Things to Do in Sri Lanka

Tucked into Kandy’s historical Royal Palace complex, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is one of Sri Lanka’s top attractions. The 18th-century Buddhist temple, part of what was once Kandy’s royal court, is revered for housing a tooth reputed to have belonged to Buddha himself, with pilgrims and tourists flocking to it as a result.

Looming 656 feet (200 meters) above central Sri Lanka, the UNESCO-protected Sigiriya Rock Fortress is a sheer volcanic outcrop crowned by a ruined fortress. Come to admire its wall frescoes, and experience the relics and bird’s-eye views at the summit.

Located in southern Sri Lanka, Udawalawe National Park is the island’s 6th-largest reserve, created in 1972 to house wildlife displaced by the building of the Udawalawe Reservoir. Spot animals such as elephant, buffalo, deer, crocodiles, leopards, and exotic birdlife among the park’s 119 square miles (308 square kilometers).

Situated near Beira Lake in central Colombo, Gangaramaya Temple is one of the city’s largest and oldest Buddhist temple copmlexes. Established in 1885 and composed of pagodas, courtyards, and shrines, it’s best-known for its beautiful lake temple (Seema Malaka), which stands on stone pillars above the waters and is reached via a walkway.

Gregory Lake is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Nuwara Eliya. Originally a huge swamp area, this man-made lake was constructed in 1873 under the government of Sir William Gregory and was used as a place for relaxation and recreation during the British rule. There are a number of interesting colonial buildings in the area left over from this era.

Today, a plethora of activities and visitor facilities have been introduced around Gregory Lake. There’s the opportunity for walking, bike riding, and horse riding, while on the lake itself, there are a number of operators offering boat rides and various watersports activities. Those who wish to get out and enjoy the lake independently can even hire a distinctive two-seater swan boat.

The Sri Lankan city of Galle was founded by Portuguese explorers in the sixteenth century. In 1640, the Dutch moved in and began fortifying the town by constructing an 89-acre (36-hectare) fort on the town’s promontory, surrounded on three sides by the Bay of Galle. Today, the old town of Galle and its fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1988, ranks among the best preserved European-built fortified cities in Southeast Asia.

The fort remains so much more than a historical attraction. The town is very much still alive. The walled city still houses government buildings, businesses, museums, cafes, and shops. The narrow streets are filled with residents going about their business. The ramparts overlook the Indian Ocean and provide a popular viewing spot at sunrise.

Fringing a stretch of Colombo’s southern coastline, Galle Face Green is the city’s largest open space, composed of 12-acre (5-hectare) lawns overlooked by the colonial-era Galle Face Hotel. The green, which is flanked by a promenade and narrow beach, is a popular spot for strolling, picnicking, and kite flying.

The Kosgoda Sea Turtle Conservation Project is a small venue in Kosgoda that’s run by volunteers and relies on donations to help protect Sri Lanka’s turtles from extinction.

The central aim of the project is to monitor local sea turtle activity and to conserve the local nesting sites. A crucial element is the hatchery, where rescued eggs can hatch safely, away from the clutches of potential predators (or poachers) before being released into the ocean at night. In addition, a selection from each hatching are kept at the sanctuary for a short period for 'headstarting' before their release.

Another of the project’s aims is to increase public awareness of how endangered the creatures are and just how important it is to help protect them as a species. Volunteers are on hand to show guests around the various tanks to see (but not touch) the different types of turtles. These volunteers are generally well-informed and encourage visitors to ask questions and find out more about the project.

Mulkirigala Rock Temple (Mulkirigala Raja Maha Vihara) refers to a collection of ancient Buddhist cave temples situated on a craggy rock in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka. Surrounded by lush green forest, there are seven rock caves perched on five terraced levels of varying altitudes. These include the Lower Terrace (Patha Maluwa), Bo Tree Terrace (Bodhi Maluwa), the Great King's Temple Terrace (Raja Maha Vihara Maluwa), Upper Bo Tree Terrace (Uda Bodhi Maluwa), and Chetiya Terrace (Chaitya Maluwa).

All levels of the Mulgrigala rock temples are reached via well-paved granite pathways and many steps. Along the way, you’ll see reclining, seated, and standing Buddhas images, as well as elaborate religious wall paintings within the caves. Further up, perched at the summit some 205 meters above sea level (and having climbed more than 500 steps), you’ll find a small dagoba, not to mention some incredible views over the surrounding forests.

Galle Lighthouse is located within the historic Galle Fort in Sri Lanka and is one of just 14 remaining lighthouses in the country. In fact, this is Sri Lanka's oldest light station and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The original structure was built in 1848, but was destroyed in a fire in the 1930s. The current lighthouse was built 100 meters away from the original site upon ramparts standing six meters above ground level. The light station itself is just over 26 meters tall, giving it a panoramic view of the harbour.

The Galle Fort lighthouse overlooks a small beach, and there are a number of shops and restaurants nearby. The area provides some fantastic views and photo opportunities, although unfortunately visitors are unable to enter the lighthouse to climb up it.