10 Best Things to Do in Ella, Sri Lanka: An Essential Guide

The small town of Ella in the Badulla District of Uva Province has exploded onto the tourist scene over the last few years. The lofty, idyllic town is perched 1,041 metres above sea level in the central highlands of Sri Lanka, just 200km east of the capital, Colombo. What was once a small, tea growing village has now become one of the country’s main tourist attractions, with plenty of incredible things to do in Ella and the surrounds.

It’s not just a stop on the famous Kandy to Ella train ride where tourists exit the carriages in droves. The town is easily one of the most beautiful places in Sri Lanka, surrounded by dramatic ridges, peaks, and slopes covered in a damp, lush, greenery.

From the iconic colonial era Nine Arch Bridge made from stone to watching the sunrise from atop Little Adam’s Peak, most people plan to spend a few days in Ella soaking up the vistas. It’s definitely a place to get outdoors, with hikes, views, peaks, waterfalls, and tea estates to explore in and around town.

If you’re jumping off the train and want to know what the best things to do in Ella are; you’ve come to the right place. This post details everything you need to know about visiting the pretty hill town of Ella, including attractions you don’t want to miss.

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Is Ella, Sri Lanka Worth Visiting?

You’ve probably heard the hype around Ella. This mystical, idyllic hillside town perched in the highlands of central Sri Lanka where trains chug through tea plantations and waterfalls tumble down steep valleys. Admittedly, Ella is not what it once was.

The simple village has transformed into a major tourist stop with concrete eyesores and large scale resorts interrupting the ridgelines and manicured tea plants. It’s changed dramatically in recent years from a peaceful, rural escape into a buzzing town. And while you can’t escape this new side of Ella, it’s still definitely worth visiting.

There’s no denying that Ella occupies a very stunning location, wedged between towering peaks and dramatic valleys, all painted in a lush green from consistent rain showers. Between the waterfalls, tea estates, viewpoints, hikes, cafes, and train rides, Ella offers plenty of things to do, whether you’re a nature enthusiast, tea drinker, culture lover, or outdoor adventurer.

You’ll have to accept the crowds and the overpriced meals in Ella, because the beautiful scenery isn’t going anywhere. It’s still one of Sri Lanka’s top attractions and for good reason. Don’t miss it.

Read more: Ultimate 2 Week South Sri Lanka Itinerary

How to Get to Ella

What was once a little mountain hamlet has exploded into a fully fledged tourist town. Nearly every single person who visits Sri Lanka will have Ella on their itinerary, so it’s not an overly difficult place to reach. Of course, the famous train ride passes right through town from Kandy, but you can also reach Ella from other popular destinations in Sri Lanka.

From Kandy

The Kandy to Ella train ride is simply one of the must do experiences in Sri Lanka. It’s one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world, passing through manicured tea plantations, past flowing waterfalls, through dense forest and under old stone tunnels. Because of this, most tourists arrive in Ella from Kandy (or Nuwara Eliya if breaking the train journey up along the way).

While the Kandy to Ella train gets all the glory, the actual full journey is from Colombo to Badulla with several trains departing each day. But the trains are pretty slow and often delayed, so it’s quite a long journey. The ride from Kandy to Ella usually takes around 8 hours, with most people short on time opting to do it in a day. The other option is to break the journey up with a night or two in other hill towns like Nuwara Eliya or Haputale.

Kandy to Ella train times: 03.30 am, 08:55 am, 11.10 am, 22:20 pm

Nuwara Eliya (Nanu Oya) to Ella train times: 03:42 am, 09:20 am, 12:45 pm, 14:36 pm, 16:08 pm

Ticket prices: 1300 LKR for third class reserved, 1800 LKR for second class reserved or 3000 LKR for first class (unreserved tickets for third and second class are cheaper but you’re not guaranteed a seat)

There is also the option of the new Ella Odyssey train, which is a specific tourist train that now runs from Colombo to Badulla on limited days. As of 2025, it leaves Colombo at 6:30am on Saturdays and Sundays, and returns from Badulla at 7:40am on Fridays and Saturdays.

