My Favourite Photos of Sri Lanka to Inspire Your Next Adventure

ByAlex Tiffany Posted on Updated on

Last year, I spent over four months in Sri Lanka. It’s an incredibly beautiful and varied island with so much to offer.

Lush jungles, golden beaches, ancient temples, and rolling tea plantations – whether you’re looking for a relaxing holiday or an action-packed adventure, you’ll find it here.

I loved immersing myself in the colours, flavours, and rhythms of everyday life in Sri Lanka.

From the sacred Temple of the Tooth in Kandy to the ancient cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, there’s so much history and culture to explore.

The train ride between Kandy and Ella is iconic for a reason. It’s one of the most scenic railway journeys I’ve ever taken.

(I definitely recommend travelling from Ella to Kandy, though – not the other way around. It’s much less crowded.)

The sacred city of Anuradhapura was another big highlight for me. There’s something in the air there – a kind of buzz that’s almost electric.

Ancient stupas rise against a backdrop of swaying palm trees, and the chants of monks fill the air.

Yala National Park is the most-visited national park in Sri Lanka, and one of the best places in the world to see leopards in the wild.

But I preferred Wilpattu in the north. It receives a tiny fraction of the visitors Yala does but is home to an incredible array of wildlife, including leopards and sloth bears.

If you love the ocean, Sri Lanka’s idyllic southern coast is perfect for surfing, snorkelling, or simply soaking up the sun. Or head out to sea in search of blue whales from Mirissa or Trincomalee.

Hike through the misty tea estates in Ella, explore the historic streets of Galle Fort, climb the ancient rock fortress at Sigiriya – but try to venture a little off the beaten path, too.

Jaffna, the once war-torn capital of the Northern Province, is home to some of the tastiest food in South Asia. (No exaggeration – Sri Lankan Tamil food is exquisite.)

Hire a tuk-tuk and head out in search of your own secret, secluded beach on the south coast.

Explore the peaceful, crowd-free, and impossibly atmospheric Mulkirigala Rock Monastery.

Or stay in a world-class luxury glamping pod on a private estate in the Knuckles Forest Reserve.

Whatever sort of trip you have in mind, Sri Lanka is an epic destination.

Need help planning your next trip? Hire me as your Personal Travel Planner!

A set of surfboards leaning against a wooden rack in a lush garden surrounded by trees and greenery, with palm trees and a bright, tropical setting.

