Sri Lanka is famous for its lovely beaches and lush green hill country filled with a number of famous tourist places. Visitors can enjoy these locations that offer endless opportunities to capture the beauty of Sri Lanka. Nevertheless, there are more hidden beautiful places on the island that offer a lot more to see. Many visitors are unaware of these amazing hidden gems in Sri Lanka. Although these secret places are incredibly beautiful and fascinating, they are located far from travelers’ eyes.
Most of these secret beauties are located far from major tourist streams, where you need an adventurous trip to reach them. But your hard work is completely worth it in the end and it will be a great experience to see the ultimate beauty of the island. Rather than visiting famous tourist locations, you can leisurely enjoy these hidden gems without all crowds around. Below are the top 12 amazing hidden places you should visit in Sri Lanka. We hope you’ll enjoy visiting these breathtaking places which will amaze you with their spectacular sceneries.
1. Dolukanda in Kurunegala
Dolukanda mountain range is an unexploited area with dramatic geography, still remains as a hidden gem in Sri Lanka. 600 m high Dolukanda mountain is a famous herbal paradise with historical and archaeological value in the Kurunegala area. It directly links to the great Indian epic, Ramayana Trail in Sri Lanka. It is one of the 5 Sanjeewani Mountains, which was dropped by Lord Hanuman while flying with a part of the Himalayas.
There is a Buddhist Temple, as well as a forest cave where the monks meditated and lived at the top of Dolukanda. The trekking route of Dolukanda goes through the ancient Buddhist Temple called Dolukanda Temple. You can start climbing the mountain after informing the guardian monk of the temple. Since this route is fairly strenuous, it’s better to contact a local person to support your trek.
Your hard work in climbing Dolukanda will be paid off at the top of the mountain. The panoramic sceneries from the top are unbelievably beautiful. Without a doubt, this place is an epic photogenic spot, where you can get the best Instagram shots. Visiting this amazing hidden gem gives you the opportunity to enjoy the ultimate beauty of Sri Lanka.
2. Peacock Hill in Pussellawa
Peacock hill is one of the most beautiful hidden gems closer to Nuwara Eliya in the hill country. This mountain is the highest peak in Pussellawa, located about 1513 meters above sea level. It locates on the side of the A5 main road and rising only 200 meters above Pussellawa city. Therefore, this is quite easy hike which may take less than 30 minutes.
Once you reach the top, you can experience a breathtaking view of the surroundings. This panoramic vantage point gives an extraordinary view of the mountains and villages around Pussellawa. Certainly, you’ll immerse yourself in the gorgeous beauty of the neighboring area. Visitors can catch some wonderful, Insta-worthy shots in Peacock Hills.
The view of lush green mountains and Kotmale reservoir from Peacock Hill will give you an everlasting memory. Visiting there during sunset or sunrise gives an opportunity to capture some amazingly beautiful shots. Without a doubt, this hidden gem is one of the perfect places to enjoy the spectacular sceneries of the hill country.
3. Madulsima in Badulla
Madulsima is a hidden gem in a village in Badulla, Uva Province of Sri Lanka. This picturesque village with mountains is popular among locals for hiking and camping. The most popular attraction is the Madulsima Mini World’s End, where many tourists are still unaware of this lovely place.
Madulsima Mountain has an elevation of 383 m and stands around 700 – 1000 m above sea level. This area gives an eye-pleasing view to visitors with endless tea plantations. The highest part of this mountain belongs to Roseberry Tea Estate. The Madulsima Mini World’s End is located at the end of this estate. This is one of the completely hidden gems in Sri Lanka, far from the major tourist destinations.
Although reaching this wonderful viewpoint is rather difficult along the winding roads, the view from there is unparallel to anywhere. It is a heavenly location that stands high above elevation. Mostly mist shrouds the area, but the views are fantastic on a clear day. Visitors can view a vast plain starting at the bottom of the mountain and ending towards the East coast.
From this viewpoint, you’ll feel as if you are walking among the clouds. Although it is such a beautiful place, the winds are high here and you need to be careful going to the edge of the rock plateau.
