Nuwara Eliya
Known as 'Little England', a cool hill town at about 1,900 m, surrounded by tea estates, with colonial-era buildings, gardens, lakes and waterfalls.
Get a Quote for Nuwara EliyaAbout Nuwara Eliya
Nuwara Eliya sits at nearly 1,900 metres and is the centre of Sri Lanka's best-known tea region. The British developed it as a hill station in the 19th century, and colonial-style buildings, a golf course, a racecourse and flower gardens still give it the nickname Little England. Visitors enjoy tea factory tours, Gregory Lake, Victoria Park, Hakgala Botanical Gardens and waterfalls such as Lover's Leap. The air is cool all year, and nights can be cold. April is the busy holiday season, with festivals and heavy traffic.
Highlights
- ✅ Tea estate and factory visit
- ✅ Gregory Lake
- ✅ Victoria Park
- ✅ Hakgala Botanical Gardens
- ✅ Lover's Leap Waterfall
- ✅ Scenic train and road journeys
Travel Tips
- Bring warm clothes, as evenings are cold
- Visit a tea factory in the morning when it is working
- Combine with Horton Plains and Ella on one hill country route
- Expect heavy traffic during the April holiday season
More places to visit
Sinharaja Rain Forest
Sri Lanka's last large tract of primary lowland rainforest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walk with a local guide to spot endemic birds, colourful frogs, butterflies and giant trees in a cool, shaded forest.
Pilgrimage & HikingAdam's Peak (Sri Pada)
A 2,243 m sacred mountain revered by Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and Christians. Climb by night to reach the summit for sunrise and the famous triangular shadow of the peak.
WildlifeUdawalawe National Park
One of the most reliable places in Sri Lanka to see wild elephants. Open grassland around a large reservoir makes jeep safaris easy and sightings frequent.