Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka: The Best Things to Do

Nuwara Eliya is a destination that’s very different from the rest of  Sri Lanka. It is surrounded by rolling tea plantations, misty mountains and waterfalls. Since it’s located high in the country’s central highlands, the temperatures are cooler, the landscape is greener and the tropical palm trees make way for forests, vegetable fields and endless rows of tea bushes. At first I wasn’t sure if I should include it in our itinerary, since other destinations seem to be a bit more spectacular. However, there are some activities that make it worth a stop.  It’s also a great way to break up the journey between Kandy and Ella and I did love seeing this side of Sri Lanka.

The town itself is often called Little England, a nickname that dates back to the British colonial era. You’ll still find colonial architecture, manicured gardens and historic hotels here. But for me, the real reason to visit Nuwara Eliya is the spectacular landscape surrounding it. From visiting a working tea plantation to hiking to the dramatic viewpoints of Horton Plains National Park, here are the best things to do in Nuwara Eliya, plus my tips on where to eat, stay and how to get there.

How many days do you need in Nuwara Eliya?

I recommend spending at least two nights in Nuwara Eliya. This gives you enough time to explore the tea country and waterfalls around town, while also allowing for an early morning trip to Horton Plains National Park. If you’re short on time, one night can work, but you’ll have to choose your activities carefully.

The best things to do in Nuwara Eliya

Visit Ramboda Falls

One of the most famous waterfalls near Nuwara Eliya is Ramboda Falls, a beautiful waterfall surrounded by lush greenery and tea-covered hills.  Therefore, you can combine a trip to the waterfall with visiting a tea plantation. The waterfall is located along the scenic road between Kandy and Nuwara Eliya, making it an easy stop if you’re traveling between the two destinations. Ramboda Falls is fed by water flowing down from Sri Lanka’s central highlands and drops around 109 meters through the forest.

There are several viewpoints in the area, and you can also walk closer to the falls. There are some stairs leading up to the waterfall and at the end you can climb some rocks to get closer. The waterfall is particularly impressive after rainfall, although the route can be wetter and more slippery during this time. If you’re travelling to Nuwara Eliya by private driver, I recommend asking to stop here along the way. The drive itself takes you through some of the most beautiful landscapes in Sri Lanka’s hill country.

Visit a tea plantation and learn how different types of tea are grown

No visit to Nuwara Eliya would be complete without learning more about Sri Lanka’s famous tea. The region is one of the country’s most important tea-growing areas, and the green hills surrounding the town are covered in seemingly endless tea plantations. There are several Tea Factories you can visit. Usually you’ll take a tour of the estate and see how the tea picking is done, followed by a tour of the factory and some tasting. We visited Bluefield tea factory and really enjoyed their tour. The Tea factory closest to the Nuwara Eliya is Pedro Tea Estate, but I do think the estates further into the region are nicer to visit.

A visit to a tea estate is especially interesting because it gives you a closer look at an industry that has shaped this entire region. Some experiences also include a tea-picking activity and, of course, the opportunity to taste freshly produced tea. The scenery around the plantations is just as much of a reason to visit. Even if you’re not a big tea drinker, driving through the rolling green hills of Nuwara Eliya is one of the highlights of Sri Lanka’s hill country.

Some of the most popular estates to visit: 

• Pedro Tea Estate and Factory
  • Location: About 3 to 4 km east of Nuwara Eliya town
  • Highlights: A late 19th-century working estate featuring historic machinery, short guided production tours, and an on-site teahouse.

• Bluefield Tea Factory
  • Location: Ramboda (approx. 50 minutes to 1 hour from Nuwara Eliya)
  • Highlights: Established in 1921, this estate features scenic mountain views, a guided walkthrough of the traditional tea-making process , a tea lounge, and an on-site restaurant.

• Damro Labookellie Tea Centre and Factory
  • Location: Labugolla (approx. 30 minutes from Nuwara Eliya on the road to Kandy)
  • Highlights: One of the oldest and most popular working tea estates in the region, offering free factory tours, tea-tasting, and large terraced plantations.

Hike in Horton Plains National Park

Located around 32 kilometres from Nuwara Eliya, Horton Plains National Park is one of the most beautiful places to hike in Sri Lanka. The high-altitude plateau is known for its grasslands, cloud forests and dramatic viewpoints. The park is home to several hiking trails, with the famous viewpoints and waterfalls making it one of the most popular day trips from Nuwara Eliya. However, besides that it’s a long ride away, it is quite expensive and if the fog rolls in you won’t see much. The full hiking loop takes several hours, so bring comfortable walking shoes, water and a warm layer. It can be surprisingly cold in the early morning due to the park’s high altitude.

Is Horton Plains National Park worth it?

With limited time, we ended up skipping it, because with many hikes already on our itinerary we didn’t think this one was worth the entrance fee. I do think, if time and money is not an objection, it could be a really beautiful day trip.

Entrance fee: Horton Plains National Park Ticket Price are approximately $35–$45 per adult, with additional charges for children, vehicles, Tax and a VAT.

Mini World’s End

Mini World’s End is the first of the two dramatic viewpoints along the main hiking route. From here, the landscape suddenly drops away, offering views across the valleys below on a clear day. It’s a good introduction to the landscape of Horton Plains and a rewarding stop even if the weather doesn’t cooperate later in the hike.

