Sri Lanka—often called the Pearl of the Indian Ocean—has been a crossroad of trade and cultures for over 2,000 years. Ancient capitals flourished in its interior, while Portuguese, Dutch, and British legacies shaped its ports and cities. Today, the island blends UNESCO-listed treasures, teal-green tea hills, and wildlife-rich plains within easy travel distances—perfect for a family-friendly itinerary.

In five days, this plan focuses on two hubs with minimal packing and maximum variety: coastal Colombo for food, markets, and museums; and hill-country Kandy for temples, tea, and tranquil nature. A full-day adventure to the Cultural Triangle adds the headline act: Sigiriya Rock Fortress and the painted caves of Dambulla.

Practical notes: Many nationalities use Sri Lanka’s ETA (e-visa)—check current requirements before you fly. Respect temple dress codes (shoulders and knees covered), carry small bills for tuk-tuks, and note two monsoon seasons (SW: May–Sep; NE: Oct–Jan), which vary by region. Trains are scenic and affordable; book reserved seats when you can. Sri Lankan cuisine is richly spiced yet family-friendly—look for kottu, hoppers, and mild curries.

Colombo

Colombo is Sri Lanka’s energetic gateway—part seaside promenade, part spice-scented bazaar. By day, stroll past colonial-era facades and lotus-crowned temples; by night, join locals flying kites and snacking on isso vadai at Galle Face Green. It’s a delicious crash course in the island’s flavors and history.

Top sights include the National Museum (for royal regalia and Kandyan art), Gangaramaya Temple with its eclectic relics, and the towering Lotus Tower for sunset views. Families love Viharamahadevi Park’s playgrounds and the easy, pushchair-friendly seaside path at Galle Face.

• Where to stay (central or near Galle Face): Search stays on VRBO Colombo or compare hotels on Hotels.com Colombo. Areas around Galle Face, Kollupitiya, and Union Place give easy access to the promenade and museums.
• Getting in: Fly into Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) and compare fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com Flights. Taxis/ride-hailing to central Colombo take 45–60 minutes.

Day 1: Arrive in Colombo

Afternoon: Arrive and settle into your hotel. Take a short tuk-tuk orientation ride through Fort and Pettah to get your bearings—peek at the red-and-white Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque and the lively produce lanes. Pause for specialty coffee and pastry at The Commons Coffee House or Butter Boutique.

Evening: Head to Galle Face Green for sea breeze and people-watching. Try isso vadai (prawn fritters) and achcharu (tangy pickled fruit) from trusted vendors; kids can run off jet-lag on the grass. For dinner, choose:

• Upali’s by Nawaloka: Hearty Sri Lankan curries, hoppers, and sambols—well-spiced but customizable for kids.
• Palmyrah: Jaffna-style dishes like crab curry and string hoppers; attentive service and calm setting.
• Nuga Gama (Cinnamon Grand): A “village” pop-up in the city serving clay-pot curries under a banyan tree—fun for families.

Night: If energy allows, ride up the Colombo Lotus Tower for a 360° city-and-sea panorama; the elevator ride is half the thrill.

Day 2: Scenic Transfer to Kandy + Lake & Temple

Morning (Travel 2.5–3.5 hrs): Catch a morning train from Colombo Fort to Kandy—Sri Lanka’s most scenic short rail ride. Reserved 1st/2nd class seats run roughly US$2–8; book ahead when possible. Browse general train options on Trip.com Trains. Prefer wheels? A private car takes ~3–3.5 hours (about US$70–95).

Afternoon: Check into your Kandy stay, then walk the shaded loop around Kandy Lake. Visit the Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa), where a revered tooth relic of the Buddha is enshrined—dress modestly, remove shoes, and bring light socks for hot floors. Refuel at Natural Coffee near the temple (iced coffees, waffles, and short eats).

Evening: Catch a Kandyan cultural performance (drums, fire dance, acrobatics) at Kandy Lake Club—engaging for kids (~US$7–10). Dinner ideas:

• Slightly Chilled Lounge: Sunset terrace with views; Sri Lankan rice-and-curry and kid-friendly noodles.
• Empire Café: Casual bites—pumpkin soup, coconut roti wraps, and excellent juices, steps from the temple.
• Royal Bar & Hotel (RBH) Bistro: Colonial courtyard ambience with burgers, lamprais, and mild curries.

Kandy

Kandy, the last royal capital, sits in a bowl of emerald hills where temple chants carry across the lake. It’s both spiritual center and springboard to tea country, with cool mornings, orchid-laden botanical gardens, and gentle forest trails.

Highlights include the Temple of the Tooth, the Royal Botanic Gardens at Peradeniya (giant Java fig and orchid house), the Bahirawakanda Buddha viewpoint, and the Hantana Tea Museum. Day trips reach Sigiriya and Dambulla for Sri Lanka’s most iconic archaeology.

