Ella has all the best parts of Sri Lanka rolled into one: beautiful jungle mountains, rolling tea plantations, and epic waterfalls. As one of the biggest tea producers, we loved spending our days among the greenest surroundings, enjoying the views from hilltop guesthouses and adventurous hiking trails. Even the train ride to Ella was one of the most remarkable experiences on our Sri Lanka route! Discover our top things to do in Ella, hotels, and where to eat.
Things to do in Ella, Sri Lanka
Ella is full of amazing things to do, from hiking the green mountain peaks to jumping in refreshing waterfalls. The town itself has a bustling atmosphere, with plenty of great cafes and restaurants to enjoy after a day in nature. Here are our top things to do in Ella, Sri Lanka.
1. Climb up Little Adam’s Peak
Little Adam’s Peak may be smaller than its bigger sibling, Adam’s Peak, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less impressive. The stunning ridge is made up of three green peaks that tower above the valley below.
The hike to the top was one of our absolute favorites in Sri Lanka! The trail leads you through incredible nature, passing through local villages, tea plantations, and long grass fields. Reaching the top is a feeling like no other; it’s a chance to take in the sensational panoramic views and feel as if you’re on top of the world!
From Ella Town to the foot of the mountain, it is around a 45-minute walk. From the base to the top, it took us approximately 15 minutes (or 30 minutes to reach the furthest of the 3 peaks). See the complete route here
After your beautiful hike, look out for 98 Acres Resort on your return journey. This is a lovely spot to enjoy a coffee or a locally made tea with a view.
Tip: They also have beautiful rooms if you’re looking for somewhere to stay on your trip (reserve 98 Acres Resort here).
2. Walk Along the Rails of Nine Arch Bridge, Ella
Nine Arch Bridge is iconic in Ella and famous worldwide for its beauty. The impressive bridge is 25 meters high and a mammoth 91 meters long! Located just outside Ella Town and on the same route as Little Adam’s Peak, you’ll find it hidden up in the dense green hills among low-lying clouds.
We explored it ourselves by walking to the top and back. You can see the complete route here, which takes about 30 minutes in total.
Alternatively, join this popular day tour that visits the bridge and Little Adam’s Peak.
Walk through the beautiful bamboo forest before reaching the postcard-worthy setting. We were blown away by the beauty of the stone arches and loved waving at the people passing by on the historic blue train. This is one of the best places to visit in Sri Lanka!
Tip: If you (like me!) find any excuse to stop for a drink, you can buy refreshments at one of the hilltop cafes and wait here for the train to pass.
3. Endless Tea Field Views at Lipton’s Seat
Lipton’s Seat in Haputale is the perfect morning or afternoon trip from Ella. Jump on the train to Haputale (check the timetable beforehand) and take a tuk-tuk to the stunning viewpoint above Lipton tea plantation. Here is the exact location.
Lipton’s Seat is where Thomas Lipton (a famous tea producer) would sit and admire his beautiful tea fields. It’s also the site where he planted the first seeds of Sri Lanka‘s biggest export. It’s easy to see why he chose this spot when you look down on the endless green fields of tea, with neat rows of bushes and smiling, hard-working locals picking leaves.
Afterward, we arranged a tour to take us around the local tea factories nearby. Here, you can learn more about the history and production of tea and try it, of course!
Book this popular tour of a tea factory near Ella (including tea tasting)
4. Diyaluma Falls, 2nd Highest Waterfall in Sri Lanka
Diyaluma Falls is a top thing to do in Ella and the 2nd highest waterfall in all of Sri Lanka. It’s the perfect opportunity to get out amongst nature and follow this hike to the top of the waterfall.
At the foot, enjoy the roaring power of the water falling onto the rocks. At the top, you’ll feel on top of the world as you explore the three natural infinity pools stretched out onto the cliff edge.
Many people told us about this spot, but nothing prepared me for how beautiful swimming in these pools is! Although I’m a little afraid of heights, I still braved looking down 220 meters below; it’s one of those travel memories that I’ll never forget.
Diyaluma is just a one-hour drive out of Ella. Once you’ve reached the base, you can drive 30 minutes to the top and hike 45 minutes along the trail to reach the pools. Without a tuk-tuk, the entire hike from bottom to top is around 2 hours.
5. Join a Cooking Class at Ella Spice Garden
Sri Lankan cuisine is up there with some of the best in the world (an explosion of flavor and packed full of veggies, which is perfect for pescatarians like us!). Whenever we’re in Sri Lanka, we try to do a cooking class to learn from a local, so that we can use the recipes when we get back to the Netherlands. It’s also a great way to meet new people!
Our recommendation: Learn about the local ingredients by joining a cooking class at Ella Spice Garden. Make sure to book in advance because this class books up quickly!
Tip: If Ella Spice Garden is not available book this popular cooking class in Ella easily online.
6. Take a Refreshing Natural Shower at Ravana Falls
Ravana Falls may be smaller than Diyaluma, but it’s still jaw-droppingly beautiful. The falls are made up of three tiers, with water cascading between several rock pools, creating the perfect place to swim. Cooling off from the tropical afternoon heat is pure bliss!
