Cities & Regions in Sri Lanka

Complete guide to Colombo: Fort district, Pettah market, Gangaramaya Temple, Galle Face Green, top neighbourhoods, and day trips from Sri Lanka's capital.

Travel guide to Kalpitiya - Sri Lanka's kite surfing hub, dolphin watching spot, and bar reef destination on the northwest peninsula.

Travel guide to Negombo - the fishing town 7km from Sri Lanka's main airport, with a Dutch canal, fish market, and lagoon boat trips.

Complete guide to Anuradhapura - the Sri Maha Bodhi, ancient stupas, UNESCO ruins, entry fees, bicycle hire, and how to get there from Colombo.

Dambulla UNESCO cave temples: 150+ Buddha statues, 2,100 sq m of painted ceilings, entry LKR 1,500, with transport from Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa.

Guide to Kandy: Temple of the Tooth Relic, Kandy Lake, Royal Botanical Gardens, and the scenic train from Colombo to Sri Lanka's hill capital.

Guide to Polonnaruwa - the UNESCO medieval ruins, Gal Vihara rock Buddhas, Parakrama Samudra, Vatadage, and how to visit from Sigiriya or Kandy.

Complete guide to Sigiriya - the UNESCO rock fortress, Pidurangala, Minneriya elephants, entry fees, climb tips, and where to stay nearby.

Plan your trip to Ella: Nine Arches Bridge, Little Adam's Peak, Ella Rock, and the Kandy train journey. Practical travel tips for this hill country town.

Haputale travel guide: a ridge town at 1,431m with views to both coasts, Lipton's Seat, Adisham Monastery, and easy access to Horton Plains.

Visit Horton Plains National Park: World's End escarpment, Baker's Falls, the 4.5km circular walk, wildlife, and how to get there from Nuwara Eliya.

Travel guide to Nuwara Eliya at 1,868m: tea estates, Horton Plains, Hakgala Gardens, and colonial hotels. Plan your visit to the hill capital.

Complete guide to Galle: UNESCO-listed Galle Fort, south coast beaches, top restaurants, accommodation, and day trips to Unawatuna and Mirissa.

Hikkaduwa travel guide: south coast beach town 98km from Colombo with surf at Narigama, coral reef snorkelling, and direct train links to Galle.

Mirissa travel guide: blue whale watching from November to April, Coconut Tree Hill, Mirissa Beach, and where to stay on Sri Lanka's south coast.

Tangalle travel guide: quiet south coast beaches, Rekawa turtle nesting, Bundala flamingos, and Mulgirigala rock temple. 186km from Colombo.

Unawatuna travel guide: horseshoe bay 8km from Galle with reef snorkelling, Jungle Beach, the Japanese Peace Pagoda, and beach accommodation options.

Weligama travel guide: Sri Lanka's best beginner surf bay, stilt fishermen, Taprobane Island, and how to get there. 130km from Colombo.

Arugam Bay travel guide: Sri Lanka's top surf destination with Main Point and Baby Point breaks, Pottuvil Lagoon wildlife, and transport from Colombo.

Batticaloa guide: the Singing Fish lagoon, Kallady Beach, Dutch fort, Tamil kovils, and travel info for Sri Lanka's east coast.

Pasikuda and Kalkudah offer Sri Lanka's calmest east coast waters, a flat reef lagoon, and uncrowded beaches. Plan your trip with this complete guide.

Plan your trip to Trincomalee: Nilaveli and Uppuveli beaches, Koneswaram Temple, Pigeon Island snorkelling, and getting there from Colombo.

Jaffna travel guide: Jaffna Fort, Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil, island day trips, Tamil cuisine, and getting there by train or flight from Colombo.

Mannar Island guide: the ancient baobab tree, Mannar Fort, Adam's Bridge, flamingos at Vankalai sanctuary, and how to get there from Colombo.

Plan your trip to Bentota - beach resort hotels, water sports, Brief Garden, river safaris, and turtle hatcheries on Sri Lanka's southern coast.

Guide to Hiriketiya and Dikwella - surf schools, guesthouses, restaurants, best months, and how to get to this horseshoe bay on Sri Lanka's south coast.