Interesting and Happening Places to Visit in Nuwaraeliya
2022 Febraury updated
Also known as Little England, Nuwara Eliya is a beautiful city located in the hill country of Sri Lanka. As a result of its location in the highlands, Nuwara Eliya has a mild climate. It is usually well known for its fruits, vegetables, and other vegetation. Nuwara Eliya is also home to wonderful wildlife such as wild boar, leopard, and numerous bird species.
Nuwara Eliya aside from all these wonderful attractions is also a great producer of tea in Sri Lanka. The climate is one of the best for tea production. There are numerous popular places to visit in Nuwaraeliya like Gregory Lake, Sita Temple, Horton Plains National Park, Devon Waterfall and so much more.
How to travel
Distance from Airport – 160 Km
By Road
160 km or 4 ½ to 5 hour’s drive
Colombo – Kandy – Nuwara Eliyah Highway – with traffic
By Train
Colombo – Badulla Express train – 6 hour’s
Walk in to Colombo fort railway station and you can get tickets for 3rd class and 2nd class. (3rd class railway tickets price is very cheap)
3rd class is very crowded sometimes not recommended for tourists.
To pre-book a rail journey contact a travel agency
For more information, log in to – http://www.railway.gov.lk/web
By Air
Colombo – Nuwara Eliya – 20 to 30 minutes
The following travel companies offer internal chatter flights and Helicopter tours
https://www.senoksl.com/travel-and-leisure/airport-and-aviation-services-sri-lanka.html
01 Horton Plains
Location
With montane grassland and cloud forest within its borders, the Horton Plains National Park is one of the favourite places to visit in Nuwaraeliya for tourists during Sri Lankan tours. It is an evergreen natural park with wildlife such as the Lankan sambar deer and other typical mammals and birds. Aside from fauna (animal species), the Horton Plains National Park is filled with amazing flora (plant species). It has about 750 different plant species.
Distance from Colombo Airport
185 km and 5 ½ to 6 hour’s drive
Entry:
You need to buy tickets
Timings:
6.00 am to 5.00 pm
Try to go as early as possible in the morning (at least 5.30 am) because there will be a queue at the ticketing counter. If you can enter the park before the first light, you can get the maximum return on your trip
02 World’s End
Location
Inside the Horton Plains National Park in the Nuwara Eliya District of Sri Lanka is the World’s End. As a cliff of about 4,000 feet in height, the World’s End is a hot spot in the park. Due to its steepness and depth of fall, the World’s End is your number one option for all your hiking anytime you visit the Horton Plains National Park in Sri Lanka.
Distance from Colombo Airport
185 km and 5 ½ to 6 hour’s drive
Entry:
You need to buy tickets
Timings:
6.00 am to 5.00 pm
You can see this landmark on your tour at Horton Plains. Be cautious of your children at this point and please don’t go to the edge of the cliff.
03 Bakers Falls
Location
Best known as a famous waterfall in Sri Lanka, Barker’s Falls is located inside the Horton Plains National Park. Baker’s Falls is on the Belihul Oya watercourse. It can be found on your way from the entrance of the Horton Plains National Park to the World’s End. This place is a paradise for hiking lovers and fans. The Baker’s Falls can be found amidst fern bushes and other vegetation. The Baker's Falls also gives you a captivating view of the area.
Distance from Colombo Airport
185 km and 5 ½ to 6 hour’s drive
Entry:
You need to buy tickets
Timings:
6.00 am to 5.00 pm
This waterfall can be seen when you go to Horton plains. Do not Swim, there is a nice platform built nearby to the waterfall, you can sit there and enjoy the view.
04 Ambewela Farm
Location
Ambewela, “Little New Zealand” is a beautiful village. It is on your way to the Horton Plains National Park in the Nuwara Eliya District of Sri Lanka. The conditions in Ambewela favour dairy farming. Due to this, the only milk powder factory in the country is in Ambewela. The calm nature of the place and the beauty of cows on grasslands makes Ambewela a perfect place for some hill country relaxation.
Distance from Colombo Airport
170 km or 5 to 5 ½ hour’s drive
Entry:
No need to buy tickets
Timings:
8.00 am to 5.00 pm
Don’t forget to drink a fresh cup of milk.
05Ohiya (the rural village)
Location
Situated in the Badulla District of Uva Province, Sri Lanka is the Ohiya rural village. It is closer to Horton Plains National Park (about 8 kilometres) and has several attractions. The Railway at Ohiya is the third largest railway in the whole of Sri Lanka. There some many amazing places in Ohiya. Some of these are; the Devil’s Staircase, Bambarakanda Falls, and the Rahangala Mountain. One of the best things to do in Nuwaraeliya is to go hiking or jogging near Ohiya.
