including the Abhayagiri Dagoba, Jetavanaramaya, and the Ruwanwelisaya & sacred tree “Sri Maha Bodhi. Overall, Anuradhapura is a must-see destination for anyone interested in history, culture, and architecture.
The ancient city boasts of many archaeological relics and monuments and is one of the best planned sites in the country. Some of the well-known attractions of this stately city include the Statue of King Parakramabahu, the Polonnaruwa Vatadage, the Rankoth Vehera, the Gal Viharaya and its statues.
Minneriya is a small town in Sri Lanka that is famous for Minneriya National Park which is a hot spot for safari lovers because of its abundance of elephants. The area was designated as a national park on 12 August 1997, having been originally declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1938. The reason for declaring the area as protected is to protect the catchment of Minneriya tank and the wildlife of the surrounding area.
Reach the ancient royal fortress of Sigiriya, Lion Rock, one of the most spectacular sites on the island. Walk through the royal gardens and follow the central path leading up to the stairs of the imposing ochre-colored rock. Start the ascent, and halfway, contemplate the famous gallery of Sigiriya. Then reach the platform suspended on the side of the cliff, famous for its huge lion’s paws. Once you reach the summit, discover the ruins of the old palace and enjoy an exceptional panorama of the surroundings, over 370 meters high.
Herbal and Spice Garden
The “spice gardens” should not be confused with spice plantations. These gardens are better described as “show gardens” with a primary focus on retailing indigenous Ayurveda medicine and small quantities of a variety of spices. The Ayurveda oils and medicines are derived from a mixture of the spices and herbs which are grown locally.
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is a Buddhist temple in Kandy, Sri Lanka. It is located in the royal palace complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy, which houses the relic of the tooth of the Buddha. The temple of the tooth is a World Heritage Site mainly due to the temple and the relic.
Here too you can see the tea process at work, how to tea picking, how the green tea leaves end up in drinkable tea through various steps of drying, rolling, fermentation, oxidizing, drying again, followed by sorting and bulk packing.
Nuwara Eliya is a beautiful hill station located in the central highlands of Sri Lanka. Nuwara Eliya is a mountain station at 1,868 m (6,128 ft) of altitude, in a splendid landscape. The city pretends to be particularly well-kept and neat, and the always green grass gives to the locality an aspect of “colonial British style”. The city is known for its stunning natural beauty, colonial architecture, tea plantations, and rich cultural heritage. You can visit Victoria Park, Lake Gregory, Hakgala Botanical Garden & etc.
Mini Adams Peak
Little Adam’s Peak, is a mountain located in Ella, Sri Lanka. It is a popular hiking destination, known for its beautiful views of the surrounding area, including the famous Nine Arch Bridge. The hike to the summit typically takes around 1-2 hours, and the trail is well defined and easy to navigate. Along the way, hikers will see beautiful tea plantations and can experience the local culture. The peak is also considered as a one day trek and can be done as a family or alone. At the summit, hikers can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding hills and valleys. It is also a great spot for sunrise and sunset.
Nine Arches Bridge
The Nine Arches Bridge is a famous landmark located in Ella, Sri Lanka. It is a beautiful railway bridge built during the British colonial period, and it is considered to be an engineering marvel due to its impressive construction.
Yala Safari
Yala National Park is located in the southeast region of Sri Lanka and is one of the country’s most popular national parks. The park covers an area of approximately 979 square kilometers and is known for its diverse wildlife, including elephants, leopards, crocodiles, and over 200 species of birds. It is also home to a variety of habitats, including wetlands, forests, and grasslands. It is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Sri Lanka.
Galle Fort
The Galle Fort, or Dutch Fort as it is also known, is a fortification first built by the Portuguese on the Southwestern coast of Sri Lanka.
Maritime Museum
Maritime Museum is the only museum which aware the public on marine biological and anthropological aspects of Southern coastal area. The first gallery depicts the types of watercrafts used in passenger transport and maritime trading in Southern Sri Lanka. The traditional life style of fishing communities and such fishing techniques are displayed with attractive models and replicas. The second Gallery is focused on marine eco systems and their flora and fauna. Models of mangroves, sea shore plants, turtles, sea birds and marine mammals are displayed with their taxonomic details. Specimens of corals, marine shells and some invertebrates can be observed in the exhibition while a large skeleton of a Whale mounted in the roof giving you a wonderful experience.
The center functions mainly as a hatchery and makes huge efforts to increase the rate of hatching and survival of baby turtles in their very initial stages.
The Madu River is very rich in biodiversity. You can floating along the Madu River, and ducking through the famous and mysterious mangrove, big blue jellyfish, Bee Eater and monitor lizard, monkeys and enjoying the sounds of nature.
Brief Garden is a landscape garden and former home in Beruwala, Sri Lanka designed by landscape architect and owner Bevis Bawa.
The Kalu River flows into the sea right beside the Kalutara Bodhi a beautiful and historically significant temple.
Colombo is home to many important cultural and religious sites, including Gangarama Temple & Seema Malakaya, the National Museum of Colombo, Galle Face Green, Old Parliament Building, Independence Square, Red Mosque Colombo, and Colombo Port City.
Each market specializes in art, handicrafts, clothing, Cosmetics, and jewelry. So, you will find an incredible encounter with stylish and eye catching style that is worth for your money and time while you stroll through Colombo.