There’s also an Ella Odyssey service that runs from Kandy to Badulla. This leaves Kandy Monday to Friday at 9:40am, and returns from Badulla to Kandy Sunday to Thursday at 7:40am.

Ticket prices: 5000 LKR for third class, 6000 LKR for second class, and 8000 LKR for first class. Bookings open 30 days prior.

Read more: 18 Tips for the Kandy to Ella Train: Everything You Need to Know

From South Coast

The best way to travel from the south coast to Ella is by bus. There are no trains going from the coast to Ella. The Matara-Bandarawela bus #31 runs a few times each day and this is the best option for budget travellers.

If you’re in Galle, Unawatuna, Weligama or Mirissa, then you first need to jump on a train or bus to get to Matara. Bus #31 to Bandarawela via Ella leaves from the Matara Station. If you’re staying in Hiriketiya, you’ll be able to jump on this bus from Dickwella Station. The bus ticket is around 650 LKR (US$2) and the journey takes around 5-6 hours.

Bus schedule from Matara to Ella: 7:45am, 9:20am, 9:55am, 11:20am and 1:10pm

Bus schedule from Ella to Matara: 6:40am, 8:40am, 9:15am, 12:00pm, 14:45pm, 15:15pm and 16:15pm

*Delays are common and this schedule can be hit and miss, so check at the station the day before travel for an up to date schedule.

Read more: How to Get from Ella to the South Coast, Sri Lanka

From Arugam Bay (East Coast)

There are no direct public buses running between Ella and Arugam Bay. From Arugam Bay, try to get a direct bus to Wellawaya. Otherwise, you can also get a bus to Monoragala and then change for Wellawaya. From Wellawaya, there are frequent buses passing through Ella. The whole journey can take around 6 hours, depending on how quickly you change buses.

If it’s during high season for the east coast (May until October), then you’ll also find shared taxis heading between Arugam Bay and Ella. Ask around town and you might be able to join other backpackers and share the cost.

How Many Days Do You Need in Ella

With so much to do in Ella, I highly recommend taking a few days to really soak it all in. While it has become a bit commercial and tourist-oriented, I still think that it’s worth exploring the area. You might not have unlimited time for your Sri Lanka itinerary, but I would suggest allowing at least three days for Ella.

Three days allows you to explore the main attractions such as the Nine Arch Bridge, embark on popular hikes in the area, such as Ella Rock and Little Adam’s Peak, and head out to the thundering waterfalls on a day trip.

If you have five days, then you can relax a bit more, spend time in the cafes, and avoid bad weather as it comes and goes. I stayed five days and really enjoyed being able to explore in the mornings and then relax as the clouds came over each afternoon.

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Where to Stay in Ella

Ella has an endless variety of home stays, hostels, guesthouses and upscale resorts. Accommodation has exploded in recent years, so there’s plenty of choices. Here’s a few places I recommend:

Wild Bee Hostel | A beautiful hostel with outstanding views and just a short walk from the main street. Definitely a “flashpacker” style hostel.

Quiet Rest Inn | A truly friendly homestay just behind the main street in Ella at very budget-friendly prices. I had a great stay here, the family’s son is also a tuk tuk driver and guide.

Eminence Ella Guesthouse | A midrange guesthouse with comfortable rooms just a short walk from the main street.

The Spice Lodge | A very pretty midrange guesthouse outside of town and away from the hustle and bustle, but not far from the Nine Arch Bridge.

Country Homes | A more upper midrange option that is popular for its hospitality and beautiful views, a real home in the tea plantations.

When to Visit Ella

Ella and the highlands in Sri Lanka have a unique climate. The area tends to follow the south coast weather pattern, but is also wetter and cooler than other parts of Sri Lanka. In general, Ella has comfortable day time temperatures all year round of between 20-30 degrees. But it’s the rain you need to prepare yourself for in Ella.

December-March is the driest period, which also coincides with the high season for most of Sri Lanka, so it’s also the busiest time for tourists in Ella. From April-November, you can expect pretty consistent rainfall with afternoon storms a common occurrence.

