Sights & Activities
Things to See and Do in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka was named the best country in the world to visit in 2019 by Lonely Planet. Better transport links, new hotels and a growing number of activities were cited as the reason the south-Asian island was chosen for the top spot in the guidebook publisher ’s annual Best in Travel awards.
“Already notable to intrepid travelers for its mix of religions and cultures, its timeless temples, its rich and accessible wildlife, its growing surf scene and its people who defy all odds by their welcome and friendliness after decades of civil conflict, this is a country revived,” says Lonely Planet author Ethan Gelber in the Best in Travel 2019 book.
Below you can explore some of the sights and activities that we recommend for our guests. These activities are included in the pre-arranged travel options but can be explored on your own as well!
Travelling on Your Own
If you aren’t able to join us on any of the vacation options, there are many things you can do on your own. You will need to make your own travel arrangements within Sri Lanka. Transportation can usually be arranged through the hotel you are staying at. Make sure to account for travel times to locations that are further away from Kandy – travel by road takes time!
Short Trips from The Grand Kandyan Hotel
Below are several activities that are just a short trip by car from the Grand Kandyan Hotel in Kandy. The hotel can arrange transportation for you upon request.
See Elephants
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, is an orphanage, nursery and captive breeding ground for wild Asian elephants located at Pinnawala village.
Royal Palace
The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic or Sri Dalada Maligawa, is a Buddhist temple located in the royal palace complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy.
Botanical Gardens
Peradeniya Botanical Garden dates to 1371 AD and displays over 4000 different species of plants. In the early 1800s, it became one of the greatest Botanical Gardens in the British Empire.
Go Shopping
Kandy City Center Mall is a great place to shop of gifts, collectables, clothing, and food. It has an excellent food court as well serving a variety of cuisines.
Visit the Ancient Kingdoms of Sri Lanka
North of Kandy, you can explore the old Kingdoms of Sri Lanka that represent the last 2000 years of our culture and history. We recommend that you stay at the Heritance Kandalama Hotel in Dambulla from where you can make day trips to the below areas.
Heritance Kandalama Hotel
A tranquil retreat perched on hills, Heritance Kandalama offers panoramic views of the Kandalama Reservoir and Sigiriya Rock. Designed by by Sri Lankan architect Geofrey Bawa, this eco-chic hotel is built into the mountain side and blends seamlessly with the landscape.
Dambulla Cave Temple
Dambulla cave temple, also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. Major attractions are spread over five caves, which contain statues and paintings.
Sigiriya - The Lion Rock
King Kashyapa (AD 477–495) built his palace on top of this rock with a gateway in the form of an enormous lion. He decorated its sides with colorful frescoes. The name of this place is derived from this structure; Sīnhāgiri, the Lion Rock
Ancient City of Polonnaruwa
Established before 1070AD, Polonnaruwa is the second oldest of Sri Lanka's kingdoms. It remains one of the best-planned archaeological relic cities in the country. UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Experience Tea Plantations, British Heritage, and Waterfalls in the Nuwaya Eliya
South of Kandy, travel to the highlands of Nuwara Eliya. The city was founded by Samuel Baker, the explorer of Lake Albert and the upper Nile in 1846. Nuwara Eliya's climate lent itself to becoming the prime sanctuary of the British civil servants and planters in Ceylon. Nuwara Eliya, called Little England, was a hill country retreat where the British colonialists could immerse themselves in their pastimes such as fox hunting, deer hunting, elephant hunting, polo, golf and cricket.
Heritance Tea Factory Hotel
Heritance Tea Factory Offers you the ultimate colonial- style stay experience enhanced by the tea plantation and the misty mountains. The hotel as it stands today looks exactly the same as it did when it was first built in the 19th Century, with running machinery inside. The tea is very special too and it comes from a boutique factory. You can take some home with you.
