Writing this whilst sat under the shade of a tree in Newara Eliya; Sri Lanka has become an easy sell for me. It is a jewel of the Indian Ocean; golden beaches fringe its shores, while misty mountains rise in the centre. Tea plantations roll across the hillsides, their emerald patterns broken only by waterfalls and red earth tracks. 

Elephants wander through the forests, leopards slip between shadows, and ancient ruins sit quietly beneath tangled roots. It is an island compact in size yet immense in variety, where a morning can begin with sunrise over the sea and end with sunset above the clouds.

For centuries, Sri Lanka has been a crossroads of culture. Traders from Arabia, China, and Europe left their marks in ports and fortresses. Buddhism shaped the island’s sacred landscapes, from the colossal rock citadel of Sigiriya to the cave temples of Dambulla. Colonial powers layered new identities onto old ones: Portuguese churches, Dutch fortifications, and British railway lines built for tea still carve through the mountains. The architecture tells a story of resilience; of how the island adapted each influence while keeping its own rhythm.

To travel through Sri Lanka is to walk through history and human spirit. The island has faced conflict and hardship, yet its people welcome strangers with warmth and generosity. Meals are shared with spice and pride, rice and curry, hoppers, seafood fresh from the coast. Every space feels alive with memory: ancient kingdoms, colonial struggles, independence, and renewal. Sigiriya itself is not just a wonder of stone but a reminder of ambition, betrayal, and imagination carved into rock.

For the backpacker, Sri Lanka is accessible, affordable, and endlessly rewarding. Buses and trains connect coast to mountain; guesthouses and homestays open doors to family kitchens; surfboards, tuk tuks, and tea fields all become part of the journey. For the holidaymaker, it is a place of beauty and rest; for the traveller, it is a place of depth and discovery.

If it is not on your bucket list, drop it on there now. If you want a full break down on how to explore this spectacular country them make sure to read my itinerary where I break down exactly what a Sri Lanka holiday/ backpacking get away can look like and how to do it.

🇱🇰 👉 The Ultimate Guide to Backpacking Sri Lanka in 2025–26 👈 🇱🇰