3 week Sri Lanka Itinerary: A Complete Guide

When we decided to visit the island formerly known as Ceylon, I faced the challenge of preparing the best 3-week Sri Lanka itinerary.

After reading many articles and hearing about the experiences of fellow travel bloggers, I got some inspiration from various packages offered by travel agencies. I also did a lot of research on what points of interest, activities, and attractions the island has to offer. Finally, I came up with a 16-night itinerary. I mixed a few days in the hectic city capital of Colombo, some relaxing days in the mountains, and long days in the summer sun.

When you think about a 3-week Sri Lanka itinerary, I have read a lot and understood that one can come here several times without getting bored or exhausted by everything there is to see.

But since we had only a limited amount of time and wanted to relax, I skipped some of the more active destinations and focused on the zen and relaxation part (you know me).

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Our perfect Sri Lanka Itinerary in 3 weeks

Day 1 to 3 – Colombo

The trip started with a few days in the island’s capital, Colombo, where many new things welcomed us.

But how else would you have a taste of the local way of life and culture? Getting lost on the streets of such a city must be truly interesting!

I must admit, though, that apart from the crazy way of driving around in those small tuk-tuks, the town is much more impressive than I was expecting it to be. We walked around and entered some remarkable temples, very different from everything I’d seen before.

Buddhist and Hindu temples are very colorful, and even though they make for some of the most Instagrammable places in Sri Lanka, we, as tourists, must always respect these sacred places.

Things to see in Colombo

Colombo Fort and its impressive architecture were influenced by the Dutch ruling period. Don’t miss out on the Colombo Fort Railway Station, and let yourself be seduced by this architectural gem.
Pettah Market is where you’ll feel like you are part of the daily life of local people.
Colombo National Museum is not only for its colonial architecture and beautiful gardens but also for learning about Sri Lanka’s history and culture.
Gangaramaya Temple may be the most famous Buddhist temple among tourists. We spent some time here and strolled around the vicinity. The entrance fee is around 300 rupees, and you must cover your shoulders and knees.
Ashokaramaya Temple is brightly colored and not very populated, but I think we were the only ones inside at the time of our visit.
Colombo Dutch Hospital – for the foodies out there!
A local market where you can buy Sri Lanka souvenirs, tea, and more.

Where to eat in Colombo

In Colombo, there are certain things you should not miss when it comes to food and eating out.

Because it was next to our hotel, we ate our first meal in Colombo at the Red Orchids Restaurant. The food was delicious even though the restaurant was on a rather obscure street. Please note that the place is specialized in Chinese food.

However, the Ministry of Crab restaurant is on every foodie’s list of incredible places to try in Sri Lanka. It was made famous by the world-renowned Anthony Bourdain, who ate here twice throughout his career. However, you must make a reservation in advance.

When you cannot book a table at the Ministry of Crab, don’t worry just yet. Chef Dharshan Munidasa has two popular restaurants in Colombo: Kaema Sutra (Sri Lankan food) and Nihonbashi (Japanese cuisine).

Where to stay in Colombo

We wanted our trip to start perfectly, so we booked a great hotel by the sea with a stunning sea view. We could also see the iconic blue train passing by, with the sea on one side and the bustling town on the other.

I would stay by the window and watch the crazy traffic from above, stunned at how they don’t have more accidents.

In the evenings, we would relax by the infinity rooftop pool with a cocktail in hand because Ozo Hotel has one of the coolest rooftop bars in Colombo.

Check out prices and book your stay here!

Other great accommodation options in Colombo are:

Cinnamon Grand Colombo Hotel – check out prices here!
Jetwing Colombo Seven – see when they’re available here!

Booking.com

Day 4 to 6 – Kandy

Our next stop was in another iconic town of Sri Lanka: Kandy.

Beautifully set around a prominent lake in the middle of the mountains and tea plantations, Kandy is also significant from a religious point of view.

The famous Temple of the Tooth is here, and according to the local legend, Buddha’s canine tooth is kept there.

Throughout time, the town held great importance as the capital of the Kandian Kingdom. Needless to say, there is plenty to do and see in Kandy.

