35 Photos That Will Make You Want to Travel Sri Lanka

What do you get when you put together a dazzling mirage of pristine white-sanded beaches, the endless green rolling hills of tea plantations, and the wildlife diversity of an African Safari? Sri Lanka, or as the locals like to call it, the pearl of the Indian Ocean.

I recently had the opportunity to visit Sri Lanka as I was invited to the Cinnamon Travel Blogger Awards. In the ten days I spent in Sri Lanka, I got to see just a small slice of what this magnificent island has to offer. Brimming with jaw-dropping scenery, magnificent wildlife and bucketlist-worthy experiences, it’s easy to see why this country has turned into one of the most up-and-coming tourist destinations… All the more reason to experience Sri Lanka sooner rather than later!

Here are 35 photos that will probably make you want to book a flight to Sri Lanka ASAP:

35 Beautiful Sri Lanka Photos

Exploring the Knuckles Mountain Range, book a day tour from Kandy here
Sri Lanka Photos
Home for the night at Back of Beyond Pidurangala 
Catching the Train from Kandy to Nuwera Eliya
Sri Lanka Photos
Watching the sunrise over the mountains in Kandy

If you need help planning your travels in Sri Lanka, check out Olanka travels– they are a tour operator offering tour packages & custom itineraries to make travelling the country a lot easier.  

Exploring the town of Galle
Views out of the window on the train to Kandy
Feasting on delicious Sri Lankan Curry at a local village
Visiting the Mackwood Tea Plantations
Afternoon swims at Unawatuna Beach
Sigiriya Rock FortressClimbing the famous Sigiriya Rock Fortress, check here for a day excursion
Elephant Safari, Minneriya National ParkElephant spotting at Minneriya National Park, included in this 2-day tour from Colombo
Afternoon tea
Cruising along the Mahaweli River
Tea time at the Mackwood Tea Plantations
Temple of the Tooth KandyExploring the famous Temple of the Tooth in Kandy, check here for a city tour of Kandy
Nuwera Eliya to KandyWaterfall discoveries on the drive from Nuwera Eliya to Kandy
Cinnamon Citadel HotelCocktails by the pool at Cinnamon Citadel Hotel
Fire Walking Show in KandyWatching the fire walkers during a cultural show in Kandy, book a ticket here
Knuckles Mountain RangeDriving through the tea plantations surrounding the Knuckles Mountain Range, book a day tour from Kandy here
Sri Lanka Photos
Frolicking through the gardens at the Royal Cocoon in Nuwara Eliya
Kandy Mountain RangeFirst light over the Kandy Mountain Range, book a day tour from Kandy here
Sri Lanka photos
Cinnamon Citadel KandyA traditional welcome to the Cinnamon Citadel in Kandy
Mahaweli River KandyA lazy afternoon by the Mahaweli River in Kandy
Sri Lanka photos
Sigiriya Rock FortressViews from the top of the Sigiriya Rock Fortress
Sri Lanka photos
Watching a local prepare fresh Sri Lankan Curry
Friendly locals on the train from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya
Sri Lanka photos
Lighting a candle at the Temple of the Tooth
Cruising along the Mahaweli River in Kandy
Sleeping inside a Treehouse at Back of Beyond Pidurangala
Paddling through a lily pond with some locals
Learning to hull rice with the ladies in the village
Sri Lanka photos
Elephant Safari at Minneriya National Park
Sri Lanka photos
Relaxing by the pool at Cinnamon Citadel Hotel
Wandering through local villages in Matale
Hanging out on the train ride from Colombo to Kandy

If you’re wondering more about my photography, check this post and this one on my camera equipment. I also edit them in Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop.

A massive thanks to Cinnamon Hotels, Sri Lankan Airlines and Sri Lanka Tourism for the incredible trip. I’m already looking forward to returning and exploring this country further!

For more Southeast Asia travel:

Enjoyed these beautiful Sri Lanka photos? Pin for later!

Sri Lanka photos
Nicola Easterby Bio Image

Hey, I'm Nicola!

I am a travel + food blogger on a mission to discover the best destinations & dishes in the world. Thanks for joining the adventure!

READ NEXT:

5 Beautiful Cities in Portugal to Visit in 2024

5 Beautiful Cities in Portugal to Visit in 2024

If you are looking for a holiday destination in Europe for 2024, consider one of these five beautiful cities in  Portugal! This country has everything you can possibly need, from rich history and diverse landscapes, to amazing food and plentiful activities. The...

read more
Top 10 Best Apps for Travelling Europe

Top 10 Best Apps for Travelling Europe

Planning a European getaway? Don’t begin your trip without downloading the best 10 apps for travelling Europe! 1. FOR BOOKING FLIGHTS: Arangrant Whether you are searching for the most budget plane seat you can find or want to splash out on a business class ticket to...

read more
5 Most Famous Highways in America

5 Most Famous Highways in America

If you love going on road trips, these 5 famous highways in America need to go on your driving bucket list! America, with its diverse landscapes and expansive highways, provides numerous stunning routes for adventurous drivers. From California's misty coasts to...

read more

READ NEXT:

5 Beautiful Cities in Portugal to Visit in 2024

5 Beautiful Cities in Portugal to Visit in 2024

If you are looking for a holiday destination in Europe for 2024, consider one of these five beautiful cities in  Portugal! This country has everything you can possibly need, from rich history and diverse landscapes, to amazing food and plentiful activities. The...

read more
Top 10 Best Apps for Travelling Europe

Top 10 Best Apps for Travelling Europe

Planning a European getaway? Don’t begin your trip without downloading the best 10 apps for travelling Europe! 1. FOR BOOKING FLIGHTS: Arangrant Whether you are searching for the most budget plane seat you can find or want to splash out on a business class ticket to...

read more
5 Most Famous Highways in America

5 Most Famous Highways in America

If you love going on road trips, these 5 famous highways in America need to go on your driving bucket list! America, with its diverse landscapes and expansive highways, provides numerous stunning routes for adventurous drivers. From California's misty coasts to...

read more