What to see in Sri Lanka in 7 days
The island once known as Ceylon has become the perfect country for sightseeing because it is home to amazing natural landscapes, parks full of elephants, golden sandy beaches with palm trees, and Buddhist temples that are a testament to the calm, happy spirit of its people.
The big tourist hotels are mainly to be found in the west of the island: these are full-blown resorts where the newly-arrived traveller can enjoy every last detail, while the south has the biggest and loveliest beaches.
In addition to a few archaeological sites where ancient settlements have been found, Sri Lanka is famous for the water sports that visitors can enjoy from its beaches (such as surfing and snorkelling), as well as for its herds of elephants that roam freely in its natural parks.
The island has a tropical climate, so temperatures are high throughout the year, but you do need to take care in the rainy season because of the monsoons.
Anuradhapura, the historic first capital of Sri Lanka with one of Buddhism’s most ancient and sacred trees
Anuradhapura was the first political and religious capital of Sri Lanka and enjoyed this position for 13 years. It became hugely important because it was home to the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, a sacred tree venerated by Buddhists that was planted in the third century B.C., according to local tradition.
Typical Sri Lankan food: rice, coconut, and curry in abundance
Typical Sri Lankan food is a delicious fusion of the flavours and fragrances of neighbouring India combined with the colonial legacy left by the many nations who had a presence on the island.
What to see in Polonnaruwa: the ancient city that once thrived on the shores of a large reservoir
Any visit to the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, which became Sri Lanka’s second capital city in the 20th century, is a journey back in time to a period of splendour for the various Sinhalese kings.
Sigiriya, Sri Lanka’s great archaeological treasure
Considered the eighth wonder of the world, Sigiriya includes the ruins of an ancient city and an important palace complex that is now a World Heritage Site
What you can see in Dambulla, the city of the Golden Temple
Listed as a World Heritage Site, this town forms part of Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle, and is home to important ancient temples.
Kandy, a sacred Buddhist city
A World Heritage Site, Kandy was the capital city of the ancient kings, and still preserves one of the most revered relics of the Buddha: a tooth. Discover it.
Nuwara Eliya, the best place for visiting Sri Lanka's famous tea fields
Nuwara Eliya is well worth a stop if you are travelling by train to Ella from Kandy. Located at an altitude of almost 2,000 metres, the tea plantations, the remnants of the British colonial era and the Horton Plains National Park, which is not far from the city, are a major attraction when visiting Sri Lanka.
Ella, the final stop on the most beautiful train journey in the world
Ella is the final stop on one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world, a trip that takes passengers through the Highlands of Sri Lanka with stunning views of nature, tea plantations, and mountains blanketed in green.
Parque nacional de Yala: en busca de leopardos en el gran safari de Sri Lanka
El segundo parque nacional del país, que alberga 44 especies de mamíferos, concentra la mayor densidad de leopardos del mundo.
The spas of Barceló’s Sri Lankan hotels: caring for your body and soul
Discover the range of massages and facial treatments available in the spas of Barceló’s Sri Lankan hotels, which seek to reconnect your inner self with the hotels’ unique natural surroundings.
Sri Lanka's beaches, a paradise among whales and turtles
The top eight beaches in Sri Lanka where you can experience a true surfer's paradise surrounded by blue whales, sharks and giant turtles.
What to see in Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka
Fort, Pettah, the Red Mosque, Sambodhi Chaithya... Sri Lanka’s capital city has a plethora of tourist attractions to enjoy on your sightseeing holiday
What to buy in Sri Lanka, the land of the world's best tea
What to buy in Sri Lanka so that you can remember your unique trip: precious stones, sari fabrics, the best tea in the world and devil masks.
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