Sri LankaCities

Sri Lanka may be a small island, but every inch of it is packed with stunning landscapes, sandy beaches, clear blue waters, ancient ruins, heritage sites, wildlife reserves and natural rainforests. The compact size of the island means that you could be snorkelling on the west coast one day, tracking leopards in the southeast the next day, and hiking in the cold misty mountains the following day. The country’s easily accessible and varied landscape lets you experience more during your holiday here. Furthermore, Sri Lanka has generally great weather all year-round, so you can visit the country at any time of year. However, take note that due to the monsoon rains, the west and south of the country is more suitable from November to April, while the east and north east are more suitable for travel from May to October.

The main cities in Sri Lanka offer a primary attraction or experience that is heavily marketed to local and foreign tourists. However, many of these cities have now developed secondary experiences and places of interest which are as captivating as the big-ticket attractions. Tales of Ceylon helps you to identify these other attractions and experiences so that you can make the most of your time in each city. All locations are accessible by road, unless specified. Some cities are even accessible by seaplane or helicopter.

The country has developed in recent years to cater to the needs of foreign visitors. Although certain areas may still be rather rural, a large majority of the island is equipped with basic facilities such as electricity, running water, hospitals, telephone reception and most importantly wi-fi! It is advisable to carry cash when you travel outside of the main cities, as electronic payment methods are still a very urban phenomenon in the country.

Sri Lanka is a warm and friendly place that is welcoming of visitors. The people are generally eager to help and have a generous spirit. You will see small differences in how people behave and interact in different parts of the island, with some areas being more comfortable with outsiders than others. However, always be cautious of your surroundings and use your discretion when interacting with people, as there are those who do take advantage of people and situations. Sri Lanka has many great places to visit, all of which might not fit into one holiday, but you can always come back! Here’s our top pick of cities you should visit.