• Where to stay (near the lake or on a quiet hillside): Compare VRBO Kandy and Hotels.com Kandy. Lakeside gives walkability; hillside villas offer views and quieter nights.

Day 3: Full-Day Adventure—Sigiriya Rock Fortress and Dambulla Caves

Full-day (approx. 12 hours): Depart Kandy ~7:00 a.m. for Sigiriya (about 2–2.5 hours by car). Climb the UNESCO-listed Sigiriya Rock Fortress (1.5–2 hours round-trip) to see mirror-wall graffiti and the sky-palace ruins; carry water and hats, and expect stair sections with railings—fine for school-age kids with supervision. Foreign adult tickets are roughly US$30.

Break for a village-style lunch near Sigiriya—look for rice-and-curry buffets at spots like Pradeep Restaurant or Rithu Restaurant with fresh lime juice and coconut sambol. Then continue 30 minutes to the Dambulla Cave Temple, where five caverns glow with 150+ Buddha images and ceiling murals (about US$10–12). Families usually spend 60–90 minutes here.

Optional stops: a small-scale spice/herbal garden for a short, free walkthrough (tipping customary) or Pidurangala Rock for views of Sigiriya (best for older kids; add 90–120 minutes). Return to Kandy by early evening. Light dinner back in town: wood-fired pizzas and salads at Buono or kottu roti at Devon Restaurant (Kandy’s classic bakery-café).

Day 4: Gardens, Tea, and a Forest Walk

Morning: After breakfast at Café Secret Alley (smoothie bowls, pancakes) or Café 1886 by Salgado (pastries and good espresso), explore the Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya. Spot flying foxes in the trees, the avenue of royal palms, and giant bamboo; budget 2–3 hours. Entry is roughly US$10 for adults; bring a picnic or grab snacks from the park café.

Afternoon: Dive into tea heritage at the Hantana Tea Museum (about US$3–5) or join a factory tour and tasting at Geragama Tea Estate to see withering troughs and rolling machines in action—kids enjoy sniffing different grades of tea. Then take a gentle loop in Udawattakele Forest Reserve (US$3–5) for birds and fig trees just above the city; stick to marked paths and carry mosquito repellent.

Evening: Sunset at the Bahirawakanda Vihara Buddha viewpoint (15-minute drive). For dinner, consider:

• Theva Cuisine: Hilltop dining with refined takes on Sri Lankan dishes; request milder curries for kids.
• Honey Pot Restaurant (Peradeniya Road): Sri Lankan plates, grilled chicken, and fruit juices—easy with children.
• Sala Thai (Kandy City Centre): Comforting noodle soups and curries if you want a non-Sri Lankan option.

Day 5: Kandy to Airport via Ethical Elephant Stop (Optional) & Departure

Morning (Travel 3–4 hours total): Depart Kandy after breakfast for Colombo Airport. With an afternoon flight, you can break the drive at Kegalle for a 2–3 hour visit to the Elephant Freedom Project, an ethical sanctuary focused on observation and enrichment (no riding or shows). It’s a thoughtful family experience; pre-booking is wise. If your schedule is tight, go directly to the airport (allow 3–3.5 hours by car) or take the morning train to Colombo Fort (~2.5–3 hours) and a taxi to CMB (45–60 minutes).

Afternoon: Fly out of CMB. Check fares and timings on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com Flights. If you prefer rail back to Colombo first, browse Trip.com Trains and plan a taxi handoff.

Evening: In case of a late flight, grab an early dinner in Negombo (near the airport)—seafood grills and fresh fruit juices are easy wins with kids.

Dining + Coffee Shortlist (Family-Friendly Favorites)

• Colombo: Upali’s (Sri Lankan), Palmyrah (Jaffna cuisine), Nuga Gama (village-style buffet), The Commons Coffee House (sandwiches, milkshakes), Butter Boutique (cakes), Pilawoos (kottu and rotis).
• Kandy: Natural Coffee (near temple), Café Secret Alley (brunch), Buono (pizza/salads), Empire Café (wraps, curries), Slightly Chilled Lounge (views), Devon Restaurant (bakery classics).

Budget & Practical Tips

• Budget level (50/100): Mix trains with one or two private transfers; choose midrange guesthouses with breakfast; enjoy rice-and-curry “short eats” for affordable lunches.
• Tickets & timing: Visit Sigiriya early to avoid midday heat; carry cash for temple and park tickets.
• With kids: Pack sunhats, quick-dry layers, and socks for temple floors; keep hand sanitizer for market snacks.

In five days you’ll taste urban energy, mountain calm, and ancient ingenuity—from Colombo’s sunset promenade to Kandy’s lakefront rituals and Sigiriya’s sky-palace. It’s a compact Sri Lanka itinerary that balances culture and green space, with just enough adventure to inspire the next trip.