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Sri Lanka is a dream destination packed with history, culture, nature, adventure, and relaxation all on one small island. With two weeks, you can experience the country’s incredible diversity, from temples and tea plantations to beaches and national parks. As a country that recently popped up on travelers’ radars, it still retains local charm, authentic experiences, and undeveloped beaches unlike anywhere else in Asia. This Sri Lanka itinerary covers the must-visit spots, with a perfect mix of culture, adventure, and beach time.
Sri Lanka Itinerary: FAQs
Why should I visit Sri Lanka?
This small teardrop-shaped island in the Indian Ocean is an up-and-coming travel destination for its beautiful beaches, lush highlands, and rich culture. Many people claim Sri Lanka now is what Bali used to be before it became overrun with tourism. While Sri Lanka isn’t a hidden gem anymore, it’s relatively undiscovered and less touristy with world-class scenery and excursions. From hiking up mountains with jungle views and going on wildlife safaris to surfing and relaxing on pristine beaches, this small island packs a huge punch. Plus, Sri Lankan culture is strong and the food is divine. Just hurry up and plan your Sri Lanka trip before the whole world knows about all it has to offer!
How long do I need in Sri Lanka?
When visiting Sri Lanka, 2 weeks is the perfect amount of time to see a good mix of the nature and culture inland and the beaches on the coast. However, you could easily extend this 2-week Sri Lanka itinerary into a 3 weeks by extending your time in each place and traveling slowly. You don’t want to feel rushed in Sri Lanka, especially at the beautiful beaches, so try to visit for at least 2 weeks.
When to visit Sri Lanka?
The best time to visit with this Sri Lanka itinerary is from December to March, when it’s dry season in the south at the beach. The last thing you want is to end up at the beach during rainy season! It’s also a good time to visit the highlands, with minimum rainfall. If you’re planning on adding Sri Lanka’s east coast to your trip, keep in mind that it has a different rainy season (February – September).
How to get around Sri Lanka?
Public transportation in Sri Lanka exists, but it’s not as comfortable or easy to use as some other countries in Asia. Unless you’re on a very tight budget, it’s easiest and most convenient to hire private transfers between most places. Some travelers opt to rent a tuk tuk and drive it around themselves, but after seeing how crazy the roads can be, I can’t recommend this option. You can hire a driver to stay with you the whole time, or you can hire different drivers between each place with the help of your accommodations.
Is Sri Lanka good for solo travelers?
I’m going to be honest, I didn’t solo travel most of Sri Lanka! After solo traveling all of Southeast Asia, I found solo travel in Sri Lanka to be harder to figure out than I expected. Don’t get me wrong – it’s not that it’s impossible or shouldn’t be done. I was already on a group trip to India anyway, so I added the Sri Lanka extension and did 11 days with an Intro Travel group. I was glad I did because the few days that I solo traveled in Sri Lanka I found it more difficult to navigate. This is mostly due to less accessible and widespread public transportation, which makes traveling alone difficult and sometimes costly.
However, I never felt unsafe when traveling alone in Sri Lanka and the locals were as friendly as could be. Plus, there is a growing backpacking and solo travel scene, so I can imagine it will only get easier and easier over time. If you’ve never solo traveled before, I don’t recommend starting with Sri Lanka. But if you’re comfortable being alone and don’t mind researching, then it’s a rewarding place to solo travel.
Sri Lanka Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival day
Where to stay: $$$: Sentido Heritance Negombo $$: Funwhales Rest House $: Celon Glory Hostel
Welcome to beautiful Sri Lanka! On your first day in the country, you’ll likely land at Bandaranaike International Airport. The airport is located near the capital city of Colombo, but there’s not much there worth seeing. Instead, I suggest getting a hotel in nearby Negombo, where there are many beachside hotels you can chill at while you recover from traveling. Stay just one night before heading off on the three-hour drive to Sigiriya the next morning. If you arrive early in the day to Colombo, you can head straight to Sigiriya and add one extra day to anywhere else on this Sri Lanka itinerary.
Days 2-3: Sigiriya
Where to stay: $$$: Atha Resort $$: Sigiri Rock Side Home Stay $: Tree House Hostel
In the morning, you’re off to Sigiriya. It’s a three-hour drive northeast of Negombo and Colombo, and you’ll want to keep your eyes open as it’s a gorgeous ride. Sigiriya is a small town known for Lion Rock, which towers 200 meters/656 feet above the surrounding jungle. In the fifth century, there was a palace with a swimming pool, gardens, murals, and statues on top of the massive rock. Now, you can climb the 1200 steps to the top to see the palace ruins and the panoramic view.