The rainiest months in Ella tend to be May-July and October-November. While August and September offer some clearer skies, especially in the mornings, with cloudy and stormy afternoons. I visited in mid-September for five days and was lucky with beautiful mornings, but the afternoons were definitely more foggy and rainy.

Visiting in the rain season in Ella will definitely dampen your mood, so I’d try to avoid it if possible. The views around town will mostly be obscured by cloud, the long grass and tea plantations will be infested with leeches, and the waterfalls may be too dangerous to visit.

For sightseeing, I highly recommend getting up early and doing most of your activities in the morning. The weather is usually much better and you can avoid some of the crowds that flock to the popular attractions from 9am onwards.

How to Get Around Ella

Be prepared to walk a fair amount in Ella! The hill town is sprawled between imposing peaks with some attractions kilometres away from each other. I do recommend exploring as much as possible on foot, especially Little Adam’s Peak, Ella Rock, and Nine Arch Bridge.

However, you can easily grab a tuk tuk when you’re tired. If you want to explore outside of town to places like Diyaluma Falls, then it’s best to arrange a day tour or bargain with a local tuk tuk driver for a return trip.

If you’re short on time, you can also take advantage of day tours that combine all the top sights within a day. Check out some options below:

10 Best Things to Do in Ella

Of all the places in Sri Lanka, Ella has so much to offer visitors. From gushing waterfalls to tea plantation tours, train rides through the hills and cooking classes, there’s so much to do in Ella to keep you busy for days.

Here are the best things to do in Ella that I recommend you squeeze into your itinerary.

Take Photos at the Nine Arch Bridge

The Nine Arch Bridge is easily one of the most recognised landmarks in Sri Lanka. Completed in 1921, the large stone bridge is hidden amongst the dense forest just outside of Ella town. The colonial-era rail bridge was built entirely out of brick, rock, and cement without the addition of steel, an impressive feat for those days. It spans 91 metres long and 25 metres high, and is also called the Bridge in the Sky, for its often moody setting amongst the foggy hills.

The bridge is located on the Colombo-Badulla line, between the stations of Ella and Demodara. This means that it’s just one stop beyond the famous Kandy to Ella train ride, so most tourists simply walk down to the bridge from town for a photo.

There are many places to view the bridge from, including from the slopes around the bridge, from the bridge itself, from a cafe nearby, or below the bridge from a private tea plantation. You can easily get to the Nine Arches Bridge on foot from Ella town; it’s just 2km or a 30 minute walk. Otherwise, tuk tuk drivers will also be able to take you there from town.

There are several trails leading to the bridge, most of which are marked on Google Maps and Maps.Me. I recommend exploring a couple of them, as well as, walking over the bridge itself. But don’t expect a serene experience like some photos will have you believe. The bridge is packed full of pedestrians and tourists from 9am onwards, all hoping to capture a photo.

It’s best to arrive as easily as possible to enjoy it without the crowds. I visited once during the day when it was pretty busy and then returned again after my sunrise hike up Little Adam’s Peak and it was a lot quieter.

If you want to capture the train actually going over the bridge then you’ll have to time your visit well. Keep in mind that trains are often delayed in Sri Lanka, so the schedule is not always accurate.

Estimated schedule for trains at Nine Arch Bridge: 6:30am, 9:20am, 11am, 11:50am, 13:40pm, 15:30pm, 18:40pm

If you want to actually be on the train as it passes over the bridge (my favourite way to see the bridge), then you can either hop on in Ella and just ride one stop to Demodara. Or, take the train from Ella to the end of the line at Badulla, about one hour one way. More on this below!

Hike up Little Adam’s Peak for Sunrise

Surprisingly, my favourite morning in Ella was when I got up at 4.30am and walked 3km in the dark to the top of Little Adam’s Peak for sunrise (I’m not a morning person!). Seeing the rising sun bask the deep valleys and forested peaks in a golden glow was a completely magical experience, and worth the early morning wake up call.

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. Named after the much higher and more challenging holy mountain known as Adam’s Peak which is not far away near Hatton, Little Adam’s Peak is not a difficult task. The short and sweet hike is on a paved footpath with concrete steps leading to the summit.

