The 22 Best Things To Do In Ella, Sri Lanka

Last Updated: January 10 2024

Sri Lanka is famous for its exotic beaches, diverse wildlife, and rich culture. However, central Sri Lanka and its stunning landscapes aren’t to be missed either, in particular Ella.

This beautiful Sri Lankan town is located in the Badulla District. The perfect travel destination; it’s an area of rich biodiversity, fauna, and flora, and is home to some of the country’s best tourist attractions.

This town quickly became one of our favourite places to stay in Sri Lanka and we want to show you what it has to offer!

To do that, we’ve put together this guide that shows you all the best things to do in Ella. If you want to add this stunning mountain town to your Sri Lanka itinerary, stick around!

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The Best Things to Do in Ella, Sri Lanka

1. Hike up Ella Rock

In our opinion, one of the best things to do in Ella is hike up Ella Rock! This town is famous for its large hills and Ella Rock is certainly one of the most iconic, as it’s a famous cliff that stands tall above the town.

Overlooking the lush Uva province, this rock is one of the best places to visit in Ella if you want to take in panoramic views of the vast countryside.

Admittedly, hiking up the rock is a challenge but you’ll love every second of the experience. The entire hike is approximately a 10 km (6 miles) round-trip and it starts from Ella train track. It takes roughly 5 hours in total, and that’s allowing some time at the top to take in the views.

The walk can be quite tough but just take your time and you’ll be fine. What we will say though is to head out early in the morning, as it gets really warm here!

2. Head out to Yala National Park

Yala National Park may be a 1.5-hour drive away from the town, but that doesn’t stop thousands of tourists from leaving Ella on a full-day safari tour of Sri Lanka’s most popular national park.

Yala National Park is one of the most famous wildlife reserves in Asia! Divided into 5 blocks, this park combines a strict nature reserve with a stunning national park. It’s home to almost 130,000 hectares of protected land that consists of scrubs, grasslands, forests, and lagoons.

Two blocks are currently open for the public to head out on safari. Here, you’ll have the chance to visit the park on a day tour and see an array of different animal species. Yala is currently home to 44 varieties of mammals and more than 200 bird species.

This includes elephants, crocodiles, langur monkeys, sloth bears, and the largest concentration of leopards in the world!

3. Take a ride on the ‘Ella to Kandy’ Train

One of the most popular tourist attractions in Sri Lanka, and certainly one of the best things to do in Kandy is actually a train ride to Ella!

The Kandy to Ella train ride is widely regarded as the most beautiful train journey in the world. It takes approximately 6-7 hours and travels through breathtaking landscapes.

If you decide to take this journey, you can expect lush forests, mountain peak views, vast tea plantations, and old stone bridges. Honestly, we’d highly recommend travelling between Ella and Kandy this way.

No matter whether you take the train to Ella or you depart from here, you’ll have striking views. Another popular place you can visit on this train includes Nuwara Eliya.

You can book tickets at any train station in Sri Lanka but make sure you book in advance! This is a really popular activity, and you don’t want to miss out.

4. Visit Ravana Falls

Ravana Falls is a hugely popular sightseeing attraction in the country so make sure you include this location on your Sri Lanka itinerary!

Easily one of the wildest waterfalls in the country, Ravana Falls is 25 metres (82 feet) tall and cascades to form an oval-shaped rock outcrop.

The falls are most impressive in winter because this is Sri Lanka’s rainy season. During this time, this waterfall is described as resembling an areca flower. Unfortunately, the flow of water reduces massively in the summer, so you might want to plan your visit carefully!

Ravana Falls forms part of the Ravana Ella Wildlife Sanctuary and you’ll find it approximately 6 km (3.7 miles) from Ella railway station. You can get here by bus or car and the journey only takes 15 minutes.

When it comes to price, Ravana Falls is free to enter, so don’t forget to visit!

5. Walk up Little Adams Peak

If you’re looking for a good hike but you don’t want anything too challenging, we recommend hiking up Little Adams Peak. It’s a 1,141-metre (3,743 feet) hill that sits to the southeast of town!

