2 Weeks in Sri Lanka: 2 Itineraries

by

DISCLAIMER: This post might have links to travel services and products that we enjoy. We might make a commission from it at no extra cost to you.

Sri Lanka is an island country located in South Asia and is a developing country. In fact, it is the highest-ranking South Asian country in terms of development.

Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!

It shares a maritime border with the Maldives in the Southwest and India in the Northwest. It lies in the Indian Ocean and is separated from the Indian Peninsula by the Palk Strait and Gulf of Mannar.

Sri Lanka is a tropical country well-known for its luscious forests, tea plantations, rice paddies, abundant wildlife, and ancient Hindu and Buddhist architecture. Spending 2 weeks in Sri Lanka means you can learn about its history, culture, people, food, and visit magnificent natural beauty.

CHECK OUT: Best Honeymoon Destinations in Southeast Asia for 2 Weeks and Best 2-week Holyda Destinations

TABLE OF CONTENTS show

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE VISITING SRI LANKA

4 images- aerial view of Weligama Coastline, Sigiriya Rock, Elephant on a river, and Polonnaruwa - 2 Weeks in Sri Lanka Itinerary

There are so many things to see and experience in Sri Lanka. But to maximise your stay here and avoid any hiccups, it’s best to know these travel tips first.

When is the best time to go to Sri Lanka

The best time to visit Sri Lanka is December to April, as it’s the time when it’s not too hot. The country also experiences ample sunshine and clear blue skies during these months. The summer season lasts from May to September.

The Yala monsoon, which lasts from May to August, has an impact on the South and Western regions, so you should stay away from those areas during this time.

Are 2 weeks enough for Sri Lanka

14 days in Sri Lanka can be adequate if the trip is well-planned with a focus on experiencing the essence of the country rather than trying to see everything. It’s wise to concentrate on 3-4 key areas to avoid spreading yourself too thin.

For instance, you could dedicate time to exploring the Cultural Triangle, which includes Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, and Sigiriya, for a dose of ancient history and heritage.

Then, a few days in Kandy can be spent discovering the local traditions, followed by unwinding in the hill country, such as Nuwara Eliya, to revel in the tea plantations and cooler climate. Concluding your trip along the southern beaches can be refreshing.

When it comes to transportation, choosing the right mode is essential. Trains are scenic and affordable but time-consuming, so use them for picturesque routes like Kandy to Ella.

Hiring a private driver or using domestic flights can be more efficient for longer distances or time-sensitive travel. Balancing destinations and transport can make two weeks in Sri Lanka fulfilling.

How to get around

The most common and convenient option to get around Sri Lanka is to rent a car and hire a private driver. However, it is more expensive compared to the other modes of transport. You can also hail taxi cabs or tuk-tuks.

Riding a train would be the perfect option for those who prefer cheaper options where you could enjoy the scenery leisurely. Taking the bus is also an affordable choice, but make sure the bus route is direct and won’t be more than 2-3 hours or it can get quite uncomfortable and time consuming.

Language and currency

The main language used in this country is called Sinhala. English is not commonly spoken, with approximately 23.8% speaking fluently, so you need to learn a couple of widely used terms when going here or hire a guide who can be your translator if you want to.

However, in touristy areas, you can get by with English when interacting with locals who work in hotels, restaurants, and travel agents.

Sri Lanka’s currency is called Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR). Ensure you have ample amounts exchanged in local currency. Credit cards, however, are widely used if you prefer to use them, especially in cities. The most commonly accepted credit card brands are Mastercard and Visa.

Visa

Sri Lanka offers evisa or visa on arrival for pretty much all travellers. It is valid for 30 days and can be extended up to 180 days.

Make sure that your passport is valid for 6 months on the day of arrival in Sri Lanka. Although, it is common that some airlines might not allow you to board a flight if your passport only has 6 months left on validity.

APPLY FOR AN EVISA AND AVOID QUEUING

What is the average cost for 2 weeks in Sri Lanka

The average cost of spending two weeks in Sri Lanka varies significantly based on the travel style.

For budget travellers who prefer hostels, guesthouses, local eateries, and public transportation, the expenses can range from $550 to $700. Street food and economical restaurants can keep food costs down, while public buses and trains are incredibly affordable for getting around.

For those seeking a balance, with stays in 3-star hotels, some guided tours, a combination of local and international dining, and occasional use of taxis, the mid-range budget can range between $800 and $1,200. This range offers more comfortable accommodation and the flexibility to enjoy a wider range of experiences.

Luxury travellers opting for 5-star hotels, private tours, fine dining, and private transportation can expect to spend upwards of $2,500 to $4,000 or more. This level offers opulence, personalized experiences, and the highest standard of comfort and convenience.

