Top 6 Places to Visit in Sri Lanka – Journey Across the Island

Perhaps Sri Lanka's most well-known tourist attraction, Sigiriya Rock is a towering rock fortress that was built by King Kashyapa in the 5th century. You can climb up its steps to the top to get a bird's-eye view of the surrounding region. The attraction has been declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is located within Sri Lanka's cultural triangle.

Head to the hilly landscapes of the island's Central Province and venture inside the Horton Plains National Park. This wildlife and nature park rests on a vast plateau which is at a high enough elevation to allow for the formation of cloud forests. Set off through the park by vehicle or bicycle and keep an eye out for native wildlife species such as the Sambar Deer. A must see attraction inside the park is the World's End precipice which features a sheer drop of over 4,000 feet. You can also trek across the park to visit Baker's Falls, one of the country's most famous waterfalls. It takes its name from the renowned British explorer Sir Samuel Baker.

Climb the steps up to the summit of the iconic mountain, Sri Pada and observe the colossal footprint that lies entrenched in the ground. The Christian's and Muslim's believe it was left by Adam, while the Hindus and Buddhists believe it was made by the god Shiva and the Buddha respectively.

Located on the island of Karainagar in the island's north, this white-washed beach gets its name from the groves of casuarina trees that line the shores. You can take a boat ride out into the sea and enjoy miles and miles of shallow waters which only reach as high as your shoulders.

Check out Yala National Park in the Hambantota District, Sri Lanka's most well-known wildlife reserve, for a chance to see the elephants, peacocks, Sri Lankan Leopards and a plethora of other wildlife. From Colombo, the park is about a 6 or 7-hour drive, so arrange to stay overnight in the region for at least one night. You can book yourself into accommodation in nearby towns such as Tissamaharama, which is also where many of the tours into the park start. If you are looking for chauffeured Sri Lanka car rental services to use for this purpose, check out companies like Malkey Rent A Car and similar others.

Wander beneath the verdant canopies of Sri Lanka's very own tropical rainforest. The Sinharaja Rainforest is home to a myriad of native plant and wildlife species and retains a magical atmosphere as it seems largely untouched by human hands. Don't worry though, there are trekking trails that criss-cross their way across the forest which you can follow, once you head inside on a guided tour.