Heritage sites? Yes

Mountains? Yes

Tropical jungles? Yes

Wildlife? Yes

Delicious food? YES!

Sri Lanka is an amalgamation of everything making it a perfect vacation for adventure seekers, heritage enthusiasts, wildlife lovers and families who want a peaceful getaway or staycation.

If this is your first time planning a trip to Sri Lanka, I would suggest spending at least one week in Sri Lanka to cover the highlights. 

Although my last blog covers a detailed Sri Lanka Travel Guide, this blog covers a one week Sri Lanka itinerary covering a bit of everything based on my visit.

SRI LANKA ITINERARY | SRI LANKA TRIP PLANNING ESSENTIALS

Best time to visit Sri Lanka

The best time to visit Sri Lanka is during the late winter to spring season, specifically December through March. These months offer dry and comfortable weather, making it ideal for exploring the country’s many historic sites and cultural attractions. 

Avoiding the summer months can also help you avoid the high temperatures and humidity that can make sightseeing more difficult.

Sri Lanka Visa

Citizens of most countries need to apply for an E-visa also known as Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)  for Sri Lanka. This is a seamless and straightforward process wherein visitors need to fill up a basic form with information and pay the fees. The visa can be obtained here.

How to get to Sri Lanka

Being an island country, the only way to get to Sri Lanka is by flight. The country is well serviced with all the major airlines in Asia. Visitors will fly into Bandaranaike International Airport, Colombo, that is at Katunayake, 30 km north of the capital Colombo.

Flights to Sri Lanka are quite affordable from India, with one-way flights from Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai to Colombo starting at around $150 – $350 (INR 12,000 – 28000). 

Their national airlines – Sri Lankan Airlines has direct flights to Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai in India. Other carriers that fly into Colombo are Spicejet, Air India, Vistara and Indigo from many cities of India.

Transport in Sri Lanka | How to get around in Sri Lanka

Transport within Sri Lanka has many options  – train, bus or taxi. How to travel in Sri Lanka out of these options around Sri Lanka depends on your budget, where you want to go, and how much time you have. 

The best way to travel in Sri Lanka is to hire a taxi and driver between most of the destinations. If budget is the constraint then choosing the train is ideal. Within the city travel can be taken up by tuk-tuk or Uber (app based taxi).

Sri Lanka has an excellent transportation infrastructure, including trains that connect the south to north and east to west. All the major cities and towns are well connected. These trains are comfortable, mostly on time, and are a great way to explore the country. Trains are the primary mode of transportation between cities in Sri Lanka. Colombo to Ella by train is a very popular train route.

Railway tickets in Sri Lanka can be booked via the official website here. 

Make sure you book train tickets at least a month in advance, especially during season time as the seats get filled quickly.

Accommodation in Sri Lanka | Where to stay in Sri Lanka

Accommodation to suit any budget can be found in Sri Lanka, from luxury hotels to affordable backpacking hostels. 

Being an extremely tourist friendly country, the accommodation options in Sri Lanka are very good, clean and affordable. One can find nice luxury hotels for less than $100 per night. Hostels can be hit or miss, so if you’re on a budget I suggest opting for AirBnB apartments in Colombo and guest houses in Polonnaruwa.

HOTELS + GUESTHOUSES | Search for the best hotels and guesthouses as follows:

READ | My suggestion on where to stay in Dambulla –  Jetwing Dambulla Review

ONE WEEK IN SRI LANKA ITINERARY (HERITAGE HIGHLIGHTS)

Here’s a detailed map of one week in Sri Lanka itinerary, that was mostly concentrated in the heart of Sri Lanka. It covers each aspect of our three week Sri Lanka itinerary below and will help you plan the ultimate Sri Lanka trip.

DAY BY DAY ONE WEEK IN SRI LANKA ITINERARY

DAY 1 | Arrival in Colombo and exploring the city highlights

Visitors will probably arrive in the morning to Colombo leaving them an entire day to explore the highlights in Colombo. It is best to stay the night to rest and recoup and leave early in the morning on the next day.

Places to visit in Colombo in 1 day include:

INDEPENDENCE SQUARE | Independence square, also known as the Independence Memorial Hall is a national monument in Sri Lanka. It was built to commemorate the country’s independence from British rule in 1948. Lion structure in stone guards the square beyond which there is a recreational park and manicured lawns where families now enjoy their evenings.

