Nuwara Eliya is better known as the Little England of Sri Lanka. The climate, surroundings, and architecture of this area are different from those of other villages. It’s much cooler her, making it the most important area for tea production in the country. However, besides visiting the tea plantations, there are other things to do in Nuwara Eliya. Discover our full Nuwara Eliya guide below with our favorite places and top tips.
Places to Visit in Nuwara Eliya
1. Tea Plantations and Factories in Sri Lanka
Nuwara Eliya is known for its impressive, lush green tea plantations. Stretching across the rolling hills, they go on for as far as the eye can see. In between, you’ll find tea factories and houses, like Bluefield Tea Factory or Heritance, that offer the best views across the fields. Here, you also have the chance to learn more about the tea-making process.
The best way to visit the tea plantations is by tuk-tuk. For around 7 USD, you can arrange a full-day trip to the tea plantations, tea factories, viewpoints, and the Ramboda waterfall (next point). Stop at several viewpoints along the way, overlooking the plantations, and drink freshly-brewed tea at the impressive tea factories.
You can arrange this in town or book a tour online in advance.
At the factories, you’ll usually get a small tour around the property to learn how the tea-making process works. However, we recommend holding off from buying anything at the factory shops. The prices here are almost 300% of what they usually cost, so it’s worth waiting and buying tea in town instead.
Tip: Make sure you have some small cash on you, like 20/50LKR. Each employee who appears in your photos will likely ask you for a tip.
2. Ramboda Falls in Nuwara Eliya
On your day trip route, you’ll likely pass multiple waterfalls, cascading down the stone slabs between the lush greenery. One of them is on the side of the road—you can’t miss it! I enjoyed getting into the water here to cool down and climbing further up to the other levels. However, be careful as some parts are slippery.
3. Walk to World’s End
Get up really early in the morning the next day and prepare for a good walk to World’s End. Located in the UNESCO-protected Horton Plains National Park, this 8.2-kilometer route winds through tall grasslands and past clear streams, offering incredible views of the surrounding hills at every turn. At the end (halfway point), you’ll be met with a ridge overlooking the rest of the park’s grassy hills, often shrouded in mist—wow!
To enter the park, you’ll need to pay an entrance fee of 11,250 LKR (~37 USD), which is steep but worth it for the upkeep of this protected area. The hike to World’s End and back takes about three hours and follows a well-maintained path.
By @luventy08
The park is open daily from 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Keep an eye on the weather conditions; rain or fog can totally ruin the experience. The rainy season in this region of Sri Lanka runs from April to September.
Also read: things to do in Unawatuna, Sri Lanka
4. Gregory Lake
Take some time to relax a bit around Gregory Lake, watching people cruise on the lake with their boats and jet skis. There are also a few restaurants along the shore, there’s the option to go horse riding, and children can play in the kindergarten. ;-)
We were here only briefly, but it’s a great spot if you’re already in the area and hoping to grab some lunch with a great view. Some good restaurant options are:
How to Get to Nuwara Eliya
Nuwara Eliya lies on the route of the beautiful, world-famous Sri Lanka train ride between Kandy and Ella.
A ticket from Kandy will cost you around 400 LKR/2.50 USD. The ride takes 4 hours from Kandy and has been mentioned as one of the most beautiful train routes in the world. We recommend getting your tickets in advance.
Both locals and tourists use the train, so expect to receive the same friendly smiles and questions. Visiting Sri Lanka in high season? Try to buy your 2nd or 3rd class tickets in advance since there are limited tourist seats available.
Tip: Get one of the early trains as they’re known not to stick to their schedule. You don’t want to drive through the tea plantations while it’s dark outside.
Where to Stay
Get off the famous train from Kandy to Ella a little earlier and spend a night in the natural beauty of Nuwara Eliya. Choose from cozy stays perched between the rolling tea fields, with some of the most incredible views on your trip to Sri Lanka.
Best time to visit Nuwara Eliya
I think it’s better to say what the worst time to visit is: June to the end of August. During this time, it’s monsoon season in this region, meaning you can expect much more rain (and floods) coming down the hills. Traveling outside these months is, therefore, much more enjoyable, as there’s a lower chance of this happening.
Keep in mind that Nuwara Eliya can get very cold compared to other areas in Sri Lanka. When we were there in September, it was only 10 degrees in the evening! Keep this in mind when packing your clothes for your trip; you’ll want to bring some longer-sleeved items.
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Thank you for such helpful information. Sri Lanka is such a stunning and diverse country.