Hey? Are you feeling hot? Yes? Maybe you should hop into the hills. Nuwara Eliya is a sleepy little Sri Lankan town high up in the hills. With obviously more than one waterfall and plenty of pine forests, there are many things to do in Nuwara Eliya.
If you have already explored the southern coastline in Sri Lanka, Nuwara Eliya is the perfect little nook to escape the heat.
Hey listen, let me tell you a must-visit in Nuwara Eliya.
Out of the many things you can do in Nuwara Eliya, Horton Plains stands out as a must-visit on your bucket list. And hey, don't tell me it's just a grassland, it's got personality.
How to get there?
Nuwara Eliya is located roughly five hours away from Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka. You can reach Nuwara Eliya by bus, cab, or the picturesque hill country train ride. (WORTH IT FOR THE GRAM)
Either way, you will be blessed with breathtaking views along the way to Nuwara Eliya. If you opt for the infamous train ride to Nuwara Eliya from Colombo, make sure to book it a few weeks beforehand. (So that you have a seat to sit :)
How to get around in Nuwara Eliya?
Once you arrive in Nuwara Eliya, the first thing is to figure out how to get around the town. You can opt for many ways to get around the little town, and below are a few.
Figuring out how to get around will make it easier for you to get on to all the things you can do in Nuwara Eliya!
Tuk Tuk your way in - Tuk Tuk is a great option if you love the little three-wheeled bundle of joy. You can hire a tuk to get by in Nuwara Eliya and places outside of the central town area. Tuks are great if you love to experience the cold wind on your face while you travel by in the sleepy little town!
Cycle it - A little bit of sweat can never do you any harm! If you’re an adrenaline junkie then renting a cycle is the best option for you. It may be a little exhausting for you to cycle up and down in the misty hills, so maybe you can opt for cycling only in the town area.
Rent a Taxi - Renting a taxi is a bit pricey and if you are a budget traveler, this isn’t the best option. However, if budget is not an issue, you can enjoy the town relaxing in the backseat of a rented car!
Walk it out - Walking is a wonderful way to slowly enjoy this eternal winter land in Sri Lanka. However, it will get quite tricky to walk up and down, so it is better to limit your walking to short distances in the hilly town of Nuwara Eliya.
Things to do in Nuwara Eliya
Now that you have safely arrived in Nuwara Eliya and figured out how to transport, it’s time to look into things to do in Nuwara Eliya.
Visit Horton plains
You might have already heard of the world's end. If you want to visit the end of the world, then Horton Plains National Park is the place to go.
With thick green wilderness, you will be able to witness rare animals and wild plants amongst many other natural wonders in Horton Plains. Horton Plains is roughly one and a half hour's ride away from Nuwara Eliya.
It's naturally misty, but from January to March the mist clears up, revealing the endless plains. Wanna know more? Read more about Horton Plains here.
Waterfall Hunting in Bomburu Ella Falls
Undoubtedly, there are many waterfalls in Nuwara Eliya, and Bomburu Ella Falls is one worth visiting.
Located around 30 km away from Nuwara Eliya, Bomburu Ella requires you to hike 1.5 km to hike to the top of the cascading waterfall. So gear up your hiking skills and wear comfy shoes before you go there.
Hakgala for your Fairytale Garden Dreams
There’s no wonder that Nuwara Eliya is full of natural surprises, and just a 15-minute ride away from the town, Hakgala Botanical Garden is one of them.
If you want to visit a perfectly maintained flora and fauna garden, then Nuwara Eliya fulfills that wish too. (Pro tip - Perfect for a date ; )
You can visit Hakgala at any time of the year and stroll your way through, but the real beauty of the garden unravels in April when most of the flowers bloom!
Seetha Amman Temple for Cultural Magic
Sure, Ravana kidnapped Sitha and kept her here. Kinda scary. But hey, over time it became a temple, a place you cannot ignore. (For Sitha's sake)
You will pass Seetha Amman Temple on your way to Hakgala Botanical Garden. If you dig through the history of Hindu Culture, you will realize that Seetha Amman Temple is the only temple in Sri Lanka dedicated to Princess Sita. (You go gurl)
It’s a sight to see, so remember to dress decently in white or light colors before you visit this beautiful temple.
