The Ultimate Travel Guide to Sri Lanka: History & Attractions

The pearl of the Indian Ocean — ancient ruins, misty tea plantations, wildlife safaris, golden beaches and spiced cuisine in one compact island paradise.

A Glimpse into History

Sri Lanka's history stretches back over 2,500 years, beginning with the legendary arrival of Prince Vijaya from India around 543 BC — the founding myth of the Sinhalese people. The ancient hydraulic civilisations of Anuradhapura (377 BC – 1017 AD) and Polonnaruwa built extraordinary reservoirs, dagobas, and royal complexes that still stand today. Buddhism arrived from India in the 3rd century BC, brought by Emperor Ashoka's son Mahinda, and has shaped Sinhalese culture and identity ever since. The Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha — housed in Kandy's Temple of the Tooth — became the ultimate symbol of royal legitimacy, and whoever possessed it ruled the island. Medieval Sri Lanka was divided between Sinhalese kingdoms in the south and Tamil kingdoms in the north, creating a cultural diversity that remains to this day. Portuguese colonisers arrived in 1505, followed by the Dutch in 1658, and finally the British in 1815, who unified the island under a single colonial administration. Independence came peacefully in 1948, though a devastating civil war between the government and Tamil Tiger separatists lasted from 1983 to 2009, killing over 100,000 people. Modern Sri Lanka has rebuilt remarkably quickly, and its extraordinary cultural and natural assets — from UNESCO World Heritage Sites to pristine beaches — make it one of Asia's most compelling destinations.

Top Attractions in Sri Lanka

Sigiriya Rock Fortress

The ancient rock fortress of Sigiriya rises 200 metres above the jungle from a volcanic plug, crowned by the ruins of King Kashyapa's 5th-century palace complex. The frescoed pockets of heavenly maidens, the Mirror Wall covered in ancient graffiti, and the lion-paw gateway halfway up make the climb as fascinating as the panoramic view from the summit.

Temple of the Tooth, Kandy

Sri Lanka's most sacred Buddhist site houses a tooth relic of the Buddha in a gilded casket within a golden canopy, surrounded by ornate Kandyan architecture and moat. The daily puja (devotional ceremonies) at 6:30am, 9:30am, and 6:30pm with drums, flutes, and elephants is one of the most atmospheric religious rituals in Asia.

Ella Train Ride & Nine Arch Bridge

The train journey from Kandy through Nuwara Eliya to Ella traverses Sri Lanka's tea-country heartland — winding through emerald-green tea plantations, mountain tunnels, and the iconic Nine Arch Bridge, where trains pass over a stone viaduct above a misty valley. Rated one of the world's most scenic rail journeys, the 7-hour ride costs under $5.

Galle Fort

The best-preserved colonial sea fortress in Asia — built by the Portuguese in 1588 and expanded by the Dutch in 1663 — encloses a living town of boutique hotels, galleries, cafés, and Dutch colonial architecture within ramparts overlooking the Indian Ocean. Walking the moonlit walls at sunset with the Indian Ocean glittering below is one of Sri Lanka's most magical experiences.

Yala National Park

Yala has the world's highest density of leopards — around 35 per 100 sq km — making it arguably the best place on earth for leopard sightings. The park also harbours elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles, painted storks, and peacocks across scrub jungle, grasslands, and lagoons meeting the Indian Ocean. Morning jeep safaris at dawn offer the best wildlife encounters.