The best places in Sri Lanka
You should visit these spots, while traveling Sri Lanka!
There are many beautiful places to visit when in Sri Lanka.
Besides numerous beaches, there are also many temples and other fascinating destinations in Sri Lanka. The most beautiful places — which we visited and discovered during our time in Sri Lanka — I will summarize in the following once.
Since we were mainly in Sri Lanka during the countrywide lockdown, we visited a lot of beaches and places in nature. Only recently, a few restaurants have reopened but even here the number remains quite manageable. Nevertheless, we have really discovered many, beautiful places and very many beautiful photos can make.
I am anyway the total beach fan and could just spend every day there. I like to just walk through the sand (even if it can be really exhausting sometimes) and look out at the sea. I also love watching the waves. I could do that for hours without getting bored.
The Hikkaduwa Beach
Watching the waves and just walking on the beach — Hikkaduwa Beach is great for more than just that! I must say, for me Hikkaduwa Beach is still one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen. Clear water, white beach, inviting waves and palm trees give you that tropical feeling.
Here you can snorkel among other things very well through the reefs and at other places there are the perfect waves to learn to surf. But also as an advanced surfer you get your money’s worth here. You only have to walk a few meters along the beach and you will find the ideal spot for the desired activity.
My absolute highlight at Hikkaduwa Beach were definitely the sea turtles! These impressive creatures can be found here close to the beach in the shallow water. Even if they first seem like big round stones, once you have discovered them, you see more and more of these large, green sea turtles!
If you want to know more about our visit to Hikkaduwa Beach, feel free to check out the article about it:
Japanese Peace Pagoda
The Japanese Peace Pagoda — or Rumassala — is a unique Buddhist temple. The special thing about this temple is the panoramic terrace and the view of the surrounding area and the sea. What makes this temple as special as the unique, beautiful view is its design. Completely in white, the Japanese Peace Pagoda rises up into the sky on the mountain of Jungle Beach and cannot be overlooked even from the surrounding beaches.
In Asian countries, and thus of course in Sri Lanka, there are many temples and each one is special in its own way. Out of respect for the culture and its gods and saints, it is not allowed to enter a temple, or the holy of the temple, with shoes. You have to take them off at the stairs and leave them there. It is also often the case that women should wear long clothing that covers both the knees and the shoulders. This varies depending on the temple, but in general you should be careful not to be too revealing when visiting a temple.
The Japanese Peace Pagoda is the ideal place to come down and enjoy the peace and quiet. Moreover, from here you have the perfect view of the sea and the sunset. Around 5 pm is the best time to visit the Japanese Peace Pagoda. So you not only have the perfect light, a great view and the best conditions for great photos but you can also enjoy the sunset (around 6 pm) to the fullest.
If you are ever in Sri Lanka, you should definitely check out this special place. It is an unforgettable experience!
Wijaya Beach
The Wijaya Beach is located directly at the Wijaya Beach Restaurant of the same name. Here you can surf, just like at Hikkaduwa Beach, or simply swim in the shallow, calm water and cool off a bit. The water is beautifully clear and the individual rocks, which are located on the beach and in the sea, create a very special atmosphere.
In addition to a few restaurants — including the Wijaya Beach Restaurant — which has simply found the perfect spot, there are also a few hotel complexes here. Despite the actually busy area, the beach is quiet, not crowded and simply very beautiful!
We spent a few evenings here, walking through the water and then watching the sunset while having a delicious dinner. If you look closely, you can also spot some sea turtles in the waves and generally in the water! Depending on how the waves break, you can see many turtles just floating in them.
However, during our visits we could always observe the sea turtles only from far away. They don’t come close to the beach — as they do at Hikkaduwa Beach — so that you can watch them up close. But this is not a bad thing, because it is just as impressive that the turtles swim around in the sea only a few meters away from surfers and bathers.
You can find more about Wijaya Beach here:
Angel Beach
You always wanted to feel like an angel? To have wings and fly with them on the beach is your dream? Then Angel Beach is the right place for you!
Angel Beach is not only a beach, but above all a wonderful beach club. Everything here is designed in Angel style and it is teeming with ingenious photo spots that attract not only Instagrammers or influencers.
