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Written By Arabiers Digital & Reviewed by Robeena Brown
09 January 2026 | 13 min read
Sri Lanka is an island in Indian Ocean known for its warm hospitality, ancient culture and breathtaking landscapes. From the misty hills of tea country, to golden sandy beaches to ancient ruins, the island offers unforgettable travel experiences for travellers from across the world. There are Sri Lanka holiday packages to guide travellers explore key experiences in the country for an all-round experience.
Often called ‘The Pearl of Indian Ocean’, Sri Lanka is popular for rich history, nature and unique traditions. It’s the perfect destination for travellers looking to experience a blend of all these.
Sri Lanka people are known for their welcoming spirit and being friendly. The people are polite and smile ‘hellos’ to visitors. Locals are eager to share their culture making visitors feel truly welcome. People are easy to get along with, will show you how things are done and make your stay in Sri Lanka worth.
The cultural heritage of Sri Lanka dates to over 2500 years ago. There are ancient cities, temples and colonial architecture with Dutch and British influences.
Cultural places you should visit include Sigiriya, the sacred city of Anuradhapura which is home to Sri Maha Bodhi, a sacred fig tree and among oldest trees in world.
For spiritual experience tour Kandy City, the cultural capital of Sri Lanka. Visit Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic house to Buddhist most revered relic.
Dutch legacy can be seen at Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There is the Old Dutch Hospital in Colombo that has been transformed to dining and shopping area. Tour also Dutch Period Museum for more insight into Dutch influence to Sri Lankans.
To experience British influence, tour Nuwara Eliya, also called ‘Little England’. It is hill station with Tudor-style architecture, manicure gardens. See legendary Nuwara Eliya Golf Club and visit sprawling tea plantations established by British in old days.
Among most enchanting things in Sri Lanka is dramatic vary in climate. Enjoy transformative journey within few hours drive. You can sunbathe in southern coast and drive towards misty highlands same day.
Different regions have distinct weather conditions so you experience different during tour.
Highlands have cool climates and are covered with tea plantations and has breathtaking views. Train ride from Kandy to Ella is one of most scenic train journeys in world. Passes through Nine Arches Bridge a great spot for photos especially hanging on train doors. Go hiking at Ella Rock and Little Adam’s Peak for great views.
Enjoy wildlife encounters at Yala National Park, which has highest leopard population. Go to Udawalawe for Asia elephants viewing and also watch whales at Mirissa. Other parks to consider include Minneriya, Wilpattu National Park.
Sri Lanka is popular for tea, which is among its top exports. Tour plantations to learn tea making process from picking to processing and enjoy cup of freshly brewed Ceylon tea.
The island is also known for Ceylon cinnamon, known for sweet delicate flavor and low coumarin. Tour the cinnamon fields and learn about it production and even carry samples. When in Galle and Matara you see cinnamon peeler artisan scraping and rolling soft inner bark into delicate quills.
Don’t miss out on culinary adventure to discover foods of Sri Lankans. Majority meals center around rice and curry. Try out street foods and local restaurants for traditional delicacies.
Some of the iconic dishes to try include Hoppers and Kottu Roti, which is common street food of shredded flatbread, chopped meat, egg and vegetables grilled on hot griddle.
Don’t miss out on fresh sea food when touring coastal towns. When in Negombo try towns popular Mud Crab Curry with spiced coconut milk. In Mirissa enjoy grilled jumbo prawns and ambul thiyal which is sour fish curry preserved with a tropical fruit called goraka.
Best time to visit: Sri Lanka experiences two main monsoons which means there’s always sunny region depending on time of year. To explore west and south coast it is best to visit December to April and for east coast visit May to September.
How to get around Island: book train for scenic journey in highlands from Kandy to Ella. Private transport is most flexible and comfortable for an ambitious itinerary. Tuk tuks are ideal for short local trips within same city.
Learn cultural etiquette: Be respectable of local culture. Dress modestly when visiting religious sites like temples. Ask permission before taking pictures of people more so in rural places. Don’t ever turn your back to Buddha statue when taking photo.
Language: Learn basic Sri Lankan words to help you get around like greetings. Sri Lankans are very hospitable as mentioned earlier and sign that you interested to learn about their culture or language goes a long way.
Sri Lanka is an island that has it all. It promises adventure and delivers connection with people, nature and also history. From the ancient temples, to scenic highlands and welcoming locals, tours in Sri Lanka offer lasting memories for travellers.
The island has grown to popular tourist destination thanks to scenic landscapes, dramatic climate changes with regions, rich culture and also golden beaches. It has become a suitable destination for all types of travellers, whether looking for adventure, relaxation and looking to connect with nature.