Sri Lanka holiday
Travel tips, best time to visit & highlights for your Sri Lanka holiday in Asia
The Tear Island offers an incredible variety in a small space: tea plantations in the highlands, wild elephants in national parks, golden temples, dream beaches in the south, and the legendary train ride through the mountains.
Capital
Colombo
Language
Sinhalese, Tamil
Currency
Sri Lanka Rupee (LKR)
Time zone
UTC+5:30
Flight time from DE
approx. 10–11 hours
Entry requirements
Passport, E-Visa (ETA)
Deals for Sri Lanka:
Which hotels in Sri Lanka are recommended?
Selected hotels and holiday accommodations in Sri Lanka — with images, reviews, and direct booking links with our partners.
Cinnamon Grand Hotel
Colombo, Sri Lanka
The Calm Resort & Spa
Passikudah, Sri Lanka
Grand Udawalawe Safari Resort
Udawalawa, Sri Lanka
Hotel Jetwing St.Andrew's
Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka
Hotel Taj Samudra
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Hotel Niyagama House
Galle, Sri Lanka
Club Palm Bay
Marawila, Sri Lanka
The Bay an Uga Experience - Pasikuda
Passikudah, Sri Lanka
What are the highlights of Sri Lanka?
The best-known highlights of Sri Lanka include Sigiriya, Ella, Yala National Park, Galle, Mirissa.
The places you absolutely must not miss.
Sigiriya
The Lion Rock: A fortress on a 200m high rock – UNESCO World Heritage.
Ella
Tea plantations, Nine Arch Bridge, and the most beautiful train route in the world.
Yala National Park
The highest leopard density in the world plus elephants, crocodiles, and birds.
Galle
Dutch fortress by the sea, charming boutiques, and sunsets.
Mirissa
Whale watching, surf beaches, and a relaxed backpacker atmosphere.
Hotels in Sri Lanka
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Reise-SIM für Sri Lanka
Prepaid-SIM mit Datenvolumen für Sri Lanka. Einfach einlegen und sofort lossurfen – keine Roaming-Gebühren.
* Weiterleitung zu travSIM.de. Es gelten die dortigen Nutzungsbedingungen.
Reiseversicherung abschließen
Rundum-Schutz ab 9,90 € auf TravelSecure.de
Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen
Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie
When is the best time to visit Sri Lanka?
The best time to visit Sri Lanka is December–March (South/West Coast). In summer: 28–32°C. In winter: 26–30°C.
Recommended travel time
December–March (South/West Coast)
Summer
28–32°C
Winter
26–30°C
How much does a holiday in Sri Lanka cost?
A holiday in Sri Lanka costs roughly 25–40€ per person per day (excluding flights) on a budget, 40–80€ mid-range and 80–200€ for luxury travel.
Average cost per person per day (excluding flight)
Budget
25–40€
Hostel, street food, public transport
Mid-range
40–80€
Hotel, restaurant, excursions
Luxury
80–200€
Boutique hotel, fine dining
How long is the flight from Germany to Sri Lanka?
From Germany you reach Sri Lanka in approx. 10–11 hours.
What travel tips are there for Sri Lanka?
Insider knowledge to make your holiday better.
The train ride from Kandy to Ella is an absolute must-do
Agree on a fixed price for Tuk-Tuks before starting the ride
Ayurveda treatments are authentic and very cheap
Full moon days (Poya Days) – alcohol sales prohibited
Left-hand traffic – look right when crossing the street
What do people eat in Sri Lanka?
Typical dishes in Sri Lanka are Rice and Curry, Hoppers, Kottu Roti, Dhal Curry, Ceylon Tea, Pol Sambol.
These dishes you must try!
Which regions and places in Sri Lanka are worth visiting?
12 regions, cities and highlights in Sri Lanka
Cities
Colombo
Colombo, the commercial capital of Sri Lanka, is a vibrant mix of colonial past, Buddhist temples, and modern aspirations. The port city on the Indian Ocean combines Sinhalese, …
Ella
Ella is a sleepy mountain village in the highlands of Sri Lanka that has become a favorite among the backpacker scene — and rightly so. Nestled in emerald green tea plantations at …
Galle
Galle on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka is a gem of colonial history and tropical charm: The fort founded by the Portuguese and expanded by the Dutch in the 17th century is a …
Hikkaduwa
Hikkaduwa is Sri Lanka's oldest and liveliest beach resort – a surfer town with coral reefs, sea turtles, and a touch of hippie nostalgia that has attracted travelers from around …
Kandy
Kandy is the cultural heart of Sri Lanka and the last royal city of the island. Nestled in green hills in the central highlands, surrounded by tea plantations and tropical …
Mirissa
Mirissa is Sri Lanka's dream bay on the southern coast – a golden crescent of sand lined with coconut palms, featuring a distinctive small rock called Parrot Rock at the eastern …
Negombo
Negombo is Sri Lanka's gateway to the tropical island – the city is only seven kilometers from Bandaranaike International Airport, making it the natural first and last stop on any …
Nuwara Eliya
Nuwara Eliya is Sri Lanka's 'Little England' — a colonial hill station at 1,868 meters, surrounded by emerald green tea plantations. The British created a retreat here in the 19th …
Trincomalee
Trincomalee on Sri Lanka's east coast has one of the most beautiful natural harbors in the world and dreamlike, largely untouched beaches. While the south and west coasts are …
Complete guide for Sri Lanka
Regions, attractions, food, routes, costs & practical tips — all in one digital guide.
Open guideReady for Sri Lanka?
Plan your Sri Lanka holiday now with our free tools.
How do I plan a holiday in Sri Lanka?
Sri Lanka is one of the most popular travel destinations in Asia, offering Nature, Temples, Beach and much more. The best time to visit Sri Lanka is December–March (South/West Coast), when the weather is ideal for exploration and relaxation. With a daily budget starting from 25–40€ (Budget) to 80–200€ (Luxury), Sri Lanka is suitable for various travel budgets.
From the capital Colombo, Sri Lanka can be excellently explored. The official language is Sinhalese, Tamil, and the currency is Sri Lanka Rupee (LKR). From Germany, you can reach Sri Lanka in approx. 10–11 hours. Whether you want to try culinary highlights like Rice and Curry, Hoppers, Kottu Roti, visit top attractions, or simply enjoy the atmosphere: Sri Lanka has something for every type of traveller.
Use our free travel tools to prepare your Sri Lanka holiday perfectly. With the holiday finder, you can discover if Sri Lanka is the right destination for you. The budget calculator helps you plan costs realistically, and with the packing list, you won't forget anything.
Suitable holiday types for Sri Lanka:
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