Ultimate 2 Week South Sri Lanka Itinerary

The south of Sri Lanka is quintessential Sri Lanka. Images of swaying palm trees, perfectly curved bays with rolling waves, white washed lighthouses, lush tea plantations, train rides through the hills, and crumbling ancient ruins, is exactly what people want when they visit this island nation off the coast of India.

From the storied city of Galle to the surf beaches of Weligama and the hill station of Ella to the iconic rock fortress of Sigiriya, you can see most of the famous places in Sri Lanka within just a couple of weeks in the southern half of the country.

After spending three months in Sri Lanka, I’m putting together this ultimate two week south Sri Lanka itinerary for those who are short on time but still want to see the best of this beautiful, underrated island. This itinerary should help you plan the perfect trip to Sri Lanka, with plenty of tips for accommodation, transport, and the best things to do.

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How to Get to Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is a pretty small tear shaped island in the Indian Ocean just off the coast of India. This means that most people will arrive in Sri Lanka by plane. The main entry point is Bandaranaike International Airport, about 32km north of the capital, Colombo.

The distance from the city makes the airport not the most convenient entry point, as it can take at least an hour to get into the city centre. For this reason, some people choose to stay in Negombo, a beach suburb near the airport that has plenty of hotels.

However, I didn’t find Negombo overly nice and unless you’re flying in the middle of the night, I’d recommend heading into Colombo to at least explore some of the city’s sights, if you have time. A taxi from the airport into Colombo Fort should cost around 4500 LKR (US$15), but be prepared to bargain hard.

Why Visit Southern Sri Lanka

Southern Sri Lanka is home to all the dreamy destinations that the country is known for; the crumbling fortified city of Galle, the mystical hillside town of Ella, the swaying palm trees and white sand beaches of the south coast, and the towering rock formation of Sigiriya. If you want to see the most famous sights of Sri Lanka, then the south and central parts of the country is where you’ll want to spend your time.

With two weeks you can see all of these amazing places with enough time to relax in between. Linking them together, it creates a nice loop starting and ending in Colombo, taking in the central plains, highlands and tea estates, south coast, and the cultural cities of Kandy and Galle.

For the ultimate introduction to Sri Lanka, this two week trip is enough to make you fall in love with this small island in the Indian Ocean.

Best Time to Visit South Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is basically hot all year round, with temperatures ranging between 25 – 32°C on the coast and lowlands and dropping to around 18 – 28°C in the hill country of Kandy and Ella. However, the humidity is often the real killer, as it hovers near 90% in most low-lying areas.

However, the country sees different periods of monsoon from one half to the other, so the climate in the south is almost completely opposite to the north. The main monsoon season in the south and southwest regions of Sri Lanka occurs from May until October. While from November until March the monsoon moves to the north and northeast coasts.

This means the best time to visit the south and central regions of Sri Lanka is considered to be from November until April, when the weather is typically drier. This also coincides with high season for tourists, with the busiest months being December to February.

Planning on visiting the north as well? Essential 10 Day North Sri Lanka Itinerary

How to Get Around Sri Lanka

For a small island, Sri Lanka has plenty of transport options to suit all different budgets and comfort levels. For most destinations, you’ll have several choices of transport, so it’s fairly easy to get around Sri Lanka.

BUSES | The extensive bus network covers almost the entire country, so you’ll be able to get wherever you want by bus. I found the buses to be fairly efficient, with most leaving on a set schedule and regularly throughout the day for fairly inexpensive ticket prices. However, local buses are known for their chaotic driving and uncomfortable seating, so you’ll have to be prepared for a long ride. For popular routes, you’ll also have an option for newer A/C buses which cost a little bit more but are usually far more comfortable and faster.

TRAINS | The famous trains in Sri Lanka have become a quintessential experience in the country. The rail network is fairly extensive, but it can be slow, delayed, and a little chaotic. Still, for some sections of travel like the Kandy to Ella route, taking the train is well worth it and I highly recommend planning to take at least one or two trains during your trip.

