Although Sri Lanka is relatively small, it boasts a wealth of attractions, many of which hold significant cultural importance on the world stage. A considerable number of Sri Lanka's landmarks have earned coveted spots on UNESCO's cultural heritage lists.
While most of the island's iconic sites are Buddhist monuments, Sri Lanka also offers a plethora of natural wonders that particularly captivate tourists. After all, it's not every day that you have the opportunity to encounter live elephants or witness the majesty of a blue whale.
tripmydream has thoughtfully prepared detailed descriptions of the key attractions that Sri Lanka has to offer.
Historical Sites in Sri Lanka
Aluvihara Temple. This ancient temple, consisting of 13 caves, is nestled in the mountains, 34 km from Kandy. Inside, you'll discover magnificent murals adorning the walls, a towering nine-meter statue of a reclining Buddha, and for a small fee, your name can be inscribed in centuries-old ola leaf manuscripts. The entry fee to the temple is 2 USD.
Anuradhapura. The ancient capital of Sri Lanka is renowned for its abundance of temples, bas-reliefs, statues, and palaces, forming a sprawling complex of antiquities.
Galle Fort. This imposing granite fortress was constructed by the Dutch in 1663 and stands as the largest surviving fortress in Asia.
The Golden Temple of Dambulla. This cave Buddhist temple, dating back to the 1st century BC, is hewn into the rock and houses numerous Buddha statues. The stone temple featuring the reclining Buddha is recognized as the largest cave temple in South Asia. This sacred pilgrimage site has stood for 22 centuries and is located in Dambulla, in Sri Lanka's Central Province, approximately 148 kilometers from Colombo.
Mihintale. The ancient town, which is no longer inhabited by humans, is located 12 kilometers east of Anuradhapura and is the place where Buddhism began to spread on the island. At the foot of the mountain are the remains of ancient Buddhist buildings. Of course, there are statues of Buddha and a stupa.
Mulkirigala Raja Maha Vihara. A cave temple complex located in the southern part of Sri Lanka. The first monastic cells appeared here over 2000 years ago, and in written sources, Mulkirigala appears in I century BC.
The Temple of the Buddha's Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa). It was erected in Kandy in the XVIII century to house one of the most important Buddhist shrines, the tooth of Buddha. The temple is a UNESCO heritage site.
The city of Polonnaruwa. The medieval capital of Sri Lanka. Its citadel was an inner fort and the last line of defense of the city. Now the picturesque ruins of the ancient city are preserved here.
Sigiriya. Here is the huge cave palace of King Kasapa, made in the shape of a lion.
Adam's Peak (Sri Pada). At Hatton, 108 kilometers from Nuwara Eliya, is a cone-shaped mountain with a height of 2243 meters. It is the fifth highest mountain in Sri Lanka. Buddhists call it Sri Pada (which means "sacred footprint" in Sinhalese), believing that Gautama Buddha himself visited the place.
The Royal Botanical Garden of Peradeniya. The magnificently beautiful garden with a rich collection of plants was laid out near Kandy in 1821.
Pinnavela Elephant Nursery. The nursery was established to protect elephants who were abandoned or orphaned by their parents. The nursery was opened to the public in 1975. At that time there were only 7 baby elephants. Now the Pinnawela nursery has about 80 elephants and elephant cubs, some of which were born here in the nursery.
For more information on Sri Lanka's attractions, check out the island's city pages on our website.