However, the price to climb Lion Rock is high (4500 LKR/$15 USD) and it’s very stop and go due to the crowds. Alternatively, you can climb neighboring Pidurangala Rock, which is exactly what I chose to do. Not only is is a lot cheaper (1000 LKR/$3.50 USD), but it’s easier and more rewarding. When you reach the top, you’ll get a fantastic view of Lion Rock that you miss out on when climbing Lion Rock itself. Keep in mind that there is a temple at the foot of the rock, so you’ll need to cover your shoulders and knees as you pass through. They have sarongs you can borrow for free.
There isn’t much else to do in Sigiriya itself, but I highly recommend joining a local village safari to get a feel for the local life. You’ll get insight into their lifestyle and daily routines, and then you’ll watch a cooking demonstration to see how they make their local dishes from scratch. The most impressive (and delicious) part is seeing the process of making coconut sambal (relish) from start to finish. After the demonstration, you’ll have an incredible and authentic Sri Lankan meal.
Day 4: Kandy
Where to stay: $$$: The Radh Hotel $$: White Lodge $: Funk Bunks
Kandy, just a 2.5-hour drive south from Sigiriya, was the last kingdom in Sri Lanka to be colonized by the British. It’s bustling with colonial architecture and important religious sites, including the Temple of the Tooth. This temple is said to be home to one of the Buddha’s teeth, making it one of Sri Lanka’s holiest places. Thousands of visitors flock each day to honor the Sacred Tooth Relic. It might not be the most ornate or impressive temple you’ve seen, but it’s cultural significance is reason enough to pay it a visit. This is a good place to hire a local guide so you understand the history and significance better.
For the rest of the day, I recommend taking a stroll around Kandy Lake. Located right next to the Temple of the Tooth and in the center of town, it’s a peaceful and scenic way to see more of the local life, colonial architecture, and wildlife.
Days 5-6: Ella
Where to stay: $$$: Arawe Retreat $$: Rest Full Homestay $: Downtown Hostels Ella
One of the most iconic things to do in Sri Lanka is to ride the train from Kandy to Ella, and today you’ll see why it’s called the most scenic train ride in the world. You have two options: take the train all the way from Kandy to Ella, which takes six hours, or make your way to Nuwara Eliya and take the three hour train from there. I opted for the latter, because it meant I got to stop at a tea plantation. Many of Sri Lanka’s lush tea fields are located between Kandy and Nuwara Eliya, making it a perfect detour on your way to the train. The scenic views amp up after Nuwara Eliya, so you won’t be missing much by hopping on a bit later.
Make sure to book your train tickets well in advance, as this train sells out quickly. Third-class seats are the best for taking the iconic Instagram picture, although I don’t suggest hanging outside of the door for safety reasons. I opted to stick my head out of the window instead, a still-risky but much more secure way to get a good shot. Make sure your photographer is looking out for tunnels, vegetation, signs, or other hazards that you need to retreat for.
Once you’re in Ella, there’s so much to do. Little Adam’s Peak is a short yet stunning hike with amazing views, while Ella Rock is a longer and more challenging hike with even more spectacular views. Don’t miss out on visiting the Nine Arches Bridge, a colonial-era railway bridge that’s one of the most photographed spots in Sri Lanka. If you ask around, you can find out the train timetable and be there when a train is crossing.
Ella is also a great place to take a Sri Lankan cooking class. Matey Hut is a delicious local restaurant that you can’t miss trying. They also offer cooking classes that you’ll inevitably be begging to join so you can replicate their delicious dishes at home.
Days 7-8: Udawalawe National Park
Where to stay: $$$: Jungle Paradise $$: Private Organic House $: Peacock Villa Resort
On your seventh day in Sri Lanka, you can have a slow morning and do whatever else you want to do in Ella before driving two hours to Udawalawe National Park. The national park is in a rural and isolated area, so there’s no rush to get there. You’ll want to relax the rest of the day and go to bed early, because tomorrow you’re up for a sunrise safari to see Sri Lanka’s wild elephants.
Udawalawe National Park is home to over 400 wild elephants, meaning your chances of seeing elephants are good. Of course, these are wild elephants living in nature, so nothing is guaranteed. However, I was told my safari was unlucky and we still saw 8 elephants, so I think you’d have to be VERY unlucky to see none at all. Along with elephants, you can also see wild boards, water buffalo, crocodiles, deer, jackals, mongooses, and many types of birds. If you’re super lucky, you might even see a leopard.
The sunrise safari starts and ends early, so you have the rest of the day to make your way to Hiriketiya and relax on the beach.
Days 8-9: Hiriketiya
Where to stay: $$$: Sea Port Hiriketiya $$: Bappa’s Place $: Bappa’s Place
After returning from your sunrise safari, make the two-hour drive down to Hirikeyita, a small beach town with a strong surf culture. From here on out, it’s beach vibes only as you explore Sri Lanka’s beautiful southern coast. You’ll probably be tired from waking up early, so it’s the perfect afternoon to relax on the white sands of Hiriketiya Beach.