Keep in mind that these costs can vary depending on various factors, including seasonal changes, preferences, and travel habits. Plus, your flights to and out of Sri Lanka and travel insurance.

Other basic travel tips

HOTELS
VISA
CAR RENT
TOURS
FLIGHTS
BUS (EU/US/CA)
TRAINS (EUROPE)
TRAIN/BUS (ASIA)
BOOKED TOURS
TRAVEL INSURANCE
TOURS (ASIA)
HOSTELS
AIRPORT PICK UP
ESIM
BIKE RENTAL

PINNED MAP OF TOP THINGS TO SEE IN SRI LANKA

Click the icon on the top right to enlarge the map. Credit: map data: Google

2 WEEKS IN SRI LANKA ITINERARY

These itineraries are grouped depending on your interests. If you’re into exploring national parks or want to experience everything, Sri Lanka has to offer.

These itineraries aren’t the end-all-be-all; you can modify them according to your preference. These serve as a guide on what you’ll see and experience in each place.

ALSO READ: 2 weeks in India itineraries

Package tours

You can also make your 2 weeks in Sri Lanka much easier if you book a package tour. The tour company will handle everything you have to arrange. You can also book a 12-day tour which leaves you around 2 days to explore on your own before or after the trip.

12 DAYS (BACKPACKERS)
11 DAYS (ROMANTIC/ COUPLES)
14 DAYS (CLASSIC TRAIL)
12 DAYS (18-30s)
12 DAYS (COMFORT)
14DAYS (BACK ROAD/CYCLE)
13 DAYS (FAMILY)

Itinerary #1: Exploring National Parks

The first itinerary for your 2 weeks in Sri Lanka is focused on National Parks. This is perfect for vacationers fond of animals, nature, and wildlife. This itinerary includes Colombo, Anuradhapura, Dambulla and Sigiriya, and Kandy.

Colombo is the capital city of Sri Lanka, well-known for Ceylon tea, an eclectic mix of shiny hotels, in contrast with office blocks and red-tiled colonial buildings. On the other hand, Anuradhapura is the ancient capital city famous for its preserved ruins of the Sinhala civilization.

Now onto the locations with tons of nature and wildlife. Dambulla is the second largest and most populated city in the Matale district, after the town of Matale. One of the most famous natural tourist attractions is the largest cave temple complex in Sri Lanka.

Sigiriya is an Ancient Palace where you could hike. Last is Kandy, home of the Temple of the tooth relic. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1988.

2 images - Lotus Tower and Colombo Coastline in Sri Lanka

Colombo for 2 days

Colombo is a perfect starting place for your trip because, as it’s the country’s capital, most of the tools you’ll need can be found here.

There are also numerous establishments where you can take care of your booking, buy food supplies, and the like. And, of course, transportation to almost any part of Sri Lanka is more accessible from Colombo.

Some sights to see here include the Red Mosque, one of the oldest Mosques in Colombo, Gangaramaya Temple, Colombo National Museum, and Galle Face Green Square. You can also buy tons of food and knick-knacks in their street markets as the stores offer almost anything, so this is a foodie’s haven.

Anuradhapura for 4 days (Wilpattu National Park)

Anuradhapura is often overlooked in most travel guides, but this should differ, as it has so much to offer. It is included in UNESCO World Heritage sites and has ruins that rival those in other countries in terms of being well-preserved.

You could base yourself here for accommodation and visit Wilpattu, a national park famous for its natural sand-rimmed water basins filling with rainwater. Around 106 “natural lakes” are found here. You can also stay in Anuradhapura and have day trips to Dambulla and Sigiriya.

The distance between Colombo and Anuradhapura is 200 km (124.2 mi). I highly recommend riding the train when going to Anuradhapura. The travel time is between 4-8 hours, depending on the railway company, and tickets cost anywhere between $13-20.

Other modes of transportation are cheaper buses, which would take longer to arrive at your destination. You could also fly and take a cab, which is way more expensive.

Dambulla and Sigiriya for 4 days (Wasgamuwa National Park and Somawathiya National Park)

I out Dambulla and Sigiriya together as they are very close. These locations are farther from the cities and closer to nature. Some of the must-see attractions in Dambullah include the Cave Temple, Pophams Arboretum, Hurulu Forest Reserve, and Minneriya National Park.

The Wasgamuwa and Somawathiya National Parks are also near here. They are must-visits, with Wasgamuwa being famous for its 150 floral species and an ancient Tamarind Tree aged 1,700 years, and Somawathiya being well-known for having the largest concentration of elephants in the country, along with Flood Plains National Park.

Sigiriya is a massive column of rock best experienced by riding a tuk-tuk, a local vehicle used to pass through small roads. You’ll also get to see Pidurangala rock from different angles there.

