Negombo
Once you’ve arrived at the international airport of Colombo, you won't go to the capital right away, but to the small bathing resort Negombo at the western coast of Sri Lanka. This is much closer to the airport than Colombo itself.
You can relax there from your journey on the eight-kilometre-long sandy beach. The charming city centre with numerous churches, which give Negombo the nickname 'little Rome', is also worth seeing. In the port and trading town, old fortifications and the various canals, which were built by the Dutch as a transport system for cinnamon, remind us of the former colonial times.
A particular highlight is also the country's second-largest fish market. Every morning, traditional fishing boats enter the harbour and supply the market stands with exotic seafood and fresh fish.
One night in a 7-bed dorm costs 7 EUR at the New Negombo Beach Hostel.
Weligama
You’ll take the train from Negombo to the south of the island to Weligama for about 8 EUR.
The coastal resort is the perfect location for amateur surfers because the gentle waves make it possible to stand on the board after trying just a few times. There are several surf schools where you can spontaneously book a trial lesson and rent surfboards at reasonable prices. The beautiful beach invites you to relax, and you can enjoy refreshing drinks and the 'Easy Way of Life' in beach bars.
We also recommend a trip to nearby Polhena Beach and the 'Ocean Road', which is ideal for cycling or motorcycling. The famous Beatroot Hostel offers overnight stays from 9 EUR in a 6-bed dorm.
Mirissa
Not far from Weligama is the beach resort of Mirissa, which you can reach by Tuk Tuk for only 2 EUR. The perfect combination of beautiful beaches and relaxed beach bars awaits you here.
After a day on the beach snorkelling, sunbathing and watching the spear fishermen fishing, you can go out for a fancy dinner and taste local specialities in the numerous restaurants in the evening. The relaxed atmosphere and friendly locals are reason enough to visit the small coastal town.
The whale watching tours that you can book in the harbour are the highlight here, and you have the chance to see sperm whales, orcas, dolphins and even blue whales – a unique experience!
You pay 13 EUR for an overnight stay in a four-bed dorm at the Hangover Hostel.
Ella
Next stop is Ella. The small village does not have much to offer except delicious traditional restaurants, as the actual attractions are on Ella's outskirts.
The most popular destination is Little Adam's Peak. The so-called Butterfly Mountain is considered to be a holy place in the four major religions of the country. Therefore, it’s a popular place of pilgrimage. The top of the mountain can be reached via a 7 km long staircase and offers a fantastic view of the surrounding plantations and the Ravana waterfall – an absolutely unique experience, especially as the sun rises.
Ella Rock, which offers excellent views of the surrounding area, and the picturesque 9 Arches Bridge, which you can reach by walking along the railway tracks, are also worth seeing. If you don't want to join one of the numerous hiking tours, you can also explore the central highlands on a rented motorcycle.
The Hangover Hostel in Ella offers a bed in an eight-bed dorm from 11 EUR.
Kandy
You’ll take the train from Ella to Kandy for only 3 EUR.
The six-hour journey between the two cities in the country's most famous train route passing green rice fields, remote villages, and idyllic forests. Due to the breath-taking scenery, the train ride is a complete experience in itself, which makes time fly by in no time.
Once you arrive in Kandy, you will be enchanted by the charm of the mountain town. Walk through the Royal Botanical Garden and visit the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage. You can also see Buddhist temples such as the Tooth Temple, located next to the idyllic lake in the city centre, as it is considered to be the most significant temple in Sri Lanka. You also have a fantastic view of the city from the big Buddha statue.
Another attraction in the surroundings of Kandy is the Sigiriya Lion Rock, an approx. 200-meter-high magma block of an eroded volcano, on which the ruins of an old royal fortress sits enthroned. You can stay overnight at the Kandy City Hostel for 10 EUR (6-bed dorm).
You can take the train and a taxi back to the international airport Colombo, from where you will fly back home after 2 exciting weeks in Sri Lanka.
