If you want to visit lovely Sri Lanka, you’re in luck! This gorgeous south Asian island lies south of India, and offers a wealth of natural and man-made attractions.
As well as breathtaking beaches and delectable dining, Sri Lanka offers a wealth of historic and spiritual sites, botanical gardens, tea plantations, lakes, and waterfalls.
There’s also a variety of terrain including jungle, mountains, rainforest, and grasslands. Plus, there are cities and national parks just begging to be explored.
Discover this beautiful teardrop island as I did with this 10-day Sri Lanka itinerary.
From Colombo to ancient Sigiriya, lakeside Kandy, colonial Galle, Ella in the highlands, Yala National Park, and the tea plantations of Nuwara Eliya, this is how to spend 10 days in Sri Lanka.
Author Bio: Jessie Moore
Jessie Moore is a luxury travel expert with years of experience travelling the world to find the best destinations, hotels and adventures.
This post contains affiliate links.
Day 1: Colombo
Best for: Temples
Where to stay: Shangri-La Colombo
It’s worth spending a couple of nights in Colombo, as I recently did, before setting off on your Sri Lankan adventure.
To be honest, my primary motivation was to recover from the jet lag before continuing our travels!
It’s a great opportunity to see the sights of Sri Lanka, although I wouldn’t recommend more than a couple of days in Colombo.
Things to see and do in Colombo include the historic Hindu Sri Kailawasanathan Swami Devasthanam Temple and the National Museum of Colombo, which showcases the island’s rich heritage
I’d also recommend a visit to Gangaramaya Temple, which fuses various architectural styles. While the observation deck at Lotus Tower offers spectacular views.
Foodies will love the street food along Galle Face Green. Plus, the city has a variety of venues where you can tuck into a scrumptious afternoon tea.
Don’t miss a wander around Independence Square, a shop at Pettah Market, or a chance to see the Jami Ul-Alfar Masjid, aka the Red Mosque.
You can also go boating at Beira Lake, and the Buddha statue at Viharamahadevi Park is worth seeing too.
How to get from Colombo airport to the city
As the principal gateway to Sri Lanka, you’ll arrive on the island at Bandaranaike International Airport in Negombo. It’s around 20 miles, or 33 kilometres, north of the city.
The simplest way to travel between the airport and the city is to pre-book a private airport transfer.
Browse your transfer options from Colombo airport by car or minivan. A meet and greet service and luggage transportation is included.
Days 2 to 3: Sigiriya
Best for: A spectacular site
Where to stay: Water Garden Sigiriya
Sigiriya is one of Sri Lanka’s most significant historic places. Locally, it’s often referred to as the eighth wonder of the world.
A 180-metre granite peak dominates the surrounding jungle, and the Ancient City of Sigiriya is a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site.
A huge lion’s mouth made from brick and plaster spews out a series of staircases and galleries, thereby providing access to the site.
It was built on the steep slopes by King Kassapa I, between 477 and 495. Sigiriya is open daily, and tickets include entry to the Sigiriya Lion Rock Museum.
If you want to enjoy it in peace and capture the best possible pictures, I’d recommend visiting as early as you can.
The site opens at 6.30am, and around 7am, it usually offers ideal levels of natural light.
How to get from Colombo to Sigiriya
You can reach Sigiriya by train, or by car. There are no direct buses. The nearest rail station is Habarana, and you can travel from Colombo Fort station in the city.
Train tickets are available in first, second, or third class, and the trip takes around four hours and 20 minutes.
First class tickets are very affordable, and this is the most comfortable way to travel. You can also book private transfers by car or by minivan.
Browse options for getting from Colombo to Sigirya.
Day 4: Kandy
Best for: Rich history
Where to stay: The Kandy House
Kandy is one of the best known names on the island. It’s an inland city in central Sri Lanka, and idyllically set among mountains, rainforest, and tea plantations.
Kandy’s attractions include the lake of the same name, also known as Bogambara Lake.
Spend time in Kandy and you can take a scenic wander by the water, and visit Sri Dalada Maligawa, or the Temple of the Tooth, one of the most sacred Buddhist sites in the world.
It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988, and is said to house a tooth from Buddha.
Kandy also offers old colonial buildings, lovely botanical gardens, and the huge Bahiravokanda Vihara Buddha Statue in the hills.
How to get from Sigiriya to Kandy
It takes around two-and-a-half hours to travel between Sigiriya and Kandy. Once more, private transfers offer great value for money.
Day 5: Nuwara Eliya
Best for: Tea plantations
Where to stay: Goatfell by Teardrop Hotels
If your visit to Sri Lanka wouldn’t be complete without visiting tea plantations, then you must head to Nuwara Eliya at some point during your stay.
This region strikes an idyllic balance between the English countryside and the tropics – though the climate is cooler than on much of the island.
