My 14-day Sri Lanka Itinerary

Hey there, wanderers and dreamers!

I finished posting my blogs on Sri Lanka a while ago, however, one question keeps popping up on my social media platforms: what was your Sri Lanka itinerary like? Now, I’m not a firm believer in following strict itineraries, as I think each person’s travel plan should be tailored to their own preferences, budget, and time constraints. But I’ll definitely share my 14-day Sri Lanka itinerary with you, and hopefully, it’ll give you some ideas for your own trip.

My Sri Lanka Itinerary

I should mention a few things before we dive in:

• I work extensively when I travel, so I ensure to keep at least 6-7 hours free to be available on my laptop. Depending on my plans for the day, I could spend an entire morning/afternoon/evening at the hotel/Airbnb on my laptop. Or I’d work in bits and parts throughout the day.
• I took Mum along on this trip and made sure to take it slow so she could have a restful holiday. That meant afternoon naps when possible, early bedtime if we had a long day, and slow mornings sometimes…
• I usually prefer to rent a car for the flexibility it offers, but you can always adjust the itinerary if you prefer public transportation.

Now let’s get into the details of my 4-day itinerary in Colombo:

4-day itinerary for Colombo

Day 1

We arrived at Negombo airport at 1 PM after a sleepless night of travel. Despite the exhaustion, we couldn’t wait to explore Colombo. We checked into our splendid sea-view Airbnb on Marine Drive, an hour away from the airport, and took a couple of hours to rest. At around 5 PM, we picked up our rental car and made a quick stop at a supermarket to stock up on breakfast essentials, snacks, and more.

We then drove around the city to get familiar with the area. To kick off our culinary journey, we had an early dinner at Cafe on the Fifth, enjoying mouthwatering hoppers and Sri Lankan curry. We called it a night and went to bed by 10 PM, which is early by my standards, but since we’d been travelling from 4 AM, we were exhausted.

Day 2

The next morning was dedicated to work, laptops fired up and coffee mugs in hand. After a productive session, at around noon, we ventured out to explore Colombo. Our first stops were the Jami Ul Alfar Mosque, with its striking red and white exterior, and the magnificent Gangaramaya Temple. We couldn’t help but marvel at the countless Buddha statues of every shape and size at the temple. Feeling hungry, we had lunch at a random restaurant and returned to our Airbnb to relax and work some more.

To end the day, we drove to Galle Face Green, a beautiful promenade, to catch the sunset. We then checked out One Galle Face Mall, located across the road. Even though we’re not big shoppers when we travel, It’s fun to get a sense of the shops and brands, and of course, do some people-watching. We tried a local brand of ice cream, and some tea from a brand called Chaiwala and browsed through another supermarket in the mall.

Day 3

We had heard about Viharamahadevi Park and decided to make a spontaneous stop while on our way to the popular Dutch Hospital area. It turned out to be a lush oasis in the heart of the city, perfect for a leisurely walk. If you’re short on time, you can skip the park.

Next, we visited the Dutch Hospital complex, an architectural treasure that seamlessly blends old and new. We couldn’t resist exploring the charming shops, grabbing a snack at a cafe, and treating ourselves to a delicious lunch at the Ceylon Curry Club. It was easily one of our most memorable meals in Sri Lanka.

Since it was a Friday and we had an evening of work planned, we headed home around 4 PM. As a grand finale, we visited the Lotus Tower, Sri Lanka’s tallest masterpiece, around 8 PM. Initially, we didn’t plan to enter, but we decided to do it anyway to enjoy the breathtaking views from the top. After all, there weren’t many options for nighttime activities in Colombo, and we weren’t in the mood for shopping or partying. Once home, we ordered in shawarmas for dinner on Uber Eats before calling it a night.

Day 4

We bid farewell to our lovely Airbnb and prepared for our journey to Kandy. However, before hitting the highway, we decided to make a spontaneous last-minute detour to the Sri Kailawasanthan Swami Devasthanam Kovil, the oldest temple in town. This hidden gem turned out to be a true beauty, both inside and out. We were captivated by the charm of this old structure.

