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Sri Lanka's Little England, aka Nuwara Eliya, aka City of Light, is one of the most fascinating cities on earth. Blessed by Mother Nature since the beginning of time, this city is visited by millions of people worldwide year-round. Personally, Nuwara Eliya is home to some of my favorite hill country locations. Hence, I know this region like the back of my hand! So let me do the honors and walk you through this wonderful city. Besides, it is a must-visit if you happen to choose Sri Lanka as your vacation destination!
Nuwara Eliya is a south-central Sri Lankan hill country town seated at an altitude of 6200 feet. It is located 156 km from Colombo (a 5-hour drive) and 73 km from Kandy (a 2.5-hour drive).
Being home to the world-class premium Ceylon tea, Nuwaraeliya SriLanka produces the finest strawberries, vegetables, dairy products, and flowers. If you are into nature photography, fishing for picturesque panoramas, consider yourself in heaven, as this is the "it" place! From camping to hiking to horse-riding to rowing boats on Lake Gregory, you can even enjoy golfing in local clubs. Unlike any other area in Lanka, here you can see the colonial-era architectural masterpieces that symbolize the prominent British influence. During season, music festivals and carnivals with food stalls are held, where you can enjoy the atmosphere, trying local delicacies.
Let us find out the top Nuwara Eliya places to visit as a group, a couple, or even solo!
Lake Gregory is a scenic reservoir in the misty hills of Nuwara Eliya. Built in 1873 during the period of British Governor Sir William Gregory, the lake spans across 225 acres. The park around the lake was built in recent times, and now it is greeted by millions of people annually. After riding boats on the lake, they prefer to attempt pony riding and cycling while enjoying the picturesque lakeside beauty.
The flowers in the well-kept gardens are meant to soothe the inner child of the visitors. You can even choose to have a nice picnic on grass or simply wander around the pathways feeling the breeze. Nearby to the lake, there is a play area for the kids and many food stalls offering finger food. If you visit early morning, you can even enjoy indigenous bird watching, since the reservoir is also a bird sanctuary!
To find out how your morning cup of tea is made, you can visit Pedro Tea estate with your crew! It is just 3 km away from Nuwara Eliya, and you can easily reach the destination by vehicle. Visitors can visit the Tea estate from morning up to 12.30 pm and again after 2.00 pm. At the factory, you will be shown the full process of how tea is manufactured, graded, and packed for export.
If you walk through the verdant fields, our beloved local tea pickers will guide you their method of tea plucking! You can conclude your tour at Lover's Leap Ethical Tea Boutique by enjoying freshly brewed Ceylon tea with scenic views. You can also purchase single-garden tea varieties, including estate-branded Mahagastotte and Lover's Leap teas, to remember your visit. Meanwhile, you can also spot the beautiful Lover's Leap Waterfall by having a short walk away from the factory area.
The New Zealand dairy farm in Ambewela hill station is situated 18 km southeast of Nuwara Eliya. The area is referred as "Little New Zealand" due to its lush grasslands, cool climate, and wind‑turbine dotted horizon. Offering an immersive experience into dairy production, the farm welcomes visitors from 9 am to 6 pm, usually year-round. Belonging to Lanka Milk Foods, the farm and the factory facilities span across 150 acres to facilitate advanced dairy production.
Visitors can observe animals including grazing Friesian cattle, Ayrshire cows, goats, rabbits, and stud bulls. Milking and processing systems are also shown in action, giving insight into cattle care, diet, veterinary support, and hygiene standards. You can buy and taste freshly made dairy delights from the onsite shops at local prices. Of course, here you can also choose to take a stroll to enjoy the mild, misty weather and stunning views!
Located just 5 km away from the town, Moon Plains sits at an altitude of 6,200 ft above sea level. Known as the "second world's end," this place owns a cliff-edge viewpoint, similar to Horton Plains' World's End. Local nature lovers adore this place as it is less crowded and easily accessible compared to other famous plains. From the viewing platform, you get a 360‑degree panorama of Sri Lanka's Central Highlands.
You will be able to see up to nine of the country's highest peaks, including Pidurutalagala, Kirigalpotha, Hakgala, and Namunukula. Impressively, the plains are rich in biodiversity, being home to over 105 bird species, wild deer, leopards, and native flora. Personal vehicles are not allowed beyond entry, so you must take official safari jeeps to get this experience. They operate from 7 am to 5 pm daily, carrying on with a tour lasting for a couple of hours.
If you are staying in town and want a quick romantic or leisurely break, Victoria Park is the perfect place. The park features breezy walking paths, riverside lawns, small lakes formed by the Nanu Oya stream, and serene bridges. Renowned for its seasonal flower beds, the park blooms into vivid color during March to May and August to September. The park is also a hotspot for rare migratory birds like Kashmir Flycatcher, Indian Blue Robin, Pied, and Scaly Thrush.
Local children prefer to visit this park with their families as a children's playground is situated at the very end! The park is open to crowds from 7 am to 6 pm every day. However, to capture the golden lights for your photographs, it is better to visit in early morning or late afternoon. This way, you can even avoid the crowds to enjoy a much relaxed and tranquil atmosphere!
