After publishing a post on the places you absolutely cannot miss when visiting Sri Lanka, I thought it only fair to also share some uncommon places to visit in Sri Lanka. There are so many unique places to visit in Sri Lanka, so before you go, make sure to read this post.
Sri Lanka is full of hidden gems, and if you want to get off the beaten path, this guide is for you!
I have now visited Sri Lanka twice, and have been lucky enough to experience a perfect blend of bucket list places and the less common places for tourists to visit. This is how I love to travel, and I am so excited that I can now share both the top things to do and see AND this post on more uncommon places to visit in Sri Lanka!
Finding uncommon and unique places to visit in a country isn’t always easy, especially not when there is such an overload of content on the must-see places and the top attractions there. So, I hope this guide is helpful for you when planning your trip, and that you’ll want to add some of these hidden gems of Sri Lanka to your list!
Head this way to read about the places you cannot miss when visiting Sri Lanka first, before continuing with the list below. That way, you too can create a trip that is the perfect blend of must-see sights and less popular ones!
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Unique & uncommon places to visit in Sri Lanka
So, you want to get off the beaten path and go where there are fewer tourists. Sri Lanka is a country full of undiscovered gems, so this shouldn’t be hard. Below is an overview of the places I have visited in Sri Lanka that I absolutely loved, and that can be considered less “common” for most travellers to visit.
Basically, these are the best hidden gems in Sri Lanka. You won’t find the train to Kandy or visiting a tea plantation here!
Where I have been able to, I have listed a few things to do in each place (and advice on where to stay), so you can get an idea of why you should go there!
Of course, you shouldn’t miss out on Sigiriya Rock, Colombo and Anuradhapura. They are popular tourist attractions for a reason. But if you want to make your trip a mix of popular and unknown places to go, I’ve got you covered!
Read more: my favourite hotels in Sri Lanka!
#1 Kalpitiya
Kalpitiya is about a 4-hour drive from Colombo along the coast of Sri Lanka. It is located on the piece of land that “creates” the Puttalam Lagoon, and is a prime spot for kite surfing (the main kite season is from May to November)!
The area is slowly building up a reputation for tourists to visit, so I believe more people will be visiting as the years go on. Whether you are keen to try kite surfing or want to go dolphin watching, there are quite a few fun things to do in Kalpitiya!
What’s there to do in Kalpitiya?
Go dolphin watching
For a truly magical experience that you will cherish for the rest of your life, go dolphin watching! Kalpitiya is near where the continental plates meet close to land, so the chance of meeting dolphins without having to travel too far is quite high!
We got up incredibly early one day (whilst staying at the Blue Whale Resort), got on a boat and headed out to the ocean (all arranged by the hotel). We were met with hundreds of dolphins playing in the waves, and it was such an incredible experience!
Additionally, we were lucky enough to see a Bryde’s whale! In Sri Lanka, you can meet these large creatures in their natural habitat, and you can go on a whale and dolphin watching tour on the south, east and west the coasts of Sri Lanka.
The most famous place for whale watching in Sri Lanka is Marissa, a small town on the south coast. But, I am happy to say that you can see whales from Kalpitiya too!
Some facts that are good to know:
- The peak dolphin watching season is from November to May
- Peak whale visibility is mainly in March, though we were travelling early February
- Renting a boat for the morning to go see the dolphins will cost around 25000 rupees (for 6 people)
- I recommend leaving so that you can be at the naval hut by 7.30 when they open
There is a “naval hut” on the beach that you have to drop by and register with in the morning before heading out.
I found this quite interesting, and learned that it is because we were so close to India that we could technically drive there by boat! So, the office needs to know who heads out, and who heads back in. Think of it as an immigration office.
🤩 Book your dolphin watching tour in Kalpitiya here!
Visit Kalpitiya fort
Another great thing to do in Kalpitiya (and a reason to visit), is to see Kalpitiya Fort. It is also called the Dutch Fort, due to its interesting history. I absolutely loved walking around the fort and learning about it.
It was built in the 1600s, after the King of Kandy had asked the Dutch to help him regain the land around the Puttalam Lagoon from the Portuguese (who had taken it). The Dutch were like “of course we’ll help!“, and went about re-conquering the land from the Portuguese.
And then they built the fort and kept it for themselves.
I don’t know if I find this brilliant or incredibly rude, but regardless, the Dutch ruled the trade of the area (and most of Sri Lanka) through the fort, as it was in such a strategic place overlooking the bay.
!! The fort has free entry, but please note that foreigners must bring a passport in order to get in, as it is still considered a military site.
Where to stay in Kalpitiya?
There are several boutique hotels to choose from in Kalpitiya. We stayed at the Blue Whale Resort, and I really enjoyed it. The hotel is right on the beach, so when we were heading out on our dolphin watching trip, we could just walk down to the beach from the hotel.
