14 Awesome Things To Do In Sri Lanka in 2024

Planning a trip to the pearl of the Indian Ocean and wondering what to do in Sri Lanka? Well, lucky for you because there are so many awesome things to do in Sri Lanka!

We spent 7 weeks in Sri Lanka, exploring all the amazing places to visit in Sri Lanka and trying out all the amazing activities in the country. From hiking to surfing to eating, we’ve tried and tested all of the wonderful things there are to do in Sri Lanka. (Spoiler alert: there are a lot).

Ready to have some fun? Read on for our list of 14 awesome things to do in Sri Lanka.

Things to do in Sri Lanka: Surfing

Sri Lanka is a surfer’s paradise and offers consistent breaks for all levels. Easy access to rentals and lessons makes this a prime spot for beginners to experts. It’s no surprise that surfing is one of the most popular things to do in Sri Lanka.

Weligama has a very gentle break, a wide beach and affordable lessons, making it a popular place to visit in Sri Lanka for beginner surfers. Hirikitiya is fast becoming one of the most popular places to visit in Sri Lanka, and while offering consistent surf, can become very crowded. There are also some big rocks hidden underwater, so please take care if jumping in here. 

Arugam Bay is another surfing hotspot and one of the best places to surf in the country. There’s also a well-established backpacker scene here, which leads to many non-surfers just hanging around and enjoying the vibe. 

Things to do in Sri Lanka: Diving and Snorkelling

For those interested in pursuits under the water, Sri Lanka offers some opportunities for decent snorkelling and diving.

While you’re not going to get the clarity or diversity of the Maldives or Southeast Asia, if you’re a keen underwater explorer, blowing some bubbles is still an excellent thing to do in Sri Lanka.

On the West Coast, snorkelling and diving are centred around Kalipitiya, Hikkaduwa and Unawatuna from November to April.  Dives are easy to arrange and can be done here.

On the East Coast, there is fantastic snorkelling off Pigeon Island and okay diving around Trincomalee. If heading to the East Coast, the season is from April to October. Snorkelling trips can be arranged on the spot and with little notice, but if you’d like to organise a snorkelling trip in advance, you can do so here. Divinguru Nilaveli runs fantastic diving tours on the East Coast.

Read more about visiting Pigeon Island

Things to do in Sri Lanka: Take a Scooter Trip

Want to explore Sri Lanka on 2 wheels? Good, because setting off on a scooter to roam the island is an exhilarating thing to do in Sri Lanka.

It’s very easy to pick up a scooter rental in Sri Lanka, just be sure to wear your helmet (the police are watching and you will be fined) and be mindful of the crazy drivers. Either take off at random, seeing where the road takes you or follow a more set itinerary – the choice is yours!

Need some inspiration? We have two full-day itineraries on the Jaffna peninsula that are both a lot of fun and will take you well off the beaten track!

Things To Do in Sri Lanka: EAT!

Sri Lanka puts on some seriously delicious food and tucking in to a good meal is hands down one of the best things to do in Sri Lanka.

Rice and curry, Sri Lanka’s staple meal and national dish, is a delicious assortment of various curries (majority vegetarian) served with a massive pile of rice. Kottu is a streetside meal of chopped roti, along with scrambled eggs, onions, and chillies. Then there’s the Indian-influenced food up north. And we won’t even get started on the fresh juices.

If you want to learn to make some of these delicious dishes, then why not try your hand at a Sri Lankan cooking class – such a fun thing to do in Sri Lanka.

Things to do in Sri Lanka: Hiking

There’s some excellent hiking to be had in Sri Lanka, with a bit of walking to please all types. With a lush, hilly interior, Sri Lanka has everything from casual day walks to multi-day treks in the jungle. Exploring the mountains is an excellent thing to do in Sri Lanka.

Adam’s Peak, a sacred Buddhist pilgrimage, draws big crowds, both foreign and local and is a very popular place to visit in Sri Lanka. The surprisingly steep climb is traditionally done for sunrise and affords some of the best views in the country. While it’s not the most amazing trek we’ve done, the views are great and the cultural and religious significance makes it a special thing to do in Sri Lanka.

The backpacker favourite of Ella has some of the most popular trails in the country, notably Little Adam’s Peak and Ella Rock. Both are short and straightforward climbs that should only take a couple of hours for a reasonably fit individual. 

Nuwara Eliya and Haputale offer very serene walks through mist-shrouded tea plantations or along the train tracks between villages. Lipton’s Seat is a perennial favourite place to visit in Sri Lanka. Strolling around here is a very pleasant thing to do in Sri Lanka. 

For those looking for more challenging treks, we can’t recommend enough the Knuckles Mountain Range. Located smack-bang in the centre of the country, this mountain range provides unlimited opportunities for jungle trekking. 

Read: Duwili Ella – The Best Hike in the Knuckles Mountain Range

If organised trekking is more your thing, there are plenty of options for getting out in the mountains. Some of the best tours in the Knuckles Mountain Range include:

Things to Do in Sri Lanka: Take An Epic Train Ride

Sri Lanka has a pretty extensive train network and taking a ride on the rails is one of the most popular things to do in Sri Lanka.

The Kandy-Ella train is now well and truly a tourist attraction in its own right. While the ride is beautiful, it’s also packed full of people all trying to get ‘that’ Instagram shot. For us, it’s lost its appeal, but many others still enjoy it. Note that if you take the Kandy-Ella train and want a seat, you must book far in advance.

Pro tip: Take the train in reverse (Ella – Kandy). It’s a far less popular option, so you have a better chance of getting a seat and won’t have to book months in advance.

If you want to skip the crowds, there are plenty of other beautiful train rides in the Hill Country that you can take.

