Nuwara Eliya is a unique destination in Sri Lanka. It feels different as soon as you leave the lower plains behind and drive into the highlands. Literally! Because the temperature drops, the air gets fresher and all around you see endless fields full of tea bushes. Indeed, this mountain village is located at an altitude of some 1,900 metres, making it the destination if you want to discover more about the famous Ceylon tea. But there is more than just tea! Think impressive hikes and waterfalls to atmospheric streets and parks. In other words, there is plenty to experience. In this blog, we share our best tips for Nuwara Eliya, including sights, activities and fine places to stay!
General information about Sri Lanka
Are you planning your trip to Sri Lanka? Then check out our tips for the best travel period, daily budget and applying for a visa. Find all information on Sri Lanka here.
How do you travel to Nuwara Eliya?
Located high in the central hills of Sri Lanka, Nuwara Eliya is easily accessible from several popular destinations. Most people travel to Nuwara Eliya from Kandy Or Ella and we did.
From Kandy to Nuwara Eliya
If you come from Kandy To travel to Nuwara Eliya you are about 2 to 3 hours along the way. But keep in mind that with your own tuktuk longer on the road. After all, you will want to stop in many places!
You can also choose to go by local bus. Even then, it will take you a little longer because the bus stops at several places. Want to travel faster and more comfortably? Then a taxi or private transfer is a fine option. You can easily arrange this via your accommodation or the app PickMe (Sri Lanka).
From Ella to Nuwara Eliya
Coming from Ella, then the train is an ideal option! You will then catch part of the famous train route between Kandy and Ella. This is one of the most beautiful routes in the world. The ride takes a few hours (3 to 4 hours) and winds between steep valleys and endless plantations.
Tip: The station where you get off is called Nanu Oya and from there it is another short taxi ride (about 20-30 minutes) to the centre of Nuwara Eliya.
By car or tuktuk, it is also such a 3 to 4 hours, depending on the route and stops. You can easily arrange a taxi through your accommodation or through the app PickMe (Sri Lanka). But do you really want to give your trip a local touch? Then choose the option of renting a tuktuk via tuktukrental.com!
Travelling through Sri Lanka by tuktuk
We did our entire trip through Sri Lanka by tuktuk and it was, without a doubt, the most fun way to travel around. It is not only practical, but also an adventure in itself! We hired our tuktuk through tuktukrental.com, an absolute must that will make your trip really extra special. And with the discount code ‘THOUSANDTRAVELMILES‘ you also get a nice discount!
Tip: Click through the link in this blog to the website of Tuktukrental, then the discount will be applied automatically. Convenient, right?
Tips for transport in Nuwara Eliya
The most practical way to explore Nuwara Eliya is by tuktuk or scooter. This is because the sights are spread over a large area, making covering everything on foot unfeasible in our opinion.
- Tuktuk: For short drives or if you don't want to drive yourself, it is ideal to arrange for a tuktuk. Fortunately, this is easily and quickly arranged at your accommodation or just along the road. Do you opt for the latter option? Just raise your hand and a tuktuk will stop for you! Always agree on a price in advance though to avoid surprises.
Another option is the app PickMe (Sri Lanka), similar to Uber. Although the app is still quite new in Sri lanka, ‘drivers’ are available in many places. Through the app, you simply enter your destination and instantly see the price, eliminating the need to negotiate. - Scooter hire: For the adventurous traveller, this is a nice option. We rented a scooter more often during our first trip and we found this to be great! Just keep in mind that Nuwara Eliya is cooler, the roads can sometimes be wet and steep, and riding in the mountains is really different from riding on the plains.
- Car with driver: If you want to go further afield or are with a large party, then hiring a car or mini-van can be interesting. Local drivers know the best routes and viewpoints, and often wait while you take a walk or visit a sight.
Tip: To use PickMe, you need internet. Therefore, arrange a local SIM card or opt for an e-sim, for example via Airalo.
What to do in Nuwara Eliya?
Nuwara Eliya is really all about nature! This makes it an ideal stop during your tour of Sri Lanka. Below we tell you in detail what to expect for each activity, why it is worthwhile and useful extra tips!
Tip: Nuwara Eliya is at an altitude of over 1,900 metres, making it considerably cooler than the coastal region. It is especially chilly in the evening and early morning, so bring warm clothes.
