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With forested mountains, sand-dusted beaches and a rich history spanning centuries of maritime trade, Sri Lanka offers travelers a wondrous mix of experiences. Even on a short trip, you can fit in days of beach basking, spectacular surfing, close encounters with elephants and leopards, tea plantation tours, and trips to some of Asia's most remarkable shrines and ancient ruins, alongside meals to remember.

Measuring just 240km (150 miles) across at its widest point, Sri Lanka fits a lot into a small space. Traveling by train, bus or hired car, you can roam from coast to coast in a day, but with so many charming places to visit, it can be hard to decide where to start your island adventure.

You might want to spend all your time on idyllic beaches or plot an itinerary around Buddhist stupas or wildlife-filled national parks. Or you could plan a trip involving all of the above! Whatever your budget, here’s our pick of the best places to visit in Sri Lanka to get you started.

1. Colombo

Best for food and big city vibes

No Sri Lanka itinerary would be complete without a trip to Colombo, the country’s culturally diverse capital city. Providing an easy introduction to the Sri Lankan way of life, Colombo is centered on the cosmopolitan Fort district, dotted with landmark buildings from the colonial era, including the terracotta-roofed Dutch Hospital, founded in the 1600s. The Fort District also has some excellent places to eat.

Be sure to spend some time at Galle Face Green, Colombo's main seaside promenade, where hundreds of families gather to munch on local snacks and dip their toes in the sea at sunset. Order yourself some isso vade – deep-fried prawn and lentil fritters, topped with spicy sambol (coconut and chili chutney) – and settle in for some people-watching.

Planning tip: While Colombo is a safe and walkable city, tuk-tuks are inexpensive and convenient for getting around. Always check that your tuk-tuk has a working meter before you get in to ensure you pay the correct fare for your ride.

2. Sigiriya

Best for history buffs and art aficionados

With ornate ponds, royal sleeping chambers and a majestic set of carved lion paws marking the start of its steep steps, the colossal, ruin-topped outcrop of Sigiriya is Sri Lanka’s most recognizable site, peeking out over the thick jungle canopy and offering a tantalizing glimpse of the ancient kingdom of Kassapa.

Frescoes featuring women adorned in jewelry with flowers in their hair are the site's most famous feature, but the views from the top of the rock are unparalleled. A calm hush awaits at the terraced summit, which covers 1.6 hectares (4 acres).

Planning tip: Try to visit early in the day, at around 7am; the cooler morning air makes it much more pleasant to walk up the 1200 steps to the top. Head back down by noon, before the rock's surface gets too hot, stay hydrated and wear soft shoes with good tread.

3. Anuradhapura

Best for Buddhist history

Anuradhapura looks like any other middle-sized Sri Lankan town when you first arrive. There's a clock tower, a single train station and small shops clustered along a busy main road. But Anuradhapura's simple facade conceals the enormous scale of its heritage; on the outskirts of town are the ruins of one of ancient Sri Lanka's most important Buddhist sites.

The most sacred spot in this complex of ruined temples, towering dagobas (stupas) and palaces is the revered Sri Maha Bodhi tree, believed to have been grown from a cutting taken from the tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment in Bodhgaya, India. Scattered through the surrounding jungles and villages are all sorts of archaeological wonders.

Planning tip: Comfortable shoes are a must for walking between the stupas and temples. Even in ruins, Anuradhapura's Buddhist shrines are places of worship, and footwear must be removed before entering. Carrying a scarf to cover your legs and shoulders is always a good idea.

4. Polonnaruwa

Best for ancient architecture

Often visited on an ancient cities circuit that includes Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa is famed for its ancient ruins, carved temples and rich Buddhist heritage.

As you gaze upon the 14m (46ft) reclining Buddha inside the Gal Viharaya, you can’t help but imagine the effort that went into creating these graceful figures. The white, grey and black granite softens the details of these intricate carvings, and the scent of fresh flowers and incense, offered to the statues by devotees, floats through the air.

