The Best Things To Do In Sri Lanka For Every Type Of Adventurer In 2025

There’s no guessing why Sri Lanka has risen to the top of Urban List's travel bucket list of late. From the sun-kissed beaches of the south to the ancient ruins of Anuradhapura in the north, this article is your guide to uncovering the very best things to do in Sri Lanka.

Even in the rainy season, the temperatures remain at a balmy 30 degrees, the people are always smiling and there’s plenty to see and do. Get booking—here are the best things to do in Sri Lanka in 2025.

Stop By Colombo

Image credit: Adam Marikar | Unsplash 

Your flights will most likely arrive in and depart from Colombo, Sri Lanka’s capital city, so you should take some time out to explore this culture-rich destination. There’s plenty to do, like see the National Museum, check out the street art scene on Slave Island, ride on a tuk-tuk, check out Galle Face Green (a seaside promenade), go on food crawl, Pettah markets, admire colonial architecture (like the Old Dutch Hospital) and visit the Gangaramaya Temple.

Catch A Traditional Kandyan Dance Performance 

Sri Lanka’s culture is bold, bright, and a little bit hypnotic—and nowhere is that more on show than at a Kandyan dance performance in Kandy. Feel the rhythmic drumming in your chest, be wowed by flaming torches, acrobatic backflips and incredible costumes. The energy is electric, and even if you don’t know what every move means, you’ll be absolutely transfixed. Head to the Kandy Lake Club at 5pm, who have been wowing audiences with their cultural dance performance since 1982.

Climb Adam’s Peak

Image credit: Sander Don | Unsplash 

Adam’s Peak, or Sri Pada as it’s known to the locals, is a 2,243m miniature mountain and a place of worship for Buddhists in Sri Lanka—its natural geography is said to be the footprint of Buddha. The trip up the mountain in Dalhousie (about three hours) is best made in the early hours of the morning so you get to the peak in time for a spectacular sunrise. Pack a lunch, or book a tour through Scenic Tours & Travel Sri Lanka who’ll take care of all that and more.

Up Your Adrenaline With Adventure Camping

Make for the jungles of Kitulgala and sign yourself up for adventure camping with Kitulgala Adventures. Set up camp for one to three nights in the jungle and take part in white water rafting, bird watching, jungle walks, river bathing and more. Waterfalls definitely included.

Get Wild On A Safari

From leopards and elephants to chipmunks and peacocks, there are many creatures to observe in their natural habitat in Sri Lanka. Leopard Safaris run an awesome two-day safari through the Yala and Wilpattu national parks which includes dinner under the stars, luxury tent lodgings and the chance to spot sloth bears, elephants, crocodiles, leopards, deer, tortoise and more!

Travel By Train

Image credit: Jaromír Kavan | Unsplash 

While flying takes significantly less time, there’s so much beautiful scenery to see on the ground in Sri Lanka that a visit is not complete without a train trip. The most scenic route is Kandy to Ella which takes around seven hours one way and passes through lush tea fields and stunning mountainsides. Tickets can be bought on the ground in key stations, or online here 30 days out from your trip.

Hike The Knuckles Mountain Range

If you’re the kind of wanderlust-seeker who likes a solid calf burn sesh in your itinerary, then lace up your boots and head to The Knuckles Mountain Range. Located in the northern end of Central Highlands of of Sri Lanka, there’s 34 peaks ranging soaring up to 1900 metres high, laced with cascading waterfalls and abundant greenery. Serious trekkers can tackle a three-day hike, or you can choose from one of many trails that range from two to five hours. If rather a local coordinate your adventure, book in a tour with these guys.

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Catch Some Waves At Arugam Bay

Image credit: Sasha Set | Website

One of the best spots to catch some killer surf in Sri Lanka, Arugam Bay is a must for beach babes and bums, or anyone who likes the laid-back lifestyle. The crescent-shaped bay is absolutely stunning—stop by for a few days of rest and relaxation, sun, surf, sand and yoga.

Watch Stilt Fishermen At Sunset 

Witnessing Sri Lanka’s legendary stilt fishermen in real life is a true reminder of why travelling and exploring different cultures is so damn cool. Head to the coastline near Ahangama as the sun dips low, and you’ll spot silhouettes balanced on thin wooden poles, casting lines like it’s no big deal.

Get The Tea On Ceylon Tea

Image credit: Tharaka Jayasuriya | Website

Resplendent Ceylon offers a variety of experiences getting you amongst the tea-growing trails of the region. Pick from a tea tasting experience meeting a grower, biking or trekking the trails of the Bogawantalawa Valley, or a tea-infused dinner in the heart of tea country.

Relax, Relax, Relax

An instrumental part of any good South-East Asian holiday, rest and relaxation is crucial. Depending on how much R&R is needed you can choose to laze by your hotel’s pool or for something a little more intensive you can book a serious yoga retreat at Talalla Retreat Sri Lanka. The seven-day retreat includes yoga classes, guided meditations and massage and will surely leave you blissed to the max.

Volunteer To Help Protect Turtles

Did you know that five of the world’s seven sea turtle species—leatherbacks, hawksbills, olive ridleys, green turtles, and loggerheads—nest on Sri Lanka’s beaches? Visit between January and June, and you’ve got a good chance of witnessing this magical moment as hatchlings make their way to the sea. Sri Lanka’s marine conservation scene is strong, with plenty of volunteer opportunities for travellers to get involved. One to check out is Pearl Protectors, an organisation dedicated to safeguarding the country’s incredible marine life.

Visit All Of The UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Image credit: Daniel Klein | Website

There are eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka, and if we’re being honest, it’s worth visiting all of them. If you can only make it to a few you’ll definitely want to check out the Golden Temple of Dambulla (part cave, part monastery), Lion’s Rock in the Ancient City of Sigiriya, the Sacred City of Kandy which is home to the Temple of the Tooth Relic and Ruwanwelisaya in the Sacred City of Anuradhapura.

Enjoy The Local Cuisine

A holiday isn’t a holiday without delicious food and Sri Lanka is home to some incredibly tasty dishes. There’s kottu roti (a deliciously greasy dish of stir-fried, shredded roti), wood apple (Sri Lanka’s answer to the durian, this time smelling of blue cheese), hoppers (Sri Lankan pancakes) and fish ambul thiyal (sour fish curry). Right by the Temple of the Tooth, The Empire Cafe is the perfect spot to stop by for coffee, refreshments, Sri Lankan curries and sweet treats.

Part of the top-notch Heritance Kandalama hotel, Kanchana Restaurant offers panoramic views and delicious Sri Lankan fare. You’ll need to make a booking for this one. 

Image credit: Farhath Firows | Website

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