It’s one of the most popular things to do in Ella and definitely one of the places you should visit if you want to experience the town’s stunning scenery. Not to be mistaken for its big brother, Adam’s Peak, this hill takes roughly 30 minutes to reach the top, making it a much easier hike than Ella Rock.

The path is mostly paved and flat, but there are some steps to walk up near the top. Little Adams Peak has several awesome viewpoints, all of which offer incredible views of the surrounding mountains!

We were even lucky enough to cuddle some puppies at the top of Little Adams Peak too.

6. Take a cooking class

A great way to immerse yourself in the local culture during your time here is by taking part in a cooking class. The perfect activity for food lovers; cooking classes in Sri Lanka are fantastic so definitely take part in one if you can!

One of the best cooking classes in town is Ella Spice Garden which is run by the most amazing locals. Super-friendly and very experienced, this unique activity offers you the chance to learn how to cook Sri Lankan cuisine.

After an interesting spice lesson, you’ll head into the kitchen to cook a range of different dishes. If you’re anything like us, you’ll also be very pleased to hear that you get shown how to make roti too!

This wonderful class also comes with a neat recipe book for you to write your recipes down.

7. Head to The Nine Arches Bridge

One of our favourite places to visit in Ella is Nine Arches Bridge! Commonly referred to as ‘Bridge in the Sky’, it’s a beautiful viaduct bridge that’s just a short walk from the centre of town.

Built in 1923, Nine Arches Bridge is a fine example of colonial architecture in Sri Lanka. It’s also a key part of the country’s railway infrastructure. Every day, the famous Kandy to Ella train crosses the bridge as it makes its way through the lush Sri Lankan landscape!

The bridge itself sits in a dense forest which makes it a great place for hiking and taking in the views. In our opinion, the best time to visit is when the train crosses over as this is when you’ll get the best photos.

Train times change so make sure you check the timetable before your visit!

8. Admire the views from Lipton’s Seat

The next attraction on our list of things to do in Ella is Lipton’s Seat! It’s a high observation point that can be found in the hills of Poonagala, approximately a 1.5-hour drive away from town.

Lipton Sea is named after Sir Thomas Lipton, a Scottish tea planter and baron who once surveyed the area. Interestingly, there’s a statue of him on the seat where he would once sit!

Aside from the unique story behind the area, one of the main reasons you would visit is to explore the amazing tea plantations. Lipton’s Seat features a 7 km (4 miles) hike that’s surrounded by colourful plantations and impressive hillside views!

You can take two routes, and the climb will take approximately 2.5 hours. One route starts at the Nayabedda estate, while the second starts at the Dambatenna estate.

9. Eat delicious local cuisine

As entertaining as it can be to travel around seeing as much as you can, sometimes it’s just nice to take a step back and relax! One of the best ways to do that in Sri Lanka is by tucking into some delicious local food.

This Sri Lankan town leaves tourists spoilt for choice, as there are so many restaurants. The main road is jam-packed with food options, so there’s something for everyone.

There are local restaurants serving hearty main dishes, small cafes selling delicious cakes, small bars serving light bites and drinks, and even some pubs!

Dishes we recommend include roti canai (our favourite), daal curry, kukul mas curry, fish and rice, and rice and curry. Strangely, the national dish in Sri Lanka is called ‘rice and curry’!

When it comes to drinks, if you want to try local, you should try the local tea, and a popular liquor called arrack – although it’s a very high percentage so be careful.

10. Head to Diyaluma Falls

Diyaluma Falls is a 1-hour drive and a short hike away from the town centre, so you’ll want to catch a bus or taxi there. The falls are actually closer to Wellawaya, but you can easily get here so it makes sense to visit during your stay.

Diyaluma Falls is another impressive Sri Lankan waterfall, however, this one is much bigger! In fact, this waterfall is almost 10 times taller than Ravana Falls standing at a whopping 220 metres (720 feet).

Diyaluma Falls is also the second-highest waterfall in Sri Lanka, so heading here is one of the best things to do in Ella!

The journey here is quite a task but watching the water cascade into the valley below is well worth the wait. If you time your visit right, you might even be able to swim in the natural pools at the top of the falls!