TUK TUKS | It seems that almost everyone in Sri Lanka owns a tuk tuk, with this little three-wheeled mobiles zipping around virtually anywhere and everywhere in the country. They are easily the best transport for quick trips from bus stations to hotels and longer day trips. You can usually bargain a decent price, and sometimes the friendly driver will act as an unofficial guide.

PRIVATE TAXIS | If you’re short on time or prefer more comfort and speed in your travels, then hiring private taxis can be ideal. You can arrange a private transfer either through an app like Uber or PickMe (you can also order tuk tuks through these apps) or through a tour operator.

Detailed 2-Week South Sri Lanka Itinerary

For a more detailed look at how to spend two weeks in Sri Lanka, this itinerary will take you around to all the best places and must-do experiences in the southern half of the country.

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Day 1 – Arrive in Colombo

Depending on what time you land in Colombo, the bustling capital of Sri Lanka has plenty of things to keep you busy. While it doesn’t get the best rap and is usually avoided by tourists who tend to land and move on ASAP, I suggest giving the city a chance.

Brave the chaotic laneways of Pettah Market, the commercial centre of Colombo. Here, you’ll be introduced to the kaleidoscope of Sri Lanka’s cultural landscape, with market stalls, restaurants, and old colonial buildings.

Don’t miss the Jami Ul-Alfar Masjid (or the Red Mosque), the fantastical red and white striped mosque that can house thousands of worshippers within Pettah Market. There are free 30-minute tours of the mosque, which I highly recommend.

Other important landmarks to check out within a short tuk tuk ride are Gangaramaya Temple, Viharamahadevi Park, and the Colombo National Museum. If you’re desperate for some peace, then the ocean-front urban park known as Galle Face Green is one of the city’s most beloved neighbourhoods.

STAY | Hostel Republic or Srilax

EAT | Head to Aluthkade Street Food Market east of Pettah for street food vendors selling a combination of Middle Eastern and South Asian flavours. Try fried rice, bamboo biryani or kottu, for local dishes.

Read more: How to Spend 24 Hours in Colombo

Day 2 – Sigiriya

You’ll likely be travelling for most of the day from Colombo to Sigiriya in the central plains. Home to the country’s most important historical and archaeological sites, Sigiriya is worth spending some time climbing the rocks and exploring the crumbling ruins.

After checking into your Sigiriya accommodation, I suggest heading to Pidurangala Rock for sunset. The car park and entrance is about 4.5km from Sigiriya town. Arrange a tuk tuk to take you there, wait for you to watch the sunset at the top, and then take you back. It should cost about 1500 LKR (US$5).

The hike up to Pidurangala is steep and covers some rough terrain, but you should be able to make it to the top in 30-40 minutes. Once you make it to the exposed rock summit, you’ll be rewarded with expansive panoramic views of the area, including the iconic view of Sigiriya Rock.

HOW TO GET THERE | Take a bus from Colombo Central Bus Stand to Dambulla (it may be #49 Trincomalee bus, #15 bus to Anuradhapura, or #48 bus to Kaduruwela). The journey may take around 5 hours. Then, take another bus from Dambulla to Sigiriya, which should take about 30 minutes.

STAY | Freedom Home Stay or La Dolce Vita

EAT | Rice and curry at Kenoli Restaurant, a small, family-run restaurant with some of the best home cooked food you’ll find in town.

Day 3 – Sigiriya & Dambulla

The following day, you’ll have to be prepared for an early morning to head to Sigiriya Rock for sunrise. It’s a good idea to beat the heat and avoid the crowds as you wander through the old palace gardens, and climb the steep stairs to the top of Sigiriya Rock Fortress.

The ruins of King Kasyapa’s fortified palace have been reduced over time to mere foundations. But the old stone terraces and foundations covering the top of the rock offer incredible panoramic views and a deep appreciation for the ancient civilisation who built the palace in such a spectacular location. Allow about 3 hours all up for a visit to Sigiriya Rock.

