Things to do in Sri Lanka
Red Dot's exciting range of activities in Sri Lanka ensure you will never be short of things to do during your stay in this tropical island with a little bit of everything. We have endless ideas about how to spend your time in Sri Lanka. When you return from a holiday it is often those special experiences that make your trip so memorable. Many might be random moments that can’t be planned in advance, but others can be carefully selected to suit your special interests. We always seek to offer authentic experiences that give you a real taste of Sri Lanka. We recommend that you include them in your itinerary in advance but you can also make requests on holiday as the mood takes you and as long as it is logistically possible, we will respond to your needs.
Our Sri Lanka activity pages are designed to make it easy for you to browse the experiences on offer. We have split them into regions and types of activity to help you find what you are looking for. Just browse through our collection of Sri Lanka activities covering such diverse interests as sport and adventure, birdwatching and yoga and meditation and discover how you can make your Sri Lanka tour one of your most exciting and memorable holidays yet. Try out exhilarating water-sports at the beach; trek through the tea hills; go on guided tours of Sri Lanka’s most iconic cultural sites; learn about traditional cuisine or local arts and crafts; spot elephants and leopards on jeep safaris, and unwind with yoga and Ayurveda spa treatments. Whatever your interests, there are things to do in all regions of Sri Lanka to delight both adults and children of all ages, and you can choose between independent, group and hosted activities.
All Our Sri Lanka Activities
Top 12 Activities in Sri Lanka
Galle Dutch Fort
Galle Dutch Fort, Galle, Sri Lanka
Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site originally built by the Portuguese before it was further developed by the Dutch and British, covers nearly 4sqkm and houses a range of old colonial buildings.
Duration: 4 hours
Best time: Year-round
Lipton's Seat
Lipton's Seat, Dambethenna Estate, Lipton Seat Road, Haputale, Sri Lanka
The favourite viewing point of Sir Thomas Lipton, Lipton’s Seat offers one of the most spectacular views of Sri Lanka’s Hill Country. Drive to the top, or walk up through the surrounding plantations.
Duration: 4 hours
Best time: Year-round
Polonnaruwa
Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s medieval capital from 1073 until the late 1200s, the ruins of the Kingdom of Polonnaruwa are incredibly well-preserved and include magnificant granite sculptures of Lord Buddha.
Duration: 4 hours
Best time: Year-round
Sigiriya Rock Fortress
Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Rock Front, Sigiriya, Sri Lanka
Sigiriya, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the most majestic, awe-inspiring and stunning historical locations in the world, built in the 5th century AD by ‘mad’ King Kasyapa.
Duration: 4 hours
Best time: Year-round
Temple of the Tooth
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Sri Dalada Veediya, Kandy, Sri Lanka
Tradition relates that a sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha was brought to Sri Lanka in 4th century A.D. and has been enshrined in the Dalanda Maligawa, or Temple of the Tooth, since the late 1500s.
Duration: 4 hours
Best time: Year-round
Galle Guided Bicycle Trails
Galle, Sri Lanka
Cycle through Galle’s beautiful countryside, passing paddy fields dotted with iconic white egrets and water buffalo, quiet villages, tea and rice fields. Choose from a range of routes.
Duration: 4 hours
Best time: Year-round
Hike in the Knuckles
Knuckles, Sri Lanka
The Knuckles Mountain Range is perfect for hiking – a land of mystical peaks, chattering waterfalls and hidden hillside villages, with breathtaking visas and a remoteness that will appeal to experienced and novice hikers alike.
Duration: 4 hours
Best time: February to August
6 Best Water-Sport Activities in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Discover the 6 best water-sport activities in Sri Lanka, from athletic surfing, kite-surfing and windsurfing to laidback snorkelling and sailing trips.
Duration: 4 hours
Best time: December to March, June to September
Sailing in Trincomalee or Pasikudah
Passikudah, Kalkudah, Sri Lanka
Set out from the shores of Trinco or Pasikudah in a catamaran and explore the splendour of Sri Lanka’s eastern coastline. Go to beautiful private coves and snorkel off colourful reefs.
Duration: 4 hours
Best time: June to September
Whale Watching in Mirissa
Mirissa, Sri Lanka
This modern catamaran complete with professional crew sets out from Mirissa Harbour at 6:30am, beating the other boats in order to have the best dolphin and whale sightings.
Duration: 4 hours
Best time: November to April
Yala National Park
Yala National Park, Sri Lanka
Yala National Park, situated in the south-east corner of the island, is home to the greatest variety of Sri Lanka’s wildlife including the island’s big game – elephants, leopards and sloth bears.
Duration: 4 hours
Best time: December to August
Kandy Perahera
Kandy, Sri Lanka
A `Perehara’ is a cultural procession, an ancient historic ritual where tradition, religion, and the arts all come together. The annual Kandy Perahera is an astonishing spectacle.
Duration: 4 hours
Best time: July / August
