Nuwara Eliya: Little England in Sri Lanka
Nuwara Eliya might just be one of the most unique places in Sri LankaBecause of its colonial-style buildings and cool climate, the town is often called Little England. The British once used this area as a retreat from the tropical heat — and that atmosphere still lingers today. You’ll find charming old buildings, colorful gardens, and even an iconic post office that’s still in use. Along the roads, small vegetable stalls line the way, while endless tea plantations stretch out across the hills. The atmosphere here feels completely different from the rest of the country — and that’s exactly what makes Nuwara Eliya so special.
The most scenic train ride in Sri Lanka
Bomburu Ella Waterfall
Seetha Amman Kovil
The Iconic Post Office
Gregory Lake & Victoria Park
Horton Plains National Park & World’s End
Visit a Tea Plantation
Where to Eat in Nuwara Eliya
How to Get to Nuwara Eliya
How Long to Stay in Nuwara Eliya
The Climate in Nuwara Eliya
Ella or Nuwara Eliya?
The most scenic train ride in Sri Lanka
The train journey from Ella to Nuwara Eliya is an attraction in itself. Along the way, you’ll pass Sri Lanka’s highest train station, Pattipola, and ride through endless tea fields and mountain landscapes. The views are breathtaking, and if you’re lucky, the train won’t be crowded, allowing you to stand in the doorway and fully enjoy the scenery (and take incredible photos). We took the afternoon train and reserved second-class tickets — only two other people shared our carriage, so we had plenty of space to stand by the open doors for most of the ride.
Tip: Sit on the right-hand side of the train for the best views.
Tip: Book your tickets in advance via 12go to secure a good seat on the train.
Bomburu Ella Waterfall
One of the most beautiful places we visited was Bomburu Ella Waterfall. This spectacular waterfall is still largely undiscovered by tourists and mainly visited by locals. From the parking area, it’s about a 30-minute walk along a well-maintained path with steps to the base of the falls.
Price: Entry 700 LKR (~€2.00), parking 200 LKR (~€0.55).
We arrived around 11:00 a.m. and had the place almost to ourselves. The closer you get, the more impressive it becomes — the water crashes down with incredible force, and you’ll get completely soaked if you stand too close. For us, this was without doubt the most beautiful waterfall in Sri Lanka. It’s about an hour’s drive from Nuwara Eliya, so plan enough time to visit.
NB: The road to the waterfall is narrow, steep, and in poor condition — but absolutely worth it.
Hikes in and around Nuwara Eliya
There are plenty of walks and hikes to enjoy in and around Nuwara Eliya. Most of them are relatively short and suitable for all fitness levels. One of the most popular routes leads to Lover’s Leap, a beautiful waterfall reached via a trail through the tea plantations of Pedro Tea Estate. The hike is around 5 kilometres long, not too challenging, and you'll mostly encounter tea pickers instead of other tourists along the way.
If you're looking for panoramic views over the town and Gregory Lake, Single Tree Hill is another great option. The trail starts near Gregory Lake, and you'll reach the summit in about an hour.
Tip: Always ask for permission before taking photos of tea pickers at work, and consider giving a small tip as a gesture of appreciation.
Seetha Amman Kovil
Just outside Nuwara Eliya lies Seetha Amman Kovil, a colorful Hindu temple along the main road. Since it’s a popular spot among locals, it can get quite busy. It’s a fun short stop while exploring the area.
Tip: Visit early in the morning to avoid the crowds.
The Iconic Post Office
In the heart of Nuwara Eliya, you’ll find the iconic red post office, a leftover from colonial times. If you’re lucky, you can even buy and send a postcard from inside. We did — two stamps to the Netherlands cost only 70 LKR (~€0.20), and our card arrived in about two weeks. A small but charming activity that fits perfectly with the town’s Little England..
Gregory Lake & Victoria Park
Right in the center of Nuwara Eliya are Gregory Lake and Victoria Park, two beloved spots for both locals and travelers. Around Gregory Lake, you can stroll, cycle, or take a boat ride, while the park bursts into color in spring with blooming flowers and trees. It’s the perfect place to relax after a day of sightseeing.
All our Sri Lanka hotspots in one Google Maps guide
All our favourite hotspots, restaurants, viewpoints, waterfalls and hidden gems collected in one easy-to-use map. Use the map on your phone and easily navigate to the most beautiful places in Sri Lanka while you travel.
Horton Plains National Park & World’s End
Horton Plains National Park is a unique nature reserve in Sri Lanka featuring grasslands, forests, waterfalls, and lakes. The highlight is World’s End, a sheer cliff that drops 880 meters straight down. It’s about an hour’s drive from Nuwara Eliya. Go early in the morning for the best chance of clear skies and quiet trails.
