Travel to Nuwara Eliya

Nuwara Eliya is known in Sri Lanka for its substantial tea plantations and European-style houses. Would you like to know what to see and do in Nuwara Eliya? Join us in this city guide and discover what you cannot miss! Travel to Nuwara Eliya will discover one of the most fascinating and charming mountain destinations in Sri Lanka. Located in the Highlands of the country, on your trip to Nuwara Eliya, you will find a city surrounded by tea plantations and mountains of lush forests. Nuwara Eliya is also known as the City of Light or Little England. Its streets give off a marked European style due to British colonization. The English Siri Samuel Baker founded the city.

Why Nuwara Eliya?

Nuwara Eliya is the highest mountain area in central Sri Lanka and differs from the hot and sunny coastal cities. The relaxed and pleasant climate attracts travelers from different countries to hiking in the summer. What are the best places to visit in Nuwara Eliya? Lake Gregory, Queen Victoria Park, Yala National Park, Peradeniya Botanical Garden, Hanuman Temple, and Horton Plains National Park are the highlights in Nuwara Eliya. It will make people linger on a hike or a boat ride on the lake. Nuwara Eliya is the hometown of tea in Sri Lanka. You can go to the tea house to taste the authentic local tea and visit the tea plantations. In the countless hills, valleys, and lakes, feel the healing power of nature. What stand out most about Nuwara Eliya, apart from its European-style urban core, are its surroundings. In the surroundings of this mountainous city, you will find large tea plantations, the star product of the country. Nuwara Eliya has become one of those "jewel" cities that must be on your travel list. Very close to Nuwara Eliya is Ella, another popular Highland destination. Nuwara Eliya is close to Pidurutalagala Peak, the highest mountain in Sri Lanka, at 2,500 meters above sea level. Considering the area's height and the spectacular natural enclave, do not forget to pack warm mountain clothing for your stay in Nuwara Eliya. Known as Little England, given the influence during the British colonial period, the city became the preferred destination of the English during the colonial era, consequently leaving an economic and cultural legacy. The landscape of Nuwara Eliya Sri Lanka tea plantations and river In addition, the British began cultivating vegetables in the 18th century. Activity that is currently maintained and provides products to the entire country. Of course, apart from tea, since in the area, you will find many tea plantations and companies dedicated to producing and exporting the product, most of them are open for a guided tour. This city with such a European touch and climate will surprise you. Thanks to its central location and colonial past, you will find many attractions to see and do in Nuwara Eliya and its surroundings that you can learn about below.

The attractions of Nuwara Eliya

Almost all the attractions of Nuwara Eliya are natural formations and beauties, including manufactured parks and viewing platforms. In the city, you can see colonial architecture, several churches, and temples, but nothing exciting. But in the vicinity, you can see the indescribable beauty of tea plantations on the hillsides, beautiful parks and botanical gardens, and many waterfalls. A special place from Nuwara Eliya is the Horton Plateau and the Land's End, but they are pretty far to get to, and it is better with a tour and not on your own. Most of the entertainment in Nuwara Eliya is connected with exploring all the same natural attractions: horseback riding, jeep or bicycle rides around the area, and visits to tea factories and plantations. On Lake Gregory in the center, you can go boating and even on jet skis and those who are fond of golf will find excellent courses in the vicinity.

Sri Bhakta Hanuman Temple

This temple is one of the favorite places to see in Nuwara Eliya by the local population, and when you see its architecture, you will wonder what is there. The temple sits on top of a hill; to get there, you must climb a hill and then a flight of stairs. Once you reach the esplanade, you will find the Sri Bhakta Hanuman temple with incredible views of the hills and Kotmale Lake. Inside the construction, you will find a statue of Hanuman almost 5 meters high. The temple is quite far from the center of Nuwara Eliya, so take the opportunity to visit Ramboda Falls.

Lake Gregory

Gregory Lake is one of the most popular places for the active pastime of tourists and locals. You can't swim in the lake, but you can swim in a rented boat in the form of a swan, kayak, or Jet Ski; ride a pony; watch planes land on it, or eat at a restaurant with beautiful views of the water. Well, or take a walk along the equipped path. True, oddly enough, for a walk around the lake along these paths in the daytime, they charge a fee. You can go to the lake from the other side for free, but the places there are filthy, and no one cleans up the garbage on the shore.

