Sri Lanka, a small island nation located southwest of the Bay of Bengal, is widely known for its scenic beauty, comprised of verdant tea plantations, serene beaches, mist-shrouded landscapes, and cool climes. However, beyond the well-trodden path lie several unexplored hidden gems waiting to be discovered. With a myriad of sites and scenes packed into a compact island, Sri Lanka is a treasure trove waiting to be explored. As we embark on this journey exploring the hidden gems of this country, we’ll go through some of our favourite hidden gems in Sri Lanka that every tourist must visit.
Nestled in the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka, this stunning region boasts an abundance of waterfalls, more than one could possibly count. It is a verdant playground with undulating hills, soaring escarpments, and several waterfalls. It’s our top pick among Sri Lanka’s hidden gems.
This is the ideal location if you're looking for a calm getaway into the wilderness away from Ella's crowds, and it's best accessible from Kandy. It offers a challenging trek through dense jungle as well to add another dimension to your experience. There's nothing better than Duwili Ella in the Knuckles Mountain Range. Another fascinating place on the island is Mini World's End, located in Riverston. Although Horton Plains and Riverston are exactly the same, Horton Plains is a better-known destination for tourists and residents. Thus, Riverston offers much-needed seclusion and tranquillity.
Distance from Colombo: 167 kilometres
Getting There: The most convenient way to get to Riverston from Colombo is to take a taxi, which would take around 3 hours and 30 minutes to reach.
While Sri Lanka's west and south shores see plenty of tourists, the northeast barely receives any traffic at all, making it one of the country's best-unexplored gems.
With lovely stretches of sand, tranquil waters, and a wonderful sense of community, Nilaveli Beach and Uppuveli Beach are great places to spend a few days (or perhaps a week). There are plenty of activities to do to keep you busy, but if beach bumming is what you're looking for, that is also available here.
While in the region, be sure to check out the stunning Pigeon Island for the best snorkelling the country has to offer.
Distance from Colombo: 270 kilometres
Getting There: The fastest way to get to Uppuveli from Colombo is by taxi, which takes somewhere around 4 hours and 10 minutes to reach.
For nature lovers, Sembuwatta Lake is a hidden jewel in the highlands. This lake was built at the Elkaduwa plantations in Matale using artificial spring water. Situated at an elevation of 1,140 metres, the lake is surrounded by lush tea estates and the Cambell's Land Forest Reserve. The lake is set against incredibly picturesque tea plantations, towering pine forests, and lush mountains.
Sembuwatta Lake is a popular destination for leisure travellers since it provides a range of activities, including zip-lining, swan riding, and motorboat riding. Trekking in the pine forest is highly popular in this region. The scenery, with its cool, mist-laden air, pine trees, and tea-strewn hillsides, is both breathtaking and tranquil.
Distance from Colombo: 146 kilometres
Getting There: The quickest and most convenient way to get to Simbuwatta Lake from Colombo is to take a train, which takes around 3 hours and 15 minutes to reach.
While the bustling national parks in the south often draw the majority of tourists, consider a journey north for a tranquil wildlife experience in one of Sri Lanka’s hidden treasures. As the largest and one of the oldest national parks in Sri Lanka, Wilpattu, situated in the country's north, close to Anuradhapura, spans over 1,317 square kilometres and is the best spot in Sri Lanka for wildlife enthusiasts to venture off the beaten track. It offers a diverse and expansive landscape filled with natural lakes, known as 'Villus', dense forests, and open grasslands.
This park is renowned for its sightings of the elusive Sri Lankan leopard, a rare and magnificent creature. In addition to leopards, Wilpattu is home to a wide variety of fauna, including sloth bears, spotted deer, elephants, and an impressive array of bird species, making it a paradise for birdwatchers without the sky-high tourist density of the more popular southern parks. It's a wildlife haven in Sri Lanka that is off the beaten track.
Distance from Colombo: 185 kilometres
Getting There: The best way to get to Wilpattu National Park from Colombo is by taxi, which takes around 3 hours and 45 minutes to reach.
As you wander through the island, you will get to encounter several historical buildings and remnants of the Portuguese, Dutch, and British colonial eras. Some of them can even be traced back to the Chola period. This tranquil location is typically free from tourist crowds, so you can enjoy the seaside and sightseeing in relative seclusion. The only downside is the lack of restaurants and dining options.
Even though the island is moderately populated, food options are limited here; therefore, if you intend to stay there for a while, you will have to bring your own ration and some extra luggage.
Distance from Colombo: 167 kilometres
Getting There: The fastest way to get to Delft Island from Colombo is to take a flight from Colombo to Jaffna (with one stoppage in Sigiriya), which takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes, and then take a ferry from Jaffna to Delft Island.
Flying from India to Sri Lanka is the most convenient option, and you'll probably reach there the same day you depart. Sri Lanka has a bustling airport called Bandaranaike Internal Airport. Located in Colombo, this airport serves as the arrival point for Sri Lankan flights from major locations worldwide. Assuming you’re travelling from Delhi to Colombo, the total travel time would be 3 hours and 35 minutes (for a non-stop flight).