11. Visit one of the local tea plantations

If you didn’t know already, Sri Lanka is the second largest tea exporting country in the world – second only to China. The country’s tea exportation industry is worth more than £1 billion, which is rather impressive!

Most of Sri Lanka’s best and biggest tea plantations can be found in the central regions, including Ella. With its rolling hills and lush vegetation, this town is the perfect place to enjoy a cup of fresh tea.

There are several fantastic tea plantations to explore so you should visit a few during your stay. Each plantation has its own unique landscape and different flavours of tea to try!

Some of the tea plantations you might want to visit include Ceylon Tea Factory, Uva Halpewette Tea, Oodoowerre Tea, and Kinellan Tea Factory. The latter is the easiest tea plantation to visit because it only takes 10 minutes to get there!

12. Go on Ella’s Mega Zipline

If you’re looking for an activity that will get your blood pumping, you need to ride the Flying Ravana Zipline. This epic zipline stretches for more than half a kilometre and reaches speeds of 80 kph (50 mph).

The zipline doesn’t just offer adrenaline junkies their fix, but it also offers a unique bird’s-eye view of the beautiful Sri Lankan hills. You can find this zipline at Flying Ravana Adventure Park just a 15-minute drive from the town centre.

Aside from the zipline, visitors can also participate in other activities designed for adventure enthusiasts. This includes ATV quad bike rides, archery, air rifling, and abseiling. Those of you who enjoy biking may want to check out the park’s mountain bike tours.

This is easily one of the best places to visit in Ella if you seek adventure and lots of fun!

13. Take a day trip to Udawalawe National Park

Without a shadow of a doubt, our favourite place to see wildlife in Sri Lanka is Udawlawe National Park. It takes approximately 2 hours to reach this incredible park but you’ll be rewarded with the experience of a lifetime!

Udawalawe National Park sits on the boundary between the Uva and Sabaragamuwa provinces and covers an impressive 30,821 hectares of land. This national park was created to provide a sanctuary for the country’s animals that have been displaced by the construction of Udawalawe Reservoir.

The park is an important habitat for Sri Lankan elephants and water birds, as well as a wide range of other species too!

One of the things we love most about this national park is that it’s considered to be much quiet than Yala. However, you’ll still find the same species here. On our Udawalawe National Park safari trip, it was just us and 2 guides, so we had a private safari!

14. Spend some time exploring the town

Of course, no visit to Ella is complete without a good walk around town, so make sure you leave enough space in your Sri Lanka travel itinerary to explore.

We’ve already told you to try the local food establishments but the town has more to offer than just food! Ella also has a huge variety of charming shops, some interesting viewpoints, and relaxed walks.

There aren’t too many places to buy Sri Lanka-themed souvenirs, but you’ll find some gorgeous locally-made clothes. We picked up a few tops and light jumpers while we walked around town. It probably won’t come as a surprise to you that we bought some Ceylon tea too!

You won’t need much time to explore Ella Town as you’ll find the majority of establishments along the main road. However, it’s a great area to just chill out and enjoy the atmosphere.

15. Relax at Cafe Chill

After you’ve explored the town, head over to Cafe Chill. It’s a popular locally-owned coffee shop and restaurant that first opened in 2009.

Not only is Cafe Chill a great place to kick back and relax, but it’s also a fabulous place to eat. Found in the heart of town, this eatery prides itself on serving the very best meals. You can enjoy delicious Sri Lankan breakfasts, soups, and wraps here!

The cafe sells a wide range of pasta dishes, burgers, salads, and pizzas too. In the morning, you’ll also find a selection of fresh pastries, so head here for breakfast.

Visiting Cafe Chill is one of the best things to do in Ella, and you’ll probably end up coming here a few times during your stay. This place has something for everyone so you won’t struggle to find something to eat.

16. Head out to Bambarakanda Waterfall

Also known by the name ‘Bambarakele Falls’, Bambarakanda Falls is the tallest waterfall in Sri Lanka, standing at 263 metres (863 feet) tall. For those interested, that makes it the 461st-highest waterfall in the world too. We love a good statistic!