Touring the tea plantations of the area is the number one thing to do in Nuwara Eliya, and doing so can teach you all about tea production. You also get to taste the tea, of course!
Other Nuwara Eliya attractions include Gregory Lake, once a British-built reservoir; Victoria Park with playgrounds, train rides, and floral displays; and colonial and Hindu architecture such as the Post Office and Seetha Amman Temple.
You’ll also find a botanical garden, waterfalls, strawberry farms, viewing platforms, and Horton Plains National Park in the surrounding area.
How to get from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya
The train ride to Nuwara Eliya can be one of the best parts of visiting this area. For swoon-worthy views, take the train from Kandy to Nanu Oya, the nearest station.
You can then catch a tuk-tuk or taxi to travel the five miles or so to town.
Alternatively, you can travel by bus from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya, or book a private car or minivan transfer.
Check out all your Kandy to Nuwara Eliya options here.
Day 6: Ella
Best for: Hiking
Where to stay: Hide Ella Hotel & Resort
Ella, in the Sri Lankan highlands, is one for nature lovers. Like Nuwara Eliya, the elevation means this area has a cooler climate than other parts of the country.
This biodiverse region is rich in both flora and fauna.
Here it’s all about unspoiled natural beauty, and hiking the trails is the best way to get to grips with the lush, fertile landscape.
There are various fairly flat routes, which are suitable for rookie hikers. Ella is also known for its attractive Nine Arches Bridge.
While in Ella, you can also take a train and tuk-tuk ride to Lipton’s Seat, perched above the Lipton tea plantation in Haputale.
There’s also Diyaluma Falls, Sri Lanka’s second-highest; cookery classes at Ella Spice Garden; the Flying Ravana Mega Zipline for thrill-seekers; and of course the pretty town of Ella itself to explore.
How to get from Nuwara Eliya to Ella
The train route between Nanu Oya, near Nuwara Eliya, and Ella is also a very picturesque one. It takes around an hour and three-quarters to travel the distance by train.
Again, you could also travel via car or minivan, by booking a private transfer.
Browse your options for getting to Ella from Nuwara Eliya.
Day 7 to 8: Yala National Park
Best for: Safari
Where to stay: Hilton Yala Resort
Yala National Park offers elephant encounters, more than 200 bird species, and even the exciting possibility of spotting a leopard.
It’s also got forests, beaches, grasslands, and temples. Going on safari is obviously the main reason to visit Yala National Park.
You can spot many creatures in their natural habitat, and the best time to see crocodiles, elephants, or leopards is during early morning or late afternoon.
A guided bush walk also offers close encounters with native wildlife, all under the watchful eye of an experienced park ranger.
Yala is incredibly popular with bird watchers, with early morning being the top time to look out for a variety of colourful, large, or exotic birds.
Sithulpawwa Temple and the beaches within the park add to Yala’s appeal too.
How to get from Ella to Yala
You’ll need a car to get to Yala National Park from Ella. If you’re not renting a car to drive yourself, then do as I did and hire a car with a driver to take you there.
Due to low Sri Lankan prices, this option is more accessible than you might think.
Day 9: Galle
Best for: A coastal gem
Where to stay: Kahanda Kanda
Classic charm and beaches combine in Galle, a coastal getaway on the island’s southwestern tip.
There are lots of historic buildings, beautiful beaches, and surely one of the most appealing foodie scenes in south Asia.
During its time, Galle has been under British, Dutch, and Portuguese rule, and the architecture reflects this.
White Galle lighthouse, framed by palm trees, is the picture postcard image of the city, and you can wander the fort walls for fascinating insights into local life – as well as sweeping views.
Other attractions in Galle include the National Maritime Museum, the colonial-style Old Dutch Hospital, and the shops selling unique, locally crafted goods.
The best coastal spots, meanwhile, include Unawatuna and Jungle beaches; and Mirissa, for whale watching.
You can also visit the Sea Turtle Hatchery Centre, or Galle International Stadium if you’re into cricket.
How to get from Yala to Galle
Again, travelling from Yala National Park requires a car, so you’ll either need to rent one, or hire a car with a driver locally.
Day 10: Return to Colombo
On your final day, you’ll need to travel back to Colombo to catch your onward or return flight.
How to get from Galle to Colombo
If you want to travel directly from Galle to Colombo, the train journey takes around two hours. Alternatively, you can travel between the two by private car or minivan.
Browse your transfer options for getting to and from Galle.
So there you have it, my ultimate 10-day Sri Lanka itinerary! Of course there are so many more amazing places and attractions to visit in this beautiful country.
But if you only have 10 days to explore, then I think this itinerary covers some of the best spots.
This is a sponsored post in collaboration with Bookway.
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