Sri Lanka’s story stretches back over two millennia, from ancient kingdoms to spice-laden trade routes and a mosaic of Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, and Christian heritage. Today, its compact size makes it ideal for a one-week itinerary, with striking contrasts between misty highlands and golden coastlines. You’ll step from the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy onto the world-famous scenic train to Ella, then wind down on the South Coast in Mirissa with an optional Yala safari.

Expect big nature: tea-clad hills stitched with walking trails, waterfalls and viaducts, and a coastline where blue whales and spinner dolphins surface at dawn. UNESCO sites, colonial architecture, and lively markets add texture in between cafe stops and curry feasts. Sri Lankan cuisine is a highlight—hoppers and fiery sambols for breakfast, rice and curry at lunch, kottu under neon at night.

Practical notes: apply online for the Sri Lanka ETA in advance, carry cash (LKR) alongside cards, and consider a local SIM for easy navigation. The inter-monsoon rhythm matters—November to April is ideal for the South Coast and whale watching. Trains are scenic but slow; private drivers are affordable for door-to-door ease.

Kandy

Kandy is the island’s spiritual heart, ringed by forested hills and crowned by the Temple of the Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa). Around the lake, colonial-era lanes hide coffee nooks, while the Royal Botanic Gardens in Peradeniya unfurl giant palms and orchid houses.

• Top sights: Temple of the Tooth, Kandy Lake loop, Royal Botanic Gardens, Bahirawakanda Buddha viewpoint, Ceylon Tea Museum.
• Food & drink: From classic “rice and curry” canteens to vintage bars with planters’ club ambience, Kandy rewards curious palates.
• Fun fact: Kandy was the last Sinhalese royal capital before British rule, and its July/August Esala Perahera remains one of Asia’s grandest processions.

Stay: Browse stays on Hotels.com (Kandy) or VRBO (Kandy). Handpicked: The Kandy House (boutique manor), Amaya Hills Kandy (views and pool), Kandy City Hotel by Earl's (central value), or Kandy City Hostel (social budget).

Getting in: Fly into Colombo (CMB) via Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Continue to Kandy by train (≈3 hrs; minimal cost) via Trip.com Trains, or hire a private driver (≈3–3.5 hrs; US$75–120). For multi-day flexibility, consider Sri Lanka Car and Driver Hire.

Day 1: Arrival in Sri Lanka → Kandy

Morning: In transit. If you’re still booking, compare fares on Trip.com Flights and Kiwi.com. Aim to land by midday for daylight views into Kandy.

Afternoon: Transfer from Colombo to Kandy (train or car). Check in, then stretch your legs with the Kandy Lake loop—colonial mansions on one side, temple roofs on the other. For coffee and a sweet first bite, try Buono (espresso, home bakes) or Café Secret Alley (iced lattes and quiet courtyard).

Evening: Attend the Temple of the Tooth’s evening puja—drums, conch shells, and devotional offerings bring the shrine to life. Dinner options: Royal Bar & Hotel bistro (old-world bar upstairs; modern Sri Lankan plates), Slightly Chilled Lounge (rooftop views, Chinese-Sri Lankan stir-fries), or the classic Kandy Muslim Hotel (no-frills roti and kottu). Nightcap at the RBH bar for a step back in time.

Day 2: Gardens, Tea, and Hillside Views

Morning: Breakfast of hoppers and pol sambol at Kandyan King or Café Walk. Head to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya—don’t miss the avenue of royal palms, cannonball tree, and orchid house. Budget 2–3 hours with shady breaks on the riverside lawn.

Afternoon: Dive into tea heritage at the Ceylon Tea Museum (Hantana). The restored factory tells the story from leaf to cup; finish with a tasting. Late snack at Soya Centre (legendary soya ice cream) or Cool Corner for tropical fruit sundaes.

Evening: Ride or tuk-tuk up to Bahirawakanda Buddha for a golden-hour panorama. For dinner, book Helga’s Folly (bohemian art-house hotel; candlelit Sri Lankan set menus) or slightly downhill at The Empire Café for lamprais and short eats. Early night—you’ve got a scenic train tomorrow.

Ella

Ella is tea country distilled: emerald terraces, tumbling falls, and a cool mountain breeze. It’s also a traveler hub with great cafes, hiking trails, and that postcard-perfect Nine Arch Bridge.