1. Hike Stage 22 of the Pekoe Trail
The Pekoe Trail is a 300-kilometre hiking trail across Sri Lanka that takes you through the island's diverse landscapes, history, culture and communities. And despite being quite fanatical, 300 kilometres was a bit too much for us too!
Fortunately, one of the most beautiful and final stages of the Pekoe trail, Stage 22, runs through Nuwara Eliya. This stage takes you past vast tea plantations in about 10 kilometres to Pedro Tea Factory. Along the way, you walk through small villages and encounter local tea pickers which makes this route truly unique.
We found the walk perfectly doable and is not strenuous for anyone with normal fitness. Do bear in mind that you will be walking in the sun a lot. Occasionally you will come across a tree or an abandoned hut, but that's all there is. Sunscreen, good shoes, a big bottle of water and some food is therefore not an unnecessary luxury!
Tip: Before taking a photo, always ask permission from the pickers! A small tip is much appreciated as the tea pickers only earn a few dollars a day!
The route is marked with orange dots, but it is smart to AllTrails to use with it. Indeed, the Pekoe trail is not visible in Google Maps or Maps.me. Get dropped off by tuktuk near the starting point and you are immediately in the middle of the vast tea fields. We paid 1500 LKR (€4.20) for the outward journey for this and arranged a tuktuk for 800 LKR (€2.24) back at the end of the day!
Tip: AllTrails you can use the first week for free, after that you have to pay for it.
2. Lovers Leap waterfall
Not far from the tea plantations is the Lovers Leap waterfall. This high and narrow waterfall has a romantic but tragic story. A prince is said to have fallen in love with a girl from a lower caste. As their relationship was not allowed, the two decided to jump off the cliff together. Yes... this sounds unpleasant, but don't let this stop you!
We combined a visit to the Lovers Leap waterfall with the Pekoe trail and Pedro Tea Factory. But you can also choose to walk 45 minutes to the waterfall from Nuwara Eliya or just arrange a tuktuk. Want a better view? Then climb all the way to the top!
3. Visit Damro (and other) tea factories
Of course, if you are in Nuwara Eliya, a visit to a tea factory should not be missing from your list. Factories like Damro give you a look behind the scenes and often you get to try some tea afterwards. The tours are usually free or you pay a small fee. Because of this, you shouldn't expect too much either.
Tip: They will naturally try to sell you tea at the end of the tour. No problem of course, but keep in mind that these prices are a lot higher than in local shops such as Raja Upcountry Tea!
4. Hike through Horton Plains National Park to World's End
Fancy a bit more action? Then a hike through Horton Plains National Park is highly recommended. This impressive nature reserve is located at an altitude of over 2,100 metres, making it considerably cooler than the rest of Sri Lanka. On your hike, you'll pass vast grassy plains, misty forests and the absolute highlight is World's End; a steep 870-metre precipice where, on a clear day, you can even see the coast.
The hike (around 9.5 km) is doable for anyone with normal fitness, but start early. And by early, we mean around sunrise (6:00am). This will get you to World's End on time because after 9:00 the fog often lifts, leaving you with literally no views.
- Costs: If you ask us honestly, we think the entrance fee for Horton Plains National Park is very high. After all, you pay $$35 (about €30) per person.
- How to get there: Horton Plains is about 30 kilometres from Nuwara Eliya, which is about an hour's drive. You can easily reach the park by tuktuk or taxi. Just don't forget to bring a warm jumper, as it will be quite cold in the morning!
→ View organised tours to Horton Plains National Park via GetYourGuide here.
5. Climb the Ramboda Falls
Ramboda Falls is a whopping 109 metres high and is just under an hour's drive from Nuwara Eliya. From the road, you can already partially see the waterfall flowing, but to really see it properly you have to take the stairs (starting point) to the top. This will take you about 20 to 30 minutes and chances are you will meet monkeys along the way.
What we especially liked is that the waterfall consists of different levels and you can swim in some places. If you go all the way up then you come to this vantage point and have a great view of the waterfall.
Parking: Travelling by tuktuk? Then we recommend parking it at one of the small shops along the road. Buy something there and ask them to keep an eye out.
