Sri Lanka, the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean,” blends 2,000+ years of history with a compact mix of mountains, jungles, and beaches. Ancient kingdoms, Buddhist relics, and colonial forts all live within a day’s ride of surfy coves and misty tea hills. This one-week itinerary focuses on three greatest hits: Kandy (culture), Ella (tea country and hiking), and Mirissa (beach and wildlife).

Expect standout experiences: the legendary Kandy–Ella railway, sunrise and sunset views from hilltop trails, a cooking class that decodes rice-and-curry, and a Yala National Park safari with a real chance of seeing elephants and leopards. Food lovers can graze on hoppers, kottu roti, and seafood grills, and caffeine-hunt in specialty coffee spots from Kandy to the coast.

Practical notes: dress modestly for temples; remove hats/shoes at shrines; carry small cash for markets; and book trains and safaris early in high season (Dec–Apr and Jul–Aug). Southwest monsoon affects the south/west coast roughly May–Sep; whale trips peak Nov–Apr. For international flights to/from Colombo, compare on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.

Kandy

Set around a serene lake and ringed by hills, Kandy is Sri Lanka’s cultural soul. The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic draws pilgrims daily, while British-era botanic gardens and hilltop viewpoints add gentle green to the gold of shrines. This is also a great place to try classic dishes—from string hoppers at breakfast to sizzling kottu roti at night.

• Highlights: Temple of the Tooth, Kandy Lake walk, Bahirawakanda Buddha viewpoint, Royal Botanic Gardens (Peradeniya), Ceylon Tea Museum.
• Food & coffee: The Empire Café (heritage vibes, local curries), Buono (specialty coffee and brunch), Café Divine Street (roti and short eats), Slightly Chilled Lounge (sunset terrace, Sri Lankan-Chinese plates).
• Fun fact: Kandy hosted the last Sinhalese royal court before British rule and remains a key center for Kandyan dance and drumming.

Where to stay (Kandy): Browse Hotels.com: Kandy or VRBO: Kandy. Specific picks: boutique elegance at The Kandy House, scenic mid-range at Amaya Hills Kandy, and value-central at Kandy City Hotel by Earl's or Kandy City Hostel.

Getting there: From Colombo Airport, a private transfer to Kandy takes ~3–3.5 hours (~US$70–100 per car). Trains from Colombo Fort take ~2.5–3 hours; check times on Trip.com Trains (Asia).

Day 1: Arrive Sri Lanka → Kandy

Afternoon: Land in Colombo and transfer to Kandy. Check in and decompress with a lap around Kandy Lake—watch for fruit bats and kingfishers flitting over the water.

Evening: Dinner near the temple at The Empire Café (try the coconut sambol and jackfruit curry) or Café Divine Street for pillowy rotis. Cap the night with a Lion Lager at Slightly Chilled Lounge, a local-favorite terrace with wide views.

Day 2: Temples, Gardens, Markets, and Music

Morning: Visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic early to avoid crowds; the inner shrines glow with drums during puja. Coffee break at Buono (smooth flat whites and banana bread), then browse the Kandy Municipal Market for spices and tea to take home.

Afternoon: Head to Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya—orchid pavilions, towering palms, and giant java fig trees make it bliss for photography. Stop by the Ceylon Tea Museum for leaf-to-cup stories and tasting.

Evening: Catch a Kandyan dance performance at Kandy Lake Club (traditional costumes, fire-walking finale). Dinner at Royal Bar & Hotel’s vintage dining room—order devilled chicken and a gin & lime at the 19th-century bar.

Ella

Ella is tea country at eye level: emerald terraces, cloud-brushed ridges, and village cafes. It’s the base for the island’s most photogenic hikes—Little Adam’s Peak and Ella Rock—and a short hop from the iconic Nine Arch Bridge where the blue train curves through the forest.

• Highlights: Kandy–Ella train ride, Little Adam’s Peak, Nine Arch Bridge, Ravana Falls, tea factory tours and tastings.
• Food & coffee: Café Chill (Sri Lankan and global comfort food), Matey Hut (home-style rice & curry), Rainbow Café (smoothies, veggie plates), AK Ristoro (fusion, leafy garden).
• Good to know: Trails can be slick after rain—wear grippy shoes and pack a light rain jacket.

Where to stay (Ella): Check Hotels.com: Ella or VRBO: Ella. Splurge-worthy 98 Acres Resort & Spa overlooks the tea slopes; budget-friendly Ella Rock House sits near trailheads; social travelers love Hangover Hostels Ella. For a wild escape, see Ella Jungle Resort.

Getting to Ella (the scenic way): Take the legendary Kandy–Ella train (6–7 hours). Reserve seats ahead via:

Kandy to Ella Train Tickets - Reserved Seats (Viator)

Search general schedules on Trip.com Trains. If Kandy seats sell out, book the Nanuoya (Nuwara Eliya) → Ella sector instead and taxi to Nanuoya:

Train Tickets from Nanuoya (NuwaraEliya) to Ella (Viator)

Day 3: Kandy → Ella by Scenic Train, Nine Arch Bridge

Morning: Board the blue train. Sit on the left for the best views of tea gardens, waterfalls, and cloud forests.

Afternoon: Check into your Ella stay, then walk to Nine Arch Bridge via the forest path. Time it for a passing train and golden-hour photos.

Evening: Dinner at Café Chill (try the curry thali or grilled fish). Nightcap at the upstairs bar; or opt for Matey Hut’s rustic rice-and-curry if you’re after something homier.

Day 4: Hikes, Tea, and a Home Kitchen

Morning: Hike Little Adam’s Peak (45–60 minutes; wide-angled valleys and tea ridges). Optional: Flying Ravana zipline for an adrenaline sweep over the greenery.

