After years of waiting, I finally had my 10 days in Sri Lanka in my plans. And even better, it was my birthday trip. Since then, I visited Sri Lanka one more time just recently.

Sri Lanka is quite a big island and driving around it is slow. To see most of its regions, you will definitely need a few weeks. However, 10 days in Sri Lanka can give you a good taste of the country and its highlights.

10 days in Sri Lanka itinerary and all you need to know

We spent 10 days in Sri Lanka in April, just to give you an idea what could be done during this time and this time of the year.

According to some Sri Lankans that I have met, April is one of the best times to visit Sri Lanka. It is a perfect mix of sunshine, green landscapes, and cultural festivities.

With the southwest monsoon yet to arrive, the west and south coasts are still ideal for beach days. Plus, visiting in April means you’ll get to experience Sinhala and Tamil New Year, a major celebration filled with traditional games, festive food, and vibrant local customs.

Our 10-day Sri Lanka itinerary consists of relaxing beach days, the famous train ride, tea plantations and cultural sites.

Colombo

You can either start or end the trip in Colombo. As we only had 10 days and a lot of plans, we skipped Colombo and headed directly towards Sigiriya. However, even if you have half a day, there are tuk-tuk morning or evening tours in Colombo- sound pretty cool.

Colombo to Sigiriya – the iconic Lion Rock

We took a morning drive (4 hours) to Sigiriya, Sri Lanka’s most famous landmark. However, this region has so much to offer that you better plan a couple of days to see the most impressive highlights.

Dambulla

Our fist stop was Dambulla: a place where you can visit a famous Cave Temples. It is a complex of 5 temples inside a cave. It’s pretty spectacular. In fact, after visiting tons of temples around the world, I think the Cave Temples are one of the most beautiful.

So after around 4 hours of driving from Colombo, we arrived to Dambulla. Dambulla was on our way to Sigiriya and we had a hired driver. Although this is a quite doable one-day tour from Colombo, I don’t think I’d recommend it as you’d be missing out on enjoying Sigiriya and Pidurangala.

The caves are located on top of a hill, which takes around 20 minutes to climb.

Note that there is an entry fee to go to the temples and you need to purchase the ticket before climbing the hill (as there’s to ticket booth on top). Knowing that, make sure that you commence your climb at the staircase near the parking lot, NOT where the big Buddha statue is as there’s no ticket booth at the other entrance.

The entrance fee is 2000 LKR payable in cash. The opening hours are from 7am till 7pm and the ticket booth closes at 5pm. The best time to visit seems to be for sunset, but for us, it was not fitting in our timetable, so we stopped by around early afternoon. Possibly it was a good thing as there were hardly anyone in the temples.

Sigiriya Rock- the Lion Rock

Climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress for breathtaking views. You can either do it for sunrise or sunset. As we arrived only day, we decided to climb the rock for sunset. We stayed in a nearby guesthouse, so we could just easily walk to the rock. The walk was pleasant with lots of warning of elephants, crocodiles and killer bees. Yes! It seems like an adventurous walk.

Before the climb, the sky was beautifully blue. But once we were on top, black clouds started coming quite fast and was got caught up in a huge storm on the way back. Within minutes, the path was like a river, the lighting hitting close by. We ended up soaking wet to the last thread.

Climbing the Lion Rock involves a lot of stairs for half of the way. There are also nests of killer wasps hanging everywhere, so the advice given is to walk quietly. Also, there are no toilets there as the smell attracts wasps. Just for you to know.

Pidurangala Rock

Visit Pidurangala Rock for a stunning sunset or sunrise hike. Since we climbed the Lion Rock the previous night, it was sunrise time for Pidurangala.

As we stayed in a guesthouse very close to the rock, it was really easy to get up early and start the hike at 6 am for sunrise.

The hike is mostly easy to moderate until the last part. You will have to pull yourself up on the rocks, so make sure you have good shoes and comfortable clothes. Many people had scratches all over as the last bit was not that easy, just before the peak. If you are not too fit or have mobility difficulties, Pidurangala might be a challenging rock to climb and I wouldn’t recommend it. I’d say that Pidurangala is a bit more difficult than the Lion Rock to ascend.

