Nuwara Eliya is one of Sri Lanka‘s most scenic hill country destinations, known for lush tea plantations, cool climates, misty landscapes, and colonial charm. Often called “Little England”, this highland town offers a refreshing contrast to the coast: tea plantations, waterfalls, scenic hikes, and viewpoints that make it one of the most popular stops on a Sri Lanka itinerary. Explore tea factories, hike to Horton Plains and World’s End, watching the sunrise over Gregory Lake with this Nuwara Eliya travel guide. Best things to do, top attractions, local tips to make the most of your visit to Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka.
Where to stay in Nuwara Eliya?
We stayed in Heaven Seven, with a great location! Other accommodations, recommended by fellow travelers we met on our trip, are The Bellwood Manor and The Edgeware.
1) Trainstation Nanu Oya
When you take the train in Ella to Kandy, you’ll pass Nanu Oya (Nuwara Eliya). We decided to only do the train ride from Ella to Nuwara Eliya. When we stepped out at the train station (Nanu Oya), we immediately felt the colder climate. Rumor has it that it’s the reason why the British liked this town so much. It resembled the climate in England. Nuwara Eliya is also called Little England because of the climate and because of the many tea plantations.
Read more about the train ride from Ella to Nuwara Eliya in this special blog post!
» Train ride Ella – Nuwara Eliya | Sri Lanka «
2) Lake Gregory
When driving in Nuwara Eliya, you’ll always have a view of Lake Gregory. Lake Gregory was made by the governor, Sir William Gregory, in 1874. If you want, you can take a boat ride on it or walk around the lake (10km). As you can see, it was very misty, and we did not go on the lake. 👇
3) Racecourse
The racecourse is located next to the lake. You can see some horses, and every year in April, there are races.
4) Seetha Amman Temple
We also visited the Seetha Amman Temple, a Hindu temple. It is said that this was the place where Sita was held captive by King Ravana. Near the temple is a rock where you can see the footprints of Lord Hanuman.
5) Grand Hotel
This hotel is built in colonial style (1989). Make sure to visit it when you have the time. The interior reminded me of the Titanic. Due to the offseason, we got a deluxe tour where we got to see the lounge, billiard room, and the suite. Don’t forget to take a stroll in the garden too!
6) Victoria Park
Victoria Park is located near the Grand Hotel. The park has flowers that resemble the ones we see in Europe. We skipped this one because we were tired and the fog was coming up.
7) Post office
Right next to Victoria Park is the Post Office of Nuwara Eliya that is also built in colonial style. We posted some of our postcards here, and we even had to use the old way of taping the stamp on the postcard!
8) Horton Plains
Horton Plains is a 1-hour drive away from Nuwara Eliya. If you want to have the best view (without the mist and clouds), make sure to start your walk at 7 AM. Horton Plains is an 8 km hike that can be done in 2.5 hours. The hike is known for its amazing view: World’s End! This viewpoint is reached in a 1-hour walk, and it was indeed a breathtaking view! The cliffs at World’s End are around 900 meters high, so don’t try to take a selfie on the edge!
Walk another 45-minutes and you’ll reach Baker’s Falls. The stairs are steep, but this is the last real effort you have to make on this hike!
Sad Fact: Horton Plains used to be roamed by Elephants, Leopards, and other animals. When the British came, some officers like Rogers, Forbes, and Davy hunted the elephants down as a sport. Thanks to them, Horton Plains has no elephants anymore. Great job, you guys. But karma is a bitch: Rogers was killed by lightning, and even his grave has been struck by lightning twice now.
Entrance fee: $25
9) Blue Field Tea Gardens Factory
After our hike in the Horton Plains, we ate at the Blue Field Tea Gardens Factory, where we also visited the tea factory itself. Our guide told us how we could see the difference between white, green, and black tea. The bright green leaf can be used to make green and black tea. The darker green leaf can be used to make white tea. When walking between the tea bushes, I found it very beautiful, but the tea plantation I visited in Thailand was more beautiful. The one in Thailand was symmetrical. While the one in Nuwara Eliya had no order and made it look messy. Nonetheless, it was breathtaking because everywhere you looked, you saw tea bushes!
We entered the factory and got a private tour. The tea leaves are brought to the attic, ground, sifted, and left to dry again. After that, the leaves are cut and then packed. We ended our tour at the shop and with a tea tasting. We tasted delicious black tea!
10) Ramboda Waterfall
When leaving Nuwara Eliya behind us, we passed a viewpoint from where we could see the Ramboda Waterfall. We then headed to Kandy.
What should I pack for Sri Lanka?
Light, breathable clothing is best due to the tropical climate. When visiting temples, shoulders and knees should be covered. Make sure to bring these top 5 items on your trip to Sri Lanka:
- Snorkel set: for seeing all the fish and coral in the sea
- Camera: to take amazing photos of your trip!
- Sunscreen: don’t get sunburned when visiting Egyptian temples!
- Microfiber towel: compact towel to take everywhere with you & that dries quickly!
- Sturdy Hiking shoes: to make amazing hikes
Use my ultimate packing list to have everything in your luggage for your trip
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions Nuware Eliya
🌄 When is the best time to visit Nuwara Eliya?
The best months are December to April, when hill country weather is cooler and rainfall is lower, making hikes and outdoor activities more enjoyable.
🚂 How do you get to Nuware Eliya?
Common routes include scenic train journeys from Kandy or Ella, bus journeys, or private drivers from major cities.
🕒 How many days should I spend in Nuwara Eliya?
Many travelers spend 1-3 days in Nuwara Eliya to experience the town’s highlights, scenic views, and hikes. We stayed here for 2 days.