If you travel to Sri Lanka, you should add Nuwara Eliya to your itinerary! This city in Sri Lanka’s Hill Country is the perfect escape from the humid heat of the south and the crowds in other, more popular destinations. Keep reading for the best things to do in Nuwara Eliya and how to plan your trip.
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I had never heard of Nuwara Eliya until I landed in Sri Lanka and reached my first accommodation in Mirissa. I started talking to my host and asked him what his favorite place in the country was, and he immediately said Nuwara Eliya. He mentioned loving the weather there, the tea plantations, and nature all around. He also mentioned it was a peaceful city, not overtaken by tourists. That convinced me.
Almost two months later, I finally made it to Nuwara Eliya. I spent most of my time in the south, near Weligama, but I couldn’t leave Sri Lanka without exploring the lush hills and mountains surrounding Ella. So, of course, I included a stop in Nuwara Eliya on my week-long trip to the area.
By the way, I included Nuwara Eliya in my 2-week Sri Lanka itinerary, so make sure to check that out!
I immediately loved this charming town, very aptly nicknamed “Little England.” Boasting manicured parks and English-style cottages overlooking Gregory Lake, Nuwara Eliya is not exactly what you’d expect from Sri Lanka. At least, not if you’ve already explored other parts of the country.
But pair this unusually chill vibe with the fact that most travelers skip this destination in Sri Lanka, and you’ve got yourself a lovely little gem. There’s still a bit of Sri Lankan charm in the usual colorful buses and tuk-tuks speeding by, but it’s tuned down, so you can actually enjoy a peaceful walk around town. If that sounds appealing, keep reading to find out what to do in Nuwara Eliya.
This article is for a self-guided trip to Nuwara Eliya, but if you don’t have much time, you can also join a guided day trip from Kandy or Ella. Below are a few options:
A bit of history
Just as a bit of context, let’s see what makes Nuwara Eliya such a unique destination in Sri Lanka. You may already know that the British colonized Sri Lanka for over a century, after the Portuguese and the Dutch. The colonial era has shaped many parts of the country, but Nuwara Eliya is probably the place that bears the most pronounced traces.
The English explorer Samuel Baker founded the town of Nuwara Eliya in the mid-19th century. He chose this area because of its serene landscapes and ideal climate for tea plantations. However, in 1818, Dr. John Davy already talked about this area having a climate similar to England and plenty of animals for hunting, including elephants. The latter is what drove the Brits to the region.
Sitting at 1800 meters of elevation, Nuwara Eliya benefits from a more temperate climate, with much lower temperatures than the rest of Sri Lanka. Unlike the hot and humid weather in the south or along the coastlines, the area around Nuwara Eliya is cooler, with temperatures rarely over 23°C (73°F) and a very short, somewhat dry season between January and April.
With the guidance of Samuel Baker, Nuwara Eliya was born as a country retreat for British colonialists. They could enjoy the peaceful atmosphere, go hunting in the nearby forests, attend horse races, and play sports like cricket or golf. These pastimes are still visible nowadays in the golf courses and the racecourse right in the city center.
Why visit Nuwara Eliya
If you don’t play golf or like attending horse races, why should you even visit Nuwara Eliya? Well, I have a few reasons for you.
Firstly, Nuwara Eliya can provide a much-needed escape from the humid heat of the rest of Sri Lanka. I can’t begin to tell you the relief I felt when I got off the bus and felt the fresh air, or the gratitude when I had to wear my cardigan as I strolled along Gregory Lake one late afternoon. After spending nearly two months constantly sweating, this felt like heaven.
Secondly, the nature around Nuwara Eliya is incredible. Just outside the city center, you have vast tea plantations, beautiful hiking trails, and stunning waterfalls. Plus, you’re only a short bus ride away from national parks and forests.
Thirdly, you can escape the chaos of southern Sri Lanka or the bigger cities like Colombo and Kandy. Yes, the traffic on the main roads is still a bit chaotic, but you can just walk for a few minutes and enjoy quiet neighborhoods with beautiful villas. Also, the simple fact that you can walk anywhere is a huge change from staying on the southern coast.
Lastly, you get off the beaten tourist path. As I mentioned before, not many visitors go to Nuwara Eliya, so you can experience a more authentic side of Sri Lanka, albeit with the British colonialist architecture all around you. Even better if you stay in a guesthouse a bit outside the city center.
Things to do in Nuwara Eliya
Travelers who do end up visiting Nuwara Eliya mostly do so for the tea plantations and sometimes the hiking trails. But there is much more to discover in Sri Lanka’s Little England. Below are my favorite activities and a couple more ideas that I didn’t get the chance to try, but are on my list for the next trip.
Go for a walk around Lake Gregory
Gregory Lake is a large reservoir created by the British for irrigation and leisure activities. Aside from being a beautiful and serene spot for a walk, Lake Gregory offers plenty of activity options, from swan-shaped paddle boats to the more adventurous jet ski and speedboat rides.