Distance from Colombo Airport
188 km or 5 ½ to 6 hour’s drive
Entry:
No need to buy tickets
Timings:
24-hour open
You don’t believe that you are in a Tropical country. Try to stay at least 24 hours here. There are nice small hotels. You can get a different Sri Lankan winter village experience here.
06Devon waterfall
Location
Also known as ‘the Veil of the Valley’, the Devon Waterfall is amongst the breathtaking waterfalls in the Nuwara Eliya district. The Devon Waterfalls is about a few kilometres from the Talawakelle town. The Devon Waterfalls is about 318 feet high and is a tributary of the Kothmale Oya (or Kothmale River). This waterfall gives you an impressive feel of nature in all its beauty and serenity
Distance from Colombo Airport
125 km or 3 ½ to 4-hour drive
Entry:
No need to buy tickets
Timings:
24-hour open
Do NOT swim or bathe here. After enjoying the waterfall don’t forget to have a fresh Ceylon cup of tea at Mlesna tea castle with the view of Devon waterfall.
07St. Clair’s fall
Location
Commonly known as the ‘Little Niagara of Sri Lanka’, the St. Clair’s Falls is a tributary of the Mahaweli River and flows over three massive outcrops before falling. It is close to the Devon Falls in Talawakelle. It is made of two falls and is also the 20th highest fall in Sri Lanka.
Distance from Colombo Airport
130 km or 3 ½ to 4-hour drive
Entry:
No need to buy tickets
Timings:
24-hour open
You can see the falls from either the main road or take one of the small paths in the tea plantations that leads to the waterfall.
08Lake Gregory
Location
A lake named after the British Governor at the time (Sir William Gregory), Lake Gregory is a perfect place for your evening strolls. The weather at Nuwara Eliya is very cool there. The beauty of this waterbody is beautiful and relaxing to watch. There is a lot of fun to have at Lake Gregory with your family and friends. It is definitely one of the top places to visit in Nuwaraeliya.
Distance from Colombo Airport
160 km or 4 ½ to 5 hour’s drive
Entry:
160 km or 4 ½ to 5 hour’s drive
Timings:
6.00 am to 6.00 pm ideal season – January to April
You can do cycling, pony rides, Jet-ski, swan boating and many more. Pay separately per activity.
09Ramboda Falls
Location
Ramboda Waterfalls is a spectacular waterfall en route Nuwara Eliya. It is a top choice for travellers and tourists who visit Nuwara Eliya. Its view from Nuwara Eliya is amazing. It also consists of two drops. The fall is beautiful throughout the seasons and irrespective of the time of the year. The Ramboda Waterfalls is on the Pana Oya watercourse.
Distance from Colombo Airport
160 km or 4 ½ to 5 hour’s drive
Entry:
No need to buy tickets
Timings:
open 24-hour
Middle Ramboda fall is ideal to have a bath. Refresh yourself before lunch.There are some good restaurants nearby to have a meal while watching the view of the waterfall
10Hakgala Botanical Garden
Location
If you want to explore rare plant and flower varieties, Hakgala Botanic Gardens is one of the best places to visit in Nuwaraeliya. There’s quite a lot to see here, so allocate a few hours to enjoy the site fully.
Hakgala Botanical Gardens was established in 1861 and was initially a place of cultivation to experiment with crops like tea. The Gardens are famous for their eye-catchy collections of orchids and roses that are best enjoyed during the spring season (March - April) in Nuwara Eliya.
Distance from Colombo Airport
166 km or 4 ½ to 5 hour’s drive
Entry:
You need to buy tickets
Timings:
7.30 am to 5.00 pm
Hire a Golf cart by paying an additional charge if you feel uncomfortable walking but still want to see all the special places inside the garden.
11Victoria’s Park
Location
Victoria's Park was originally a research field of Hakgala Botanical Garden. Victoria’s Park is close to the Nuwara Eliya Post Office. Victoria’s Park has large trees and rare birds. One of the most popular things to do in Nuwaraeliya is to go for family picnics to the park.
Distance from Colombo Airport
157 km or 4 ½ to 5 hour’s drive
Entry:
You need to buy tickets
Timings:
7.00 am to 7.00 pm
The Park is beautiful between March-May and August-September when the flowers are in full bloom. It’s also an excellent place to observe some rare species of birds.
12Thotupola Kanda
Location
With a height of 2357 meters, Thotupola Kanda is Sri Lanka's third-largest summit. Although it is located within Horton Plains National Park, many people disregard it as a worthwhile tourist attraction in Nuwara Eliya.
A long trail that leads to the summit of the mountain is suitable for moderate to beginner hikers. It's also a fantastic experience for kids!
