Top 05 Scenic Road Trips to Take in Sri Lanka

One of the best and unique things about visiting Sri Lanka is its versatility in terms of landscapes and terrains, within a few hours of road travel between cities. Add the fact that the island has one of the highest inland road densities in the world, and you are guaranteed the best road trips in Sri Lanka.

Best Time to Visit Sri Lanka

Considering that the individual road trips (Kandy / Nuwara Eliya / Sigiriya / Galle) and Sri Lanka round-trip that we have recommended in this post mostly focus on the central and southern regions, the best time to visit Sri Lanka would be between the months of December-March. This would help to avoid the southwest monsoon season (May-August) and allow you to partake in more activities and adventures, for which December-March is the peak season. See our post on Best Places to Visit and Things to Do in Sri Lanka as a Family for more recommendations.

Five Scenic Road Trips in Sri Lanka

The possibilities are numerous when it comes to road trips in Sri Lanka. Every option offers something unique and memorable. So, you might wonder – what is the best road trip to take? We’ve short-listed five options that we think are the best road trips in Sri Lanka.

1. Colombo to Kandy Drive

One-way road time: approx. 3h 40m

Day trip option? Yes, with no stops or one stop (max. 2h) at Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage or Royal Botanic Gardens. Overnight stay recommended.

The most popular stop between Colombo and Kandy is Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage where visitors are able to interact with the gentle giants during bath and feeding times. Locals and tourists, alike, enjoy this conservation center which homes the world’s largest herd of captive elephants.

The Royal Botanic Gardens in Peradeniya is home to over 4,000 species of flora and is particularly known for its orchid collection. Spices and medicinal plants also grow in plenty.

Should you opt to use one of our chauffeurs, ask them about the colonial legend behind the Kadugannawa rock tunnel pass as you drive through it. Kadugannawa is home to the National Railway Museum.

Kandy is considered to be the gateway to Sri Lanka’s ‘Cultural Triangle’ in the country’s central region, encompassing several ancient and historical cities including Anuradhaphura, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya and Dambulla. This cultural link becomes evident on the drive from Colombo to Kandy, with the roadsides increasing in density of greenery, historical temples and architecture from kingdoms past.

2. Colombo to Nuwara Eliya Drive

One-way road time: approx. 5h

Day trip option? Two-night stay recommended.

The drive from Colombo to Nuwara Eliya is beautiful, escalating in luscious greens, scenic views and breathtaking photo points as elevation increases and temperatures drop.

Around the halfway mark is Makandawa Forest Reserve, one of Sri Lanka’s richest and least touched forests with a nature trail of 8-10km. With crystal-clear rock pools and waterfalls, it’s home to several rare species of birds, butterflies, fish and reptiles, and is excellent for birdwatching. Visitors can see the filming location of the multi-Academy Award-winning movie ‘The Bridge on the River Kwai’.

If you can afford a longer stop and are up for some rope climbing, Belilena Cave – further up along the Makandawa hike – is an archaeological site with evidence of the pre-historic ‘Balangoda Man’ that dates back to 32,000 years ago.

As you continue on to Nuwara Eliya, you come across several photogenic waterfalls, including Aberdeen, Galboda, Devon, St. Clair and Nanu Oya. Eventually, every bend and stretch of road become photo points as the landscape surrenders to tea plantations, with oases of cypresses, oaks and pines replacing the Colombo skyscrapers. An aroma of freshness complements the endless visual feast. Roadside vendors welcome you with warm smiles, fresh produce and flowers, while colonial-era tea factories and bungalows silently narrate the history of Ceylon tea.

3. Colombo to Sigiriya Drive

One-way road time: approx. 4h

Day trip option? Yes, with no stops or one stop (max. 2h) at Dambulla Cave Temple. Overnight stay recommended.

The UNESCO World Heritage Sigiriya Rock Fortress is phenomenal with its pre-3rd century BC fortress, palace and garden ruins atop the natural rock. The ascent takes 30-45 minutes and is well worth the stunning 360o view and the striking ancient frescoes on the way up.

Impressively, you come across another UNESCO World Heritage Site a half-hour before arriving in Sigiriya – Dambulla Cave Temple. Being Sri Lanka’s largest and best-preserved cave temple complex, it dates back to 80 BC and contains over 150 Buddha statues, with colourful ceiling and wall paintings forming a spectacular interior.