4. Sembuwatta Lake in Elkaduwa
Sembuwatta Lake is a hidden paradise in the hill country, ideal for nature lovers. This is a man-made lake created from natural spring water at Elkaduwa plantations in Matale. The lake is situated at an elevation of 1,140 m, bordered by Cambell’s Land Forest reserve and lush green tea estates. The beautiful green mountains with towering thick pine forests and lovely tea plantations make a wonderful picturesque background for the lake.
The lake is a top leisure travel destination since various activities are available such as zip-lining, swan, and motorboat riding. The pine forest is famous for hiking in the area. The lake is fairly deep around 9 -12m, hence bathing and swimming in the lake is not allowed. But you can enjoy yourself in a nearby separate swimming pool. You can also reserve the holiday bungalow with all modern facilities to stay over at night.
The misty and chilly atmosphere with pine trees and tea-covered slopes surrounding the lake is breathtaking and looks very relaxing. If you like to capture some epic nature shots of Sri Lanka, you’ll love this place. Certainly, Sembuwatta Lake reflects the beauty of nature as its most magnificent and you will enjoy every moment of this journey.
5. Thalpe Rock Pool Beach in Galle
Thalpe is one of the most beautiful beaches in Sri Lanka around 10 km from Galle city, closer to the famous Unawatuna beach. The Rock Pools in Thalpe beach are clearly hidden gems in southern Sri Lanka. Certainly, most of the visitors are unaware of this lovely place. It is famous only among locals who like adventurous sea bathing.
These rock pools provide a beautiful seaside in a secluded area. Since the rock pools are cut off from a coral reef, there aren’t any strong waves in these pools. According to the villagers, about 50 years ago the rock pools were cut out of the corals and used to soak husks of coconut to isolate the coir. Now visitors use these pools for sea bathing. If you’re looking for an extraordinary beach filled with serenity, then Thalpe is definitely your spot for a unique experience.
The beach is extremely clean and the location is totally undiscovered. You’ll certainly enjoy it. As well, the rock pool beach is quite easy to reach, as it locates just only 40 m from the Colombo–Galle main road in Thalpe. The best time to visit is early morning from March to April, the dry season on the southern coast. If you’re going to see this place, you need to beware of sea urchins abundant in that area.
6. Upper Diyaluma in Badulla
220 m tall Diyaluma waterfall in Badulla is one of the most famous waterfalls in Sri Lanka. It is the second-highest waterfall, which attracts visitors with its tall, towering appearance. The waterfall is famous not only for its enchanting beauty but also for the gorgeous landscape around the area. Although many visitors enjoy this majestic waterfall, only a few know about the more impressive hidden gem in upper Diyaluma falls.
It is quite difficult to reach upper Diyaluma than the major waterfall. Most importantly, the upper Diyaluma fall lies in a remote location not frequented by visitors. Therefore, remember to get support from locals to reach there safely. Although it is hard to reach there, the epic views at the top of the falls will enchant you.
Upper Diyaluma is home to some of the best natural infinity pools in the world. These large natural rock pools are a perfect spot where you can snap some beautiful Insta-shots. You can enjoy a wonderful dip and a refreshing swim at these pools. Be ready to capture the mesmerizing beauty of the surrounding landscapes.
7. Sera Ella in Riverston
Sri Lanka is home to more than 400 waterfalls dotted all over the island. Out of them, some are hidden gems, located far from major tourist streams. One such gorgeous waterfall is Sera Ella located in the Knuckles Forest Reserve. You can see this beautiful Sera Ella during your hiking to Riverston peak in Matale. It measures 10 m in height and approximately 15 to 20 m in width, which is wider than the height.
The unique feature of this waterfall is the natural cave in the rock, located behind the falls. You can reach this cave safely along with the steps on the rock. This is a wonderful opportunity, where you can walk into that cave and stand behind the crumbling water of the fall. This cave is a secure place even when the fall is at full flow. This is an extremely rare occasion to see a fall from behind. Remember to visit this astonishing hidden gem, while waterfall hunting in Sri Lanka.
8. Bambarakiri Ella in Riverston
This is a hidden gem in a tranquil and peaceful place, set amidst the mesmerizing greenery of the Knuckles Mountain range. Same as Sera Ella, you can find Bambarakiri Ella during your visit to Riverston. This is a fall of 10 m, which cascades into three parts. Water comes crashing down to earth at a high speed in the rainy season making this fall a wonderful sight.