It takes around 40 minutes to climb Pidurangala. The entrance fee is 1000 LKR . At the beginning of the path, there is a temple, where you need to take your shoes off and cover up your knees and shoulders.

Sigiriya to Kandy – cultural heart of Sri Lanka

Kandy has been named a she spiritual heart of Sri Lanka. This city is home to the sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and offers stunning views over Kandy Lake. Visit a traditional spice garden in Matale on the way to Kandy. It’s a small place, but if like spices and plants, this might be interesting.

I did not like Kandy as much as I expected. We stayed there for 2 days and it was a bit too long for what it has to offer, in my opinion. However, the botanical garden in Kandy is just breathtaking. It’s a bit far from the centre, but you can easily take a tuk-tuk to get there.

The other option is to walk (around 1,5 hrs) . Of course, that’s what we did and it was beautiful.

Walking past villages and watching locals doing their everyday life was one of the most interesting experiences. As it was Sunday, there were lots of community games and crickets matches. Sri Lankans are friendly and it seemed that not many tourists take the long way, so we were invited to play with them.

If you’re not sure where to stay in Kandy, I recommend this hotel near the lake and all the attractions. What I loved there the most about it is a terrace and huge windows in the bedroom to see the lush landscape.

Kandy to Nuwara Eliya – Sri Lanka’s cea Country

We headed to Nuwara Eliya to take the scenic train ride, one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world, if I may promise the ranking.

On the way to Nuwara Eliya we stopped at Oak Ray Tea plantation and museum as this area is famous for tea collection. There are many other places (like the famus Pedro Tea Estatet) but we really enjoyed this one. We had a chance to visit the factory and learn all the stages of tea production. My favourite part was the tea sampling.

The area is truly breathating, I wish I had more time there.

Nonetheless, Nuwara Eliya town deserves mentioning too. Why, should you ask?

Nuwara Eliya, often called “Little England,” is a charming hill town in Sri Lanka known for its cool climate, colonial-era architecture, and stunning tea plantations, like I already mentioned.

If you have time, stroll around Gregory Lake for scenic views, go on a hike to Lover’s Leap waterfall, or visit the beautifully landscaped Hakgala Botanical Garden.

For a touch of history, stop by the grand Hill Club or the historic Post Office, both being string picture the town’s British influence. My favourite part of the town. You can get a postcard there and send it anywhere in the world by dropping it into the antique mailbox left by the British.

Nuwara Eliya to Ella – the iconic train ride

The iconic train ride

The train ride in Sri Lanka is one of the most beautiful in the world, as so many people say.

The full journey takes around 6-7 hours, but we often debated whether to take the entire trip or just a portion of it. The Kandy to Nuwara Eliya (Nanu Oya) section is beautiful, passing through verdant tea country, but some parts are less dramatic. The Nuwara Eliya to Ella stretch, however, is widely considered the most spectacular, with iconic sights like the Nine Arches Bridge, dense forests, and dramatic mountain landscapes.

If you’re short on time, starting from Nuwara Eliya (Nanu Oya) to Ella still gives you the most stunning part of the journey. And that’s aexactly what we did. The driver we previously arranged took us to Nuwara Eliya. After a short visit to the town, we boarded the train.

Regardless the trip you choose, make sure you book your tickets in advance as they sell out really fast. You can do it through 12Go.asia or Sri Lanka Railways website. Alternatively GetYourGuide has tickets as well.

Ella and Nine Arches Bridge

Ella is a cute little town with a very special vibe. It’s so different from other places in Sri Lanka. This is also the station where most people get off the scenic train and visit Nine Arches Bridge- probably the most photographed bridge in Sri Lanka.

It’s not surprising that many people go there as it is quite picturesque to see the bridge with the train passing by.