LOTUS TOWER | One of the popular tourist attractions in Colombo, Lotus Tower stands at 350 meters. The design is inspired by the Lotus flower which symbolizes purity within Sri Lankan culture. A revolving restaurant is the highlight of the tower. Other things in the tower include a communication museum, supermarkets, food courts, hotel rooms, and ballrooms. The view of the Indian ocean from the tower is another highlight not to be missed.

GALLE FACE GREEN | Galle Face is an ocean-side urban park, overlooking many luxurious resorts. Visiting at sunset is the best way to spend time. Pick some snacks from the local street vendors and end the day with the beautiful sunset. 

PETTAH MARKETS | Situated in one of the oldest parts of Colombo, Pettah markets sell everything from fresh produce to clothing. There is no dearth of shopping for Sri Lankan souvenirs and trying some local street food.

JAMI UL-ALFAR MASJID | Located in Pettah, this Red mosque is extremely popular. Built in 1908, the mosque’s tall minarets and domes in unique colour patterns and architecture makes it a must visit in Colombo. 

NATIONAL MUSEUM | A good place to get an understanding of Sri Lanka’s rich and diverse history, from ancient kingdoms to colonial times. Owing to the sheer size and information of the museum, one will require atleast a couple of hours here.

VIHARAMAHADEVI PARK | Situated next to the national museum of Colombo, it is Colombo’s largest public park. The beautiful colonial-era Town Hall is exactly in front of this park.

WHERE TO STAY IN COLOMBO

Lost & Found – Colombo

A lovely local house turned into a guest house, there are 3 rooms up for grabs. It is centrally located, is air conditioned and and serves delicious food. It can be booked here.

Alma Boutique Hostel – Colombo

Located 34 km from Bandaranaike International Airport, the hostel is an 8-minute walk from Bambalapitiya Beach and less than 1 km from Bambalapitiya Railway Station. Nearby attractions include Barefoot Gallery and The Independence Square. It can be booked here. 

Taj Samudra

One of the most luxurious properties in Colombo, the hotel is located right across Galle Face Beach. The property has a pool, spa and indoor game options. There are 2 restaurants that cook up quite a storm with lip-smackingly delicious Sri Lankan and global cuisine. 

I stayed here for a night and it was extremely comfortable and cozy. The buffet dinner and breakfast spread was amazing! The property can be booked here.

DAY 2 | Visit Ridi Viharaya and Rock Cave Temple of Dambulla

Leave Colombo and head north to Ridi Viharaya. Also known as the Silver Temple, it is a 2nd-century Buddhist temple. It is a perfect amalgamation of nature, history and religion in one place. Overlooking the unparalleled mountains, the temple has a rest house where devotees can stay and meditate. 

Timings – 7:00 am – 7:00 pm every day 

Ticket Cost – Free

After spending the morning in Ridi Viharaya, head to the cave temples of Dambulla. Dambulla is the famous royal rock temple complex that is home to some of the most impressive historical artwork in Sri Lanka. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the cave temples are atop a 160m rock and contains five separate caves with over 150 Buddhist statues and paintings. There are murals and sculptures depicting Buddha’s life.

The views from the top are incredible, overlooking the surrounding valley, with Sigiriya in the distance.

On the foothills of the cave mountain is a Golden Buddha temple that is also popular.

Timings – 7:00 am – 7:00 pm every day (ticket counter closes 5:00 pm) 

Ticket Cost – LKR 1,500 (USD 4.8)

WHERE TO STAY IN DAMBULLA 

Dambulla City Hostel

Located in Dambulla, there is a garden, shared lounge, terrace and free WiFi. They also offer Asian breakfast. The property can be booked here.

Jetwing Lake Dambulla

A sustainable property that is perfectly located along the tourist sites, I stayed here for 3 nights exploring the world heritage sites. It is an idyllic property with amazing views of a lake from all rooms. A huge infinity pool also is alluring. The food is delicious with a mix of Sri Lankan and world cuisine. 

The property can be booked here.

DAY 3 | Mihintale and Anuradhapura

Known as the cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, Mihintale, it was here that the Indian missionary Mahinda, met and converted King Devanampiyatissa in 247 BC, establishing Buddhism as the island’s state religion. One needs to climb stairs to reach the peak and there are many sites on the peak to visit, ancient monastery, stupas, statues, Arhat Mahinda Cave, etc.