Entrance: Admission is 200 LKR (€0.56) per person. Via the stairs next to the bridge then hike up towards the waterfall.
Tip: We made a stop at Ramboda Falls during our drive from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya. It is the perfect place to stretch your legs and catch an impressive waterfall on the way.
6. Go chill in Victoria Park
Victoria Park shows why Nuwara Eliya is called ‘Little England’. The park is neatly laid out with flowers, ponds and walkways and for LKR 600 (€1.69) per person, you can walk around and enjoy the park in peace. Ideal if you want to soak up some sunshine in colder Nuwara Eliya. Because even when the sun is shining, it's lovely to take a walk around this park or enjoy a picnic!
7. Take the world-famous train journey to Ella
Yes, of course this one should not be missing from this list. The train ride between Kandy and Ella is often cited as one of the most beautiful in the world, and rightly so. Want to do just a piece of this train journey? Then do the stretch between Nuwara Eliya (Nanu Oya Station) and Ella. In three to four hours, the train winds past green tea plantations, through mountains and past small villages. Along the way, local vendors board to sell snacks and fruit, while you enjoy the ever-changing views from the window or with dangling legs in the doorway.
Tickets & tips for the right class
We bought our train ticket on our first trip just at the station, just an hour before departure. We were extremely lucky that a ticket was still available, but had to spend 4 out of 8 hours without a seat. We definitely don't recommend that. So... If you want to be sure of a seat, especially in high season, buy your ticket well in advance via 12Go or the official rail website.
The most enjoyable experience is in 2nd or 3rd class: the windows and doors are open there, allowing you to experience real local train life. In 1st class, you travel in an enclosed compartment with air conditioning and closed windows. Comfortable, but you do miss much of the charm of this iconic train journey.
8. Send a card home
Something we actually do far too little, but which is SO much fun... sending a card! In Nuwara Eliya, you can still do that. This is because it is home to the historic red brick post office from 1894, built in British times, which is still in use today. Inside, you can buy a postcard between 50 LKR (€0.14) - 300 LKR (€0.84) and a stamp for 70 LKR (€0.20). With a brush and some glue, you stick the stamp on yourself, exactly as it has been done for more than a hundred years. How long will it take for your card to arrive? That remains a surprise - you're probably already home!
9. Other things to do in Nuwara Eliya
There are so many great tips for Nuwara Eliya that it is impossible to do everything if you only stay there for two to three days. So do you have longer time? Then find some more inspiration below.
- Blackpool Coffee Bungalow: Enjoy a good cup of coffee at Blackpool Coffee Bungalow and discover Sri Lanka's coffee history. The owner roasts his beans himself and is happy to talk about the history of coffee. A unique experience that should be on the list especially for coffee lovers!
- Jagro Farm: Besides its tea fields, Nuwara Eliya is also known for its strawberries and Jagro Farm is the ideal place for a large portion of strawberries with ice cream or a fresh waffle!
- Gregory Lake and Gregory Park: Gregory Lake is where locals come to walk, boat or just sit and chat. Around the lake are hiking trails and some simple attractions. Especially fun to stop at as you walk by.
- High tea at the Grand Hotel: In a city where tea plays the leading role, it never hurts to schedule a high tea. The Grand Hotel is the place for this! Don't expect a typical Sri Lankan experience, but rather a classic high tea as you would find in Europe.
→ See all tours in and around Nuwara Eliya via GetYourGuide here.
Read also: Udawalawe National Park: the place to spot elephants in Sri Lanka
Read also: The best things to do in Ella, Sri Lanka
Good restaurants in Nuwara Eliya
In Nuwara Eliya, you have two choices when it comes to restaurants. You have simple local eateries with delicious Sri Lankan food and some trendy spots with western breakfast options. These are our favourites:
- Themparadu: An atmospheric restaurant where you immediately feel the laid-back vibe. The music is softly played and the menu offers something for everyone: from burgers to fried rice and kottu. Sometimes there's even live music, making it the perfect place to end your day cosily.
- Cafe Noshers: Fancy something a little different from Sri Lankan cuisine? Then this is the place. Here you can order fresh smoothie bowls, tasty sandwiches, wraps and good coffee. A hip spot where even digital nomads can spend a few hours.
