Best Places to Visit in Nuwara Eliya: A Simple Guide for First-Time Travelers

Nuwara Eliya sits in the heart of Sri Lanka’s hill country and is often called “Little England” for its cool weather, green hills, and colonial charm. If you’re planning a trip, here are five places that offer the best mix of nature, scenery, and easy day trips.

1. Lake Gregory

Lake Gregory is only 2 km from the center of Nuwara Eliya and is one of the first places most travelers visit. Built in 1873 by Sir William Gregory, the lake first served irrigation and power needs but is now a calm escape surrounded by green hills.

It sits at about 1,880 meters above sea level and offers boating, jet skiing, pony rides, picnics, and relaxed walks around the park. Bird watchers will find plenty to enjoy as well. Food stalls, cafés, and small shops are close by, so it’s an easy half-day stop.

You can reach the lake by road or even by seaplane from Colombo, which takes roughly 30 minutes. Opening hours are 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Foreign visitors pay around LKR 200 for entry, while locals pay less.

2. Hakgala Botanical Garden

About 16 km from town, Hakgala Botanical Garden is the second largest garden in Sri Lanka and dates back to 1861. It started as a place to experiment with cinchona and tea, and today it holds nearly 1,000 species of plants.

You’ll find roses, ferns, orchids, conifers, medicinal herbs, and several themed areas including a rock garden, water garden, fern garden, and a peaceful Japanese garden. The pathways open up to wide views of the Uva Valley and distant mountains.

March and April are the best months to visit if you want to see the garden in full bloom. Entry fees for foreign adults are about LKR 3,540, with reduced rates for students and children. The garden is open from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm, though ticketing closes at 5:00 pm.

3. Horton Plains National Park

Horton Plains sits 32 km south of Nuwara Eliya and is one of the country’s most unique national parks. The landscape shifts between rolling grasslands, cloud forests, rocky ledges, and quiet waterfalls. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to sambar deer, rare birds, and many endemic plants.

The highlight is World’s End, a near-vertical drop of about 900 meters with sweeping views on clear mornings. Trails are well marked, and most visitors walk the main loop with a guide. Temperatures range from close to freezing at night to around 27°C during the day, so warm layers help.

The best time to visit is from January to March. Expect higher fees here than in most other parks in Sri Lanka. Foreign adults generally pay USD 42 to 80 (about LKR 23,000–24,000 for two adults). A visit with a local driver or tuk-tuk can bring the cost to roughly LKR 21,000 or more. The park opens around 6:00 am.

4. Bomburu Ella

Bomburu Ella is a wide, powerful waterfall and makes a great half-day trip from Nuwara Eliya. To reach it, take the Rendapola–Ambagasdowa road from Rendapola junction. The newly carpeted road is smooth and scenic, and there’s ample parking at the trailhead.

The walk starts with about 150 steps, then continues along gravel paths, short concrete sections, and shaded forest areas beside a stream. Most travelers can manage the hike, including children and older visitors. With photo stops, the round trip takes about an hour and a half.

Bathing under the main fall isn’t allowed, but there are safe pools downstream. On dry days, it’s sometimes possible to cross the stream for better views, though caution is needed. A weekday or early-morning visit helps avoid crowds. Entry is about LKR 700 for foreign visitors. Small snack stalls appear along the way, and the waterfall is impressive even during dry spells.

5. St. Clair’s Falls

St. Clair’s Falls sits near Talawakele, around 26 km from Nuwara Eliya, and is often called the “Little Niagara of Sri Lanka.” It has two cascades: the Greater Fall (about 80 meters high and 50 meters wide) and the Lesser Fall (about 50 meters high). Both cut through bright green tea estates.

The waterfall is easy to view from the Hatton–Talawakele road, with several clear lookout points for photos. Some visitors choose to walk through the tea estate for a closer look, though access to the base is usually restricted for safety. The falls look best in the wetter months when water levels rise.

You can get here by car, taxi, or train to Talawakele, making it one of the simplest day trips in the central highlands.

Ready to plan your trip? Our full Nuwara Eliya guide gives you everything you need in one place