- Sri Lanka
Lois Weeterings
Content
Sri Lanka continues to amaze us, and it’s all thanks to its incredible diversity. In just a few hours, you can travel from tropical beaches to lush mountain landscapes. Take Nuwara Eliya, for example, a charming town nestled in the heart of Sri Lanka’s tea country. With its cool mountain air and misty mornings, it feels more like the English countryside than South Asia. Here, you’ll find colonial architecture like the iconic red post office and cozy tea houses that invite you to slow down. Looking for nature? Scenic spots like Horton Plains National Park and Ramboda Falls are just around the corner. Nuwara Eliya is a truly unique stop on any Sri Lanka itinerary. These are our personal tips to help you make the most of your visit.
Where is Nuwara Eliya located?
Nuwara Eliya is located at an altitude of around 1,800 meters in the highlands of Sri Lanka. Thanks to its elevated location, Nuwara Eliya is noticeably cooler than the rest of Sri Lanka, with daytime temperatures ranging between 15 and 20°C. The area is best known for its rolling green hills, lush tea plantations, and colonial charm that dates back to the British era. It’s no coincidence that the city is nicknamed “Little England.” In the 19th century, British settlers were drawn to the region’s cool climate. They built Victorian-style homes, landscaped formal gardens, and established large-scale tea production, a legacy that’s still visible today as you explore the town.
Interestingly, Ceylon was the name of Sri Lanka during the British colonial period. Although the country has officially been called Sri Lanka since 1972, the name Ceylon is still widely used when referring to its tea. So when you buy a pack of Ceylon tea, you can be sure it originates from here.
What’s the best way to get to Nuwara Eliya?
Most travelers combine Nuwara Eliya with the famous train journey between Kandy and Ella. The train ride is slow but absolutely worth it for the stunning views of tea plantations and hills. The closest station is Nanu Oya, about a 20-minute drive from the center of Nuwara Eliya. From the station, you can easily take a tuk-tuk or taxi.
Of course, you can also reach Nuwara Eliya by car or tuk-tuk, as we did. The drive from Kandy takes about three hours, but you’ll likely take longer since there are plenty of great stops along the way.
Tip: Traveling from Nuwara Eliya to Ella? You can take the train for this part of the journey. It only takes about 3 hours, compared to the 7 hours if you travel by train all the way from Kandy. Definitely worth considering!
Things to Do in Nuwara Eliya
The mountain village of Nuwara Eliya may be small, but there’s surprisingly much to experience. From colonial buildings to waterfalls, fresh strawberries to cozy tea houses, here are some great tips for things to do in Nuwara Eliya.
1. Visit Damro Labookellie, Sri Lanka’s Oldest Tea Plantation
A visit to Nuwara Eliya is not complete without taking a look at a tea plantation. We visited the Damro Labookellie Tea Plantation, the oldest and largest in Sri Lanka, situated in a beautiful location among the hills. Here you can take a free tour of about 20 minutes through the tea factory, explaining step by step how tea is made, from picking the leaves to the final drying process.
Did you know that green and black tea comes from exactly the same leaves? The difference lies in the processing: black tea leaves are oxidized, while green tea leaves are not. You’ll learn these fun facts and more during the factory tour. Afterwards, you can enjoy a fresh cup of homemade Ceylon tea at the cafe, completely free!
TipTip: Avoid visiting the tea factory on Mondays. On Sundays, the tea pickers have the day off, so there are no tea leaves to process. The factory is still open for visits, but you won’t be able to see the processing happening live.
2. Check out the breathtaking Ramboda Falls
About an hour’s drive from Nuwara Eliya you'll find one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the region: Ramboda Falls. With a height of nearly 100 meters, the water cascades down in multiple tiers, surrounded by densely forested hills and tea bushes. The waterfall is located right by the road, making it easily accessible, but for the best view, we recommend walking a little uphill. There, you’ll reach the top of the falls, where you can watch the powerful water rushing along the rocks. It’s truly a spectacular sight. You can relax on the rocks in the sunshine and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere, accompanied by the songs of birds around you.
3. Enjoy Breakfast at Cafe Noshers with a Beautiful View
When booking a hotel in Sri Lanka, breakfast isn’t always included, but we actually like that. It gives you the perfect excuse to explore local cafés, like the charming Cafe Noshers in Nuwara Eliya. Before heading out of town by tuk-tuk, we had breakfast on the sunny balcony of Cafe Noshers, enjoying freshly brewed coffee with a view of the mountains. The coffee was so good, we ended up buying a bag of beans to take home. The smoothie bowl was just as delicious. Fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. With its relaxed atmosphere and stunning mountain views, Cafe Noshers is a spot you don’t want to miss in Nuwara Eliya.
