South west of Jaffna you’ll find Anuradhapura, one of the ancient cities of Sri Lanka and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. An ideal addition to any itinerary, Anuradhapura was the capital of Sri Lanka from the 4th Century B.C. and offers well-preserved ruins of ancient Sri Lankan civilization. It sits on the banks of the historic Malvathu Oya, and is surrounded by Buddhist monasteries and is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Whilst some of the ancient buildings are little more than rubble, many are still almost intact and wandering around them is breathtaking, so make sure to give you leave some time in your itinerary to really explore.
1 Hotel
Colombo bursts with life as the streets fill with colourful saris and parasols bustling along streets bathed in sunshine. Tuk tuks weave amongst the traffic; their passengers chatting animatedly as they disappear round corners and street vendors peddle their wares as people disappear into the array of restaurants peppered throughout the city.
3 Hotels, 2 Tours
The East Coast is one of Sri Lanka’s most up and coming areas and with beautiful swathes of beach giving way to the calm shallow waters, it’s easy to see why. Relatively undiscovered, it’s still charming and relaxed. Not only that but it’s also home to some of the best beaches in Sri Lanka and its popularity is only going to increase, so now is the time to visit. There are plenty of hotels to choose from and you can now fly in from Colombo with Cinnamon Air. For families it’s ideal, not only do the calm waters make it ideal for children, but the seasonality is very similar to ours, meaning our summer is also theirs, perfect for escaping over the summer holidays.
5 Hotels, 1 Tour
Step back into a colonial era as you make your way around the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Galle, a wondrous example of a Dutch fortified city, encircled by walls and peppered with bastions and ramparts overlooking the deep cerulean ocean from its peninsula.
3 Hotels, 1 Tour
The heart of Sri Lanka is awash with monuments to times gone by, ancient artefacts, frescoes, ruins and so much more. Ringed by sand, this island is often deemed just a beach destination, but if you stray into its midst you’ll find a whole new side to Sri Lanka.
4 Hotels, 3 Tours
Located in the north of Sri Lanka, nestled on a peninsula of the same name, Jaffna is an enticing mix of colonial charm and vibrant Tamil culture. We recommend spending up to three nights here, and don’t miss the star shaped Jaffna Fort and the temple district, two of our favourite attractions. A lot of travellers are looking to add the north, and in particular, Jaffna to their explorations of Sri Lanka. This small and low-rise city is a must for those looking for a different side of Sri Lanka as not only will you find sprawling suburbs, but also a bustling commercial centre and a vast temple district. What makes Jaffna unique is that you can still see the thought-provoking remnants and effects of the island’s troubled past. However these are set to slowly vanish as time and tourism catches up, so if you want a real insight into a different side of Sri Lanka, now is the time to visit. At present we feature the Jaffna Heritage, a simple but adequate hotel and you can also visit Jaffna on our Definitive Sri Lanka tour, or with your own private driver guide.
1 Tour
Kandalama is a small village located near to the busy town of Dambulla. Home to one of Sri Lanka’s most famed hotels, the Heritance Kandalama, it is an ideal base in the Cultural Triangle due to its proximity to the big sites but away from the busy towns. Polonnaruwa is one such site, both a working town and ancient city; it is a must-see in Sri Lanka. Once the capital of Sri Lanka, it still retains much of its ancient buildings including the royal palace and statues of Buddha.
1 Hotel, 1 Tour
Kandy, home to ancient treasures, lush flora and fauna and people who envelope you with their warmth and culture. Nuwara Eliya, ‘Little England’, exuding peace and tranquillity with rolling hills covered in tea.
9 Hotels, 6 Tours
Step by step feel the sand move beneath your toes, gentle waves kissing your heels as you explore the glorious beaches of Negombo. Watch fishermen using traditional methods as they head out to sea in their hand built outrigger canoes, and visit Lellama where they hawk their hard earned wares.
2 Hotels, 2 Tours
Wander along the snaking stretch of sun-kissed sand, locals smiling as they offer you trinkets and souvenirs. Stop and allow to water to sweep over your feet, luxuriously cool and gaze out as the waves break about the coral reef offshore, alive with flicking fish and colourful anemones.
8 Hotels, 2 Tours
Between the city of Galle in the west and the coastal border of the breathtaking Yala National Park in the east you'll find a coastline largely untouched by mass tourism, brand-new beach resorts, ever-growing cities and sleepy fishing villages where traditional methods are still used to this day. If you are seeking a laid-back way of life, wide and secluded beaches and well-appointed, modern Five Star resorts, we highly recommend a stay in this little slice of heaven.
3 Hotels
Anuradhapura
Colombo
East Coast
Galle
Habarana, Sigiriya & Dambulla
Jaffna
Kandalama & Polonnaruwa
Kandy & Nuwara Eliya
Negombo
Southwest Coast
South Coast
