2025-01-13
If you’re looking for the best things to do and visit in Ella, Sri Lanka, you’ve come to the right place! I spent a few days exploring the region and I’ll tell you all about it here.
Although the Nine Arch Bridge is probably the best-known tourist attraction here, I realized that there is much more to see and do in Ella!
Therefore, in this article I’m going to show you some suggestions of super interesting activities that you can include in your itinerary in Ella.
But I can tell you that it includes trails to viewpoints from which you can see endless land, Buddhist temples with good energy, beautiful tea fields, noisy waterfalls through which churning rivers flow, enigmatic prehistoric caves and a few more surprises that I found along the way.
I also mention the famous Nine Arch Bridge and the train, where many visitors cling to the outside to take the customary photo.
Finally, I include a suggestion for a simple hotel in Ella, where the hospitality of those in charge and the care taken to provide a good experience have left me with fond memories.
What to do and visit in Ella, Sri Lanka
Visit the Mahamevnawa Buddhist Monastery
The Mahamevnawa Monastery wasn’t part of our initial itinerary in Ella, but we’re glad we visited it, because it’s a beautiful place, perched on top of a mountain with superb views!
Also, the place has an energy so incredible that not even the persistent rain could take it away.
The monastery is dedicated to Gautama Buddha, and from what I understand, there are around 30 Theravada Buddhist monks living there.
Fortunately, we had the opportunity to have a monk as our guide, who explained the history and meaning of many of the statues and paintings of Gautama Buddha that adorn the temple.
We saw the outside of the temple and walked among believers saying their prayers.
We also saw the moment when a group of women with golden vases in their hands were preparing for a ritual offering.
At the end, we were even treated to a comforting cup of tea, which was the perfect way to end the visit.
In other words, it was simply a unique experience.
Visiting a tea plantation
Sri Lanka is one of the largest producers and exporters of tea in the world, so it makes perfect sense to add a visit to the tea fields to your list of things to do in Ella.
Tea was introduced by the British in the 19th century, encompassing the cultivation of black, white and green tea. But before that, the country was known for its coffee production, which was abandoned after a plague devastated the plantations.
James Taylor and Thomas Lipton, both Scots, were the great pioneers of tea production in Sri Lanka, as they started growing this product in the Kandy region.
The tea produced in Sri Lanka is known worldwide as “Ceylon Tea”, a name that refers to the country’s former name, Ceylon.
I visited the Halpe Tea plantation in Ella and loved the experience!
I walked through the vast tea fields and watched the skillful pickers, balancing baskets on their heads as they quickly picked the leaves and deftly dropped them into the baskets.
Among other things, I learned that high-quality white tea, also known as “Silver Tips”, is produced on a smaller scale and is highly valued on the global market.
In the end, I had the opportunity to taste five different types of tea, so I could choose my favorite.
Discovering the Ella Waterfalls
In this region of Sri Lanka there are some impressive waterfalls, but I’m only going to tell you about two, which are the ones I visited: Ravana Falls and Diyaluma Falls.
Ravana Falls, about 25 meters high, is one of Sri Lanka’s best-known waterfalls and is located near Ella.
The name Ravana Falls comes from the legend of the Ramayana, an ancient Hindu epic.
According to this legend, King Ravana hid Princess Sita in a cave near this waterfall, and I’ll tell you more about Ravana Cave later in this article!
They say that during the rainy season, the waterfall becomes even more spectacular, with a strong flow of water that creates several falls and small natural pools.
However, the scenery I found was breathtaking enough for me!
On the other hand, Diyaluma Falls is the second highest waterfall in Sri Lanka with a height of around 220 meters.
It is located in the Koslanda region, about an hour’s drive from Ella.
A special feature of Diyaluma Waterfall is the natural pools at the top of the waterfall. To get there, you have to walk along a trail that takes about 30-40 minutes, but they say it’s worth it.
In any case, if you decide to see the natural pools, I recommend that you do so accompanied by someone who knows the waterfall, to ensure your safety.
Climb up to Ravana Ella Prehistoric Cave
Ravana Cave is a mystical place that deserves to be included in the list of things to visit and do in Ella, Sri Lanka.
As I mentioned earlier, it is believed that King Ravana, i.e. one of the main characters in the Ramayana, hid Princess Sita in this cave during the time she was kidnapped.
According to legend, Ravana held her prisoner here while he tried to defeat the hero Rama.
