Sri Lanka packs centuries of history and dazzling scenery into a teardrop-shaped island. Ancient kingdoms echo in the hill capital of Kandy, colonial ramparts line Galle’s UNESCO-listed fort, and the South Coast unfurls with surf breaks and whale-rich waters. In between, fragrant curries, cinnamon and tea, and train rides through misty hills make every day feel cinematic.

Historically known as Ceylon, Sri Lanka’s central highlands nurtured the last Sinhalese kingdom until 1815, when the British took Kandy and expanded tea across the hills. On the coast, Galle’s fort still wears Portuguese and Dutch layers—lighthouses, sea walls, pillared verandas—now home to cafes, boutiques, and breezy rooftops.

Practical notes: respect temple dress codes (shoulders/knees covered; shoes off), carry Sri Lankan Rupees, and watch monsoon patterns (southwest coast best from December–April). Pre-book big-ticket sites and early trains. For flights to Colombo, compare fares on Trip.com Flights and Kiwi.com. Trains within Sri Lanka can be researched via Trip.com Trains.

Kandy

Kandy is Sri Lanka’s cultural soul—a lakeside city ringed by rainforest, where the Temple of the Tooth safeguards a revered relic of the Buddha. Street life hums around market halls and colonial storefronts; in the evenings, temple drums roll across the water.

Top sights include the Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa), the Royal Botanic Gardens at Peradeniya, and Udawatta Kele Sanctuary—an old royal forest with giant lianas and shy macaques. Tea heritage lives on at the Ceylon Tea Museum in Hantana and hillside factories that still hand-pluck leaves.

Stay near the lake for an easy stroll to temples, or up in the hills for views and cooler air. For places to stay, compare options on Hotels.com Kandy and VRBO Kandy.

• Specific stays: The Kandy House (heritage chic, quiet gardens), Amaya Hills Kandy (panoramic views, pool), Kandy City Hotel by Earl’s (good-value, central).

Arrival logistics: From Colombo Bandaranaike (CMB) to Kandy takes ~3–3.5 hours by private car (about $70–100) or ~2.5–3 hours by train from Colombo Fort (1st/2nd class ~$2–5; limited reserved seats). Search trains on Trip.com Trains. Taxis can be arranged on arrival, but pre-booking a driver is easier after a long flight.

Day 1: Arrive Sri Lanka → Kandy Lake at Dusk

Afternoon: Land at CMB and transfer to Kandy. If you’re peckish on the road, ask for a stop at a roadside “short eats” bakery—try fish buns or vegetable roti.

Evening: Stretch your legs with a Kandy Lake loop (1–1.5 hours) at golden hour; watch for cormorants and fruit bats taking flight. Dinner options: Balaji Dosai (pure-veg South Indian thalis and crisp dosas), Slightly Chilled Lounge (Chinese-Sri Lankan fare and the city’s favorite sunset view), or Royal Bar & Hotel (colonial bar, lamprais and curries).

Day 2: Temples, Gardens, and Tea

Morning: Visit the Temple of the Tooth for the morning puja (dress modestly; entry ~LKR 2,000). Stop for a cappuccino and kaya toast at Buono Café or a smoothie bowl at Café Secret Alley. Explore the Old Royal Palace and the National Museum next door.

Afternoon: Head to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya (allow 2–3 hours; ticket ~LKR 3,000). Don’t miss the avenue of royal palms, cannonball tree, and the orchid house. Then taxi up to the Ceylon Tea Museum in Hantana for vintage machinery and a tasting.

Evening: Catch the Kandy Lake Club Cultural Show (traditional drumming and fire-walking). Dinner at Kandyan Muslim Hotel (fast, tasty kottu roti) or The Radh Rooftop (Sri Lankan platters with a view).

Day 3: Sigiriya Rock and Dambulla Caves (Full-Day)

Pre-dawn start for Sri Lanka’s star duo: climb the lion-pawed stairways of Sigiriya (entry ~LKR 9,900; early beats the heat) and wander the frescoed cave temples of Dambulla (entry ~LKR 2,000). Refuel with a rice-and-curry spread at Priyamali Gedara near Sigiriya.

Recommended tour for convenience and a licensed guide:

Sigiriya Rock & Dambulla Cave Temple Private Guided Day Trip

Return to Kandy for a relaxed dinner at Helga’s Folly (eclectic art house hotel; call ahead) or cool off with faluda at Cool Corner Ice Cream.

Day 4: Morning Move to the South Coast (Kandy → Galle)

Morning: Depart Kandy after breakfast. By private car via expressways: ~4.5–5 hours (about $110–150). By train: Kandy→Colombo→Galle ~6–7 hours total, scenic but longer; check options via Trip.com Trains.

Afternoon: Settle into your Galle Fort stay and take a first wander along the ramparts from the lighthouse to the Dutch Hospital precinct—sea breezes, cricket on the greens, and bobbing fishing boats.

