You can take a jeep ride through the vast expanses of pasture land and dry forests that make up Yala National Park, except in the strictly protected southeastern part of the island. Elephants, wild buffaloes, sambhurs, bear, musk deer, macaques, jack..

The Knuckles Range stretches out near Kandy with its five summits in a row evoking the knuckles on a closed fist. This well-preserved territory contains a wealth of biodiversity, earning it the status of National Biosphere Reserve. There’s a view o..

The waters of Beira Lake add to the charm of the little Sima Malaka Temple on its eastern shore. This centre for Buddhist meditation, recently designed by Sri Lankan Geoffrey Bawa, belongs to the neighbouring Gangaramaya Temple. Try to visit during..

The Pettah Quarter, the former great bazar “outside the walls” of Colombo , is a jumble of crowds, auto rickshaws and eclectic little shops selling everything from dried fish to sandalwood chips. Sights to see include the Dutch Period Museum and the..

You’ll have to climb up to the top floor of the Grand Oriental Hotel to contemplate the harbour , fortified by the Portuguese in the 16C, since it is off limits to the public. The Fort Quarter boasts fine examples of Victorian buildings dating back ..

Raja Mahaviharaya attracts fervent Buddhist worshippers to its dagoba (stupa), particularly those from Colombo to the south. The temple, rebuilt in the 18C and 19C after many trials and tribulations, boasts superb religious paintings by Solias Mend..

A dagoba , a surrounding wall, a royal palace and two monasteries - all way out in the countryside. This is all that remains of Panduwas Nuwara, the capital of the “South Country” built by Parakrama the Great in the 12C. Be sure to visit the house w..

Arankele lent its name to the Buddhist monastery which has stood in its midst since the 6C. The forest monks, or vanavasin , observe a strict rule based on contemplation, far from the world. A paved footpath runs under the canopy of trees - a medita..

Herds of wild elephants cross Kaudulla National Park, located between Somawathiya Chaitiya and Minneriya parks, to the delight of safari-lovers. There are several endangered feline species here, in particular the tiny Indian leopard cat.

In the 19C the British covered the mountainous centre of the island with large tea plantations since the plant was well-suited to the high altitude. Ceylon tea soon went on to become famous. The Tea Museum, housed in a former tea factory, recount its..

The huge marshland in the southern part of Bundala National Park is a paradise for birds - and bird watchers. Over 150 species find their means of subsistence here, either permanently or in passing, like those who come from Siberia in August for the ..

The old city of Trincomalee (inquire before going and exercise caution), on the Gulf of Bengal, was built along a magnificent natural harbour. Uppuveli and Nilavelli beaches to the north are the perfect heavenly getaway boasting azure waters, golden ..

Minneriya National Park was planned around the gigantic tank which, although smaller during the dry season, is a true Eldorado for the abundant local wildlife. You can observe the elephants bathing and the water birds fishing - a spectacle one never ..

Although devastated by the 2004 tsunami, Unawatuna is back on its feet today. It is one of the most popular beaches on the southern coast, a bit like being in the countryside at the seaside, near Galle in an exceptional setting protected from the ..

Victoria Randenigala Rantembe Reserve in the foothills of the Knuckles Range is the country’s largest national reserve, feeding three reservoirs. These artificial lakes, a godsend for the wildlife, were designed by three men who lent them their nam..

Several varieties of turtles come to Kosgoda to lay their eggs, including green turtles, Olive Ridleys, hawksbills and leatherback. The tsunami in 2004 unfortunately decimated a great number of farms set up to protect the eggs deposited in the sand. ..

Arugam Bay is a pretty bay on the east coast forming a crescent between Pottuvil and Arugam. It’s also the best surfing spot on Sri Lanka… which wasn’t spared by the tsunami (there’s a lot of reconstruction work in progress) nor by the recent civil w..

Cape Kalkudah south of Trincomalee separates two vast coves with magnificent beaches coiled around them: to the north lies Passekudah Beach dotted with colourful little fishing boats, while Kalkudah Bay stretches out to the south, deserted due to i..