The island country of Sri Lanka is known for its delectable cuisine, historical monuments, sacred temples, crystal-clear beaches, lush green tea plantations and more. Formerly known as Ceylon, the tropical country has many cities, many of which offer numerous places to visit in Sri Lanka in 2 days for a perfect getaway with your loved ones. From temples to beaches, gardens to museums and markets to forts, these tourist spots will make your vacation experience a memorable one!
6 Places To Visit In Sri Lanka In 2 Days
Here is a well-curated list of some of the best places to visit in Sri Lanka in 2 days for every kind of traveller:
1. Dambulla
Dambulla is a town located in the Central province of the island country of Sri Lanka. It houses Dambulla Cave Temple (Dambulla Rock Temple), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, that has a golden temple on the premises and Dambulla Museum at the foothill, which displays ancient artefacts. The top of Pidurangala Rock offers breathtaking views of the sunrise, sunset & surrounding environs and adventure enthusiasts prefer to hike there from Pidurangala Sigiri Rajamaha Viharaya Temple, another must-visit spot.
Cricket fans can head to Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, a stadium with a seating capacity of 16, 800 people. Minneriya National Park is best known for its Asian elephants, endemic reptiles and species of birds, amphibians, mammals, butterflies and fish. One can indulge in safari to witness the wildlife, capture them with a lens and feel closer to nature. Such a plethora of tourist attractions ends your search for the best places to visit in Sri Lanka in 2 days.
Best time to visit: January to September
Nearest Airport: Sigiriya Airport
Must Read: 6 Hostels In Dambulla That’ll Offer You Homelike Comfort On Your Next Backpacking Trip
2. Colombo
Colombo is a vibrant and the largest city in Sri Lanka, famous for its street markets, sacred spots of religious beliefs and places of historical significance. Lying on the Beira Lake, Pettah Floating Market is a series of kiosks that sell stuff ranging from clothes to handicrafts, where some of the vendors sell fruits, vegetables and flowers on the boat. This market will indulge you in retail therapy, checking off the bucket list of things to do in Sri Lanka in 2 days. Independence Square is a historic monument housing the Independence Memorial Hall, ponds and fountain gardens.
A visit to sacred spots like Gangaramaya Temple, Sivasubramania Swami Kovil, St. Anthony’s Shrine, All Saints’ Church, Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque and others in Colombo provides serenity to souls. The National Museum of Colombo displays a collection of antique puppetry, jewellery, coins, lamps, demon masks, swords, rock inscriptions, frescoes and more, from different Ages. Those who want to try their luck in a casino can head to Bally’s Casino, the largest casino in Sri Lanka. You can spend 2 days in Colombo Sri Lanka, by exploring a majority of these tourist attractions.
Best time to visit: November to February
Nearest Airport: Colombo International Airport
3. Nuwara Eliya
Sri Lanka’s Strawberry Capital, Nuwara Eliya means “The city of lights.” Known to be the coldest part of Sri Lanka and famously termed “Little England,” the city has scenic tourist attractions. Gregory Lake acts as a perfect picnic spot to spend time with your loved ones amidst the picturesque setting of nature. One can explore the scenic views surrounding the lake on a boat ride, bicycle or pony.
Seetha Amman Temple has religious significance as it is believed that the temple was built on the spot where Sita Mata was held hostage by Ravana. Flowing through the Ramboda Valley, the cascading Ramboda Falls (Puna Ella) is a treat to witness, along with the lush green tea plantations nearby. Last but not least, nature lovers can head to Hakgala Botanical Gardens to onlook the plethora of trees, plants and flowers.
Best time to visit: February to May
Nearest Airport: Colombo International Airport
Suggested Read: 6 Day Trips From Kandy For A Quick Getaway
4. Kandy
Located in the Central Province of Sri Lanka, Kandy is a crowd-puller due to its wide-ranging tourist attractions. Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, houses Buddha’s tooth inside a golden stupa of a two-storey shrine. The devotees offer fresh flowers and lamps in the temple. Kandy Lake, popularly known as the “Sea of Milk,” is an ideal location for nature lovers who can indulge in a boat ride to soak in the scenic beauty of nature.
