Best things to do in Ella, Sri Lanka

Between the hills of Sri Lanka’s Uva Province, Ella is a dreamy little town. Or at least its surroundings are dreamy! The town nowadays is quite touristy and busy, but the jaw-dropping landscapes make it worth a visit. There are too many highlights to skip Ella. Whether you’re into hiking, waterfalls, train-spotting, or just sipping tea while watching clouds drift by, Ella’s got something for you. Here’s everything you need to see, how to get there and where to eat in this hillside town.

Find my full itinerary for Sri Lanke here

Things to do in Ella, Sri Lanka

Climb Ella Rock for sunrise

If you’re up for a bit of an adventure (and an early morning), hiking up to Ella Rock is a must. The trail winds through eucalyptus groves, train tracks, and tea plantations—yes, it’s as scenic as it sounds. It’s not super well-marked, so either follow a guide or a GPS map. Me and my mom hiked by ourselves, but we ran into other people hiking with a guide. This made it a little easier to find the trail. If you download maps.me it should be manageable to do without a guide. Even if you lose the trail, you’ll eventually end up in the right spot. If you encounter guides along the way and you want to go with them, makes sure to discuss the price up front or you might be confronted with an extremely high price in the end. The payoff? A jaw-dropping panoramic view over Ella Gap, with layers of misty mountains that make the sweaty climb totally worth it.

Hiking time: If you start from Ella station it will take 1,5 hour to the top. Starting from Kith Ella it takes less then 1 hour. Count on 2,5 to 3 hours total, because you’ll stop to enjoy the view as well.

Viewpoint entrance fee: 930 LKR/$3.10/€2,75

Wander Up Little Adam’s Peak 

Don’t be fooled by the name—Little Adam’s Peak may be “little” compared to its namesake, but the views are just as impressive. It’s an easy hike that starts with some stairs. Once you reach the top, you’ll get sweeping views of the surrounding hills and valleys. Bonus: it’s perfect for sunrise or sunset photos.

Have a quick look at Ravana Falls

Right off the main road, Ravana Waterfall crashes down dramatically from the hillside and is an easy stop on your Ella itinerary. You can admire it from the roadside or, if you’re feeling adventurous, scramble up the rocks for a closer look. During the rainy season, the falls are powerful and thunderous. Personally I don’t know why this spot is so popular, since it’s right by the road and you cannot swim here. However, you can make a short stop here on your way to another waterfall where you can take a dip.

Find the Secret Waterfall (Shh, Don’t Tell Everyone)

Hidden away from the usual tourist path is Ella’s Secret Waterfall, a peaceful spot known mostly to locals and a few lucky travelers. Getting there requires a little walk through forest and tea fields, but you’ll likely have it all to yourself. Bring a towel and take a dip—it’s the perfect jungle escape when you need a break from the crowds. The waterfall is relatively small, but it’s a beautiful and relaxing little spot.

Watch the Train Cross the Nine Arch Bridge

Possibly the most iconic sight in Ella, the Nine Arch Bridge is a colonial-era viaduct surrounded by lush jungle. Time your visit to see the colorful train slowly crossing the bridge. You can hike down from the road above or follow the tracks from Ella town (just watch your step and be mindful of trains!). What makes the train special, is that it was build in 1921 with brick and cement, no steel.

Visit a Local Tea Factory

No trip to Ella is complete without learning a bit about Sri Lanka’s world-famous tea. Pop into a local tea factory, like the Uva Halpewatte Tea Factory, where you can see how the leaves go from bush to brew. Take a guided tour, breathe in the aroma of freshly dried tea, and don’t forget to sip a few varieties while gazing out over the endless green hills.

How to Get to Ella, Sri Lanka

Getting to Ella is an experience in itself. The most popular way is by train—the journey from Kandy to Ella is often called one of the most beautiful train rides in the world, with dramatic cliffs, tea estates, and jungle flashing by your window. You can also get to Ella by bus or private car from places like Nuwara Eliya or Arugam Bay or the South Coast. Personally, I decided against doing the full train journey, because it takes 7 hours! It might be beautiful, but that’s a little long. After a while it’s more of the same. I took the train from Nuwara Eliya to Ella and that was enough for me. We had a driver, take the tuktuk that we rented from Nuwara to Ella. In hindsight, the drive down would have been just as beautiful and if I were to do it again, I’d drive myself.

Best Restaurants in Ella, Sri Lanka

• The Green Door Cafe: This was our favorite restaurant in Ella. It’s a little outside of time, but worth the trip! The interior is beautiful and the food is made with attention to detail.
• The barn by starbeans: If you’re craving a western style lunch or dinner, this is the place to be. Great coffee and avocado toast.
• Matey Hut: They serve a wide variety of Sri Lankan Dishes. Lots of vegetarian option! During peak hours, there is usually a queue, because its so popular!
• Kiri Kopi: Visit Kiri Kopi to enjoy a coffee with your feet in the sand.
• Cafe Fruity Coco: This one is for my Indian food lovers.
• AK Ristoro – This restaurant serves a wide variety of foods.  Sushi, Italian or Tapas? This is the spot.

Where to stay in Ella, Sri Lanka

When choosing a spot to stay in Ella, you have to decide if you’d rather stay close to town or have a spot up the mountain with a beautiful view! The Spice lodge gives you the best of both worlds. It’s located just outside of town, so it’s a little quieter. However, It’s still walking distance from town. Another advantage is that it’s close the trailhead for little Adams peak!

Another beautiful accommodation in this same area is the green door. This is also my favorite restaurant in Ella.

Okeed is a budget guesthouse that’s run by a very sweet family. The grandfather brings you a delicious breakfast in the morning and the view is unbeatable. It’s basic, but you’ve got all you need an it’s cheap! This place is located up the mountain, but if you’re planning on hiking Ella Rock at sunrise, it’s actually a very convenient location. From there you can easily walk to the trailhead.