What to do in Kandy

We visited the famous Temple of the Tooth in the Royal Palace complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy.
We strolled through Kandy’s Royal Botanical Garden and were owed by the lush vegetation. You can easily spend plenty of time in this place and just relax between the hundred types of orchids or along the palm tree path. Mix both attractions in a Cultural Show City Highlights Tour
We went for a spice tour in a spice garden and discovered the secret powers of Ayurveda.
We went to a traditional Kandian dance show.
Optional for the more adventurous: Sigiriya Rock Fortress and Cave Temple Tour or Sigiriya Rock, Village Tour, and Minneriya Park.
When you only have one day, you can always book a tour from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya by Train and see the tea plantations in one day.

Where to stay in Kandy

We chose another OZO hotel with a great location and a great view. From the pool area, we could see the mountains and the lake.

Even though there was a bit of a walk uphill from the city center, getting there was easy, and hiring a tuk-tuk is simple and cheap in Sri Lanka.

Book your stay here!

Other great Kandy hotels:

The Kandyan Manor Home Stay is a beautiful, affordable outdoor chalet with a garden view. Book it here!
Villa Rosa is in a quiet location with fantastic views of the river, yet it is a 15-minute walk from the city center. Book your stay here!

Booking.com

Day 7 to 9 – Nuwara Eliya

One thing I knew from the onset: I didn’t want to miss the chance to experience a scenic train ride on one of the most beautiful routes in the world!

Kandy to Nuwara Eliya is said to be one of the most picturesque itineraries. On this route, you can climb the mountain, pass by waterfalls, and visit many tea plantations. Once we got on the train, I started to understand why.

This was one of the highlights of the trip.

Another option for your 3-week Sri Lanka itinerary would be to take the train from Nuwara Eliya to Ella. It is popular and has stunning views.

What to do in Nuwara Eliya

Since the village is relatively small, on the top of Sri Lanka’s mountains, there isn’t much to do in the city itself. Of course, there’s a reason why people still come here, apart from the mountain-style accommodation.

We went on a tea plantation tour, learned about the production, did some tea tasting, and stopped at many tea shops. I purchased the hands-down best tea in the world from these places around Nuwara Eliya.
We went to see the Ramboda Falls and climbed the many stairs to the falls once we paid the entrance fee. We were “mugged” by monkeys and stopped for lunch with a crazy view on our way back.
On our third day, we went rafting on the Kelani River, and it was one of the greatest experiences! For old movie lovers like my husband, we rafted at the exact spot where The Bridge over River Kwai was filmed. They actually built a railroad bridge for the epic movie and then blew it up in the final scenes. The ruined structure was preserved as a tourist attraction.
Other activities: take a full-day tour of Ella and Little Adam’s Peak.

Read more about Nuwara Eliya and Yala in our detailed post.

Where to stay in Nuwara Eliya

As I’ve said, Nuwara Eliya is small, but that does not mean there aren’t some great places to stay.

We stayed at a rather small hotel with a pretty nice view since it was up on the hill. I wouldn’t recommend the place because it was cold and noisy, but here are a few other great options:

Heritance Tea Factory provides the ultimate colonial-style experience enhanced by the tea plantation and misty mountains. Check it out and book your ultimate stay here!
Villa Tea Fields. Ideally located at the edge of Gregory Lake, on the lower end of the budget, this villa looks stunning and sits between the tea plantations. Check out their rooms here!

Booking.com

Day 10 to 12 – Yala National Park

Also, what is a vacation in such a country without the chance of seeing the local flora and fauna? Thus, visiting a local national park is a must. We chose Yala for that, and I hoped we would be rewarded with lots and lots of beautiful surprises.

And I wasn’t disappointed at all. Even though the safari didn’t come close to the one we experienced in Tanzania some years before, it is still a once-in-a-lifetime thing to do in Sri Lanka.

Book your Yala National Park safari here and get to see the leopards and much more wildlife.

We were lucky and did see one, but I’m not surprised he ran away with all those cars running around trying to see him.

On the other hand, we managed to see plenty of elephants in their natural habitat and other smaller animals going about their daily lives.

However, one of the best things about Yala was our hotel, Jetwing Yala.

This place was excellent from the moment we arrived to the moment we left to continue our three-week itinerary through Sri Lanka.