Sri Maha Bodhi Viharaya (Big Buddha), located on Bahirava Kanda hill, is a serene spot offering enchanting views of Kandy. You can also buy souvenirs from the shop on the hilltop. The four-floored Ceylon Tea Museum has sections for a library, tea sales outlets, old machinery, a tea cafe and an auditorium with audio-visual facilities. A 7-hour long Kandy to Ella train ride is one of the most spectacular treats to one’s eyes, with views of lush green tea plantations and cloudy mountains while sitting in the open doorway, feet hanging over the footboard.
Best time to visit: December to April
Nearest Airport: Colombo International Airport
5. Galle
The provincial capital of the Southern Province of Sri Lanka, Galle exhibits Dutch-colonial buildings, museums, beaches and more. Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is widely famous for its ancient architecture and is the largest remaining fortress in Asia, which was built by European occupiers. Seek serenity at Japanese Peace Pagoda, locally known as Rumassala Saama Chathiya, which is one of the five stupas of its kind in Sri Lanka.
The National Museum of Galle takes you to dive deeper into the history of Sri Lanka with the display of artefacts and cultural heritage. Unawatuna Beach offers mesmerising views of sunrise and sunset, a spot where you can take a stroll and enjoy the local street food. Cricket fanatics can head to Galle International Stadium, also known as ‘The Esplanade,’ considered a lucky stadium for the home team, Sri Lanka.
Best time to visit: December to March
Nearest Airport: Colombo International Airport
Suggested Read: Badulla Travel Guide: All About The Mesmerizing Waterfalls To The Luscious Greens
6. Jaffna
Jaffna, the capital of the Northern Province of Sri Lanka, is famous for its beaches and forts. Book nerds and history enthusiasts can proceed to Jaffna Library, a haven for obtaining information about the culture, history and folklore of Sri Lanka. Casuarina Beach, a crystal-clear beach with white sand, offers a variety of water activities like jet skiing, surfing, swimming and parasailing. From the beach, one can spot Karainagar Lighthouse.
Jaffna Fort, the second largest fort in Sri Lanka, is an architectural marvel that has stood the test of time. Its major spots are the Hangman’s Tower, the Queen’s House, the rampart and the moat. Nallur Kandaswamy Temple is dedicated to Lord Murugan and exhibits Dravidian architecture with shrines of other deities. One can also head to Nainativu, a small island off the coast of the Jaffna Peninsula. Jaffna is one of the must-visit cities for a short holiday if you are looking for places to visit in Sri Lanka in 2 days.
Best time to visit: June to August and December to February
Nearest Airport: Colombo International Airport
Further Read: 44 Soul Satisfying Things To Do In Sri Lanka
Now that you have checked out the list of places to visit in Sri Lanka in 2 days, you can also browse through the Sri Lanka Tour Packages offered by TravelTriangle for your upcoming trip. You can select the city for your short trip, as per your mood and explore the above-mentioned locations. Each city offers several attractions to visit and fun activities to indulge in that your trip is surely going to turn memorable.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Places to Visit in Sri Lanka in 2 Days
What are the best places to visit in Sri Lanka in 2 days?
Dambulla, Colombo, Kandy, Galle, Jaffna and Nuwara Eliya are some of the best places to visit in Sri Lanka in 2 days.
How many days is enough to visit Sri Lanka?
If you are planning a trip for a long duration, two weeks are enough. However, if you are planning a short getaway, you can spend 2-3 days in any of the cities of Sri Lanka to explore it completely.
Which is the cheapest place in Sri Lanka?
Galle and Kandy are the cheapest places for a stay in Sri Lanka.
What is very famous in Sri Lanka?
The island country of Sri Lanka is known for its delectable cuisine, historical monuments, sacred temples, crystal-clear beaches, lush green tea plantations and more.
Is Indian rupee accepted in Sri Lanka?
Yes, Indian Rupee (INR) has been made a designated currency by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.
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