Evening: Dinner inside the fort: Lucky Fort Restaurant (beloved 10-curry sampler), Elita Restaurant (daily catch grilled simply), or Church Street Social at Fort Bazaar (modern Sri Lankan; excellent cocktails).

Galle

Galle Fort is a beautifully preserved, lived-in UNESCO site. Whitewashed churches, Dutch-era warehouses, and pastel shophouses host galleries and cafes. Nearby beaches—Unawatuna, Dalawella, Jungle Beach—make easy day escapes.

Food here is a treat: crab curry and pol sambol, egg hoppers with lunu miris, and sweet wattalappam. Between bites, browse handloom boutiques and gem shops (buy from reputable dealers, ask for certification).

Compare stays on Hotels.com Galle and VRBO Galle.

• Specific stays: Amangalla (grand dame inside the fort), Jetwing Lighthouse (wave-splashed modernist icon), Galle Fort Hostel (budget, social).
• If you prefer to base near whales in Mirissa: Sri Sharavi Beach Villas & Spa, Cape Weligama, or Paradise Beach Club.

Day 5: Fort Stories and Beach Time

Morning: Breakfast at The Heritage Café (good coffee, eggs any style) or Isle of Gelato (espresso and pastries). Walk the fort’s key sights: Dutch Reformed Church, All Saints, the old gate and clock tower, then the lighthouse. Pop into the Maritime Museum to learn how trade shaped the coast.

Afternoon: Short tuk-tuk to Unawatuna. Choose Jungle Beach for snorkel-friendly coves, or Dalawella for a photogenic reef lagoon. Lunch beachside at Wijaya (prawn pizza and Sri Lankan curries) or SkinnyTom’s Deli (lighter salads and wraps).

Evening: Return to the fort for sunset from the ramparts near the flag rock. Dinner at A Minute by Tuk Tuk (casual, harbor views) or Elita (if you didn’t try it yet). Nightcap at The Tuna & The Crab (ask for arrack sours).

Day 6: Mirissa Whale Watching and Coastal Eats

Morning: Transfer 45–60 minutes to Mirissa for an early-departure cruise (usually 6–7am). Peak sightings of blue and sperm whales are December–April; dolphins year-round. Recommended operator via Viator:

Whale Watching Mirissa with ( WWC )

Afternoon: Beach-hop: Mirissa’s main bay for swimming, Secret Beach for a quieter cove, or Weligama to watch surfers. Lunch ideas: Zephyr (seafood and smoothies), Shady Lane (brunch bowls and cold brew), or No.1 Dewmini Roti Shop (made-to-order rotis and kottu).

Evening: Back to Galle; browse handlooms on Pedlar Street. Dinner at Church Street Social (modern Lankan) or Bombay Brasserie for North Indian classics. If you fancy live music and a beach bar vibe, taxi 30 minutes to The Doctor’s House in Madiha (check event nights).

Optional alternate full-day: Swap whale watching for a safari at Yala National Park (2.5–3 hours by road from Galle; pre-dawn required). Bookable via:

Yala National Park Wildlife Safari/ Game Drive - by Ajith Safari

Day 7: Colombo Taste & Fly

Morning: Drive Galle→Colombo (~2–2.5 hours on the E01). If your flight departs late afternoon or evening, squeeze in a fun tuk-tuk food-and-sights spin:

Colombo Tuk Tuk City Tour - Sightseeing, Entry Fees & Food Included

Prefer a classic overview by car? Consider the Full day Colombo City Tour - Private Car and Driver (do a half-day version to fit your flight).

Afternoon: Head to Bandaranaike International Airport (allow 45–75 minutes from central Colombo depending on traffic). For onward flights, compare fares on Trip.com Flights and Kiwi.com.

Evening: If you have time pre-flight, snack on roast paan with butter and seeni sambol at a local bakery, or pick up Ceylon tea for gifts (ask for single-estate Uva or Nuwara Eliya). Fly home with sand in your shoes and cinnamon on your mind.

Eating and coffee cheat sheet (highlights you can swap in any day):

• Kandy: Buono Café (coffee/brunch), Café Secret Alley (smoothies, waffles), Kandyan Muslim Hotel (kottu), Balaji Dosai (veg), Slightly Chilled Lounge (views + mains).
• Galle & South: Lucky Fort Restaurant (curries), Elita (seafood), Church Street Social (modern Lankan), A Minute by Tuk Tuk (casual with views), Isle of Gelato (sweet fixes). Mirissa/Weligama add-ons: Zephyr, Shady Lane, No.1 Dewmini Roti Shop, Ceylon Sliders (coffee on the bay).

Getting around: Private drivers are efficient for multi-stop days (rough ballpark $60–90 per day, fuel included). Trains are scenic but slower; book ahead for popular routes. Within towns, tuk-tuks are plentiful—always confirm fare before hopping in.

In one week you’ll touch Sri Lanka’s sacred, colonial, and coastal stories—from temple drums in Kandy to sea breeze sunsets in Galle. Whether you climb Sigiriya, watch blue whales breach, or simply taste your way through hoppers and sambols, this itinerary balances must-sees with unhurried moments.