• Top sights: Little Adam’s Peak, Nine Arch Bridge, Ravana Falls, tea factory tours, Ella Rock for a longer hike.
• Vibe: Laid-back, backpacker-meets-boutique—think good coffee, curry classes, and sunset lookouts.
• Fun fact: The iconic viaduct was built without steel—brick, stone, and cement only.

Stay: Compare options on Hotels.com (Ella) or VRBO (Ella). Favorites: 98 Acres Resort & Spa (tea-estate villas by Little Adam’s Peak), Ella Rock House (value, central), Ella Jungle Resort (wild river setting), or Hangover Hostels Ella (budget/social).

Day 3: Kandy → Ella on the Scenic Train

Morning: Board the famed highland train (≈6–7 hours; reserve seats). Secure seats with First Class Scenic Train Ticket From Kandy To Ella.

Pick up pastries from Bake House or a quick hopper from Devon before departure; pack water and fruit.

Afternoon: Settle into Ella and check in. Walk the forest path to Nine Arch Bridge—aim for a mid-afternoon train crossing for photos through tea bushes. Coffee at The Barn by Starbeans or Rainbow Café.

Evening: Dinner at Café Chill (Sri Lankan curries upstairs; burgers and cocktails downstairs) or Matey Hut (homestyle rice-and-curry served on banana leaf). For something creative, AK Ristoro blends Japanese-Italian with local produce—try the coconut-crumbed fish.

Day 4: Peaks, Tea, and Waterfalls

Morning: Hike Little Adam’s Peak (easy 30–45 minutes from trailhead; wide views over Ella Gap). Optional adrenaline at Flying Ravana Zipline next door. Refuel with smoothie bowls at Café UFO or a proper Sri Lankan breakfast at Ella Flower Garden.

Afternoon: Tour a nearby tea factory (Halpewatte/Amba when available) to see withering troughs, rolling, and firing—finish with a guided tasting. Then tuk-tuk to Ravana Falls for a misty photo stop; avoid swimming after heavy rain.

Evening: Join a cooking class at Ella Spice Garden to learn hoppers, dal, and sambols—hands-on, fragrant, and generous portions. Nightcap at Chill Café’s upstairs lounge or a quiet tea at your terrace watching the clouds roll in.

Mirissa (with Galle Fort)

On the South Coast, Mirissa is a crescent of soft sand and surf breaks with dawn departures for blue whale watching. Nearby, Galle Fort’s ramparts, tiled villas, and peppery crab curries make for a sublime afternoon wander.

• Top sights: Mirissa Beach, Secret Beach, Coconut Tree Hill, Galle Fort ramparts and Dutch Hospital precinct.
• Nature: Seasonal whale and dolphin watching, sea-turtle snorkel spots, and access to Yala or Udawalawe safaris by day trip.
• Food: Seaside grills, trendy cafes in Weligama, and sunset cocktail decks.

Stay: Explore stays on Hotels.com (Mirissa) or VRBO (Mirissa). Great picks: Sri Sharavi Beach Villas & Spa (quiet luxe), Paradise Beach Club (right on the sand), Cape Weligama (nearby headland resort), Mandara Resort Mirissa (pool & beach), or Hangover Hostels Mirissa (budget/social).

Day 5: Ella → Mirissa, Sunset at Galle Fort

Morning: Private car from Ella to Mirissa (≈3.5–4 hours; US$80–120). If you prefer to mix train and taxi, ride to Weligama and tuk-tuk the last stretch. Check in and have a light lunch—try Ceylon Sliders (nearby Weligama; seaview poke bowls) or No. 29 Organic Café (salads, juices).

Afternoon: Head to Galle Fort (≈1 hour by expressway). Walk the ramparts from the lighthouse to the clocktower, peeking into courtyards and boutiques. Coffee and gelato at Isle of Gelato; browse the Dutch Hospital precinct.

Evening: Dinner in the Fort: The Tuna & The Crab (Sri Lankan crab with Japanese touches) or Fortaleza (courtyard grill, good wine list). Return to Mirissa; nightcap on the beach at Zephyr with a passionfruit arrack sour.

Day 6: Whale Watching and Beach Time

Morning: Dawn whale watching (November–April best). Book Whale Watching Mirissa with ( WWC ) for a responsible operator and comfortable boat.

