Sri Lanka Holidays
Sri Lanka has a touch of everything, golden beaches, green hills, tea plantations, waterfalls, rainforests and ancient ruins. Are you a beach-loving person or more of an adventurer who visits nature? The landscape will never leave anyone disappointed.
Sri Lanka is culture-rich due to more than 2,000 years of history. You can travel to ancient cities such as Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, visit the temples and learn about Buddhism, colonial history and traditional festivals.
On the island, there are elephants, leopards, monkeys, sea turtles, and hundreds of bird species. Safaris in national parks, such as Yala and Udawalawe are exciting, and marine life is excellent to be viewed on whale-watching tours in Mirissa.
The Sri Lankan food tastes rich and distinct. There are spicy curries and kottu roti, and nonsweet foods such as hoppers and watalappan. Street food and fresh tropical fruits are adding to the flavour.
The kindness and hospitality of the local people are known. Visitors are usually made to feel secure, welcomed, and even cared like the trip was made to be enjoyable more so when children and other first-timers are involved in the travelling.
Sri Lanka is an economical destination in terms of costs. There are a lot of good hotels, transport and food that can be found at affordable rates. There is something for every traveller to choose whether you want a luxurious stay or basic comfort.
Things to Do in Sri Lanka
Visit the Ancient City of Sigiriya: Enjoy climbing one of the most prominent monuments of Sri Lanka, called Lion Rock Fortress in Sigiriya. One must take the climb to the summit on a promising view; it is beautiful to look at the frescoes painted on the walls of the rock. It is a combination of history, art and adventure.
Go on a Safari in Yala National Park: The national park in Yala is the most visited national park in Sri Lanka and one has an opportunity to observe elephants, leopards, crocodiles and a wide range of birds within their natural habitat. The safest and most entertaining way of exploring the park is through a guided jeep safari.
Ride the Scenic Train from Kandy to Ella: This is a known train ride with spectacular views of tea gardens, waterfalls and green hills. It feels scenic, slow and quiet; leaving it an ideal experience of enjoying the countryside.
Relax on the Beaches of Mirissa or Bentota: The country has some beautiful beaches and there are places like Mirissa or Bentota, where one can swim, sunbathe or simply relax drinking a fresh coconut. There are dolphin and whale-watching tours in Mirissa too.
Explore the Cultural Capital of Kandy: The most sacred Buddhist building of the country, Sri Lanka Kandy is the Temple of the Tooth. It is also possible to walk through quiet Kandy Lake and watch a dance show in the evening.
Hike Little Adam’s Peak or Ella Rock: The hill town of Ella has easy-to-moderate hikes with amazing views especially for the outdoor enthusiasts. Little Adam Peak is a short hike though another trek at Ella Rock is a little bit longer and very much more challenging.
Visit a Tea Plantation: Tea is famous in Sri Lanka, and a tour of a tea plantation at Nuwara Eliya or Haputale is fun as well as educational. You will get to know how tea is produced and even take a taste of some fresh brews that are available.
Discover Galle Fort: Take a stroll in the streets of this beautiful small seaside town with Dutch colonial buildings, hip cafes and views of the sea. Galle Fort, being a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a wonderful place to chill out in a relaxed way.
Take a Boat Safari on the Madu River: Take a quiet relaxed boat ride in the Madu River near Bentota and explore mangroves and small islands as well as traditional cinnamon farms. It is wonderful to observe birds and take a glimpse of another part of the nature of Sri Lanka.
History, Culture, and Nightlife in Sri Lanka
History: Sri Lanka has its own interesting history, which spans more than 2,500 years back. The island was once under ancient kingdoms, the legacy of which you can witness nowadays in such sites as Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa where old, ruined capitals contain a lot of temples, statues and ruins. One of the symbols of the royal past of Sri Lanka is the famous Sigiriya Rock Fortress which was constructed in the 5th century. Buddhism has contributed considerably to the history of the island in general and the cultural city of Kandy in particular, where the story of the sacred Temple of the Tooth is a spiritual one. Sri Lanka has been colonised by the Portuguese, Dutch, and British over the years, and their architecture, education and even the legal systems have all been affected. The historic strata today form a special concoction that tourists can tour along the island.
Culture: The Sri Lankan culture is bright, friendly and traditional. Buddhism is dominant in most populations, and the country also has people who belong to the Hindu, Muslim and Christian religions. Religion plays a big role here in life, too--such festivals as the Vesak, which redound to provide lanterns and celebrations on the birth, the enlightenment, and the death of the Buddha. Sri Lankans. Kandyan dance is still performed at cultural events and temple festivals. Other crafts include wood carving, batik cloth and mask language. You will realise that family and community are at the centre of a daily event when you visit. The culture of sharing food and sharing a meal with strangers, obeying elders and inviting elderly people even when their presence is not wanted are some of the warm and generous characteristics of the culture.
Nightlife: Sri Lanka is not a place of wild parties, but nightlife is gradually increasing, particularly in the places of interest to tourists. Such cities as Colombo have chic rooftop bars, beach clubs, and live music places where people interact. One of the most famous beach destinations in Colombo is Galle Face Green where people come during the evenings to have street eats and see the sea. The beach towns, such as Mirissa, Unawatuna, and Hikkaduwa have informal bars and lax beach events, in particular, throughout high season. In the evenings there are also cultural shows or performances of live bands in countless resorts as well as hotels. In case you are in search of a restful and jovial evening with a good set of music, food and talk under the stars, Sri Lanka will provide the right set-up.
Yes. Irish passport holders generally need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling to Sri Lanka. It's recommended to apply online before departure and ensure your passport is valid for at least six months from your arrival date.
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