The distance between Anuradhapura to Dambulla is 63 km (39 mi). The cheapest mode of transportation is by bus but the travel time is more than 9 hours because it’s not direct. Taxi and driving are faster, (1 hour and 15 minutes) with only a little more than an hour of travel time but are more expensive, costing $59 and up.

2 images - Monkeys at Anuradhapura and Huluganga Falls at Knuckles Mountain Range Sri Lanka

Kandy for 4 days (Victoria Randenigala Rantember Sanctuary and Knuckles Forest)

I highly recommend staying in Kandy for at least 4 days for your two weeks in Sri Lanka. It is a major city in Sri Lanka and is the last capital of the Ancient Kings’ Era. Here in Kandy, you could explore the streets and buy tons of souvenirs and equipment in the process, as they have a street market and take lakeside walks while you’re at it.

Other must-visit places include Victoria Randenigala Rantambe Sanctuary, famous for its herd of elephants and other wildlife species, Giragama Tea Plantation, and Undawattakele Forest Reserve.

The distance between Dambulla to Kandy is 73 km (45 mi) and is a 3-hr drive. That’s why I highly recommend renting a car for this trip. However, if you want to save, you could also take the bus and a taxi, which is cheaper.

This is the perfect place to end your trip because there are just so many sights to see, but at the same time, the tourist spots are relatively quiet and are mostly nature-centric, which would further relax you and your companions.

Itinerary #2: First-timer, A Bit of Everything

This second itinerary is perfect for those who want to experience a little bit of everything. Like the first one, we’ll start at the country’s capital, Colombo. Followed by Kandy, which is a city filled with religious establishments and ruins.

After that, you’ll experience one of the best train rides of your life (should you prefer to go to your next destination by train) to reach Ella, which is filled with natural resources.

Then last but definitely not least is Galle and Mirissa, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the other is considered the surfing capital. These 2 places are perfect as the last stop for your trip as they are quiet and have very laidback vibes.

Colombo for 3 days

Colombo is a travel hotspot for its culture, exciting nightlife, and history. Some must-visit places here are the Pettah floating market, Independence Square, Viharamahadevi Park, and more.

It is a perfect starting point because everything is easily accessible, including transportation, huge supermarkets where you could get your stock for the whole trip, tourist necessity shops such as money changing areas, sim card stalls, and the like.

Kandy for 4 days (Victoria Randenigala Rantember Sanctuary and Knuckles Forest)

After your relaxing strolls at Colombo, the next destination is Kandy. This sacred city is famous for the Tooth Relic, considered one of Buddhism’s holiest places.

There’s also an annual procession called Esala Perahera, wherein one of the inner caskets used for covering the tooth relic of the Buddha is taken into a procession on the city’s streets.

Knuckles Forest is another must-visit location. It is a picturesque mist-laden mountain range. It also has waterfall chains and trekking pathways. Other tourist spots in Kandy include Royal Botanical Gardens, War Cemetery, Wood Carving Shop, and Gem Museum.

The distance between Colombo to Kandy is 122.5 km (76 mi). I highly recommend that you take the train to reach your destination. The travel time is between 2 hours and 30 min to more than 3 hours, and the tickets cost anywhere between $-4-8.

Other options include riding the train, taxi, or van. Trains also cost around $4, so you might also use this transportation, especially if you love scenic views along the way. However, the 2 latter options are more expensive.

2 images - Ella train ride to Kandy and Lion's Rock in Sigiriya, Sri Lanka

Ella for 3 days

After Kandy, Ella is the next stop for your 2 weeks in Sri Lanka itinerary. This place is famous for its cloud forests, lush, great tea plantations, and prominent peaks. You can enjoy the splendid mountainscapes bt trekking to your heart’s content or swimming under the waterfalls also found there.

Some of Ella’s most popular tourist destinations are Little Adam’s Peak, Nine Arch Bridge, Ella Rock, Diyaluma Falls, and Lipton Seat. Other things to do here include zip lining, cooking classes, and tea factory tours.

I highly recommend taking the train from Kandy to Ella if you’re not in a rush, as you’ll see many views that you would only see here. However, if you’re in a time crunch and would be OK paying more, you could ride a taxi which costs around $71 and up. The travel time is 3 and a half hours.

Galle and Mirissa for 4 days

Galle is the provincial capital and the largest city in the Southern Province part of Sri Lanka. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is an exotic old trading port filled with ancient mosques, churches, Dutch colonial buildings, museums, and grand mansions.

The most famous tourist spots here are Galle Lighthouse, Galle Fort Clock Tower, Maritime Museum, Japanese Peace Pagoda, Dutch Reformed Church, and more.