Great World’s End

The main highlight of Horton Plains is Great World’s End, a spectacular escarpment where the plateau drops dramatically towards the landscape below. On a clear morning, the views can be incredible. However, the weather is unpredictable, and after 9:00 am the viewpoint is often covered in fog. Which means you should start your hike as early as possible. Even with an early start, though, there is no guarantee that you’ll get a clear view.

Baker’s Falls

The trail also takes you to Baker’s Falls, a beautiful waterfall surrounded by forest. While World’s End gets most of the attention, I think Baker’s Falls is one of the reasons the longer hike is worthwhile.The waterfall offers a completely different landscape from the open grasslands and viewpoints and makes the trail feel more varied.

Walk around Gregory Lake

After a morning of exploring tea plantations or hiking, Gregory Lake is a nice place to slow down. The lake is located close to the centre of Nuwara Eliya and is surrounded by green hills. You can take a walk along the water, rent a boat or simply enjoy the cooler temperatures. It’s not the most spectacular attraction in the region, but Gregory Lake is a pleasant place to spend an afternoon and experience the relaxed atmosphere of Nuwara Eliya.

Visit Hakgala Botanical Gardens

Located around 10 kilometers from Nuwara Eliya, Hakgala Botanical Gardens are a good option if you’re looking for a quieter activity surrounded by nature. The gardens are home to a wide variety of plants, flowers and trees and are set against the backdrop of the surrounding mountains. The cooler climate allows plants to grow here that you won’t see in many other parts of tropical Sri Lanka.

Where to eat in Nuwara Eliya

I found the options in Nuwara Eliya to be  a little bit limited, however there is a mix of local restaurants, cosy cafés and colonial-style dining experiences. These are a some places worth trying:

Why so tasty: The menu is small, which is actually the strength of this little restaurant; everything is freshly made, and you can really taste it! It’s a tiny locally owned restaurant. The family is very friendly and welcoming, and they also speak excellent English. They are happy to help and give recommendations.

The Grand Indian: Since this restaurant is also part of the Grand Hotel, it is one of the more touristy spots. However, the Indian curry I had was delicious and exactly what I was craving. I think the Grand Indian is the best of the Grands restaurants. Expect tourist prices.

Themparadu: Themparadu is a lively restaurant close to Victoria Park, serving a mix of Sri Lankan and international dishes. It’s a good choice for a relaxed dinner and a more social atmosphere.

Café Noshers: Cafe Noshers is a popular spot for a casual meal, with a menu that includes Sri Lankan dishes as well as burgers, pasta and other comfort food.

The Grand Café: The Grand Café is a good option for your classic European breakfast options. I love Sri Lankan food, but for breakfast it was nice to find some a place with classic pastries, yoghurt and eggs. They also serve sandwiches.

Where to stay in Nuwara Eliya

Because Nuwara Eliya is much cooler than the rest of Sri Lanka, I recommend paying attention to practical details when choosing accommodation. A beautiful room is great, but heating, a fireplace or at least warm blankets can make a big difference after a cold day exploring the hill country.

Best budget stay: Travellers nest inn 

This inn is run by a welcoming family and has an incredible view! Simple, but clean and good value for money.

For a boutique stay: The Bellwood Manor

The Bellwood Manor is a small boutique hotel with beautiful mountain views and a peaceful setting. It’s a lovely option if you’re looking for a more intimate and luxurious stay.

For a stay surrounded by tea country: Langdale Boutique Hotel

Langdale Boutique Hotel by Amaya is located closer to Nanu Oya and surrounded by the landscapes that make Sri Lanka’s hill country so special. This is a great choice if you prefer a peaceful setting over being in the centre of town.

For a luxury stay: The Grand Hotel – Heritage Grand 

How to get to Nuwara Eliya

By train

Taking the train is one of the most scenic ways to travel through Sri Lanka’s hill country. The nearest railway station to Nuwara Eliya is Nanu Oya, which is located a short drive from the town. The famous train route between Kandy and Ella passes through Nanu Oya. Although the train route between Kandy and Ella is famous, the 7 hour ride is rather long. I personally think that the section between Nanu Oya and Ella is more than enough to experience the famous train ride.

From Nanu Oya, you can take a tuk-tuk or arrange a transfer to your accommodation in Nuwara Eliya. Keep in mind that train travel in Sri Lanka can be slow and busy. If you’re traveling during a popular period you may want to reserve a seat. It get’s busy, so arrange your tickets in advance.

You can find my guide to Ella here.

By car/private driver or rent your own tuktuk

The most fun way of traveling around Sri Lanka is definitely with your own tuktuk. You get to experience this local way of transport and have the flexibility of not being reliant on public transport. You can find the most reliable TukTuk Rental company here. 

The route from Kandy takes you through tea country and past waterfalls, including Ramboda Falls. Having your own transport means you can stop at viewpoints and attractions along the way rather than traveling straight from one destination to another. Another popular option is getting a private driver. Lots of travelers in Sri Lanka have a driver take them around.

You can also reach Nuwara Eliya by road from Ella, although the train is a particularly scenic alternative. We took the train from Nuwara Eliya to Ella and had a driver drop off our tuktuk in Ella. Looking back on it, I would have driven myself. I think driving would have been just as scenic. The train journey is beautiful, but a bit overrated in my opinion.