For the remainder of the day, you should take a half day trip to Dambulla, just 30 minutes from Sigiriya. You can easily do it independently using the local bus from Sigiriya to Dambulla or hire a tuk tuk.

Dambulla is the largest and best preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. You only need around 1-2 hours to explore the caves, depending on how long you take to climb up the stairs from the ticket entrance. The actual Dambulla Cave Temples are located up on top of a large rock and it can take 10-20 minutes to walk up.

There are separate caves with over 150 Buddhist statues and paintings, some dating back over 2,000 years. Colourful Buddhist murals cover over most of the cave walls, while the views overlooking the surrounding valley all the way to Sigiriya are also really beautiful.

Read more: Ultimate Guide to Sigiriya and Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle

Day 4 – Kandy

It should take about half a day to get to Kandy, so you’ll have a few hours in the afternoon to explore the city. Referred to as the City of Kings or the Sacred City of Kandy, it’s easily the cultural capital of Sri Lanka being home to the most important Buddhist site in the country.

It was the last capital of the Sinhala Kings, with the Kingdom of Kandy holding off the Portuguese and Dutch for centuries before finally succumbing to the British in 1815. You’ll find colonial architecture still dominates the city centre and it’s worth wandering the main downtown area on foot.

The must-see attraction in Kandy is the Temple of the Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa), located between the royal palace and Kandy Lake. It’s a declared UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is the holy home of Buddha’s tooth (yes, you read that right).

According to Buddhist legend, Buddha’s tooth was retrieved after he was cremated. It was believed that whoever possessed the tooth relic had divine right to rule over the land. During puja (prayer), the heavily guarded chamber is open to devotees, but the tooth itself is never revealed and remains in its jewell covered casket. During the Festival of the Tooth held annually in July-August, the casket is paraded around the city’s streets accompanied by dancing, decorated elephants.

In the evening, walk or take a tuk tuk up to watch the sunset from Sri Maha Bodhi Viharaya in Bahirawakanda. This huge white Buddha statue sits high up on a hill overlooking the city and provides an incredible vantage point of the lake and surrounding area.

Read more: 10 Best Things to Do in Kandy

HOW TO GET THERE | Take the local bus or a tuk tuk from Sigiriya back to Dambulla Bus Stand. There are a couple of buses running per hour from Dambulla to Kandy. It should take about 3 hours to get to Kandy and cost around 300 LKR for a ticket.

STAY | White Rose Hostel or SWP Eco Lodge

EAT | Try a masala dosa from Balaji Dosai, easily one of the most famous restaurants in Kandy. It’s a South Indian savoury pancake made from rice and lentil flour that is stuffed with curry potatoes for just a couple of dollars.

Day 5 – Ella

You’ll spend almost an entire day just travelling by train from Kandy to Ella. The famous train ride is a must do experience in Sri Lanka and often considered one of the most beautiful in the world. However, it’s popularity means it’s often crowded and booked out weeks in advance, so it’s ideal to book ahead if you want to guarantee yourself a seat.

Otherwise, you can always grab an unreserved ticket on the day of travel and cram into the third class carriage for the long 8 hour journey. You’ll likely be standing for most of the time, but at least you can move around and hope to see some of the incredible views out of the windows and doors.

HOW TO GET THERE | Take the famous train ride from Kandy to Ella. The journey takes around 8 hours with three different classes to choose from. It’s ideal to book this journey well in advance as it sells out fast. Although, you can still board the train with third class unreserved tickets on the day of travel.

STAY | Wild Bee Hostel or The Spice Lodge

EAT | Eat rice and curry or kottu (shredded roti) at Matey Hut, this small but wildly popular eatery near Ella Train Station. It provides some of the tastiest home cooked cuisine and they even offer daily cooking classes.

