Jaffna is definitely the most unique city we came across in Sri Lanka. We allocated extra time to visit, as it’s located on the very northern tip, close to India, which you can really see in the architecture and food. It only opened to tourists in 2009, so it still feels really authentic! We stayed for 2-3 days, which was enough to get a feel for the city, all the unique things to do, and places to eat.
Best Things to do in Jaffna
1. Visit the Local Market
We started our Jaffna experience by immersing ourselves in local life at the market. We found everyone to be so positively surprised to see our faces; from the moment we began talking with vendors, they instantly opened up. Buy some fruit and start a conversation with these lovely people. Here’s the location.
2. Relax at the Beach and a Natural Pool
One of the highlights was our trip to Kankesanthurai Beach, home to crystal clear waters and soft white sand.
- It took us about a 25-minute drive from the city, and it was the perfect way to escape the heat.
- A full tuk-tuk day trip cost us between 750 and 1500 LKR.
- We also saw the option to rent a motorbike in town. If you don’t feel confident to ride a motorbike alone, join this private motorcycle tour of Jaffna’s top sights.
- After the beach, we visited Keerimalai Pond, a breathtaking natural swimming pool.
3. Visit the Nallur Kandaswamy Temple
We discovered this beautiful Hindu Temple by chance as we were driving around the city (it’s about 10 minutes from the center). We found the exterior the most impressive, but you can also visit the interior (remember to take your shoes off).
Tip: We didn’t visit in August, but we were told there’s a colorful 25-day festival during this time (Nallur festival). Learn more about the festival and other events here.
4. Eat Indian-Influenced Food
While we knew Sri Lanka bordered India, we didn’t realize Jaffna would have so much Indian influence. The best way to experience this is through the delicious food!
- Mangos: Try their Thali! We were offered 10 small bowls with different flavors + rice. (Here is the exact location)
- Rio Ice Cream: Just a 30-minute walk from Mangos. They have many flavors, but be warned; this is not your Italian gelato. It’s more like an American sundae.
- Malayan Cafe: This was the most authentic experience we had; it’s mainly locals and always busy. They serve all kinds of bread on a banana leaf.
5. Visit One of the Local Islands
One of the best things to do in Jaffna is to visit one of the local islands. While we didn’t have time to do this ourselves, we were told to choose either Nainativu or Delft Island.
- Nainativu Island can be visited by a short boat trip from the Kurikadduwan Jetty. Visit the temple or do an island tour.
- Delft Island is named after a city in the Netherlands. There’s wild horses and an old Portuguese Fort. The boat trip takes about 1 hour, and there are no places to buy snacks or drinks on this island, so make sure to bring your own.
6. See the Public Library and Clock Tower
We came across these architectural gems as we were walking around town:
- Old Public Library (in the center of Jaffna). Admission is free.
- Clock Tower, which was built to commemorate the visit of the Prince of Wales. At night, this looks really impressive when it’s lit up in various colors.
7. See the Dutch Fort
We walked 10 minutes from the public library to visit the old Dutch Fort, built in 1619. We think it’s so important to learn about the turbulent history in Jaffna, so we recommend a visit.
There’s a small museum inside the star-shaped fort is excellent for a quick walkthrough; we paid around 4 USD. We found the views of the Jaffna lagoon the most impressive, though. Sunset here is magical.
Where to Stay in Jaffna
Most guesthouses and hotels are situated a little outside of the center. Because Jaffna is less popular than other places in Sri Lanka, accommodation is also far cheaper! (See all hotels in Jaffna)
Our recommendation: We stayed at Jetwing Hotel, which is modern and has a beautiful rooftop bar. You don’t have to be a guest to use this (reserve your table in advance here).
How to Visit Jaffna
We traveled around Sri Lanka using a private driver, which was great! From Colombo, it’s a long 8 hour car drive. So we added a few stops in between to break it up: Dambulla, Sigiriya, and Anuradhapura.
There are also direct trains from Colombo Fort Station or Maradana Station, and the journey takes about 6.5-7 hours.
Getting Around
We used Tuk Tuks or taxis to get around Jaffna (we recommend the Pickme app).
Best Time to Visit Jaffna
The great thing about Jaffna is that it has good weather year-round! However, December to March is the most comfortable weather-wise, with less chance of rain.
By purchasing through our links, you support us at no additional cost.
Thank you for your support. ♥️
- Find Hotels via Booking.com
- Find a Rental Car via Sunny Cars
- Find Flights to Sri Lanka via Skyscanner
- Get a Travel Insurance via Heymondo
- Book Tours & Attractions via GetYourGuide
- Book a Bus/Train/Transfer via 12Go
Looking for more travel information? Plan a chat with us for personalised travel advice or get an answer from the Salt in our Hair Travel Community on Facebook.
The journey also takes you past the infamous Elephant Pass, a slip of land connecting the Jaffna peninsula to the rest of Sri Lanka, which played a critical role in many battles throughout the the civil war. It is possible to get from Colombo to Jaffna via an overnight bus, however we recommend breaking up the journey up by stopping in Kandy or Dambulla overnight.