If you’ve been to Sri Lanka, odds are that you’ve caught the train from Kandy to Ella. Along the way, you’ll be taken through cloud forest and tea plantations, and will notice that the climate changes a lot as you ascend. Whilst Ella is regarded as a paradise for backpackers, just before it is a stop called Nanu Oya; the gateway to Nuwara Eliya, otherwise known as ‘Little England’. It is quite remote, so you’d be forgiven for wondering what there is to do in Nuwara Eliya. Fortunately, my quick guide covers all you need to know from a person who has been here.
What to Do in Nuwara Eliya | Your Quick Guide
Where to Stay in Nuwara Eliya
If you pick your hotel right, Nuwara Eliya will be the highlight of your trip. As a maximum, I would say that two nights is enough, but you could even get away with one.
We stayed at the Heritance Tea Factory, officially the highest hotel in Sri Lanka and definitely one of the most beautiful. It is a small, beautiful hotel with gorgeous views nestled in the remotest of highlands.
Here are some accommodation options based upon my own personal choices:
| Accommodation Type | Accommodation Option |
| Unique Boutique | Heritance Tea Factory |
| Colonial Feel | The Grand Hotel |
| Modern Traditional | Jetwing St. Andrew’s |
| Small and Intimate | Ferncliff Bungalow |
Top Things to do in Nuwara Eliya
1. Visit Victoria Park
At the heart of the town is Victoria Park, named after Queen Victoria for her diamond jubilee. The park itself is a beautiful place to explore and is filled with flowers and birds; not dissimilar to the Royal Botanical Gardens in Kandy. It is perfect for a morning or evening stroll and it will make you feel like you are in Europe rather than Asia.
2. Visit a Tea Plantation
The most important thing to do in Nuwara Eliya is visit a Tea Plantation. You won’t have to look far to find one either and many of them offer tours and tastings. Whilst our hotel had this on site, other options are the Pedro Tea Estate or the Blue Field Tea Gardens.
Top Tip: Whilst you are at the plantations, make sure that you try the delicious signature Nuwara Eliya black tea.
3. Explore Horton Plains & World’s End
One of the lesser-known things to do in Nuwara Eliya is to hike around the Horton Plains. This is home to the largest cloud forest in Sri Lanka. This comes with a diverse range of flora and fauna, including iconic species like the Sri-Lankan leopard (which are apparently really fluffy here!). The main attraction though is the World’s End. You’ll get to see some of the best views in Sri Lanka on a clear day and a truly dramatic landscape.
Top Tip: I found this really chilly. Unlike other parts of Sri Lanka, make sure that you bring layers/ a trusty jumper.
4. Visit the Grand Hotel for High Tea
One of my favourite things that we did in Nuwara Eliya was having high tea at the Grand Hotel. The setting is just what you’d want from an English-style high tea. Firstly, you have a large colonial house, which has been beautifully decorated to keep in with modern trends, including a large indoor-outdoor living space where you can enjoy your tea and food. The gardens here are the main showstopper though. They are famous in Sri Lanka and have won all sorts of awards. Once you see them, it won’t take much to realise why!
5. Wander Around Gregory Lake
In the heart of the Nuwara Eliya region is Lake Gregory. It is actually highly popular with locals and you’ll see them gather here on a sunny day to relax or to carry out recreational activities. I think that it is a perfect place to go to on a sunny afternoon. You can even rent out paddle-boats!
6. Visit Seetha Amman Temple
Outside of Nuwara Eliya is the colourful Seetha Amman Hindu Temple. This site is actually part of a Ramayana legend and so it is a sacred spot to the local community, the majority of whom are Hindus. Across the Nuwara Eliya area are multiple other temples to see, some of the prettiest of which are in the remote villages scattered across the plantations.
7. Shop at the Local Market
If you have time, take a trip to Nuwara Eliya’s local market. It isn’t very touristy at all and it houses produce that is local to the region. As you will know, this part of Sri Lanka is very different to the majority of the country, with a different climate and where the majority of people are Hindus. The produce and atmosphere reflect this and it is a great opportunity to see a different side of the country.
8. Visit the Post Office
Located in the heart of town, the post office (built in 1894) remains operational, and offers visitors the unique experience of sending a postcard from one of the country’s oldest postal facilities. In 2012, the building’s upper floor, once the postmaster’s residence, was converted into tourist accommodations, allowing guests to immerse themselves in its historic ambiance
Final Thoughts | What to do in Nuwara Eliya
I hope that this post has helped you plan what to do in Nuwara Eliya. During our stay in Sri Lanka, I would go as far as saying that this was the most unique location and I just loved the remoteness and the local feel. It isn’t as hot as the rest of the island and you won’t find many tourist attractions, but Nuwara Eliya is the perfect place to relax, enjoy the views, and drink plenty of tea.