You can either walk from town to the trailhead or take a tuk tuk. From the official trailhead, it’s only 800m to the top with a gentle incline followed by some steep stairs. I highly recommend making the effort to do it for sunrise, as the view is absolutely breathtaking. Some people opt for sunset instead, but you’ll have a greater chance of cloud cover, especially in the rainy months.

It’s the best short hike to do in Ella, especially because the reward is so great. For those who love hiking, you can also do the longer and more challenging Ella Rock (more on this below), but I personally thought Little Adam’s Peak offered a better view.

Read more: Complete Guide to Little Adam’s Peak Hike

Spend the Morning on the Ella to Badulla Train

We’ve all heard of the Kandy to Ella train ride. This famous train journey through the hills and tea plantations is always on top of people’s bucket lists when they get to Sri Lanka. But, what if I told you, that you could avoid the crowds and the long journey time with a much shorter and arguably better train trip?

The ride from Ella to the end of the line in Badulla is only an hour one way and has little interest for tourists as almost everyone gets off in Ella and goes no further. But I would say that the ride to Badulla was the most beautiful and the train was basically empty, meaning you can sit in the doors and take photos out the window with ease. Plus, you’ll also be on the train as it goes over the Nine Arch Bridge, which is something not many people think to do!

I recommend taking the first train in the morning from Ella to Badulla which is the Night Mail Train departing at 6:35 am (when I did, it was an hour delayed so it left at 7:35 am). Then, you can simply return again on one of the next trains from Badulla back to Ella. You can easily be back in Ella by lunchtime! The train ticket from Ella to Badulla costs just 60 LKR one way.

If you have time in Badulla before the next train, jump into a tuk tuk and head to Dunhinda Waterfall, just 7km or 20 minutes away. It’s about 1.5 km or a 30 minute walk to the viewpoint of the waterfall, so you need to allow two hours for the total visit, including getting to and from the train station. Entrance to Dunhinda Waterfall is 350 LKR (USD $1.50) for foreigners. Expect to bargain around 1500-2000 LKR (USD $5-7) for a tuk tuk to and from Badulla Rail Station.

From Ella (to Badulla): 06:35 am, 13:24 pm, 15:09 pm, 18:26 pm

From Badulla (back to Ella): 05:45 am, 08:30 am, 10:15 am, 11:00 am, 17:50 pm

Tour a Tea Factory

Aside from the famous train, Ella is also known for its tea. The highlands of central Sri Lanka are ideal for growing tea with the right amount of altitude and rain. The town is surrounded by the lush, manicured tea plants owned by the numerous tea estates that have been operating since colonial days.

Taking a tour of a tea factory is easily one of the must do activities in Ella. There’s so many to choose from around town, where you can learn more about the tea growing process, as well as, the history of the famous export product.

Most tours are just an hour long, so it’s easy to squeeze it into your Ella itinerary. The most popular place to go is Uva Halpewatte Tea Factory, one of the largest in Sri Lanka. Located just 4km out of town, they offer daily tours and tea tasting sessions for anyone interested.

Hike up to Ella Rock

Ella is considered the hiking capital of Sri Lanka for good reason. The small town is surrounded by dramatic valleys and towering mountains that make for wonderful views and challenging trails. While Little Adam’s Peak is an easier option, I also suggest doing the Ella Rock hike for those wanting a more strenuous hike.

It’s definitely one of the most popular hikes in Ella, but it’s much longer than Little Adam’s Peak, so ensure you’re wearing good walking shoes and carrying plenty of water. The walk to Ella Rock is a bit of an adventure, so I suggest downloading Maps.Me or reading some blogs about it before setting off.

The hike is around 10 km return and should take around 4 hours all up. It actually begins at Ella Railway Station, but the staff will tell you that you’re not allowed onto the platform without a ticket. If they do say this, you can simply walk outside the station and around to the train tracks and then walk past the platform on the tracks. I know this sounds silly but it’s what they told me to do!