Afternoon: Tea tasting at Halpewatte/nearby factories to learn plucking, withering, rolling, and that honeyed highland aroma. Quick cool-off at Ravana Falls if flow is safe.

Evening: Join a hands-on Sri Lankan cooking class at Ella Spice Garden: grind coconut sambol, simmer dahl and jackfruit curry, and learn how to plate string hoppers. It’s delicious, social, and ticks the “living like a local” box.

Mirissa (with Galle nearby)

Mirissa is the south coast in postcard form: a crescent of golden sand, sunset palms at Coconut Tree Hill, and offshore waters that host blue whales in season. It’s also within day-trip range of Yala National Park and the UNESCO-listed Galle Fort.

• Highlights: Mirissa Beach, Secret Beach, Coconut Tree Hill, whale watching (Nov–Apr), Yala safari, optional Galle Fort stop.
• Food & coffee: Shady Lane (smoothie bowls and espresso), Dewmini Roti Shop (beloved, budget-friendly roti and curries; cooking lessons), Petti Petti Bistro (seafood grills, sunset cocktails), Aloha Coffee Gallery (nearby Weligama, specialty pours).
• Vibe: Laid-back by day; beach bars and live music after dark in Mirissa, Madiha, and Weligama.

Where to stay (Mirissa): Explore Hotels.com: Mirissa or VRBO: Mirissa. Beachfront mid-range at Paradise Beach Club; villa-style stays at Sri Sharavi Beach Villas & Spa; budget beds at Hangover Hostels Mirissa; or go ultra-scenic at nearby Cape Weligama. Also consider Mandara Resort Mirissa.

Getting there from Ella: The most efficient route is by car via Wellawaya–Matara (≈3.5–4 hours, ~US$80–110 per vehicle). Arrange a vetted driver here:

Sri Lanka Personal Tour Driver in private vehicle (Viator)

Public bus is the cheapest (5–6 hours with a change in Matara, a few US dollars), but pack patience.

Day 5: Ella → Mirissa, Secret Beaches and Sunset

Morning: Depart Ella by private car after breakfast; quick photo stop at Ravana Falls. Aim to arrive Mirissa by early afternoon.

Afternoon: Check in, then wander to Secret Beach for quieter swimming. Coffee and a light lunch at Shady Lane—think avocado toast, smoothie bowls, and good espresso.

Evening: Catch sunset from Parrot Rock or Coconut Tree Hill (iconic palm-fringed view). Dinner at Dewmini Roti Shop for stuffed rotis and mango lassi, or Petti Petti Bistro for grilled prawns and tropical cocktails by the sand.

Day 6: Yala National Park Safari (All Day)

Early morning–Afternoon: Set out pre-dawn for Yala (about 2.5 hours each way). Your 4x4 driver tracks leopard territories, elephant herds, crocs, and birdlife; binoculars recommended. Return mid-late afternoon for beach downtime.

Yala Safari Private Day Trip with Return Transport - All Inclusive (Viator)

Evening: Casual dinner back in Mirissa. If you’re up for nightlife, tuk-tuk to The Doctors House in Madiha for wood-fired pizza, craft drinks, and live music under palm trees.

Day 7: Whale Watching → Galle Fort (optional) → Departure

Morning: Embark on a whale experience (seasonal Nov–Apr). Blue and sperm whales migrate offshore; sightings are common in peak months. Choose a responsible operator that prioritizes distance and behavior in the water.

Snorkeling with Whales in Mirissa (Viator)

Afternoon: Brunch and pack. If your flight is later, stop for 60–90 minutes in Galle Fort en route to Colombo—walk the Dutch ramparts, browse boutiques, and grab a quick curry at a heritage café. Continue to Colombo Airport (≈2.5–3 hours total drive from Mirissa; add traffic buffer).

Evening: Fly out. If you have a long layover in Colombo and want a quick spin by tuk tuk before heading to the airport, consider this flexible city experience:

Colombo City Tour by Tuk Tuk Experience - All Inclusive (Viator)

Food & Drink Cheat Sheet (throughout the week)

• Kandy breakfasts: Buono (espresso, yogurt pots), Bake House for Sri Lankan short eats.
• Ella lunches: Rainbow Café (veggie-forward), AK Ristoro (teriyaki tuna, garden salads).
• Mirissa dinners: Dewmini Roti Shop (budget legend), Petti Petti Bistro (seafood platters), Weligama detour to Aloha Coffee Gallery or Zephyr (sunset cocktails by the bay).
• Must-try bites: egg hoppers with lunu miris, beef or veggie kottu roti, ambul thiyal (sour fish curry), buffalo curd with treacle.

Logistics & Budget Tips

• Transport costs: Kandy–Ella train from ~US$10–35 depending on class; Ella–Mirissa private transfer ~US$80–110 per car; airport–Kandy ~US$70–100 per car. Compare trains on Trip.com Trains.
• Daily spend (budget index 50/100): US$50–90 per person excluding long transfers/safaris. Local meals US$2–6; mid-range dinners US$8–15; coffee US$2–3; beer US$2–3.
• Etiquette & safety: dress shoulders/knees at temples; carry small notes for tips; only swim where locals/guards say it’s safe; trains and whale tours book out in high season—reserve early.

Trip recap: In seven days you’ll touch Sri Lanka’s cultural core in Kandy, breathe the cool tea country of Ella, and unwind on Mirissa’s coast—folding in once-in-a-lifetime wildlife and ocean experiences. With scenic rail, hikes, markets, cooking, and beach sunsets, this itinerary balances adventure and ease on a sensible budget.