It’s easy to see why Sri Lanka’s tourism business has grown so quickly in recent years. Since the island nation is no longer in the middle of a civil war, its beautiful beaches, amazing historical sites, and tasty food have been drawing more and more tourists.
The people who live in Sri Lanka’s towns are warm and friendly, and you can expect to see old temples, forts from the colonial era, and other amazing works of architecture. Since the area has long national parks, beautiful beaches, and hills covered in trees, nature is never very far away. Sri Lanka’s towns have the best of both worlds, and the country’s rich cultural history can be seen everywhere.
12 Best Cities in Sri Lanka
1. Jaffna
Many parts of Jaffna were damaged by Sri Lanka’s decades-long civil war, but the city still has a lot of charm. It is the cultural, spiritual, and political home of the country’s Tamils.
People in the city are very friendly and open, so you’ll feel right at home right away. People can see and do a lot in its beautiful temples, churches, and buildings from the British era.
You can learn a lot about Tamil culture at this site, which is where many important events and ceremonies take place. There are many lovely islands and lakes nearby, as well as a national park if you want to see the amazing nature sights on the northern tip.
2. Trincomalee
Trincomalee is on a peninsula, and its beautiful natural harbor and bays have made it popular for a long time. In the past, colonial powers rushed to its beaches, but now tourists come instead.
Trincomalee is more than just a pretty place; beautiful churches and the colonial-era Fort Fredrick are just a few examples of its 2500 years of history. Most people would rather go to the nearby beaches.
It has beautiful waterfronts with great views, and its busy port is a great place to see a lot of different people and countries.
3. Batticaloa
Batticaloa is a beautiful city with a lot of lakes and the Indian Ocean all around it. The city has a laid-back vibe even though it is a business hub.
Beautiful colonial architecture can be seen in the town center, where you can find churches and government buildings. Batticaloa Fort is also a great place to visit.
The city has both ancient places and beautiful beaches. Batticaloa is the only place where you can take a boat ride to hear the “singing fish.”
4. Tissamaharama
Locals call this city “Tissa,” and it was once the capital of Sri Lanka’s old kings. It is a peaceful and pretty place, and many people use it as a starting point for trips to the nearby national parks.
The white stupa of Yatala Vehera, which was built about 2300 years ago, is the highlight of Tissa. It is situated on the shores of the man-made Lake Tissa Wewa, which was beautifully built in the third century BC.
The city is nice to hang out in, but the Yala and Bundala National Parks are really what the city is known for. They are full of wildlife and beautiful scenery. Not far away is Kataragama, a well-known place where people go to pray.
5. Tangalle
There’s a reason Tangalle is one of the most famous tourist spots along the southern coast: it has beautiful beaches, wide bays, and a slow-paced way of life.
People come to the small town for its wide, beautiful beaches, but it also has a lot of nice bars and restaurants right on the water. There are some great places to go scuba diving because the reef is cut off.
The beautiful rock temple of Mulkirigala is only a short drive away. It has some beautiful paintings on the walls. A lot of people use Tangalle as a way to get to the coastal towns that are out of the way.
6. Anuradhapura
The first people to live in Anuradhapura did so around 900 BC. The city has some of the most amazing ruins in the country. This means that there are a lot of amazing historical places for you to check out.
The city is a laid-back place with a couple of markets to check out. It also has a great collection of castles, churches, and other old buildings. You should go to the Archaeology Museum to see its interesting collection of artifacts from the area.
There is a very important Buddhist site called the Bodhi Tree Temple in the place that used to be the city of the Sinhalese. It’s still used, and all through the year, lots of fun events happen here.
7. Nuwara Eliya
It’s no surprise that Nuwara Eliya is called “Little England.” It has beautifully landscaped parks, buildings from the colonial era, and a mild temperature. A cute post office and immaculate golf grounds make the scene even better.
The city is in Sri Lanka’s beautiful Hill Country, which is made up of hills covered in forests and tea farms. It used to be a favorite place for British colonists to get away.
Nuwara Eliya is an interesting place to visit because it has a unique look and feel. The mountains and lakes in the area are also very beautiful.
8. Negombo
Negombo is a nice beach town with not many things to see, but it’s great for relaxing on the golden sands.
Negombo was fought over by the British, the Dutch, and the Portuguese in the past because they all wanted to use its cinnamon farms. In the old area, you can still see a fort and river from the Dutch era.
There are many places to eat, drink, and stay in the city, which is just north of Colombo. Its warm weather makes it great for relaxing on the beach.
9. Galle
Galle is one of the most interesting and historic towns in the country. It has beautiful mosques and churches, as well as houses from the colonial era, museums, and a fort that is falling apart.
Galle is a lovely place to walk around. It is on the south-west coast. Along with the historic places and cultural landmarks, there are also a lot of cozy bars, cool shops, and small art galleries.
The Dutch fort from the 1600s that sits on a rock that sticks out into the ocean is the main attraction. The fort is a live memorial that looks especially beautiful at sunset. Inside, there are many gift shops and small bars.
10. Kandy
Kandy is a beautiful place to visit. Many people think of it as the cultural heart of the country. The forest-covered hills are peppered with brightly colored homes, and in the middle of town, grand buildings line a lake that sparkles.
As the old city of Sri Lanka’s kings, it has a lot of history to learn about and beautiful colonial buildings to see. The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is one of the most important Buddhist places in the world. Its design is very beautiful and goes back to the 1600s.
Kandy has beautiful palaces and churches, and every year it hosts the Esala Perahera fair, which shows off the rich culture of Kandy in all its glory.
Kandy is one of the most interesting towns to visit in Sri Lanka. It has beautiful scenery, an interesting past, and a rich heritage.
11. Colombo
The country’s biggest city used to be called “the garden city of the East” because it looked so green and nice. Many of its leafy boulevards and planted parks are still there, even though the city is spreading out and growing quickly.
Sri Lanka’s business district is a mix of beautiful old buildings modern shopping stores and skyscrapers. A lot of different types of architecture can be found in the city. The Murugan Hindu temple is one of the most beautiful.
This city has everything you could want in a city, even though it can get crazy at times. Great restaurants, interesting parks, and lots of great stores are sure to be in your area. There is also a lot of fun stuff to do at night.
12. Hikkaduwa
Hikkaduwa is just to the northwest of Galle. Its beautiful beaches make it a famous tourist spot, and there are also lots of great places to scuba dive and surf.
Hikkaduwa has become a bit more touristy in recent years, but it has still kept a lot of its charm. It’s always beautiful to see the sun go down over the water.
The town has a calm and peaceful feel to it. You have to see the National Marine Park with its brightly colored corals.
Read more: Dhaka to Rajshahi Bus: Timing, Class, Affordable Prices, Luxurious Amenities