Probably the most impressive thing about Angel Beach is the swing with the big, colorful angel wings right on the beach. It’s a bit difficult to get up there, but once you’re sitting on the swing you almost feel like an angel. High in the air, the sea breeze in your face and the swinging of the swing are just indescribable.
But the Angel Beach has not only photo spots like the Vespa with angel wings, the swing and many other motifs with wings to offer. It is also a beach club with a great pool right on the beach, inviting loungers and a brilliant bar! Here you can spend the whole day and have everything you need. Delicious food, comfortable loungers and beach beds. There are also showers and towels are provided free of charge.
The restaurant itself is also very good! You can choose between many different dishes, cocktails, juices and drinks and there really is something for everyone here. With such a unique, inviting design, Angel Beaches makes you feel like you’re in another world. It’s the perfect place to spend a day or just relax and unwind in a great atmosphere.
Galle Fort
The Galle Dutch Fort is located in the south of Sri Lanka and was built in 1588 by the Portuguese. It is a fortress on the coast of Sri Lanka, which was then further fortified and expanded by the Dutch from the 17th century. This is where the name “Dutch Fort” comes from.
It is a historical, archaeological and architectural monument which still attracts a large number of visitors. In addition to the extensive history and historical significance, the Galle Fort also attracts with the beautiful view and the ideal view of the sunset.
You can walk for hours over the ramparts of the fort and discover something new and interesting every few meters. The palm trees at the lighthouse of the Dutch Fort create a tropical atmosphere and make this place very special. Here locals meet tourists, both equally impressed and captivated by the Galle Fort.
One feels a bit transported back in time while walking on this historic ground. The holes in the ramparts and countless historical buildings as well as statues remind you of the time many centuries ago and give you an insight into the history of Sri Lanka. A place that you should definitely visit!
Unawatuna Beach
A trip to Sri Lanka must include a visit to Unawatuna! Even though this is a small place right by the sea, it has its own charm. About 20–30 years ago, white sandy beaches and bright blue water characterized Unawatuna Beach. This is no longer the case — the sand is more yellowish — but it is still a beautiful bay.
Besides clear water, which is perfect for snorkeling, swimming or even a tour on a glass-bottom boat, there are also numerous culinary things to discover here. Even during the pandemic (and lockdown) there are a few restaurants open right on the beach. A successful change from ordering online and also a very relaxed environment.
We were not only once at Unawatuna Beach but several times. One day we learned that the beach has changed due to a reconstruction of a hotel or a large construction company, because they have piled up stones in the sea to break the waves. This must have changed the beach a bit. But as I said, Unawatuna Beach is still a great beach!
We were particularly taken with the Kingfisher Restaurant. Despite a small menu selection, the food here is super tasty and can hardly be compared to anything else! On Saturday evenings there is always live music and many visitors gather here to enjoy the evening with a cocktail or beer with music. Unawatuna Beach, and also Unawatuna, is especially suitable for tourists who want to experience both the culture and the vacation atmosphere!
La Mer Beach
Cocobay, or La Mer Beach, is a small bay between Galle and Unawatuna. La Mer Beach is reached by walking through the Cocobay Resort. Unlike Unawatuna or Hikkaduwa Beach, La Mer Beach is a really small but very charming bay. The waves here are very shallow and the beach is also very flat.
A few rocks and palm trees enclose La Mer Beach, providing natural privacy. The Cocobay Resort is built in such a way that you have a direct sea view from the rooms. There is also a pool directly on the beach and a restaurant. Here you can decide if you want to sit inside or rather directly on the beach, close to the waves.
Like almost all beaches in Sri Lanka, there is a wondrously beautiful, magical sunset that transforms the entire area into a dark red-orange. The menu is very diverse and so there is something for everyone. From western food to Indian, Italian or even simple snacks.
If you ever visit La Mer Beach it is almost inevitable to discover the Cocobay Resort. I recommend coming here around 4 or 5 pm. So it is still sunny, you can swim a little in the sea and then enjoy the sunset with a delicious dinner.
