Shaped beautifully like a teardrop, Sri Lanka is an island is off the southeast coast of India – and a wonderful holiday destination with some great itinerary options depending on your interests. Many come for the beautiful coastline stretching from Galle to Unawatuna and beyond. Others explore the interior for the mountains or the tea country. Whatever your particular travel plans might be, there are lots of things to do in Sri Lanka. Reading our mini guide to culture, weather, money, language, food and more should help. Enjoy!
#1 Fact File
- The island measures 435 kilometres from top to bottom and 225km across.
- As of 2025, it has a population of 22 million. Of those, 750,000 live in Colombo, and up to 5 million in that city’s wider metropolitan area.
- Sri Lanka actually has two capital cities. Colombo is one; the other is Sri Jayawardenapura-Kotte (since 1982).
- Approximately 70 percent of Sri Lankans are Theravada Buddhists, while 11 percent practice Hinduism.
#2 Trivia
- Sri Lanka is famous for its tea, but it was once awash with coffee fields. These were all destroyed by a disease known as leaf rust in the 19th century, allowing tea plantations to take their place and flourish. Any Sri Lanka holiday should ideally include a visit to the famous tea-growing areas.
- Three different religions are recognised by coloured elements on the Sri Lankan flag: Buddhism, Islam and Hinduism. It’s the only flag in the world to have this multiple representation.
- Sri Lanka was the first country to have a female prime minister, Sirimavo Bandaranaike, from 1960.
- On the sacred mountain of Sri Pada (Adam’s Peak) is a footprint believed by Buddhists to belong to Buddha, by Hindus to Lord Shiva, by Muslims to Adam, and by Christians to St Thomas.
- The most popular sport in the country might be cricket, but the national sport is volleyball.
#3 Key Dates
Each year, Sri Lanka observes 13 or 14 Buddhist public holidays known as Poya days. These occur every full moon day, and shops and businesses will usually be closed, and sales of meat and alcohol prohibited.
Independence Day falls on 4 February. It marks the country’s political split from British rule in 1948.
The Sinhalese New Year is celebrated by not only by Sinhalese people but by most Sri Lankans. On 13 and 14 April, workers go home to their villages to feast with friends and family and set off firecrackers.
#4 Sri Lanka Holiday Ideas
Some of the best destinations in Sri Lanka include Colombo, Kandy, Unawatuna, Galle, Anuradhapura, Hikkaduwa, Nuwara Eliya, Adam’s Peak and Yala National Park. World Heritage Sites include the Golden Temple of Dambulla and the ancient cities of Polonnaruwa and Sigiriya (pictured).
If tea and temples are your vibe, head from the capital inland to Kandy and Nuwara Eliya. For culture and history, explore Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura.
Many travellers, however, will want to enjoy the vast coastline during their Sri Lanka holiday. Here are some itinerary ideas for seeing the best parts of the coast on the different sides of the island.
South
From the historic city of Galle, head to Hikkaduwa Beach for snorkelling, diving and fun nightlife in town. Further south is Mirissa, with a laid-back feel and beautiful beach sunsets.
East
Arugam Bay in Sri Lanka’s southeast corner is arguably the country’s best surf break, but it’s also a relaxing gem for non-surfers, with cold beer and barbecued seafood.
West
Negombo is less than 30 minutes from Sri Lanka’s international airport, with resorts lining the beach, and water sports on offer at Negombo Lagoon.
North
Trincomalee offers beautiful palm-lined beaches and azure waters. Activities in this Sri Lanka include fishing at Nilaveli Beach, snorkelling at Pigeon Island, whale-watching, or windsurfing further south at Uppuveli Beach.
#5 Things to Do on Your Sri Lanka Holiday
If you’re a fan of outdoor activities, then you’ll be right at home in Sri Lanka, which offers loads of things to do for hikers, cyclists and adventurers in general. Here are some great options!
- Trek in the Knuckles mountain range. The area east of Kandy remains a wilderness offering breath-taking scenery and top-class trekking without the crowds.
- Cycle through the Hill Country. Enjoy the cool climate while riding through scenic tea plantations with magnificent views and old-fashioned colonial charm.
- Climb Adam’s Peak. The soaring summit of Adam’s Peak (Sri Pada) is a place of pilgrimage for Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and Christians alike.