Knowing beforehand that the bridge and its surroundings get crowded fast, especially near the time of train passing, we booked a hotel overlooking it. The photo below is from the terrace where we had breakfast and our bedroom had a balcony as well, from which we would see the train passing by and take amazing, unobstructed photos and videos.

Although the path leading to this accommodation is a bit tricky and only accessible by tuk-tuk, we were so happy to enjoy the area without rushing and moments without crowds.

There’s a really nice restaurant in Ella, called Cafe Chill (it has 16k reviews, mostly top ratings, I think I’ve never seen that!). It;s the best choice in town.

Seaside- Weligama, Mirissa and Galle

Sri Lanka has some of the most beautiful beaches. The southern coast is very popular and accessible with many beaches to choose from. In this 10-day itinerary for Sri Lanka, Galle and some of other cute towns.

Galle

I’ve been twice to Galle during two different trips. Galle is a historic fortified city with cobblestone streets, ancient ramparts, and a mix of Dutch colonial architecture and modern art galleries. Stroll through the UNESCO-listed Galle Fort, visit colourful boutiques, and enjoy panoramic ocean views from the ramparts.

Galle is small but so charming that you would love to have enough time to enjoy it. There are quite a few nice restaurants and coffee places, like The Bungalow or Pedlar’s Inn.

Mirissa

A short drive from Weligama, Mirissa is known for its vibrant beaches and world-class whale watching tours.

If you might have seen though, e famous Coconut Tree Hill overtaking Instagram some time ago. It’s a truly picturesque spot, and crowded, as you would have imagined.

It’s also a lovely place to unwind on the soft sands of Mirissa Beach and savor a cool coconut water or a refreshing tropical cocktail from one of the local shacks.

Weligama

We chose Weligama mainly for relax. Weligama, a coastal town famous for its long, sandy beach and gentle surf breaks. It’s an excellent destination for both novice surfers and anyone, who simply wants to soak up the sun. Unawatuna Beach or Jungle Beach are worth a trip.

We stayed in Weligama Bay Marriott Resort and Spa. I’m mentioning it as we really enjoyed it, especially the killer views from the room. Check it out, maybe you like it too.

There are many surf school in the area, so do some research and choose the one that best fits your needs. Enroll in a surf lesson or rent a board for a few hours of fun on the waves. Enjoy fresh seafood by the beach and relax in the laid-back atmosphere that defines this charming seaside town.

10 days in Sri Lanka that covers this itinerary still allows you to see more, like for example, Yala National Park. If I go there again, this excursion for sure will be on my list.

Practical stuff

Money: The currency in Sri Lanka is Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR). 1000 LKR = 3.40 $US. Credit cards are widely accepted, but you’ll need cash for small purchases on the beach, souvenirs etc.
Insurance: don’t forget to purchase travel insurance before arriving in Sri Lanka. With so much driving and adventurous activities, it’s better to be protected. I usually choose World Nomads or EKTA.

How to move around Sri Lanka

Rent a tuk- tuk: this is probably one of the most popular way to travel around Sri Lanka for more adventurous people. Tuk-tuks are cheap to rent and easy to drive, but surely much slower. Make sure that you rent your tuk-tuk from a reliable company.
Hire a driver: For this trip, we hired a driver to take us places. Driving in Sri Lanka is not that hard, but very, very slow and we did not want the whole hassle. Hiring a driver is a good idea in Sri Lanka and most drivers and companies are flexible with arranging a driver for you whenever you need it: for a day or a day, or whatever you need.
Public transportation: apart from the train ride that is scenic, travelling by public transportation is not the best choice (unless you have limited budget and lots of time).

Best time to visit Sri Lanka: when to go & what to do

Sri Lanka is a year-round destination, but the best time to visit depends on which region you plan to explore. The country experiences two monsoon seasons, affecting different parts at different times of the year. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the best months for each region and activity.

This itinerary for 10 days in Sri Lanka took place in April. I must say though, that while we had a great weather most of the time, we did catch a few heavy showers. Weligama and Galle had a lot of rain too. I visited the south coast in October, and while it was hot and sunny most of the time, light to moderate rain also happened.

