Sri Lanka in a fortnight? Absolutely doable – and unforgettable! From tropical beaches and lush green tea plantations to colonial cities and wild national parks, there’s something for everyone. Sri Lanka is a paradise for explorers. In this detailed guide, we present our tried-and-tested, customised two-week itinerary, covering all the highlights, as well as recommendations for restaurants, transport options, and insider tips. Perfect for your first trip!
Night 1: Arrive in Colombo – or continue straight away?
Colombo, the vibrant capital of Sri Lanka, is a fascinating blend of colonial history, contemporary urban life and cultural diversity. With its temples, colourful markets and stylish cafés, it’s the perfect place to gather your first impressions or take a deep breath after the long journey. However, many travellers only use Colombo as a short stopover before heading straight on to the green highlands or the coast.
☕ Cafés & Restaurants
- Grind Coffeehouse – Nice vibes & good coffee
- Seed Cafe – Healthy & stylish
- Life’s Good Kitchen – Vegan paradise
- KIKU Colombo – Modern and design-focused
🕌 Sightseeing
- Lotus Tower – Pretty television tower
- Gangaramaya Temple – Buddhist sanctuary with museum
- Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque – Impressive architecture
- Pettah Market – Lively market with street food and souvenirs
➡️ Advice: If you don’t want to do any sightseeing in Colombo and your flight schedule allows, go straight to Kandy!
Nights 2-4: Kandy – Culture, temples & excursions
Kandy is the spiritual heart of Sri Lanka. Nestled between green hills and boasting a picturesque lake and the famous Temple of the Tooth, the city exudes a special tranquillity, despite the centre sometimes getting busy. From here, you can experience the country’s cultural heritage and plan an unforgettable day trip to Sigiriya. Kandy is ideal for anyone who wants to experience authentic Sri Lankan culture, history and cuisine.
The train journey from Colombo to Kandy is relaxed. First class, which costs around €6 per person, is well worth it. The journey takes around 3.5 hours.
You can book train tickets with 12Go Asia or directly on the official Sri Lanka Railways website (cheaper!). Private travel is also possible and ideal for larger budgets or groups.
☕ Food & drink in Kandy
- Secret Alley – Insta-worthy & delicious
- Balaji Dosai – Authentic, affordable Indian food
- Buono – Good coffee & brunch
📸 Highlights in Kandy
- Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
- Kandy Lake – nice walk
- Kandy Viewpoint
🚗 Day trip: Sigiriya & Pidurangala Rock
A day trip from Kandy to Sigiriya is worthwhile, or you can spend a night there.
- Lion Rock: This famous rock features an impressive historic palace, but the entrance fee is expensive.
- Pidurangala Rock: Less well-known, cheaper and offering fantastic views of Lion Rock.
Our driver cost 18,000 LKR (~50 €) for the day trip.
Advice: Don’t go up during a full moon – it’s incredibly crowded then!
Nights 5-7: Ella – Nature, mountains & tea
Ella is a green mountain village that has rightly become a popular destination in recent years. Here, a relaxed atmosphere permeates the fresh mountain air. The village is surrounded by tea plantations, waterfalls, and hiking trails offering breathtaking views. Whether you enjoy a cup of freshly brewed Ceylon tea or hike to Ella Rock, Ella offers the Sri Lanka experience for nature and adventure lovers.
🚂 Train journey from Kandy to Ella – the most beautiful train in the world
- 1. class: With AC, closed windows but open doors. Comfortable, but less ‘Instagram flair’
- 2. & 3. class: Windows open, cheaper, more backpacker vibes, but often crowded
🍴 Cafés & restaurants in Ella
- The Bar by Starbeans – Gemütlich & gutes Essen
- Barista – Modern coffee house chain
- Cafe Soul Ella – Classic with backpacker flair
🌉 Places of interest in Ella
- Nine Arch Bridge – Famous spot, best early in the morning
- Little Adam’s Peak – Easy hike with best views
- Ella Rock – A little more challenging, well worth it
- Kinellan Tea Factory – Authentic tea factory tour
(Stopover) Safari
A safari in one of Sri Lanka’s national parks is an absolute highlight of any trip. Here, you can experience the island’s wild side, observing elephants, crocodiles, exotic birds and, if you’re lucky, even leopards. Sri Lanka is one of the few countries where you can observe so many animals in such a small area. Three parks in particular stand out:
Yala National Park in the south-east is the best known, with the highest density of leopards in the world. You can also spot elephants, water buffalo, peacocks and bears here. The park can be easily combined with a trip to the south coast – many tour operators will take you directly to the beach after the safari.