Distance from Colombo Airport
180 km or 5 to 5 ½ hour’s drive
Entry:
no need to buy tickets
Timings:
6.00 am to 5.00 pm
The trek takes around 40 minutes to complete, difficulty level – moderate
Use trekking shoes, bring a water bottle
13Seetha Amman Kovil
Location
The Seetha Amman Temple, also known as the Sita Temple, is a prominent tourist attraction in Nuwara Eliya. A temple dedicated to Lord Rama's wife, Sita, is located on top of a hill 1 kilometre from the Hakgala Gardens. Hindu followers believe here is where King Ravana took Sita hostage.
Distance from Colombo Airport
164 km or 4 ½ to 5 hour’s drive
Entry:
no need to buy tickets
Timings:
7.00 am to 5.00 pm
This is a Hindu Temple be cautious about your dress. Study about Ramayana Tale before you visit the place.
14Nuwara Eliya golf club
Location
This is a must-see destination for golf enthusiasts. Nuwara Eliya Golf Club, created in 1889 by the elegant British who governed the island at the time, is one of Asia's oldest golf clubs. Even today, the atmosphere is a blend of colonial and modern, with a large expanse of lush flora perfectly matching its attractiveness.
Distance from Colombo Airport
157 km or 4 ½ to 5 hour’s drive
Entry:
you need to buy tickets
Timings:
8.00 am to 5.00 pm or you can stay there
Check availability before you go if you are going to stay there. If not, you can have a visit and play some golf with your friends.
15Mount Pidurutalagala
Location
Mount Pidurutalagala, also known as Mount Pedro, is the island's tallest mountain, standing at 2524 meters. It is encircled by a forest reserve, which is home to a diverse range of flora and wildlife, including several indigenous species.
Because the mountain's peak serves as a base for the country's radar system, the entire area is tightly fortified and guarded by the military.
Distance from Colombo Airport
163 km or 4 ½ to 5 hour’s drive
Entry:
No need to buy tickets
Timings:
Permission needed
Trekking the mountain is not permitted, but you can go on a jeep ride after obtaining permission from the authorities. The best time to visit Piduruthalagala is during the morning hours when it’s not too foggy.
16Moon Plains
Location
The Moon Plains, also known as Sandathenna, is a relatively new attraction that first welcomed visitors in 2010. The huge emerald slopes that you see today were formerly a dumpsite before the authorities chose to turn it into a tourist attraction. The "Mini World's End," a cliff with panoramic views of nature, is the main attraction here. On a clear day, you can see all nine of the island's major mountains from a viewpoint.
Distance from Colombo Airport
165 km or 4 ½ to 5 hour’s drive
Entry:
No need to buy tickets but need to hire a jeep
Timings:
7.00 am to 4.00 pm
The location is close to the city, roughly 2.5km to the entrance from the Nuwaraeliya town. Once you reach the Moon Plains office, you are supposed to reserve a safari jeep to ascend moon plains.
17Bombaru Ella Falls
Location
The widest waterfall in Sri Lanka is the Bomburu Ella Waterfall. Swimming or bathing in the main pool is not recommended due to its depth, and camping is not permitted on the grounds.
The waterfall is accessible through a 2-kilometre hike from the Bomburu Ella settlement. To travel to the town, you can take public transportation or hire a private automobile.
Distance from Colombo Airport
175 km or 5 to 5 ½ hour’s drive
Entry:
No need to buy tickets
Timings:
open 24-hours
Take precautions to avoid leeches. To reach the waterfall, you have to embark on a 2 km trek from the Bomburu Ella village.
18Visit a Tea Estate
Location
The high altitude of Nuwara Eliya makes it ideal for tea plantations, and some of the best varieties of the world-famous Ceylon Tea are made here. There is a number of tea factories you can visit in Nuwara Eliya. Please see the location tag I have mentioned 3 factories you can visit.
Distance from Colombo Airport
160 km or 4 ½ to 5 hour’s drive
Entry:
No need to buy tickets
Timings:
9.00 am to 5.00 pm
Make a Call to the factory before you go there. You can learn about Ceylon Tea, the history of Ceylon Tea, How tea is manufactured and you can buy original Ceylon tea from these factories.
19Horse races at racecourse grounds
Location
The Nuwara Eliya Racecourse is Sri Lanka's only extant horse racing site. The racetrack is one of the highest in the world, at 1,868 meters (6,129 feet) above sea level. The track measures 1,800 meters (5,900 feet) in circumference (about 9 furlongs) and contains a 333-meter straight. The Nuwara Eliya Gymkhana Club organized the first racing meeting in Nuwara Eliya, which took place in 1875.
