Why visit Sri Lanka? 6 reasons to plan a Sri Lanka holiday

Add in some of our favourite food on the planet, the friendliest of people, and enough ancient history to satisfy even the staunchest of history buffs, and you’ve got yourself a holiday destination that deserves a spotlight.We asked our Sri Lanka experts for the top reasons why they think it’s a destination to shout about.

One of Sri Lanka’s biggest strengths is just how much you can experience without constantly being on the move. No one wants to be rushing from pillar to post like a lunatic on their holidays, now do they?Ancient cities, wildlife-rich national parks, rolling tea country and near-empty, wonderfully laid-back beaches are all reachable without too much trouble.Rebecca, one of our brilliant Sri Lanka experts, designed our Ultimate Sri Lanka holiday idea to showcase just how much can be seen and experienced during one visit to the country.This trip begins in the north, with adventures around the Cultural Triangle and Jaffna, a rarely visited Tamil region rich in history, temples and island life.

You’ll head south to climb the iconic Sigiriya Rock Fortress, walking through the huge stone lion feet to take in the sweeping views across the jungle from the summit at sunrise. Take time to explore the ancient cities of Dambulla and Polonnaruwa before heading to Kandy, the cultural capital of Sri Lanka, and home of the revered Temple of the Tooth.Next, it’s time to wind your way through the heart of the tea country, watching misty hills and plantations roll past and sipping on a good cup of tea whilst soaking up the atmosphere.Then it's time to swap the cooler highlands for the wild landscapes of Yala National Park. Your days here will bring encounters with elephants, sloth bears and leopards, with some gorgeous safari lodges to stay in once the wild adventures are done.Your trip finishes on the south coast, with time to explore the colonial streets of Galle and plenty of opportunities to soak up the sunshine on the white-sand beaches. Spend your afternoons cycling through the nearby countryside, through local rice paddies, watching normal day-to-day life unfold around you. Don’t forget to stop off for a refreshing king coconut or two along the way.We love including authentic experiences in our holidays wherever possible, so this trip finishes with a hands-on Sri Lankan cooking class in a village kitchen, learning family recipes passed down through generations.

Sri Lanka’s history isn’t something you view from a distance as a bystander, hidden behind glass in a museum or tucked away behind a guard rope. Here, it’s impossible not to feel absorbed by it all. You’ll climb the rock fortresses, explore vast, crumbling ancient cities on foot, and cycle between temples, seeing, feeling and living the traditions that are still very much alive today.At the heart of the island, you’ll find the Cultural Triangle, a must-visit. Home to some of Sri Lanka’s most important historic sites, all in close proximity to each other and easy to explore. The ancient cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa were once vast, sophisticated capitals, built around ingenious irrigation systems that are still admired by historians today. You can wander between huge dagobas and explore the monasteries and reservoirs by bicycle, with plenty of space and time to absorb it all.Then there’s Sigiriya, the dramatic rock fortress rising from the jungle floor. It’s a real icon popping up in the Sri Lankan skyline, and for good reason. Take a climb to the summit at sunrise or sunset, taking your time to really understand how this extraordinary citadel once functioned as a royal palace, complete with gardens, frescoes and a defensive design that was centuries ahead of its time.

Our Sri Lanka expert, Lisa, also recommends making time to climb nearby Pidurangala Rock. "The view from the top is equally special, and this time you’re treated to Sigiriya itself as the star of the show."Buddhism has deeply shaped life in Sri Lanka over the years, and nowhere is that clearer than in places like Kandy, the country’s cultural capital and home to the Temple of the Tooth Relic – one of the most sacred Buddhist sites in the world (said to house the tooth of Buddha himself!). Daily rituals, offerings and ceremonies continue much as they have for generations, making time to attend a ceremony is a must for an authentic glimpse into living Sri Lankan traditions.It’s not just about the headline sights, though. Throughout the country, Sri Lankan culture is revealed in local life. From the small village temples and local festivals, to the Hindu shrines in the north and the colonial architecture dotted along the coast. There are countless age-old crafts still practised today, and our expert Rebecca, hugely recommends taking some time to try your hand at traditional mask painting on your trip. (Here she is below after a morning of crafting with these lovely local ladies.)