You need to turn left onto the tracks and head south towards Kithal Ella Railway Station. You simply have to walk on the train tracks to reach this station. I know you might feel nervous doing this at first, but everyone does it, including the locals! If a train does come while you’re on the tracks, just hop off into the grass on the sides. Alternatively, you can also get a tuk tuk to drop you at Kithalella Railway Station to start from there.

Continue walking past Kithal Ella Railway Station. Ignore anyone including staff who will try to tell you that you’re going the wrong way, they’re simply trying to confuse you. After about 7 or so minutes further along, you’ll find a sharp left turn onto a dirt trail. It’s sometimes marked with a painted arrow, but this wasn’t overly clear when I was there. If you want to make sure, it’s after waymarker 166 ½ but before waymarker 166 ¼.

Follow this trail until it crosses a river on a footbridge. From there, the trail starts to climb upwards through tea plantations and past local farms. You’ll also pass a small tea shack/cafe that the locals have set up. From there, it’s more straight forward as the trail continues to climb up to the peak on an easy to follow path.

It skirts around the side of the mountain at first, until you come up to a lower viewpoint. This is a really nice spot and there’s even a wooden chair there to sit and enjoy the view. From there, it’s just a steep hike up to the ranger hut.

At the ranger station, you’ll have to pay the entrance fee of 900 LKR (US$3) per adult for foreigners. From there, you’ll have access to several viewpoints at the summit that offer incredible views over the entire area, including Ella town and Little Adam’s Peak. Once you’re at the top, it’s much easier to head back down the same way. I even stopped for tea at the little cafe on my walk back.

Ella Rock is incredibly popular for sunrise, but I have to warn you to carry a head torch because it would be very easy to get lost in the dark. A sunrise hike would also mean a very early morning start, so I also met many people who simply did it during the day instead. Sunset can be hit and miss; the clouds came in fast when I was there in the late afternoon and a storm built up as I walked back to Ella. I would suggest mid-morning is best!

Eat Rice and Curry at Matey Hut

The absolute best place to eat in Ella is Matey Hut. This nondescript restaurant not far from Ella Railway Station serves up the tastiest local food in town. My recommendation is to go with the classic rice and curry, which includes rice and four veg curries to try for about 1100 LKR (US$3.50). But you can also find fried rice, kottu (shredded roti with vegetables), rotti and paratha.

The friendly staff also conduct a daily cooking class and I heard rave reviews of the class if you’re interested in learning how to make delicious Sri Lankan curries! The location means it’s a great place to head for a feast after returning from the Ella Rock hike.

Zip Line Across the Tea Plantations

A popular activity in Ella for those looking for a unique perspective of the surrounding area is to glide across the tea plantations on a zipline. On the slopes of Little Adam’s Peak, you’ll find Flying Ravana Zipline in 98 Acres Resort and the Ella Swing located just further down at Ravana Pool Club.

Flying Ravana was the first zip line in Sri Lanka and stretches more than half a kilometre across the green hills. Reaching up to 80 km/h, it’s not for the faint hearted, but it’s easily one of the most exciting things to do in Ella.

Take a Day Trip to Diyaluma Falls (Sri Lanka’s second tallest falls)

One of the most impressive waterfalls to visit in Sri Lanka is Diyaluma Falls. As the second tallest falls in Sri Lanka, the impressive long drop of water stands at 220 metres high with several tiers and natural swimming pools.

Located 40km south of Ella via Wellawaya, the drive to Diyaluma Falls can take around 2 hours one way. But, trust me when I say it’s worth it. There’s no direct public transport to reach the waterfall, so I recommend arranging a day trip from Ella with a tuk tuk driver or tour operator. I paid 10,000 LKR (US$35) for the day to my homestay owner’s son who had a tuk tuk, which included stops at Diyaluma Falls, Ravana Waterfall and Secret Waterfall.

You’ll pass the bottom of Diyaluma Falls on the road, where you can admire the incredible view of the long dramatic drop from the top of the escarpment. However, the best part of the waterfall is that the upper falls have a series of natural pools to swim in.

