Those who are spending an extended holiday in Sri Lanka should plan out their first two weeks on the island. Here’s a guide for those who are heading to the island for the first time.
Day 1-3
Upon arriving at the Bandaranaike International Airport, the first point of contact you will have with Sri Lanka is the nation’s capital, Colombo. Spend the first three days of your holiday in the heart of the CBD at a property belonging to Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts or any similar reputable hotel chain so as to explore the Galle Face Green, Old Parliament Building, Fort, and the shopping hubs in Pettah and Crescat Boulevard among other city highlights.
Day 3 – 7
Next, drive up to one of the best places to stay in Sri Lanka or the hill capital, Kandy, where one finds not only the Temple of the Tooth but also countless other iconic attractions including the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens. A four-day stay is more than sufficient to go hiking in Hanthane and enjoy touring the museums and cultural points of interest in Kandy including the Embekke devalaya.
Day 8 -11
Then, it is time to explore the Cultural Triangle, which neatly encapsulates the heritage cities of Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura, Sigiriya, and Dambulla. Home to UNESCO Heritage Sites including the Sigiriya Rock Fortress and the Dambulla Cave Temple, the ancient ruins of royal palaces, monasteries and bathing ponds are well-worth exploring before heading down south.
Day 12 – 14
The stunning beaches of Sri Lanka are the main reason most travellers visit the island in the first place and the last two days of your first two weeks should be spent whale watching and soaking up the sun on the southern coast.