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A stunning sunset on a beach, with vibrant hues of pink, purple, and orange reflecting off the water, and a serene, darkened shoreline.
A leopard stealthily walking through the forest undergrowth, blending with the surrounding greenery.
An elephant partially hidden behind trees in a lush green forest, surrounded by thick vegetation.
People playing and swimming in the ocean near a coastline lined with palm trees and colorful fishing boats.
A silhouette of palm trees against the backdrop of a sunset sky, with the reflection of the trees visible in a nearby pool.
A man smiling while steering a small blue boat along a calm river, with a colorful roof overhead and dense greenery in the background.
A large temple complex with intricate golden architecture, surrounded by people observing and walking on the sandy grounds.
A quiet library reading room with long tables and chairs, where several people sit reading newspapers under the natural light from tall windows.
A large white stupa with a golden top, surrounded by worshippers dressed in white, walking in a ceremonial procession around the structure.
A close-up of a colorful batik cloth design featuring intricate patterns in orange, black, and red.
A procession of worshippers, including Buddhist monks, walking barefoot in a temple courtyard, with white stupas and flags visible in the background.
A Buddhist offering table adorned with lotus flowers and a small Buddha statue, set against a backdrop of monks meditating near a stone structure.
A massive white stupa surrounded by prayer flags and worshippers, with elephants carved into the surrounding wall.
A group of people, some in traditional robes, gathered at an ancient temple built around large rocks, with a white stupa in the distance.
A panoramic view of green fields and ruins from an elevated viewpoint, with mountains stretching across the horizon at sunset.
A breathtaking view of a golden sunrise over a vast forest landscape, seen from the top of Sigiriya Lion's Rock.
A white stupa framed by symmetrical, ornate shrines, with trees in the background and a peaceful atmosphere.
A clear view of Pidurangala, a large rocky hill in the distance, surrounded by lush greenery and a small pond with water lilies.
Rolling hills covered in green vegetation and tea plantations, with tall trees and the distant Knuckles mountains under a blue sky.
A red tuk-tuk parked on a dirt road surrounded by lush green hills and trees in a rural area in central Sri Lanka.
A tall waterfall cascading down a rocky cliff with lush green vegetation at the top and a small pool of water at the bottom.
A brown puppy lying on its back with its paws raised, looking directly at the camera on a sunny day.
A sprawling tree in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya, with long, twisting branches, covered in green leaves, creating a natural canopy in a park setting.
A long passenger train winding through hilly tea plantations and curving roads in the Sri Lankan highlands, with mountains in the background.
A train moving through a landscape of tea plantations and rolling hills, with green bushes in the foreground.
A man leaning out of a train window with a big smile, giving a peace sign with his hand while the train moves through a lush green countryside.
An old-fashioned railway signal post next to train tracks with a scenic backdrop of hills and greenery under a clear blue sky.
A train station platform with the name "Ambewela" written in both Sinhala and Tamil scripts, surrounded by greenery and hills.
Two people standing at the edge of a cliff, embracing each other, and looking out over a mountainous valley covered in greenery.
Terraced rice fields in a valley surrounded by green hills and trees under a partly cloudy sky.
Nine Arches Bridge in Ella, Sri Lanka, viewed from above, with lush green forest surrounding the railway track.
Hiriketiya beach with turquoise water, surfers in the distance, and palm trees lining the shore.
A beach scene with surfboards and beach chairs lined up, people enjoying the water, and palm trees in the background.
A serene sunset over the ocean with footprints in the sand, moss-covered rocks, and an orange sky.
A fisherman resting in a traditional wooden canoe on the beach under the shade of a tree, with the ocean in the background.
An empty, tranquil beach with a traditional blue fishing boat and palm trees lining the shore.
A wide beach with gentle waves, a person walking along the shore, and tall leaning palm trees in the background.
A quiet beach scene with thatched huts and large rocks along the sandy shore, backed by dense palm trees.
A large reclining Buddha statue inside a cave temple, surrounded by intricately painted walls and ceiling.
A large stone Buddha statue with a small monkey sitting at its base, against a backdrop of lush green forest and a clear blue sky.
A scenic view of a river surrounded by dense tropical forest, with a glimpse of the ocean in the far distance.
A view down a steep set of stone steps flanked by dense greenery, leading to a hidden temple amidst the trees.
Detailed, brightly colored statues of deities inside a temple, with intricate floral patterns decorating the walls.
A stone staircase leading up to a traditional temple building nestled among trees, with sunlight filtering through the foliage.
A serene sunset over a beach, with pink hues in the sky and footprints in the sand leading towards the water.
The calm beach at Hiriketiya with clear turquoise water, surrounded by lush palm trees and rocky outcrops.
A narrow path between rice fields at sunset, with the sky painted in soft colors and distant trees casting long shadows.
A dirt path leading down to the sea, framed by palm trees and thick tropical vegetation, with the ocean visible in the distance.
People swimming in the sea at sunset, with the golden light reflecting off the water and a small boat silhouetted against the horizon.
A stunning sunset over a rocky beach, with the sky glowing orange and purple. Waves crash against the shoreline while a few people sit in a beachside hut, enjoying the view.
A small striped squirrel eating fruit from a plate, placed on a wooden table in front of a bamboo fence.
Two women working in a small sewing workshop, one sewing fabric on an old-fashioned sewing machine while the other cuts and measures fabric.
A smoothie bowl with fresh tropical fruit and granola topped with starfruit and a side of coffee on a wooden table.
Galle Fort’s iconic lighthouse standing tall by the sea, surrounded by historic white buildings and a stone wall along the coastline.
A view from a hotel balcony, overlooking a tropical landscape filled with tall palm trees and lush greenery, with sunlight streaming in.
A tropical view of a beachfront from a rooftop, with a clear blue sky, coconut trees, and scattered houses in a beachside village.
A vibrant sunset reflecting on the ocean with a few surfers and beachgoers standing at the water's edge, enjoying the serene view.
Three fishermen in a small boat on the calm harbor at Mirissa, surrounded by larger fishing boats, with a backdrop of green hills.
A man and a woman sitting on cushions at a beachside café, sipping drinks from coconuts while watching the sunset over the ocean. The scene is relaxed and serene, with waves crashing softly in the background.
A simple beach fence covered in lush greenery with palm trees and a rusted bicycle leaning against it. In the background, there is a dilapidated building surrounded by tropical vegetation.
A group of traditional Sri Lankan stilt fishermen sitting on wooden poles in the ocean, casting their fishing lines into the waves. The blue water crashes around them as they work against the horizon.
Several Sri Lankan stilt fishermen sitting on poles in a row, spaced evenly across the shallow water as they fish in the waves, silhouetted against the blue sea.
A beach at sunrise with calm waves reflecting the early morning light. In the distance, traditional stilt fishermen are perched on poles, creating a peaceful coastal scene.
A basket filled with fresh ingredients including tomatoes, garlic, curry leaves, limes, and other vegetables, placed on a wooden surface ready for cooking.
A clay pot filled with red lentils, spices, coconut milk, and fresh herbs, ready to be cooked. The ingredients are colorful, representing traditional Sri Lankan cuisine.
A clay pot filled with sliced jackfruit, onions, and various spices like turmeric and chili, preparing for a traditional Sri Lankan dish.
View from a train window of a railroad track with a large red billboard featuring a politician's face and text in Sinhala, surrounded by tropical vegetation.
Aerial view of Colombo city at night, with the brightly lit coastline stretching into the distance. Tall skyscrapers are illuminated against the dark sky, and the ocean shimmers beside the city.
A large golden Buddha statue sits in a peaceful meditation posture on a stone platform in a landscaped garden. Palm trees and neatly trimmed bushes line the path leading up to the statue, with a group of birds flying in the sky during sunset, adding to the serene ambiance.
Two large rocky outcrops - Sigiriya Rock and Pidurangala - standing amidst green fields and a serene water body, reflecting the blue sky and clouds.