We don’t recommend that you climb any further than the first tier (signs warn you of the dangers), and there are only small muddy trails leading further up the hillside. Additionally, make sure to bring suitable footwear so that you can jump in and out of the pools with ease.
How to get there: Ravana Falls is just 10 minutes down the winding hill from Ella. You can jump in a tuk-tuk or take the public bus from Ella Town.
7. Flying Ravana Zip Line
The Flying Ravana zip line is one of the top things to do in Ella for adrenaline seekers and adventurers! The extraordinary zip line runs for over half a kilometer, sits 82 meters high, and boasts speeds of up to 80km; it’s the closest you’ll get to flying
This was very doable even for me (someone with a fear of heights). I actually loved zipping high over the treetops and looking down on the valley below. Best of all, it’s only a 10-minute drive out of Ella town, so it’s the perfect activity for an afternoon in Ella.
8. Hike to the top of Ella Rock
Wherever you are in Ella, you’ll always feel the magnificent presence of the towering Ella Rock. The beautiful green mountain is one of the most popular hikes and one of the best things to do in Ella.
We found this one of the most adventurous hikes in the area, as the trail is incredibly natural and overgrown, which we loved! Here is the complete route (it took us about 2 hours from Ella to the summit).
The trail passes along train tracks through long grass fields and dense forest. Once you reach the top, you can dangle your legs off the rock and look down at the valley below. It was such an incredible feeling!
Note: It’s a good idea to start the hike as early as possible in the morning to avoid the hot sun. Make sure also to pack layers (and snacks for someone who gets ‘hangry’ like me!), as it will be cold in the early hours and much hotter as you descend. Ensure you follow this route and download Google Maps offline or get directions from your guesthouse manager.
Also read: The Best places to visit in Sri Lanka
9. Explore Ella Town
The town of Ella has to be one of the most picturesque settings in Sri Lanka. Aside from the incredible nature that draws travelers from all over the world, the town has an entertaining atmosphere with great cafes and restaurants.
Tip: Although we’re not big nightlife people, we loved the lively bars on the main street. Cafe Chill was one of our personal favorites, serving tasty cocktails, smoothies, international cuisine — and playing music into the early hours. Reserve a table here
If you happen to be in Ella on a Wednesday, the town puts on a small market in the mornings. Passara Road (Ella Super) becomes lined with small stalls selling clothing, fresh vegetables, herbs, and fruits.
10. Take the Train from Kandy to Ella
It’s not often that the journey itself is one of the top things to do – but Ella is the exception! Enjoy the iconic journey from Kandy to Ella on the old-fashioned colorful train, with the doors open and the wind through your hair. We’ve done this train trip a few times now, and each time is even better than before!
Pass through the jungle, rolling tea hills, and over breathtaking viaducts before reaching beautiful Ella.
Bring some cash with you, as at each station, local vendors will climb on board to sell a variety of delicious Sri Lankan snacks. This can be anything from spicy Rotis to sambal wrapped in banana leaves or newspaper. The snacks are cheap, tasty, and a great way to support the local economy. Note: These snacks can be very spicy – we’ve been surprised a few times, so enjoy with caution (!).
Where to Stay in Ella, Sri Lanka?
Ella is full of fantastic accommodation options, from budget guesthouses to luxury resorts with swimming pools and beautiful views. It can be fun to stay in the hillside guesthouses outside of town, where you’ll have great views and easy access to hiking trails. (See all hotels in Ella)
Tip: Tuk-tuks are everywhere, and your guesthouse can arrange for one to take you to town if you want to eat out in the evenings.
How to Visit Ella, Sri Lanka
To get to Ella in Sri Lanka, take the breathtaking train from Kandy (get your tickets here). You can also take the train directly from Colombo to Ella, which is a beautiful journey through the highlands. (Get your tickets here)
Getting around in Ella
Once you’re in Ella, everywhere can be walked to on foot. Alternatively, you can get reasonably priced tuk-tuks from the town out to the must-see sights.
Tip: There is also the option to book a private driver for the entirety of your trip (very reasonably priced in Sri Lanka and a great way to learn about the country from a local).
Best Cafes & Restaurants in Ella
Ella is a top-rated destination for travelers and, because of this, has a variety of restaurants selling different cuisines. Some of our top recommendations are:
If you want to try some beautiful local delicacies, Ella has got lovely locally run cafes. However, if you’ve been on the backpacking trail for a while, you can also find your Western favorites.
Best Time to Visit Ella
With its warm days and cool nights, the weather in Ella, Sri Lanka, is always perfect. However, the green lusciousness of the area does mean there’s plenty of rain too, although it never lasts for long!
The wet season is from September to December, so we recommend visiting in the drier months of January to May. During this time, it’s busier in Ella, and the waterfalls have less water. However, we found it the best time for hiking!
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Any idea where to stay
Hi Manel, we have an whole paragraph dedicated to it here: https://www.saltinourhair.com/sri-lanka/ella-sri-lanka/