Top 5 Cities to Visit in Sri Lanka – Places That Will Entrance the Sightseer

Sri Lanka's bustling commercial capital Colombo will be a great place to commence your tour of the attractions of Sri Lanka. Colombo has been the nation's commercial focal point for many centuries, having been a convenient trading location due to its large harbour. This city inherits a rich history which includes the eventful colonial era when it was controlled by Portuguese, Dutch and in turn the British colonizers. Colombo offers an array of attractions for the visitor such as museums, cultural monuments, shopping highlights and parks. After a busy day of sightseeing and shopping, you will have the opportunity to relax and unwind at Galle Face Green, a popular park adjoining the ocean.

Your tour of Sri Lanka's sightseeing attractions would not be complete without visiting the ancient city of Anuradhapura. Anuradhapura was one of the ancient capitals of the Sinhalese people and accordingly, you will find an intriguing selection of ruins here dating from the nation's royal era. Taking pride of place in this city is the Sri Maha Bodhi tree which is believed to be a descendant of the very bo tree under which the Buddha attained Enlightenment. You will also find a host of temples, palaces and other monuments in this sacred city. This remarkable city will undoubtedly capture the imagination of the history and culture enthusiast.

The town of Sigiriya is renowned for its major sightseeing attraction, the splendid rock fortress which is regarded as being one of Sri Lanka's cultural treasures. At Sigiriya, you will find a mammoth boulder, on top of which you will find the ruins of the lavish palace that was constructed by the renegade King Kasyapa. The remnants that remain today still convey an impression of the grandeur of the site during its heyday. Highlights at this engrossing historical site include the famous Sigiriya frescoes, the mirror wall and the Sigiriya graffiti. A steady stream of visitors frequents this fascinating cultural attraction.

The centrally located city of Kandy has the distinction of being Sri Lanka's second biggest city. It is also considered to be a hub for the local culture with many features of interest. The most important site in Kandy is the Temple of the Tooth which as its name indicates, houses a tooth relic of the Buddha. Another attraction in this charming city is the Esala Perahera, a colourful street procession featuring an array of elephants and performers. Kandy also boasts other attractions like Kandy Lake and the Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya. If you would be interested in resorts in Sri Lanka, a choice of accommodation to consider would be VC Villas & Resorts, which has a property in Kandy from which the above attractions would be within easy reach.

The highland town of Nuwara Eliya is renowned for its pleasantly cool climate which has made it an attractive holiday destination. Sri Lanka is famed for its tea, and if you appreciate this pleasant beverage you will enjoy visiting Nuwara Eliya as it is a hub for the tea industry. In the environs of this town, you will have the opportunity to visit one of the tea estates and gain a fascinating insight into the cultivation and manufacturing of tea. You will also find other interesting attractions in this area such as Lake Gregory as well as Laxapana, one of the island's most renowned waterfalls.