West & south coasts + hill country (December – April)

Best for: Beaches, cultural sites, wildlife safaris, and scenic train journeys.
Where to go: Colombo, Galle, Mirissa, Unawatuna, Bentota, Hikkaduwa, Yala National Park, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella.
Why visit?
- This is the dry season for the west and south coasts, meaning clear skies and calm seas, perfect for beach lovers and surfers.
- Whale watching in Mirissa is at its best from December to April, when blue whales and dolphins migrate through the warm waters.
- Wildlife safaris in Yala National Park and Udawalawe National Park are great, as animals gather around waterholes due to the drier climate.
- The Cultural Triangle (Sigiriya, Dambulla, Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura) is also pleasant, with minimal rain and comfortable temperatures.
- This is also the ideal time for the scenic Kandy to Ella train journey, as the views of tea plantations and misty mountains are spectacular.

East coast & northern Sri Lanka (May – September)

Best for: Surfing, snorkeling, diving, and exploring off-the-beaten-path destinations.
Where to go: Trincomalee, Arugam Bay, Pasikuda, Jaffna, Nilaveli Beach.
Why visit?
- This is the dry season for the east coast, making it the best time for beach lovers who want to avoid monsoon rains.
- Arugam Bay is one of the best surf spots in the world, with the biggest waves between June and August.
- Trincomalee and Nilaveli are perfect for snorkeling and diving, with excellent visibility around Pigeon Island National Park.
- The northern city of Jaffna is great for exploring unique Tamil culture and unspoiled beaches.

The cultural triangle & central Sri Lanka (January – March)

Best for: Ancient temples, hiking, and wildlife.
Where to go: Sigiriya, Dambulla, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Minneriya National Park, Horton Plains National Park.
Why visit?
- Dry and sunny weather makes it perfect for climbing Sigiriya Rock Fortress and hiking to Pidurangala Rock for sunrise.
- Minneriya & Kaudulla National Parks have some of the best elephant sightings, especially during the famous elephant gathering (July–September).
- Horton Plains National Park is ideal for hiking, with clear views of World’s End during the dry months.

Sri Lanka’s hill country (Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Kandy) – year-round with some variations

Best for: Tea plantations, waterfalls, and cooler weather.
Where to go: Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Haputale, Kandy.
Weather:
- December – April: Dry season, great for hiking and train rides.
- May – August: Some rain but still beautiful; waterfalls are more spectacular.
- September – November: Can be quite misty and wet but lush and green.

When to avoid travelling to Lanka?

October – November: This is Sri Lanka’s inter-monsoon period, bringing unpredictable rain and occasional storms nationwide. If possible, avoid visiting during these months.

Summary: where to go & when

Region	Best Time to Visit	Main Attractions
West & South Coasts	December – April	Colombo, Galle, Mirissa, Bentota, Unawatuna
East Coast & North	May – September	Arugam Bay, Trincomalee, Jaffna, Nilaveli
Cultural Triangle	January – March	Sigiriya, Dambulla, Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura
Hill Country	December – April (best), but year-round is possible	Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Kandy
Wildlife Safaris	Year-round, but best in dry months (June – October)	Yala, Udawalawe, Minneriya

See also:

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Use my favourite travel resources to plan your dream trips

Booking.com for searching best prices on accommodation.
Travel Payouts is my favourite platform for monetizing the blog.
Discover Cars is a great website as they search both local and international car hire services, so you can choose the best deal for yourself. Make sure though, that the company has a good reputation and reviews.
Get Your Guide is my place to go for searching and booking tours and excursions, especially when I travel solo.
World Nomads and EKTA travel insurance. I like them because they have quite extensive coverage of different activities.
Trivago where you can search and save on hotels.
Klook for all sorts of bookings- offers discounts.
Go City is a perfect site for booking bucket list experiences and attractions all in one to avoid paying for multiple tickets. Easy and saves money. You can even save 50%.
Trip Advisor– amazing for good quality recommendations.
Skyscanner is a perfect website for searching flight routes and comparing prices.