Tea Time at Pedro Tea Estate
You might already know that Sri Lanka is infamous for the production of good-quality tea. If you are a true tea lover, then Pedro Tea Estate is a must-go place in Nuwara Eliya.
You will get to know about the entire tea manufacturing process in a 30-minute tour and you can enjoy a hot cup of Ceylon tea at their tea boutique overlooking the factory and the lush tea gardens.
A Grand visit to the Grand Hotel
If you prefer luxury in the winter town of Sri Lanka, then Grand Hotel is the place for you. In this English country-style manor, you can opt to stay the night, enjoy a drink at the bar, or have a pampering high tea in beautifully maintained gardens.
Frozen in Mandaram Nuwara
Mandaram Nuwara is a tiny village situated approximately 40 km away from Nuwara Eliya town. Mandaram Nuwara, which translates to “Misty Town” is prone to sun rays.
Receiving little to no sun rays during the day, Mandaram Nuwara offers serene beauty. Consisting of many waterfalls you can visit, Mandaram Nuwara is another great place for trekking and sightseeing.
Tip - Nuwara Eliya has many more things to explore, and among them are strawberry farms and milk farms as well.
Where to stay?
Now that you know your ABCs about things to do in Nuwara Eliya, it’s time to figure out where to stay.
Nuwara Eliya offers many types of accommodation, starting from budget stays to mid-range to luxury stays. You can opt for cute little cottages amid mist, English country manors, and breathtaking villas.
Below are a few recommendations of where to stay in Nuwara Eliya according to your budget.
Budget Range - If you like a comfy room with a view of Lake Gregory, then The Barnsbury House is the ideal place for you. The rooms are cute and nice, and they also provide meals upon request.
Mid Range - Sambar Hills Villa offers a breathtaking view of the little villages down below when the mist clears up. This villa is pretty luxurious for the budget and offers great comfort to anyone who stays here. You can have meals here upon request as well.
Luxury Range - Grand Hotel is an excellent choice if you opt for a luxury range budget. This English-style manor consists of in-house dining as well as a bar for you to enjoy your chilly nights in Nuwara Eliya.
Where to eat?
Out of many things you can do in Nuwara Eliya, eating is one of them! Nuwara Eliya not only offers natural scenery and English architecture but great food as well.
Where to eat in Nuwara Eliya must have crossed your mind by now, and some great options are lining up for you.
Salmiya - Who doesn’t love a good slice of authentic Italian pizza!? If you ever crave pizza in Nuwara Eliya, then Salmiya is the place to go. Salmiya is a place for foodies and they also offer a great range of authentic pasta as well.
Coffee Bar - Located right next to the Grand Hotel, Coffee Bar is a cute little cafe where you can enjoy a good cup of coffee. They offer a good range of savory and sweet pastries for you to savor.
Magnolia - If you’re craving munchies at midnight, then Magnolia is the place for you in Nuwara Eliya. Located in the Grand Hotel, Magnolia is open 24/7, and a great place for a dine-in experience in Nuwara Eliya.
Hela Bojun Hala - Authentic Ceylonese food is a must-try if you are here in Sri Lanka. Hela Bojun Hala in Nuwara Eliya offers a wide range of Sri Lankan dishes for affordable prices.
Strawberries by Jagro - Strawberries by Jagro offers a variety of delicious desserts for your sweet tooth. Located 10 km away from Nuwara Eliya town, this little cafe is built next to their strawberry farm. It’s worth a visit to have a nice cup of hot chocolate and strawberry waffles!
Nuwara Eliya is simply a breathtaking getaway from the rest of the country and the relentless sun. Once you are done exploring Nuwara Eliya you can either head towards Colombo and stop by to explore Kandy or head towards Badulla to reach the hippie little city of Ella.
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