This waterfall was formed by Kuda Oya, a tributary of the Walawe River. These falls are a 1.5-hour drive from Ella and they can be found in Kalupahana, within the Badulla District.

The falls themselves are very impressive, especially in winter, but you’ll fall in love with the surroundings too. Bambarakanda Falls sits in a dense forest of pine trees, and this only adds to the place’s beauty.

A visit here will give you the chance to see several other waterfalls too. You can also hike some of the area’s mountain trails. You’ll see the falls from the main road but for the best views, you’ll have to hike 5 km (3 miles) through the pine forest.

17. Explore Ravana Cave

One of the most interesting Ella attractions is Ravana Cave which is just a 7-minute walk from the centre of town. It’s a large tunnel network that was created by King Ravana himself.

The cave’s rich history makes it one of the most important attractions in the area so don’t miss out. It’s believed to have been used by King Ravana to hide Princess Sita.

Exploring the cave is very entertaining, and it actually connects to Ravana Falls. Not only that, but it features secret passages, statues, monuments, and 650 steps.

Interestingly, the cave still connects important cities, dairy farms, and even airports. Although man-made, you’ll still be blown away by the impressive beauty of the place!

After conquering the 650 steps, you’ll arrive at the main cave. You can head inside for 200 metres (656 feet) before you meet a huge stone put in place by the government.

18. Walk along the Pekoe Trail

If you like hiking, you should check out The Pekoe Trail. It’s a 300km long-distance walking trail that runs right through the country’s Central Highlands.

One of Southeast Asia’s best-kept secrets, this 22-stage walking trail will take you through some of Sri Lanka’s best scenery. It’s likely won’t have time to walk the whole trail, but you don’t need to!

One of the great things about The Pekoe Trail is that you can do as much or as little of it as you like. The trail starts in Kandy and runs to Nuwara Eliya. Along the way, it passes through Haptutale, Hatton, and Ella.

Allowing you to explore vast grasslands, tropical forests, hill country, and diverse ecosystems, you can join The Pekoe Trail in Ella, near Ella Rock House. This stage of the trail will take you to Demodara.

19. Visit Dowa Rock Temple

Next up, we have Dowa Rock Temple. Also known by the name Dowa Raja Maha Vigaraya, this listed rock temple is in the central mountains of the Uva Province. Unsurprisingly, you’ll find it in the small town of Dhowa.

This town is just 15 minutes away from Ella by car so you can easily get there by taxi. In terms of history, this temple has an interesting one! It’s believed that Dowa Rock Temple was built by King Valagamba in the first century BC.

King Valagamba was taking refuge in Uva Province after an Indian army invaded the kingdom. That makes the temple more than 2,000 years old, which is rather impressive!

Due to its rich history, the Sri Lankan government made Dowa Rock Temple an archaeologically protected monument. You’ll only need 30 minutes or so here so it’s well worth a visit.

20. Dine at 98 Acres Resort

98 Acres Resort is a luxury hotel and spa that offers tourists the most amazing experience in the Sri Lanka countryside. The resort sits on a hillock that overlooks the town’s stunning scenery, so visiting here is one of the best things to do in Ella!

As you can probably imagine, staying here is quite expensive, so dining is a more affordable way to see what this place has to offer. 98 Acres Resort & Spa claims to offer guests a stimulating experience, and the food is delicious!

If you decide to eat here, you’ll be treated to scenic hill country views. Several breathtaking nature trails also run through 98 Acres Resort, if you’re looking to take a hike.

When it comes to the food, this hotel serves fine dining local cuisine. If you don’t want to eat, you can grab a drink at Bar 98 instead!

21. Relax at Ellewala Waterfall

We couldn’t finish our list of things to do in Ella without mentioning Ellewala Waterfall as it’s a beautiful place to visit.

Offering a brilliant natural swimming pool, this waterfall is a great place to cool off. That’s why it’s so popular with tourists and locals alike. This waterfall lies hidden inside the jungle approximately 5 km (3 miles) away from Wellawaya Town.

If you want to visit the waterfall, we recommend getting a taxi or bus. You can get a taxi all the way to the falls or jump on a bus to Wellawaya before getting a taxi. To find the falls, cross the road from Rathmal Vehera Ancient Temple.