- Bike through lowland forest. Ride through plantations of cinnamon, rubber, cashew nuts and bananas, and see giant Buddhas perched on top of jungly hills and secluded temples overlooking the rice paddies.
- Canoe along the Ginganga River. Paddle along at your ease past amazing plants, flowers and wildlife along the banks of this beautiful river near Galle.
#6 Health & Safety
Like in its northern neighbour India, the best health precaution in Sri Lanka is to be cautious when eating and drinking. Avoid tap water and ice cubes, and stick to bottled or boiled water instead, (And drink lots of it to combat the hot weather!). You won’t want to miss the delicious street food, though it’s not a bad idea to skip any uncooked food, shellfish or ice cream.
#7 Culture
There are plenty of books and films that give a good introduction to Sri Lanka’s history and people. Start with Running in the Family by Michael Ondaatje (who also wrote The English Patient); this is fictionalised memoir covers the author’s return to his native Sri Lanka in the late 1970s. The Legend of Pradeep Mathew by Shehan Karunatilaka is a novel steeped in the sport of cricket, but it’s a fascinating read even for non-sports fans.
As far as cinema goes, Sri Lanka has been the location for many prominent films, including Paradise Road, Bridge over the River Kwai and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. To watch something about the country itself, though, you might try
A Peck on the Cheek, a Tamil drama about an adopted girl seeking to find her biological mother, and From Dust a documentary about the aftermath of the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004.
#8 Notable Quotes
“It’s time for Sri Lankan to heal the wounds and unite without regard for religious and ethnic identity.” – former Secretary-General of the UN, Ban Ki-moon, on the end of the Civil War in 2009
“Wisdom can be found travelling.” – Sri Lankan proverb
“The island of Ceylon (Sri Lanka) is a small universe; it contains as many variations of culture, scenery and climate as some countries a dozen times its size.” – Sir Arthur C. Clarke, science fiction author and Sri Lanka resident from 1956 to 2008
#9 Essential Details
Sri Lanka has been updating its e-Visa system recently, so potential visitors to the country should check the visa requirements on their own government websites. Citizens from a small handful of places don’t need a visa to visit for 30 days – they include Malaysia, Thailand and Japan. This list is set to grow substantially.
As far as world time goes, the country is 5.5 hours ahead of GMT. When it’s midday in Sri Lanka, it’s 2.30pm in Singapore and 4.30pm in Sydney.
The Sri Lankan rupee (LKR) is the official currency. Major foreign currencies can be exchanged at banks and credit cards are accepted at top end hotels and restaurants. If your Sri Lanka itinerary is taking you to rural areas, be aware that ATMs are less prevalent – carry cash for small purchases.
#10 Weather & Seasons
The most popular destinations on the western and southern coasts are at their best between December and March. (Monsoon season there is May to September.) This is the high season with the lowest rainfall and the most sunshine. If you’re heading to the east of the country, it’s the opposite – May to September is the best window for a visit. Most cities are hot all year round.
#11 Language
Sri Lanka’s official languages are Sinhala and Tamil, though many people also speak English. Try these Sinhalese phrases when you’re there:
- Ayubowan (“Hello”)
- Karunakerara (“Please”)
- Bohoma istuti (“Thank you very much”)
- Mata terinneh neh (“I don’t understand”)
- Nama mokadhda? (“What is your name?”)
To greet someone, say “ayubowan” while pressing your hands together at chest level. Younger people tend to give a light handshake.
#12 Food
Sampling the cuisine is one the best things to do in Sri Lanka. The food unsuprisingly shares a number of features of Indian cuisine. However, there are also plenty of variations including interesting curries using ingredients like beetroot and jackfruit, and Sri Lankan specialities such as hoppers (a type of breakfast pancake). Dhal is found everywhere in the country, as are “short eats” – fried vegetarian snacks. Sri Lanka brews a pretty decent beer: Lion is the most popular brand.
#13 Souvenirs
Everyone should take home a sample of Sri Lanka’s biggest export – Ceylon tea. Other cool souvenir ideas include packets of spices, Ayurvedic beauty products, traditional wooden masks, religious figurines and elephant paraphernalia.
Enjoyed this article on Sri Lanka holiday ideas and things to do on your travels? Now read about places to get married in the region!
