Sri Lanka can amaze you with wonderful temples, interesting national parks, awe-inspiring Sigiriya and Galle, intriguing ancient places, and fascinating wildlife. Nevertheless, there are some destinations that tourists have never visited, for they have never heard of them. You do not have to search for them, as we have made a list of those breathtaking places for you to experience.
You can find impressive flight offers to Sri Lanka. Depending on your requirement, you can book the tickets. SriLankan Airlines, the national airline of Sri Lanka, brings Colombo within your reach through regular flights from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha to Colombo. All its aircraft are known for luxurious Business Class and Economy Class seats, with remarkable inflight services and entertainment.
Here are some amazing Sri Lankan destinations that give you a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
1. Helga’s Folly
This whimsy place is a favourite of celebrities and thrill-seekers, for it is set against a backdrop of a verdant jungle. Esme De Silva, a visionary artist, and her affluent husband constructed the hotel in the 1930s. Their daughter, known as Madam Helga, is currently in charge.
She used pink paint, puppets, and her extensive collection of family artefacts to adorn the motel. Helga creates showy jewellery using gold and stones from Sri Lanka when she’s not operating the hotel. Each room is unique.
One of the spectacular collections of paintings and artwork can be seen in the hotel’s 40 rooms. This British-style jungle mansion has decorations throughout the halls and meeting spaces, including stag heads, vintage gramophones, and glitter balls. There is a private cinema, a lovely garden filled with exotic flowers, and a swimming pool. The hotel’s location is ideal for discovering Sri Lanka’s Buddhist legacy, and you can also visit the ancient town of Kandy nearby.
2. Mackwoods Tea Sign
Thanks to the enormous sign that hangs above the plantation and closely resembles the Hollywood sign. The visitors to Mackwoods Tea Plantation can, for a moment, believe that they have been transported to Los Angeles. This enormous “Mackwoods” sign can be seen from a great distance and serves as an unrivalled subject for tourists’ pictures.
Tea enthusiasts will find bliss at the plantation, where visitors can learn about the intricate processes involved in manufacturing this calming beverage. Visitors are also encouraged to learn more about the Mackwoods Tea Plantation’s history and mostly tea at a tea museum. Your visit concludes with a sampling amidst a lush environment and the perfume of recently plucked leaves.
3. Kopi Kade
Colombo in Sri Lanka is renowned for a delicious tea of different kinds. For coffee, visitors can find a tiny coffee shop in Colombo on an unassuming street that serves the best coffee and delicious matcha lattes. Kopi Kade is the place to go to enjoy amazing coffee.
Kopi Kade came into existence in 2016. Kopi Kade is translating a “coffee shop” into Tamil and Sinhala. The outlet is known for high-quality coffee made using fresh milk and an excellent water filtration system. Further, you can find rotating origin coffees from Indonesia to Ethiopia and Costa Rica.
4. Richmond Castle
One of the best instances of early 20th century architectural style includes Richmond Castle, constructed near Kalutara in the middle in the early 20th century. It was owned by a wealthy landowner Padikara Mudali Nanayakkara-Rajawawasala Appuhamilage Don Arthur de Silva Wijesinghe Siwardena who later became a philanthropist. The mansion is located on a 42-acre land near the Kalutara-Palathota road which is beautifully set on top of a hill.
It was formerly a circuit bungalow for senior British administrative service personnel. Still, today it doubles as a popular tourist destination and an educational facility for underprivileged kids in Kalutara and the surrounding area.
Richmond Castle is a two-story structure with 99 doors and 34 windows adorned with exquisitely designed glass panes that show grape vines. Records show that the teak used during its construction was imported from Burma. Intricate carvings that cover the entire structure define it. The wood is still as new as it was during the building.
5. Brief Garden
You should check out Brief Garden if you enjoy botany. This garden, which Bevis Bawa designed, includes an amazing selection of native trees and blooming plants. It greatly enhances Lunuganga Estate’s attractiveness, located inland from Bentota town. Visit this location to learn more about the Sri Lankan flora.
6. Sri Lanka Air Force Museum
The only Museum located in Sri Lanka devoted to aviation as well as that of the Sri Lanka Air Force’s history is the Sri Lanka Air Force Museum (SLAF). The authentic aviation museum is situated just off Galle Road , in Ratmalana 13 kilometers away from Colombo. In this museum, the story that was once told is kept alive.
The Sri Lanka, Air Force Museum was upgraded with facilities and installation of new exhibits to make it a very contemporary museum with cutting-edge amenities because it is a custodian of priceless historical items.
A visit to this establishment will undoubtedly be a memorable experience for aircraft lovers of all ages. The museum provides a singular window into the history of the SLAF and a thorough overview of aviation in general, covering the fundamentals of aviation technology.
The museum provides a detailed picture of the development that has made the SLAF into the highly effective fighting force it is today.
7. Wewurukannala Vihara
One of Sri Lanka’s distinctive Buddhist arts is found at Wewurukannala Vihara. This location’s 160-foot-tall monument of a seated Buddha is its main draw. It dates back to King Rajadhi and is the biggest statue in Sri Lanka. The enlightenment road is depicted in comic strip form on the temple walls, and they can reveal to you the right way to take life.
8. Delft Island
Tourists seldom ever get to an unseen island near the Sri Lankan mainland. The lack of transportation can be the main factor; however, we strongly advise you to visit these locations. Your time and work will be worthwhile because of the incredible experience you will have.
You can visit ancient buildings constructed during Dutch, Portuguese, and British Colonial periods. Some of them even belong to the Chola Dynasty.