The road opposite the temple will lead you to the waterfall. While Ellewala is beautiful, you should be aware of the dangers too. Several tourists have died here by taking too many risks. If you use common sense and don’t try to climb the falls, you’ll be just fine!

22. Take a trip to Horton Plains National Park

The final attraction on our list is Horton Plains National Park. Honestly, this place is probably one of the most beautiful World Heritage Sites in the world.

This national park is spread over two of Sri Lanka’s highest peaks and features some of the best natural sights in the country. Horton Plains National Park is a wonderful place to hike and explore. You’ll find dense forests, mind-blowing mountain views, rocky hills, tranquil lakes, and waterfalls.

Horton Plains is also a great place to spot wildlife! The park is home to a variety of different animal and bird species. This includes sambar deer, mongoose, bear monkeys, and leopards.

This Horton Plains National Park Tour & Scenic Train Ride will take you on a guided group tour of the park. One of the best sites you will see is World’s End!

Helpful Information for Visiting Ella, Sri Lanka

How to get to Ella

Now we’ve shown you the best places to visit in Ella, let us show you some of the most important things you need to know ahead of your trip. Let’s start by looking at how you got to Ella!

Unfortunately, there isn’t an airport in Ella so you can’t fly. Therefore, you can only get there via road or train. The easiest way to get to Ella is by road and you can travel by bus or car.

Colombo to Ella takes about 6 hours, whilst Kandy to Ella takes around 4 hours. Other origin destinations include Tangalle, Nuwara Eliya, and Wellawaya. If you have enough time, we recommend travelling by train as the views are amazing!

The train from Colombo takes almost 10 hours and the train from Kandy takes around 7 hours.

How to get around Ella

In our opinion, the best way to get around Ella is by taxi or tuk-tuk. Both of these modes of transport will help you get around the town quickly. You can catch a bus for less, but they are usually very busy!

If you have a slightly bigger budget, travelling by car or tuk-tuk is a much more relaxing and faster way to get around. There are plenty of things to do in Ella, so you’ll want to minimise your travel time if possible.

You might also be pleased to hear that Ella is a relatively easy place to walk around. Some of the best attractions surrounding the main town can be reached by hiking. You can even take shortcuts by walking along the train track.

The best time to visit Ella

If we’re being honest, it doesn’t matter too much when you visit because there will always be things to do in Ella! The only factor you have to think about when planning your trip is the weather!

The temperature in Ella doesn’t vary too much and the town is usually pretty warm for more than half of the year. The hottest months are between June and August. Generally, the best time to visit Sri Lanka is between January and March!

This will allow you to enjoy the attractions without experiencing too much rain. Monsoons typically hit this part of Sri Lanka between July and November so this is probably the worst time to visit.

However, the weather is pretty pleasant for the rest of the year!

Exploring Ella by tour

We believe that Ella is a place best explored self-guided. There are so many incredible places to visit, and this way, you can prioritise the destinations that you want to explore the most.

However, if you’re short of time, then there are some great tour options too. These will allow you to see the town’s highlights in a small amount of time.

If you’d prefer to take a tour, then check out these popular Ella tours:

• Ella Rock & 9 Arch Bridge, Little Adams Peak with Transfer – This 8-hour tour includes a guided hike up Ella Rock and Little Adams Peak, as well as a visit to the town’s famous bridge. Hotel pick-up and drop-off are included, and so are your lunch and transport.
  
• Ella: Little Adam’s Peak and Nine Arch Bridge Half-Day Tour – This 4-hour tour is a shorter option, yet it will allow you to explore Ella’s highlights. You’ll have the opportunity to take plenty of photographs, and your transport, and hotel pick-up and drop-off are included.
  
• Discover Ella Tour – This fantastic tour lasts for 6-7 hours and includes the town’s highlights, such as Ella Rock, the Nine Arches Bridge, and Little Adam’s Peak. Your lunch is also included, which you’ll enjoy at a local restaurant. Transport is of course included too.

Where to Stay in Ella

Ella is one of Sri Lanka’s most popular tourist destinations so there are tons of brilliant places to stay. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for an affordable hostel or a luxurious hotel, there’s something for everyone.

