Nuwara Eliya Sri Lanka Tourism (2021) Travel Guide

Q: What is the best way to reach Nuwara eliya?

One can enter Nuwara Eliya by bus or carRead More

"City on the Plain, City of Light"

Nuwara Eliya Tourism

Nuwara Eliya is Sri Lanka's hill station famed for its tea production. With a multitude of gorgeous attractions ranging from waterfalls and tea plantations to gardens and lakes, Nuwara Eliya is the epitome of scenic beauty. Add to that the colonial-style buildings dotting the area, a golf course and the cold climate— and you'll feel like you have entered a world unlike Sri Lanka's iconic landscape; no wonder it is also called Little England!

Nuwara Eliya besides being the most important site for tea production also happens to be overlooked by the Pidurutalagala. This is the tallest mountain in Sri Lanka. This city enjoys an extremely temperate climate. Indeed this place happens to be the coolest part of Sri Lanka.

The most notable among Nuwara Eliya's sights is Lake Gregory, a stunning reservoir constructed in 1873; boat rides, jet skis and pony rides are relatively common at this typically tranquil lake.

The waterfalls in and around Nuwara Eliya include Lover's Leap Falls, Bomburu Ella Falls, St. Clair's Falls and Devon Falls. Victoria Park is a beautiful recreational area with several floral species, is a popular spot for birdwatching in the city. Another location for birdwatching and rare wildlife sightings is Galway's Land National Park. The numerous verdant tea plantations in Nuwara Eliya deserve a special mention; they are certainly one of the main draws of the city's tourism.

Nuwara Eliya is a start point for visiting the Horton Plains National Park. The city is near the Hakgala Botanical Gardens, home to thousands of flora, and the Seetha Amman Temple, dedicated to the Hindu goddess Seetha.

Without a doubt, a visit to Nuwara Eliya will ensure a distinct experience of being nestled amongst nature.

Places To Visit In Nuwara Eliya

Victoria Park

Pedro Tea Estate

Gregory Lake

Galway's Land National Park

Hakgala Gardens

Nanuoya Falls

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Currency in Nuwara Eliya

The LKR is the local currency in Sri Lanka which replaced the British pound in the country.There are portraits of previous Sri Lankan prime ministers as well as ex-president Mahinda Rajapaksa in the fronts of the bank notes.The backs have Sri Lankan flora and fauna, landscapes, industries as well as pictures showing local culture and history.

Exchanging Money in Nuwara Eliya

1 LKR = 0.46 INR.

Daily Budget for Nuwara Eliya

The average daily budget of a tourist would depend on whether the travel is luxurious or budget travels. So a budget trip would cost 2500 - 3000 LKR each day.

Religion of Nuwara Eliya

Theravada Buddhism is the major religion of Nuwara Eliya

Nuwara Eliya Customs

Nuwara Eliya has no special customs that need to be observed.

Language of Nuwara Eliya

Sinhala and Tamil are spoken mostly. However English is also a language of communication in Nuwara Eliya.

History of Nuwara Eliya

Samuel Baker who happened to be the discoverer of Lake Albert and the explorer of the river Nile in the year 1846 founded this city. This was called little England and the conducive climate led it to become the primary abode of the colonial Britishers. Most of the architecture of this city reflects the colonial era gone by.

Nightlife in Nuwara Eliya

Although this city does not have a vibrant nightlife the Lion's Pub and the Grand Hotel are some good places to hang out after sundown.

Shopping in Nuwara Eliya

Apart from the several tea factories, one can also shop for myriad varieties of tea at Mackwoods Tea Centre. The Winter Market, locally known as Bale Bazaar, is the place to be for purchasing a wide range of affordable winter apparel and other trinkets. Visit Laksala Gifts for buying all kinds of souvenirs to take home.

Nuwara Eliya—Sri Lanka's Tea Capital

Explore the various facets of the tea industry at Nuwara Eliya, beginning with a visit to a tea plantation and factory, such as the Bluefield Tea Gardens or Pedro Tea Estate. The factories offer tours of the premises, with guides explaining the various steps involved in the production. Complete your trip with a tea sampling session and purchase the different teas on sale.

Best Time to Visit Nuwara Eliya

Commuting within Nuwara Eliya

Nuwara Eliya Photos

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Top Hotels In Nuwara Eliya

Nuwara Eliya Hills Rest

8.9 (652 reviews)

$ 40 onwards

La Grande Villa

9.2 (453 reviews)

$ 86 onwards

Pigeons Nest

8.6 (605 reviews)

$ 32 onwards

Pedro View Homestay

9.0 (401 reviews)

$ 18 onwards

Heritance Tea Factory

8.6 (523 reviews)

$ 244 onwards

AGP home

9.7 (238 reviews)

$ 26 onwards

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FAQs on Nuwara Eliya

What is the best time to visit Nuwara eliya?

February to May is the best time to visit Nuwara Eliya; although the temperatures are quite low at this time, The city witnesses little rainfall, making it the perfect time for exploring the picturesque sights without worrying about the weather. April is quite a busy month in Nuwara Eliya, as this is the time of the Sinhalese New Year, with flower shows, horse races and car races happening across the city; inevitably, the prices at hotels often hit the roof in this month. The weather at Nuwara Eliya is relatively cold all through the year, with an average annual temperature of 15.9 °C. So, if you are planning your visit to Nuwara Eliya, don’t think much about the weather conditions. It is advisable to avoid the months of June to November, as the rainfall is generally high during this time, hindering sightseeing.
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What is the local food in Nuwara eliya?

Due to the city's colonial history, the restaurants at Nuwara Eliya serve an eclectic blend of English and Sri Lankan fare. Visit the Hill Club for classic English dishes, and have high tea at The Grand Hotel. Overlooking Victoria Park, Themparadu is known for its delicious kottu and other Sri Lankan delicacies. Grand India, serving lip-smacking Indian dishes, is another immensely popular restaurant in Nuwara Eliya.
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What is the best way to reach Nuwara eliya?

One can enter Nuwara Eliya by bus or car
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What are the top hotels in Nuwara eliya?

There are 552 in Nuwara eliya which can be booked through Holidify. The most popular hotels in Nuwara eliya are GrandCot, Eco Villa, The Lofty Inn, Konicalvilla, OYO 511 Delphin Hotel, OYO 454 Jayamal Rest. You can see all the hotels in Nuwara eliya here

What are the things to do in Nuwara eliya?

The top things to do in Nuwara eliya are Victoria Park, Pedro Tea Estate, Gregory Lake, Lovers leap, Seeta Amman Temple, Galway's Land National Park. You can see all the places to visit in Nuwara eliya here

What are the places near Nuwara eliya?

The top places near to Nuwara eliya are Kandy which is 41 km from Nuwara eliya, Galle which is located 117 km from Nuwara eliya, Colombo which is located 102 km from Nuwara eliya, Anuradhapura which is located 157 km from Nuwara eliya, Sigiriya which is located 112 km from Nuwara eliya