Horton Plains & Worlds End
Horton Plains National Park is located at an elevation of 6,900–7,500 ft and encompasses montane grassland and cloud forest. It is rich in biodiversity and many species found here are endemic to the region. Stone tools dating back to Balangoda pre-historic culture have been found here. The sheer precipice of World's End and Baker's Falls are among the tourist attractions of the park.
Lovers Leap Waterfall
This beautiful 30m high Lovers Leap fall in Nuwara Eliya is incipient of the streams and brooks of Sri Lanka’s highest mountain, the Piduruthalagala (2524m). It gets its name from an old romantic folklore - forbidden lovers leaping to their death to be united in the afterlife. The road to the waterfall takes you through beautiful tea plantations and past little houses nestled in the hill.
Nuwara Eliya & Lake Gregory
In town, the buildings retain features from the colonial period such as the Queen's Cottage, General's House, Grand Hotel, Hill Club, St Andrew's Hotel and Town Post Office. Visitors to the city can wallow in its nostalgia of bygone days by visiting the landmark buildings and strolling along Lake Gregory.
Hiking, Exploring, and Scenic Trails in Ella
South East of Nuwara Eliya is the town of Ella, a beautiful small hillside town nestled on the southern edge of Sri Lanka’s Hill Country. Famed for its mountainous beauty, scenic landscapes, lush green valleys, fertile tea plantations, mesmerizing views, and plenty of fresh mountain air, Ella has an unspoiled beauty of a sleepy countryside admired by many.
Hide Ella Hotel & Resort
Hide Ella is a unique and exceptional designed luxury hotel that is built into a 60-degree slope in the Ella Gap offering breathtaking views of the surrounding valley. It offers great dining options and relaxation areas on its multi-level grounds.
Hike to Scenic Ella Rock
Ella Rock is one of the most beautiful viewpoints in Sri Lanka. The Ella Rock hike is approximately a 6.2 mile round trip, which can take anywhere between 3-5 hours. The terrain itself isn’t particularly hard, as you walk along train tracks, through tea plantations, and up through forests to the peak.
Visit Nine Arches Bridge
The Nine Arch Bridge in Ella is one of the most photographed spots in the country and is rightly one of Sri Lanka's most iconic attractions. It is 30-meter-high British era railway bridge is a piece of beautiful architecture hidden between lush green tea fields.
Take a Scenic Train Ride
One of the world's most scenic train trips, it runs from Kandy to Ella for 7 hours through lush tea plantations, rolling rice fields, and endless mountain views. You can take a short trip from Ella to Haputale where you can get picked up by your driver.
Beaches & Coastal Towns
Along the southern coast of Sri Lanka are numerous coastal town famous for surfing sports, snorkeling, and other water sports. Multiple resorts provide tourists with access to pristine beaches and relaxation. Historic areas like the Old Dutch Fort in Galle provide vibrant shopping and social activities.
La Grande Galle Resort
Experience luxury by the ocean at Le Grand Galle by Asia Leisure—a truly majestic Galle hotel nestled amidst the picturesque seaside town of Galle.
Galle Fort / Dutch Fort
Galle Fort in the Bay of Galle on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka, was built first in 1588 by the Portuguese, then extensively fortified by the Dutch during the 17th century from 1649 onwards. The fort has a colourful history, and today has a multi-ethnic and multi-religious population. The Galle Fort, also known as the Dutch Fort or the ``Ramparts of Galle`` is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Secret Beach and Parrot Rock
Secret beach Mirissa is despite the name suggests, not really a secret anymore… But it still is a beautiful V shaped beach with 2 bays on both sides which are perfect for swimming and to relax for the day. There are great snorkeling spots in nearby Mirissa. Also located nearby, Parrot Rock is a small rocky outcrop off the coast of Mirissa Beach with picturesque views.
Turtle Hatchery
Get educated about the dangers facing turtles and get a chance up close to see baby turtles. SO MANY BABY TURTLES. The center gets the eggs off the beaches where they’re vulnerable, hatches and cares for them until they’re released.
More options coming soon!