The pool area was absolutely lush (and quite large), and there is a lovely seating area beneath the trees if anyone needs some shade from the Sri Lankan sun. For dinner, they served a set menu (with options, of course), and the breakfast was also a la carte (which I love)!
Side note: the Blue Whale Resort has been included in my video covering the top places to stay in Sri Lanka. Check it out below!
#2 Rangala (glamping in the Knuckles Mountain Range)
Rangala is an area in the Knuckles Mountain Range that is very remote. The drive there takes you up a (very) windy road, and you will be holding your breath every time you meet another car or (hopefully not) a bus.
As we drove into the mountain range, I felt like we were really getting into the local area and away from the tourists. Even on our drive there I knew what a Sri Lanka hidden gem Rangala would be.
Our reason for heading to Rangala, out of all the great areas there are to visit in the Knuckles Mountain Range (which is UNESCO World Heritage Listed, in case you didn’t know), was to try something I had never done before. Glamping!
Our driver had to leave our car at a parking lot, and from there we got picked up by a sturdy jeep and new driver. The remaining 2 kilometer drive into the mountain range was along a road that was barely even a road. I don’t think our minivan would have made it. In the end, we reached our home for the next few days: Wild Glamping Knuckles.
There, they have 10 luxury tents set up on stilts (with a roof), overlooking one of the valleys of the mountain range. The place itself was absolutely beautiful, and such a unique place to stay in Sri Lanka!
If I could only choose one, this is my favorite of the secret places in Sri Lanka I’ve seen. Hands down. My experience in Rangala was so unique, and I couldn’t recommend it enough!
About Wild Glamping Knuckles
Wild Glamping Knuckles aim to have a minimal imprint on their natural surroundings, and so the electricity is all solar-powered.
As I had never been glamping before, I was quite shocked to learn that the generator would only be switched on from 06:30 to 08:30 in the morning, and from 18:00 to 22:00 in the evening. I absolutely loved it, and was so excited to live out my Jane Goodall dreams.
Side note: I did write a travel diary on my laptop whilst in the Knuckles Mountain Range, which you can read here! It really shares my authentic experience glamping for the first time.
We spent 2 days glamping in Sri Lanka, and it was an absolutely amazing experience. I highly recommend it for a unique activity, and it can definitely pass the “uncommon” test!
🤩Learn more and book your glamping adventure here!
#3 Heel Oya Village (Heeloya)
Around 12 kilometres from Wild Knuckles Glamping and Rangala is the village of Heel Oya. I have noticed that some people call this hidden gem Heeloya, but I was told it was the former. So that’s what I’ll use.
The village feels completely untouched by the world, and you’ll find no tourists here (except yourself). In order to get there, you have to hike the 12 kilometres from Wild Glamping Knuckles, and this can be arranged through the staff there.
Since you have to hike there, and this is the only way to reach the village, I’d say this is one of the most unique places to visit in Sri Lanka.
The trek starts early (the recommended start time is 07:30), and the hike took us around 6 hours (including stops to learn about the local plants and animals, take photos at various viewpoints, and to swim in a secluded waterfall along the way).
About the hike itself
The height profile of the hike is that it is seemingly all downhill. You start the trek at 1204 metres above sea level and end at 624. At the village, the jeep will come pick you up and take you back to the glamp site. However, this does not mean that the whole hike is downhill, and so I would say this is a moderately difficult hike.
You will be provided with leech socks for the trek, and I can only recommend that you wear them. Leeches seem quite scary and foreign to me, and it may scare you a little as well, but our amazing guide wasn’t bothered at all.
He didn’t even wear the leech socks, haha. But wearing them definitely felt a little safer, especially when you are told there may be some leeches in the forest as you trek through.
Side note: you can do the trek to Heel Oya starting in Kandy, a more popular place to be based. I’ve linked it below!
🤩Check availability and learn more about joining this trek from Kandy!
What do you see on the Heel Oya hike?
The hike took us past tea plantations, canyons, rice fields and more. It was such a beautiful experience, and one I strongly recommend – especially if you want to find some of the more uncommon places to see in Sri Lanka!
The village of Heel Oya, that stretches through the valley for the past 2-3 kilometres of the hike, was so unique to me. The locals were going about their day, some doing laundry and some harvesting tea leaves and carrying them along the road.
Some were playing cricket in a field, whilst other kids were running after us to say hello. It was such a unique experience, and it really made me thing about how different lives we all lead in this world. But I’m not gonna get philosophical here.
#4 Heel Oya Waterfall
The Heel Oya waterfall was one of the stops along the way to Heel Oya village, but I wanted to give it its own heading, as I loved it so much! Around 9 kilometres of the way we reached this waterfall, where locals were having a swim and doing laundry as we arrived.
