Where to go in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is compact: Sigiriya, Kandy, the tea hills and the south coast fit into a week with a car and driver. Pick a city to see things to do, stay areas by budget, food and how to get between stops.

West coast · Colombo, Negombo, Bentota

• Negombo: Beach town 20 minutes from the airport (1–2 nights)
• Bentota: River-mouth beaches, water sports and Ayurveda (2–3 nights)
• Colombo: Seafront capital, temples, markets and crab (1–2 nights)

Cultural Triangle · Sigiriya, Dambulla, Polonnaruwa

• Sigiriya & Dambulla: Lion Rock, cave temples and wild elephants (2–3 nights)

Hill Country · Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella

• Kandy: Temple of the Tooth, lake and botanic gardens (2–3 nights)
• Nuwara Eliya: Tea estates, cool air and Horton Plains (1–2 nights)
• Ella: Nine Arch Bridge, tea-hill hikes and the scenic train (2–3 nights)

South coast · Galle, Mirissa, Yala

• Yala & Tissamaharama: Leopard safaris and the Kataragama temple (1–2 nights)
• Mirissa: Whale watching, small coves and surf (2–3 nights)
• Galle: Dutch fort town, ramparts and nearby beaches (2–3 nights)

East coast · Trincomalee, Nilaveli

• Trincomalee: East-coast beaches, Koneswaram and summer snorkelling (2–4 nights)