Sri Lanka Destinations & City Guides

Colombo is Sri Lanka's dynamic coastal capital, where centuries of Portuguese, Dutch, and British colonial heritage mingle effortlessly with gleaming modern oceanfront skyscrapers, tranquil Buddhist temples, and legendary spice gastronomy. From watching crimson sunsets while sipping Pimms on the chequerboard lawn of the historic 1864 Galle Face Hotel to savouring giant lagoon mud crabs at the world-renowned Ministry of Crab in the Dutch Hospital precinct, Colombo is the perfect sophisticated starting point for any Sri Lankan multi-centre tour.

Set in a bowl of forested hills surrounding a serene central lake, Kandy was the last independent royal capital of Sri Lanka, resisting foreign conquest for over two centuries. Today, it is the cultural and spiritual heartbeat of the island, revered for the golden-roofed Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa), which houses Buddhism's most venerated relic. Kandy is also the gateway to the cool tea highlands and the starting point for the world-famous blue train journey.

Perched at 1,868 metres above sea level in the misty central highlands, Nuwara Eliya is the heart of Sri Lanka's world-renowned Ceylon tea industry. Known as 'Little England' for its Tudor-style brick mansions, manicured rose gardens, red post boxes, and golf courses established by British planters in the 19th century, Nuwara Eliya offers a refreshingly cool mountain climate. Wander through rolling carpets of vibrant green tea bushes, learn the art of orthodox tea making, and marvel at the sheer 880-metre drop of World's End at Horton Plains.

Located along Sri Lanka's pristine, sun-drenched southern coastline, Hambantota is the ultimate intersection of world-class wildlife safaris and 5-star tropical beach luxury. Anchored by the sprawling Shangri-La Hambantota Golf Resort & Spa, the region serves as the premier gateway to Yala National Park—home to the highest density of wild leopards on the planet—as well as Bundala National Park's vibrant flamingo colonies and Ridiyagama Safari Park. Here, thrilling morning game drives tracking leopards and wild elephants are followed by lazy afternoons beside infinity pools overlooking the rolling waves of the Indian Ocean.