Here are some of our best recommendations!

Budget: Ella Green Stay

We stayed at Ella Green Stay during our time in Ella and we loved it. Run by a lovely family, Ella Green Stay has spacious rooms, a beautiful garden terrace, and a small restaurant. It’s only a short walk from the town centre too.

Most of the rooms here come with a small balcony and impressive mountain views.

Mid-range: Ella Mount View Guest Inn

Another beautiful property that offers views of the mountains is Ella Mount View Guest Inn. This accommodation option also has an on-site restaurant. Once again, you’ll only be a short walk from the town centre too.

There are a variety of rooms to choose from and these sleep up to 6 people. Some of the rooms here feature a private balcony so you can sit outside and enjoy the views!

Luxury: EKHO Ella

EKHO Ella is one of the most luxurious hotels in town. Offering an outdoor heated jacuzzi, BBQ facilities, and a restaurant, this place is stunning.

The luxury rooms at the hotel are spacious and modern, and they feature all the amenities you need. This includes an ensuite bathroom, a safety deposit box, free WiFi, and a flat-screen TV.

Booking.com

Frequently Asked Questions about Ella

How many days do I need in Ella?

In our opinion, you need at least 3 days to experience this town as there are so many fantastic things to do in Ella. If possible though, 4 or 5 days would be perfect!

We spent 4 days in Ella and that gave us enough time to see everything we wanted. You could probably spend less than 3 days in the town if you don’t want to go hiking, but you would be seriously missing out!

What is a good budget for Ella?

Sri Lanka is one of the most affordable countries in Asia so you’ll get a lot for your money in Ella. To make your money go further, you can stay in hostels, spend less on activities, and eat street food if you want to.

We recommend a budget of at least £30-£40 per day per person for Ella. However, if you’re looking to head out on a few safaris (which you definitely should), you might want to take a bigger budget.

What is Ella famous for?

Ella is actually Sri Lanka’s most popular tourist destination. The main reasons for this are the town’s laid-back atmosphere, breathtaking landscapes, beautiful architecture, and wide variety of things to do.

Above all else, Ella is probably most renowned for its picturesque hiking trails. The famous Kandy-to-Ella train route has also made the town more famous!

Are there mosquitos in Ella, Sri Lanka?

The risk of mosquitoes in Ella is extremely high, particularly in the forests. Therefore, tourists are recommended to wear clothes with long sleeves!

However, we must admit, we never encountered any problems when we visited Ella in March. Having said that, it’s always worth carrying some bug spray around Asia with you anyway.

Where to go after Ella

There are plenty of incredible places to visit in Sri Lanka. Where you visit next, will all depend on where your adventures have already taken you!

If you’re looking to stay in central Sri Lanka then Nuwara Eliya is a great option as it’s famous for its tea plantations. You’ve also got Kandy which is home to the ‘Temple of the Tooth’.

For those looking to explore the coastline, you’ve got a few options! You can either head East to Trincomalee, West to Negombo and Colombo, or to the South Coast.

In our opinion, the best beaches are found along the Southern Coast, so we’d certainly recommend spending some time here. The beach towns of Mirissa, Unawatuna, and Hikkaduwa are all popular spots.

You could also head to some of Sri Lanka’s national parks, and there are plenty to choose from. Udawalawe, Yala, and Minneriya are all great options!

Final Thoughts on Things to Do in Ella, Sri Lanka

If you’re wondering what to do in Ella, you’ve got tons of options! Not only is there plenty to do in the town itself, but you’ll also have ample day trip opportunities.

From Ella, you can head out on a safari, visit local temples, and explore nearby national parks. Whether you’re looking to hit the hiking trails, visit waterfalls, or try some delicious local cuisine, this charming destination has something for everyone.

For the best experience, allow at least a couple of days in this mountain town so you don’t rush your visit. This will also give you some time to relax, and try some of the fantastic restaurants that Ella has to offer.

If you have any questions about things to do in Ella, Sri Lanka then be sure to get in touch with us via Facebook, Instagram, or in the comments!

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