The rest of your time in Hiriketiya is all about going to the beach and surfing. It’s my favorite beach I went to with this Sri Lanka itinerary, with clear turquoise water yet not too crowded. No matter if you’re a beginner or a pro, there’s a surf break for you in Hiriketiya. However, if you’re a complete novice, I recommend holding off on taking a lesson until our next stop in Weligama. It’s the best place to take a beginner surf lesson.
If surfing isn’t your thing, there’s plenty of seaside restaurants and surf huts where you can get a sun bed (usually, you’re just required to buy food or drink). At the end of the day, you can unwind with one of the many yoga classes offered to stretch out your surfing muscles or just indulge in relaxation.
Days 10-11: Weligama & Mirissa
Where to stay: $$$: The Nine Mirissa $$: The Wave’s Guest House $: Hangover Hostels Mirissa
In the morning, I recommend heading to Weligama Beach first thing to take a surf lesson. It’s just a one-hour drive to this haven for beginner surfers. I had my third-ever surf lesson here and it was by far the best for me as a beginner – small waves, sandy bottom, a close surf break, and good instructors. If you’re not a beginner, then maybe skip this one and head straight to Mirissa for more intermediate surf breaks.
After your surf lesson, the cute beach town of Mirissa is just 10 minutes away. With a stunning, long stretch of beach lined by palm trees, this was one of my favorite places in Sri Lanka. Not only is Mirissa Beach beautiful, but the town has lots of other activities to offer. Make sure to visit Coconut Tree Hill for a gorgeous ocean and palm tree viewpoint, and look carefully at the ocean below to spot sea turtles. And if you’re hungry, my favorite brunch place in Sri Lanka is in Mirissa – Shady Lane (drooling thinking about the banana oat pancakes).
In the evening, if you’re super lucky, you might even catch a baby sea turtle release. These happen right before sunset at the Sri Lanka Coast Guard’s turtle nest nursery. They’re completely nature-dependent, so they’re never guaranteed, but both nights I was in Mirissa they did a release at 5:45pm (this was in February). Please NEVER touch a baby sea turtle and respect all of the rules given to you by the Coast Guard.
Ethical Tourist Tip: There are many sea turtle hatcheries on the southern coast of Sri Lanka that aren’t ethical. These allow tourists to take pictures with the turtles and touch them. Although it’s tempting, please don’t support any hatchery that allows you to touch the turtles.
Days 12-13: Unawatuna & Galle
Where to stay: $$$: The Waves Unawatuna $$: Sam’s Guest House $: Habibi Hostel
The beaches in Sri Lanka are so good that we have to squeeze in one more cute beach town before the end of this Sri Lanka itinerary. Unawatuna, just a one-hour drive west of Mirissa, is one of the liveliest beach towns but still maintains its charm. Unawatuna Beach is great for swimming and water sports, while the nearby Jungle Beach is a more remote option for calmer waters and lush greenery in the background.
On the last full day of this Sri Lanka itinerary, you’ll see more of Sri Lanka’s colonial past by spending the day in Galle. Galle is a small colonial town located just 15 minutes from Unawatuna. Colonized by both the Portuguese and Dutch who built the famous Galle Fort and other historic buildings, it’s a fascinating place to explore on foot. You’ll want your camera ready as you pass colonial buildings including the Galle Lighthouse, Flag Rock Bastion, Meeran Mosque, Sri Sudharmalaya Temple, Dutch Hospital, Dutch Reformed Church, and Pedlar Street. Every street is a showcase of European architecture, so rich in history that it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Sight.
There is a small beach near the lighthouse where you can cool off after walking around the fort. Galle is notoriously hot and sunny, especially in the dry season. While the beach isn’t the most impressive one, it does the job of cooling you down in one of Sri Lanka’s hottest areas.
Day 14: Departure day
From Galle, it’s quick and easy to get back up to the airport. I chose to leave on the evening of my thirteenth day by taking a public highway bus from Galle to Kadawatha (Colombo), which takes 1.5 hours, and staying at a hotel near the airport. Keep in mind that the airport is closer to Negombo than it is Colombo, so you’ll have to take a 30-minute tuk tuk or another bus from the bus station to the airport. If your flight isn’t early in the morning, consider staying in Negombo again near the beach to keep you occupied until you have to go to the airport.
With this 2-week Sri Lanka itinerary, you’ve climbed to spectacular viewpoints, been amongst wild elephants, tried local cuisine, experienced local culture, and hit some of the best beaches in Asia. Sri Lanka might be small, but it has so much to offer and you won’t regret visiting before it’s on everyone’s travel radar.
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