Sri Lanka Things to Do

 
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Most Viewed Things to Do in Sri Lanka

151.

Temples   Colombo

Temples, Colombo

 22 Reviews  In the Pettah area of Colombo is the famous Sea Street, home to three important Hindu Temples, the Ganeshan, the Old Kathiresan and the New Kathiresan. All have their intricately-carved and colourful... 

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152.

Day Trip   Colombo

Day Trip, Colombo

 11 Reviews  St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, a branch of the Church of Scotland, earlier known as St. Andrew's Scots Kirk located in Princess Street, Fort, is the only Presbyterian Church in Sri Lanka. It opened... 

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153.

Shopping   Colombo

Shopping, Colombo

 6 Reviews  This one is for the Gals, OK ! So you guys can take a peek as well. You find some of the best clothes in Sri Lanka at very reasonable prices and of very good quality. Clothes, Bags, Shoes, Travelling... 

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154.

Cinnamon Gardens - Viharamahadevi Park   Colombo

Cinnamon Gardens - Viharamahadevi Park, Colombo

 7 Reviews  The green space of Viharamahadevi Park isn't all it could be but it still represents one of the city's largest open recreational areas. There isn't much to do here apart from walk in the shade of the... 

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155.

Forts   Colombo

Forts, Colombo

 11 Reviews  Fort area, earlier known as Kolonthota, is the place the Portuguese landed in the early 16th century. They developed it and, to protect their economic interests, built a fort there in 1588. In 1656,... 

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156.

Beaches   Colombo

Beaches, Colombo

 4 Reviews  On our final day in Colombo, we went to Mount Lavina beach in the morning. This is a ‘Golden Mile’ beach just next to a railway track and is about 12 kms away from the city. The roar of the ocean, the... 

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157.

Zoo   Colombo

Zoo, Colombo

 8 Reviews  It has been several yrs since I last went to the Zoo, but it seemed better kept, more lush and was certainly well patronized. The restaurant facility had a pretty good rice selection which was tasty,... 

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158.

Galle Face Green   Colombo

Galle Face Green, Colombo

 5 Reviews  Galle Face Green is a lovely stretch of land almost half a kilometre long by the side of the sea. It is located in the heart of the city in front of the old Parliament building with some of the best... 

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159.

Museums   Colombo

Museums, Colombo

 8 Reviews  Just near the exit is a tall glass-covered display unit at the top of which is a stark skeletal statue of the Buddha. This is a startling, compelling image and one that you will not forget in a... 

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160.

Buddha   Colombo

Buddha, Colombo

 5 Reviews  There are places and places to see in Sri Lanka but just about every place in Asia offers ruins, colonial cities, temples, and natural wonders. This puts a pilgrimage to Sri Pada, AKA Adam's Peak, in... 

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Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Hiring a driver

by MBSTO

From the historical Galle Hotel in Colombo - we arranged for a driver for 4 days. Our driver took us from the capital city through Adam's Peak, Kandy and over to the coast where we hopped on a bus and drove the coast line stopping in many beach towns. This was my first experience hiring a driver and I would absolutely do it again. It was cost efficient and time well spent.

Kandy Sightseeing

by TotalRelax

We went to the capital and saw the Sacred Tooth temple. Due to Tamil Tiger threats on this building both men and women are searched prior to entry and the handling was a little rough. Lingua phone tours available but we just wandered around looking at the architecture and statues, which were very impressive. The capital itself was the most westernised city that we saw, not necessarily a good thing but at least the roads were good. Just 5km to the west is the Botanical Garden of Peradeniya, a very pretty and peaceful spot, good place to take a break and have a picnic. If you can, go up to a vantage point above the city and look down on it, an impressive view.

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Sigiriya

by TotalRelax

Sigariya - A ruined fortress built into a huge rock in the centre of the country. Take your climbing shoes as it is a trek up to the top via stone and barely safe metal stairs. Try to plan it in low temperatures; we did it in +35deg and it was hard work. Beautiful views from the top and some glorious architecture and cave paintings on the way up. Took about 2hr 30min in all and was combined with our trip to the Cave Temple at Dambulla.

not for the faint hearted

by adinda

Sigiriya, it's quite a climb but one you won't regret!This rock fortress was built by king Kasyapa in the 5th century A.D. and was a royal citadel for more than 18 years. In a sheltered pocket, approached by a spiral stairway, are the famous frescoes. The summit of the rock, with an area of nearly one hectare was Also check out the restored Sigiriya's 5th century Water Gardens.

