Explore the major tourist attractions in Sri Lanka on your 2 days trip

The island country of Sri Lanka is known for its delicious cuisine, historical monuments, sacred temples, crystal-clear beaches, lush tea plantations and much more. This tropical country formerly known as Ceylon has many cities, many of which offer numerous places to visit in Sri Lanka in 2 days for a perfect holiday with your loved ones. From temples to beaches, gardens to museums and markets to forts, these tourist places will make your holiday experience memorable!

6 places to visit in Sri Lanka in 2 days

Here is a well-arranged list of some of the best places to visit in Sri Lanka in 2 days for every type of traveller:

1. Dambulla

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Dambulla is a city located in the Central Province of the island country Sri Lanka. It contains the Dambulla Cave Temples (Dambulla Rock Temple), a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a Golden Temple in its complex, and the Dambulla Museum at the foothills, which displays ancient artefacts. The top of Pidurangala Rock offers a breathtaking view of sunrise, sunset and the surrounding environment and adventure lovers like to trek there from Pidurangala Sigiri Rajamaha Viharaya Temple, which is another must-see place.

Cricket fans can head to the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, which has a seating capacity of 16,800. Minneriya National Park is known for its Asian elephants, endemic reptiles and species of birds, amphibians, mammals, butterflies and fish. One can enjoy safari to see the wildlife, capture them through the lens and feel closer to nature. This abundance of tourist attractions makes your search for the best places to visit in Sri Lanka in 2 days come to an end.

Best time to visit: January to September
Nearest Airport: Sigiriya Airport

Must read: 6 Hostels in Dambulla That Will Provide You with the Comfort of Home on Your Next Backpacking Trip

2. Colombo

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Colombo is a vibrant and largest city of Sri Lanka, famous for its street markets, holy places of religious beliefs and places of historical importance. Located on Lake Beira, the Pettah Floating Market is a series of kiosks selling goods ranging from clothes to handicrafts, with some vendors selling fruits, vegetables and flowers on boats. This market will indulge you in retail therapy, while checking off your bucket list of things to do in Sri Lanka in 2 days. Independence Square is a historical monument containing the Independence Memorial Hall, pond and fountain garden.

A visit to holy places like Gangaramaya Temple, Sivasubramaniam Swamy Kovil, St. Anthony’s Shrine, All Saints Church, Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque and others in Colombo brings peace to the souls. The National Museum of Colombo displays a collection of ancient puppets from different eras, jewellery, coins, lamps, demon masks, swords, inscriptions, frescoes and much more. Those who want to try their luck at the casino can head to Sri Lanka’s largest casino, Bally Casino. You can spend 2 days in Colombo Sri Lanka by exploring most of these tourist attractions.

Best time to visit: November to February
Nearest Airport: Colombo International Airport

3. Nuwara Eliza

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The strawberry capital of Sri Lanka, Nuwara Eliya means “city of lights.” The coolest part of Sri Lanka and known as “Little England”, the city has must-see tourist attractions. Gregory Lake serves as a perfect picnic spot to spend time with your loved ones amidst the picturesque setting of nature. One can enjoy the beautiful views around the lake on a boat ride, bicycle or pony.

Sita Amman Temple has religious significance as it is believed that this temple was built at the place where Sita Mata was held hostage by Ravana. Flowing through the Ramboda Valley, the cascading Ramboda Falls (Puna Ella) are worth a visit, as are the lush green tea plantations nearby. Last but not least, nature lovers can head to Hakgala Botanical Garden to see an abundance of trees, plants and flowers.

Best time to visit: february to may
Nearest Airport: Colombo International Airport

Read suggestions: 6 Day Trips from Kandy for a Quick Vacation

4. Candy

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Located in the Central Province of Sri Lanka, Kandy is a crowd-pulling destination due to its extensive tourist attractions. The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, houses the Buddha’s tooth inside the golden stupa of a two-story temple. Devotees offer fresh flowers and lamps to the temple. Kandy Lake, popularly known as the “Sea of ​​Milk”, is an ideal spot for nature lovers who can enjoy a boat ride to soak in the scenic beauty of nature.

Sri Maha Bodhi Viharaya (Big Buddha), situated on the Bahirwa Kanda Hill, is a serene retreat offering breathtaking views of Kandy. You can also buy souvenirs from the shop located at the top of the hill. The four-storey Ceylon Tea Museum houses a library, tea sales outlets, old machinery, a tea café and an auditorium with audio-visual facilities. The 7 hour long train journey from Kandy to Ella is one of the most spectacular feasts for one’s eyes, sitting with the doors open, feet dangling over the footboard, overlooking the lush green tea plantations and cloudy mountains .

Best time to visit: December to April
Nearest Airport: Colombo International Airport

5. Galle

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The provincial capital of Sri Lanka’s Southern Province, Galle features Dutch-colonial buildings, museums, beaches and more. Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is widely renowned for its ancient architecture and is the largest remaining fort in Asia that was built by European occupiers. Find peace at the Japanese Peace Pagoda, locally known as Rumasala Sama Chatthiya, one of five stupas of its kind in Sri Lanka.

The National Museum of Galle takes you deep into the history of Sri Lanka with displays of artefacts and cultural heritage. Unawatuna Beach offers breathtaking views of sunrise and sunset, a place where you can stroll and enjoy local street food. Cricket lovers can head to the Galle International Stadium, also known as ‘The Esplanade’, which is considered a lucky stadium for the home team Sri Lanka.

Best time to visit: December to March
Nearest Airport: Colombo International Airport

Read suggestions: Badulla Travel Guide: All about it from mesmerizing waterfalls to luscious greenery

6. Jaffna

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Jaffna, the capital of Sri Lanka’s Northern Province, is famous for its beaches and forts. Book lovers and people interested in history can head to Jaffna Library, which is a haven to get information about the culture, history and folklore of Sri Lanka. Casuarina Beach, a crystal-clear beach with white sand, offers a variety of water activities such as jet skiing, surfing, swimming and parasailing. From the beach, one can see the Karainagar lighthouse.

Jaffna Fort, the second largest fort in Sri Lanka, is an architectural marvel that has stood the test of time. Its main places are the executioner’s tower, the queen’s house, the ramparts and the moat. Nallur Kandaswamy Temple is dedicated to Lord Murugan and exhibits Dravidian architecture along with temples of other deities. You can also head to Nainattivu, a small island off the coast of the Jaffna Peninsula. If you are looking for places to visit in Sri Lanka in 2 days then Jaffna is one of the must visit cities for short holidays.

Best time to visit: June to August and December to February
Nearest Airport: Colombo International Airport

read ahead: 44 soul satisfying things to do in Sri Lanka

Now that you have seen the list of places to visit in Sri Lanka in 2 days, you can also browse the Sri Lanka tour packages offered by TourTravelHotels for your upcoming trip. You can select the city for your short trip as per your mood and explore the above mentioned places. Each city offers a number of attractions and recreational activities to visit, which will definitely make your trip memorable.

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