The view of the sand dunes from our room, the incredibly comfortable large bed, and the hotel’s private beach were only a few of the things that surprised us. Up to this day, I remember those delicious meals with a huge variety of things to try out, that immense pool, and the perfect message I got at the hotel’s spa.

If you’re ever around, please book at least one night at this hotel. Check out prices and availability here!

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Day 13 to 17 – Bentota

Last but not least, we will finish the trip in the southern part of the island, leaving time and space for a lot of relaxation and water activities. This part of the island offers lots and lots of beaches, like Mirissa, and warm weather!

We chose to stay in Bentota, really close to Galle and Mirissa.

Unfortunately, we had a bad experience with our booked hotel. Upon arrival, they told us they were overbooked, although we had made our reservation months in advance. Moreover, we stayed elsewhere without getting our money back.

Later, we found out that they went out of business. What a surprise!

Apart from that, southwestern Sri Lanka is amazing. It is a long strip of pristine beaches with many options for activities and relaxation.

What to do in Southwestern Sri Lanka

spend time on the beach
take some surfing classes
go whale watching
visit Galle fort
spend some time in Mirissa, one of the most Instagrammable places in Sri Lanka
go diving in Sri Lanka
enjoy the swings in Unawatuna

Where to stay in Southern Sri Lanka

Some of the best places to stay on the beach are in Southern Sri Lanka. Thus, you will have plenty of locations to choose from:

Mirissa – the hippest place, perfect for surfing and whale watching
Unawatuna – incredible beaches close to Galle, a world heritage site
Bentota – closer to Colombo and the airport
Hikkaduwa

Visa requirements for Sri Lanka

Depending on where you are coming from, you will most likely need a visa. Check your Visa requirements here!

The good news is you can easily apply online for your tourist evisa, and get it in no time. The visa is usually valid for six months and costs around 50 USD.

The process is done online, and you get all the necessary information (related to any testing, quarantine, or insurance required).

Check your Visa requirements here!

What is the best time for your Sri Lanka itinerary?

The answer to that question depends very much on the area of the island you want to see. However, our trip started in mid-January and ended in February, and we had no problems.

When planning your Sri Lanka itinerary, take into consideration the following:

The monsoon brings rain to the west and southwest coasts and the central hill country from April or May to September, and you should avoid traveling from April to June.
The northeast monsoon hits the East Coast from November to March, and you should avoid traveling from November to December.

What to pack for Sri Lanka

Whether you follow our 3-week Sri Lanka Itinerary or your own version, you will encounter different landscapes and temperatures. That’s why having the right clothes and some travel accessories is essential.

Here’s what you should definitely have in your luggage.

Clothing

Most of Sri Lanka will treat you in hot weather, but Kandy and Nuwara Eliya can get chilly in the evenings.

Thus, make sure to bring on:

a jacket – I would go for denim;
at least two blouses for layers and a zip-up tracksuit jacket or a sweater;
some TOMS comfortable shoes;
a colorful travel-size umbrella or lightweight rain jacket;
a lightweight scarf that can also be used as a cover on the beach.

Other useful accessories

a quick dry towel will always come in handy;
a dry bag;
a mosquito net;
mosquito repellent – this is an absolute must! We had significant issues with mosquitos during our stay in Bentota. Thus, bring some strong repellant with you and use it daily. A repellent bracelet would also come in pretty handy once the night falls.
sunscreen and mosquito repellent 2 in 1, check the price here;
a universal adaptor comes in handy no matter where you travel.

Sri Lanka Tours

As I’ve said, we’ve booked a tour for our three-week itinerary in Sri Lanka, and I suggest you do the same. Why waste time and money on planning and maybe not get the greatest prices on transfers, experiences, and/or hotels?

GAdventures offers a great custom-made 14-day Sri Lanka tour that will take you through my itinerary, with Negombo and Sigiriya on top! The price includes all the hotels, transfers, some meals, a train ride, a boat ride, and a whole lot of incredible experiences.

Other options are 15 days in Sri Lanka and 11 days in Essentials Sri Lanka, organized by Intrepid Travel.

The perfect 3 week Sri Lanka itinerary

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