The 5th-century Lion Rock fortress — Sri Lanka's single most iconic climb, best at dawn before the heat and crowds.

Home of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and gateway to the tea country; the cultural heart of the island.

Backpacker-favourite mountain village: Nine Arch Bridge, Little Adam's Peak, and the island's best train ride.

A perfectly preserved Dutch fort town of ramparts, cafés and boutique hotels.

Whale watching capital and palm-fringed beaches — the classic south-coast finish to any tour.

The best leopard-spotting odds in Asia, plus elephants, sloth bears and crocodiles.

'Little England' — colonial bungalows, golf and endless emerald tea estates.

Deep-water bays, Pigeon Island snorkelling and the quieter side of the island (May–Sep season).

2,300 years of sacred city — vast dagobas and the world's oldest documented tree.

World-class surf point breaks and a laid-back beach town vibe.

Tamil culture, island-hopping causeways and the least-touristed corner of Sri Lanka.

Guaranteed wild elephants against open savannah — the island's most reliable safari.