The grass is a lot greener, the air fresher and everything just that much prettier… Welcome to Nuwara Eliya!
Nestled right at the foot of the highest peak in Sri Lanka, Nuwara Eliya is synonymous with being Sri Lanka’s ultimate holiday getaway and why not? With its lush hillsides blanketed with manicured tea plantations, dramatic waterfalls cascading in the backdrop, pretty gardens and hordes of attractions, it’s no wonder that Nuwara Eliya has always topped the chart when it comes to holidaying in Sri Lanka and no Sri Lanka tour would be complete without a visit to this breathtaking city.
Getting there
Situated approximately 180 kms to the north east of Colombo, it takes about five hours to travel to Nuwara Eliya. But worry not – if you’re an avid nature lover, these five hours will probably be the best hours of traveling of your life, given that you’re going to take a drive through the long and winding roads with spectacular views of the hill country. Trust us, every bend of the road will make for an incredible Instagram-worthy snap so keep your mobile phones ready at hand.
Being one of Sri Lanka’s best holiday destinations, there are no shortages of lodging options when it comes to accommodation in Nuwara Eliya. From charming cottages to elegant boutique hotels, you’ll be spoilt for choice. So if you’re all for waking up in a cosy bedroom or relaxing in a porch overlooking the spectacular views of Nuwara Eliya as you sip a steaming mug of tea, then something like this is a great place to start with!
The ambience
For those romantic at heart, Nuwara Eliya is a dream come true. If running gracefully through flower gardens in front of tudor-styled manors and quaint cottages is your kind of thing, then all you’re missing is a ball gown, really.
Snuggled in the midst of nature, glorious meadows, meandering streams and gushing waterfalls, Nuwara Eliya is a refined colonial community that has a charming rose tinted Victorian era ambiance to it with its well tended gardens, red-bricked country homes and chilly atmosphere. What’s there to not love about it?
Places to visit in Nuwara Eliya
While there are plenty of gems to discover in Sri Lanka, a holiday to Nuwara Eliya is a veritable treasure trove that beckons to be explored. Some must-visit attractions include the Victoria Park, Hakgala Botanical Gardens, Gregory Lake, Ambewela Farm, Seetha Amman Kovil, Horton Plains, Nuwara Racecourse and Golf Club, to name a few.
Waterfalls galore
Surrounded by huge mountains and lush greenery, nature lovers and water babies will be spoilt for choice when it comes waterfalls in Nuwara Eliya. Some popular waterfalls in and around Nuwara Eliya include St. Claire’s, Devon’s and Aberdeen Falls and hey, even if you aren’t that fond of waterfalls, taking a dip in one of Nuwara Eliya’s serene waterfalls is sure to make you change your mind.
Flowers, flowers and more flowers
If you’re a fan of flowers, it doesn’t get better than Nuwara Eliya. There are flowers literally everywhere – in gardens, by the roadside, by the wateralls… everywhere. And it’s a great place to purchase flowers as well and since it’s a lot cheaper, you could probably give your sweetheart an impromptu Valentine’s flower bouquet.
Things to do
While there are a healthy selection of adventures in Sri Lanka, Nuwara Eliya is a great place for some exhilarating hiking, trekking and mountain biking. If you’re not up to something adrenaline-rushing, then you could opt for a round of golf, take a boat ride by Gregory Lake, go on a shopping spree or simply soak up the town’s whimsical ambiance.
Best time to visit
When the heat of the country becomes stifling in April, that’s when Nuwara Eliya is overpopulated with visitors. And this is the best season to visit Nuwara Eliya as well as there are plenty of activities and events that happen around this period.
However, if you simply can’t wait until next April, then anytime is great to visit Nuwara Eliya. So pack your bags and discover the best of Sri Lanka. Happy holidaying!