The lake area has a small entry fee of 1000 LKR (roughly €2.5/US$3). I wasn’t expecting the fee, but I think it’s worth paying to enjoy exploring the area. As for the boat rides, prices range from 3000 to 6000 LKR, depending on the boat type.
Tour a tea plantation and factory
Touring a tea plantation is a must when visiting Nuwara Eliya. You can choose between a few options, the most popular being Pedro Tea Estate, close to the city center, Labookellie, about 30 minutes away by car, and Bluefield, roughly one hour away.
The easiest to visit is Pedro Tea Estate, which you can easily reach by bus or tuk-tuk from the city center. You must search for Pedro Tea Center and Factory on Google Maps. There is also a tea plantation closer to the city center, but that is not where the tours take place.
However, Labookellie and Bluefield, despite being farther away, may offer a better experience. I didn’t get a chance to visit these, but they have better reviews from visitors.
Tea plantation tours usually include a factory tour, an explanation about the process of cultivating and processing tea leaves, and a tasting experience. You will also be able to purchase tea at the end of the visit if you wish.
If you want to visit more than one tea plantation, you can also book an activity like these:
Hike to Lover’s Leap Waterfall
The hike to Lover’s Leap Waterfall was the highlight of my stay in Nuwara Eliya. More than the waterfall itself, which is amazing, I enjoyed the beautiful walk amongst the verdant tea plantations. Plus, there are no entry fees, so it’s a budget-friendly activity.
I was staying a bit outside of Nuwara Eliya, just a half-hour hike away from the waterfall. I headed out just after sunrise and enjoyed a delightful walk all by myself. I only met a few locals passing by and saw no other tourists, not even on my way back. I also had the waterfall all to myself!
A tragic legend surrounds Lover’s Leap waterfall. As the name suggests, two lovers leapt to their deaths from the 30-meter cascade after being forbidden to marry.
Enjoy a stroll around Victoria Park
Smack in the center of Nuwara Eliya is a vast green space with manicured lawns and beautiful flowers. The park, created in 1897, was dedicated to Queen Victoria for her Diamond Jubilee.
You can visit the park all year round, but spring, and particularly April, is when most flowers are in bloom, from vibrant orchids to beautiful roses. Victoria Park has a 1000 LKR (roughly €2.5/US$3) entry fee for foreigners.
Check out Colonial Architecture
One of the best things to do in Nuwara Eliya is to walk around town and admire the British colonial architecture. The Post Office building is one of the most iconic buildings. It was built in 1894 in the Tudor style with bright red bricks. You can also send postcards bearing a vintage stamp from here!
Other buildings worth checking out are the regal residence known as Queen’s Cottage, still used to receive dignitaries, and the Hill Club, a former gentlemen’s club turned hotel and restaurant. If you want to dine here, know that there’s a strict dress code. You can also visit the club, but you must book your tour in advance.
Explore Horton Plains National Park
Roughly a one-hour drive from Nuwara Eliya, you can go hiking in Horton Plains National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with sprawling grasslands and cloud forests.
The most popular spot is a cliff with a nearly 900-meter drop known as World’s End. On clear mornings, it offers sweeping views of central Sri Lanka’s lush mountainous regions. Along the hike, you can also visit the beautiful Baker’s Falls, named after Samuel Baker.
The downside of Horton Plains is that you can’t reach it by public transportation, so you must arrange a private transfer. Luckily, being such a popular destination, it’s not hard to find a tuk-tuk or car, which are typically offered by most accommodations. It’s also quite pricy, at around US$42 per person.
If you want to avoid the stress of planning everything, you can also join a guided tour. While it is more expensive, you don’t need to worry about finding transportation, and you can book it in advance.
Discover Hakgala Botanic Gardens
Established in 1861, Hakgala Botanic Gardens was initially a cinchona plantation, the plant used for malaria treatment. Later, it became one of Sri Lanka’s most popular botanical gardens, with a variety of orchids, ferns, and roses that thrive in the colder climate of this region.
The botanical garden is a bit outside of Nuwara Eliya, roughly a 15-minute drive. You can catch a bus to Hagkala and walk for about 15 minutes or hop on a tuk-tuk. The garden is open daily from 7.30 AM to 5 PM. Like other similar gardens in Sri Lanka, Hagkala Botanical Garden has a steeper entry fee. As of August 2025, a ticket for foreigners is 3540 LKR, which is roughly €10 or US$12.
Go for a walk around Galway’s Land National Park
A much smaller national park, but also easier to explore if you visit Nuwara Eliya by public transportation, Galway’s Land National Park spreads over only 27 hectares. Despite its small size, the park boasts impressive biodiversity and is home to many species of rare birds, including native and foreign species.
