What to See in Sri Lanka and what to do in Sri Lanka

“What to See in Sri Lanka ?” and “Wat to do in Sri Lanka ?”  are 2 questions that we hear from our customers very often. Most travellers inquire about what to do in Sri Lanka and what to see in Sri Lanka at the planning stage of the tour packages. Therefore we thought of making the following article to help travellers, who are wondering what to see and do in Sri Lanka. However, we have decided to discuss the places and activities that will be hot topics in the during ongoing summer. 

Sri Lanka is a tropical country, therefore no winter exists in Sri Lanka and the temperature fluctuation is minimal during 365 days. Therefore you can sit outside during the day and night at any time of the year. However, at the height of summer, you might feel it is a little bit hot due to the oppressive heat. On the other hand, high humidity causes you sweating and makes it a bit uncomfortable for you, but there is plenty of beaches right before the doorstep your room giving you plenty of sea breezes.

With colourful cultures, festivals, dynamic museums, untamed wildlife, elegant food culture, one of the oldest cultures in the world, fascinating rainforests, great shopping experience and miles of beaches, Sri Lanka is bursting with Asian exuberance and there are overwhelming things to do in Sri Lanka and tons of things to see in Sri Lanka.

Victoria garden better is known as Viharamahadevi garden

Colombo is the commercial capital of Sri Lanka and most populated city in the island, therefore you will encounter high rise buildings, roads flooded with vehicles, busy shopping areas and populated roads everywhere you go in Colombo.

I would like to say that Viharamahadevi is the green oasis in Colombo, Perhaps; there is no other patch of man-made forest in the world, which is so important to a city like Viharamahadevi. It is an ornament to the city and a popular resting place for the people who look for a temporary shelter under a tree.

Viharamahadevi Park has been transformed into a popular resting point, where locals walk, ride bikes, run and exercise. Join the local people and enjoy what this patch of forest offer to its visitors.

Wolvendaal Church

The area known as Kotahena, which is a part of Colombo was given the name “Wolvendaal“, where the church was built. Wolvendaal is a word derived from Portuguese term “agoa deloupe”, which means “dale of wolves”, owing to the freely moving wolves in the area. Wolvendaal church is one of the oldest structures in Colombo and it was built in 1749. The construction works of the church were done by the Dutch East India Company.

Petta Market Colombo

Talk about joy to the eyes. Wit 100o of wayside stalls and shops line up the narrow streets of central Colombo area, known as “Petta” or “Pitakotuwa”. Large numbers of shoppers are gathering here every day to buy various items at a good price. Pettah is one of the oldest markets in the island and here you can buy textiles, shoes, vegetables, fruits, grocery items and virtually everything that you can imagine to buy in Sri Lanka, most importantly you can get hold of the best rate for any given item.

Old Parliament

Located Opposite the Galle face green and adjoining Beira Lake, this 18th-century building follows the ancient Roman architecture, columns, large doors, windows, corridors are very prominent characters of this building. As the name suggests it functioned as the first parliament of the island during the British rule.  Since the construction of the new parliament building, it lost its importance as the place of gathering of parliament members. Today it functions as the office of the president.

Safari camp Ridiyagama

Many foreign animals such as Lion, American bison are living in this 21st-century version of a safari camp. The safari camp is located in southern Sri Lanka, where dry weather is very prominent like in many wildlife reserves in Africa. Here you can explore the thorn bush vegetation, dry zone forests, savannah type vegetation.

Madu river estuary

This brackish water estuary is one of the most important biodiversity hotspots on the island and located about 55 km south of Colombo. Madu river estuary has earned the recognition as a Ramsar wetland, due to its importance as a wetland to the world.

Madu estuary is tourist hotspots in the west coast of Sri Lanka and it is a part of most Sri Lanka tours and excursions that cover southern Sri Lanka. Many dozens of small islands in the estuary are inhabited by large number aqua fauna and flora species.

Madu river estuary is considered as one of the most important strongholds that protect endangered mangrove trees and plants along with its neighbours such as shrimps, many species of birds, water monitors, crocodiles, monkeys etc.

Galle Fort

On the coast of Galle in southern Sri Lanka lies a laidback city known as “Galle fort”, which is one of the tourist hotspots in southern Sri Lanka. The history of Galle is going back to the pre-Christian era; however, this magnificent fort is attributed to Portuguese administration of Ceylon in 1505.

Later it was developed by the Dutch East India Company.  The fort is still in very good condition. Galle Fort is considered to be the best-preserved Dutch fort in Asia and it is UNESCO world heritage site.  Most important attractions in the fort area maritime museum, wolvendaal church, rampart, lighthouse, clock tower, and open theatre area.

Esala Ceremony

The Esala ceremony undoubtedly is one of the most beautiful pageants in Asia. The annual festival is held in the month of July and August and 10 day’s ceremony culminates on the full moon day of August. The event is held in Kandy and attracts nearly 1 million local as well as foreign travellers every year.

Sigiriya Paintings

Sigiriya rock fortress is an iconic tourist attraction in Sri Lanka and visited by a large number of travellers. Sigiriya rock fortress is considered to be one of the oldest engineering works in the world; therefore it is declared as a UNESCO world heritage site.

And Sigiriya paintings that are to be found on the western face of the monolithic rock are some of the oldest artistic works in the world and show some similarities to the paintings of Ajanta. Sigiriya paintings are dating back to 5th century AD and the paintings were coloured in natural colours.

Hikkaduwa beach festival

Hikka Beach fest or Hikkaduwa beach festival is held in the month of July/August. Hikkaduwa is one of the most popular beach resorts in the country; therefore Hikkaduwa beach festival is attended by a large number of holiday lovers and live music, mouth-watering seafood, spectacular fireworks, electrifying dancing helps the visitors to have an unforgettable experience.

World Surf League qualifying series – June

Sri Lanka is a leading surfing destination in Asia and there are many surf-friendly destinations such as Mirissa, Weligama, Hikkaduwa, Arugam Bay.

Most surfing spots in western and southern Sri Lanka are not suitable for surfing or beach holidays during the summer due to the effect of monsoon, however, the beaches on the east coast fulfil the all necessary conditions to be the best surfing spot, therefore, Arugam Bay beach has been selected to host the qualifying series, in which the leading surfers are selected for the competition of “World’s most accomplished surfers in a World”.