Day 6 – Ella

With three nights in Ella, you’ll be able to enjoy two full days in and around the area. On the first full day, get up for yet another sunrise mission, this time to hike up Little Adam’s Peak. The small peak rising 1,141m above tea plantations just outside of Ella offers the best way to get a panoramic view of the surrounding area.

The short and sweet hike is just 800m from the official trailhead on a paved footpath with concrete steps. You can either arrange a tuk tuk to get you there, or walk from your accommodation (I walked and it felt quite safe doing so even at 5am).

After your morning hike, continue down to the Nine Arch Bridge or otherwise known as the Bridge in the Sky. It’s easily one of the most recognisable landmarks in Sri Lanka. There are many places to view the bridge from, but I recommend going in the early morning hours to avoid the crowds that descend on the bridge from 9am onwards.

For the remainder of the day, arrange a day trip to Diyaluma Falls, the second tallest waterfall in Sri Lanka. This impressive long drop of water stands at 220 metres high with several tiers and natural swimming pools. A tuk tuk there and back will cost around 10,000 LKR (US$35) as it’s about two hours one way from Ella to the waterfall.

You can admire the falls from the bottom, but the real highlight is taking the short 20 minute walk on a formed trail through the forest to reach the upper pools. Here, you can swim in the natural pools and explore the upper tiers for a couple of hours.

Day 7 – Ella

For your second full day in Ella, you can either head off in the morning for a hike up Ella Rock or take a half day trip to Badulla and back on the train. If you’re full of energy, Ella Rock is a 10 km return hike that should take around 4 hours all up. It follows the train tracks to Kithal Ella Railway Station, before climbing up through a local village and tea plantations to the lofty summit, where you’ll be rewarded with incredible views.

If your legs are too tired from the day before, then instead of the hike you can take the early morning train to Badulla. The ride from Ella to the end of the line in Badulla is only an hour and is completely devoid of tourists, meaning you can sit in the doors, take photos out the window with ease, and admire the stunning vistas.

If you leave on the first train in the morning, you’ll have time to jump into a tuk tuk and head to Dunhinda Waterfall. It’s about 1.5 km or a 30 minute walk to the viewpoint of the waterfall from the entrance, so you need to allow two hours for a visit from the Badulla train station. Then, you can take the train back to Ella all by lunchtime.

I’m sure you’ll need the afternoon off to relax in Ella, do some shopping, and sit in a cafe, before planning your next move down to the coast.

Read more: 10 Best Things to Do in Ella

Day 8 – Hiriketiya Beach

The newest “it” spot on the south coast of Sri Lanka is Hiriketiya. This little slice of paradise is the perfect place to spend a couple of days relaxing, surfing, eating, and walking on the beach.

Hiriketiya is a small, rounded bay backed by curved palm trees and thick tropical jungle just outside the town of Dikwella. In the small village sprawled within the forest back from the beach, you’ll find hidden cafes, beachfront bars and guesthouses tucked amongst nature.

Once you arrive and check into your accommodation, head down to the beach for a walk and relax at one of the cafes or bars soaking up the vibe. If you’re a surfer, then rent a board from the beach and head in for a sunset surf or you can sit and watch from the sand.

Looking for a happy hour sunset drink? Try Sunset Bar to the east side of the beach with unbeatable views of the bay, or head to La Playa for more of an upscale Mediterranean coast vibe.

HOW TO GET THERE | There are several buses that run from Bandarawela to Matara passing through Ella every day. Catch the #31 bus from this bus stop just down from the intersection of the Ella-Passara Road and the main street in Ella. Get off in Dickwella and then take a tuk tuk to Hiriketiya Beach. The journey takes about 4 hours.

STAY | Dots Bay Hostel and Hotel or Salt House

EAT | For local food and hospitality, Lemon Grass Cafe and Kingsley’s Kitchen are both standouts, offering unlimited rice and curry. For a western-style twist, Duni’s Hoppers is the go-to brunch spot and coffee joint just back from the beach offering smoothie bowls and traditional Sri Lankan hoppers. 

