Trips Experiences Courses Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Experiences Courses Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
All Sri Lanka

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Sri Lanka

40 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Sri Lanka

Updated August 23, 2023

Email

Cities

The fanciful Jami-Ul-Alfar Mosque dates from 1909
Colombo
Old Kachcheri.
Jaffna
Helga's Folly
Kandy
Adam's Bridge
Mannar
Attractions
Food & Drink
Map
Leaderboards
Stories

Unusual Attractions in Sri Lanka

Sigiriya

Sigiriya, Sri Lanka

Sigiriya

An ancient stone fortress considered by many to be the eighth wonder of the world.
Elephants within the park.

Udawalawa, Sri Lanka

Udawalawe National Park

Huge herds of Asian elephants can be seen walking, bathing, and just chilling at this Sri Lankan park.
The fanciful Jami-Ul-Alfar Mosque dates from 1909

Colombo, Sri Lanka

Jami Ul-Alfar Masjid (Red Mosque)

This mesmerizing architectural wonder will take your breath away with its unusual color patterns.
It get's busy at the top of Adam's  Peak. Creative Commons by dompling

Rochor, Sri Lanka

Adam's Peak

Once thought to be the Garden of Eden it holds a holy footprint claimed to belong to Adam, Buddha and Shiva.
Intercity train with observation car at the rear.

Nanuoya, Sri Lanka

The Main Line

Known as the most scenic route in Sri Lanka, this train line is steeped in history and offers an unparalleled view of the country.
Helga's Folly

Kandy, Sri Lanka

Helga's Folly

A Bohemian "anti-hotel" offers off-kilter stays in Sri Lanka.
Pettah Floating Market.

Colombo, Sri Lanka

Pettah Floating Market

Pettah's beautiful floating market was once a stinky canal in a sketchy industrial area.
Brief Garden.

Kirantidiya, Sri Lanka

Brief Garden

This luscious masterpiece created by landscape designer Bevis Bawa inspired the work of his brother, a famous Sri Lankan architect.
See All 40 Things To Do in Sri Lanka

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Sri Lanka

Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka

Mackwoods Tea Plantation Sign

A Sri Lankan tea factory's ironic take on the Los Angeles landmark.
In partnership with KAYAK

Plan Your Trip

In partnership with GetYourGuide

Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Explore Sri Lanka

Buddhism 11
Temples 8
Sacred Spaces 6
Statues 4
Geology 4
Architecture 4
Plants 4
Religion 4
Places To Stay 2

Sri Lanka Leaderboard

Places Added

  1. Avatar image for Max Cortesi
    Max Cortesi
    8
  2. Avatar image for Dr Alan P Newman
    Dr Alan P Newman
    6
  3. Avatar image for Tony Dunnell
    Tony Dunnell
    5
  4. Avatar image for esmetravels
    esmetravels
    4
  5. Avatar image for KanyaMae1992
    KanyaMae1992
    2

Places Edited

  1. Avatar image for Dr Alan P Newman
    Dr Alan P Newman
    7
  2. Avatar image for Max Cortesi
    Max Cortesi
    5
  3. Avatar image for esmetravels
    esmetravels
    5
  4. Avatar image for Apocalypse Yana
    Apocalypse Yana
    4
  5. Avatar image for neon astrolabe
    neon astrolabe
    3

Places Visited

  1. Avatar image for srilanka
    srilanka
    24
  2. Avatar image for lakdiva
    lakdiva
    20
  3. Avatar image for Grave with a view Marjolein
    Grave with a view Marjolein
    17
  4. Avatar image for Max Cortesi
    Max Cortesi
    17
  5. D
    danuvino
    17
Join the Ranks!
Visit a place in Sri Lanka.

Recent Sri Lanka Activity

  • L

    leonardclason

    has been to Isipathanaramaya Temple

  • Avatar image for K H

    K H

    wants to go to Ariyapala Mask Factory and Museum

  • M

    Markusko

    has been to Wewurukannala Vihara

  • M

    Markusko

    wants to go to Old Kachcheri

  • S

    steffiweirdtalk

    wants to go to Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi

Stories About Sri Lanka

Rama’s Bridge between India and Sri Lanka figures in ancient myths, and can be seen from space, in this case captured from the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 1994.

Sea Cucumber Crime Is a Thing, and This Is Where It’s Happening

A "seafood mafia" is plying the waters between India and Sri Lanka to satisfy China's appetite for an increasingly rare delicacy.
by Frank Jacobs
July 7, 2023
A Hindu priest holds a lit coconut oil lamp in front of statues of Prince Vijaya (left) and Kuweni (right) at the Sri Subramaniam temple in the southern Sri Lankan town of Matara.

How This Demon Dance Banishes Illnesses in Sri Lanka's Remote Jungles

The kankariya dance all started with a legendary demon queen named Kuweni.
by Zinara Rathnayake
May 4, 2023
For Sri Lankans, the sound of Beethoven means baked goods.

The Resilience of Sri Lanka's Musical, Mobile Bakeries

Faced with stiff competition and a strained economy, these Beethoven-blasting bread trucks fight to stay afloat.
by Imogen Sewell
April 20, 2023
A Sri Lankan Navy soldier walks amid the debris washed ashore from the container ship MV X-Press Pearl in May 2021.

What It Takes to Clean Up a Massive Nurdle Spill 

Following a maritime disaster, Sri Lankans are cleaning their beaches, nurdle by nurdle.
by Zinara Rathnayake
May 27, 2022
Angampora combat includes many jumping maneuvers.

Capturing Sri Lanka’s Ancient, Almost Lost Martial Art

Photographer Reza Akram spent seven years documenting angampora, an indigenous fighting style banned by British colonizers. 
by Zinara Rathnayake
July 7, 2021
Two women create a fabric-pulp sheet.

How Elephant Poop Becomes Fancy Paper in Sri Lanka

An elephant can defecate 16 times in one day—and its 200 pounds of dung can double as paper pulp.
by Zinara Rathnayake
November 8, 2019
The jungle highlands of Sri Lanka, where humans settled at least 45,000 years ago.

Eurasia's Oldest Tiny Tools Were Essential for Living in the Rain Forest

And perfectly sized for small, Sri Lankan jungle prey.
by Isaac Schultz
October 4, 2019

See Fewer Ads

Become an Atlas Obscura member and experience far fewer ads and no pop-ups.

Learn More

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube Twitter Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Puzzles
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Art & Culture Trips
  • Food Trips
  • Hidden City Trips
  • History Trips
  • Wildlife & Nature Trips
  • FAQ
  • Experiences
  • Online Courses
  • Online Experience FAQ
  • Online Course FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2024 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.