Galway’s Land is within the city limits, so you can easily reach it on foot from your accommodation. Whether you enjoy birdwatching or simply want to enjoy the beautiful nature, this is a serene spot to spend a few hours. The entry fee for foreigners is around US$12 as of 2025, so it may be a bit steep if you’re on a budget.
Visiting Nuwara Eliya in April
April in Nuwara Eliya is probably the best time to visit if you want to witness the festive atmosphere. It’s also when the city is the most crowded, so if escaping the crowds is what draws you to Nuwara Eliya, then this may not be the best time.
The Sinhala & Tamil New Year is in mid-April, so that adds to the festive atmosphere. But aside from the New Year’s celebrations, you can witness motor races, classic car shows, the Nuwara Eliya Flower Show in Victoria Park, cricket matches, and traditional music and dance shows.
Practical tips for your trip to Nuwara Eliya
Finally, here are a few tips to keep in mind when planning your trip to Nuwara Eliya.
When to visit Nuwara Eliya
Let’s start with the best time to visit Nuwara Eliya. I was there in early March, and the weather was great. It was sunny during the day but quite cold in the evenings and mornings. The weather was ideal for hiking and exploring. In general, the best time to visit is between February and April. Though the temperatures don’t vary much throughout the year, monsoons are more likely from July to October.
How to get to Nuwara Eliya
To reach Nuwara Eliya, you have a few options. If you want the most scenic way, you may want to catch the train from Ella or Kandy (or anywhere in between) and get off at Nanu Oya. From there, you can take a bus or a tuk-tuk. It’s only a 10-minute drive to Nuwara Eliya. You may want to book your train tickets a few days before if you want reserved seats.
Alternatively, many buses reach Nuwara Eliya from Ella, Kandy, or Hatton. Depending on your itinerary, a bus may be the more convenient option. The bus station in Nuwara Eliya is right next to Victoria Park.
Staying in Nuwara Eliya
There are plenty of accommodation choices in Nuwara Eliya, from budget guesthouses to beautiful hotels. If you’re only in town for a short time, I recommend finding accommodation in the city center. Otherwise, you can find nice guesthouses owned by locals just a short drive or a slightly longer walk from the city center. Below are a few options:
Getting around
If you pick accommodation close to the city center, you can walk pretty much everywhere in Nuwara Eliya. That’s one great thing that sets this city apart from others in Sri Lanka, and I love it!
If you stay farther from the city center, like I did, you can usually catch a bus or a tuk-tuk to get around. Ask at your accommodation for the best way to get around, as not all local buses show up on Google Maps.
Dining
There is a nice mix of budget-friendly traditional restaurants and international cuisines in Nuwara Eliya. Guesthouses often also offer dining options, and if you get the choice, I highly recommend that. Eating a home-cooked meal in Sri Lanka is an incredible experience, even better than restaurants! But here are also a few dining options:
Where else to go in central Sri Lanka
Your visit to Nuwara Eliya will likely be part of a longer trip around central Sri Lanka. Kandy and Ella are among the top destinations in this area, so you shouldn’t miss them. If you can go further north, I highly recommend checking out Dambulla and Sigiriya.
If you need help planning your Sri Lanka trip, check out my detailed 2-week itinerary or sign up for my newsletter here, and I’ll send you a condensed version in PDF format.
Also, if you plan to hike around Ella, I have a dedicated guide on the two top hikes, Little Adam’s Peak and Ella Rock.
That’s it for this one. I hope you have an incredible trip to the beautiful island country of Sri Lanka!
Travel Resources
| Website/App | Category | Description | Book here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Booking.com | Accommodation | My go-to website for a wide range of accommodation options. | Find a Place |
| Agoda | Accommodation | A great alternative for accommodation throughout Asia. | Find a Place |
| Kiwi.com | Flights | My new favorite platform for finding affordable flights. | Find Flights |
| 12Go | Transportation | You can use it for some transportation options in Sri Lanka | Transportation |
| SafetyWing | Insurance | One of the best travel medical insurances for frequent travelers. | Get Insured |
| GetYourGuide | Activities | My favorite platform for tours and experiences with lots of options. | Experiences |
| Viator | Activities | A great alternative for activities all over the world. | Experiences |
| DiscoverCars | Car rental | Car rental platform for great deals anywhere in the world. | Rent a Car |
| Airalo | eSIM | My favorite app for buying digital SIM cards when traveling abroad. | Get an eSIM |
| Saily | eSIM | A great alternative to Airalo, with cheaper plans in some destinations. | Get an eSIM |
| PickMe | Ride hailing | The main ride-hailing app in Sri Lanka. Pay cash or register your card. | Book a ride |
| Uber | Ride hailing | Uber works in some locations across Sri Lanka. Tuk-tuks available. | Book a ride |
| Xe | Currency | A currency converter showing real-time rates. Website or app. | Get Xe App |
| Maps.Me | Navigation | My favorite navigation app for hiking trails and remote areas. | Get Maps |
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