The cave therefore has a strong mythical and religious connotation.
However, the place itself is also mysterious, since to reach this cave, you have to climb a considerable number of steps.
Despite the effort, believe me, it’s worth it!
A funny thing that happened to me on my way back from the cave was that I met a group of monkeys who were also coming down the hill.
But instead of using the steps like me, they were swinging from branch to branch, stopping every now and then to see who was in their territory.
All in all, quite an experience!
Visiting the Ravana Ella Rajamaha Vihara Temple
Before going up to Ravana’s Cave, I had the opportunity to visit Ravana Temple.
Although it doesn’t have the grandeur of other Buddhist temples I’ve visited, its symbolism is very relevant.
After all, this temple is also linked to the mythical king Ravana.
It is therefore a sacred place for Buddhists.
The main enclosure is under a rock, which is where the statue of the Buddha lies.
However, on the day I visited, the temple was closed and I could only enjoy the outside.
In any case, I took a photo of a panel nearby where you can see inside the temple.
Hike to Adam’s Peak
How would you like to start the day with a hike to a viewpoint at the top of a hill? And if the hill is sacred, even better?
Well, in Ella I spent a morning hiking the Adam’s Peak trail and I loved every minute of it.
The climb may be challenging for some, but I enjoyed the test!
And when I reached the end of the trail… WOW! What a breathtaking landscape. Mountains and more mountains as far as the eye could see.
I felt very small in front of that immensity.
Ziplining at Fly Ravana
On my way back from the Adam’s Peak trail, I saw that next door was the entrance to Flying Ravana, a zipline company in Ella.
And it’s no ordinary zipline, because as the name suggests, it’s a mega zipline!
Now, I’m afraid of this type of activity, but I recognize that it’s something that appeals to those who visit Sri Lanka.
So here’s a suggestion for anyone who wants to take advantage of it!
Seeing (or riding) a giant swing: Ella Swing
Another gem I found along the way on the Adam’s Peak trail was this giant swing: Ella Swing.
You know those swings full of flowers that are placed for visitors to take photos? That’s it!
Personally, I’m not a fan of these things, not least because, as I mentioned before, I suffer from vertigo.
However, I have to say that this particular swing is in a beautiful spot! So here’s a tip for anyone who wants to take advantage of it.
Strolling through the center of Ella
A visit to Ella wouldn’t be complete without seeing the town itself!
From a tourist point of view, this is where most of Ella’s stores, cafés and restaurants are concentrated.
It’s therefore an excellent place to end a day of adventures in the company of good friends!
Watching the Train Cross the Nine Arches Bridge
I started this article by mentioning that the Nine Arche Bridge is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Ella, Sri Lanka.
So, for those who want to see the bridge and the train, here is the main information.
The bridge is made of stone and is surrounded by dense vegetation. To get there, there is a 20-minute walking trail.
However, you can also take a tuk tuk that does about half the journey.
The timetables for the trains that cross the Nine Arches Bridge vary, but there are usually several trains throughout the day.
My recommendation is that you check the train times between Kandy and Ella on the day of or the day before, but it’s important to bear in mind that, due to the mountainous terrain, trains can be delayed.
In any case, trains should pass over the bridge every day at 9.30am, 11.30am, 3.30pm, 4.30pm and 5.30pm.
Accommodation in Ella
I stayed at the Ella Mount Heaven (3 stars), and although it wasn’t a luxurious hotel, the friendliness of the staff stood out.
An example of this willingness to welcome was when, at one of the meals, I asked if the food was spicy, to which they replied that it was not.
I wanted to feel the warmth of Sri Lankan food, which I love, and when they saw my dismay, they quickly directed me to the buffet area with traditional food.
What a treat! The spices and condiments they use in their recipes are simply divine.
In fact, as I write this I can feel my taste buds salivating at how delicious the food was.
So good that I forgot to take pictures… I’ll just leave you with a photographic record of the breakfast.
What you need to know before traveling to Ella
Where is Ella and how do I get there?
Ella is a small town in the mountains of southern Sri Lanka, about 200 km from Colombo.
Although there is public transportation, the most convenient way to get there is by rental car.
👉 See how much it cost to rent a car in Sri Lanka..
*My visit to Sri Lanka was hosted by the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau as part of a blog trip organized by ABVP – Associação de Bloggers de Viagens Portugueses. For more information about Sri Lanka, visit the official website: http://www.srilanka.travel/.
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