Read more: Hiriketiya Beach: A Guide to Sri Lanka’s Little Coastal Paradise

Day 9 – Hiriketiya Beach

With a full day in Hiriketiya, there’s a few different activities to enjoy depending on your interests. Head for a sunrise surf before the crowds arrive in the water, indulge in a smoothie bowl at Duni’s Cafe, or attend a yoga class at either Salt House or Dots Bay House to start your morning off right.

In the afternoon, I highly recommend walking out to Blue Beach Island. It’s only about 2.5km one way, as you head up past Jasper House and towards Nilwella Beach. At Nilwella, you’ll find a unique sand bar where the waves come up from both directions and crash together in the centre.

Walk across the sand bar to the island and then follow the walking trail which heads up and around to the top of the island, then down to the far end of it to the rocks. It’s a wonderful spot to watch the sunset!

Day 10 – Mirissa

Before Hiriketiya hit the scene, Mirissa was the place to go for a beach holiday in Sri Lanka. While it caters to mostly high end tourists rather than backpackers, it’s still a beautiful place with stunning beaches and Instagram-worthy photo spots.

With beautiful white sand, swaying palm trees, plenty of marine life from whales to sea turtles, vegan cafes galore, and trendy boutique stores, Mirissa brings the European summer vibes to the coast.

Spend the afternoon down at Mirissa Beach or walk over to Secret Beach, which is far from a secret anymore but still quieter than the main beach. For sunset, either walk or take a tuk tuk up to Coconut Tree Hill. This is one of the most Instagrammable spots in Sri Lanka and one of the most beautiful vantage points on the south coast. The private coconut farm is just a 15-minute walk from Mirissa Beach, but expect plenty of people because it has become a very popular place.

HOW TO GET THERE | Catch any of the frequent local buses heading from Dikwella to Matara. Once you get to Matara, change to the Galle bus and tell the ticket conductor you want to get off in Mirissa. These buses run multiple times per hour. The journey should take 1.5-2 hours all up.

STAY | Babylon Hostel or The Slow Hotel

EAT | Shady Lane is an upscale vegan cafe that is a popular spot for digital nomads, expats, and yogis. Or head to Dhana’s Curry Pot for authentic buffet style rice and curry.

Day 11 – Mirissa

On your full day in Mirissa, you have a few options to choose from to get active and out in the water. If you’re visiting in the whale season from November to March, then you might want to head off early in the morning on a whale watching tour. It’s one of the best places in Asia to see Blue Whales, although it’s not guaranteed to see them. Otherwise, you’ll still get to see humpback whales, dolphins, sea turtles, and more, so it’s worth the trip.

If you prefer to actually get in the warm water in Mirissa, try snorkelling with turtles at Turtle Point in Mirissa or take a short tuk tuk ride for 10-minutes to Weligama for surfing lessons. Weligama is the long curved bay just next door to Mirissa with a large sprawling town.

It’s also known as the best place to learn to surf in Sri Lanka, with plenty of surf schools along the coast to help you gain confidence and learn the pop up basics. Most surf lessons are 90-minutes long and include board hire and an instructor.

Day 12 – Galle

The storied city of Galle is famous for its old fortified peninsula jutting out into the ocean south of Colombo. With crumbling colonial-era buildings, cobblestone alleyways, and swaying palm trees, Galle Fort is without a doubt one of the most attractive places to visit in Sri Lanka.

While not overly large, the Galle Fort area is where you’ll want to stay, eat, and explore for a couple of days. The old architecture is enough to warrant hours wandering around the streets with your camera. While there’s also plenty of boutique stores that makes Galle the best place to do some shopping before heading home.