If historical sites and adrenaline are your thing, Pidurangala Rock is a 10-minute drive from Sigiriya. A hike of 30-40 minutes to the top gives a spectacular vantage point to appreciate the beauty of Sigiriya. There’s a temple atop the rock that dates back to the 3rd century BC.

The drive from Colombo to Sigiriya is an interesting one. The change in vista becomes more apparent the further you move away from Colombo. The cityscape transforms into a more rural landscape. Concrete structures become fewer, and hues of green become more frequent, before morphing into more browns. City life gives way to village life. You might see the likes of elephants, monkeys and more wildlife on the way, too. If you’ve got a day to spare, Minneriya National Park is under a half-hour’s drive from Sigiriya, and is worth a visit for a wildlife safari.

4. Colombo to Galle Drive

One-way road time: approx. 3h 50m (coastal route)

Day trip option? Yes, with maximum en-route stop time of 2h. Overnight stay recommended if keen to include more stops/activities on the way.

Nothing beats taking the coastal route to Galle. A couple of extra road hours (than the Southern Expressway) creates the potential for an array of new experiences.

Tranquil Bentota beach with its turquoise waters and golden sand is a haven for beach lovers and a great spot for a refreshment. Jetskiing, windsurfing and banana boating are available activity options. Architecture enthusiasts would also find the guided tours of Geoffrey Bawa Estates and Gardens, with beautifully-curated landscapes and lake views, very pleasing.

Further south, Kosgoda Sea Turtle Conservation Project is home to five endangered species of sea turtles. A visit gives valuable insight into how populations are being conserved to prevent species extinction.

A boat safari on the Madu River is great for a bit of serenity during which you could also treat yourself to some fish therapy.

Ambalangoda is home to traditional mask art and puppetry in Sri Lanka, and a stop at the Mask Museum enables visitors to see and purchase some of this artisanal artwork.

If you’re not keen to make stops, the endless ocean views, calming beaches, bustling towns and glimpses of Dutch colonial architecture are still good enough reasons to take the coastal route. Once you get to Galle, there is plenty to explore and experience at Galle Fort and its surroundings.

5. Sri Lanka Round-trip

If you would like to include all of these destinations in your travels, we recommend the following itinerary.

Day 1 (Colombo-Sigiriya)

• Stop at Dambulla Cave Temple (morning)
• Climb Sigiriya Rock (afternoon)

Day 2 (Sigiriya-Kandy)

• Climb Pidurangala Rock / visit Minneriya National Park (morning)
• Head to Kandy (evening)

Day 3 (Kandy)

• Visit Temple of the Tooth Relic (morning)
• Walk through Royal Botanical Gardens (afternoon)
• Enjoy and relax, walk around Kandy Lake (evening)

Day 4(Kandy-Nuwara Eliya)

• Optional – Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage (morning)
• Hike through Makandawa Forest Reserve (early afternoon)
• Head to Nuwara Eliya (early evening)

Day 5 (Nuwara Eliya)

• Visit tea plantations, tea factory (morning)
• Take a canoe ride on the Castlereigh Reservoir (afternoon)
• Enjoy and relax (evening)

Day 6 (Nuwara Eliya-Galle)

• Short hike through tea plantations / Horton Plains (morning)
• Head to Galle (late afternoon)

Day 7 (Galle)

• Explore Galle Fort (morning, afternoon)
• Enjoy and relax (evening)

Day 8 (Galle-Colombo)

• Stop at Kosgoda / Hikkaduwa / Ambalangoda / Madu River on the way to Colombo (morning, afternoon)
• Enjoy, relax and rejuvenate (evening)

Best Way to Get Around Sri Lanka

Considering your comfort, flexibility of travel itinerary and the numerous scenic/adventure stopovers that you would inevitably be tempted to make, we believe that the best way to get around Sri Lanka would be by car.

With 40 years of experience, Kings Rent-a-Car offers renting options both with and without a chauffeur. Our reliable fleet includes a wide selection from saloon cars to medium-sized SUVs and 4WDs, to match group size and budget. Our rates are competitive and our service consistently earns five-star ratings.

Should you opt to self-drive, we provide 24-hour island-wide roadside assistance. However, we highly recommend our chauffeur service that would guarantee increased safety, better route efficiency and a trove of local expertise as and when needed. Add-on options of child/infant car seats, jumper cables, first aid kits and GPS-enabled tablets are available.

Visit Kings Rent-a-Car online to see available options and rates, or WhatsApp us on +94 77 773 9492 for information and inquiries.