If you have more time on your hands, feel free to visit other places like,
Hakgala Botanical Garden
Strawberry Farms (Ramya Horticulture Strawberry Farm/ Sen Horti Strawberry Farm/ Jagro Strawberry Farm)
Nuwara Eliya Golf Club
Nuwara Eliya Turf Club
Nuwara Eliya Post Office, town and market space!
Now let us discover some of the ideal Nuwaraeliya hotels to accommodate yourself and enjoy a pleasant, memorable stay!
Situated just 1.4 km away from downtown, Winchester offers a 5-star hotel experience with free Wi-Fi and stunning mountain views. Featuring a 24-hour front desk, the hotel provides free on-site private parking, housekeeping, room service, and paid airport shuttle service. Rated 9.0 on Booking.com, the hotel's restaurant serves local, Asian, and international cuisines with halal, vegetarian, vegan, gluten, and dairy-free options. For two adults, an impressive Superior Queen room with mountain/ terrace view is offered at around 100 USD with breakfast!
Located just 1 km away from the famous Victoria Gardens, this luxurious 5-star hotel is rated 9.4 by recent guests. While enjoying your room's mountain/lakeside view, you can also enjoy cooking classes, indoor swimming, lush garden stroll, and evening entertainment. W15 Lake Gregory features a family-friendly restaurant serving Chinese, Indian, and international cuisines, alongside a barbecue grill. For two adults, a suite with a king-sized bed is offered for around 380 USD, including breakfast.
Being another 5-star hotel, Grand Hotel Nuwaraeliya is located on Nuwara Eliya Hill, adjacent to the Nuwara Eliya Golf Course. Living upto its fame, the hotel is surrounded by tropical greenery featuring three restaurants, a shopping arcade, and a gym. Guests can relax in the sauna, enjoy the picturesque garden view and evening entertainment, or play a round of golf. A Deluxe double room will cost around 200 USD, while a Junior Suite for two at 360 USD with breakfast.
Situated just 500m away from Victoria Gardens, Araliya Green Hills Nuwaraeliya is a 4-star hotel, a favorite among the locals. Well-furnished rooms with historic charm and carpeted floors welcome the guests, offering landmark/city views with picture-perfect lush greenery. Araliya Spa offers many spa treatments for the guests, while they can also enjoy activities like hiking, and mountain cycling. Rooms for two with breakfast packages are available from 130 USD to 360 USD.
This charming boutique is situated 5km away from Victoria Gardens, offering stunning panoramic views of the mountains and tea plantations. Having an 8.8 overall rating on Booking.com, CheRiz provides barbecue facilities, two exclusive lounge areas, and live music for guests. Past visitors admire their food, the staff's friendly service, and, of course, the serene, intimate atmosphere draped in utmost comfort. A room for two with breakfast is available to book at this 5-star hotel for 150 USD to 360 USD.
You can also check out the hotels below at Booking.com. They also offer a great experience for their guests.
Araliya Green City (5-star)
High Garden Hotel (5-star)
Galway Heights Hotel (4-star)
Royal Cocoon - Nuwara Eliya (5-star)
Jetwing St Andrew's (5-star)
Little England by Joes (5-star)
Feel free to make a phone call and shoot your inquiries beforehand!
The majority of the regions in Sri Lanka are considerably hot and humid. The average temperature in coastal and lowland areas ranges from 26 to 32°C, while humidity falls around 70 to 80%. Little England, in contrast, has a cooler and fresher climate throughout the year as it is in the central highlands. The average temperature falls around 10°C, so if you used to live in this climate, you would feel at home!
Aside from the cinematic scenery surrounding the sky-high tea estates in mist, the vibe of Nuwara Eliya season is unmatched. Frankly speaking, missing out this whole experience despite managing to visit Sri Lanka would be such a pity!
The best time to visit the heart of Nuwara Eliya is April, during the festival season. This is because numerous celebrations, including fairs, food festivals, musical shows, horse races, and garden competitions, are held annually.
Locals prefer visiting from December to February to escape the tropical heat and enjoy the coolest weather in the region. If you are a couple or a loner craving cold nights and calm scenic walks, this option is for you!
Again, weekdays and early mornings are tranquil even at peak times. So, regardless of when you choose to come, something in Nuwara Eliya can always make your holiday the most memorable! Besides, you might even be able to grab some off-season discounts from the above-listed hotels!
Nuwara Eliya's Shanthipura village, located approximately 7,300 feet above sea level, is the coldest village in Sri Lanka. Areas like Adam's Peak, Pidurutalagala Mountain Range, Nuwara Eliya town, and Lake Gregory can be seen from the top distantly.
If you hear from first-time visitors to habitual guests, you will not find anyone who does not adore Nuwaraeliya. Most definitely not when they have followed recommendations from locals and their agencies, similar to what I have suggested here! So, if you are planning to have a cozy vacation with your loved ones, grab your passport and join us! We Sri Lankans are gifted with hospitality, plus heaven blesses our nature, as you see in those web images. You will end up having the most memorable holiday of your life without you even knowing it!
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