The hike is relatively easy and well-marked. From the entrance, it’s about 4 km to World’s End. If you take the circular route via Baker’s Falls, the total hike is around 9.5 km and takes about four hours. Entry for foreigners costs around 10,500 LKR (~€30.00) excluding driver or tuk-tuk fees — but the stunning views make it one of the best hikes in Sri Lanka.
Note: Leopards can be found throughout Sri Lanka, and there have even been a few lucky sightings in Horton Plains. Who knows — maybe you’ll spot one on your hike!
Note: Unfortunately, we didn’t have time (and the weather was poor) to do this hike.
Visit a Tea Plantation
No visit to Nuwara Eliya is complete without exploring a tea plantation. One of the largest and most popular is Damro Tea Plantation, where you can take a free guided tour of the factory that produces both green and black tea. After the tour, you can enjoy a complimentary cup and purchase tea if you’d like. We were served black tea but you can also request other varieties.
Note: Only women work on the plantations here — a tradition passed down for generations. Around 600 women work at Damro, hand-picking tea leaves daily.
Tip: There are plenty of smaller plantations nearby where you can also take tours. The tea at Damro’s shop is relatively expensive, so you might find better prices at smaller estates.
Take a trip to Nanu Oya
Nuwara Eliya doesn't have its own railway station. If you're travelling by train, you'll arrive at Nanu Oya, a small village located about 10 kilometres from the town. From there, it's an easy tuk-tuk or taxi ride that takes around 15 to 30 minutes.
Surrounded by lush tea plantations, Nanu Oya is also a great place for a scenic walk through nature. Close to the station, you'll find Nanu Oya Falls. While the waterfall itself isn't the most impressive in Sri Lanka, the real highlight is the railway bridge above it. Several times a day, the famous train between Kandy and Ella crosses the bridge, so if you're lucky, you'll see the train passing right over the waterfall.
Tip: Check the train schedule in advance if you want to see the train crossing the bridge, so you can time your visit perfectly.
Where to Eat in Nuwara Eliya
There are many cozy restaurants and cafés in town:
- Salmiya Italian RestaurantDelicious pizza, but be patient — the owner cooks everything herself in a tiny kitchen.
- Cafe NoshersExcellent coffee, wraps, and burgers — a nice break from traditional Sri Lankan food.
- ThemparaduGreat spot for dinner and cocktails — tryThe Honey in the Bee!.
- Ayurveda Coffee ShopPerfect for breakfast or lunch; try the peanut toast and coffee.
- Dushan’s Home KitchenThe best Sri Lankan food in Nuwara Eliya. Popular with travelers, so arrive early as it fills up fast.
Check out all our favorite restaurants across Sri Lanka on our Google Maps guide!
How to Get to Nuwara Eliya
Most travellers arrive in Nuwara Eliya by train from Ella, a journey of around three hours. This route is widely considered one of the most scenic train rides in the world. Along the way, you'll pass endless tea plantations, rolling hills, and charming villages.
We took the 2:06 PM train, which was surprisingly quiet. About half of the carriages were empty, making for a very comfortable journey. We had reserved seats in second class in advance, but you can also buy tickets for second or third class at the station on the day of travel.
Alternatively, you can drive to Nuwara Eliya in a rental tuk-tuk This gives you plenty of freedom, but keep in mind that the roads are often steep and winding. Make sure you have a full tank of fuel and drive carefully. If you'd rather not drive yourself through the hills, hiring a private driver is another great option.
Tip: From Nuwara Eliya, continue on to Hatton, a stunning, quieter area with even more tea fields and natural beauty.
How Long to Stay in Nuwara Eliya
With two full days, you can see nearly all the main highlights. We also stayed two days and felt it was the perfect amount of time. If you’d like to do more hikes (like Lover’s Leap), enjoy water activities on Gregory Lake, or spend more time relaxing in Victoria Park, consider adding an extra day.
The Climate in Nuwara Eliya
Because Nuwara Eliya sits at a high altitude, it’s much cooler than the rest of Sri Lanka. Temperatures usually range between 14°C and 22°C, and evenings can get quite chilly — so bring a sweater or jacket. The cooler climate makes this region ideal for farming — not only tea, but also a wide variety of vegetables thrive here.
Ella or Nuwara Eliya?
Many travelers debate between visiting Ella or Nuwara Eliya, but our advice is simple: do both! Ella is laid-back, trendy, and full of great restaurants and bars. Nuwara Eliya, on the other hand, has a completely different charm — colonial, local, and unique. Experiencing both offers the perfect contrast and balance on your Sri Lanka trip.
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Hi, we are Marlo and Tessa and have developed an enormous passion for traveling through our world trip in 2022. We like to share this with you through our adventures and tips, so that you too can make such an incredible trip.
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About us
Hi, we are Marlo and Tessa and have developed an enormous passion for traveling through our world trip in 2022. We like to share this with you through our adventures and tips, so that you too can make such an incredible trip.
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