Nuwara Eliya is better known as Sri Lanka’s Little England. We found the area’s climate, surroundings, and architecture to be markedly different from those of other towns! It’s also much cooler here, making it the most important place in the county for tea production. But, besides visiting the tea plantations, we did many other things. Discover all our favorite places in Nuwara Eliya, along with tips below.
Places to Visit in Nuwara Eliya
1. Tea Plantations and Factories in Sri Lanka
Nuwara Eliya is known for its impressive, lush tea plantations. Stretching across the rolling hills, they go on for as far as the eye can see. In between, we visited a few tea factories and houses, like Bluefield Tea Factory and Heritance, with some of the best views.
We joined a tuk-tuk tour for about 7 USD that included visits to tea plantations, factories, and Ramboda Waterfall. Along the way, we stopped at several viewpoints overlooking the plantations and got to try numerous freshly-brewed teas.
You can arrange this in town or book a tour online in advance.
At the factories, we got a small tour around the property to learn about the tea-making process. However, we recommend holding off on buying anything at the factory shops. The prices here are almost 300% higher than usual, 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 the day trip, we passed multiple waterfalls cascading down the stone slabs between the greenery. One of them is on the side of the road—you can’t miss it! We got into the water here to cool down and then climbed further up to the other levels. However, be careful as some parts are slippery.
It took roughly 45 minutes to reach the Ramboda Falls, which is the last destination of the tea plantation route.
Tip: Visiting from Ella? Find out how to travel and book your tickets here.
3. Walk to World’s End
Although we haven’t done the hike to World’s End, it looks like an incredible trek! Located in the UNESCO-protected Horton Plains National Park, the 8.2-kilometer route winds through tall grasslands and past clear streams, with panoramic views.
At the end (halfway point), there’s a ridge overlooking the rest of the park’s grassy hills, often shrouded in mist—wow, it looks incredible!
- Entrance fee: 11,250 LKR (~37 USD), which is steep but worth it for the upkeep of this protected area.
- Open: Daily from 6 AM to 2 PM.
- The hike to World’s End and back takes about three hours and follows a well-maintained path.
- Tip: Keep an eye on weather conditions; rain or fog can totally ruin the experience. The rainy season in this region of Sri Lanka runs from April to September.
By @luventy08
Also read: things to do in Unawatuna, Sri Lanka
4. Gregory Lake
We loved relaxing around Gregory Lake, watching the people cruise on their boats and jet skis. There are also a few restaurants along the shore, you can go horse riding, and there’s a kindergarten for children. :-)
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
We visited Nuwara Eliya on the 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 we received the same friendly smiles and questions. If you’re visiting Sri Lanka during peak season, try to book your 2nd or 3rd-class tickets in advance, as tourist seats are limited.
Tip: We got one of the earlier trains in the day 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
We got off the train that runs from Kandy to Ella a little earlier (in Nuwara Eliya) and spent the night in the natural beauty. There are cozy stays perched between the rolling tea fields, with some of the most incredible views. Two days later, we traveled on to Ella (book your tickets here).
Best Time to Visit Nuwara Eliya
We were here in September, which was a great time to visit. However, Nuwara Eliya can get very cold compared to other areas in Sri Lanka; we had only 10 degrees in the evenings! So, pack enough layers for your trip.
Monsoon season: June to the end of August. This is not a great time to visit as there’s significantly more rain (and floods) during this time.
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Thank you for such helpful information. Sri Lanka is such a stunning and diverse country.