If driving through lush greenery, walking through rolling hills punctuated by waterfalls and streams touched by the vintage charm of the colonial times catches your fancy, Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka is the next getaway of your dreams! Moreover, if you happen to be a tea enthusiast you’re definitely not going to want to skip this trip, for you’re going to be in literal paradise as you explore these Nuwara Eliya sightseeing options.
Here is all to explore in Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka
1. Tea gardens
Nuwara Elia, Sri Lanka’s heritage is the abundance of verdant tea plantations. Pedro Tea Factory is the most popular one, offering detailed insights into the process of tea making right from manufacturing to exports. Photography is not allowed inside the factory premises, so be sure to click as many mental pictures as you can! Another wonderful way of exploring the tea plantations is by taking the scenic route- the breathtaking train ride from Nuwara Eliya to Ella, which promises panoramic views. If we were you, we’d be sure to book the train ride early in the day, so as to not lose any of the views to darkness! This picturesque train journey is sure to elevate your Nuwara Eliya sightseeing experience.
2. Victoria Park and Hakgala Botanical Garden
Nuwara Eliya sightseeing would seem incomplete without some leisurely time at Victoria Park, touted as Sri Lanka’s best-maintained park. Stroll along its manicured lawns, and be sure to stop and smell the roses (and a host of other blooms), quite literally! The green landscape will refresh you with bursts of colourful flowers, especially during spring, which is March through May. A larger and (but slightly pricier) cousin of Victoria Park is the Hakgala Botanical Garden, amongst the top Nuwara Eliya attractions. These two gardens, a mere 20-minute drive from each other, should be on your list of places to visit in Nuwara Eliya if you enjoy spectacular views of flowers in full bloom, or even just a relaxing time outdoors.
3. Relax at Lake Gregory
If you choose to drive from Victoria Park to the Hakgala Botanical Garden, make a stop at Lake Gregory, one of the perfect family-friendly places to visit in Nuwara Eliya. It’s an artificial reservoir whose construction dates back to Sri Lanka’s colonial history. As you walk towards the lake, and around its precincts, you will easily know why Nuwara Eliya is regarded as Little England. Lake Gregory also offers water sports like jet skiing, paddle boating, and kayaking. If chasing sunsets is among the sought-after things to do in Nuwara Eliya, then this is your perfect spot to witness a good one!
4. Witness the gushing waterfalls
While we’re discussing water bodies, the iconic Lovers Leap waterfall needs to top your list of places to visit in Nuwara Eliya. Legend has it, the prince of the kingdom once fell in love with a girl from a nearby village and the king did not approve of this union. Ever since this couple jumped off the cliff, the name Lovers Leap came to be. Another gem a little to the west of Nuwara Eliya is the Nanu Oya waterfall, which allows for a dip in crisp, chilly cold water, cascading down a series of 25 steps. It’s a magnificent sight and makes for a compelling experience among things to do in Nuwara Eliya.
5. Wander through thickets and trails
If you’re looking to immerse yourself in nature in Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka without tiring yourself out on arduous hikes, make your way to Galway’s Land National Park with a beginner friendly 2km trail. A dense forest richly populated with exotic birds and native Sri Lankan fauna, Galway’s Land is ideal for families even with children. If you’re slightly more seasoned of a walker, then head to another one of Nuwara Eliya’s attractions- the Horton Plains National Park for the 9.5 km loop which would take about 3 hours. It covers the World’s End and Baker’s Falls, promising idyllic views of the valley if you go there early in the morning.
6. Explore the connections to mythology
If you’re even vaguely familiar with the epics of Hindu mythology, you most certainly know of Sri Lanka’s significance in the Ramayana. The famous Seetha Amman temple continues to be one of the most significant places to visit in Nuwara Eliya as this is believed to be the site where the Hindu goddess Sita waited to be rescued from the captivity of Ravana. Devotees flock to the temple near Nuwara Eliya to pay their respects to Ram, Lakshman and Sita. Seeing the sacred stone which is imprinted with Lord Hanuman’s footprints (from when he had come to deliver Ram’s message to Sita) is also one of the top sightseeing attractions in Nuwara Eliya.