Sita Amman Temple

After visiting the Nuwara Eliya botanical garden, head to the Sita Amman temple, a small Hindu temple that stands out for its structure, ornamentation, and colors. According to the beliefs of the Hindu religion, the temple's location is where King Ravana held the goddess Sita prisoner, giving this legend its name to the temple and making it a suitable place of worship.

Horton Plains National Park

If you like nature, we recommend visiting Horton Plains, National Park. There are two viewpoints, the Mini Word's End and the World's End, from where you can enjoy spectacular views of the entire area. We recommend you go first thing in the morning since it is usual for clouds to cover the sky later and, in addition, you will avoid the hottest hours. The journey to the top is about 3 hours and about 9 kilometers away, but it is an affordable path, and the difficulty is not very serious. During your visit to the park, you will also see some waterfalls.

Galway National Park in Nuwara Eliya

Galway's Land National Park is located within Nuwara Eliya, almost in the center. This area has been protected since 1938 and received the status of a National Park only in 2006. Since then, a fee has been charged for entering the park, and quite a high one. But not everyone succeeds in seeing the birds this park is famous for. It all depends on luck. To be luckier, it is best to come here early in the morning, right before the opening.

Hakgala Botanical Garden

Visit the Hakgala Botanical Gardens, another of the most popular things in Nuwara Eliya. These gardens were opened in 1861, and much of the history of tea in Sri Lanka begins here, as experimental tea cultivation was carried out indoors before extensive cultivation was carried out outside. Sri Lanka has five botanical gardens, and Hakgala is the second largest in the country, with more than 10,000 species. If plants are your thing, the Hakgala Botanical Garden is one of the obligatory visits in Nuwara Eliya and one of the most made by tourists worldwide.

Post Office

The Post Office is a very significant building in the city. It was built in 1894 and is English in style. Its red exterior walls easily identify it, and it is interesting to look at its tower and take a walk in its garden.
You will find a store in the same office where you can buy a postcard and send it there. If you do, we guarantee that your family and friends will want to know more about the beautiful attractions in Nuwara Eliya and Sri Lanka ;)

Amazing activies to do in Nuwara Eliya

Visit the Nuwara Eliya market

To start, stroll through the central streets so you can experience local life. Nuwara Eliya is quieter than other destinations in Sri Lanka, and you can have a more local experience in its restaurants or the central market. On your walk through the streets of Nuwara Eliya, you will see constructions that catch your attention. One of the most notable is the Post Office, a building whose architectural style will make you believe you are somewhere in the south of England. It is the most emblematic building in Nuwara Eliya and currently operates as a post office.

Visit Gregory Lake

Gregory Lake is located within Gregory Park and is one of the visits to do in Nuwara Eliya. The place consists of a large park with a beautiful lake, very popular with the local population, and on weekends, it fills up with people ready to spend the day with their families. At the lake, apart from enjoying a ride around Lake Gregory, you can ride a pony, rent a Jet Ski or rowboat, enjoy a boat trip or enjoy the sun on the lawn with a picnic. Inside Gregory Park, you will also find food stalls and snacks if you like ending the day with a drink. In addition, from the park, you can enjoy views of Mount Pidurutalagala.

Nuwara Eliya Golf Club

In the center of Nuwara Eliya, you will find the golf club. It was founded in 1889 and is still in operation with superbly preserved facilities. If you are one of those who do not stop on your trip and you like to do different things, consider spending part of the day playing a game of golf. You can rent the equipment there and have to pay to access it. It only attends to the clothes you wear to access since Nuwara Eliya maintains today the dress standards in certain establishments.

Visit factories and tea plantations.

Nuwara Eliya is the capital of tea, so one of the things you cannot miss on your trip and do in Nuwara Eliya is to visit a tea factory and explore the plantations! There are several tea factories in the area, but they are not located in the center.

Hill Club

Also, in the center and very close to the golf club are two emblematic buildings of the aristocracy that once ruled and lived in Nuwara Eliya. Hill Club Hotel, also a hotel today, dates back to 1876 in the purest colonial style and is surrounded by a garden that will make you forget that you are in Sri Lanka. You can eat in the restaurant without being a hotel client. Only men have to wear a black tie to access it, and women wear formal clothes.