Mirissa, on the other hand, is a small town famous for offering whale and dolphin-watching activities. Some must-visit places include Coconut Tree Hill, Parrot Rock, and Weligama, a surfing capital. You can even have day tours to Unawatuna and Galle Fort.

These are the perfect locations to end the trip here because both are laid back, full of nature and history, and you could unwind to your heart’s content and have a magical time before returning to reality.

The best way to make the travel from Ella to Galle the scenic train ride. Many tourists come here just to do this. Other option is a minivan ride, which lasts 9 hours and costs $85. Another option is a taxi ride which costs between $100-$150 and has a travel duration of 2 to 3 hours and 30 minutes.

2 images - Elephants at Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage and Dambulla Cave

THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN SRI LANKA (per city)

Now that you have an idea on where to go around Sri Lanka and how many days to spend in each city, here’s a list of must-see and must-do activities that I recommend:

Colombo

Anuradhapura

Dambulla and Sigiriya

Kandy

Ella

Galle and Mirissa

MUST-TRY SRI LANKAN DISHES, DRINKS, AND SNACKS

Sri Lanka boasts a vibrant cuisine with an array of dishes that are a must-try for anyone visiting the country. Plan to try at least 3-4 dishes during your visit. Here’s a list of recommended Sri Lankan food and drinks:

  • Rice and Curry – a staple meal in Sri Lanka and consists of rice served with various vegetable and meat curries, lentils, pickles, and sambols
  • Hoppers (Appa) – bowl-shaped pancakes made from fermented rice flour and coconut milk
  • Kottu Roti – a popular street food made from godhamba roti (a type of flatbread), vegetables, eggs, and meat, all chopped and mixed together
  • String Hoppers (Indiappa) – rice noodles woven into flat spirals. They’re usually served for breakfast with dhal (lentil curry) and coconut sambol
  • Fish Ambul Thiyal (Sour Fish Curry) – a dry, sour fish curry made with tuna or similar fish
  • Pol Sambol (Coconut Sambol) – made from ground coconut mixed with chili peppers, dried Maldives fish, and lime juice. It’s a side dish that adds flavor to meals
  • Watalappan – arich dessert made from coconut milk, jaggery, cashew nuts, eggs, and various spices, creating a creamy custard
  • Lamprais – Dutch Burgher-influenced dish consists of rice, meat curry, and sambols wrapped in a banana leaf and then baked
  • Kiri Toffee (Milk Toffee) – fudge-like sweet made with sweetened condensed milk, sugar, and cashew nuts, sometimes spiced with cardamom
  • Curry Cake (Love Cake) – is a moist and richly spiced cake with a dense texture, made with semolina, honey, cashew nuts, and a mix of spices
  • Aggala – sweet rice balls made with rice flour and kithul jaggery, seasoned with pepper and cumin, and are often associated with traditional celebrations
  • Ceylon Tea – Sri Lanka is famous for its tea, known as Ceylon tea; a variety of options such as black, green, and white tea
  • Thambili (King Coconut Water)– a natural and refreshing drink obtained from the King Coconut
  • Faluda – a cold and sweet beverage that includes ingredients such as rose syrup, vermicelli noodles, basil seeds, and is often served with a scoop of ice cream
  • Wood Apple Juice – made from the wood apple fruit
  • Arrack – traditional alcoholic drink made from the sap of coconut flowers
3 images - of Sri Lankan dishes - hopper (appa), string hoppers (indiappa), and kottu roti

ACCOMMODATIONS

When it comes to places to stay in Sri Lanka, there are plenty of choices depending on your budget and location. There are villa-like designs and also regular hotels. Keep in mind that the more rural you go, the fewer options you have with lower quality.

Colombo

Anuradhapura

Dambulla and Sigiriya

Kandy

Ella

Galle and Mirissa

SUMMARY OF 2 WEEKS IN SRI LANKA ITINERARY

You wouldn’t even notice that your 14 days in Sri Lanka have passed with the long list of memorable experiences you will create here. This country has world heritage sites, religious and historical locations, enchanting beaches, forests, and scenic train rides. What more could you ask for, right?

There’s definitely more, as Sri Lanka is also well-known for its variety of sweetmeats, exotic fruits, spicy foods, and, most of all, the hospitality of its people. Your stay here would definitely be worth every single minute of it.

TO SAVE THIS ITINERARY, PIN THIS IMAGE BELOW:

Planning a solo trip to Sri Lanka? Explore Colombo's bustling streets, the ancient ruins of Sigiriya, and the stunning beaches of Mirissa. Enjoy rich culture, delicious cuisine, and breathtaking landscapes for an unforgettable solo adventure. via @twoweektraveller