The Best Places to Visit in Nuwara Eliya: Sri Lanka’s “Little England”

The three most popular towns and cities in Sri Lanka’s verdant hill and tea country are Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Ella. Nuwara Eliya is particular famous for the slightly out-of-place traditional English architecture, dating back to when a former British governor of Ceylon, Sir Edward Barnes, made Nuwara Eliya his holiday home.

While Nuwara Eliya is often overlooked for Ella, the “City of Light” or “Little England”, is higher up in the mountains and a main launch point for hiking-enthusiasts embarking on the trails to World’s End and Adam’s Peak.

For first-time visitors to Sri Lanka, Nuwara Eliya is also a stop during the famous Kandy to Ella train journey (also travels northbound from Ella to Kandy). Read more about traveling by train through Sri Lanka’s tea country here.

Since my first visit to Nuwara Eliya in 2016 I have visited a few times again and have put together this guide to the best things to do in Nuwara Eliya, where to stay, what to expect, how many days to spend there and my personal thoughts if it is “worth” visiting as a destination in Sri Lanka.

Quick tips for traveling to Sri Lanka

✈️ To get into Sri Lanka by air you will fly into Bandaranaike International Airport (airport code: CMB).

🛂 Visa requirements: Most visitors will need to apply for a Sri Lanka ETA (except for nationals of Singapore, Maldives and Seychelles) but this is easily done online via the official ETA website. More details on applying for the Sri Lanka e-visa/ETA here. I don’t usually recommend getting the visa-on-arrival in Sri Lanka because there are often long lines, and requires you to queue up again in the immigration line.

💱 Currency: The currency is the Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR), and the exchange rate varies from approximately 290-300 LKR: 1 USD or 300 LKR: 1 Euro as of December 2024 (this rate continues to be very volatile). There are plenty of places to exchange money in Sri Lanka and I recommend that you secure some Rupees before you head to Nuwara Eliya. I recommend using Bank of Ceylon or Sampath Bank ATMs as they often accept foreign-issued ATM cards.

📱 Staying connected: Local SIM cards and data packages can be purchased at the airport in the arrivals area (after you pick up your luggage). You can buy a 30-day Sri Lanka SIM card from Mobitel here and top it up during your stay at any Food City supermarket or local Mobitel shop.

🚗 Getting around: The easiest way to travel around Sri Lanka is by car, especially if you are short on time. Most hotels can help you to book 1-way transfer your next destination, and I recommend asking them at least a day in advance though last-minute transportation arrangements are fairly common as well.

👚 Dress code: Sri Lankan society is still relatively modest and conservative. The majority of people in Sri Lanka identify as Buddhist. In general, there is no need to cover your shoulders or knees (unless you are visiting a Buddhist or Hindu temple), but you should be mindful of your attire and adhere to cultural norms. Nuwara Eliya in particular can get very chilly, so make sure you bring warm clothes and a jacket for your stay.

💵 Tipping: In general there is no need to tip if your hotel or restaurant has included a service charge. However, a small tip is always appreciated by people in the service industry and tuk tuk drivers.

🛏️ Where to stay: There are a plethora of hotel options suiting every budget – click here for some of the best boutique and luxury hotels to stay at in Sri Lanka.

☀️ The best time to visit Nuwara Eliya: Unlike the rest of Sri Lanka, the temperature in hill country rarely rises above 20 degrees Celsius (68 Fahrenheit) and can drop to 10 degrees (50 Fahrenheit) and below at night. Generally speaking, the region typically receives the most rainfall between May to October but this is also when the temperature is slightly warmer and pleasant. The drier season typically lasts from November to April.

Visiting Sri Lanka? Click here for a full list of 12 things you should know before your trip to Sri Lanka as well as 15 things you should NOT do if you’re visiting the island!

How to get to Nuwara Eliya

Where is Nuwara Eliya in Sri Lanka? Nuwara Eliya is located in the Central Province of Sri Lanka, approximately 170 kilometres by car east of Colombo – a 5 hour drive away.

🚘 The most comfortable and quickest way to get to Nuwara Eliya would be by private car. An airport taxi from Bandaranaike International Airport to Nuwara Eliya used to cost approximately 30,000-35,000 LKR (US$100-120) though this rate may have since increased due to fuel scarcity and soaring petrol/diesel prices.

🚂 It is also possible to take a train from Colombo to Nanu Oya Station which will take anywhere from 7-9 hours (assuming there are no delays). Nanu Oya station is a quick 10 minute tuk tuk ride away from the heart of Nuwara Eliya.

You might also like: Click here for a list of important things to know before your Sri Lanka trip as well as the top things NOT to do if you’re visiting the island

Where to stay in Nuwara Eliya

I recommend Jetwing St. Andrew’s, a charming boutique hotel set in a restored colonial mansion. The rooms are slightly dated but comfortable, and the on-site restaurant and bar are both fantastic.