Udawalawe National Park is best known for its large herds of elephants, making it a better choice for families or anyone who wants to see elephants in the wild rather than in orphanages. It is less touristy than Yala National Park, but just as scenic.
Our tour (booked via GetYourGuide):
From Ella, we went on a private tour with a driver to Yala National Park, including a safari and an onward journey to the coast.
- Driver from Ella to the park
- Safari with jeep & guide
- Onward journey to Hiriketya
💰 Price: approx. 20 € p.p. (without park entrance fee)
🎫 Yala National Park entrance fee: 13,000 LKR (~37 €)
📸 Animals: With luck leopards, elephants, water buffalo, crocodiles
✅ Alternative: Udawalawe National Park – more elephants, but no leopards
Nights 8-14: South Coast - Beach, Surf & Sunset
The south coast of Sri Lanka provides the perfect setting for the end of a trip, with golden beaches, waves suitable for both beginners and professionals, stylish cafés, and a relaxed atmosphere. Hiriketiya is home to a laid-back surfing community, while Weligama and Ahangama offer stylish accommodation and creative dining options. Mirissa offers a mix of nightlife, secluded beaches and boat trips. Then there’s Galle, a charming colonial town with a rich history, boutiques and stunning sea views. Whether you want to relax, surf or explore, you’ll find it all here.
The South Coast of Sri Lanka is ideal for beach days and surfing. We recommend splitting your holiday:
- 3 nights Hiriketya (Dikwella) – laid-back, small, beautiful
- 3 nights Ahangama/Weligama/Mirissa – good mix of beach, cafés & surfing
🍽️ Foodie tips
Hiriketya:
- RAA – Stylish, creative drinks & casual vibes
- The Ruin – Relaxed beach spot with good food
- Sunset Bar – Cocktails with a sea view at sunset
- Malu Poke – Fresh bowls & healthy cuisine
- La Luna Hiri – Romantic, close to the beach, ideal for dinner
- Locos Café & Store – Small café with a delicious brunch in the centre of town
- Smokes & Bitters – Fine dining & signature cocktails in a jungle setting
- Duni’s Hoppers – Street food style with authentic hoppers & curries
Ahangama/Weligama/Mirissa:
- Nomad Café (Weligama) – Boho vibes, good bowls & coffee
- Kai Rooftop (Ahangama) – Rooftop atmosphere with Sri Lankan fusion cuisine
- Ceylon Sliders (Ahangama) – Coole Location direkt am Meer mit gutem Frühstück
- Crust (Ahangama) – Very good pizza & more!
- Cactus (Ahangama) – Colourful & casual
- Marshmallow (Ahangama) – right by the sea, cosy, boho
- Dhana’s Curdy Pot (Mirissa) – Local & delicious
- Surfing Wombats (Mirissa) – Italo-Aussie fusion with really good pasta & pizza
- Petti Petti (Mirissa) – Relaxed beach club with pool and very good food
- Shady Lane (Mirissa) – Hidden café with great coffee & snacks
Day 15: Return journey to Colombo & departure
Depending on your return flight, you will travel back to Colombo with a private driver (approx. 2.5-hour drive; €23 per person, including tolls ). Alternatively, you can take the train from Weligama, but it is slower and less comfortable.
📌 More tips for your trip to Sri Lanka
- Currency: Sri Lankan rupee (LKR) – Withdrawing money here is often free of charge
- SIM card: Dialogue or Mobitel – available cheaply at the airport
- Clothing: Cover your shoulders and knees in temples
- Transport: The train and a driver are the best options. Tuk-tuks are easy to get in cities; otherwise, you can also get them via Uber or Pick Me
- Best time to travel: December to April (southwest), May to September (northeast)
- Street dogs: Most are peaceful and often trusting, but it’s still worth treating them with respect and a little caution
- Locals: Almost everyone speaks excellent English, which makes travelling extremely easy. The hospitality is warm and genuine – even in smaller establishments, you often feel like you are among friends
Conclusion: Sri Lanka in 2 weeks – is that possible?
Yes, and how! Our two-week itinerary offers the perfect mix of culture, nature, beaches and adventure. Whether you’re looking for spirituality, surfing or wildlife, Sri Lanka has it all. Best of all, it’s a country full of hospitality, good food and fascinating diversity. We loved it here so much!
