Country
Sri Lanka
Heritage cities, misty tea highlands, leopard country and two coastlines — an island that fits a fortnight and rewards a month.
68 places
Culture · Wildlife · Beach
Culture
Temples, ruins, museums and the living rituals around them.
10 destinations · showing 932 places
Plan a culture trip Culture destinations
- Region
Hill Country
Kandy, the tea highlands of Nuwara Eliya and the hiking town of Ella, joined by the island's most scenic railway.
19 places
Culture · Adventure · Wellness
- Region
Cultural Triangle
UNESCO-listed ancient capitals and rock temples in the dry-zone heartland.
13 places
Culture · Wildlife · Family
- City
Colombo
The commercial capital and gateway: the colonial Fort, Pettah's markets, Galle Face sunsets and the island's best restaurant scene.
8 places
Food · Culture · Luxury
- City
Galle
A living Dutch fort city of ramparts, boutique hotels and cafés, with Unawatuna's beaches next door.
7 places
Culture · Beach · Food
- City
Kandy
The last royal capital, home of the Sacred Tooth Relic, ringed by hills, a lake and the Peradeniya gardens.
7 places
Culture · Family · Wellness
- City
Trincomalee
A deep natural harbour town with Koneswaram temple on Swami Rock and the beaches of Uppuveli and Nilaveli.
6 places
Beach · Culture · Wildlife
- City
Anuradhapura
The island's first capital: 2,000-year-old stupas, the sacred Bodhi tree and the pilgrim hill of Mihintale.
5 places
Culture · Sustainable
- Area
Sigiriya & Dambulla
The Lion Rock and the painted cave temples, with elephant safaris at Minneriya and Kaudulla nearby.
5 places
Culture · Wildlife · Adventure
Places to see
Colombo
Colombo, Western Province
The commercial capital: arrival city, colonial Fort, Pettah and the Galle Face seafront.
FoodCultureLuxury
Kandy
Kandy, Central Province
Last royal capital and UNESCO city around the Temple of the Tooth and a lake.
CultureFamily
Nine Arch Bridge
Gotuwala, Ella
Colonial-era stone railway viaduct in a tea valley; trains cross several times a day.
CultureFamily
Sigiriya
Sigiriya, Central Province
The 5th-century Lion Rock fortress with frescoes, water gardens and a summit palace.
CultureAdventureFamily
Gangaramaya Temple
61 Sri Jinarathana Rd, Colombo 02
Eclectic lakeside Buddhist temple and museum in the heart of Colombo.
CultureFamily
National Museum of Colombo
Sir Marcus Fernando Mawatha, Colombo 07
The island's largest museum: royal regalia, antiquities and natural history in a colonial building.
CultureFamily
Pettah Market
Main St, Pettah, Colombo 11
Frenetic bazaar district of textile lanes, spice merchants and the Red Mosque.
FoodCulture
Independence Memorial Hall
Independence Ave, Colombo 07
Kandyan-style monument and lawns marking independence in 1948; a popular evening walk.
CultureFamily
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
Sri Dalada Veediya, Kandy
Sri Dalada Maligawa — the shrine of the Buddha's tooth relic; pujas at dawn, midday and evening.
Culture
Showing 9 of 32 places