For sunset, head down to the ramparts or Galle Fort Walls towards the southern and western side of the fort. Flag Rock Bastion seems to always gather a crowd, with local cliff jumpers wowing everyone by jumping into the rocky depths below. However, for the best direct view of the sunset, Triton Bastion was definitely the better spot, with plenty of room on the grassy walls offering front row seats to the colourful sunset.

HOW TO GET THERE | You can use either the bus or train to travel along the south coast. Trains run from Galle to Matara and vice versa regularly during the day, but it tends to be slower than the bus. Otherwise, you can easily jump on any bus running from Matara to Galle, which should take about 1.5 hours.

STAY | Old Dutch House or The Merchant Hotel

EAT | Coconut Sambal serves traditional rice and curry buffet in a tiny hole in the wall restaurant. They also make their own ginger beer. ABACATE is a cheap and cheerful place serving delicious brunch options, including local dishes like hoppers. For something different, head to Dumplings Cafe for upmarket Asian food.

Read more: How to Spend 2 Days in Galle Fort

Day 13 – Galle

From Galle, it’s an easy 15-minute ride in a tuk tuk to Unawatuna Beach. This was one of the original beach spots in Sri Lanka that attracted tourists from across Asia. The golden beach is a beautiful spot to spend the day, go swimming, snorkelling or diving in the water, and indulge in some nice food and shops.

If you prefer a bit less people, head to Jungle Beach, next door to Unawatuna, which is a small sandy beach backed by palm trees and thick jungle. It does get pretty busy in high season, with a couple of beach bars to buy drinks and snacks, but is still far quieter than Unawatuna Beach.

If you’re a surfer looking for your last waves before heading home, go to Dewata Beach between Galle Harbour and Jungle Beach. It’s the best beginner surf spot nearby with mellow waves, or try the reef break further across at Bonavista Beach, where intermediate surfers can find more consistent green waves.

Day 14 – Colombo

On the last day of this south Sri Lanka itinerary, head back up to Colombo from Galle. You can take either the train from Galle Railway Station to Colombo Fort, which runs several times per day and takes around 3 hours.

Or, you can take the local bus to Colombo, which should also take about 3 hours with multiple departures every hour. A quicker option would be to take the A/C coach bus (bus EX01) from just outside of Galle Fort to Kottawa/Makubura Highway Bus Station. Then, you’d have to change to a local bus to get to Colombo Bus Station. This can take as little as 2 hours as the A/C buses use the Expressway and costs around 1000 LKR (US$3.50) in total.

If you want to go directly from Galle to Negombo/Bandaranaike International Airport, then there are two A/C buses per day starting from just outside of Galle Fort. The morning bus is at 6.30am and arrives at the airport around 9am, while the afternoon bus leaves at 4.30pm and arrives at around 7pm. The tickets cost around 1200 LKR (US$4).

Only Have 10 Days? How to Adjust this Itinerary

If you’re short on time and only have 10 days in South Sri Lanka, then you can easily cut this itinerary down to suit your trip. Here’s how I would adjust the above itinerary to suit a 10 day Sri Lanka holiday:

• Reduce it from 3 nights to 2 nights in Ella (you could skip Diyaluma Falls, Ella Rock and the train trip to Badulla)
• Pick between Mirissa or Hiriketiya Beach (don’t do both)
• Reduce it from 2 nights to 1 night in Galle (you could skip Unawatuna and Jungle Beach)

Read More of my Sri Lanka Travel Guides

• Travel Tips: 26 Sri Lanka Travel Tips: Everything You Need to Know
• Ella to the South Coast: How to Get From Ella to the South Coast
• Digital Nomad Travel: Digital Nomad in Sri Lanka: A Guide for Remote Workers
• Learning to Surf: A Guide for Beginner Surfers in Sri Lanka
• Gluten Free: Complete Gluten Free Travel Guide to Sri Lanka
• Trincomalee: Trincomalee Travel Guide: Underrated Beach Destination in Sri Lanka
• Jaffna: 10 Best Things to Do in Jaffna

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