Nestled in the heart of Sri Lanka’s highlands, Ella is a popular backpacker destination known for its natural beauty and the warmth and hospitality of its people. It has a laid-back vibe but it can also be quite lively, with plenty of trendy cafes and bars lining the main street and amazing adventures surrounding the town.
In this post, we will explore some of the best things to do in Ella, helping you make the most of your visit to this incredible destination!
Also read: Sri Lanka Travel Cost – Budget Breakdown
1. Ella Rock
Ella Rock is a scenic hike that takes you through lush green tea plantations and dense forests to a breathtaking viewpoint. Needless to say that Ella Rock, rocks!
Navigating this hike on your own can seem a little bit challenging at first, but we have a complete guide that breaks the whole trail down (with some pretty useful tips) right here: Ella Rock Hiking 101: Tips & Must-See Views.
Pro tip: try to make it to the top for sunrise for the best views!
2. The Nine Arch Bridge
This architectural marvel is perfectly nestled between tea plantations and the dense jungle, almost as if hidden. The Nine Arch Bridge connects the stations of Ella and Demodara and is part of the train ride between Kandy and Ella, named one of the most beautiful train rides in the world.
Also known as the Bridge in the Sky, it was built during the British Colonial period entirely out of stone, bricks, and cement, without the use of any steel – impressive, right?!
We recommend visiting this beauty during the early morning as it gets quite busy after 10 AM. The train schedule varies, with the official timings being 6:30, 9:30 and 11:30 AM and 3:30, 4:30 and 5:30 PM. For example, we visited at 6 in the morning but the train only passed at 6:50.
The easiest way to reach the bridge is by tuk-tuk, but you can also walk from Ella town and it takes around 45 minutes. The Nine Arch Bridge is free to access and open all year round.
3. Adam’s Peak & Little Adam’s Peak
Adam’s Peak might not be the highest of Sri Lanka’s mountains, but it sits tall at 2,243 meters and its summit holds a depression that resembles a huge footprint.
This footprint has been regarded as a sacred spot for centuries and it’s believed by Buddhists to be that of Lord Buddha. However, if you ask Hindus, this footprint is from Shiva, and if you ask Muslims, it is the first step of Adam from the Garden of Eden.
In any case, the site has become an object of regular Buddhist pilgrimage and it’s often hiked before sunrise. It takes around 2:30 to 3 hours to reach the summit depending on your physical conditions and the entire route is very well maintained and illuminated throughout.
Now, unlike its big brother, Little Adam’s Peak is a far more accessible and less strenuous hike in Ella and its summit offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding hills and valleys. The trail is relatively easy and well-marked and it’s a 2-hour round trip from Ella town.
4. Diyalume Falls
Diyalume is Sri Lanka’s second-highest waterfall, with water cascading down 220 meters! But this is not what makes this waterfall special… the natural infinity pools located on top of it, are. Including one right on the edge of the main waterfall.
Note: these natural pools are only safe to swim during the dry season. During the rainy season, the currents can be strong and the water levels are far higher.
The journey to Diyalume Falls is also an adventure in itself. Located about 30km south of Ella, the best way to reach it is by making the trip from Ella town with a tuk-tuk driver to upper Diyaluma Falls (around a 2-hour ride) and hiking from there (for around 30 minutes).
5. Tea Plantation & Factory Tour
One of the highlights of any trip to Sri Lanka is trying their local tea, straight from the tea factory! Due to the acid-rich soil and cooler conditions found in the highlands, the tea produced in this region is considered one of, if not the best in the world.
The tours generally start with a visit to the tea fields, where you’ll get to immerse yourself in the heart of the country’s tea culture and even try picking a few leaves yourself. The green tea bushes stretching across rolling hills are one of the most beautiful sights!
One of the highlights here is watching the tea pickers at work skillfully pluck the tea leaves, carrying heavy baskets on their backs. The speed at which they do this is quite impressive, but we learned they’re usually women and don’t make much money despite spending most of their days on the field, which is a shame.
A very experienced local guide will explain to you all about the tea process, from planting and picking to processing, and then a visit to the actual factory takes place. Here you can see how the leaves are dried, rolled, fermented, and finally packed.
At the end, a hot cup of tea awaits you!
6. Ravana Falls
Just outside of Ella, on the winding road south, lies the beautiful Ravana Falls. No hiking is necessary to visit it, as it’s located just next to the main road, but it’s still quite an impressive sight!
Pro tip: if you decide to hike up the waterfall and a local offers help to show the way, be aware that they’ll charge you for it later on. We fell into this trap…
It is possible to take a dip in the pool at the base of the waterfall where the water is cool and clear. However, caution is advised, especially during the rainy season when the currents can be strong.
Be aware of the monkeys in this region, since there is food being sold around the area, they are always trying to steal from tourists and can sometimes get aggressive.
The cascading waterfall is also steeped in local legend, and the mystical caves located in the forest behind it are believed to be the place where King Ravana hid Princess Sita, in response to his sister’s nose being cut by Sita’s husband, Rama.
You can catch a tuk-tuk or take a public bus from the main road in Ella town to visit Ravana Falls.
7. Cafés & Bars in Ella Town
The main road at Ella Town is lined with trendy cafes and bars, just as if they knew all you’d want to do after a day adventuring is to grab some delicious food and chill…
The cafés serve a mix of local and international cuisine and usually have quite a hipster, lovely decor. As the evening sets in, some of these transition into more of a bar setting, offering local and international beers, wines, and cocktails, with some even throwing late-ish parties.