Return late morning; brunch at Shady Lane (smoothie bowls, avo toast) or Aloha Coffee Gallery (excellent flat whites).

Afternoon: Lounge at Secret Beach or surf the gentle Weligama break (board rentals abound). For a mellow cultural hour, stop at a local stilt-fisher lookout near Koggala for photos (tip the fishermen if you shoot).

Evening: Seafood feast on Mirissa Beach: Zephyr (grilled tuna, prawns, creative cocktails) or Salt (beachfront, live music some nights). Or head to Galle again for The Heritage Café’s Sri Lankan tapas plates and dessert tarts.

Optional Wild Card: Yala Safari Day Trip

If wildlife calls, swap the afternoon beach time above for a guided Yala National Park safari (≈2–2.5 hours each way). Book a reputable operator like Yala National Park Wildlife Safari/ Game Drive - by Ajith Safari

or Yala Safari Private Day Trip (All Inclusive) for leopard, elephant, and birdlife. It’s a long but epic day; pack snacks and leave pre-dawn.

Colombo (Departure Day Touch)

Colombo blends galleries, temples, and coastal promenades with a booming cafe scene. If your flight is later in the afternoon, a whistle-stop tuk-tuk tour unlocks the highlights without stress.

Day 7: Mirissa → Colombo, Quick City Spin → Fly Home

Morning: Depart Mirissa by 6:30–7:00 a.m. on the Southern Expressway (≈2.5–3 hours) to Colombo. Drop bags and hop into a city circuit: book the Colombo Private Tuk-Tuk City Tour with All Entry Fees Included.

You’ll zip past Gangaramaya Temple, the Old Parliament, Independence Square, and Pettah’s bazaar lanes.

Afternoon: Early lunch: try Ministry of Crab at the Dutch Hospital precinct (reserve ahead; pepper crab is the move) or Upali’s for claypot curries. Transfer to CMB (allow 60–90 minutes with traffic). Browse duty-free tea and spices on your way out.

Evening: In the air—one last look at your photos of tea hills, viaducts, and that whale’s tail fluke disappearing into sapphire water. Already plotting a return for the Cultural Triangle?

Getting Between Cities at a Glance

• Colombo → Kandy: Train ≈3 hrs (US$2–5 2nd class); see Trip.com Trains. Private car ≈3–3.5 hrs (US$75–120) or consider Car & Driver Hire.
• Kandy → Ella: Scenic train ≈6–7 hrs; reserve via First Class Scenic Train Ticket (or alternatives). Road ≈4.5–5.5 hrs.
• Ella → Mirissa/Weligama: Private car ≈3.5–4 hrs (US$80–120). Bus/train combos ≈5–6 hrs.
• Mirissa → Colombo Airport (CMB): ≈2.5–3.5 hrs by expressway depending on traffic.

Extra Ideas If You Add Days

• Swap in Udawalawe for elephant-rich safaris: Udawalawe National Park | Private Safari Tour

  

  or all-inclusive day trips from the coast.
• Base a night in Galle for after-dark rampart strolls and boutique shopping.

Where to eat and drink (quick reference):

• Kandy: Breakfast—Buono; Café Walk. Lunch—Empire Café; Soya Centre (ice cream stop). Dinner—Royal Bar & Hotel Bistro; Slightly Chilled Lounge; Helga’s Folly (reserve).
• Ella: Breakfast—Café UFO; Ella Flower Garden. Lunch—Matey Hut; AK Ristoro. Dinner—Café Chill; Jade Green for rice-and-curry. Drinks—Chill upstairs lounge; local arrack tastings.
• Mirissa/Weligama: Breakfast—Shady Lane; Aloha Coffee Gallery; Ceylon Sliders. Lunch—No. 29 Organic Café; Crepe-ology (in Galle). Dinner—Zephyr; Salt; The Tuna & The Crab (Galle).

Accommodation alternatives en route (if you reshuffle): Sigiriya’s Water Garden Sigiriya or Aliya Resort and Spa (for a Cultural Triangle detour), and coastal classics like Amangalla or Jetwing Lighthouse in Galle.

That’s your week: a faithful arc through Sri Lanka’s sacred sites, tea hills, and bright-water coast, with time to breathe between headline moments. You’ll leave with cinnamon on your tongue, the click of wheels over the Nine Arch Bridge in your ears, and a promise to return for the ancient cities up north.