Nuwaraeliya, Sri Lanka Central Province Mountainous City
Best time to visitFebruary to April; April is the busy holiday season
Getting thereAbout 170 km from Colombo, 4.5–5 hours by road; train to Nanu Oya
Recommended stay2 days
Welcome to Nuwaraeliya
Discover Nuwaraeliya
Nuwara Eliya sits at about 1,870 metres in the heart of the tea country. It was founded as a cool retreat by the British, who left behind red-brick buildings, a golf course, a racecourse and a lake that earned it the name 'Little England'.
Rolling tea estates, waterfalls and misty mountains surround the town. Tour a tea factory, row on Gregory Lake, take a dawn trip to Horton Plains and World's End, and pick strawberries on a hillside farm. Pack a warm layer, because the evenings are cool.
Kura's tip
Leave very early for Horton Plains, as World's End is usually covered in mist by about 10 am.
Top attractions
Things to see in Nuwaraeliya
16 highlights, from must-see landmarks to local favourites. Tap any photo to view it larger.
Lake
Gregory Lake
A pretty lake in the middle of town with lakeside paths, swan boats, pony rides and picnic lawns.
Activity
Gregory Lake Boat Ride
Take a rowing boat, pedal boat or speedboat out on Gregory Lake, with the mountains all around.
Nature
Galway's Land Bird Sanctuary
A small forest sanctuary on the edge of town, home to many endemic highland birds.
Colonial heritage
Nuwara Eliya Post Office
A Tudor-style post office from 1894, one of the most photographed buildings in town and still in use.
Farm
Strawberry Farm
Pick strawberries and enjoy strawberry desserts at a hillside farm in the cool climate.
Viewpoint
Moon Plains
A high grassland with a 360-degree viewpoint over the mountains and tea country.
Mountain
Piduruthalagala
Sri Lanka's highest mountain at 2,524 metres, towering over Nuwara Eliya.
Ramayana
Seetha Amman Temple
A colourful Hindu temple by a stream, where legend says Sita was held captive by Ravana.
Waterfall
Lover's Leap Falls
A waterfall behind tea estates, tied to a local legend of two lovers. It's a short walk from town.
Waterfall
Bomburu Ella
A wide, many-streamed waterfall in a remote valley, reached by a scenic drive and a short hike.
Waterfall
Devon Falls
An elegant 97-metre waterfall named after an English planter, best seen from the roadside viewpoint.
Waterfall
St. Clair's Falls
One of the widest waterfalls in Sri Lanka, known as the 'Little Niagara of Sri Lanka'.
UNESCO heritage
Horton Plains National Park
A high plateau of grassland and cloud forest, with a dramatic sheer drop at World's End and the lovely Baker's Falls.
Hike
Single Tree Hill
An easy hike through tea plantations to a hilltop with views over the town and the lake.
Farm
Ambewela Farm
A dairy farm on green, rolling pastures that looks more like New Zealand than the tropics.
Waterfall
Nanu Oya Falls
A waterfall close to the Nanu Oya railway station, the gateway to Nuwara Eliya by train.
Signature experience
Ceylon Tea Plantation in Nuwaraeliya
Visit Sri Lanka’s tea plantations, where centuries-old tea cultivation techniques are perfected. The picturesque highlands offer stunning views of rolling hills, mountains, and valleys. Discover the history and process of tea production, including the meticulous plucking of tea leaves, withering, rolling, fermenting, and drying. Visit a tea factory to witness the machinery and craftsmanship involved in producing various types of tea, including white and black. Engage with knowledgeable guides to learn about different grades, flavors, and factors contributing to Ceylon tea’s unique taste and aroma. Stroll through scenic gardens and capture stunning photographs of emerald green landscapes. Enjoy a freshly brewed Ceylon tea at an estate tea house, Savouring the rich flavors and aromatic nuances of one of the world’s finest teas.
Kura’s Hillside Honeymoon. Kandy, Nuwaraeliya, Ella, Belihuloya & Bentota
Kura’s Leisure. Sigiriya, Kandy, Nuwaraeliya, Kithulgala & Bentota
Kura’s Culture. Negombo, Anuradhapura, Mannar, Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Kandy, Nuwaraeliya, Ella, Tissamaharama, Galle & Colombo
Kura’s Adventure. Negombo, Kithulgala, Nuwaraeliya, Ella, Haputale, Udawalawa, Mirissa & Bentota