Timings – 7:00 am – 5:30 pm every day 

Ticket Cost – 1000 LKR (USD 3.25)

The ancient capital of Sri Lanka, Anuradhapura is famous for having the ruins that are preserved really well of the Sinhala civilization. It has the second-highest stupa and remains an influential site of worship. Some of the must visit places in Anuradhapura are Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi tree, Jetawanaramaya, Isurumuniya temple, The Star Gate of Ancient Anuradhapura, Vessagiriya Buddhist forest monastery complex, Samadhi Buddha statue, Abhayagiri Stupa, Sandakada Pahana (Moonstone) and Eth Pokuna.

Timings – 7:00 am – 5:30 pm every day 

Ticket Cost – 25 USD

WHERE TO STAY IN ANURADHAPURA

It is best to stay put in the Dambulla / Habarana area and do a day trip to Anuradhapura. Check out the suggestions above. 

DAY 4 | Polonnaruwa and Minneriya National Park

Polonnaruwa was the old capital of Sri Lanka and was built between the 10th and 12th centuries. It is now surrounded by an abundance of greenery where the ancient and sacred ruins of Polonnaruwa such as temples, religious buildings, palaces, and water tanks lay still. It would be ideal to spend 2 days in Polonnaruwa, however the highlights can be covered within less than a day. Places to visit in Polonnaruwa include – The Royal Palace of King, Council Chamber, Kumara Pokuna (The Royal Bath), The Sacred Quadrangle, The Vatadage, The Hatadage, The Atadage, Nissankalata Mandapa, Galpota (Stone Book), Rankot Vihara, Siva Devalaya and Gal Vihara.

Timings – 7:00 am – 5:30 pm every day 

Ticket cost – 25 USD

After spending half a day in Anuradhapura, head to Minneriya National Park to watch the largest gathering of Asian Elephants against the breathtakingly beautiful Minneriya Reservoir. Other than elephants, there are chances of sighting leopards and many other birds and mammals.

Best to visit Minneriya is between May and September with its peak in August and September. Minneriya offers two types of safaris. 3 hours and 6 hours (or half day). Visitors can choose the time: 6 am or 3 pm as per their suitability for the 3 hour safari.

Timings – 6:00 am – 6:00 pm every day 

Ticket Cost – 65 USD

WHERE TO STAY IN MINNERIYA

It is best to stay put in the Dambulla / Habarana area and do a day trip to Polonnaruwa. Check out the suggestions above.

DAY 5 | Sigiriya Rock Fortress and Kandy

Next stop on this Sri Lankan itinerary is one of the must visit places in Sri Lanka : Sigiriya. While some people love exploring Sigiriya in the evening to check out the sunset, some prefer the morning because it’s cooler and much more comfortable. One can easily spend half a day climbing the steep 1200 steps, explore the caves at base, cave paintings at the tops, appreciate the views from the peak and come back.

Sigiriya is an ancient palace and fortress. It was built in 480 AD atop a unique rock island that rises 200 meters above the jungle below.

Also known as ‘Lion Rock’ which is also its literal translation, Sigiriya is full of myths and legends from the bygone era. It is also a representation of triumphs and defeats, and the historical importance of Buddhism to the local area. 

Timings – 6:00 am – 6:00 pm every day 

Ticket Cost – 30 USD

WHERE TO STAY IN SIGIRIYA

It is best to stay put in the Dambulla / Habarana area and do a day trip to Sigiriya. Check out the suggestions above. 

Drive 90 km to Kandy to reach Sri Dalada Maligawa also known as Tooth Relic temple. It is one of the most important religious sites in Sri Lanka and devotees from all over the country pay annual visits here. Visiting this temple is one of the best things to do in Kandy. It has a stunning interior, with ornate wood carvings, beautiful marble statues, elaborate wall paintings, and an amazing history.

Timings – 5:30 am – 8:00 pm every day 

Ticket Cost – 2000 LKR (USD 6.5)

DAY 6 | Kandy City Sightseeing

Kandy is one of the eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the country. This is exactly why it is featured in one week in the Sri Lanka itinerary.

There is no dearth of places to visit in Kandy, as there are options for hiking, cultural entertainment, nature walk, temple run, and culinary trails. Some of the tourist places in Kandy include:

ROYAL BOTANICAL GARDENS OF PERADENIYA | As the name suggests, the garden was exclusively reserved for Kandyan royals but with time it kept getting bigger and became open for the locals. The garden is spread over 147 acres of land and there are over 10,000 trees that attract over 1.2 million visitors. 