We were told we could jump in, and of course I did! There is nothing like swimming in natural water, and a waterfall is the best shower there is. So, if you want to find a more unknown waterfall in Sri Lanka (that isn’t Ramboda Falls or the Ella Waterfall), this is the one!
#5 Riverston (a part of Knuckles Forest Reserve)
Riverston is a part of the Knuckles Forest Reserve (and mountain range) in the middle of Sri Lanka. It is located around 30 kilometres from the town of Matale, which is why I recommend staying there. However, the area can also be explored easily from Kandy.
What is there to see and do in Riverston?
The cloud forest
Basically, this place contains a cloud forest, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (one of 8 in Sri Lanka). The cloud forest itself is a unique and incredibly biodiverse area, and going on a guided tour here to learn about the species found is something I strongly recommend.
During our visit to the area, we saw a lizard that only exists here (as in; it can’t be found anywhere else in the world)!
Our guide, Aravinda, told us all about the necessity of the cloud forest, and how they actually contribute to the existence of the blue whales along the shores of Sri Lanka! I won’t try to retell this here, and will instead say that this is something you have to experience and find out for yourself.
Lunch in a local village
After seeing and learning about the cloud forest and the biodiversity of the area, it was lunchtime! Lunch had been arranged in one of the remote villages in the area, and included a short 10-15-minute walk along a small road that had only recently been laid.
Our guide told us about how the village had been completely inaccessible by car before the road came.
To book this experience, reach out to Aravinda via Instagram: @lankainmotion. At the time that we did the experience (February 2020), it cost around 5000 rupees per person (which includes the guided tour and lunch in the village, but not transportation).
If you have a car and a driver, this is super easy to arrange, and our driver took us around the area, as Aravinda told him where to go and where to stop.
Mini World’s End
The first photo in this post was taken at Mini World’s End, and the view from this place is absolutely breathtaking. I am not afraid of heights, but even I had to sit down to take the photo, haha.
This place is reached after a short (and comfortable) hike of about 10 minutes. There is also a trail to take that goes through the forest, allowing you to see some of the species that live in the area, but we skipped it due to my fear of spiders (sorry, guys!).
The Sera Ella waterfall
Give me a body of water to swim in and you know I’ll be happy for the rest of the day. Our final visit in the Riverston area was the Sera Ella waterfall, accessed by a flight of steps leading down from the road.
The waterfall itself was beautiful, and you can even go behind it and discover a misty cave! But for me, the best part was being able to jump into the cool pool below and swim near the rush of the fall itself.
Don’t miss spending an hour or two here during your trip. You’ll find that locals come here, but not so many tourists, making it perfect for my list of uncommon places to visit in Sri Lanka!
Where to stay to explore Riverston?
Riverston can be accessed from several places in the middle of Sri Lanka. However, it is easiest to stay in Kandy or Matale. You’ll find that there are lots of hotels to choose from in Kandy, as this is a popular destination for visitors (head this way for some great offers!).
We stayed in Matale, as this is even closer to Riverston and its cloud forests (so it was a much shorter drive).
Our hotel was the Grand Mountain Hotel, which I really enjoyed. The rooms were decorated in a style that I’d love to re-create in my apartment, and the beds were so comfy. The rainforest shower was also just what I needed after the drive there, and so I strongly recommend this hotel if you want to visit Riverston.
#6 Polonnaruwa
We all know about Anuradhapura, the ancient city and former capital of Sri Lanka that is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
But not that many people know of Polonnaruwa, which is also an ancient city and former capital. Polonnaruwa was the capital of Sri Lanka for almost 2 centuries (between the 11th and 13th century a.d.).
It is also (you guessed it) a UNESCO World Heritage Site!
You can walk almost freely through the ruins of this interesting city, and learn all there is about the time when it was the country’s capital. If you want to visit a place in Sri Lanka with historical significance, yet still stay slightly off the beaten path, this is the ancient city for you.
Side note: If you are a little overwhelmed with planning your trip to Sri Lanka, I’ve created a Sri Lanka 10-day itinerary for you here!
You can book your entrance ticket to the ancient city of Polonnaruwa in advance here!
#7 Pidurangala Rock
We all know the most famous rock and hike in Sri Lanka: Sigiriya Rock (also known as Lion’s Rock). But Pidurangala, located not to far from there, is a hike you should be aware of if you want to do something different.
What’s so unique about Pidurangala, is that instead of taking you up the famous Sigiriya Rock, it gives you epic views OF Sigiriya Rock! So, by taking this hike you can still say that you saw the famous Lion Rock/Lion’s Rock, but that you went a little off the beaten path.
