Imagine waking up to misty mountains, dining on spicy street food that dances on your taste buds, and witnessing hundreds of wild elephants gathering at a single watering hole. Welcome to Sri Lanka – where adventure isn’t just possible, it’s inevitable.
Sri Lanka, the pearl of the Indian Ocean, offers travelers a perfect blend of natural beauty, rich culture, and unforgettable experiences. From pristine beaches in Sri Lanka and lush highlands to ancient temples and wildlife encounters, this island nation has something for every type of traveler. As local experts, we’ve compiled this comprehensive guide to the top things to do in Sri Lanka based on authentic local recommendations.
Must-Try Food Experiences in Sri Lanka: Savor the Flavors of “Kottu Roti”
Sri Lankan cuisine deserves special attention, and Kottu Roti stands out as a must-try local delicacy. This popular street food consists of chopped roti bread mixed with vegetables, egg, and your choice of chicken or fish, all prepared on a sizzling griddle with two metal blades creating a distinctive “clink” sound that echoes through the streets.
For the most authentic Kottu Roti experience, head to Hotel de Palaus or Hotel de Plaza on Anglais Road in Colombo. Don’t be confused by the word “hotel” – in Sri Lanka, many restaurants carry this designation! Pair your hot Kottu with a cold Milo (chocolate malt drink) for the perfect culinary combination.
Breathtaking Things to Do in Sri Lanka: Sunrise Hike to Little Adam’s Peak
When looking for scenic things to do in Sri Lanka, a sunrise hike to Little Adam’s Peak in Ella should be high on your list. This relatively easy trek rewards hikers with panoramic views across mist-shrouded valleys and mountains.
For more adventurous travelers, consider the challenging climb up Adam’s Peak (different from Little Adam’s Peak). This holy mountain near Hatton features 5,000 steps and is best started at night to reach the summit for sunrise. The spiritual significance and breathtaking vistas make it one of the most memorable things to do in Sri Lanka.
After your Little Adam’s Peak hike, explore other attractions in the Ella area:
- Hike to Ella Rock
- Visit the Nine Arch Bridge
- Experience local culture at Cafe Chill or Art Cafe Umbrella
- Try ziplining for an adrenaline rush
Don’t limit yourself to just Ella – nearby areas like Haputale, Sinharaja, and Wellawaya offer equally impressive landscapes and fewer tourists.
Adventure Things to Do in Sri Lanka: Kitesurfing in Kalpitiya Peninsula
For water sports enthusiasts seeking thrilling things to do in Sri Lanka, the Kalpitiya Peninsula offers world-class kitesurfing opportunities. Located about 3.5 hours north of Colombo, this area has gained international recognition for its perfect kitesurfing conditions.
The lagoons and flat waters along Sri Lanka’s northwest coast provide ideal conditions for both beginners and experienced kitesurfers. Kite Center Sri Lanka in Kalpitiya organizes safaris to prime kitesurfing locations like Donkey Point, Dutch Bay, and Wilpattu Island.
Beyond kitesurfing, Kalpitiya offers:
- Kayaking adventures through scenic lagoons
- Responsible dolphin watching tours to observe hundreds of spinner dolphins
- Beachfront accommodations with stunning views
Unforgettable Things to Do in Sri Lanka’s Highlands: Camping in the Haputale Mountains
Experience Sri Lanka’s misty highlands by camping in the Haputale region, just an hour from Ella by bus. This area, famous for its tea plantations and cold mountain streams, offers a refreshing contrast to coastal destinations.
For an authentic local experience, stay at a family-run campground like the Dias family’s eco-lodge, Happy Tale. Your adventure begins with sweet milk tea at their home before they guide you through tea gardens to their campsite, complete with tents, a kitchen, and a dining area overlooking the Haputale Mountains.
The true magic happens at dawn when you can wake to birdsong and witness a spectacular sunrise over the mountains – creating memories that epitomize the best things to do in Sri Lanka.
Wildlife Things to Do in Sri Lanka: Birdwatching at Bundala National Park
Nature enthusiasts searching for wildlife encounters in Sri Lanka should not miss Bundala National Park. This Ramsar-recognized wetland in southern Sri Lanka hosts nearly 200 species of local and migratory birds, making it a paradise for birdwatchers.
Arrive at 6 AM to witness the park come alive with:
- Soaring Brahminy kites
- Hundreds of storks gathering near water bodies
- Whistling wild ducks moving in family groups
- Colorful Asian green bee-eaters darting after insects
- Peacocks performing their mesmerizing dances
- Crocodiles basking along the shorelines
Afternoon safari drives offer opportunities to spot wild Asian elephants, spotted deer, and wild boar foraging amid indigenous trees like Weera, Neem, and Palu. Book a 4×4 safari with a reputable company like Bundala Safari with Sir Amal, based just outside the park at Bundala Junction.
Scenic Things to Do in Sri Lanka: Epic Train Journeys from Colombo
Train travel in Sri Lanka offers more than transportation – it’s an experience that belongs on every list of essential things to do in Sri Lanka. The journey from Colombo through the central highlands provides spectacular views of:
- The iconic Nine Arches Bridge
- Verdant tea plantations stretching across hillsides
- Colonial-era train stations with British architectural influences
- Thundering waterfalls and rushing rivers
While trains run frequently, booking tickets in advance is recommended, especially for popular routes. Consider these essential rail journeys:
- Colombo to Galle: A coastal route featuring palm trees and Indian Ocean views
- Colombo to Jaffna: Experience northern landscapes with Palmyra trees instead of the coconut groves found in the south
Train journeys double as cultural experiences – vendors move through carriages selling tea, coffee, spicy fruits, roasted peanuts, yogurt, and phone cards, giving travelers a taste of local life.