Don’t miss the other archaeological sites in the area, including the closely grouped temples and stupas comprising the Royal Ruins, which can be explored on a rewarding day of sightseeing.

Planning tip: If you're traveling north from Colombo towards Jaffna, both Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa are great places to stay and break up the journey.

5. Jaffna

Best for a taste of Tamil culture

A trip to Jaffna in the far north of Sri Lanka offers a relaxed change from the rest of the country, and there's loads to see, from historic Jaffna Fort to the gleaming brasswork and staggering murals of the architecturally marvelous Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil Hindu temple. Here you can immerse yourself in the culture and heritage of Sri Lanka’s largest ethnic minority: the Tamil people.

Once caught up in conflict and colonial occupation, Jaffna has been revitalized by the return of peace, with excellent, up-and-coming restaurants serving the region's spicy, Indian-influenced cuisine. Several islands off the coast of Jaffna are accessible by road or ferry. Kayts – a hauntingly beautiful, quiet island of fishing communities – and Delft, with its wild ponies descended from horses abandoned by Dutch colonists, are both well worth a visit.

Planning tip: The Tamil culture of Jaffna differs from the rest of the island. Be mindful of local customs, such as removing footwear when entering sites such as the Jaffna Public Library, where going barefoot is a sign of respect for the knowledge within the building.

6. Trincomalee

Best for an unspoiled beach vacation

At Trincomalee, stretches of powdery soft sand and calm waters meld with dramatic cliffside Hindu temples – among them the famous Kandasamy Kovil, with its richly ornamental architecture and monumental statue of Shiva looking out to sea. Here, you'll see a side to Sri Lanka that remains off the radar for most visitors.

The long beaches here are disturbed only by the occasional bit of driftwood or coconut husk washing ashore, and the shallow waters are ripe for snorkeling, with miles of coral reefs and thriving marine life.

Planning tip: Public beaches here do not have lifeguards; take extra care when swimming and go snorkeling with a guide.

7. Dambulla

Best for a mini-pilgrimage

An important stop on the country’s ancient pilgrim trail, set in a quiet jungle zone frequented by the native toque macaque monkeys, Rangiri Cave Temple in Dambulla is one of the most visited places in Sri Lanka.

Troops of monkeys will accompany you on the walk up to the temple, inside which you'll find five caves containing 150 well-preserved statues of the Buddha alongside brightly painted religious carvings, sculpted into the rock surface.

Planning tip: Wear white or pale colors as a mark of respect, and expect crowds on Poya days – special days marking the full moon in the Buddhist calendar. While toque macaques are delightful to watch, they are wild so don't get too close!

8. Minneriya National Park

Best for wildlife lovers

Vast herds of wild elephants graze across nearly 9000 hectares (22,240 acres) of forests and grassland in Minneriya National Park, centered on scenic Minneriya Lake. Watch in awe with cameras at the ready as long trunks are extended to draw up water and elephant calves roll around on the banks in the wet mud.

Once a year, during the dry season, the park's 300 or so elephants gather around the banks of the lake to graze in a marvelous natural event known as "the Gathering" – the largest gathering of Asian elephants in the world.

Planning tip: April to October is the time to witness the Gathering. Prebooking your safari and sharing a jeep with others will help to reduce the number of vehicles entering the park during this busy period.

9. Kandy

Best for a taste of the Hill Country

For a culture-filled trip from Colombo, take the train from Fort Railway Station to the heritage town of Kandy. It's a must for any rail enthusiast – the railway lines curve and wind around mountains to connect rural towns, and wide windows frame views of deep ravines and hillsides densely covered in emerald-green forest.

The legendary Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic – containing a tooth said to come from the historical Buddha – and Kandy Lake are must-see attractions for anyone visiting Sri Lanka. Both are easily reached from the station by tuk-tuk.