Distance from Colombo Airport
157 km or 4 ½ to 5 hour’s drive
Entry:
No need to buy tickets
Timings:
6.00 am to 10.00 pm
The month of April is the ideal time to visit if you want to see horse racing. That is the festive season of Nuwara Eliya.
20Fox Hill Supercross
Location
The Nuwara Eliya Racecourse is Sri Lanka's only extant horse racing site. The racetrack is one of the highest in the world, at 1,868 meters (6,129 feet) above sea level. The track measures 1,800 meters (5,900 feet) in circumference (about 9 furlongs) and contains a 333-meter straight. The Nuwara Eliya Gymkhana Club organized the first racing meeting in Nuwara Eliya, which took place in 1875.
Distance from Colombo Airport
220 km or 5 to 5 ½ hour’s drive
Entry:
You need to buy tickets
Timings:
Month of April in every Year
If you visit Srilanka in the Month of April, you can visit this event. Contact a travel agency for more information
21Visit a Strawberry Farm
Location
One of the most popular things to do in Nuwara Eliya is visit a strawberry farm. It's fascinating to see strawberries being cultivated and picked in both open fields and polytunnels.
Strawberry provider Jagro is one of the most well-known in the country. Freshly harvested strawberries can also be purchased at a reasonable price at the farm's outlets.
Distance from Colombo Airport
170 km or 5 to 5 ½ hour’s drive
Entry:
No need to buy tickets
Timings:
10.00 am to 6.00 pm
Recommended visiting in the harvesting season generally start in the month of September each year.
Pluck the strawberries from your own hand
22Lovers leap waterfall
Location
This waterfall, which pours from Sri Lanka's tallest peak, Piduruthalagala, has a tragic legend attached to it. According to legend, it was here that a prince and his alleged laywoman lover committed suicide after the prince's family objected to their relationship.
Distance from Colombo Airport
160 km or 4 ½ to 5 hour’s drive
Entry:
No need to buy tickets
Timings:
8.00 am to 5.00 pm
The route to Lover’s Leap Waterfall starts from the Pedro Tea Estate entrance, and if you choose to go on foot
23Sri Bhakta Hanuman Temple
Location
Sri Bhakta Hanuman Temple is one of Sri Lanka's most important Hanuman Temples, situated on the peak of a stunningly magnificent mountain near Ramboda, 30 kilometers north of Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka's tea country hill station. The Sri Lankan Chinmaya Mission built this Hanuman Temple in Ramboda. The Shri Bhakta Hanuman temple is devoted to the God Hanuman and is an essential stop on the Sri Lankan Ramayana Tour. Inside the Shri Bhakta Hanuman Temple in Ramboda, visitors may see the 18-foot Hanuman statue, which is the tallest Hanuman statue in Sri Lanka.
Distance from Colombo Airport
130 km or 3 ½ to 4 hour’s drive
Entry:
No need to buy tickets
Timings:
7.00 am to 1.00 pm and 3.30 pm to 6.30 pm
Don’t forget to enjoy traditional Indian food in the restaurant on site
24Galway’s Land National Park
Location
Galway's Land National Park is a tiny national park in Nawara Eliya that is made up of lush highland forest. On May 27, 1938, it was legally designated as a wildlife refuge. On May 18, 2006, Galway's Land was designated as a national park. The Park was established to protect highland ecosystems. About 20 uncommon migrant bird species and 30 native bird species live on Galway's Land. Aside from the avifauna, the park is home to a variety of valuable floral species, both native and exotic. The Galway Forest Lodge is a short distance from the park.
Distance from Colombo Airport
160 km or 4 ½ to 5 hour’s drive
Entry:
You need to buy tickets
Timings:
6.00 am to 5.00 pm
You must visit early in the morning to see the birds. Don’t expect to see a lot of large animals as you can see in other national parks in Sri Lanka. This is the best place to study the montane ecosystem of Srilanka.
25St. Francis Xavier’s Church
Location
Galway's Land National Park is a tiny national park in Nawara Eliya that is made up of lush highland forest. On May 27, 1938, it was legally designated as a wildlife refuge. On May 18, 2006, Galway's Land was designated as a national park. The Park was established to protect highland ecosystems. About 20 uncommon migrant bird species and 30 native bird species live on Galway's Land. Aside from the avifauna, the park is home to a variety of valuable floral species, both native and exotic. The Galway Forest Lodge is a short distance from the park.
Distance from Colombo Airport
160 km or 4 ½ to 5 hour’s drive
Entry:
No need to buy tickets
Timings:
8.00 am to 5.00 pm
Don’t forget to visit Franciscan sister’s Jam Room - This small shop is run by a group of nuns who manufacture the products in the building located behind the shop. Most of the fresh produce, like strawberries, are also sourced from the garden in the shop premises.
Please check on the opening time before you go - +94522222564