Top Places to Visit in Sri Lanka – Iconic Sights for the Visitor

Colombo, the largest city in Sri Lanka offers a host of interesting attractions for the visitor. In this bustling metropolis, you will find an array of excellent restaurants, cafes, hotels, shopping highlights and plenty of transportation options. A well-known part of Colombo is Fort, a stronghold in colonial times that today contains many offices and other important establishments. On the other hand, Galle Face Green is a promenade on the seaside that is a well-known leisure site in the city. Avid shoppers should make it a point to visit Pettah, a splendid local bazaar which offers a bewildering selection of merchandise. Many other features of interest can also be found in Colombo.

The remarkable rock fortress at Sigiriya is undoubtedly one of Sri Lanka's most renowned cultural attractions. The remnants of a splendid fortress constructed atop the Sigiriya rock by the controversial King Kasyapa can be seen by those who take the opportunity to climb up to the summit of the rock. On your way to the summit of the rock, you will encounter the famous Sigiriya frescoes, which are intriguing images of female figures who may be heavenly damsels or perhaps the ladies of the king's harem. The mirror wall and Sigiriya graffiti are other well-known features that may be seen at the Sigiriya complex.

The historically significant city of Kandy has the distinction of being the part of Sri Lanka that was the very last to retain its independence from European colonisers. Taking pride of place in Kandy is the famous Temple of the Tooth, which houses a tooth relic of the Buddha. Kandy is located in Sri Lanka's highlands, set surrounding a lake in the midst of picturesque scenic beauty. Kandy is also the location of another of Sri Lanka's cultural highlights, the elaborate Esala Perahera which is a grand procession featuring splendidly clad elephants, acrobats, dancers, drummers, musicians and other performers. A choice of accommodation that you could consider from which these attractions in Sri Lanka can be conveniently experienced would be Aitken Spence Hotels; this would be an option travellers will find when seeking the best hotels in Sri Lanka.

The ancient city of Anuradhapura is sure to appeal to the culture lover with its intriguing ruins that hint at its grandeur in times gone by. A well-known religious attraction to be seen at Anuradhapura is the revered Sri Mahabodhi tree which is believed to be a descendant of the very tree beneath which the Buddha attained the state of Enlightenment. You will also find many other Buddhist highlights in this city including a number of huge stupas, which would have ranked amongst the biggest buildings in the world in ancient times. Visitors will also find that Anuradhapura is enlivened by the numerous celebrations and ceremonies conducted here.

The attractive town of Nuwara Eliya is renowned for its comparatively cool climate and scenic beauty. The pleasantly cool climate of Nuwara Eliya offers a welcome respite from the warmth of Sri Lanka's more low-lying regions. You will see that this charming city is situated amidst picturesque tea estates at a high altitude, making it an appealing locality to visit. Nuwara Eliya was founded by English colonialists and became one of their favoured locations, whilst today the town is frequented by many Sri Lankans as well as tourists. Nuwara Eliya features an excellent golf course as well as the esteemed Hakgala Botanical Gardens.