For a touch of sophistication check out their afternoon tea offering and treat yourself with a glass of champagne. It is a short tuk tuk ride away from Lake Gregory or a 15-minute walk from the Post Office. Click here to book your stay at Jetwing St. Andrews.

You might also consider these hotels in Nuwara Eliya based on positive reviews from past guests:

Oliphant Boutique Villa by Amaya: Set in a renovated 1800s cottage perched in the mountains, Oliphant Boutique Villa offers a quiet retreat a short distance away from Nuwara Eliya town. There are just seven modern-renovated guest rooms at this property. Past guests love the on-site restaurant, tea plantation views and the staff service. Click here to check rates and availability at Oliphant Boutique Villa.

W15 Lake Gregory: Located right on the shores of Lake Gregory is this luxury hotel in Nuwara Eliya. Several of the spacious, cozy rooms offer a lake view, and past guests rave about the breakfast and dinner served at the restaurant. There is also a heated indoor pool at the property. Click here to check rates and availability at W15 Lake Gregory.

Langdale Boutique Hotel by Amaya: Operated by the same company as Oliphant Boutique Villa, this is one of the most luxurious hotels in Nuwara Eliya. The 11-room heritage hotel is surrounded by lush tea plantations and features a heated outdoor infinity pool as well as modern, tasteful rooms. The location is a 30-minute drive from the heart of Nuwara Eliya town, but just 10 minutes from Nanu Oya train station. Click here to check rates and availability at Langdale Boutique Hotel.

The best things to do in Nuwara Eliya

Welcome to the hill country of Sri Lanka, where misty peaks, verdant tea plantations and roaring waterfalls greet you on every corner. Most people tend to stay for a night or two to explore the mountain town, visit a tea factory or embark on a hike. Here are some of the top things to do in Nuwara Eliya.

1. Hike, hike, hike

From Nuwara Eliya, you can hike Adam’s Peak (also known as Sri Pada, a famous pilgrimage trail) and World’s End in Horton Plains National Park. The two hikes are approximately 7 KM and 10 KM-long respectively.

Adam’s Peak is thought to be the site of the Lord Buddha’s Footprint, with most people starting the hike at 1-2 AM in order to get to the top to catch the sunrise. The trail tends to be busiest on full moon “Poya” days and from December to May during pilgrimage season.

World’s End is another popular Nuwara Eliya hike, a cliff viewpoint that resembles, well, the world’s end. Located in Horton Plains National Park, the nature reserve offers wildlife, grassland and biodiverse forests.

If you’re not a huge fan of long hikes you might also want to head to one of several “Mini World’s End” trails – this one near Knuckles Mountain Range close to Kandy was spectacular!

Even if you are not a hiker, there are a few things to do in Nuwara Eliya to make your visit worthwhile.

Planning your Nuwara Eliya trip? I recommend checking out Jetwing St. Andrew’s, a charming boutique hotel set in a restored colonial mansion. The rooms are slightly dated but comfortable, and the on-site restaurant and bar are both fantastic. Click here to check rates and availability at Jetwing St. Andrew’s.

Looking for more highly-rated options in Nuwara Eliya? You might also consider Oliphant Boutique Villa by Amaya (seven modern-renovated guest rooms in a renovated 1800s cottage), W15 Lake Gregory (luxury hotel on the shores of Lake Gregory with an indoor heated pool) or Langdale Boutique Hotel by Amaya (11-room heritage hotel surrounded by lush tea plantations with a heated outdoor infinity pool).

2. Visit all the waterfalls

I am not even kidding when I tell you that there is a waterfall around almost every corner nestled in the mountains of Nuwara Eliya. We especially loved our visit to Ramboda Falls, a powerful waterfall that is best viewed from the restaurant at Ramboda Falls Hotel.

From the restaurant, there is a paved trail leading all the way down to the base of the waterfall.

You might also want to visit Puna Ella Falls or Lover’s Leap and Nanu Oya Waterfall just outside of Nuwara Eliya town.

3. Learn about tea production

Nuwara Eliya is also particularly famous for being home to dozens of world-class tea plantations, many of which offer plantation and factory tours. Tea production started in Nuwara Eliya back in the 19th century, when it was evident that the climate was better suited to cultivating tea rather than coffee. You can read more about tea production in Sri Lanka here.

Some popular tea factories in Nuwara Eliya include Pedro’s, Blue Field Tea Factory, Mackwoods Museum, Glenloch and Damro Tea Lounge. Tours typically last no longer than half an hour or so, and offers a glimpse behind the scenes as leaves are weighed, dried, rolled, fermented and graded.