Hot tip: we love Café Chill, although it’s a bit on the pricier side, and Raha Ella for cheap, delicious local food.
8. Dhowa Rock Temple
The Dhowa Rock Temple dates back over 2,000 years and is home to one massive unfinished Buddha statue, carved into the rock face. Standing about 12 meters high, it demonstrates the skill and artistry of ancient Sri Lankan craftsmen.
Inside the temple, you will find traditional Buddhist murals and paintings, some of which are quite old and depict various scenes from the Buddha’s life.
The temple is located just off the main road between Ella and Bandarawela, just a 10-minute ride from Ella town, and is free to visit (small donations for the maintenance of the temple are always advised).
9. Shirodhara Massage
Looking for something completely different yet memorable? We got you! Originating from the Sanskrit words shiro (head) and dhara (flow), Shirodhara is a healing technique from Ayurveda – the Indian holistic health approach.
It consists of pouring liquids such as oil, milk, buttermilk, or even water over the forehead, non-stop, for a period of time. This is often integrated with a body, scalp, or head massage and it’s believed to alleviate stress, anxiety, and insomnia.
Sounds insane right?! That’s what we thought, but we decided to give it a go and can’t begin to describe how amazing it feels. We’re used to massages relaxing our bodies, but this one relaxed our minds.
We did ours at a very small place called Helena Organic Ayurvedic Spa (location here). It was off-season and it cost us around 3000r (€9) per person for a one-hour session, but the usual price is 4500r (€13).
10. Ella Spice Garden – Cooking Lesson
Taking a cooking class is one of the best ways to explore the real food culture in a country. It’s how you discover the difference between what’s served at local homes and what you eat at restaurants.
There are quite a few options for cooking lessons in Ella, but Ella Spice Garden is quite a special one. They have their own spice garden where they introduce you to the local spices. You’ll then take them fresh into the kitchen where you’ll learn all the tips and tricks for preparing an authentic and delicious Sri Lankan dish.
Hot tip: You can book your class directly with Theeka via WhatsApp (+94 77 776 8532).
11. Kandy to Ella Train Ride
Known as one of the most scenic train rides in the world, this is an experience you can’t miss when in Sri Lanka! As the train winds its way through the hill country, passengers are treated to views of lush green tea plantations, mist-covered mountains, and cascading waterfalls.
One of the unique aspects of this train ride is the ability to open the doors and windows – people will often sit by the open doors and feel the cool breeze while admiring the landscape.
Hanging out the train door for a couple of photos is also common. It is not super safe to do so, so please be cautious. Although the train goes relatively slow, you wouldn’t want to fall and be left behind in the middle of nowhere.
This is a very affordable ride, just like most of the train routes in the country. But because of its popularity, we recommend booking the tickets in advance.
Hot tip: A huge hack we learned while traveling Sri Lanka is to get observation tickets, which are tickets for carriages with reserved seats. They’re slightly more expensive but they are clean and super spacious – no feeling like a sardine here!
Also read: Transportation in Sri Lanka 101 – All You Need to Know!
Ella Travel Tips
👕 Ella has a cooler climate compared to the coastal regions of Sri Lanka. Bring layers for the cooler evenings and mornings, especially if you plan to hike early in the day.
🥾 Good walking or hiking shoes are essential. Bring the one you are comfortable walking long distances with and you don’t care about that much – it can get muddy!
🐛 Leeches are a common concern in the wetter regions of Sri Lanka, especially when hiking. We had a (very bloody) encounter with a few of them when visiting the Nine Arch Bridge. Leeches are usually deterred by salt, fire, and certain repellents. Carrying a small container of salt or a lighter can be helpful.
Tip: Leech socks are also a thing – we discovered it after this incident 🥴
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Ella in Sri Lanka is during the dry season, which typically runs from January to March. During these months, the weather is more stable and less prone to the heavy rains of the monsoon season.
This is also the peak tourist season, so it might be busier and prices might be higher. If you prefer a quieter experience, consider the shoulder months of December or April, when the weather is still relatively good, and the tourist crowds are smaller.
We visited Ella in July and experienced rain at the end of the afternoon, most of the days. It didn’t affect our time there as we visited most of the attractions during the early mornings, and accommodation prices were heavenly low. But we did encounter leeches and couldn’t swim in the waterfalls due to the water levels, so that’s something to consider.
How to visit Ella
🚂 By Train: As mentioned above, the most scenic and popular way to get to Ella is by train. The journey from Colombo, Kandy, or Nuwara Eliya to Ella is renowned for its stunning views of the hill country.
Also read: Transportation in Sri Lanka 101 – All You Need to Know!
🚌 By Bus: There are also bus services to Ella from cities like Colombo, Kandy, and Nuwara Eliya. Public buses do intercity routes but they’re quite uncomfortable and you might not get a seat. For a more comfortable ride with reserved seats and A/C, you can choose between one of the coach services that operate around the country such as NCG Express and Super Line Travels.
🚗 By Car or Tuk-tuk: You can rent a car or tuk-tuk to drive on your own or get a private driver for more convenience and flexibility. This option is much faster but also more expensive.
Pro tip: if you prefer to have more flexibility during your time in Sri Lanka, we recommend the most authentic way of travel in the country – renting and driving your very own Tuk-Tuk with TukTuk Rental! For a special discount, use our code “wheretoflow” when making a booking 🛺
Where to stay in Ella
Ella offers a range of accommodation options, with most of the budget to mid-range options being located on the main street. Booking in advance is recommended, especially during peak tourist seasons.