- Ambaal's Pure Vegetarian Hotel & Restaurant: A popular spot among locals and that often says it all. Here you taste the tastiest vegetarian Indian dishes, rich in spices and flavours. Everything is freshly prepared, which means you sometimes have to wait a little longer, but it's absolutely worth it.
- Dushan's Home Kitchen: Small, cosy and 100% local. At Dushan's, you will taste homemade dishes prepared with love.
- Upland Bake House: The place for a quick bite or something tasty on the go. This is where you get sandwiches and donuts to take with you on your hike or for a picnic on the go. Convenient, fresh and ideal if you don't want to plan an extensive restaurant visit.
Where to stay in Nuwara Eliya
Nuwara Eliya is a popular stop on a tour of Sri Lanka and therefore there are plenty of accommodations. You just shouldn't assume huge luxury. But whether you are looking for a small-scale hotel with great views, a cosy hostel or an affordable homestay, there is something for everyone. We often book last-minute and save accommodations in our favourites lists. These were our favourites for Nuwara Eliya
- R21 Nuwara Eliya: This is where we slept and we can definitely recommend this place! A comfortable stay with clean rooms and a great location in the city. The owners are friendly and incredibly helpful, making you feel immediately welcome. Conveniently, there is also private parking.
- Pigeons Nest: A small guesthouse with fantastic views over the mountains of Nuwara Eliya. We understand they light the fireplace here in the evening, lovely with those cooler nights!
- Serendipity Lake Artistic Bungalow: An artistic stay right on Gregory Lake. Each room is uniquely decorated with colourful murals and the garden is full of flowers and plants. The view of the lake makes this a special place to stay.
- The Ramp: A modern hotel with comfortable rooms and nice extras like a rain shower, fridge and a luxurious bed. In the morning, enjoy a full breakfast before exploring the area.
- Heritance Tea Factory: One of the most unique hotels in Sri Lanka. Housed in a former tea factory, this luxury accommodation still exudes the atmosphere of the colonial era. You literally sleep among the tea fields and learn all about the rich tea culture here.
- Araliya Green City: A large and luxurious hotel right in the centre of Nuwara Eliya. With spacious rooms, a swimming pool and several restaurants, this is an excellent choice for those who value comfort and convenience.
Plan your trip with our Sri lanka map!
Plan your ideal itinerary through Sri Lanka with our handy Google Maps map. Discover the best local eateries, iconic sights and hidden gems. With this map, you'll have all hotspots at your fingertips and won't miss a single highlight of this beautiful country.
Frequently asked questions about Nuwara Eliya
Below in brief are some frequently asked questions we have received about Nuwara Eliya!
1. How many days do you need in Nuwara Eliya?
If you only want to see the highlights (tea factory, Victoria Park and a short hike), one overnight stay may suffice. For a more relaxed pace and a visit to Horton Plains, waterfalls or multiple hikes, we recommend 2-3 days.
2. What is the best travel time for Nuwara Eliya?
The highlands can be visited all year round, but the months December to March are the best. However, bear in mind that the weather can be changeable; low-hanging fog is sometimes actually magical.
3. Is Nuwara Eliya cold?
Yes, relatively speaking, it is cooler than the rest of Sri Lanka. Evenings and mornings can be well chilly to cold. So bring layers, long trousers and a warm jumper or jacket!
4. Do you need a guide to Horton Plains National Park?
You can walk this route perfectly well on your own! Of course, it is always an option to ask a local guide along. Check out the options via Getyourguide here!
5. What is the best time to start a tour?
We recommend going between 6:00 and 7:00. Yes... this is early but we only went around 8:30 and by late afternoon it was actually too hot. This still makes you enjoy the cool spots less!
Nuwara Eliya is a place that surprises you: it feels cool, British yet unmistakably Sri Lankan. It's all about nature, tea and moments when you pause to take in vast panoramas. Whether you come for the tea fields, for the early mornings on Horton Plains or just for a cup of strong coffee and a freshly baked waffle with strawberries, Nuwara Eliya lingers. Take your time, dress warmly and soak up the tranquillity of the highlands.
We hope these tips help you plan your trip. Do you still have questions? Then feel free to drop us a line at Instagram or [email protected].
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