Culinary Things to Do in Sri Lanka: Feast on Fresh Crab Delicacies
Sri Lanka’s coastal location means seafood features prominently in local cuisine, with crab dishes being particularly noteworthy. While traditionally less common on Sri Lankan menus than in neighboring countries, crab cuisine is experiencing a renaissance worth exploring.
For sophisticated crab dining in Colombo, visit:
- The Fat Crab on Marine Drive
- Ministry of Crab at the Dutch Hospital complex
For authentic local crab experiences:
- Try the humble but delicious offerings at Mitura Hotel in Pettah Market
- Sample Jaffna crab curry at small restaurants near Jaffna Railway Station if you’re exploring northern Sri Lanka
Each region offers its own take on crab preparation, making a culinary tour one of the most delicious things to do in Sri Lanka.
Exclusive Things to Do in Sri Lanka: Leopard Spotting at Wilpattu National Park
While Yala National Park is famous for leopard sightings, its popularity has led to overcrowding and sometimes problematic safari practices. For a more responsible and enjoyable wildlife experience, head to Wilpattu National Park in the northwest.
Book your safari with ethical operators like Leopard Trails, whose guides:
- Don’t chase wildlife or disturb their natural behaviors
- Turn off vehicles when near animals
- Communicate in whispers to avoid frightening wildlife
Wilpattu offers excellent opportunities to observe animals in their natural habitats, including:
- The elusive Sri Lankan leopard
- Asian elephants
- Sloth bears
- Barking deer
- Numerous bird species
Bird enthusiasts might also consider Kumana National Park in eastern Yala, where you might spot a leopard napping on a rocky outcrop if you’re fortunate.
Extraordinary Things to Do in Sri Lanka: Witness the Elephant Gathering
Witnessing the world’s largest gathering of free-ranging Asian elephants is among the most extraordinary things to do in Sri Lanka. During the dry months (July-September), an estimated 4,000 wild Asian elephants congregate at large pools in Kaudulla and Minneriya National Parks.
This natural spectacle features herds of elephants:
- Grazing on fresh grass exposed by receding water levels
- Bathing and playing together in the reservoirs
- Emerging slowly from adjacent forests around 4 PM after sheltering during the day’s heat
This represents the largest annual wild elephant gathering anywhere in the world. For ethical elephant encounters, avoid captive elephant attractions except for the Elephant Transit Home in Udawalawe, where orphaned and injured elephant calves are rehabilitated before being released back into the wild.
One of Sri Lanka’s most delightful wildlife experiences happens on certain roadways near protected areas, where wild elephants have developed their own unique “toll collection” system. These clever pachyderms position themselves along roads, especially near Habarana and between Udawalawe and Yala, where they patiently wait for passing vehicles. Their mission? To collect “road taxes” in the form of fruits and vegetables from travelers.
Unlike what you might expect, these roadside elephants are remarkably gentle. They carefully inspect vehicles, extending their trunks to accept offerings of bananas, watermelon, or coconuts. Local drivers know exactly where these elephant “checkpoints” are located and often carry extra fruit specifically for these encounters. It’s important to note that these are wild elephants choosing to interact peacefully with humans – a testament to the unique human-wildlife relationship that has developed in certain parts of Sri Lanka.
Authentic Cultural Things to Do in Sri Lanka: Experience Rice and Curry in Unawatuna
No visit to Sri Lanka is complete without sampling the national dish – rice and curry – which locals enjoy at least once daily. Among the beachside cafes and souvenir shops of Unawatuna in southern Sri Lanka, you’ll find excellent opportunities to taste authentic home-cooked Sri Lankan meals.
Seek out family-run establishments like Aunty Metha’s, where fresh Sri Lankan dhal simmered in coconut milk is prepared daily with family recipes passed through generations. For those interested in learning culinary skills, visit Seaways Restaurant in Unawatuna for cooking demonstrations of authentic Sri Lankan curry preparation.
Don’t leave without trying their signature butterfish, cooked in a special umami-rich sauce that exemplifies Sri Lankan flavor profiles.
Unusual Things to Do in Sri Lanka: Visit the Sea Tigers’ Submarine Yard
For travelers interested in recent history, the Sea Tigers’ Submarine Yard in northeastern Sri Lanka offers a sobering but educational experience. This former naval base was operated by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) during the Sri Lankan Civil War.
Visitors can explore:
- Submarine pens once used to hide vessels from airstrikes
- Remnants of LTTE naval vessels including small submarines
- A war memorial dedicated to those who lost their lives
- A museum featuring photographs, weapons, and artifacts from the conflict
The area also offers nature walks where visitors can observe local wildlife and interact with community members who lived through the civil war period. Note that this site contains graphic reminders of conflict and may not be suitable for sensitive visitors.
Planning Your Sri Lankan Adventure
This island nation packs extraordinary diversity into a compact area, making it possible to experience mountains, beaches, wildlife, and culture in a single trip. When planning your itinerary of things to do in Sri Lanka, consider:
- The best time to visit (December-March for the south and west coast; May-September for the east coast)
- Combining multiple regions for a comprehensive experience
- Allowing enough time in each location to truly appreciate it
- Supporting local businesses and communities throughout your journey
Sri Lanka offers travelers authentic experiences, warm hospitality, and memories that will last a lifetime. Whether you’re seeking adventure, relaxation, cultural immersion, or wildlife encounters, this beautiful island nation delivers experiences that go beyond typical tourist attractions.
Have you visited Sri Lanka? What were your favorite experiences? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
