Places to visit in Bandarawela – Explore the city among the hills

This is one of the main attractions in Bandarawela. The cave temple is in the rural village, Dowa. You can get there by travelling on the Badulla-Bandarawela road. The temple is also called the 'Dhowa Raja Maha Viharaya' meaning the origins of the temple dates back to when Sri Lanka was a monarchy, some 2000 years ago. The temple is situated at the foot of a mount and there is a beautiful stream flowing by. The highlights of the temple are the ornamental gateway and the large Buddha statue. There is a secret tunnel inside the cave and it still is a mystery as no one knows where it leads to. Visitors are not allowed to enter the tunnel as well.

There are two waterfalls in Bandarawela and both are called 'Ravana Ella'. One is by the side of the Wallawaye-Bandarawela main road and the other one is hidden. The fall which you can't see from the road is known as the 'real' Ravana Fall. It is called so because the legendary cave in which Seetha was hidden by Ravana is in the vicinity. This fall is also known as the Bamabaragama Falls. It is a very popular waterfall in the country. Visit Ravana Falls during or right after the rainy seasons to see the waterfall flowing at full force.

To see the best views of Sri Lanka's hill country, visit the Lipton seat. This is the highest observation point of the Poonagala Hill. The point is surrounded by tea plantations and the scene is very calming and relaxing. If you are a photographer, this is one of the best places to visit to capture the beauty of Sri Lanka. You should visit Lipton's seat before 9 am to see the best view. Many a Bandarawela hotel the likes of Bandarawela Hotel are located around the estate and it would take you less than 15 mins to get here.

If you are a hiker, this is the place for you. The Ella Rock is a world-famous hiking destination. The sceneries you witness while hiking is breath-taking. Travelling without a guide is a grave mistake. Even the most avid hikers tend to get lost among the large bushes and tea estates. The best time to start hiking is at around 4 am. That is because the view of the sunrise from the mountain is just spectacular. There are more than 15 routes to get to the Ella Rock so pack your maps and call your guide before you start.

This is a monastery ruled by the Benedictine monks. This Tudor style mansion was built in 1913. The Adisham monastery of St. Sebastian is housed here. The chapel of the bungalow has an old relic of St. Sylvester. To visit the Adisham bungalow, you need to drive 4km into Haputale. This is one of the last 18 sylvestrian congregations in the world. The bungalow is charming and absolutely gorgeous against the misty hills of Bandarawela.