Nuwara Eliya, fondly called “Little England” by locals and visitors alike, is a serene, hilly town in central Sri Lanka. Its colonial style buildings, cool climate, tea estates, and lush landscapes provide an idyllic retreat from the tropical heat.
During our honeymoon in September 2023, we enjoyed exploring the quaint town, and we’re excited to share some must-visit places and personal experiences from our trip.
Sri Lanka’s hill country is a popular destination for both Sri Lankans and tourists, it is well worth visiting let us guide you through some of the top things to do in Nuwara Eliya.
Table of contents
Train Journey to Nuwara Eliya
Our adventure to Nuwara Eliya began with a picturesque train ride from Ella, a route renowned for its scenic beauty and tea plantations (you can read more about the Sri Lanka Train from Ella here). We also have things to do in Ella post you may want to check out, too!
After absorbing breathtaking views, our driver greeted us at Nanu Oya train station to complete our journey into the delight of Nuwara Eliya town centre.
Table of contents
Things to Do in Nuwara Eliya
Let’s walk you through our favourite moments from our two days in this charming town to give you ideas for your trip to Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka.
From sending postcards to tasting local street food to learning about tea production, each experience in Nuwara Eliya enriched our travel story.
Despite our short visit, the essence of Nuwara Eliya’s former colonial glory and its natural beauty left a lasting memory. For those pondering what to do in this enchanting town, our travel guide outlines ideas to add to your itinerary.
Stroll through Victoria Park
We took a leisurely morning stroll through Victoria Park, admiring the floral tapestry and greenery. We took so many pictures of all the beautiful flowers and plants in the gardens.
There is plenty to see, and it is very peaceful there. The playful pups in the gardens were a delightful bonus, giving us many photographic moments and sweet memories.
Central Market
Nuwara Eliya’s Central Market beckoned us to explore its fresh produce, including meats, fish, eggs, fruits, vegetables, and spices. We didn’t buy anything, but it’s worth a look!
Street Food
While in Nuwara Eliya, we indulged in delightful street food, including jackfruit curry and boiled corn on the cob.
Send a Postcard from the Post Office
One of our first stops was the charming Nuwara Eliya Post Office, the oldest post office in Sri Lanka. It is in a Tudor-style building that seemed lifted from an English village.
We couldn’t resist the chance to send a postcard back home, a small token from ‘Little England’ of our travels and a memory to treasure. You can buy the postcard and stamp from there to send on.
Golf Course
There is a well-manicured Golf Course in Nuwara Eliya for those who enjoy a game. Despite Luke’s love of golf, we didn’t get time to play.
Gregory Lake
The weather didn’t behave during our boat trip on Lake Gregory, which made it very atmospheric, cold, and wet!
We only wished we could have seen it on a warm, clear day, but the mist added an air of mystery to our exploration. Make sure to go more prepared then we were with warmer clothing and proper footwear!
Royal Turf Club – Horses
There were no events during our stay, so we missed seeing a race, but viewing the club’s beautiful horses was a moment to remember.
Check out the Royal Turf Club website for upcoming events.
Heritance Tea Factory
A highlight of our trip was our stay at the Heritance Tea Factory. This converted factory-turned-hotel exuded a unique rustic elegance and history, curating an authentic tea country experience.
Read our full review of Heritance Tea Factory Hotel in Nuwara Eliya.
Horton Plains
The cold weather and lack of suitable clothing and footwear prevented us from visiting Horton Plains National Park, so we rearranged to take a tour and lunch at the Grand Hotel instead.
Lunch at the Grand Hotel
The Grand Hotel provided an exquisite setting for our lunch, which we enjoyed with a delicious Irish coffee.
We then took great pleasure touring the building (a full blog post about The Grand Hotel is coming soon!).
Its vintage British charm, high tea and afternoon tea offerings will whisk you to a bygone era.
Waterfalls
En route to our next destination, Kandy, we headed straight to a viewpoint of an impressive waterfall and took in the majestic Ramboda Falls.
There is also another famous waterfall in Nuwara Eliya called Lovers Leap you may want to visit if you get time, you can get a tuk-tuk to the car park, then it is a small hike to the waterfall.
Storefield Tea Factory and Shop
Between Nuwara Eliya and Kandy, we visited the Storefield Tea Factory and Shop, where the tea leaf’s journey from field to cup came to life.
Our taste buds were treated to a tea-tasting session, and we left with many Ceylon tea leaves from the gift shop, my favourite being the elegant white tea.
Keep your eyes peeled for our upcoming blog about things to do in Kandy on Flawless Journeys.
For now, check out our Sri Lankan safari adventures at Yala National Park and Udawalawe National Park.