Bandarawela

Bandarawela is widely considered to have one of the best climates in Sri Lanka, making it a popular health resort since British colonial times. The town retains its colonial charm with historic buildings like the Bandarawela Hotel and many English-style villas. Surrounded by rolling hills and vast tea estates, it provides a peaceful alternative to the busier town of Ella. A local highlight is the Dhowa Rock Temple, famous for its large unfinished Buddha statue carved into a cliff face. The region is known for its fresh produce, and the local market is a great place to see a variety of fruits and vegetables grown in the fertile highlands. Bandarawela serves as an excellent base for hiking through tea plantations that are less crowded than those in other tourist areas. The town is easily accessible via the scenic railway line connecting Colombo and Badulla. The best time to visit is from December to April when the days are sunny and the nights are refreshingly cool. It is a well-suited destination for travelers looking for relaxation and a taste of colonial history in a serene mountain setting.

Nearby cities

Kandy

Kandy, nestled in the lush hills of central Sri Lanka, is famous for the Temple of the Tooth and its Buddhist traditions.

Matale

Matale is an agricultural town nestled in a valley in the center of the island, surrounded by spice gardens.

Nuwara Eliya

Nuwara Eliya, often called 'Little England', is a highland city with a cool climate, known for tea production and colonial architecture.

Hatton

Hatton is the heart of Sri Lanka's tea industry and a major gateway for those climbing the sacred Adam's Peak.

Haputale

Haputale is spectacularly perched on a mountain ridge, offering breathtaking views of tea plantations and cloud forests.

Knuckles Range

A UNESCO World Heritage site with misty peaks resembling a clenched fist, perfect for trekking.

Sembuwatta Lake

A paradisiacal man-made lake nestled within tea plantations, famous for its deep blue waters and misty mountain backdrop.

Maskeliya

A charming town situated by the Maussakelle Reservoir, surrounded by endless tea estates and the gateway to Adam's Peak.

More places

Thotupola Kanda

The third highest mountain in Sri Lanka, associated with the Ramayana legend of King Ravana.

Hakgala

A mountain near Nuwara Eliya famous for the botanical gardens located on its slopes.

Mahaweli Valley

The broad river valley of the Mahaweli, Sri Lanka's longest river, known for its agricultural importance.

Horton Plains

A high-altitude plateau in central Sri Lanka, characterized by montane forest and grassland.

Lakegala

An impressive, triangular rock peak in the Knuckles mountain range, often associated with ancient legends.

Kirigalpotta

The second highest mountain in Sri Lanka and the highest one accessible to the general public.

Moon Plains

An agricultural plateau near Nuwara Eliya offering a vast 360-degree view of the surrounding mountains.

Knuckles Mountain Range

A massive mountain range in central Sri Lanka whose folds resemble the knuckles of a clenched fist.