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Essential Travel Resources


🛏️ Book cheap hotels
I always use Booking.com to find the best hotel deals. Vrbo is great for short-term apartments.

🚗 Find cheap rental cars
Check both Discover Cars and Rentalcars.com to find cheap rental cars.

🌍 Book the best tours
Viator and GetYourGuide have a huge selection of tours in virtually every destination worldwide.

✈️ Find cheap flights
I use a combination of Skyscanner and Google Flights to find cheap flights.

📱 eSIMs
Airalo is my favourite travel eSIM provider – I’ve used it in over 10 countries and really rate it. So much easier than buying physical SIM cards when you travel!

🚑 Do I need travel insurance?
YES! Never travel without adequate travel insurance. It’s just not worth the risk.

• SafetyWing – if you’re a digital nomad like me, SafetyWing is super flexible and affordable. You can sign up for as little or as long as you want, and activate and deactivate it whenever you need to. I’ve made several claims in the last few years and thoroughly recommend this company.

• World Nomads – for adventurous travellers, covers 200+ activities that many other insurers won’t, such as skydiving, heli-skiing, rock climbing, rafting, scuba diving, cliff jumping, and kiteboarding (not available for residents of every country – check here).

💻 Do I need a VPN?
YES! Always use a VPN when using public WiFi (in airports, cafes, hotels, stations, etc.). This helps protect your personal information and also bypasses internet censorship and restrictions in certain countries. I use NordVPN and highly recommend it.
Alex Tiffany

Alex is a former lawyer and an expert in off-the-beaten-path travel. Originally from the UK, Alex has explored over 70 countries independently, from hitchhiking in East Africa and Central Asia to road-tripping across Europe and the USA. He loves hiking, camping, and discovering lesser-known destinations.

Alex's writing and photography have been featured in many leading travel publications. He's passionate about sharing his travel expertise with others and encouraging people to step out of their comfort zones and travel more adventurously.

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