2-day itinerary for Kandy

Day 1

We left Colombo’s temple at 12 noon and embarked on an exciting road trip to the charming hill station of Kandy. The scenic drive took us approximately 2.5 hours, with a quick pit stop at a roadside restaurant for a simple lunch. We arrived at the luxurious Jetwing Kandy Gallery, nestled on the banks of a river, 40 minutes away from the center of Kandy at 3 PM.

To relax after the drive, we decided to take it easy and enjoy the hotel’s amenities instead of heading back to Kandy, which was quite a distance away. We sauntered off on a serene nature walk around the hotel with a knowledgeable naturalist, immersing ourselves in the beauty of the surroundings and learning about the history of Kandy. The hotel was so inviting and luxurious that we decided to skip going out for dinner too. After a short work sesh, we headed downstairs for dinner at the hotel’s restaurant.

Day 2

This was our only full day in Kandy and we kicked things off the day with a delightful breakfast at the hotel before setting out towards the heart of Kandy. Our first stop was the mesmerizing Sacred Temple of The Tooth, where we admired the intricacies of Buddhist art and architecture and learned about the significance of the Buddha’s tooth. After spending around an hour at the temple, we drove around Kandy, getting a glimpse of the town’s beauty and charm.

While Kandy may not offer an array of activities, we chose to skip the botanical garden and returned to the hotel for a scrumptious lunch. With some time to spare, we indulged in an afternoon siesta before heading to the pool for a refreshing swim. To complete our day of relaxation, we treated ourselves to a spa massage, followed by dinner.

Day 3

Our last morning at the hotel was made really memorable with a picturesque breakfast in the hotel’s garden, enjoying the serene poolside ambiance. Soon, it was time to bid farewell to Kandy as we checked out and made our way to enchanting Ella.

While our time in Kandy was brief, we felt satisfied with the experiences we had, especially the visit to the Sacred Temple of The Tooth. We were glad we did not stay in Kandy for more than 2 days as there really isn’t much to see and do here, as the hotel staff attested to. If you’re looking to explore more offbeat and religious sites, Kandy offers additional temples to discover, making it worth considering an extended stay of 1-2 days. However, for our personal preference, 2 days in Kandy was a fulfilling experience. On to Ella!

3-day itinerary for Ella

Day 1

The drive to Ella from Kandy was 140 kilometers, or 2.5 hours and as we drew closer, we were treated to the awe-inspiring beauty of the tea country. Upon entering Ella, we stopped for lunch at Cafe One Love, a Bob Marley-themed restaurant. Like in Kandy, our hotel, another Jetwing property called Jetwing Kadaruketha was an hour away from the city center, in a place called Wellawaya. It was a nature resort and was simply stunning! We got a warm welcome and then headed to our rooms to settle in, take some time to relax and recharge our energy, explore the hotel grounds, and catch up on work after a day of travel. It was a pretty uneventful day in terms of sightseeing and exploring.

Day 2

This was a day we set aside to explore as much as we could, so after a leisurely breakfast, we embarked on our adventure. Our first stop – the magnificent Ravana Falls, conveniently located right by the highway. We spent a few minutes taking photos and then headed off in the direction of Ella.

Upon reaching, we pottered through the main market street and we dived into little stores, finding souvenirs to remind us of this magical place, and gifts for friends and family. Ella is a small town and only has 2 main roads lined with shops. It is more of a trekker’s paradise, and we didn’t intend to go off on any treks, so we headed off to Lipton’s Seat next.

This is where the legendary tea baron himself, Mr. Lipton, used to sit and enjoy the view of his tea plantations. It took us longer than expected to reach Lipton’s Seat, but the breathtaking scenery of rolling hills and picturesque landscapes made the journey worthwhile.

On our way back, we stopped at Chill Cafe for a late lunch and marveled at the mist rolling in from our vantage point in the restaurant. We also took some time to explore Ella in the evening before making the drive back to our hotel. Ella in the evenings has pretty similar vibes to Anjuna/Vagator and even Manali/Kasol – but less crowded and quieter.

Day 3

Our final day in Ella started with a relaxing dip in the hotel pool – I have to say it was the best pool I’ve ever had the pleasure of swimming in! We spent the morning swimming and enjoying the sun before having a delicious lunch at the hotel. In the afternoon, we headed to the famous 9 Arch Bridge in Ella to catch the evening train as it passed over this iconic bridge, which was built in the 18th century. We spent some more time wandering around Ella in the evening before returning to our hotel.