Things to Do in Sri Lanka: Go Chasing Waterfalls

Sri Lanka is the land of beautiful waterfalls, with stunning cascades at every turn and corner you make.

Of them all, our clear favourite is Gartmore Falls, a two-tiered waterfall with a natural infinity pool overlooking the Maskeliya Reservoir. It’s beautiful but little-known amongst tourists, so it’ll most likely be quiet when you visit. It’s one of our favourite places to visit in Sri Lanka.

Read our full guide on Gartmore Falls

Diyaluma Falls, the second-highest waterfall in Sri Lanka is probably the most popular waterfall place to visit in Sri Lanka. It’s hard to get to independently, so grab a tour and don’t forget your bathing suit so you can swim in the rock pool at the top.

Things to do In Sri Lanka: Get Cultured at The Ancient Cities

Diving into Sri Lanka’s history in the Cultural Triangle is a fascinating experience and a highly recommended thing to do in Sri Lanka. With a history stretching back at least 2500 years, there’s a feast of cultural attractions to explore. 

Our clear favourite is Anuradhapura, where the ancient meets the contemporary and you’re likely to see as many pilgrims as tourists. Nearby Mihintale and Dambulla Caves are highly under-rated and explored gems. We highly recommend them as places to visit in Sri Lanka.

Read: 21 Amazing Places to Visit in Anuradhapura in 2024

Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa are also delights to discover, but since they’re firmly on the tourist trail, they’re much busier places to visit in Sri Lanka (and more expensive!).

Things to do in Sri Lanka: Go On a Safari

For such a small island, Sri Lanka has an abundance of wildlife. Leopards, elephants, sloth bears, whales, dolphins and a great variety of birdlife are all-star attractions here.

A safari can be an excellent experience – just make sure you choose an ethical and responsible operator. 

At uber-famous Yala, overcrowding and the damaging effects it has on animals is a problem, so for a more responsible option, visit a lesser-known park. Great alternatives include Wilpattu National Park, Uda Walawe and Sinharaja. With a bit of legwork, these can be visited independently, or arranged in advance as part of a tour.

Read our full guide on visiting Wilpattu National Park, Sri Lanka’s best safari destination

If you’re into elephants, there’s no better place to visit in Sri Lanka than Minneriya National Park. Spending half a day here amongst the elephants is a magical thing to do in Sri Lanka. Check out various Minneriya National Park safari options.

Things to do in Sri Lanka: Get Off The Beaten Track!

Sri Lanka is quickly becoming a pretty popular tourist destination, but that doesn’t mean you have to do the same things as everyone else! There’s plenty of Sri Lanka still off the beaten track and just waiting to be explored by adventurous travellers.

Riverston, in the centre of the country, is our contender for first place to visit in Sri Lanka – this region is seriously off the beaten track. But don’t forget Jaffna and the north, with its distinct culture, food and general flavour. It’s one of our favourite places to visit in Sri Lanka.

Intrigued? You should be!

Read more about Sri Lanka’s hidden gems with our guide to Sri Lanka Off the Beaten Track

Things to Do In Sri Lanka: Take in Colonial History at Galle

Galle, on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka, is Sri Lanka’s best-known colonial town and a popular place to visit in Sri Lanka. Central to Galle is Galle Fort, the fortified old city founded by the Portuguese in the 16th century. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the old city is peppered with Dutch-colonial buildings, ancient mosques and churches, grand mansions and museums. If it’s history you’re after, then don’t miss this thing to do in Sri Lanka.

Galle is easily explored by foot or by tour. If you’re up for a bit of an adventure, you can even do a half-day cycling trip around Galle, taking in some local communities.

Things to Do In Sri Lanka: Get to Know Colombo

Colombo is a neat little place. Sure, it’s not on par with other Asian capitals, like Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur, but that doesn’t mean you should skip it entirely (which most travellers do). Colombo is Sri Lanka’s beating heart and is worthy of at least a day of your time. 

Make sure you explore colourful Pettah and get lost in its busy and vibrant streets. While you’re there, don’t miss visiting the Red Mosque, one of the best-kept secret places to visit in Sri Lanka.

Taking in the sunset at Galle Face Green is a great way to end your day. It’s super busy with locals flying kites and eating snacks. Take a dusk stroll here and get amongst the local vibe, a great thing to do in Sri Lanka.

For a guided experience, try a tuk-tuk safari! There are fun and engaging tuk-tuk tours of the city, so you can experience it like a local. So while Colombo may not be overflowing with a million tourist attractions, if you like to see what local life is like, then it’s a good thing to do in Sri Lanka.  

Things to do in Sri Lanka: Whale watching

Sri Lanka’s fauna doesn’t just excel on land – you’re also spoiled for choice when it comes to animals in the deep blue. Whale watching, especially for the magnificent blue whale, is an unforgettable thing to do in Sri Lanka.

Think I’m just hyping it up? Of all our wildlife viewing around the world, I still count spotting a blue whale as one of my top 3 experiences. It’s that cool.

Important: do your research to ensure that you sign up with an operator that adheres to international whale-watching regulations and doesn’t approach whales. Our choice is Raja and the Whales. 

Mirissa is the most popular spot in the country to go whale watching and is overflowing with operators, so it’s pretty easy to arrange a trip on the spot. However, if you want to book in advance, check out this awesome tour, which follows international whale-watching regulations and is a responsible option.

Best Places to Stay in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is filled with great-value accommodation. The best places to stay in Sri Lanka depend on location, but here are a few of our favourites.

• Ceylonima Homestay in Anuradhapura
• Chaminrich Homestay in Kandy
• Allens Home Stay in Jaffna

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