KANDY LAKE | Kandy lake is an artificial lake that was built in the 18th century. Overlooking the city’s landmarks, the lake which lies in the heart of Kandy is the perfect place to watch the sky change its colours while the city goes about its daily routine. 

KANDY BUDDHA STATUE | At 88 feet, this is the biggest Buddha statue in Sri Lanka. The statue is nestled within the hilltops, in the shadow of the Knuckles mountain range. The top can easily be reached by car or motorbike, and a small climb up the stairs will be rewarded with a panoramic view of the city.

LANKATHILAKA TEMPLE | Perched on a rocky outcrop, this 14th-century temple is one-half Buddhist, one-half Hindu, and incorporates a number of historically significant relics, including a seated Buddha image, rock-face inscriptions featuring both Sinhala and Tamil section, and stone Elephant figures. 

EMBEKKE DEVALAYA | This is a Hindu temple dedicated to Mahasen. The temple is famous for its carved wooden pillars. Each carving is fascinating that depicts humans, animals, and geometric patterns.

VISIT GEM MUSEUM | Sri Lanka is a land of gemstones, With over 25 gemstones being mined from the country. There are many gemstone stores in Kandy that have an in-house museum, a showcase of documentary demonstrating the mining process, workshop visit and showroom for sale

KANDY CULTURAL PERFORMANCE | A cultural dance performance is conducted highlighting the country’s religious, folk and acrobatics. High on local folk music, ethnic wear, and spectacular dance moves all in perfect harmony, the performance is nothing less than a spectacle.

WHERE TO STAY IN KANDY

Kandy Backpackers Hostel

Located very close to the city centre and just 1 km from the Kandy lake, Kandy Back Packer’s Hostel has air conditioned dorms and private rooms.. It also features stable and complimentary WiFi access and private parking, a common lounge, rooftop terrace, small library, shared kitchen and a year round outdoor pool. The property can be booked here.

Mahaweli Reach

Situated on the banks of Mahaweli river, this is a luxurious property. With lush gardens and a huge swimming pool, the hotel is popular among the locals for weddings too.

The rooms are extremely spacious and comfortable at Mahaweli Reach. And the food buffet at breakfast and dinner is incredible too. They even have live music at dinner making it a very special dining experience. The property can be booked here.

Mountbatten Bungalow

Mountbatten Bungalow is a restored colonial villa that still has its rustic charms. A 12-room property overlooking Kandy town, the surrounding of the property is a forest area and tea gardens.

The best feature is the 6 garden chalets that give a feeling of living in a forest guest room. The property can be booked here.

DAY 7 | Negombo

While this is a heritage highlights itinerary, it is only fair to pay a visit to at least one of the beaches in Sri Lanka. Located closer to the Bandaranaike International Airport, spending half a day or one relaxing day here before catching a flight back home makes sense.

Book a sea front facing resort and get a spa done to rejuvenate for the flight back home. Or catch up on some more sightseeing in Negombo. Some of the places to visit in Negombo are Negombo Lagoon, Muthurajawela Marsh, St. Mary’s Church, Negombo Beach and Negombo Fish Market.

WHERE TO STAY IN NEGOMBO

Jetwing Blue Negombo

Situated right on the Negombo Beach, the hotel provides a beautiful view of the Negombo Beach. One can watch the sunset while the fishing boats go about doing their business. The hotel also has 2 swimming pools very close to the beach. Jetwing Blue can be booked here.

SUSTAINABLE TIPS FOR SPENDING ONE WEEK IN SRI LANKA

• Avoid polythene bags so do not use single-use or disposable plastic. Dispose of biscuit wrappers, wafer packets, and juice boxes in designated bins. Do not litter the highways, places of tourist interest or riverbanks.
• Respect nature during adventure activities and do not harm it in any form. A single cigarette butt can give rise to fires hurting the economy of the entire region.
• Since most religious places follow Buddhism, respect their dress code – white or light-colored clothes and covering shoulders and knees. remove footwear before entering temples.
• Tips are encouraged in public washrooms near areas of interest, for performers, and even for guides.

I hope this guide and itinerary on One week in Sri Lanka will help you to plan your trip.

Disclosure: I was invited by Destination Sri Lanka to explore Sri Lanka. However, all opinions in this post are unbiased and of my own. Special thanks to the team for taking care of everything during this trip.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. It means it adds no extra cost to you if you book through the link but I get a referral bonus which helps me earn a little to keep this website up and running.

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