4. Eat Out in Nuwara Eliya at Themparadu
Looking for something different than the typical Sri Lankan dishes? Then head to Themparadu, a cozy restaurant in the heart of Nuwara Eliya that blends classic flavors with a modern twist. From tasty wraps and fresh salads to surprising vegetarian and vegan options like the Magic Mushroom, there’s something for everyone. It’s a charming spot with a great atmosphere, often featuring live music to complete your dining experience.
5. Enjoy Strawberries in Sri Lanka
You might not expect it, but Nuwara Eliya is the place in Sri Lanka to enjoy fresh strawberries. Situated at around 1,800 meters above sea level, the climate here is much cooler than in the rest of the country. It’s precisely this fresh temperature and relatively dry air that make the area ideal for growing strawberries.
Strawberry cultivation here only began in the 1970s but has since become very popular. Along the roads, you’ll find plenty of stalls selling freshly picked, deliciously sweet strawberries. You can also taste them in milkshakes, on pancakes, or in desserts at local restaurants. Don’t miss trying the local strawberry jam, it’s often homemade and makes a tasty souvenir to take home!
6. Send a Postcard from the Colonial Post Office
The iconic post office of Nuwara Eliya is one of the city’s most recognizable buildings and a reminder of its British colonial past. Built in 1894 entirely in Tudor style, it served as an important communication hub for the British settlers in the area. The façade, with its red bricks and clock tower, is a favorite subject for photographers, but be sure to step inside as well. The wooden counters give you the feeling of stepping back in time by a century. What makes this attraction in Nuwara Eliya even more special is that the building still functions as a post office today. You can buy a local postcard here and send it home (or anywhere else) with a Sri Lankan stamp. A charming and original souvenir to take home!
Best Places to Stay in Nuwara Eliya
We stayed at Pigeons Nest, a simple hotel perched on a hill with truly stunning views over Nuwara Eliya. It’s especially magical at sunrise and sunset. The rooms are basic but perfectly fine for a one-night stay. Keep in mind, though, that the hotel is quite remote. You’ll definitely need transport to get to restaurants or attractions. If you’re only spending a short time in Nuwara Eliya, we recommend staying in the town center instead. This way, you can make the most of your visit and easily enjoy dinner or an evening stroll. In that case, The Ramp is an excellent choice. It offers modern rooms with a cozy atmosphere, and it’s within walking distance of shops and restaurants. Great value for money and popular with many travelers.
How Much Time Do You Need in Nuwara Eliya?
For most travelers, one night in Nuwara Eliya is enough to see the main highlights. You can arrive in the afternoon, admire the stunning Ramboda Falls, enjoy lunch and a tea tasting, have dinner, and the next morning, after breakfast, a visit to the post office and pick up some fresh strawberries before continuing to Ella. If you want to explore more of Nuwara Eliya, it’s recommended to stay at least two nights. This way, you’ll have plenty of time to discover the incredible Horton Plains.
Heading to Ella: Your Next Stop on a Sri Lanka Journey
If you our itinerary through Sri Lanka follows, then the next destination is the charming mountain village of Ella. After the cool tea hills of Nuwara Eliya, you can continue by train on one of the most beautiful train routes in the world. You will pass waterfalls, endless tea plantations and impressive mountain landscapes. But the journey to Ella is also doable by tuktuk, and you will drive right through local mountain villages where the locals cheerfully wave at you. Ella is the place to hike and relax. Time to put on your hiking boots and get ready for the climb up Little Adam's Peak!
Interested in seeing more of Sri Lanka? Then you’ll definitely want to check out our next articles:
A Sri Lanka trip tailored just for you
Discover Sri Lanka your way, and we’re here to help! In a free video consultation, we’ll discuss your ideal itinerary, unique accommodations, and the best experiences tailored just for you. Celebrating something special? We have plenty of inspiring ideas to make your trip unforgettable. As personal travel advisors, we’ll lovingly craft a complete custom journey so all you have to do is relax and enjoy an unforgettable Sri Lanka adventure.
Lois Weeterings
A dreamer and adventure seeker, always on the lookout for new experiences. But also a hard worker with a thousand ideas racing through my mind. As a personal travel consultant and travel blogger, I share my passion for faraway destinations, thrilling adventures, and winter sports. With deep knowledge of places like Namibia, Colombia, the ABC Islands, and the Middle East, I’m here to help you craft a trip you’ll never forget. Through my personal stories and expert tips, I aim to inspire you to explore the world your way. Always with my camera in hand, I’m determined to capture every magical moment and share it with you.
The 7 Best Beaches in Aruba: Our Favorite Beaches & Hidden Gems
August 13, 2026
7 Best Things to Do in Tirana, Albania
July 22, 2026