To reach the Upper Diyaluma Falls, you must walk on a short hiking trail. There are actually two directions you can approach the upper falls from depending on where your tuk tuk driver drops you. My driver took me up a skinny road to the trailhead, marked on Google Maps here. From there, it was just a short 15-20 minute walk on a formed trail through the forest to reach the upper pools.

The other way is from the northern side of the falls, with the trailhead marked on Google Maps here. This also requires a 15-20 minute walk through the forest on a trail. Either way, you’ll still reach the top pools for a swim! Be careful while jumping into the pools, as the current can be strong after heavy rain and there are no safety barriers anywhere.

The entrance fee (about 400 meters into your hike) is 350 LKR (US$1.50) per person so make sure your bring cash. Also, be aware of leeches, especially after rain as the whole area is infested with them. The restaurants at the beginning of the walking trails will have saline solution for you (at least they did for me!).

Stop to View Ravana Waterfall

A short 10-minute drive down the mountainside from Ella, this waterfall is literally right on the side of the main road, so you can’t miss it. It’s a popular photo stop on the way to Diyaluma Falls or Nildiya Pokuna.

As soon as you step out of your tuk tuk, you’ll feel the water spray as the falls tumble 25 metres (82 feet) down the rock face in the mountain. Ravana Falls has a tremendous 3-tier cascade with rock pools causing a tremendous spray across the viewing platform.

There’s a safe viewing platform next to the road which is completely free to visit. It’s not recommended to swim or climb up the waterfall like at Diyaluma Falls. But it’s still a nice place to stop for a photo.

If you don’t include Ravana Falls as part of a day trip, then you can also jump on any local bus heading south from Ella and get off at Ravana Falls for about 50 rupees. Or, of course grab a tuk tuk!

Explore the Incredible Nil Diya Pokuna (Underground Pool)

A bit of an off the beaten track attraction near Ella is Nildiya Pokuna. Located 12km south of Ella on a road that diverts off the main road past Ravana Falls, it’s an underground cave system with a natural pool with sparkling clear, blue water.

At the entrance, you’ll have to pay 3000 LKR (USD $10) per person which includes a guide, helmet and torch. It’s mandatory to have a guide. First, the tour takes you through the forest on a short walk until you reach the cave entrance. From there, you’ll climb down into the cave and descend around 80m below the surface to reach the pool. You’ll have some time to swim in the pool, before exiting the cave.

It’s not recommended for anyone who fears tight spaces. Make sure to wear comfortable clothes for walking and a swimsuit for the pool. Try not to pick a rainy day (difficult in the hill country, I know), as this can sometimes leave the pool appear murky with the run off pouring into the cave from outside.

Further Afield From Ella

Some people also use Ella as a base for exploring further into the highlands and national parks in the central region of Sri Lanka. For longer day trips from town, you can explore Lipton’s Seat and the tea town of Haputale (a full day trip from Ella by tuk tuk or taxi) or head even further south to Udawalawe National Park or Yala National Park on the way to the coast.

For these day trips and safari drives, you’ll need to plan ahead and organise a tour as these places aren’t well serviced by public transport. Any tour operators or accommodation in Ella should be able to help you arrange it, or book through Viator below.

Exploring More of Sri Lanka? Where to Go After Ella:

• Kandy: 10 Best Things to Do in Kandy: An Essential Guide
• Colombo: Best Things to Do in Colombo in 24 Hours
• Sigiriya: Ultimate Guide to Sigiriya: Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle
• Galle: 2 Days in Galle Fort: Best Things to Do in Galle
• Hiriketiya: Hiriketiya Beach: A Guide to Sri Lanka’s Little Coastal Paradise
• Weligama: Layback Surf Camp Review in Weligama
• Trincomalee: Trincomalee Travel Guide: Underrated Beach Destination in Sri Lanka
• Jaffna: 10 Best Things to Do in Jaffna, North Sri Lanka
• Digital Nomad Travel: Digital Nomad in Sri Lanka: A Guide for Remote Workers
• Learning to Surf: Learning to Surf in Sri Lanka: Guide for Beginner Surfers

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