Ramboda Falls

Ramboda waterfalls are very popular in Sri Lanka. Known as Ramboda Falls in English. With a height of 109 meters high, Ramboda Falls are in the 11th position in the ranking of the highest waterfalls in Sri Lanka. Its shape is unique as the two tributaries of the river separate in the fall, creating a double waterfall, one of the fascinating natural attractions to visit on your trip to Nuwara Eliya. The Ramboda Falls are located on the outskirts of Nuwara Eliya, and you will have to travel by car to get there. On the way, leaving the falls behind in the opposite direction to the center of Nuwara Eliya, you can also visit the Sri Bhakta Hanuman temple.

Lover's Leap Waterfall

It is located near the Pedro Tea Estate tea plantations, so if you go to it, you can take the route to visit the waterfall of Lover's Leap. Lover's Leap is famous for the area's folklore after two lovers jumped from the top, thus forging their relationship in the afterlife. Beyond the attractiveness of this waterfall, the path to reach it through tea fields is spectacular. You will find indicative signs from Pedro Tea Estate, or your guide will know how to take you. Once you are in Lover's Leap, the landscape will fascinate you. Finally, this waterfall is not so visited by tourists, so if you include it in your list of things to do in Nuwara Eliya and its surroundings.

Hiking activities in natural spaces

You will have multiple options if you are looking for hiking and outdoor activities. You can navigate to places of interest in the surrounding area.

Kandy – Ella Train Route

Nuwara Eliya is one of the stations on the Colombo – Badulla route where the famous Kandy – Ella section is located. Note that the train stop corresponding to Nuwara Eliya is called Nanu Oya, 10 minutes by car from the center. The Kandy – Ella route and vice versa are acclaimed worldwide as one of the most incredible train journeys. Mountain landscapes, tea plantations, villages, and local life come together to offer you a memorable experience.

Discover the tea plantations

Tea is the undisputed star product of Sri Lanka, and in Nuwara Eliya, you will find vast plantations of this precious product. Apart from discovering the tea plantations and taking a walk around the place, you will also have the opportunity, if you feel like it, to visit a tea factory where they will explain the tea production process to you, and you will be able to taste it. These companies, such as the Pedro Tea Factory, also offer guided tours of the tea fields.

Tunnel in the mountain.

We read about this attraction in advance but didn't even have to look for it since the road passed through it. Almost immediately after the observation platform with waterfalls and very close to the turnaround for the descent to the Ramboda waterfall, you will see this great tunnel in the mountain. Nuwara Eliya Sri Lankan the tunnel, you will pass about 50 meters, so have time to enjoy.

Holidays

Thus, in April, in the mountainous part of the island in small towns such as Nuwara Eliya and Ella, hotel rooms may have problems. In addition, at the same time, at the beginning of the flower season, races and the holding of a rally fall out.

Weather in Nuwara Eliya

In Nuwara Eliya, most of the time, it is pleasantly cool. Climate: mountain-subtropical. The warmest and sunniest months are March, June, and July. This weather is conducive to visiting 24 months a year. In addition, there is clean air, sun, pleasant coolness, and beautiful forests and mountains.

How to get to Nuwara Eliya?

Nuwara Eliya can be reached in 3 ways: by train, by bus, by taxi, or on your own by car or moped. For traveling by rail, you will need to get to Nanu Oya station, located in the neighboring town, 8 km from the town of Nuwara Eliya, since there is no railway in Nuwara Eliya itself. You can get to Nuwara Eliya from Kandy or Colombo if you are traveling by bus. But we want to tell you, and we refute, that it is difficult; the roads are of excellent quality almost throughout Sri Lanka, especially in the mountains.

Bottom line

Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka - the highest city on the entire island. Residential buildings have grown right at the foot of the island's highest point - Mount Pidurutalagala, whose middle name is Pedro. Thanks to this location, Nuwara Eliya has become a popular resort for those who do not like the hot climate and beach holidays and want to get to know the island's highlands. The favorable climate of Sri Lanka, especially its mountainous part, attracts thousands of tourists every year. People mostly Travel to Nuwara Eliya to see tea plantations, Climb Mountains: hiking and hiking for several days, visit horse races, play golf, walk through Victoria Park with a unique collection of eucalyptus trees or visit the Hakgala Botanical Garden, which is famous for its beautiful flowers, cedar trees, and cypresses. The city is of particular interest, its streets, houses, Hindu temples, churches, cathedrals, friendly locals, their culture, and way of life.