7 best things about Sri Lanka

By Lauren Ferrone
Published: Monday, November 20, 2017

From fiery curries to fields of fluorescent green, this island paradise has plenty to offer.

1. Capital charm: Colombo

Portuguese, Dutch and British colonial architecture, centred around the landmark Clock Tower, is showcased in Sri Lanka’s capital. You’ll also find great shopping in the Pettah district; lovely sunset strolls along seaside Galle Face Green; and Singhalese fine art at the National Museum. The imposing Buddhist Gangaramaya Temple is also impressive.

2. Flavour to savour: Cuisine

Spices and coconut are dominant flavours in the island’s cuisine, which features interesting foreign influences from centuries of trade.

There are glorious curries, accompanied by lime pickle and caramelised onion relish, while street snacks include finger-licking roti, spiced chickpeas and shrimp fritters.

Fiery Sri Lankan flavours

3. Fields of green: Landscapes

The shockingly green landscape of central Sri Lanka combines tea plantations with dense forests where pythons slither and gaudy parrots squawk.

Villages are surrounded by fields that are scattered with giant granite boulders.

The sights are even more beautiful at dawn from the summit of Adam’s Peak – a 2243m tall sacred mountain in central Sri Lanka, where pilgrims and tourists can climb countless steps to the top.

4. Ceylon crafts: Shopping

Look for Sri Lankan souvenirs, like metalwork, white lace, painted masks of pop-eyed demons, leather, vibrant saris, and batik, which are coloured designs created using dye and wax.

Carved wooden elephants – sometimes painted with cheerful polka-dots – are also delightful.

5. Sacred Sinhala: Culture

Dambulla’s Buddhist cave temples and the temple-dotted ruins of former capitals Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa are now World Heritage sites.

The rock-top palace fortress Sigiriya, which was used as a Buddhist monastery until the 14th century, is also stunning.

6. Stunning seaside: Beaches

The seaside town of Hikkaduwa in the country’s southwest is flanked by gorgeous beaches and luxury resorts.

Sri Lanka is also notable for whale watching, surfing and scuba diving, with British WWII aircraft carrier HMS Hermes one of the best wrecks in the world for experienced divers.

7. Hills hideaway: Kandy

Kandy – located in the hills of central Sri Lanka – retained its independence from the Portuguese for three centuries after they’d colonised the coastal regions.

Today it remains a major Singhalese cultural and religious city, with old shops, markets and monasteries surrounding a lake.

The central focus is the magnificent Temple of the Tooth, crowded with Buddhist pilgrims who often perform various rituals at dawn, noon and in the evenings.

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