Cities & Regions in Sri Lanka

Complete guide to Colombo — getting there, top sights, neighbourhoods, transport, and day trips from Sri Lanka's main city.

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.

Guide to Dambulla — the UNESCO cave temples with 150+ Buddha statues, painted ceilings, and its role as a Cultural Triangle transit hub.

Complete guide to Kandy — the Temple of the Tooth Relic, Kandy Lake, botanical gardens, getting there by train, and what to do in the hills.

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 — Sri Lanka's highest town at 1,868m. Tea estates, Horton Plains, Hakgala Gardens, and colonial architecture. Plan your visit.

Everything you need to know about visiting Galle — UNESCO-listed Galle Fort, beaches, restaurants, accommodation, and day trips along the south coast.

Hikkaduwa travel guide: south coast beach town 98km from Colombo, surf at Narigama, budget stays from $20, easy train links to Galle, and what to do.

Mirissa travel guide: whale watching, Mirissa Beach, Coconut Tree Hill, 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 Peace Pagoda, and good beach accommodation.

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

Arugam Bay guide: Sri Lanka's top surf destination, surf spots, lagoon wildlife, and how to get there 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: beaches, Koneswaram Temple, Pigeon Island snorkelling, and getting there from Colombo.

Jaffna guide: Tamil culture, Jaffna Fort, Nallur Temple, island day trips, cuisine, and getting there from Colombo.

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

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.