Five Must See’s in Sri Lanka

Located in the heart of the Indian Ocean, southwest of the Bay of Bengal and southeast of the Arabian Sea is one of the most amazing islands waiting to be explored. Sri Lanka. From its amazing food, rich culture, and adventurous safaris, it is a travellers must go destination.

Here are some of the places you must see if you decide to pack your bags and go on a Sri Lanka holiday of a lifetime!

Dambulla Royal Cave Temple

Dambulla Royal Cave Temple is one of the largest and well-preserved cave temples in Sri Lanka. The temple itself is divided into a series of separate caves containing 158 statues of Buddha and thousands of ceiling paintings. You can find the Cave of the Divine King, the Cave of the Great Kings, The Great New Monastery amongst further caves, all detailed with its rich history and there practise of Buddhism.

Yala National Park

If you are looking to get a little more active you should probably check out Yala National Park, probably the most popular and well-known safari parks in Sri Lanka. The best time to visit would be during the dry season from February to June (note the park closes each year in September for maintenance.). Designated as a wildlife sanctuary in 1900 and is best known for its variety of wild animals and also for the importance of the conservation of Sri Lankan elephants, leopards and aquatic birds.

Yapahuwa Rock Fortress

Did you know Yapahuwa was the former capital of Sri Lanka? It was only for 11 years and although it may not be the capital now, one of the amazing places to see here is the Yapahuwa Rock Fortress. The small museum here displays stone sculptures of Vishnu (a supreme God in Hinduism) and Kali (Hindu goddess also known as the Master of death). Once past the entrance you can wander through to the inner and outer ramparts and moats protecting the ancient fortress. Once here you will see faint traces of the shrine that once stood there. A must see when on Sri Lanka holidays.

Anuradhapura

The ancient city in Sri Lanka and one worth a visit is Anuradhapura. Founded in the 5th century BC it was the Sinhalese capital of Sri Lanka from the 4th century BC until the 11 century. This place is famous for having ruins that are preserved well of the Sinhala civilization. With eight sacred places (Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya, Thuparamaya, Lovamahapaya, Ruwanwelisaya Stupa, Mirisaweti Stupa, Abhayagiri Stupa, Jetavanaramaya, and Lankaramaya) to visit when you come here you won’t be lost for things to explore.

Ritigala Ancient Monastery

Finally, another place on the must-see list in Sri Lanka is the Ritigala Ancient Monastery. It is a strict nature reserve where an ancient Buddhist Monastery was built within the forest. The ruins and rock inscriptions of the monastery date back to 1st century BCE. Not only can you see the ruins here you can also see an ancient man-made reservoir 437-367 BC.

There are so many more breath-taking places to visit in when on a cheap Sri Lanka holiday. The history, culture and preservation here is unlike no other and is definitely worth a visit.

Remember stay safe and follow the Covid guidelines when travelling. Keep an eye on the FCO website for regular updates https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/sri-lanka