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Elephant Orphanage, Family Fun

by cessnock

Be prepared to get up very early for this trip.We went to the Elephant Orphanage in Penuwela, Sri lanka in 1999. We booked through our tour operator which was quite expensive. Get one of the beach boys to take you ...much cheaper.This was one of the most memorable tours I have ever taken on holiday, great for all the family. Brilliant photo opportunity.Getting soaked by a trunk of cold water while sitting on an elephant at the command of one of the workers caused my 4 year old son to scream blue murder with fright, I was killing myself with laughter....lol. It was a cold shock!!!!Watching the baby elephants playing, bathing and suckling milk was magical.Loved every minute of it...you got to go.

Yala National Park

by scfang

A GREAT EXPERIENCE not to be missed. The damages created by the Tsunami is still visible, but animals were virtually untouched. We have spotted elephants, deers, crocodiles, black bear, painted stork, Malkoha, Green Bee Eaters, Blue tail Bee Eaters, spotted dove, Orange-breasted Green Pigeon, peacock, sandpipers, Ibisbill, Black-winged Stilt, Plover, Red-wattled Plover, Night heron, Indian Pond Heron, Pelican, Blacked necked Stork, Black-headed Ibis, etc.

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Visit the elephant orphanage and Kandy temple

by sunbumbill

Sri Lanka is a relatively poor country, but it is beautiful up in the mountains. I suggest hiring a driver for about $25 USD a day, who can drive you on the (very Scary) roads into the mountains. Go see the baby and adult elephants at the elephant orphanage. A small tip will get you some "private time" with a baby elephant which is a lot of fun. Also head up to Kandy and see the Buddhist temple that the movie Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom made famous. We happened to go during a holiday, and men and woman had seperate entrances but they had elephants dressed in full regalia and peach toga'd monks everywhere. It was a special day!

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Strolling around Colombo

by zafilm

Colombo is safe to walk if you like to experience the city life itself. Colourfull people and the daily life style. The traffic between peak hour can be very hectic..!!.But the security in Colombo area are very strict and tied.Just bring along your passport for identified purpose.

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Botanical Gardens

by TammyCLS

The Botanical Garden is extremely large so I would recommend comfy shoes. It is beautiful seeing the old trees with is gigantic structures. Lakes and bridges. Flowers and birds. With couples, families and friends gathered round having picnics and relaxing.

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Kandyan Dance

by zafilm

The dance was entertainting and full of colours.The history of dance may be as long as the history of mankind. We can only guess how dances looked like in earlier epochs.The ancient chronicle of the Sinhalese (Sri Lankans), the Mahavamsa states when King Vijaya landed in Sri Lanka in 543 BCE he heard sounds of music and dancing from a wedding ceremony. Origins of The Dances of Sri Lanka are dated back to the aborginal tribes. The Classical dances of Sri Lanka, Kandyan Dances features a highly developed system of tala (rhythm), provided by cymbals called thalampataa.

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Top 3 Hotels in Sri Lanka

Mount Lavina Hotel  Colombo

 5 Reviews and 395 Opinions  This is the closest hotel you can experience the Beach as you come to Colombo. Good food, good rooms... 

 Hotels in Colombo

Earl's Regency Hotel Kandy  Kandy

 4 Reviews and 235 Opinions  Kandy Perahara Starts on Esala Full Moon Poya Day in July & finishes on Nikini Full Moon Poya Day on... 

 Hotels in Kandy

Palm Garden Village Hotel  Anuradhapura

 3 Reviews and 111 Opinions  The Palm Garden Village is like a colonial club, but one with a relaxed and freestyle-air. It was... 

 Hotels in Anuradhapura

Questions and Answers

MacedonianUK profile photo

Q:  Thinking of traveling to Sri Lanka in the end of March for 3 weeks. I will go with my 6 yr old. Will take Medical precoushns bu... 

HansDK profile photo

A: Any special reasons why you want to stay in Colombo for 3 days. Everywhere in Sri Lanka is child friendly, but as you want to end up in Trinco (and spend part of your... 

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