Holidays to Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka holidays boast paradise beaches fringed with palms, incredible wildlife (how do elephants, macaques and blue whales sound?), and plenty of cultural sites to explore, from Buddhist temples to tea plantations.
Epic beaches
White sands, azure waters and swaying palm trees, Sri Lanka’s beaches are off-the-scale beautiful. Perfect for romantic beach escapes, wet ‘n’ wild watersports, or drying off after a morning spent surfing – when it comes to the coast, a Sri Lanka holiday has it all. Whether you’re kicking back on the palm-fringed sands of Bentota or swimming or surfing with wild turtles in Hikkaduwa Beach, you’re guaranteed a sensational trip.
Safari so goody
Who doesn’t want to embrace their wild side on holiday? An Insta-friendly alternative to safaris in Africa and India, Sri Lanka’s jungles and hills are brimming with awe-inspiring native animals. The Sri Lankan ‘Big Five’ is made up of elephants, leopards, sloth bears, blue whales and sperm whales.
Let’s get spicy
Sri Lankan food is something special to write home about. Snack on street food, like hoppers coconut pancakes and stir-fry kottu roti curry in a Colombo market, or feast on fresh seafood curries cooked right on the beach. If you like your food spicy, a Sri Lanka holiday is a winner.
Adventure time
The kind of place Indiana Jones would go on his holibobs, Sri Lanka is loaded with adventure. Explore ancient fortresses carved out of rock and vast Buddhist temples, including Kandy’s famous Temple of the Tooth. Visit the country’s breathtaking sacred cities, from Kandy in the heart of the country to temple-hotspot Anuradhapura.
Tea and trekking
If you like trekking, you’ll love a Sri Lanka holiday. Explore lush rainforests, climb misty mountains and visit old tea plantations by taking the old fashioned train inland for a next level Sri Lankan adventure. There are plenty of routes to suit casual hikers as well as seasoned trekkers.
Sneak Peek
Best for... Wildlife-loving surfers with a taste for spicy food 🌶️
Go... A national park and meet the local elephants 🐘
You have to... Visit a tea plantation for a cup of Ceylon tea 🫖
Sri Lanka holiday deals
Turyaa Kalutara
- 15 Apr 2026
- 10 nights
- All-inclusive
- From Newcastle
Prices from
Avani Kalutara Resort
4.9
Excellent
- 15 Apr 2026
- 10 nights
- Bed & breakfast
- From Newcastle
Prices from
Cinnamon Bey Beruwala
4.7
Excellent
- 24 Oct 2026
- 10 nights
- All-inclusive
- From Heathrow
Prices from
NH Collection Colombo
4.4
Excellent
- 22 Apr 2026
- 5 nights
- Room only
- From Gatwick
Prices from
Details
Currency
Sri Lankan Rupee
Language
Sinhala, Tamil
Time difference
GMT +5.5
Cost of a beer
350 Rs
3-course meal
1000 Rs
Flight time
London: 11 hrs
Surf’s up, dude
Coconut palms, powdery sands and baby blue seas, Mirissa Beach on the southern coast is a true A-lister. It’s also a prime spot for whale watching in winter. If you prefer to get up-close-and-personal with the underwater world, head to Unawatuna Beach. Fringed by vibrant coral reefs, it’s the perfect place for snorkelling and diving.
When the surf’s up, the cool kids catch waves at Arugam Bay on the east coast. For more mellow waves, Whiskey Point and Peanut Farm Beach are good for beginners.
Sweet as Kandy
A Sri Lanka holiday is more than beach, beach, beach. With over two millennia of history, this breathtaking country is jam-packed with ancient temples and historic sites. Visit at the right time, and you might also get a glimpse into some ancient rituals. During the Esala Perahera Buddhist festival, for example, you can see fire dances, acrobats and drummers performing traditional kandyan dances.
The Temple of the Tooth in Kandy, which houses the sacred tooth of Buddha, is one of the most important Buddhist sites in the world.
Meet Dumbo and friends
One of the best places in the world to see elephants in their natural habitat, Sri Lanka is a dream for Dumbo fans. In the north, Minneriya National Park and Kaudulla National Park are great places to glimpse these gentle giants. Visit in the dry season (June to September) to see the awe-inspiring Great Elephant Gathering, when over 300 wild Asian elephants congregate in the national parks.
To get really up-close-and-personal, visit the Elephant Freedom Project in Hiriwadunna - a welfare centre for rescued elephants.
When to go to Sri Lanka
With its steamy, tropical climate, your Sri Lanka holiday is unlikely to require thermals, no matter when you visit. However, it’s worth noting that January to March is the dry season on the west and south coasts. Elsewhere, surfers have great waves on the east coast between April and October, from the storm swells, and on the south coast between November and April.
And if you’re heading to the Cultural Triangle for some Indiana Jones-ing, stick to the dry season (January to March). For cheap Sri Lanka holidays, visit during the monsoon season (October to December is wettest!), when most of the crowds have been rained off – just pack a poncho.