Planning tip: Visitors are required to cover their arms, legs and shoulders when visiting the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, so wear long sleeves or bring a scarf or sarong. From Kandy, you can continue by train to Ella and other tea-growing towns in the hills.

10. Kumana National Park

Best for birding

The 200-hectare (494-acre) Kumana National Park is a birder’s dream, home to throngs of vibrant kingfishers and jungle fowl alongside 255 other species of endemic and migrating birds, which find sanctuary in the park's mangrove swamps and lagoons.

Expect to spot falcons and eagles as they soar overhead, and peacocks shimmying on the ground. Also frequently spotted here are cleverly camouflaged crocodiles, lying in wait on the sandy banks of the lake for chance encounters with buffaloes.

Cap off your trip here with a visit to the coastal village of Panama, which many visitors bypass in favor of bigger towns, such as Pottuvil and Arugam Bay. Here you'll find a tiny monastery under a rock, thatched-roof homes and dirt tracks leading through paddy fields to hidden beaches.

Planning tip: Kumana National Park is accessed through the village of Okanda; prearranging a guided jeep safari is the best way to enjoy the park.

11. Adam’s Peak

Best for hikers

Sri Lanka’s holiest peak is considered sacred by all religions on the island. Muslims and Christians call the mountain Adam’s Peak in tribute to a footprint reputedly left in the stone by the Prophet Adam. Buddhists believe the footprint was made by the Buddha, while Hindus attribute the print to Hanuman or Shiva. The peak is also known as Sri Pada ("Sacred Footprint") or Samanala Kanda ("The Mountain of the Butterflies" – also a reference to the local deity Saman).

Join thousands of pilgrims dressed in white in the early hours of the morning to hike slowly and quietly to the temple at the top. Humble teahouses, resting places and shrines dot the landscape as you ascend, and pilgrims greet each other offering blessings for a good climb. The hike to the top takes three to four hours, depending on which trail you choose; aim to reach the summit at dawn to catch the first rays of sunrise wrapping around the mountain.

Planning tip: The hike to the summit of Adam's Peak at 2243m (7359ft) is moderate and there are plenty of places to rest. Ascending via the town of Hatton and descending via Ratnapura is the shortest route.

The full moon days in December and May mark the beginning and end of the climbing season. During this period, set off earlier to sidestep the crowds, or expect slow and packed trails. Climbing in the off-season is not recommended, as it coincides with the southeastern monsoon.

12. Kalpitiya

Best for kitesurfers

Despite attracting thrill-seekers from around the world, Kalpitiya retains its quaint coastal charm, though the Dutch-era fort near the end of the peninsula is occupied by the Sri Lankan navy. Cows, goats and donkeys stroll beside the road and villages buzz with local life, but the big lure for visitors is the world-class kitesurfing on offer in the Kalpitiya Lagoon.

Thatched-roof beach huts with outdoor showers offer a pleasing surf-shack vibe, and most mornings you’ll wake to a crowing rooster. Kitesurfing centers are dotted around the lagoon, and there's more impressive kitesurfing 30km (19 miles) north off the narrow sandbar known as Vella Island.

Planning tip: The weather for kitesurfing is ideal between October to May, and there are numerous kitesurfing schools around Kalpitiya where you can hone your skills.

13. Arugam Bay

Best for catching a wave

For aspiring surfers, there are few spots on the island more idyllic than Arugam Bay. With a famous point break and plenty of waves that are easy for newbie surfers to conquer, this is a great spot to step off the conveyor belt of life and devote some quality time to sun, sand and surf.

Surf schools abound, and there are numerous, laid-back places to stay, eat and grab a drink in front of the view. It's easy to lose track of time here, but you're close to national parks and the atmospheric tea-growing towns of the Hill Country.

Planning tip: The best months to surf Sri Lanka's east coast are from April to October. Main Point is a consistent intermediate break, while Baby Point is a good choice for new surfers.