The major highlight of this waterfall is the photogenic suspension bridge spanning the falls. This bridge offers the opportunity to capture wonderful shots of this beautiful waterfall. As well, the rock pool at the base of the waterfall is ideal for a safe dip during the dry season. But it’s very dangerous during the rainy season, due to the high-water volume and slippery rocks.
9. Lakegala Peak in Meemure
Lakegala peak is a hidden gem in the beautiful Matale city filled with natural beauty. This 1370 m tall rocky mountain consider one of the hardest peaks to reach. Although this mountain is quite photogenic, the steep angle of the rock makes hiking it rather difficult. Lakegala peak is famous as the most dangerous hike in Sri Lanka.
Still, if you are an expert in rock climbing, surely you’ll love this place. Since there aren’t any particular hiking trails, you may need to contact a local guide to climb this peak. Even if you don’t want to climb, you can experience the mesmerizing sceneries and rocky pointy top of Lakegala Peak. Since this area has the most gorgeous landscape in the hill country, remember to discover these hidden gems in Sri Lanka.
10. Adisham Bungalow in Haputale
Adisham Bungalow is a hidden gem located closer to Ella, in a beautiful environment in Haputale. This is an ancient British country house built in 1931 by an English planter. It is a marvelous creation with English charm, still well preserved after 90 years. This picturesque country house is wrapped in the tranquility of the misty hills, attracting every eye that falls on it.
There is an elegantly landscaped big garden filled with beautiful blooms. The garden spreads across 10 acres of land. This vast enchanting garden has lots of blooming roses and many varieties of flowers with various hues. The garden of Adisham Bungalow is the best place to admire beautiful Sri Lankan hill country plants and flowers.
If you wish to stay at Adisham Bungalow, you can make a reservation beforehand and stay there overnight. Certainly, this is one of the most beautiful places in the hill country, and remember to include this lovely hidden gem on your Sri Lankan bucket list.
11. Kadadora Viharaya in Kotmale
Do you know there is a glorious Buddhist temple totally submerged in a reservoir in the Hill Country of Sri Lanka? This ancient Buddhist temple call as Kadadora Viharaya in Kotmale. Once a magnificent temple, later it was abandoned and ruined as the construction of Kotmale Dam in 1979. This hidden gem gives a wonderful experience for tourists who particularly pursue off-the-beaten-track sites.
The reappearance of Kadadora Viharaya is very rare. It remained underwater for 30 years until it reappears in 2009 when a severe drought hits the area. Usually, people can witness it only during the dry months. When the water level of Kotmale reservoir goes down, it gives the opportunity to see the ruins of the temple. Specially, you need to wait for the drought period to witness the former glory of this temple.
12. Yapahuwa Rock Fortress
The citadel of Yapahuwa is located on the huge, 90 m high Yapahuwa rock. This fortress is second only to the great Rock Fortress in Sigiriya. On the other hand, Sigiriya is highly famous among visitors, while Yapahuwa fortress still remains as a hidden gem in the countryside.
Visiting this very impressive place gives you the opportunity to capture some picture-perfect Insta-worthy shots. It offers a tranquil, peaceful environment to the visitors, where you can immerse in the beauty of nature.
The remarkable feature and the biggest showpiece of this rock fortress is its long, ornamental stone stairway. It is constructed on the steep embankment of the rock with around 100 stairs.
You can climb to the top of the rock along this picturesque stairway. Once you climb this huge granite rock, it gives a sweeping view over the surrounding lowland area.
To sum up, here we have shown you the most beautiful hidden gems in Sri Lanka. These places are completely hidden in the Sri Lankan countryside, where most travelers aren’t aware of them. If you are going to visit these hidden places, remember to get guidance from locals to reach them safely. Since most of these dramatic viewpoints are sharp cliffs with several hundred meters of drop, you need to enjoy the sceneries carefully and cautiously. Hope you all visit these hidden places and capture their unbelievable beauty. Let’s discover the hidden gems in Sri Lanka!
Text by Magnificent Sri Lanka. Images from Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. All copyrights are reserved by the original authors.