Some factories will also allow you to try your hand at picking tea – two leaves and a bud – with the traditional tea picker’s basket that hangs from a strap wrapped across the picker’s forehead. Visiting a tea factory is one of the top things to do in Nuwara Eliya.

4. Stroll around Lake Gregory

Nuwara Eliya is also home to Lake Gregory, a reservoir in the heart of the tea country: it’s a lovely little spot for a sunset stroll, and in the summer months the lake gets busy with a number of water sport activities or horse riding on offer.

In the afternoons the lake becomes a hub of activity, with lots of street food stalls setting up shop for the evening.

Looking for a wonderful boutique hotel in Nuwara Eliya? I recommend checking out Jetwing St. Andrew’s, a charming boutique hotel set in a restored colonial mansion. The rooms are slightly dated but comfortable, and the on-site restaurant and bar are both fantastic. Click here to check rates and availability at Jetwing St. Andrew’s.

Looking for more highly-rated options in Nuwara Eliya? You might also consider Oliphant Boutique Villa by Amaya (seven modern-renovated guest rooms in a renovated 1800s cottage), W15 Lake Gregory (luxury hotel on the shores of Lake Gregory with an indoor heated pool) or Langdale Boutique Hotel by Amaya (11-room heritage hotel surrounded by lush tea plantations with a heated outdoor infinity pool).

5. Stop at the iconic red post office

The Nuwara Eliya Post Office is one of Sri Lanka’s oldest post offices and dates back to 1894. Built in the classic English “Tudor” style with iconic red bricks, it is one of the top places to visit in Nuwara Eliya for visitors.

The Post Office is so beloved that there was a huge uproar when there was a proposal to develop it into a hotel. Those plans have since been scrapped for the time being.

6. Visit Seetha Amman Kovil

Seetha Amman Temple is a Hindu temple located by the roadside just outside of Nuwara Eliya town. It is connected to the Ramayana epic, and it is said that Ravana abducted Princess Sita and brought her to this location. Within the temple grounds there is a stream where it is believed that Sita used to bathe.

Whether you are a practicing Hindu devotee or not, this temple is one of the top places to visit in Nuwara Eliya and has even been featured in a Bollywood movie!

Final thoughts – is it worth visiting Nuwara Eliya?

Nuwara Eliya is scenic, there’s no doubt about it. It is surrounded by some of the most incredible landscapes you will set your eyes upon. That being said, personally, I found that 1 day in Nuwara Eliya has been sufficient. Once you have seen the main attractions there is not much else to do beyond hiking.

In my opinion, if you are short on time and only have 2 weeks in Sri Lanka or 3 weeks in Sri Lanka there are other destinations I would recommend spending a few more days in, where you can still embark on hikes and visit a tea plantation or two.

Did you know? You can also visit a tea plantation along the coast in south Sri Lanka. This and many more fantastic things to do in Southern Sri Lanka here.

Where to go after Nuwara Eliya

Wondering where to go after your stay in Nuwara Eliya? Here are some options:

The obvious option is to take the train to Ella or Kandy: If you are traveling northbound, you can take the train from Nanu Oya to Kandy. If you are heading south, you can travel onwards to Ella.

Nuwara Eliya to Arugam Bay: If you are an avid surfer and traveling in Sri Lanka from July to September, you might want to head east to Arugam Bay for the east coast’s peak season. The small surf town of Arugam Bay is just 4.5-5 hours away from Nuwara Eliya and is home to several world-class surf spots including Peanut Farm, Whisky Point and Pottuvil Point. You can also go on a safari at the lesser-visited Gal Oya National Park. Click here for my guide to surfing in Arugam Bay.

Nuwara Eliya to Udawalawe or Yala: Both national parks are a 3.5-4 hour drive away from Nuwara Eliya. Head to Udawalawe if you want guaranteed sightings of wild Asian elephants, or try your luck at spotting a rare leopard at Yala National Park.

Ready to hop on a plane? Here are some Sri Lanka reads to help you plan the perfect trip:

• Planning on heading to the central highlands? Here is my guide to Kandy, the best things to do in Ella, and how to plan your 1 day trip to Knuckles
• Don’t miss my 2 week itinerary for Sri Lanka, the Pearl of the Indian Ocean
• And definitely check out this list of essential Sri Lanka must-knows ahead of your journey
• Check out this list of things not to do in Sri Lanka
• For even more trip inspiration read this list of the best destinations in Sri Lanka to add to your itinerary

Have you traveled by train in Sri Lanka or visited tea country? Comment below and share what your experience was like, or pin this for later!

I have visited Nuwara Eliya several times, both independently and as a guest of Destination Sri Lanka. However, no compensation was received for this article, and as always, the opinions on Yogawinetravel.com are (and always will be) my own!

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