For a relatively small island, Sri Lanka offers an impressive array of wildlife sighting opportunities. Our expert, Rebecca, is always very honest about this. “The Sri Lankan wildlife isn’t quite on an African scale, but it’s really special in its own right. Spotting a leopard drinking from a waterhole was a real highlight for me.”Throughout Sri Lanka, elephants are the real headline act. In places like Udawalawe National Park, herds are frequently spotted, moving between grasslands and reservoirs (often with babies bringing up the rear). Minneriya National Park is the place to go to witness the famous annual elephant gathering, where hundreds of elephants congregate around the water during the dry months.

Leopards are a little more elusive, as they are everywhere, but parks like Yala National Park and Wilpattu National Park offer some of the best chances to spot them in Asia. Yala is known for its higher leopard density, particularly in the drier months, while Wilpattu feels a little quieter and off the beaten track, with forest tracks and natural lakes creating a very different safari experience. You might also spot sloth bears, mugger crocodiles, water buffalo and spotted deer along the way.Birdlife is another wildlife highlight on a Sri Lanka holiday. With everything from vibrant bee-eaters and painted storks in wetlands, to endemic species in rainforest regions like Sinharaja Forest Reserve, Sri Lanka really rewards anyone who takes the time to explore the wild spots (and look up!).Rebecca puts it well, “Sri Lanka’s wildlife is often the accompanying highlight to a wider journey rather than dominating a holiday.”

After exploring Sri Lanka’s inland treasures, you’ll have earned some relaxing time on the white-sand coastline. And luckily, Sri Lanka has plenty of beautiful sandy spots to choose from.On the south and south-west coast, beaches near Galle, such as Unawatuna, Mirissa, and Bentota, are at their best between December and April, when the seas are calmer and the days are usually reliably sunny. This is classic Sri Lanka beach time – swimming, boat trips, sandy walks at dusk and long, seafood-led lunches that roll lazily into the afternoon. Just the way we like them.

From May to September, the East Coast beaches are your best bet for a bit of sunshine. During these months, the south-west is in its monsoon season, but the east shines. Around Trincomalee, Nilaveli and Pasikudah, the water is likely to be glassy calm, with gorgeous, quiet beaches you can enjoy almost to yourself. Sri Lanka’s east coast fits perfectly into Sri Lanka summer holiday itineraries, where a little beach time is needed to break up the adventures.

Our expert, Dawn, often recommends finishing a trip by the coast rather than starting there. After days spent climbing rock fortresses, tracking wildlife or wandering ancient cities, your beach time feels genuinely earned. Plus, what better way to toast all of the incredible memories made than with your toes in the sand as the sun goes down.

We said it. And we won’t hear it said otherwise. A traditional Sri Lankan meal needs to be experienced to be believed. When you sit down to order the simple-sounding ‘Sri Lankan curry’ from a menu, prepare yourself. And remove all handbags and unnecessaries from the table, you’re going to need all the space you can get.Before you know it, your table will be covered with not one, not two, but usually around twelve(!) local specialities and dishes. With each bowl packing a serious punch of flavour. Dishes range from veggie curries to creamy and spicy delights, coconut sambols, and tasty rottis. Don’t miss the Sri Lankan string hoppers, nests of delicate floury noodles that make for a perfect curry accompaniment (or breakfast treat!)

When we chat to our HA travellers after their Sri Lanka holiday, the conversation always winds its way back to how phenomenal the people are.Sri Lanka has faced its fair share of challenges in recent years, yet the welcome always remains genuinely open and faultlessly warm. That unmistakable Sri Lankan spirit will show up throughout your visit, often in the small, everyday moments of real connection.Our expert Rebecca says, “I’m not sure I’ve ever been to Sri Lanka without at least one tuk-tuk driver taking the time to proudly show me photos of his children’s wedding on his phone before he drops me off, or similar. The people really are so friendly, they genuinely want to get to know you and share snippets of their life with you.”Long after your trip, so much of the country will stay with you, but top of the list has to be that magic “Sri Lankan smile”. It will be the backdrop to your time in the country, popping up whilst you’re navigating a busy market or walking through a rural village.

In the Hill Country, it’s common to share a wave or two with the tea pickers as you pass along quiet trails. These real and authentic moments are what makes travel so special.Travelling through Sri Lanka also supports local communities in a very real and tangible way. Family-run guesthouses, village kitchens, local guides and drivers all play a role in shaping your experience, and tourism remains an important lifeline for many. That connection, the one between traveller and host, between story and place, adds a real depth that’s impossible to manufacture.It’s this human warmth, threaded through every part of a journey, that gives a Sri Lanka holiday its meaning. You won’t just see the country, you’ll feel fully welcomed into it.