Landmark Directory

Popular Sri Lanka Destinations

Discover ancient ruins, sacred mountain peaks, wild reserves, and tropical coastlines. Click on any destination to view details, climate hints, and chauffeur tips.

Found 18 landmarks
Sigiriya
Best: May to September

Sigiriya

As one of nature’s magnificent creations in Sri Lanka , Sigiriya rock rises abruptly from all sides to a height of 600 ft.Any visitor to Sri Lanka considers it as one of the most memorable places of interest . The rock which is known to have been a fortress kingdom used by King Kassapa . Sigiriya also claims international fame due to the historic frescos of

Rock fortress climbFrescoesMirror wall+1
Dambulla
Best: May to September

Dambulla

The entire dambulla rock complex consists of large slabs of rock , statues of Budhdha and caves , Some of which contain ancient inspections too. The temple is built by king Valagamba .

Cave temple visitBuddha statuesHeritage photography
Anuradhapura
Best: May to September

Anuradhapura

Anuradhapura has been considered by historians, archaeologists, travelers and tourists as the most important cultural city in Sri Lanka. Recognized travel guides state that every international tourist to South Asia should visit Anuradhapura, which is one of the first World Heritage sites declared by UNESCO. It had been the capital city of Sri Lanka for a per

Ancient city tourSacred Buddhist sitesHeritage sightseeing
Mihintale
Best: May to September

Mihintale

The importance of the sacred complex of Mihintale is predominantly due to the fact that it was the place of the birth of Buddhism and also because of the proximity to the ancient capital city Anuradhapura .

Sacred mountain visitBuddhist heritageViewpoints
Ritigala Ruins
Best: January to April

Ritigala Ruins

Ritigala is the only strict natural reserve in Sri Lanka combined with an Archaeological Reserve and appears to dominate the landscape of the region . A cave inscription in the area of 2nd c BC refers to the establishment of a monastery by King Suratissa

Forest monastery ruinsNature trailsArchaeology
Polonnaruwa
Best: May to September

Polonnaruwa

Polonnaruwa was made the capital city of Sri Lanka by King VIjayabahu after abandoning Anuradhapura which suffered from Chola invasions . Today as a World heritage city Polonnaruwa ranks on par with Anuradhapura mainly due to the cultural sites in the area Gal viharaya – Gal viharaya is a world renowned temple consists of three Buddha images in sedentary , S

Ancient ruinsGal ViharayaRoyal palace sites
Temple of Sacred Tooth Relic
Best: Year-round

Temple of Sacred Tooth Relic

Dalada Maligawa -This is the temple where the sacred tooth relic is preserved and rituals are performed Museum- The place includes the impressive audience hall where the famous Kandyan Convention was signed in 1815 . Today The Museum is considered an important part of the complex Devalas in Honour of Four Deities – Natha , Vishnu , Kataragama , Pattini deval

Temple visitCultural ritualsKandy heritage
Horton Plains Worlds End
Best: January to March

Horton Plains Worlds End

Nature lovers consider the view across the worlds end as the most fascinating that could be experienced in the country. Apart from seeing the vast expanse of the southern plain it is also possible to get an unusual aerial view of the tea factory.

Nature trailWorld's End viewpointHighland scenery
Knuckles
Best: January to April

Knuckles

Knuckles range is a major eco tourism venue of Sri Lanka and has been declared a World Heritage and Wilderness area. Breath-taking mountain scenery offering mountain trails crossing rivers and tributaries, dense, forests, waterfalls and lush tea plantation adjacent to terraced paddy fields are common features

Mountain trekkingWaterfallsEco tourism
Trincomalee and Koneshwaram Temple
Best: May to September

Trincomalee and Koneshwaram Temple

The city of Trincomalee located on the Eastern coast is Sri Lanka’s most important natural harbor and is 260 km away from Colombo The most important Hindu shrine in the area which is also called Thirukoneshwaram Kovil is located at the highest point in the fort and is worshipped by pilgrims of all religious groups . The cliff which projects in to the ocean w

Temple visitOcean viewpointsEastern coast sightseeing
Arugam Bay
Best: May to September

Arugam Bay

The site is world famous for wind – Surfing and has become a major attraction among the tourist. The construction of a recent bridge between the bay and the lagoon added to the improvement of infra-structure in the vicinity. There is a flood of adventures who also visit nearby national parks such as Kumana Bird Sanctuary

SurfingBeach relaxationLagoon visits
Yala National Park
Best: February to July

Yala National Park

Yala is the best known wild life sanctuary in the Sri Lanka due to high concentration of wild animals as well as birdlife .However the presence of a large number of hills rocks and boulders within a short distance of the sea has added to the availability of ideal habitat for wild life which also include lagoons mangroves tanks and beaches . Among the mammals

Jeep safariLeopard spottingWildlife photography
Udawalawe National Park
Best: Year-round

Udawalawe National Park

Udawalawe National Park is one of Sri Lanka's memorable travel attractions.

Elephant safariNature photographyReservoir scenery
Minneriya National Park
Best: July to October

Minneriya National Park

Located in North central Province between Habarana and Polonnaruwa, the area was designated as a national park on 12 August 1997, having been originally declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1938. The reason for declaring the area as protected is to protect the catchment of Minneriya tank and the wildlife of the surrounding area. The tank is of historical impo

Elephant gatheringJeep safariBird watching
Hummanaya Blow Hole
Best: November to April

Hummanaya Blow Hole

Out of six known blow holes in the world , Hummanaya is considered the second largest . The formation of a fountain like spray which shoots up to 60 ft cause a rumble which can be heard a distance away

Coastal sightseeingNatural blow hole viewingPhotography
Galle Fortress
Best: November to April

Galle Fortress

The fortress which has been declared a World heritage site was first by the Portuguese in the early 16thcentury The most spectacular feature of the fortress area is the natural formation of the peninsula and the resulting natural harbor. The ramparts built around the peninsula has made the entire peninsula a fortress. The buildings are so strong than it is v

Fort walkColonial streetsSunset views
Sinharaja Forest
Best: January to April

Sinharaja Forest

The world heritage site of sinharaja Forest is spread over an area of 11187 ha., 21 km lang 3.7km wide . Sinharaja is firstly , a Sri Lankan heritage for many reasons . It is an undisturbed expanse of primary rain forest and it is also considered the last patch of lowland evergreen forest still intact in the island. The solitude in the silent forest is so ov

Rainforest walkBird watchingNature exploration
Buduruwagala
Best: Year-round

Buduruwagala

Buduruwagala is a spaciously and majestically constructed shrine which is the only Mahayana temple showing all important Bodhisatwas carved together in one monolith. A visitor can see seven large statues caved symmetrically with the largest statue of 15.5m or 51 ft .

Rock carvingsAncient shrine visitCultural sightseeing