Day 4

Time to say goodbye to Ella and move on to our next destination – Galle! This picturesque seaside town in the southwest of Sri Lanka was waiting to be explored.

2-day itinerary for Galle

Day 1

Driving through Sri Lanka is always a delightful experience, and our trip from Ella to Galle was no exception. The 250-kilometer journey took us 6 hours, and before we knew it, we arrived at Jetwing Lighthouse in Galle, our home for the next couple of days. We had already enjoyed breakfast at our hotel in Ella and a delicious lunch at a roadside restaurant, so after checking in, we took some time to explore the beautiful beachside resort.

We rested, caught up on work, and savored a cup of tea on our balcony, admiring the view of the wild ocean. In the later part of the evening, we drove around Galle and took a couple of rounds of Galle Fort, making mental notes of the places we wanted to visit the next day.

Day 2:

We kicked off our day by exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Galle Fort on foot. We enjoyed some creamy gelato, walked along the fort walls, and snapped photos of the iconic lighthouse. We did all the typical touristy things, despite feeling a bit put off by the inflated prices in some of the boutiques targeting tourists. Nevertheless, we couldn’t help but be charmed by the fort’s beauty and visited a few of the stunning churches inside.

As the afternoon sun started to fade, we returned to our hotel for a leisurely lunch and some much-needed rest. In the evening, we treated ourselves to a rejuvenating spa session – because what’s a holiday without some wellness therapies – followed by a delicious dinner at the hotel’s restaurant.

Day 3:

I believe that exploring a new place means going beyond just the popular attractions, so we decided to join a walking tour organized by our hotel. Led by a knowledgeable naturalist, the tour took us along the beach in front of the property. As we strolled, we discovered fascinating sea creatures, collected coral, and learned about the topography and history of Galle.

Next, we stumbled upon a turtle hatchery while searching for things to do in the area. Intrigued, we immersed ourselves in the world of turtle conservation and gained a deeper understanding of these incredible creatures. Later that afternoon, we returned to Galle Fort to shop for some of the spices that Sri Lanka is famous for. As the evening approached, we retreated to our hotel.

Day 4:

It was time to bid farewell to Galle. After checking out of our hotel, we prepared for our journey to Negombo, the last destination on our adventure.

2 Days in Negombo

This isn’t really an itinerary. We chose to spend our last night in Negombo, as it is conveniently located near the airport. While not a popular tourist destination, it serves as a preferred stop for those with early morning or late night flights. Being just an hour away from Colombo, it saves travelers the hassle of traveling long distances in a new country at the last moment. Still, you could find some offbeat things to do here if you really want to spend time in the area.

Day 1

We drove from Galle to our Airbnb in Negombo and checked in before lunchtime. For lunch, we decided to try a Pizza Hut outlet nearby and were intrigued by the unfamiliar and unique topping options on the menu compared to what we are used to in India.

In the afternoon, we enjoyed some downtime at our Airbnb before visiting a local Sri Lankan friend of my mom’s from her time in Kuwait. It was a lovely experience to visit a local’s home and discuss local Sri Lankan issues. On our way back, we stopped at a supermarket to pick up some bread, butter, and cold cuts for a simple dinner at our Airbnb.

Day 2

After a productive morning of work, we explored Negombo by driving around and made our way to the beach. We spent some time soaking in the sun and enjoying the coastal atmosphere. For lunch, we tried out a restaurant called Fish and Chips along the seaside before heading back to Colombo to return our rental car.

Once that was taken care of, we indulged in a quick evening coffee at the Department of Coffee, known to be one of Colombo’s best cafes. We then took an Uber back to Negombo and spent the evening at our Airbnb, unwinding with some TV and enjoying the food we had bought from the supermarket.

The next morning, we departed for the airport at 10:30 AM to catch our flight back to Bangalore and then onwards to Goa.

Planning a trip to Sri Lanka?

I hope you found something of use to you on your trip to Sri Lanka. I visited only 5 places in this massive island country, and I hope to go back and experience Srigriya, Nuwara Eliya, Arugam Bay, Mirisa, and Trincomalee on my next trip. You may also like to read my blog on everything you need to know about travel in Sri Lanka – from the best time to travel to how to get a driver’s license.

Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to know when that will be!