The entrance fee to hike Pidurangala is 500 rupees (around 2 EUR). The hike itself isn’t that long, as the rock is only 200 metres tall. Most people say it takes around 30-45 minutes to get to the top, and the view is more than worth it! There is some climbing and some steep bits involved, so make sure you hike early in the morning to avoid the worst of the heat.
Of course, Pidurangala is still a popular hike, but nowhere near as popular as Sigiriya, so you’ll be able to enjoy the views with less crowds.
Please note that the first part of the hike goes past a Buddhist temple, and so you will need a shawl to cover your shoulders.
✌🏼I love this guided hike to Pidurangala Rock because it starts from Colombo!
#8 Wilpattu National Park
Now, you may say that going on a safari in Sri Lanka can’t really be considered as “uncommon”.
That’s correct, but whilst Yala is the most popular area for seeing wildlife and going on a safari in Sri Lanka, a lot of people miss out on Wilpattu; which is the largest in Sri Lanka! So I would definitely classify this park as one of the more uncommon places to visit in Sri Lanka, if not necessarily a secret.
As mentioned, Wilpattu is a national park, and it is open for safari jeeps to access the park in the daytime. The park itself is located in the north-west of Sri Lanka, not too far from Kalpitiya (mentioned above) and Anuradhapura (mentioned on my list of must-see places in Sri Lanka).
During our safari in Wilpattu, we were lucky enough to see countless bird species, and lots of interesting mammals. Sadly, we didn’t get to see the elusive leopard (all though we spent all day driving around in the hopes of seeing it). There are even special leopard safari tours you can join in the hopes of seeing it.
But we did end up seeing:
- Deer
- A Painted stork
- Several peacocks; one showing us all his feathers!
- Peahen (I also learned that the female peacock is called a peahen, haha)
- Green bee eater
- Lots and lots of Jungle Fowl; the national bird of Sri Lanka
- Land monitors (they were huge!)
- Water Buffalo
- Several eagles
- A beautiful Owl
- And an Elephant!
Of course, these are just some of the animals we saw, but the ones I remembered to write down. Our guide/driver was incredible, and did such a good job scouting and stopping to ensure we got the best views.
He also paid great attention to our cameras, allowing all 5 travel bloggers to get the photos we needed (he literally wouldn’t drive on until we had all put our cameras down, haha)!
#9 The Dambulla Cave Temples
The Dambulla Royal Cave Temple and Golden Temple is the most well-preserved cave temple in Sri Lanka. This complex of caves is also the largest, and should definitely be on your radar when visiting Sri Lanka.
It is another one of the World Heritage Sites of the country, but lesser known than other ones. It is also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla, and you’ll find over 80 caves in the area – that were used and inhabited by monks back in the first century b.c.
The caves will absolutely take your breath away. If you are interested in Sri Lankan heritage, and especially Buddhist culture and history, I strongly recommend visiting.
It is possible to visit the cave temples on a tour, and you can also opt to do it on the same day as hiking Pidurangala Rock or Sigiriya. Here are a few great options:
Uncommon Places to Visit in Sri Lanka FAQ
Below are the most frequently asked questions about unique places to visit in Sri Lanka. I’ve done my best to answer them! Of course, if you’ve read the whole post you may have found your answer already.
But, in case you scrolled straight here, go ahead! Let me know in the comments if a question is missing.
The Heeloya waterfall, Wild Glamping Knuckles and the Sera Ella waterfall are some hidden gems of Sri Lanka.
Rangala in the Knuckles Mountain range is one of my favourite, unexplored places in Sri Lanka.
There are some very beautiful places in Sri Lanka that are very popular. Such as the Kandy to Ella train and Sigiriya rock. However, the most beautiful places to visit in Sri Lanka are the hidden gems. Such as Kalpitiya, Rangala and Riverston.
Hidden & Unique Places to Visit in Sri Lanka: Final Thoughts
There you have some of my favourite hidden places in Sri Lanka. These are a bit less common than the more mainstream destinations and activities on the island.
Sri Lanka is one of my favorite countries to visit, and I am confident that you will fall in love with it too. From the people and their culture, to the World Heritage sights – there is so much to discover.
Of course, if you want to create the perfect trip you should opt for a mix of popular destinations (such as Sigiriya Rock, Colombo and Galle), but still add in a few of these. I strongly recommend all of them, but understand that you might not have the time for it all.
Regardless, I love that you came here looking for the hidden gems of Sri Lanka, and hope you found a few for your trip!
If you have some hidden gems of Sri Lanka to recommend of your own, please leave them in a comment below! I would love to add them to my list of places to go for my next trip, as I am always looking for unique places to see.
Regardless of how you plan your trip, I know you will love Sri Lanka as much as I did!
